Chapter 2: The Journey Begins

Author's Note: Thanks so much for all of the reviews! Keep it up and I will write more.

A chill swept through Maplekit as she opened her eyes and squinted at the bright rays of sunlight that shone down on her pelt. Trees surrounded her, and the forest floor felt soft on her paws. Her whiskers twitched at the new, yet familiar scents that blew around her.

Wh - Where am I? she wondered, startled at seeing unknown land. But as she looked closer at the surrounding landscape, and regained memory of her conversation with Goldenstar, Maplekit realized were she was. The scents of ThunderClan lingered in the air, and she found herself only a few fox-lengths away from the Sunningrocks, a landmark that ThunderClan had fought many a time to keep.

“I can’t believe it!” she meowed, shocked at hearing her new voice, that of a young kit. Her fur was standing on end; she could not bring herself to accept the state she was in. The young kit raced off, past the Sunningrocks, and halted at the bank of the river. She looked down, and gasped when she saw her reflection in its rushing waters. The graceful black and white cat she had once been seemed distant, for she was now only a bundle of light-brown fur. Though she was glad to see the star birthmark on her right hind leg, something she had had ever since she was called Diamondkit, she just couldn’t grasp the concept that she was back on Earth.

Suddenly she remembered Goldenstar’s determined words she had heard while still in StarClan. By the power of StarClan, you will be known as Maplekit on Earth, and you shall be blessed with nine lives. The words echoed in Maplekit’s mind. “I’m Maplekit now…” she murmured. She turned her gaze to the sky, now filled with fluffy clouds and bright sunshine. No star was in sight.

“I have to do this,” Maplekit mewed, her voice squeaky, but bold. I’m on Earth as a kit, and I’m supposed to somehow save the four Clans, she reassured herself. She knew that she could not waste any more time then necessary. Neither she nor StarClan knew what kind of danger would threaten the Clans, or how soon it would strike.

The young kit bounded over to a tall oak tree which seemed to touch the sky. Countless branches grew from the giant, stretching low enough for a small kit to jump onto.

“Here goes nothing,” Maplekit mewed, leaping upon the thick branch. It bounced up and down, but she held onto it with all her might until it quieted down. She continued up the tree, frightened, but determined to make it to the top.

After what seemed like a moon, Maplekit climbed the rest of the way until she was on the tallest branch, and exhausted. At the top it was a little cooler, the wind rippling the kit’s light brown fur like ocean waves. Maplekit gazed across the forest, memories flooding into her.

“There’s the RiverClan camp, Treecut Place, and even the Tallpines!” she mewed to herself. As she turned her gaze, she caught sight of the ThunderClan camp.

“Yes!” she meowed triumphantly. She pictured living in her birth Clan once again. How exciting it would be! I must go there, she decided.

Trying to remember which direction the camp was, Maplekit jumped down to the branch beneath her. But this time, as the branch bounced, Maplekit lost her grip, and was thrown to the ground mercilessly.

Maplekit yowled in pain as she landed on her side, her head spinning. She tried to get up, but couldn‘t move a paw. As she tried again, her vision clouded over.