Author's Note: Thanks to those who reviewed and a special thanks to Safaricat Dawnheart for pointing out that I typed ShadowClan instead of ShadeClan. THAT IS A TYPO! Thanks again to those who reviewed!
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Chapter Two:
The next few moments were a blur to Kelppaw as she raced along beside Larkclaw and Cheetahpaw; the sounds of the forest sounded distant to the young she-cat as they neared the old quarry and skidded to a halt before the edge. Her ivy green eyes peered down into the quarry and she padded slowly forward, her steps small and timid – almost afraid. Larkclaw flashed by her, leaving Kelppaw alone with Cheetahpaw. The spotted tom looked quizzically at her and made as if he was about to ask her what was wrong, then decided better. As he passed, he brushed his flank against hers and whispered into her ear, "Whatever is the matter, you'll find a way to fix it. I have faith in you."
Kelppaw blinked gratefully and watched as the lithe golden tom made his way into the camp. She had known Cheetahpaw ever since he was a kit – only a few moons older than herself and Featherpaw and she had never felt this close to him; shaking her head, Kelppaw darted after the tom that she would quarrel with when she was a tiny kit and headed timidly towards the nursery where Larkclaw was stationed outside, nervously pacing the entrance.
The young apprentice let a mrrow of soft laughter past her silver lips as a tawny colored apprentice limped towards the nursery, a bundle of herbs clutched gently in his mouth; a twisted paw was held protectively to his chest and he murmured something to Larkclaw for the dark brown tom stopped his pacing and slipped inside the nursery. "Seems that Iceflower has had her kits." Mewed a soft voice; Kelppaw turned and found her leader, Hollystar, standing beside her, a smile etched across her lips.
"Yes, and now that she has, maybe Larkclaw will be more calm." Suggested Kelppaw, flicking her tail in amusement as Featherpaw and Eagleclaw padded into camp, their mouths sealed with the load of prey that they had caught; her silver-gray sister returned Kelppaw's amused tail flick with a wiggle of her bottom as she added her catches to the fresh-kill pile.
A gentle touch to Kelppaw's shoulder brought her attention back to Hollystar. "Young one, I want you to take a walk with me later this evening. I wish to speak to you in private." Mewed the dark ginger she-cat, her blue eyes clouded with…worry?
Puzzled, Kelppaw nodded, "Alright." Hollystar dipped her head in departure as the Clan's faithful Medicine Cat, Pearlpetal, stepped out of the Nursery, a weary smile on her lips. The silver she-cat watched them go before lifting each of her black paws, giving them a small shake, and padding over to Featherpaw, who was eating a plump mouse. Featherpaw wrinkled her nose in greeting as Kelppaw selected a smaller mouse and plopped down next to her.
"So, Larkclaw's kits are finally here, eh?" asked Featherpaw between bites, her soft brown eyes meeting Kelppaw's ivy green ones. Her silver sister nodded as she held her mouse between her black forepaws and tore off a chunk of meat to satisfy her hunger with.
"Yup! Now that they are, hopefully Larkclaw will let his nerves cool off." Replied Kelppaw, watching as her mentor appeared in the entrance of the nursery, a gigantic smile lanced across his lips. Featherpaw merely laughed and nudged her sister as if to say 'Hurry up so we can go see the kits.'
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Inside the nursery on a soft bed of moss and feathers lay a snow white queen, her ice blue eyes glittering happily. Nestled against her swollen stomach were three tiny kits, each a variety of their parents coloring. The first kit was a he-kit and looked like Larkclaw with dark brown fur, though his paws and underbelly were white. The second kit was smaller, a she-kit, with snow white fur and dark brown tabby stripes; the third kit was frail looking, though her coloring was different, so different from her siblings. She was a creamy brown in coloring with a completely dark brown tail and white chest. Iceflower looked up from her kits as Larkclaw gently nudged her and motioned towards the sisters.
Iceflower, despite being deaf, could understand cats by reading their lips and now she watched Featherpaw closely, translating the apprentice's words. "Their names?" she asked, unsure if that was what Featherpaw asked or not, though when Kelppaw nodded, the queen responded, "Our little tom has been named Falconkit, the white she-kit is Dovekit, and our littlest kit is…" At the mention of her weak kit, Iceflower looked away and Larkclaw's face saddened.
"We decided not to name her, in case…" he mewed, trailing off as he watched the third kit give a weak cough before snuggling closer to her siblings.
"You're not going to name her!" Kelppaw asked angrily, her eyes flashing. "Larkclaw, she is your daughter. She may not seem strong now, but if you give her a chance, she'll grow to be great. She'll grow up to be great, just like you." Larkclaw blinked in surprise as his apprentice's sudden boldness, though instead of an angry gleam appearing in his eyes, a grateful gleam appeared.
"I must thank you, Kelppaw, for speaking reasonably." Larkclaw purred, touching his tail tip fondly to her flank, "You name her."
Kelppaw blinked in surprise as her mentor's gentleness and then at his offer. Looking to Featherpaw for support, she received an encouraging nod. Taking a breath, the young she-cat padded forward and touched the third kit on her head gently with her name. "I shall name you…Hopekit. Hopekit suits you and may you bring hope to others."
Iceflower by now had turned back around to watch Kelppaw as she neared her kit. Thanks swam within her strangely colored eyes as the sisters, well, twins, padded out of the nursery. The sun was sinking below the horizon and the sky was painted with soft pinks and peaches, a beautiful sunset to witness on such a most happy and dreadful day. Kelppaw's ivy colored eyes grew suddenly distant as she realized what she must do – she must leave the Clan for now to fulfill a prophecy that she had been chosen to take part in.
Touching her nose fondly to Featherpaw's flank, Kelppaw mewed, "I'll be in the den later; Hollystar wants to see me." And with that, she allowed her black paws to carry her towards the dark ginger she-cat's den.
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As Hollystar and Kelppaw made their way out of the quarry and into the forest, the sky was now dark and tiny white stars penetrated the night, giving the two she-cats light. "Kelppaw, I wish to talk to you about something I received from StarClan on the night of your birth." The dark ginger she-cat began, her blue eyes locking on the silver apprentice, "Kelppaw, you are a special kit, chosen by StarClan to fulfill a prophecy that I don't fully understand myself." Kelppaw listened quietly, though she already knew what Hollystar was about to explain.
"StarClan spoke to me about a silver cat born as Kelpkit who would bring back what is lost and that hearts will be filled with grief upon Kelp's return. That cat, Kelppaw, is you." Hollystar paused, watching Kelppaw's reaction.
"I knew of this already, Hollystar. This morning I received the prophecy you are talking about and then I received it again when I was out with Larkclaw. Though, at the end, the vision grew more gruesome. A large, dusky brown tom appeared and his claws…They were so big!" the she-cat mewed, shuddering at the memory of the frightening vision. At this, Hollystar blinked, concern flooding into her blue eyes; a few moments of silence passed between the two cats before Hollystar rested her muzzle on Kelppaw's head.
"May StarClan guide you safely there and back." Hollystar mewed, motioning for Kelppaw to go. The young she-cat nodded, and backed slowly away into the shadows, fear brimming within her eyes. As Kelppaw finally disappeared from view, Hollystar's ears flicked backwards as a rustling noise sounded in the bushes behind her. Slipping into the shadows, the she-cat waited as a large, dusky brown tom slipped into view, his menacing yellow eyes darting from side to side. A flick of his tail and a smaller figure slid into the open, her silver fur gleaming in the moonlight.
"Is everything set, Silver?" asked the tom, his voice deep and menacing; his nose quivered as he scented the air and looked towards where Hollystar was hiding. Turning back to the she-cat known as Silver, he awaited her answer.
"Yes, oh mighty Vultureclaw, the trap has been set."
Raising a paw, the tom's unsheathed claws glinted in the moonlight as he cuffed the she-cat across her face, his claws raking her cheek. The she-cat squealed in pain and shrank back, her eyes wide. "Never call me that name again. I am known as Vengeance, not Vultureclaw." He growled, looming over Silver; the tom sighed irritably and looked about before letting out a low hiss.
Suddenly, the area became alive as cats slipped from bushes, shadows, and trees. They flocked to Vengeance, bowing their heads and chanting. "Oh great one, what do you wish?" Vengeance smiled maliciously as his followers made themselves known. A short yowl escaped the dusky brown tom's mouth and two burly toms appeared, dragging a struggling Hollystar between them.
"Ahh….Dear Hollystar! How good it is to see you!"
"Vultureclaw, you dirty piece of fox-dung! Let me go!" spat Hollystar, struggling between her two captors' grips, her blue eyes alight with fury. Once again, the tom's paw was raised and brought down upon a she-cat's face, four bleeding claw marks left in his paw's wake.
"Never call me that." He mewed, his hot breath upon the disgusted leader's face. Nodding to the burly toms, he watched as they dragged her into the crowd of loners and rogues, their eyes alight at knowing what was next.
"You know what to do…"
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Hope you all enjoyed Chapter Two! Please read and review! And I'm not sure on whom I should make join Kelppaw on her journey. Though, I already have one cat who is going, I need another. Please vote! Should it be:
Cheetahpaw – Her love interest
Featherpaw – Her sister
Larkclaw – Her mentor
Ivyfoot – Her mother
Please vote for who you think should join Kelppaw!
