Chapter One
And There Were Three
A yowl sounded from High Glacier. Yellowsnow, the IceClan deputy, signaled for the rest of IceClan to gather 'round.
Yellowsnow flicked his tail impatiently, waiting for the Clan. Clearing his throat, the Deputy began, "The time has come again for the moon to shine its brightest. We must prepare for the next gathering."
"And what might we have to prepare for?" hissed Pumasnow. The power hungry cat turned to face the crowed. "A gathering is nothing to prepare for. It is a time to chat among enemies, and hear the latest news." Pumasnow whirled around to Yellowsnow. "All Yellowsnow wants to do get used to the feel of leader, since he obviously likes playing the role." With that last comment said, the young warrior stalked off to the forest.
There was a ripple of murmuring that went through the crowed. Was Pumasnow right? What could Yellowsnow possibly want?
The IceClan deputy cleared his throat as to call attention. "If I were to be so power hungry as Pumasnow so lightly puts it, I wouldn't deserve to live." With that said, he continued. "As most of you know, Moonstar is expecting kits in the upcoming days."
Many of the Cats nodded their head, even the littlest kit new this tiny tidbit of information.
"Again, as Pumasnow lightly put it, we hear the latest news at the gathering. But the question is: who is the father of Moonstar's kits?" The deputy mewed softly.
IceClan was silent for a few moments, not a kit spoke, not a bee buzzed, neither did the wind howl. Many assumed the father was a rouge, or loner. Was he a kittypet?
"Moonstar and I have discussed this soundly, and we have agreed that if asked at the gathering, you no not of the father." Yellowsnow's eyes never left the Clan. "Do any of you have questions?" his voice boomed.
A quiet and unexpected voice ran out from the crowed. "And when the kits are born, what will happen?" Ravenpelt mewed calmly.
Another murmuring went through the crowed.
"The kits deserve to die!" howled
"No they don't!" cried another.
We should turn them over to the twolegs!" mewed Chalkpaw.
"Give them to KillerClan to eat!" yowled Chocolatekit, trying to be part of the fight.
"SILENCE!" screamed Moonstar. "You will do nothing with my kits." The leader was calming down now. "I will have shardflake help at the birth. Do you happen to have a problem with that Shardflake?"
"Not at all. I would be delighted." mewed the queen.
Yellowsnow shook his head, and jumped down from High Glacier. "If you would have let me finish before you created a riot, I would have commented on the fact that Moonstar will not be attending the gathering since her kits are do soon." the white tom mewed nonchalantly. "Cinderwing, will you stay behind as well? I know you were looking forward to the gathering."
"It would be my pleasure."
Shardflake guarded the entrance to the kits den; she didn't want any pesky little kits bothering her leader.
"Shardflake!" Bluekit whined, can they come out now? Pleeeeeease?"
Rolling her eyes, the second queen waked into the den, only to see the three kits for the first time. One was preparing to pounce on the runt of the litter. The runt was breathing heavily, from a previous attack. The pouncing kit lunged at the runt with such force, it was so… evil, almost unnerving. Whilst the remaining kit frantically tried to stop the other from causing permanent damage.
In a high, squeaky newborn voice, the grey kit mewed. "Brother! Get off of him! You'll hurt him."
The kit with the darker grey pelt scoffed. "Exactly so my sister. He is a worthless pile of junk, not to be tainted with."
The female kit gazed at her brother for a fraction of a second before cowering behind her mother.
Shardflake eyed the mean kit, she didn't like his attitude toward others. When Pumasnow was younger, he was just like the young tom. Now the warrior is power hungry. Hopefully the one wouldn't be like him…
As the white she-cat left the den, she heard a soft cackling. She closed her eyes, pretending it was her imagination…
