Chapter 3
" I can't believe it! How dare they! " Lightkit was ranting as she entered the nursery. Foxkit turned around, tipping her ears to the right slightly.
" Hmm? " Twistedbranch asked, looking up from her mouse, confused.
" IceClan invaded our territory, those greedy mouse brains! " Lightkit hissed, lashing her tail. Foxkit sat down, her tail swishing on the ground. She spotted Darkkit nevously ducking behind his sister. Foxkit's gaze flitted back to Twistedbranch, who let out a sigh.
" I- is it really that bad if they didn't end up actually taking it… right? " Darkkit asked, peeking out from behind Lightkit nervously. His fur was fluffed up. Lightkit whirled around so fast Foxkit was surprised that she didn't trip.
" 'Really not that bad'? Do you even ca-" Lightkit snapped, her fur bristling.
"Well aren't you the greatest sibling of all time." Foxkit muttered, cutting off the she kit. Lightkit turned around and gave her own version of a death glare at Foxkit. Pfft, I'm cowering in fear. You're soo scary.. She thought sarcastically.
" Look, there's no need to fight… " Twistedbranch said tiredly, getting to her feet. Lightkit scoffed quietly and Darkkit gave her a guilty look, even though he did nothing wrong.
" Sorry. " Foxkit said, ducking her head. She got to her paws and watched the two siblings hastily leave the nursery before following them. Might as well, since she had nothing better to do. I wonder how the rest of the clan is taking it. She thought, twitching her ears. Her gaze scanned the camp, taking in the mixed reactions of everyone.
Some looked worried, some looked proud, some just seemed straight up annoyed, and a few looked confused. A warrior was talking with the leader and deputy, their fur twitching. Foxkit felt the urge to see what they were saying, but she turned around and walked away instead. Lightkit twitched her tail, in the middle of talking to Darkkit. Deciding to leave them be, Foxkit hurried across camp.
That was until she bumped into someone that she didn't see coming. Foxkit stumbled and looked up at the… cat?...
" Oh, I didn't see you there. " The cat said, blinking at Foxkit. She sat down and gave herself a shake.
" I'm Tigerblaze. And you must be Foxkit. " Tigerblaze said when Foxkit didn't respond.
" Oh… hi then. " Foxkit said, gazing at Tigerblaze. She seemed to be a cat… but not one as well. Tigerblaze seemed satisfied with her response, along with noticing her stare.
" Is something wrong? " She asked, tilting her head.
" I… no? " Foxkit looked away, shifting her paws. Would it be rude if I asked her what she is? She thought, staring at the ground.
" I'm half fox if you're wondering. " Tigerblaze said, seeming to come to a conclusion on why Foxkit was staring. That's why she looks different!
" Yeah-" But Foxkit was cut off by the leader.
" All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather around tall tree for a clan meeting! " Swiftstar yowled. Tigerblaze looked towards the leader and then back at Foxkit.
" See you around. " She said before walking towards where all the other cats were gathering. Foxkit sat down and decided to watch from a distance.
" Today is an important day," Swiftstar started, his gaze scanning the gathering cats. " Nightpaw step forward. " A black tom with silver scattered around his pelt jumped to his paws, looking confused, before walking to the front of the crowd.
Swiftstar continued, his gaze looking towards the sky. " I, Swiftstar, leader of BirchClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn." His gaze shifted back to Nightpaw, who looked excited.
" Nightpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Swiftstar said, his gaze fixed on the apprentice. Nightpaw hesitated, twitching his ears.
" I… do! " Nightpaw said. Swiftstar leaped off his perch. Foxkit wondered what his warrior would be.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Nightpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Nightstorm. StarClan honors your kindness and courage , and we welcome you as a full warrior of BirchClan." Swiftstar finished, taking a pace forward to rest his muzzle on Nightstorm's head. Nightstorm is a cool name. Foxkit thought.
" Nightstorm! " A few cats started the chant. " Nightstorm! Nightstorm! " Very quickly everyone else joined in, their cheering reaching for the sky. Swiftstar turned away after the cheering ended and walked back towards his den. Everyone else turned away, going back to their duties. Foxkit turned around and promptly bumped into the second cat that day.