Chapter 17 An Unexpected Visit
Four moons had passed since The Trial and Darkpaw's death, a lot of things had changed. Brightpaw and Wolfpaw got their warrior names and were now Brightshine and Wolffang. Flowerpaw and Petalpaw got their slave names and were now Flowershine and Petalflower. Lightclan had decided to no longer take warriors or slaves to the Star Council for crimes that involved stealing prey or disobeying orders; Whitestar, Cloudberry, and Daisypetal were going to be in charge of judging to see if they're guilty or not. Unfortunately, Ivypaw and Hawkpaw still didn't get their full names, but it was rumored that they would get them any day now. Lightpaw heard all of this from Flowershine and Petalflower when they came to give him food and water. Lightpaw has been confined to the punishment den for four moons; having Snaketooth and Icetuft guard him at nights while Foxwhisker trained him during the day. Lightpaw's training had gotten a lot better; his hunting had gotten sharper and his fighting had gotten a lot stronger. Lightpaw has never forgotten that night and has vowed to kill the cats responsible for Darkpaw's death; Whitestar, Daisypetal, Snaketooth, Moon, Brightshine, and Wolffang, they all would pay for what they did. Lightpaw was laying on his nest; mumbling and bitterly thinking about what to do and how he was going to kill the cats responsible for Darkpaw's death. Suddenly, Lightpaw heard tiny pawsteps rushing towards him. He perked his ears; trying to hear if it was a mouse or it was another cat.
"LIGHTPAW LIGHTPAW!" a voice squeaked.
Lightpaw stood up and turned his head. He saw seven glowing eyes running up to him. In the light that shined on him, Lightpaw could make out Nightkit, Duskkit, Shadowkit, Mistykit, Gingerkit, Applekit, and Stormkit. They had really grown these past few moons. They were five moons old and were close to being apprentices.
"Duskkit, Nightkit, Shadowkit, Mistykit, Gingerkit, Applekit, and Stormkit, what are you guys doing here?" Lightpaw asked.
"We came to see you, of course." Duskkit purred.
"We've wanted to come visit you, but mom wouldn't let us." Applekit meowed.
"Nor our mother." Mistykit added.
"Or our mom, Lightpaw." Stormkit meowed.
"How did you kits get in here, Snaketooth and Icetuft are guarding the den?" he asked.
"There's a small crack we can fit through. This den is old and damaged, you know." Duskkit explained.
Lightpaw nodded. He could tell from the flattened ears and sad faces that they had heard about Darkpaw's death.
"We...We've heard about Darkpaw's death, Lightpaw, we're so sorry." Shadowkit meowed.
"Stormkit told us what he heard from your dad. How could he do this, I thought he supported us?" Duskkit asked hurt.
"I don't know, but he's not a real leader." Lightpaw snarled.
"Mom told us you were in the punishment den for a serious crime." Mistykit explained.
"I heard about what you did to Moon, no cat has ever done that." Stormkit meowed.
"Yeah. Well just remember kits, put aside the rules to do what it's right, alright?" Lightpaw lectured.
The kits nodded. Lightpaw turned around and laid back down. He started to cry; knowing that even that didn't save Darkpaw. The kits could hear his cries and came around him. Some laid next to him and some got top of his head; each one started to cry.
"I miss him so much." Lightpaw weep.
"It's okay Lightpaw, we miss him too." Nightkit squeaked.