edited for spelling errors and to expand some scenes
Just to give a heads up I edited Chapter 1: Mist Clan. It was supposed to end with dawnkit becoming an apprentice but the file didnt save correctly so it cut out at a horrible moment and I didnt notice till I went to recheck a few things for this chapter.
This Chapter takes place in Sun Clan, next chapter will take place in Rain Clan.
Also, I should note that I do have a copy of the Alliance that I update after every chapter as needed (the story is set in four Arcs so to speak, but the start of the first arc really begins when the main 4 are apprentices).
I will post an updated Alliances at the start of these arcs, unless some major shift happened that forces me to need to post an earlier update.
A cricket chirped on a long stick protruding from a thick raspberry bush. Intent eyes stared at it with determination, careful and slow steps as the creature neared closer and closer to its prey. The creature shook slightly, getting ready to pounce and just when it let loose and launched forward another mass of fur collided with it.
Owlkit gave a startled and angry yowl in protest as Icekit tackled him to the ground, dust flying up as the two kits quickly switched to batting at each other and then Icekit fleeing as Owlkit pursued her around the camp, dodging warriors, apprentices, and elders alike.
The two kits were Owlkit and Icekit, both five moons old and full of energy as they ran. Owlkit was a smaller sized gray tom with a white chest, his distinct blue eyes sparkling as he ran with all his might to close in on Icekit. Icekit was a long furred white she-cat, her eyes red and her nose a much paler pink than any other kit currently residing in the nursery. Even her white fur somehow seemed paler than any other cat with white fur in the clan, and was the subject of more than a few rumors among the elders and more gossipy warriors.
Owlkit leaped into the air, crashing into Icekit and sending them tumbling once again until they collided with another cat with a thud. Out of breath from their running, all they could do was wheeze for air as the much larger cat purred at their humorous antics.
"With energy like that, the two of you will make fine apprentices and even better warriors in a moon's time!" The cat rasped jovially. Icekit and Owlkit shakily got to their paws, each nodding excitedly as they tried to have some semblance of manners to ththe older cat.
Said cat was Bearstar, the large brown she-cat leader of Sun Clan. Her size and thick fur made it almost seem like a bear was headed straight for you, or so Icekit had been told by others. She had never personally seen a bear with her own eyes and wondered if Bearstar really resembled one. It made Icekit fill with excitement and a desire to be a strong warrior like their leader.
"Do I really have to wait another moon? I'm ready now!" Icekit pleaded, not for the first time and certainly not the last. Bearstar chuckled in amusement and shook her head.
"The Code is clear on that, Icekit. Sorry to say it, but you still have to wait. Now go play, the scouting party is back and I need to hear their report" Bearstar said, using a paw to push Icekit back before heading to the clan entrance.
Icekit sighed in frustration, an act that was mirrored by Owlkit beside her.
"I don't want to wait any longer!" She whined. Owlkit nudged her slightly, encouraging her to walk with him.
"Who do you think our mentors will be? Or our warrior names?" He asked excitedly. Icekit mewled in excitement, practically hopping as she walked along.
"I don't care so long as they are a great warrior! I don't know what my warrior name should be though, what do you think you'll get?" She asked. The two kits chittered excitedly, throwing ideas around despite both knowing it was far to early to think of such things.
Sun Clan's camp was as sunny as the rest of the territory, or that is what Badgerpaw had told her once. He had explained it was due to the lack of trees in the territory, but they instead had dense bushes such as ferns and bracken to help them hide and hunt.
The camp was the same, if Badgerpaw was to be believed. Dense bushes that had the bases hollowed out made up the dens of the cats, with the only exception being the Leader's and Medicine Cat's dens. Instead of in dense shrubbery, the leader's den was in a hill face on a ledge, even now Icekit could see the opening high above them with moss hanging down to hide the entryway slightly obscured by the ledge and the outcropping platform right in front of it. Because of the outcropping made a platform easily viewable anywhere in the camp that same landing was also used for when Bearstar called a clan meeting. Conversely, on the opposite side of the clan near the nursery was the Medicine Cat's den, found in the massive stump of what was once a tree. Badgerpaw had told her that two legs had hollowed it out to store ice and fresh kill before the clans had moved in, but after the two legs had left long ago it was turned into the medicine cat's den.
An opening had been made in the side by warriors long ago, and a flat rock had been placed on top to provide shelter from the rain and from rare times she had been inside Icekit knew that previous cats had dug tunnels in the den to produce more room for storage and stick cats. As Owlkit and Icekit got closer she could smell the fragrent smell of herbs inside and the moss hanging over the opening shifted as a tom walked out.
Owlkit visibly shuddered at the sight of Badgerpaw, before licking at his pale chest nervously. A reaction that was common among kits, Icekit thought, as she could remember how she would flinch at the sight of the tom's face moons ago and how Ratkit and Turtlekit still shrunk away from Badgerpaw. The apprentice looked like any normal cat from a distance, dark gray coat with a white chest and throat. What made kits shudder was his face, and the massive set of scars over what should have been his left eye, a few areas the twisted skin was so thin you could see the white of bone, his left eye was always closed but once Icekit had seen Badgerpaw open it mostly to stop her pleading. It had been one of the coolest things she had ever seen.
Icekit had heard from the elders that Badgerpaw had almost been taken by an eagle as a kit, and how a warrior managed to save him from being taken but the bird's talons had taken Badgerpaw's eye instead of his life. Even unluckier, the eagle had managed to get him out of the camp and two twolegs that had been exploring the territory on the dirt paths that snaked through all the territories had gotten Badgerpaw from the warrior and taken him away.
From what Icekit heard, Badgerpaw had returned three moons later with the scarring and that he had been somehow changed by the twolegs. Icekit remembered being curious about what the queens had told her when she was younger, about the reasons Badgerpaw wasn't like any of the other toms in the clan, but she was never able to get any answer out of them and even the elders refused to answer her when she asked by immediately changing the subject. Adderpaw told her he had been taken to something called the Cutter, but she still didn't understand what that meant.
Badgerpaw shook his head and dumped some old bracken and moss to the side of the enterence of the Medicine Cat's den to be properly disposed of when he had the time. Icekit meowed happily to Badgerpaw, ignoring Owlkit's annoyed look.
"Icekit, Owlkit, how are you feeling? I had heard that Turtlekit, Ratkit, and Briarkit had come down with a stomach bug, so I was worried." His smooth voice meowed at them. If Icekit was honest she could listen to him all day, even when it was just listing off herbs and their uses. Owlkit next to her snorted.
"You're a medicine cat, your job is to worry about your clanmates." Owlkit muttered. Icekit nipped at his ear, though Badgerpaw laughed at his statement.
"My job is to make sure you grow into strong warriors, and that every member of our clan is healthy! It's the queen's job to worry, but suddenly having so many kits and elders come down with upset stomachs is fairly troubling." The older tom admitted. Icekit pricked her ears up.
"Does that mean you'll join us to the nursery? Patchpelt would be really happy to see you!" Icekit asked, her hopefulness evident in the waving of her tail and Owlkit's annoyance when it hit him. Badgerpaw shook his head in an apologetic manner.
"It's almost noon so the two of you should head there, at least to give the warriors some rest from your antics! But my guests still needs some tending to, and I need to change Foxwhisker's bedding. I'll check on you all later." He said, nuzzling the top of Icekit's head and giving Owlkit a nod. The identities of the guests in the Medicine cat's den was unspoken, but by now had been common knowledge in the clan. Elders Palestripe and Acornheart had become severely ill only two days prior and had no apparent signs of improvement, and just yesterday a patrol near the Mist Clan border had found two young cats barely clinging to life next to a dead fox. Neither had yet to wake up and Icekit had heard that they weren't expected to live long. Based on the location they were found, it was assumed they were Mist Clan apprentices, but it had yet to be confirmed and Bearstar had yet to send a scout to inform Rainstar.
Icekit purred, ignoring the way Owlkit shoved her as they left Badgerpaw to enter the nursery.
Inside was far more somber compared to the more jovial and relaxed atmosphere in the clan.
In one corner of the den was Patchpelt, fussing over her three kits only to glare up enviously at how healthy Owlkit and Icekit were. Despite Icekit's energy from before when talking to Badgerpaw, she shrunk away from Patchpelt's sight and towards the napping Snowtail in the other corner.
Ratkit, Turtlekit, and Briarkit were all sick with the same symptoms, like they had eaten something awful. They weren't the first cases either, Icekit knew. She remembered hearing how some warriors and two of the elders had come down with similar symptoms a moon ago. While the warriors had made it, as did one of the elders, the other was not so lucky and had passed to Star Clan. Icekit wracked their brain for the name of the elder as they sat next to Snowtail, the she-cat getting up slightly groggily and starting to clean Owlkit, before remembering that the fallen elder's name had been Spottedtail.
"Did you have fun outside?" Snowtail asked, her voice soft and friendly. Her fur was black with a stark white tail and her green eyes shone as she licked Owlkit despite his murmured protests. Icekit knew her own mother had died giving birth to her, so Snowtail had taken her in while her father, Stormclaw, would spend the time he wasn't hunting or patroling to play with her. Icekit loved those moments that he did, since he would always sneakily teach her battle or hunting moves and his tail was always fun to chase around.
"Yeah! Owlkit needs to work on his observation skills though!" Icekit said, laughing as Owlkit hissed at her and complained that she had interupted his 'hunting training' on a bug.
Both kits flinched as Patchpelt hissed from her corner, the older queen glaring openly at them with her hackles raised. She was a tortie and white she-cat, her green eyes slightly hazed from a lack of sleep and her pupils slit as she stared at Icekit.
"It's all well and good that you're still healthy and fit, but keep it down! My kits need their rest!" She hissed. The three bundles of fur nestled against her squirmed slightly, one giving a mewl of protest.
"Kits will be kits, Patchpelt, but I will reign them in." Snowtail said, but her tone carried a clear warning. Patchpelt spat in their direction but curled around her kits, making sure to push them into a position so she could keep herself turned away from Icekit and Owlkit.
Icekit licked at her back, trying to smooth her prickled fur. Snowtail purred and pulled Icekit closer to her, the queen's scent surrounding Icekit as Snowtail began grooming her. Icekit let herself relax, Owlkit nuzzling her slightly.
"She's just worried about her kits. Now come here and let me clean you." Snowtail said. Icekit didn't say anything, casting worried glances at Patchpelt from time to time and hoping the kits would be alright. Owlkit was fun to play with sure, but Ratkit, Turtlekit, and Briarkit meant they could play even more games and it honestly felt lonely without them. Snowtail helped her settle down, Icekit curling around Owlkit and letting her eyes close for a nap.
Later in the afternoon, Icekit sat patiently as Stormclaw checked her for ticks and the warriors talked about that evening's patrol and hunting. Grayfoot, a white and gray she-cat with yellow eyes, was boasting proudly on how her apprentice, Adderpaw, had managed to not only pass her assessment but also managed to strike down a finch in midair to bring back. Mousefang was equally as boastful, proudly saying how Sootpaw had passed his assessment and even managed to take down a rattle snake, and how great his combat and strategy skills were. Icekit had wide eyes as they talked so glowingly about their apprentices and looked up at her father.
"Do you think I'll be able to become such an amazing apprentice to?" She asked, trying to be quiet but by the snicker she heard she knew the other warriors heard her. She ignored how hot that made her feel as she looked up at Stormclaw. His deep blue eyes seemed confused at first, an ear flicking, before he seemed to reach a favorable conclusion.
"If you work diligently, I'm sure you will be an amazing apprentice, and a great warrior one day. Also, don't pay to much mind to them and their boasting. What Adderpaw did was impressive, but she still can't catch a squirrel if it makes it to a tree, and Sootpaw still has issues looking up to ensure prey and threats aren't above them." He said plainly, but chuckled humorously as some of the warriors jammed at him for it. Icekit looked around the camp as the older warriors talked, feeling her father's nose in her fur as he continued searching. There was a patrol out she knew, Owlkit was nesting with Snowtail in the sun near the nursery having already grown tired from them resuming their games after their nap. She watched as Pebblepaw, a mottled brown she-cat with white paws and bright blue eyes, carried a mouse over to Wolfshade as the large brown elder sst in the shade by the Elder's Den. Foxwhisker had kicked Wolfshade out of the Medicine Cat's den earlier in the day once Patchpelt had taken her kits to be treated for their stomach aches as it would have become to crowded for the elder medicine cat to treat the sick and move around Wolfshade. It did make Icekit a bit sad, as the elder looked so sad to be away from his mate.
That made her think of her father, and she wondered how much he must miss her mother. She didn't know a lot about her mother if she was honest. Her mother had died when she was still a newborn and couldn't make any memories, and Stormclaw always looked so sad when Icekit asked about her.
Just as a patrol had returned Bearstar called for a clan meeting. her voice clear as she called out above them on the high ledge for all cats old enough to cat their prey to join. Icekit felt excitement bubble in her chest and followed her father as cats joined in.
Icekit sat between Stormclaw's front paws as the cats gathered to listen to the announcements Bearstar wanted to make, Pebblepaw sitting next to them with her mentor, Porcupinepelt. Even Pebblepaw shook slightly with excitement, but Porcupinepelt reach down and murmured at her. The she-cat hadn't been an apprentice for long, so the meeting wasn't about her.
It was no secret, really, as there was only one thing currently that required a clan meeting. With pride in her voice she called forth Adderpaw to step forward. The pale sandy yellow she-cat was trembling in excitement under the clan' gaze, and Icekit felt herself fill with envy as she wished it was her receiving a warrior name.
Adderpaw became Adderclaw, the newly made warrior trying their best to hide their excitement but the twitch of their ears and bristling of their fur giving it away as the clan chanted their name.
"Adderclaw! Adderclaw!" Icekit yelled as loud as she could, trying to match the voices of the chanting cats around her. Stormclaw licked the top of her head affectionately as the chanting died down and Bearstar called forth Sootpaw.
Compared to Adderclaw's obvious excitement, Sootpaw was shaking with obvious nerves as Bearstar bestowed upon him the name Sootpelt, the clan chanting the name. With an impressive leap Bearstar joined the two new warriors at the base of the small cliff, licking both warriors on the forehead and they in return licked her shoulder.
"As per our tradition and the code, the clan shall rest peacefully tonight as Adderclaw and Sootpelt stand guard over Sun Clan in their silent vigil, reflecting on their experiences and what it means to be a warrior." She called. There was a cheer from the recently returned patrol that earned an amused glance from Bearstar before a sudden loud cry came from the Medicine Cat's Den. Every cat ran to the den, but it was Bearstar, her deputy Batear, and the senior warrior Porcupinepelt that ventured carefully inside the den.
"Dad? That was Patchpelt right? Are her kits ok?" Icekit asked as she stood next to her father. Stormclaw's fur was bristled, but his eyes were cloudy. He didn't answer Icekit, but pulled her close to him, as if to shelter her from what emurged.
Horrified mews rang out as Bearstar and Batear emurged, carrying the fallen Palestripe. The elder was the oldest cat in the clan, her pale fur scraggly with age. Icekit felt her insides run cold as they pulled her out. It was only a few days ago the elder was sitting outside their den, rapping tales from a time long before Icekit was born. Icekit felt herself shudder, unconsciously thinking of the time Palestripe told her the story of how Bearstar took on a fox when she was still an apprentice and only won thanks to her mentor and another warrior.
Then Bearstar spoke to the shaken clan, explaining what has happened. Suddenly, Palestripe, Ratkit, and Turtlekit had passed. Acornheart's own health was steadily declining, Briarkit was barely holding, and Bearstar admitted that she didn't believe the two apprentices that had been found will survive the night.
Horrified whispers went around, but Stormclaw carried Icekit away to join Snowtail and Owlkit away from the sight at the den.
Icekit huddled close to Owlkit, not wanting to believe that Ratkit and Turtlekit were gone, even when Porcupinepelt and Ivyfur carried them from the den to rest beside Palestripe, Mousefang and Dawnheart having to prevent Patchpelt from scratching them apart as her grief overtook her and her mate, Batear, barely keeping himself together as he tried to talk to her only to give up and go to sit with his two deceased children. Owlkit shuddered, gripping onto Icekit and sniffing slightly, Icekit licking his forehead to offer some comfort.
Wolfshade and Eaglewing were permitted to stay the night with Acornheart that night as the rest of the clan sat with Palestripe, Ratkit, and Turtlekit. Patchpelt had been convinced returned to the den to stay by the surviving Briarkit, praying and hoping that at least he would survive whatever had befallen her kits. Batear sat with his two fallen kits, his large ears pressed firmly to his head and he sat with them and pressed his muzzle between their small bodies.
Bearstar joined him after things started to settle down, first pressing her nose to Palestripe and then sitting with her brother to share in his mourning. Adderclaw anand Sootpelt sat in place for their vigil, not muttering a word as they shared in the clan's grief.
Icekit and Owlkit were ushered inside the nursery by Snowtail, taking refuge in the den. Icekit held on close to Owlkit that night, and he did the same in return. Snowtail allowed for Stormclaw to stay in the Nursery, standing his own vigil with Icekit and keeping her close, the grief of memories he never shared with her clouding his eyes.
Icekit wondered what could have possibly happened, all they had were stomachs aches?
By morning, Acornheart had joined the fallen, as had the gray apprentice they had found, their bodies brought out to share tongues one final time. A patrol had informed Mist Clan, but the orange tabby could still not be moved.
A week later, the orange tabby apprentice finally opened their eyes and the clan was able to send out an envoy to let their home clan know, a patrol coming and taking them by sundown that very day.
A moon later, Icekit felt somewhat hollow as she sat awaiting her turn to become an apprentice. Briarkit survived, but it would still be a moon before he became an apprentice. The death of two kits had a mark on Patchpelt, the she-cat unwilling to allow Briarkit out of her sight for more than a few moments and if Owlkit or Icekit got to close the she-car would hiss and snap at them. Sometimes when playing in the camp, Icekit would catch Batear glaring at her when no other cat was looking and it seemed like he sent Stormclaw on more patrols then5 before.
Grayfoot had begun showing signs of having kits and moved in with Patchpelt, giving the older queen some much needed company as Snowtail would be rejoining the warrior's den soon.
The loss of his lifelong mate, Acornheart, had turned Wolfshade's health. The elder tom had noticeably become more lethargic and some days didn't even eat, despite his young daughter Eaglewing's best intentions.
Then came the day Icekit was to become an apprentice. Snowtail was grooming Owlkit and Stormclaw groomed Icekit inside the nursery, getting both presentable as murmurs went through the clan outside. Patchpelt sat with Briarkit, the small tom hoping a bit.
"Why can't I become an apprentice to? I'm almost as big as Owlkit!" He whined. Owlkit looked over at Icekit, amusement shining in his eyes.
"Seems like only yesterday that was you!" He whispered. Icekit scrunched her nose at him, flicking her tail over his nose. Patchpelt flicked an ear and glared at them as she shushed Briarkit. Icekit felt her stomach drop, a pang in her chest as she thought of Ratkit and Turtlekit. They should be here to, but weren't and Patchpelt seemed to treat Icekit like it was her fault. Stormclaw licked between her ears and rested his chin on her head, a deep purr rumbling inside him and helping Icekit relax. The sudden call of Bearstar told them it was time and Icekit followed beside Owlkit as Snowtail and Stormclaw led them out of the Nursery, Patchpelt and Briarkit following behind.
The clan was gathered around and murmuring amongs themselves as everyone got ready. Patchpelt went and sat with her mate, Briarkit sitting between Batear's paws. Batear reached down to give Brairkit an affectionate lick as Icekit and Owlkit went to stand infront of Stormclaw and Snowtail.
Bearstar called out to her clan, her voice hopeful as she talked of announcing new apprentices and calling Icekit and Owlkit forward.
Owlkit became Owlpaw and received his mentor, the senior warrior Ivyfur, followed by Icekit becoming Icepaw and receiving her own mentor the young Eaglewing.
Despite the pride in Stormclaw and Snowtail's eyes as clan chanted their names Icepaw still felt hollow that Ratkit and Turtlekit weren't there to enjoy this day with her, and a chill as Batear and Patchpelt glared at her.
As she joined her mentor and looked to Bearstar, Icepaw swore to become a great warrior to honor Ratkit and Turtlekit, and to keep their memory in her mind until ththe day she joined them in Star Clan.