I'M REALLY SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING IN FOREVER. REAL LIFE HAS BEEN REALLY BUSY LATELY, BUT DO NOT FEAR! SUMMER STARTS IN 9 DAYS!
THE QUIET ONE
Chapter Four-
{Quietkit's P.O.V}
Sunlight flooded into the pine-shaded camp, carrying dust, and light-attracted bugs in it's wake. The tall, black tom-kit lay in a soft, feather-lined moss nest among three other cats. His tar-black fur seemed to fit well with his other companion's pelts, but in blood-line, he was taken in; adopted.
He stirred as the sun's rays found their way to his soft face. Pawing at the bright light, the tom-kit yawned, showing a rough, tiny pink tongue and sharp, white fangs. He snapped his jaw closed and opened his fiery amber eyes. They seemed to make the large den brighter as he looked around.
The black kit's thoughts were troubled. He thought he witnessed his human sister's death in a dream, but wasn't sure. He milled over memories of them when they were just small, innocent children. Finding it tiring, the tall kit stretched his slender legs, coated in the same tar-black color.
"I see you're now awake, Quietkit," A humble, rumbling voice shook the kit's ear drums.
The small tom-kit looked up to meet the larger tomcat's green-yellow gaze.
"Morning, Hollowfang," Quietkit murmured, voice sounding sleepy.
Hollowfang nodded, eyes soft and warm, like a welcoming moss nest. The tomcat draped his feathery dark brown tail over the smaller tom-kit's shoulder, leading him to the fresh-kill pile.
"Pick something for everyone," Hollowfang whispered, as a few cats stumbled out of their dens, sleep glazed over their eyes.
Quietkit lugged a small hare to the holly bush intertwined with brambles. He rustled the leafs with the hare's thin fur and his own.
"Food!" A high-pitched squeak pierced the still air.
Quietkit folded his ears on his head and closed his dark eyes.
"Hurry up, ya' slowpoke," A playfully growl made the black tom-kit open his eyes.
Quietkit put on a sour face and pushed the rest of the hare in. He dully sat by his brother, watching as the dark brown tom-kit hungrily tore into the hazel brown prey.
"Aren't ya' gonna eat?" A soft mew came from a black she-kit.
"After you and Marshkit are done," The tom-kit shrugged.
Shadekit nodded and started to feast on the hare. Quietkit blankly blinked his eyes at the two and waited for his turn.
The sun was high in the cloudless sky as Quietkit lounged in the sunlight, belly full and mind at peace. Camp life slow and boring as his amber eyes watched the cats move about lazily.
"Catch me if you can!" Marshkit squealed as Shadekit chased him around.
Quietkit turned his gaze to the two kits and watched them prance about.
"I caught ya'!" Shadekit yowled, holding down the tom-kit's brown tail.
Marshkit struggled to get away, but purposely let Shadekit win. Quietkit noticed how thin she was getting. Her ribs poked out lightly, but you had to stare hard to notice. Her strength was little, and she struggled to stand every once in awhile.
"Okay. That's enough playing for now," Petalstream's sweet voice made the kits stop wrestling.
Shadekit's blue eyes were thankful and dull as she laid down, catching her breath.
"Quietkit, please go get Brokenleg," Petalstream quickly mewed when Shadekit's breathing got harder.
Without hesitation, the black tom-kit jumped up and ran to the underground den. He slipped in and narrowed his eyes to adjust them.
"Brokenleg? It's Shadekit again," Quietkit called out into the dim surroundings.
"Coming," The ginger she-cat appeared, white leg dragging out behind her.
Quietkit watched as she grabbed a dandelion-like flowers and juniper berries.
"Let's go," Brokenleg mumbled, leading the way out of the den.
Quietkit followed behind and stood beside her as they made their way to the fallen Shadekit, who was trembling.
"Petalstream, take Marshkit to the nursery. I don't need any cat breathing down my neck," The ginger she-cat mewed, separating the tops from the flowers.
Petalstream nodded and hastily grabbed the tom-kit, padding to the nursery and glancing back with soft blue eyes.
"Quietkit, since Fallowpaw is out collecting herbs, you will be a temporary helper. Chew these up," She pushed the yellow flower's bloomed buds towards him.
Chewing them up, the tom-kit made a disgusted face and spat them on a leaf. Brokenleg squeezed some juniper berry juice on top of the mush and slid it to Shadekit.
"Eat this. Sorry it tastes bad," The she-cat mewed gently.
Shadekit stared at the poultice before eating it in small bites. Her trembling was just a soft shake and her breathing returned to normal.
"Good. Quietkit, help her back to the nursery," Quietkit nodded and went to Shadekit's side.
He brought her to the entrance of the nursery and Petalstream immediately looked Shadekit over.
"Are you okay? Do you feel any better?"
"I'm fine now!" She squeaked and stumbled into the den.
Petalstream picked her up and set her in the nest and wrapped herself around Shadekit and Marshkit. Quietkit stood there for a heartbeat before backing out of the den. Guess I'm outta that picture. He thought bitterly.
"What's wrong with Shadekit?" A gentle voice made Quietkit look up.
"Uh, she had some breathing problem," He shrugged.
"Oh, I hope it doesn't get worse," Lilypaw sighed.
The black tomcat nodded and blinked his amber eyes at the dark entrance of the Nursery.
"Sorry. I have to go. Bye, Quietkit!" The she-cat mewed, waving her tail as she darted after her mentor.
He watched her disappear and turned his gaze back to the den. Shadekit's dark blue eyes were visible, but she turned away before he could even flick an ear.
"Quietkit! It's time for bed!" Petalstream's mew traveled into the clearing.
The black tom-kit sighed and heaved himself up. Trotting to the nursery, he slipped in and settled down in the nest, next to Marshkit.
"Sleep good. Tomorrow will be a big day," Petalstream licked the tops of their heads before laying hers down.
Quietkit kept his mouth shut, wondering curiously what tomorrow could possibly be. Drifting off to sleep, the black tom-kit had forgotten he how old his brother and sister was.
Quietkit was awoken by the noises of a busy camp. He yawned and snapped his jaw shut. Rubbing his eyes with a lone paw, he looked around the den to see himself alone. Sighing heavily, the tom-kit stood and headed out of the den.
He looked around to see the Clan moving about quickly in the light dappled clearing. His amber eyes found Shadekit and Marshkit being groomed in the soft sunlight. Thinking for a minute, he sat down and watched intensely, wondering why they were getting groomed.
Their apprentice ceremony! Wait, does that mean I'll be by myself until who-know-when? Quietkit thought sadly, looking at his small black paws. Maybe I'll be made an apprentice in the next few weeks.
"Let all cats old enough to catch a frog, please gather here under the Cracked Boulder for a Clan meeting!" A deep voice rung out through the clearing, making Quietkit snap his head up.
He stayed where he was and watched from the side lines as Marshkit, Shadekit, Petalstream, and Hollowfang padded into the group, and disappeared among the dark colored pelts.
"Today, we have two kits ready to become apprentices; the second step of becoming loyal Warriors. Marshkit and Shadekit, please step forward," Darkstar's mew rumbled in Quietkit's ears.
The two siblings padded up to Darkstar in a polite manner, but their eyes sold their attitudes. They shimmered and flash with nervousness, excitement, and pride.
"Marshkit,you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Marshpaw. Your mentor will be Jaysong. I hope Jaysong will pass down all she knows on to you," Darkstar dipped his head and turned to the crowd.
"Jaysong, please step forward," The silver-gray tabby stood and padded to Marshpaw, her pale blue sparkled with excitement. "Jaysong, I know you are still young, but I know you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Hollowfang, and you have shown yourself to be clever and skilled. You will be the mentor of Marshpaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to him," Darkstar watched as the two touched noses lightly and sit near the front of the gathered Clan.
"Shadekit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Shadepaw. Your mentor will be Antblaze. I hope Antblaze will pass down all he knows on to you," Darkstar dipped his head once again and turned to face the crowd.
"Antblaze, please step forward," The ginger tabby stood and padded to Marshpaw, his golden eyes shimmered with pride. "Antblaze, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from me, and you have shown yourself to be quick and skilled. You will be the mentor of Shadepaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to her," Darkstar watched as the two touched noses lightly and sit next to Marshpaw and Jaysong.
"I give all my good wishes that these apprentices will grow up to be fine Warriors," Darkstar looked at the Clan with respect in his sharp green eyes.
"Marshpaw! Shadepaw! Marshpaw! Shadepaw! Marshpaw! Shadepaw!" The Clan yowled and cheered into the light blue sky.
The siblings beamed and dipped their heads to their Clanmates. Petalstream showered them with licks as the Clan gathered around to congratulate the mentors and apprentices. Quietkit sat in the shadows of the nursery, envy flaming in his amber eyes as he watched them.
I wish I was that welcomed. He bitterly thought, turning to go back in the den.
No one stopped him as he slipped in the bush and laid in his nest with a growl. He watched the entrance with expectant eyes as the chatter died down and cats went to their dens. His hopes deflated as no shadow came across the entrance of the den.
He pulled his head in the nest and held it in between his paws.
So much for foster parents. He scowled to himself, amber eyes flashing with hurt.
Quietkit sulked in nest for awhile before falling asleep once again.
Big thanks to Dark is Walkin' the Green Mile, TheGhost129, Flight of The Snowy Owl, A Castle of Glass, Liliana Dragonshard, BluDefiance, and Shadow of the Looming Dog for the reviews! And thanks for a few that favorited and followed! C:
Just wanted to say if there is anything I could work on, please tell me. I won't get upset, I'm just curious. Sorry it was short and didn't have Burn's P.O.V., I just didn't have time to add it in there. Next chapter will be up by Friday or Saturday.
Until next chapter. -Quiet
Disclaimer- I don't own Warriors, just this story and characters.