SURVIVORS: DAWN OF THE CATS PAGE 3

Chapter 5

"Lionkit! Cinderkit!" cried a distressed Icefeather. Milliepaw yawned and stretched, the cry waking her. What's all this about? she thought as she padded out of the burrow, into the bright sunlight. The clearing was filled with many panicked she-cats, while the toms where in a group at the fresh-kill pile, looking over at the fuss.

"Icefeather's kits have gone missing!" Whirlpaw exclaimed.

"Okay. Panicking doesn't help. Where were they last seen?" Whirlpaw dashed off. She soon came back with a very worried Icefeather at her side.

"Icefeather, when did you last see your kits?" Milliepaw asked.

"They… They…" she shuddered "They were right next to me when I fell asleep… and when I woke up, they were… gone."

"Hmm." Milliepaw thought hard. "Did you see or smell anyone enter that wasn't a kit or a mother?"

"No…" Icefeather's eyes grew wide "Wait! I did smell that former rogue Jaggedtooth enter for a short time!"

"Come to think of it, I haven't even seen Jaggedtooth today at all!" Whirlpaw cut in. Her eyes filled with realization, and I knew mine were the same.

"What… What if he stole the kits? Or even worse, killed them?" Whirlpaw said slowly. Icefeather shrieked, and every cat turned their head towards her.

"Jaggedtooth killed my precious kits?!" fury started building up in her eyes; her fur stood on end; and she was hissing as though Jaggedtooth was right in front of her.

"Don't jump to such ridiculous conclusions, Icefeather!" said a stern voice. She spun around to see Whitestar and his deputy Goldenmist. "Jaggedtooth is a very reliable and hard-working cat. He would never do such a thing!"

"Don't worry, Icefeather. I'm sure the kits have just wandered out of the camp- you know how adventurous they are." Goldenmist convinced Icefeather. However, Milliepaw had other thoughts. Thoughts of Jaggedtooth hunting little kits down and killing them like prey. A jagged edge is among the chosen, and unnecessary blood shall be spilt until the jagged edge is smoothed. The prophecy echoed again. She had to find those kits!

"I would like Whirlpaw, Redtail, Mosspaw and Tawnypelt to go out and try to find the kits. And while you're at it," Whitestar paused "err, while you're at it, keep a look out for Jaggedtooth. Pray SkyClan that you find them. And be careful!"

An excited Whirlpaw bounded up to me. "Yes! A search patrol. I so want to lead it!"

"You're not old enough or experienced enough to lead a patrol, Whirlpaw." Milliepaw rolled her eyes and walked over to her other friends and litter-mates.

"You guys? Can I say something? It's important." She asked.

"Sure thing, sis!" Kestrelpaw replied.

"Ok." and Milliepaw told them everything she knew about Jaggedtooth.

"You're being ridiculous. Just the other day, Jaggedtooth helped me clean the elder's beddings and get them some moss!"

"If I'm wrong, how come no one's seen him since the kits went missing?!" they're unbelievable! Milliepaw grunted and walked away.

"What's her problem?" she heard them whisper behind her.

What's my problem? There's a killer in our camp and no one believes me. That's my problem! she thought angrily.

"Milliepaw!" Darkstripe called.

"Coming!" She paced quickly to the Medicine Cat Den.

"Come inside- I have to ask you something" her mentor disappeared, and Milliepaw was quick to follow.

"You finally believe me about Jaggedtooth?" she asked hopefully.

"No, I still don't believe you, but I want you to go out and find those kits. Remember what to give them if they're unwell!"

"But-" she protested.

"Go now!" Darkstripe ushered Milliepaw out, and she sprinted away.

The ears were pricked and nose was twitching as Milliepaw made her way through the barren moorlands of WindClan. She had picked up the kits scent track a ways back, and was following it so intently, she didn't notice another scent track right nest to her. Their trail winded around, and grew very strong. Milliepaw knew that she was close, and started sniffing again, when she froze in horror. She could smell blood! And then she noticed Jaggedtooth's scent path. A twisted feeling grew deep in her belly as she thought about what could've happened. With Milliepaw's heart pounding, she hastily followed the scent trail.

"And what are you doing here?"

Milliepaw gulped. She took the fear from her eyes as she slowly lifted up her head.

"I said. What are you doing here?"

"I was looking for Lionkit and Cinderkit." Milliepaw was now staring Jaggedtooth right in the eyes. She saw arrogance clouding them. "Why do you ask?"

"You shouldn't be interfering in my life! I'm sure Redtail won't mind if I kill one of his kits." a growl sounded from Jaggedtooth as he leapt onto my back, squishing me. "Don't think I don't know any skills, little kit." And he unsheathed his claws and started clawing Milliepaw's back. She thrashed about wildly. She couldn't die yet! She wanted to help her Clan as much as she could! Milliepaw's struggle was useless, and she had soon become unconscious. Jaggedtooth aimed for a killing bite to the neck…

Milliepaw awoke, surrounded by many strange cats. They all had the same glowing blue eyes, and sparkles coming off their fur.

"SkyClan?" she looked around. One cat came forwards until they were a whisker's length away.

"It is not your time to join us yet, Milliepaw. You have a prophecy to tell, and you still must live a live of a Medicine Cat. The kits are grateful for what you did, but it was their time to join SkyClan. Return now; for your Clan needs you."

"But Jaggedtooth…" and before she could finish the sentence, everything had turned black. She soon realised that her eyes were shut, and opened them to blinding sun. Jaggedtooth was no-where to be seen. She decided to get up, but her muscles screamed in pain, so she was forced to stay there.

"I hope a patrol comes soon," she murmured. Sure enough, she saw a patrol coming her way. She was confused. The border was the other direction from camp! Then she realised it was the search patrol sent out earlier that day. She recognized Whirlpaw, Redtail Mosspaw and Tawnypelt as she started racing towards her.

"Milliepaw!" Whirlpaw yelled. "Are you ok?" She was pushed aside my Milliepaw's mother, Tawnypelt.

"Oh SkyClan… No." She spotted my open eyes, and breathed in relief. "What happened? Can you speak, Milliepaw?"

"Yes." she shivered, and the pain caused her to yowl.

"Milliepaw!"

"I'm fine… Just cold." another shiver and pain went through again, but she forced her mouth shut.

"Don't worry. Mosspaw! Go back to camp and get Darkstripe! Redtail, please go find the kits. Now!" they ran off. "And Whirlpaw, you're being no use just standing there, so go gather some fresh-kill." Tawnypelt sat down next to her daughter. "Milliepaw. What happened?"

She took a deep breath. She was finally going to reveal Jaggedtooth for the murderer he was!