Chapter 2
The ginger kit's eyes opened to be greeted with beams of pale moonlight that glowed through bramble nursery. Everything was illuminated by it, except for Shrewkit that slept in a shadow, far from his siblings. It didn't surprise Owlpaw in the least.
For reasons unknown to him he had the strong urge to go and wander into the forest. Dangers lurked in every shadow that shifted into wicked images, cat eating wolves wandered the moonlit forest. Yellow eyed owls silently flew over head. No where was safe at night, but the strange feeling gnawed at his mind to go out into the forest.
His green eyes shifted to his sleeping kin, they would never now. He would only be out for a small amount of time; crouching low like hunting a mouse he dug a small hole in the side of the Nursery.
The sound of scratching claws seemed to awake, Pinekit. Her Black and white head slowly rose; stretching out her legs there was no warm body of Owlkit.
Owlkit froze in mid-scratch trying to stay hidden but nothing could get past, Pinekit's keen amber eyes. Her glowing eyes locked onto Owlkit's hunkered over figure.
"Where are you going?" asked Pinekit in a whisper, narrowing her eyes.
He hesitated "Um, to get some fresh air!" Owlkit mewed in a under tone Yeah in the forest., He added to himself.
"Well, if that's true, I will come with you!" The crafty she-cat mewed getting to her paws.
"Err; I can go alone, really Pinekit,"
Pinekit gave him a serious look. "You had other plans, Owlkit." She growled.
His dark gaze lowered "I have this feeling that I must go out into the forest…" He whispered.
"What! You can't do that! It's against the warrior code!" Pinekit hissed her voice rising.
"Shh! Keep your voice down! No one will know!" He mewed reassuring her,
His sister came closer to him, an odd expression on her face. It was mixed with fear, and worry "Do you not know what lives out there?" She whispered fearfully, "Wolves, Owls, Foxes, and Badgers! All won't hesitate to eat a Kit! There might even be a bear out there!"
Owlkit nodded solemnly, his ears pressed against his skull.
Pinekit sighed, "I can't let you go out there alone. If you were eaten, no one would know and there would be panic!"
Owlkit came to his senses, "No! I will be fine! I can see better in the dark, please I don't want you hurt!"
His sister shook her head, "I'm going, but leaving Shrewkit here."
Owlkit didn't object.
"Owlkit we should be back before sunrise!"
He nodded and clawed at the hole, and the kit squeezed himself through the hole. Pinekit followed close behind. The young cat seemed to know what to do, ducking under the barrier he was welcomed by a pleasant forest smell.
He crouched low and smelled the air, it was fresh and clear.
Crickets sang, leaves crunched under the paws of the two siblings. Pinekit's long tail brushed the dead leave, making a defiant rustling sound. Owlkit ventured deeper into the woods, taking cover in lush bushes, but avoiding the fresh tracks of wolves.
The ginger kit froze in his tracks, Pinekit copied him. Swiveling his keen ears he focused on a single point.
"Some cat is watching us." He whispered through his teeth.
Pinekit let a small whimper escape her mouth, amber eyes glazed with fear.
All his senses went wild, trying to find the unknown thing; finally a small rustle gave away the place. Sitting back on his haunches, he leaped onto the thing. It gave a loud squeal and fought back, but it was small and weak.
With a low snarl he realized who it was, eyes bright with fury.
"Shrewkit! You piece of fox-dung!" Owlkit snarled. "Why did you sneak up on us!?"
Pinekit grimaced at his rude language but said nothing; Shrewkit just stared at Owlkit with hateful eyes. "You're in the forest, against the rules. And you drag our sister into this! You demon cat!"
Owlkit backed up, eyes lowering; he looked guilty "I am not like that! I needed to come out here..."
Shrewkit snorted and lifted his nose; he shielded Pinekit with himself "Oh, so you just wanted to attack me!"
"No! You snuck up on us!"
Shrewkit shrugged, "It won't matter; I am going to tell Maplestar."
He started in the direction of the camp, Owlkit just stood there. "Be that way then!" He growled at them "I will know the forest better then either of you!"
With determination he began padding into the shadows, but something wasn't right. He scraped the cold ground with his sharp claws, lifting his nose high he scented the air. A strong stench filled his lungs; he realized immediately what it was. Wolves!
Owlkit rushed out of the shadows, Shrewkit and Pinekit were just beginning to disappear from sight, and the ginger cat ran toward them.
"Pinekit! Shrewkit! You need to climb a tree!"
Both of his siblings gave him strange looks, of why? Then he figured they hadn't noticed the stench of wolves. He couldn't wait for them to figure it out, by then it would be too late.
"Well, like for a game! I want to make it up to you! The first one to that branch," He pointed to a leafy branch about three fox lengths up the tree, "Will win!"
They both seemed to like this idea, and grinned. His siblings rushed to the tree and grappled the sides with their claws. Owlkit leaped up, and was faster then both of them. Finally what after seemed like moons he reached the branch. But Shrewkit had fallen behind, the agonizing sound of heavy wolf paws echoed in the silent wood.
Owlkit leaped down from the tree, and then the blunt muzzle of a wolf shoved its way from the undergrowth. A low snarl rumbled in its throat, Owlkit yelped in fear and scrambled backward.
"Shrewkit! Get your useless hide up that tree!"
The large bracken colored male wolf snapped at Owlkit. Deadly jaws coming within a mouse length of his flesh. Another wolf showed its self, a very small pup, no bigger then Owlkit himself. But with teeth bared the pup lunged at Owlkit, its swift jaws snapped at him, ever coming closer.
Shrewkit wailed, and scurried up the tree as quick as his little paws would climb. Wolves howled with excitement at the fresh cat. The larger of the wolves was none other then Cougar, leader if Firepack. His muscular figure frightened the ginger kit even more.
Owlkit was weaving backwards, but seeing Shrewkit up the tree he mad a mad dash for the tree. The hunters chased close behind, he felt their hot breath on his fur. Glancing over his should he saw them closing in, barely a tail length away from the tree. Black glinted talons of a Great Horned Owl scooped Owlkit from the ground.
Thorn sharp claws dug deep into his flesh, the little kit fought to stay conscious with the pain digging at his soul. But a thin wail called to him, eyes opened wide he saw a blurry black and white shape plunge into the mass of wolves.
"Noo!" Pinekit shrieked as the Owl swooped up into the sky, with eyes as round as the moon, Owlkit watch as his sister was attacked by ravenous wolves.
Owlkit was struggling as talons pierced his skin making his body sear with pain. His struggling became weaker and the owl felt this and glided carelessly back into his hollow. Even though weak tired and hurt, Owlkit was still alive. But no kit ever escaped the talons of an owl.
The owl placed him on some soft bedding, made of downy feathers, and did something no cat would expect. With the dark yellow eyes, gazing at him.
"Are you Owlkit?" Hooted the owl in a whisper.
Owlkit couldn't believe his ears an owl was talking to him. "Yes." He meowed trying to sound defiant with the wise eyes on him.
"Good," he hooted seeming quite pleased, "I'm Dusk if you must know."
"But I didn't ask." He meowed nervously.
"It doesn't matter now that I've told you." He hooted impatiently.
Owlkit nodded, he stared slack-jawed at the talking owl.
The Owl came closer to him; he extended a foot with razor sharp talons and touched the needle sharp point to his thigh. His whole body jolted with pain, he gritted his teeth. He let out a small squeak of pain. The owl grabed him in his feet again. Owlkit didn't have any energy left to fight back; he hung limply from the thick claws. Dusked soared closer to Serpentclan camp, it dropped him.
He plummeted to the ground with a menacing thud!! And every thing went black.
He opened his eyes his whole body ached; the tangy smell of herbs came to his nose. He was in the healers den; Pebblefur was mixing some a batch of herbs. The amber eyes didn't leave his work, but the hair on the back of his neck stood rigid, the healer was very angry with him.
"Good, you're awake." He meowed in a flat tone. Shrewkit charged in, his fur bristling, eyes afire with heated anger.
"I told you, you shouldn't have gone into the forest!" he hissed fiercely.
Owlkit stared at him, slightly stunned by the open rage his brother was showing.
"What happened that was so bad?" Owlkit asked, keeping his voice even.
Shrewkit slowed his breathing, and pointed to a nest next to him with his muzzle. There lying was a small animal with black and white fur. He realized in a jolt. Pinekit! Even though his body ached he ran to the side of his sister. He shoved his nose into her fur; her breathing was weak and shallow. Her pelt was red from blood; she had bite marks all over her body.
"She jumped from the tree after the owl, swooped you away…" Shrewkit paused and took a deep breath. "We both thought you where dead." He whispered. His eyes where clouded with grief and anger, it was a very glassy look. Not giving to much emotion, Owlkit was slightly suspicious but left it at that.
"I saw it…"
Owlkit looked down on his sister. He couldn't believe he had forgotten what had happened to her. This was my entire fault; I'm a sorry excuse for a clan cat. He thought to himself. Pebblefur nudged him back into his nest, he went without complaining. Icy claws pricked his heart as grief flooded over him. He drifted into uneasy sleep, flowed with terror stricken nightmares.
Owlkit was walking in a dark forest, but it smelled like home. But every aspect of it brought shivers down his spine. His heart pounded fast, as he felt like the trees where watching him. Wicked shadows followed him, tree cackled when they rubbed together. Owlkit saw his sister. She was unscratched; no wounds she just sat there, gazing down a silver path, glittering with no moon. Owlkit ran up to her, he happily licked her cheek
"Pinekit, you're ok!"
She completely ignored him.
"Pinekit are you listening?"
She stared at the winding path. Owlkit nudged her, frantically.
Pinekit turned to him, "Sorry, but I want to now where that path leads."
Owlkit focused on the winding path in front of them, the path was glittered with stars. Then it came to him. Silverclan, clan of the spirits. "You shouldn't go down that path; it's probably filled with wolves."
"No it's not I can't smell any."
A shining cat came out of the path; his pelt was glittered with Silver, his bright golden fur glowed. This shining cat was Lionfire, Owlkit's and Pinekit's father. He had died only a moon ago in a battle.
"Father," Pinekit walked forward, eyes glistening with tears, "does that mean I'm dead?" Her voice seemed so small in the vast forest.
The question haunted Owlkit but he wouldn't let it happen.
"Wait, Owlkit's here. Does that mean he's dead too." She looked worried.
"No one in the territories should die but it happens." Meowed Lionfire, solemnly.
Owlkit was outraged, "Pinekit lets head back to camp, and we can avoid this whole thing."
"We can't fight death, Owlkit." Mewed Pinekit.
Lionfire nodded sadly, eyes fogged with grief.
Owlkit lowered his head sadly, "But I don't want you to die." He whispered. "You shouldn't die, it was my fault."
Lionfire stood there, his expression gave away nothing, and emotionless eyes looked at his young son.
"Lionfire please," he pleaded, "let her live, if any cat here should it would be me, I made her come to the forest." This was a lie, but it all didn't matter.
Lionfire looked at his kit, he nodded. "Pinekit go with you're brother, the time for you're death is not now" He turned and ran back up the path and into the stars.
Owlkit nearly doubled over with tears of joy, he was surprised how sudden it had all happened. The only thing that matter was his sister would live! He defeated death and its cold grip. He saw Pinekit smiling too. That in its self made him smile even more.
Owlkit woke with a jolt; he forced his body to get up. Pinekit's breathing was deep and steady. Had he saved a life, he must of. A small smile crept onto his face; it pleased him to help her. The sky was a dark crimson, it was only sunrise. Owlkit returned into the nest, he quickly entered into a sound sleep with a smile painted on his face.
Owlkit raised his head slowly as sun breached the cave. He sat up and gazed at his surroundings. Pinekit was grooming herself; she gave him a look of thanks, in her amber eyes, and continued grooming.
Smiling happily, he yawned and stretched himself; the sun was nearly in the sky. The dewy scents of the forest where around him. A thick fog was layered over the slow moving camp. Returning into the Healers' cave, he realized that there were more cats than just Pinekit and himself.
More cats were loosely curled in mossy nests smelling of a faint Lilac, and lavender. The scent soothed their minds of the pain they felt. Lizardfur, had cobwebs thoroughly all around his neck, and down his shoulder. A groan came from his slightly opened mouth.
Owlkit winced at the sharp tangy scent of blood; it wrinkled his nose with distaste. But it made his ears pound, as blood rushed to them. It reminded him of the excitement of fighting. The wild savage side of him was aroused by the smell of blood and urged him to fight. But shaking his head he returned to the pleasant aromas of the forest.
The grey fog had diminished, but a feeling of fear haunted the corners of the camp. Not many were out basking in the feeble sunlight, where there was less fog. Every cat out seemed very gloomy and slow.
Not even the apprentices were out playing in the thick fog, it was all very depressing. Then he saw Shrewkit in the middle of camp, just sitting there. Maplestar was coming over to him, he chuckled out loud, and it hurt his side to do so. He had to stop to halt the pain in his side; glancing down towards it he saw that he had cobwebs over the wounds.
Shrugging to himself, he thought of current events. Then it struck him! Why was Shrewkit out there? He wouldn't care if either Pinekit or he died. The wimp wasn't that mouse-brained to risk his hide for them. Fixing his gaze on Shrewkit for a moment, he saw no guilt or worries in his face.
Only anger.
Owlkit had a thought that finding his siblings wasn't what he had intended to do. No kindness rested in his dark heart, only hate. The young cat sighed; he was going to be in trouble.