Chapter 4: Stolen

Sagekit awoke to a low growling. He ignored it at first, thinking it was just Frostkit and Flowerkit play-fighting. He yawned and kept his eyes shut, enjoying the remnants of his nap. Strange scents flowed into his nose, keeping him from slipping back off into sleep. A tangy smell hit his face like a Twoleg monster and he quickly sat up, memories flashing back into his mind. He inhaled the sharp scent of fox and felt his body seize up. Where was his father? What happened? Sagekit gingerly stood up, glancing around warily. He was standing in the middle of a huge clearing in the forest. Sagekit could tell from the thinness of the trees that he wasn't in ShadowClan territory.

A still pool of water sparkled in the center of the camp and standing in front of the water was a tall orange fox with pitch-black ears. Sagekit's heart leaped into his throat at the sight. Where was he? Did the fox see him? Sagekit remembered the fox back in the woods. It had jumped at him after throwing off Swiftfoot. The last thing Sagekit remembered was the fox's jaws closing around his head.

The black and white kit glanced at the fox. Its back was to Sagekit. Maybe, just maybe, he could slink away without being seen. Sagekit took a hesitant step back, keeping his large eyes fixed on the fox. He could hear the fox making low growling noises, his head bent over the pool.

Is he talking to the water? thought Sagekit. Maybe he's crazy.

Sagekit took another few steps backwards, trying to stay light on his paws and make no sounds. He found that he was holding his breath. The moon shone above him, making his fur glow conspicuously in the gloom. Sagekit briefly wondered if StarClan was watching him now.

Suddenly, a twig snapped underneath Sagekit's feet. Sagekit froze, horrified, his paw twitching uncontrollably as the fox's ears flicked back and he turned around, his jaws opened slightly. Sagekit whimpered in fear as the fox spotted him.

A deep snarl arose in the creature's throat as it bounded towards Sagekit. The black and white tom trembled as the fox grew closer, ready to give up. A image suddenly flew into his mind: Swiftfoot, lying on the forest floor, bleeding from trying to save his son. Sagekit felt a hot boil of anger rise up in his throat like mouse bile. He wasn't going to let his father down!

Sagekit unsheathed his claws purposefully and stared at the fox, trying hard to appear braver than he felt. The fox leaped at the kit and Sagekit, remembering a mock-battle he saw his mother and father do once, side-stepped him, dodging neatly out of the way with a triumphant hiss. Sagekit watched as the fox, surprised, crashed into the ground.

Sagekit stepped forward quickly and swiped his claws across the fox's muzzle, causing the animal to scream in pain. Sagekit sprang back as the fox rose, fire burning in his amber eyes. Sagekit turned and fled towards the puddle of water, his paws flashing across the floor. He could feel the fox's hot breath on his back as it chased after him.

Sagekit skidded around the pool and hared off towards the dark clump of trees that followed a small trickle of water away from the clearing.

Suddenly, a dark shape rose up in front of him and swatted him away from the pool. Sagekit tumbled over the ground, his breath knocked out by the incredible force from the blow. He lay, stunned as the fox caught up with him. It pressed its enormous paw on Sagekit's chest and growled something to the newcomer. Sagekit managed to look around the heavy paw holding him in place.

His other attacker turned out to be a second fox. This one looked like it was a female; she had long skinny legs and sharp, curved teeth than were glinting at Sagekit like rat's eyes. Sagekit gulped. He was crow-food for sure.

But why did they take me all the way out here to eat? he thought, that other fox could have just killed me in ShadowClan and eaten me there.

The pressure from the fox's paw was hurting Sagekit, making it harder and harder to breathe. The two foxes were making barking noises now, obviously having some kind of a conversation. Sagekit found that the world was turning black as his supply of air was slowly being cut off. His head spun as the foxes chattered away, besides the silvery pool of water. Quite suddenly, Sagekit fainted, his breath gone and his head pounding.

xxx

Sagekit opened his eyes. He was standing back in ShadowClan's forest. The familiar scents and sights greeted his eyes playfully, making him open his jaws in happiness. He was home! A warm breeze spun by the kit, bringing with it a soft smell that Sagekit found vaguely familiar. A mottled cat stepped out from behind a tree, her shiny pelt filled with stars that glowed and glistened. Sagekit stared at her, surprised.

"Who are you?" he asked the she-cat.

"My name is Tawnypelt," the cat answered, smiling down at Sagekit. "I was once deputy of ShadowClan many seasons ago."

"Wow," Sagekit said, "so then why are you back in the forest? Did StarClan bring you back?"

Tawnypelt shook her head, scattering stardust over the bracken. "No little one. I am a member of StarClan. You aren't in ShadowClan anymore."

Sagekit gasped, his eyes wide with fear. "Am I dead?" he cried.

"No. You are not ready to join StarClan yet," Tawnypelt reassured him.

"Then am I dreaming?" Sagekit asked.

"I have a message for you from StarClan," Tawnypelt continued, ignoring his question.

"What is it?" Sagekit said incredulously.

"Do not be scared," Tawnypelt said, her voice low and soothing, "the foxes will NOT hurt you. You have a task to complete before you can come home to ShadowClan."

"What do you mean?" Sagekit whispered.

"The Fire Tails need your help," Tawnypelt murmured. Sagekit looked confused. Who were the Fire Tails? "StarClan has a gift for you."

Tawnypelt bent her head down and pressed her pink nose against Sagekit's face. A warmth spread throughout Sagekit's body, coursing within his blood. He felt a tingling extend from his paws up to his ears.

"What happened?" he asked when it was over and his body had returned to normal.

"I gave you the gift of tongues," Tawnypelt replied, "your task requires your communication with the foxes."

"Are you saying I can now speak fox?" Sagekit said dubiously.

Tawnypelt nodded solemnly and stepped back from Sagekit. "I have one more duty to perform," she said, "you are six moons old and since you have left ShadowClan, I need to bestow your name upon you."

Sagekit leapt into the air, his ears pricked forward in excitement. Was he about to become an apprentice? "I get my name?"

"You need it for the task you have been set," Tawnypelt answered. She cleared her throat and smiled down at the kit. "Sagekit, even thought you are far from home, you are ready to be an apprentice. Sagekit, from now on, until you get your warrior name, you shall be known as Sagepaw. I, Tawnypelt, shall mentor you until you return home."

Sagepaw let his mouth drop open. A StarClan cat was going to be his mentor? "Can you do that?" he inquired.

"In extreme circumstances, yes," Tawnypelt sighed, "I will come to you every night in your dreams. I will teach you the basics and the rest you must learn for yourself."

"Thank you," Sagepaw said humbly. "Does this mean that I will return home some day?"

Tawnypelt didn't answer, she just licked his head and touched her nose to his. Suddenly the forest's colors began to slid and mix as Sagepaw's new mentor waved her tail at him in a goodbye. The she-cat's green eyes glowed and then vanished quickly as the surroundings melted away into nothingness. Then Tawnypelt's body faded away, leaving only stars behind.