Chapter Two
Fernkit's ears twitched with annoyance as a snore rang in her ears. Leafstrike had moved to the nursery a moon ago, and her kits would be on their way. At least I'll be out of here by then! Fernkit hissed as another snore echoed throughout the den, and she rose to her paws. She padded outside, the pale morning light shining on her pale brown coat, and reflected off the small layer of snow that laid before her. She had liked being awake before anyone else, and it seemed to give peace to the camp. Picking her way through the snow, she dug her head into the fresh-kill pile, finding a small pike. Now four moons old, she was able to eat solid prey, and didn't have to rely on Dovewillow for milk.
"Fernkit! Does your mother know you're out here?" Fernkit raised her head, the pike dangling from her jaws. Palepaw had come over to meet the kit, with Dawnshade close behind her. Palepaw was always kind to the kit, and Fernkit had begun to consider her as a friend, but she was still doubtful. The only cats she truly trusted were Skykit, Hawkstripe, and Brindlekit.
"She wouldn't care even if she knew. Dawn patrol?" Fernkit replied, her paws feeling numb with cold. Palepaw's eyes widened with surprise, and then her eyes darkened, realizing why this was. She reached down, grabbing a slightly large trout for herself and Dawnshade.
"Yeah, I guess. I wish it wasn't this cold out," Dawnshade mewed, a small sneeze coming out of her nose. Fernkit purred with reassurance, before shuddering as Honeypaw padded to the fresh-kill pile. She dipped her head to Palepaw and Dawnshade, but cast an icy glance at the kit.
"Can I share that, Palepaw?" Honeypaw asked, her voice sweet as she could manage. Honeypaw had always tried to get on her good side, since she was Bramblepaw's sister, but Palepaw had never liked the golden-furred apprentice.
"You won't get too much out of it, but yeah, if you want," Palepaw mumbled, lifting it up to the reeds. Fernkit shrugged, bringing her pike over towards the nursery. She settled down in front of the nursery, tearing the flesh off the pike. Though small, it was juicy and rich with flavor. She devoured every bite, kicking the bones towards the small pond beside the camp.
"Fernkit! What are you doing out here so early?" Fernkit recognized the mothering and soothing voice of Applesong, and she shrugged, looking up.
"I just couldn't sleep with Leafstrike snoring. Would you like me to get you some fresh-kill?" Fernkit asked, angling her ears toward the meager supply of prey. Applesong eyed it warily, noticing the shortage of prey in the clan, do to the rivers freezing up.
"If there's something left. But, let the warriors that have to go hunt eat first," Applesong replied, settling outside in the nursery. Fernkit dipped her head, trotting over towards the fresh-kill pile. There was a carp, a frozen frog, and a couple of minnows. Hissing with annoyance, she fastened her teeth around the carp, before yelping as a paw slammed into her. She looked up, glaring at the flaming amber eyes that glowered at her.
"What do you think you're doing, Fernkit? You can't take this whole carp for yourself! You'd better go fix those weird eyes of yours on something else!" Larkflame snapped, bending down to reach for the carp. Hissing, Fernkit batted it out of his mouth, making it land on the ground with a dull thud. "What was that for, you useless kit?"
"That was for Applesong, you're mate! If you haven't forgotten, she's nursing your kits! You almost never visit her, and it's always up to someone else to bring her the prey to feed your kits! It's almost like you don't care anymore!" Fernkit spat, her eyes narrowing in anger. Larkflame flinched back at her tone, before nudging the carp quickly towards the bristling kit.
"I'm s-sorry.. I thought… I.. Sorry…" Larkflame stammered, flushing bright red. Growling, she picked up the carp, and turned around, her head held high. Her differently colored eyes glowed with pride for knocking some sense into the thick-headed warrior. "I'll come visit her later, I promise!" Ignoring him, she padded back into the nursery, picking out the pale red pelt of Applesong.
"Applesong! I got a carp for you! The best piece of prey in the pile!" Fernkit chirped, forgetting her earlier quarrel with the she-cat's mate. Her crystal blue eyes appeared from her nest, and her eyes lit up.
"Oh, wonderful! Foxkit and Brindlekit have been complaining about how there's no milk, but I'm sure this will make the milk come. Thank you, Fernkit!" Applesong purred, tearing away at the carp. Fernkit was painfully aware of how thin Applesong was getting, along with the whole clan. Except Leafstrike, who seems to be growing bigger everyday! I suppose she is bearing kits…
"Fernkit! There you are! I've been looking all over for you, and I was worried when I couldn't find you!" Skykit purred, bounded over to meet her littermate. "I really want to talk with Frostmoon! I hear she's really nice! Let me ask Dovewillow if we can go!" Dovewillow's white face appeared behind her two kits, her eyes glowing with love.
"Of course you can go, Skykit. Just make sure you don't touch any of the herbs in there, alright?" Dovewillow mewed. Skykit nodded vigorously, before pushing Fernkit out of the nursery. The leapt into the sheltered cave with the gentle willows blowing across the entrance.
Fernkit gasped, noticing the moss nests on the ground, and the small pool of water indented in the ground. Frostmoon was carefully picking at the thorns in her nest, and her ears pricked in alarm.
"Is there a problem? Is Dovewillow okay?" Frostmoon asked, her eyes widening with question. Fernkit huffed indignantly, but Skykit shook her head, her tail bobbing in the air.
"No, she's fine. We just wanted to see you again! I was-!" Skykit explained, only to be interrupted by a loud yowl. Fernkit jumped back, fixing her eyes on a fluffed out dark golden cat.
"I…. Leafstrike just started coughing so much! I told myself that it was just… a feather, but now she can't stop! Please help, Frostmoon!" Thornsplash yelped, his amber eyes wild with fear. Frostmoon gasped, and she fixed her eyes on Fernkit.
"Fernkit, you've been in here a couple times. Go fetch some catmint, poppy seeds, and some coltsfoot? Do you remember what those look like?" Frostmoon asked. Nodding in a flurry, Fernkit bounded into the back of the den, raising her nose to sniff out the herbs. Her eyes struggled to focus in the dim room, and she hissed with annoyance. She could easily pick up the strong, delightful scent of catmint, and she stretched out, grabbing a couple leaves. Hastily, she grabbed the other herbs, hoping they were the right ones. Fernkit bounded towards the nursery, the herbs tucked in her mouth.
"Fernkit! Here you are! Those are the right ones, thank you," Frostmoon mewed, her eyes shining with approval. Fernkit dropped the herbs, licking her mouth to get rid of the juices. "I think she has whitecough. Don't tell Thornsplash though," Frostmoon whispered, her whiskers twitching. Fernkit's eyes widened with unhappiness, her fur fluffing out.
"Fernkit, what are you doing, hanging around the nursery? You're plenty old enough, so why don't you go play with Brindlekit and Foxkit?" Fernkit looked up, meeting with bright golden eyes. Dovewillow….? She almost purred, but then spotted Skykit clinging onto her mother's back.
"How come Skykit gets to stay here?" Fernkit complained, already knowing the answer. Dovewillow let out a low growl, lashing her tail in front of Fernkit.
"Don't talk back to me! I think you should go," Dovewillow snapped, pushing her kit forward with one paw. Burning with anger, she whipped around, marching over to where Brindlekit was playing mossball with Foxkit.
"Hey, Fernkit! Want to play with us?" Brindlekit mewed, turning towards the older kit. Fernkit dipped her head in response, her eyes lighting up with excitement once more. "Okay! Foxkit and I will be against you, and our goal is the elder's den! You head towards the medicine cats' den!" Fernkit purred, hitting the mossball into the air. With quick paws, she hit the ball into the air, juggling it as she darted away from Foxkit.
The sky glowed with red and orange, as the sun dyed the sky with gorgeous colors. Fernkit stretched, her whiskers twitching. Brindlekit and Foxkit were almost asleep, as they stumbled across the clearing, their mouths stretched open in a silent yawn.
"I think we should get back to the nursery," Foxkit murmured, his eyes drooping with sleep. Fernkit nodded in silent agreement, padding towards the nursery. The warm comfort of the nursery beckoned Fernkit to sleep, and she padded over towards her nest. Dovewillow was already there, watching Skykit pounce at her tail. Her eyes glowed with pride and love. Fernkit bit back a glare of jealousy, instead plopping herself down on her mother's flank. Dovewillow hissed softly, kicking Fernkit towards the back of the nest. Growling, she turned her back on her mother, small tears leaking from her eyes.