Hey guys! Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I was busy with school, track, and other stuff. I might be able to post another chapter over the weekend to make up for that though! I'm not sure how great this one is, and it's also pretty short. I'll be writing long chapters some time soon...
I've also changed a couple of things. Hawkkit is now Thornkit, and he's golden brown, not gray. I've also changed BreezeClan's name to MarshClan. Besides that, nothing else important except that I've made the alliences a lot easier to read! I only changed a few appearances.
Lastly, I want to thank everyone for 100 views! I love you guys! 3
Chapter 3: Winter's War
Birdkit shuffled her paws and stretched. She had just woken up, and looked around, gazing at the soft sunlight seeping through. She stepped out into the chilly wind, and sneezed as a snowflake dropped onto her nose. The warriors bustled around, heading out on dawn patrols, and hunting for the clan. She was three moons now. She had met so many new cats, Goldenpaw, the sweet, loving, medicine cat apprentice, Dawnleaf, the gentle medicine cat, and Finchstreak, a studious warrior. She purred as the snow began to pile higher, the wind ruffling her fluffy pelt. Birdkit turned, and entered the nursery, nosing her way through the bramble wall.
"Wake up!" She squeaked, "It's snowing!" Groggily, Sandkit, and Mossfeather's litter stepped out into the snow. Thornkit stepped out first, his golden pelt flashing against the snow. Sandkit, Brightkit, Morningkit, and Ryekit followed him out.
"Morning Birdkit!" mewed Morningkit. Her silver pelt stuck up, rustled by the freezing wind.
"Hey Morningkit!" Birkit purred. She greeted the other kits, and then finding nothing else to do, scooped up a lump of soft snow in the paws and flung it at Sandkit.
"Hey!" screeched Sandkit. The ginger kit growled playfully, and kicked some snow at her sister. The clump of snow hit Birdkit square in the nose. Soon enough, the kits began to throw ice and snow at each other, squeaking in pleasure.
Birdkit growled, her ear stinging from where Ryekit had hit her. She scooped some sleet up, and yowled, "Ryekit!" The reddish colored kit turned at the sound of Birdkit's voice. She leaped sideways and skidded across a patch of ice. The sleet went whizzing past her twitching ear, whistling.
"You missed!" purred Ryekit, ready to retaliate with a pile of ice. She leaped up from where she had fallen when she heard a squeak of surprise.
"Oops!" The voice belonged to Birdkit, "Sorry Cinderpaw!" The gray apprentice merely shook her pelt, and leaped to her paws.
"You're going to get it Birdkit!" she yowled. Cinderpaw flung piles of slush at Birdkit, her amber eyes glowing with amusement.
Birdkit tried to run as she squeaked an apology, "It won't happen again Cinderpaw!" The apprentice let out a laugh, whiskers twitching. Birdkit flopped down on the ground as Cinderpaw finally stopped attacking her. The twosome breathed heavily, watching the other kits chucking clumps of snow at each other. That was so much fun! Cinderpaw shook out her short fur, and stood.
"See you later kits!" she meowed, running to the apprentices den. Birkit chuckled, her striped pelt shaking. She stretched out her paws, and yawned. It was already sun-high. She padded across the clearing to take a piece of prey for her and Sandkit. The juicy pigeon looked amazing. But as soon as she reached the fresh-kill pile, a loud screech rang out across the clearing.
Ripplenose and Softfur streaked into camp, panting heavily. As soon as they caught their breath, Ripplenose cried out, "Mountainclan is planning to attack! Softfur and I just spotted them on our territory. I heard them whisper about battle, but I heard nothing else."
Birdkit stiffened in fear, her fur bristling. Would they attack now? Suddenly, the fern behind her rustled as Thistlestar padded in front of Ripplenose and Softfur.
"This is bad news. Thank you Ripplenose, Softfur." He turned to his clan and continued, "Protect the nursery and the elders! I want everyone able to fight in battle." The clan immediately bustled into action. Honeysream and Mossfeather shuffled Birdkit and the other kits into the nursery. Birdkit shivered in fear as she peered outside into camp. The warriors were ready, standing at attention at the entrance of camp, some scrambling through a secret exit in the back.
As Birdkit slinked back into the nursery, a battle cry sounded through the camp. Birdkit shook, squeezing herself against Sandkit, who also was visibly fearful. Screeches and yowls cut through the silence of the afternoon, and blood splattered on the ground. Then, as soon as it started, the battle ended. Birdkit relaxed a little, partly confused. She stood up. Why had the battle stopped? Suddenly, as soon as Birdkit stepped outside -despite Honeystream's worried cry- a large tom barred the way, his muzzle turned up into a snarl.
