If Maplekit was used to waking up to loud screams of fright, today would be her day. However, she was used to sleeping with them, so she couldn't get her mind around what was going on for what felt like a long time to anyone more awake and experienced than she was. It isn't after all, that such sounds wake five-moon old kits up from the protective folds of sleep unless something is wrong, and then they are usually stuck in the nursery, and never find out first-hand what had happened. Today, the problem just so happened to be in the nursery, so Maplekit and Stormkit were rushed outside.
"Is Streamfoot okay?" Maplekit asked.
"She'll be fine once she's had her kits," Cloudleaf meowed.
"Can I go and watch with Pikeheart and Silverfur?" Maplekit begged.
"No. Streamfoot needs to be with her mother and mate now. I know you love each other very much, but a kitting is not a place for kits," Cloudleaf replied.
The rest of the morning and most of the afternoon were spent sitting outside the nursery hoping for an update about Streamfoot. None came though. Every now and then some cat would rush out of the nursery, and hurry back in with more water, herbs, or a stick. None of them spoke, so for all Maplekit knew Streamfoot had sprouted wings and a few extra heads.
"She's done!" meowed Fogpelt, the medicine cat.
"Can I see the kits now?" Maplekit asked.
Cloudleaf nodded, so Maplekit made her way to Streamfoot's side.
"What should we name them?" Streamfoot asked.
Pikeheart licked a light brown she-kit with cream ears and purred, "Let's call her Glenkit."
"Let's call this one Toadkit," Streamfoot whispered, looking at a ginger tom with brown chest fur.
"How about Moonkit for this little blue/silver tom?" Pikeheart replied.
"Let's call the gray she-kit with white spots Featherkit," Streamfoot said.
"Can you show us the camp now?" Glenkit pleaded.
"Yeah! Moonkit's already outside!" Toadkit added.
"I'd love to!" Maplekit purred.
With that, she led the way out of the nursery to show three of Streamfoot's kits their home. Moonkit, who was clearly going to be a trouble maker had gone out earlier, and was now chasing his tail in a wild leaping dance.
"Can we go swimming?" Toadkit asked, looking at the deep pool in the center of camp.
"Even I don't know how to swim!" Maplekit replied, flicking her tail under Toadkit's chin.
"Can you show us the elders? I want to see if they tell good stories," Featherkit asked softly.
Maplekit nodded and after getting Moonkit to come with them, headed for the elders' den.
"Welcome!" Meowed Honeypelt, a tabby and white she-cat.
"I guess you want a story of some kind. I would like a nap, so I won't be the one telling it," Redtooth's meow came from a reddish mound of fur in a far corner.
"He's not always so bad. Come over and I'll tell you all about the Journeys," meowed Thrushleap, a golden tom.
"Please do!" the kits chanted.
"Countless season's ago, the Clans lived in a beautiful forest. The only known facts about those times are that all cats were the size of Monsters, the Gatherings were held in a place called Fourtrees, a clearing with four trees that were so tall you could hardly see the lowest branches, and this forest was overtaken by Twolegs. The clans moved to a new forest by a lake, and gathered on some island. This forest became home to a pack of wolves, and no matter how they tried, the four clans could not get rid of them. Many lives were lost. One day, a ThunderClan warrior had a dream. A StarClan cat came to him and said that the wolves were not going away. The clan was told of this dream. The leaders talked at the island and decided that the clans would have to move again. The clans moved by night as a bright star pointed them to a new home," Thrushleap told the kits.
"The first time you told me that story it was way longer!" Maplekit cried.
"Some cats need naps," Thrushleap meowed.
Maplekit and the others left the den. Moonkit went off to look for Stormkit, Glenkit and Toadkit found a clump of moss and started a game of Moss-Ball, and Featherkit sat in the sun with Streamfoot and Maplekit.
A/N: This is going to be kind of long.
I'd like to start by saying thank you to everyone who has followed, favorite, and/or reviewed my story.
Review reply time!
Pebblewish: I will use her as an older apprentice. I will keep reading your stories. As much as I want to, I don't have time to be a part of any forums because of homework and all of my other activities.
Starsinger04: Thank you, and both questions will be answered in later chapters.
Subwayguy: I had already sent you a PM, and if you want to know why I didn't reply, it's because I can never remember to reply to Pms and emails and things. Don't take it personally, its all me. :)
Wood Cats: Thank you!
Guest: Thank you. Webkit will start out as an older apprentice. You'll see what Stormkit's up to soon.
Birdflame: I'm still not sure what I want to do with that. I may do a Cinderpelt/Cinderheart thing.
Booklady1017: Thank you for Featherkit.
Thank you for all of your OCS, but until further notice I do not need any more.
Also, please vote on my poll. I won't work on any of the stories until I'm done with this one.
Lastly, should I keep Maplekit's Warrior name the same or come up with something new. The same goes for any other cats that have been reborn.
P.S, Does anyone know what Appledusk looks like?
Happy holidays!