I loved all the review I got, even if most you think Brightkit is a little brat. Well she is. Thanks to everyone. (Rowanshade, Mossshine, SilverWolf1499, ScrougeloverBirdwing, Shimmertail, Moonblaze 13, Marshmellowtime, BlackflameofPheonixClan, SupahSplash34, Phantomflower, Minfrost29, Princess of Xing, RedWolf, The Last Sketch, KTDlover.)

Time: Day 3

Character: Brighkit of BloomClan

Ch.9 Clawing

My eyes drifting shut and closing to the world wasn't a slow, gradual thing. One second I was tossing and turning like a raccoon was chasing me and the next, I was in a deep sleep. Still, the bliss didn't last.

At one point in the night, I shot out of the nest, cold fear coating my body like a second skin. A shiver racked my small body, but I couldn't figure out why. Nothing memorable filtered in my mind; no dreams stuck out. Calming down and losing interest, I fell into a light, fitful sleep.

Flashing images of a flowing river, clogged with crimson blood passed through my mind as I slept. They made light imprints,dissolving as quickly as they appeared, like footprints in the sand by the smallest stream.

The most prominent vision was a huge aerial view of the largest river. The water was turbulent, and I could see spray coming of the splashes. A fallen maple tree lay between the two banks, exactly like my dream.

On one side was a strong tabby tom. He held his head up high, seeming to demand respect despite the fact that he was a tom. More tomcats than I had ever seen stood behind him. Each looking into the sky. Than, the name rumbled through my head.

Oakfire, Oakfire, Oakfire, Oakstar.

I gasped and flipped over in my sleep. Moss and feather scattered in my wake, falling on the floor and exposing my bare skin to the cold rock. I didn't feel it because another scene took over my dream scape.

I could still see the toms, but now, ranks upon ranks of she-cat were standing across the river, baring glistening fangs. A silvery blue she-cat stood at the front of the army, looking like a true leader.

Bloomflower, Bloomflower, Bloomflower, Bloomstar.

As soon as the names were spoken, they whisked right out of my mind. Only an empty hollow remained. I could sense something was missing, but I couldn't find it.

My sleep from then on was wild. I thrashed around, throwing moss every-which-way. My eyes and senses were closed to the world, but I was getting no rest in my crazed sleep.

A cold wind hit me, and I tried to nestle into my mother's soft fur. As I cuddled deeper into the moss and feather that remained, I scraped my nose against a rough surface. I quickly pulled away, trying to lick my nose.

That is when I noticed my nest had been completely destroyed. I let out a fake sigh when I realized that someone would have to clean in up.

"Wake up Flamewhisper," I called, my voice sickly high-pitched. "My moss and feather bed is all messed up. I should have just gone back to my mother; the treatment here isn't any good."

A sleepy ginger tom trudged out of his den. A piece of moss hung out of his fur and some was stuck under his tiny claws. "What can I do for you, Brightkit?" he yawned. "Are you ready to see Petalstar already?"

"Of course not," I snarled to him. My ferocity decreased greatly by the huge yawn that cut my words in half. "I just need you to fix my bedding."

He bent down to gather the fallen moss, but he looked up at me with his deep green eyes. "You really should treat toms better. That mate of yours won't be weak and soft forever."

His words hit somewhere deep in my heart, but I pretended not to notice. My mother hadn't treated her tom well, and he had attacked her. I would never know my father, not that I really wanted to anyway; it was the missed opportunity that hurt so badly. "I asked you to fix my nest, not give me useless advice."

Flamewhisper ducked his head and continued his work. Real pain shown in his vibrant green eyes, like I had just clawed him. I felt I'm sorry rising in my throat, and I had to choke the words down.

"Oh," I said, carefully directing us away from the conversation. "I also need Cloudblossom. I scraped my nose on the wall because of this horrible draft."

The second highest tom stepped away from me and disappeared into the back. Some pieces of moss still lay on the floor, and I was forced to pick them up myself.

Echoes came from the sleeping dens. The words were distorted from bouncing of the crooked walls, but I was sure Flamewhisper was waking his mate. I pretended to hang my head, act all worn out.

My nose was actually bleeding quite quickly and a dull agony was present. It felt raw, like a warrior had just shredded it.

Instead of seeing the medicine cat appear from her nest, I heard the patter of her apprentice walking over to me. Her tiny claws sounded like water splashing from overhanging leaves.

"Cloudblossom is still sleeping. She is very tired from dealing with you last night," she told me. "I'll have to get whatever you need." She paused for a second before speaking again. "You do need something, right."

I rolled my light green eyes at her, and I tried to refrain from laughing at her stupidity. "Your wall attacked me," I told her. "I would like some herbs to put on it."

Lynxpaw scampered over to the shelves of medicines. "I think we have some marigold or dock leaves around her." she muttered quietly to herself. "That would soothe the wound and prevent infection."

"You can talk in your head," I called to her, my brashness returning fully. "I don't care what you're putting on it, just as long as my nose doesn't rot off." My voice was harsh, and Lynxpaw curled up like I had bitten her.

Another pair of paws sounded in the cluttered medicine den. A white face poked its way out of the dens and joined the two of us in the patient area. I could exhaustion in her blind eyes.

"What are you getting young Brightkit," asked Cloudblossom. "Did she tell you she got some rare illness to get out of seeing Petalstar. I thought you knew better than to fall for that trick."

I scrambled out of my nest and walked right up in the medicine cat's face. It lost its rebellious effect since she couldn't see me standing and deifying her. "I scraped my nose on the wall in case you couldn't smell the blood."

Lynxpaw motioned for me to move over, and she spoke to her mentor. "I got her marigold to stop any infection and crushed dock leaves to soothe the pain?" Her voice was questioning, uncertain if she had passed the unprepared test.

Cloudblossom smiled in the general direction of her apprentice, completely ignoring me. "You have almost finished your training, Lynxpaw. You just need to one more important lesson."

A nervous smile broke out on the apprentice's face. "What is it, Cloudblossom? I think I would be good under pressure. Look how nicely I'm treating a little she-kit." She dabbed the poultice on my nose, being extra careful not to smudge any in my eyes.

I twitched a bit, causing her to drop some of the fresh herbs on the ground. "Good thing she can't see," she muttered as much to herself as to me. "You are a very lucky kit."

"What did you say, Lynxpaw," asked the medicine cat. "I wasn't listening. Would you be a darling and repeat it?"

Lynxpaw shuffled nervously, thinking the same thing I was. Cloudblossom knew exactly what she had said because nothing got past the blind medicine cat. "I was just wondering what I needed to work on."

Cloudblossom couldn't see, but she could sense the dread and agitation that was rolling of Lynxpaw in waves. "It is just something you will learn in time. All you need is more experience."

The cream-colored apprentice walked away from me, ashamed of how she had been acting. "Do you want me to get to know the Clan better. I could take Brightkit to see Petalstar. Only if you want me to, of course."

I fluffed out my chest and stumbled out from Lynxpaw's grip. "I can walk myself to leader's den. I'm not a stupid tom who has to be escorted everywhere."

The full medicine cat turned to face me, now ignoring her apprentice. "I thought you were scared to meet Petalstar. I thought you would never see her in a million moons."

"Ha," I laughed dryly. "I already told you, I'm not a stupid tom. If I want to rise to an all powerful leader, I must be strong in the face of danger." Lynxpaw laughed at the scene I was making, but I sent her a death glare.

"Okay than," smiled Cloudblossom. "Let's go now." She turned away from me so her voice would carry to the back of the den. "Flamewhisper, we're going out to see the leader. You're in charge until I get back. Don't let anyone push you around."

I could see the tom roll his eyes at his mate, his smile light and goofy. Even Lynxpaw looked uncomfortable in their presence. She coughed at bit to get her mentor's attention.

"Am I coming with you?" she asked. "I wouldn't get in the way at all. I would sit on the side and listen to every word you said. You did say I need more experience."

Cloudblossom shook her head slowly, trying to not give her apprentice the wrong idea. "This isn't something an apprentice does. My mentor left me in the den when she did this with Petalkit."

"But I thought things changed over time," cried Lynxpaw, desperate to prove herself to her mentor. "Why can't you change it just this once?"

"Lynxpaw," scolded Cloudblossom," you know you can't change tradition. Now, go to the nursery to check on the kits. The queens should be waking up now."

The apprentice hung her head and walked slowly out of the den. Her tail parted the dirt and gravel as it trailed along the floor. Her posture looked of one who had been broken down past repair.

I could see the hurt in Cloudblossom's blind eyes, and I laughed. "Pay no attention to her," I told her, feeling the tiniest bit of sympathy for the medicine cat. "She is just a jealous beast."

"You are the beast here," sighed Cloudblossom. "I feel for the Clan; how did a kit like you receive Bloomstar's Gift?"

I wasted no time responding," because I'm awesome, and a she-cat. I don't even know what Bloomstar's gift is, but I'm sure I'm the best kit in the nursery."

The medicine cat sighed and looked away with her blind eyes. "Just follow me to Petalstar's den. Secretthorn should still be with the toms. We won't need to make excuses."

"So this is a secret meeting," I told her. "No toms allowed." I let out a cackled laugh. "This is what I'm talking about. I thought being a medicine cat meant all boring stuff."

"The meeting will be ruined if you even tell anyone. Instead, I'll tell Moonstripe you tried to escape from the nursery." Her smile was hard and serious, there was no laughter in her pale eyes.

I could imagine the fury that would rise in Moonstripe's voice. "Don't worry," I assured the blind she-cat. "No words will get out."

"That is what I thought," smiled Cloudblossom. "Now let's go."

Now that the moment had arrived, my heart sped up, beating abnormally fast. "Calm down," I whispered quietly to myself. "Only toms are afraid of Petalstar. I'm not a weak tom, so I'm not afraid. I'm not afraid."

Cloudblossom gave me a weird look like she had heard everything I said. "We are going Flamewhisper. See you later."

"I thought you had left already, honey," he called to the front room. "Are you defiantly leaving this time? I don't want to be scared when your voice suddenly sounds."

A hearty laugh erupted from the white she-cat. "I won't scare you again. Lynxpaw is at the nursery, and I'm walking out of the den with Brightkit at my heels."

"Actually, you tom lover," I mumbled to myself, my words so distorted, no one could understand them, "you are walking at my heels. Hurry up."

Flamewhisper shouted his farewells, and we exited the medicine den. It felt so free in the clearing, the winds wrapping around my fur. I hadn't realized how stuffy and airless the den had been.

The sun was slowly peaking up from the river. It cast an orange glow into the light blue sky, the same color as Cloudblossom's eyes. The colors ran together like the blood spilling into the fast flowing river.

She-cats walked around camp, some dragging their paws from an exhausting morning patrol and others jumping friskily around. Some were gathered round the fresh-kill pile while a couple disappeared into the tom's den.

Cloudpaw was walking in the reed entrance with Firepaw, trying to guide her sightless friend. Both apprentices turned to look when Cloudblossom and I appeared in their view.

"Hello, Cloudblossom," called the fluffy, white apprentice. "we were just practicing our battle training. You're kit is one awesome fighter. It is almost like she can see me."

"Just because I'm blind doesn't mean I'm deaf," laughed Firepaw. I could see a hidden ferocity in her eyes that her mother never possessed. It was unparalleled hunger to fight and prove one's worth.

"Just be careful," she told her daughter. "Don't go near the rivers and streams, or you could get swept away. You don't want to end up like Jaggedblaze's brother, never to be seen again."

"Mom," moaned Firepaw. "You are embarrassing me in front of Cloudpaw and the rest of the warriors. They just excepted that I might become a warrior. Please don't say that when they are nearby."

"Anything for you, darling," sighed the worried mother. "I'm just nervous for Icepaw. This is her first time joining Fallowheart to meet Danger."

"No need to worry, ma'am," smiled Cloudpaw. "She is also with Everpaw. Their mentors won't let anything happen to them. You know that."

I fidgeted back and forth on my paws, trying to remind my escort that I was still present. Pretending to play with a pebble, I attempted to chuck it at Cloudblossom. At the last second, my weight shifted, and it flew towards Cloudpaw.

The tiny projectile bounced harmlessly off her leg, but it got her attention. She bent over and looked at me. "Why is Brightkit with you?" she asked. "Does Moonstripe think she is ready to become an apprentice early?"

I opened my mouth to tell her I had received a special gift when I remembered Cloudblossom's warning. Instead, my mouth shut, and I waited to hear the medicine cat's lie.

"You're a smart one, Cloudpaw. I would think so with a name like that." The mentioned apprentice beamed with the compliment, but Firepaw rolled her blind eyes, looking a lot like her mother. "Brightkit is the largest kit in the nursery, and her mother thinks it's best if she becomes an apprentice early. It is getting crowded with Lightcloud's kits reaching four moons soon."

"Doesn't that go against the warrior code," brought up Firepaw. "You taught me to obey it until my last breath. What ever happened to that?"

"Daughter," sighed Cloudblossom, "this is just something you learn with experience. Now, where is your mentor? I need to talk to her."

"Her and Smokefrost are out there talking. They say it is a secret, but it is obviously about Cloudpaw's warrior ceremony. I bet they are already on their way back," informed Firepaw, totally comfortable talking to her mother.

Just that, Cloudpaw stomach rumbled loud enough for us all to hear. "That's is my cue to leave. We didn't get to eat at the crack of dawn when we left. I could eat a whole stream of fish."

"Thanks Cloudpaw," called Cloudblossom to the retreating apprentice. "See you later Firepaw. Don't forget to visit Flamewhisper; he has been missing you."

"Yes mother," sighed Firepaw as she ran to join her friend. I couldn't help but admire how she moved without tripping over any rocks. Cloudpaw stopped to help, but still.

Now Cloudblossom's attention was focused on me. "We'll just wait in Petalstar's den until she returns. I know she'll want to grab a bite to eat. Smokefrost is almost ready to join the elders, so her bones are going to be aching."

I didn't trust my mouth, so I followed closely at the medicine cat's heels. We were almost at the leader's den when Fernkit tumbled out of the nursery with Aspenkit right behind her.

"I was wondering where you had gone off to," cried Aspenkit, bouncing violently up and down. "Moonstripe was so worried, she was tearing apart the nursery. Breezekit almost cracked his head open. Stormbreeze started yelling, so the two of us decided to escape. Can you believe Amberkit slept through the whole thing? I was surprised because I woke up instantly. It isn't everyday you see your brother fly. Well, anyway, Moonstripe sent me to find you." She took a huge breath and was prepared to start again when Fernkit stopped her.

"Is she supposed to be with you?" she asked the medicine cat, her voice wavering. "I could tell Moonstripe that she is in your care. Or do you want to tell her yourself?" The way she spoke reminded me of Lynxpaw.

Cloudblossom smiled to the two kits. "Let me take Brightkit over to that den, and I'll talk to Moonstripe. Why don't you run and tell her I'll be right there."

"Okay, Cloudblossom," said Fernkit. She smiled to the medicine cat but sent a wink over to me. I stuck my tongue out at her and turned back around.

Even facing away, I could hear Aspenkit rambling on. "I wonder what she was doing with Cloudblossom. Isn't she the medicine cat? Maybe she got some sickness that could kill her. I would really hate that. Will Moonstripe tell us? Are we going to ask her? Come on, Fernkit! Let's get going." Her voice faded as she entered the nursery. Even the strong walls could barely hold her voice inside.

Cloudblossom let out a sigh. "I remember when I was that young. The world seemed so big and scary. Especially because I couldn't see anything."

That is really when I realized she had always been blind; she had never been able to see. "Do you know what the color green looks like?" I asked, honestly curious. "That is the color of my eyes."

"I have to get you to the leader's den quickly. I can't believe Lynxpaw never told Moonstripe that you were with us." She gave an annoyed sigh, scolding her apprentice in her head. "That is why I can't give her her full medicine name. She needs to think out side just herself."

"Did you hear me?" I shouted to her, paying no attention to her mindless ramble. "Do you know what the color green looks like?"

She turned her eyes to be; they were blazing with fury. Her mouth was open to speak, but than she closed it. After several deep breaths, she tried again. "I can see them in dreams. Green is the color of life."

I nodded my head up and down like I knew what she was talking about. I didn't need to waste the effort because she stopped outside the entrance to the cave.

"In you go. Don't worry, just move aside some leaves to let the light in. I'll probably be back before Petalstar makes it." Her soft voice assured me, I would be okay.

I didn't think the same as she disappeared from view and I was left in front of a dark abyss. It seemed to swallow the bright beams of sunlight that now slanted down the sky.

Taking cautious steps, I entered. As my pupils widened, and I could make out vague surroundings, the cave didn't seem as dark as it had. Piles of stones and used moss cluttered the floor.

Remembering what Cloudblossom suggested, I dug my hand into a pile of dead leaves, trying to move them into a corner. As I touched the cold, damp compost, a light purple beetled crawled up my front leg.

I let out a screech and scuttled to the corner, ignoring the stones that shifted in my wake. The beetle flung across the room, slamming into the far wall. It stumbled around, dazed, before returning to normal.

Seeing in disappear into the crevice, I walked a step closer. Suddenly, the leaves fluttered upward, and I tumbled back. I began to shake from fear and the cold breeze that frightened the leaves into action.

A cold determination gripped my heart, these stupid leaves won't beat me. I ran toward the wall, a battle cry ripping from the throat. The leaves would pay for knocking me on the ground.

I slashed my tiny claws at them, sending pieces of decaying leaves flying all over the place. Soon, they concealed the rocks and pebbles that had previous littered the ground. "You didn't stand a chance," I told them as I pulverized the survivors.

When the last of the leaves had been moved, a beam of light shot through a newly opened crack. I darted out of the way to avoid it burning my eyes right out of their sockets.

The light struck a crystal rock on the ceiling, and soon, the whole room was bathed in a pale, white glow. I could see everything in a different perspective; it was magical, surreal.

I was staring at the dazzling stone walls when something new appeared, a walkway leading up into the distance. Hearing no one nearby, I started to ascend.

As my foot reached the highest stone, I heard the mumbles of two she-cats. There was no doubt that is was Petalstar and Cloudblossom. It could be no one else.

My heart palpitated as my fear piked. Not only would I really be speaking to the leader, but she would realize I had trashed her den. As my doom walked closer to me, a brilliant idea flared in my head.

I could blame everything on Secretthorn, her strong and rebellious mate. Her anger would be swift and deadly, but it wouldn't be aimed towards me. There was no reason for her not to believe a she-cat, even if I was a kit.

It didn't settle my heart as I scrambled down the crude stepping stones. It took all my coordination not to tumble head first. My paws were scarped up, but that was a small price to pay for my safety.

I slid into a relaxed position just as soon as Petalstar's shadow filled the wall, its daunting outline flashing at me, snarling at me in the dark.

As a cat grew from the shadow, blue eyes penetrated the darkness, searching for me. "Did you scatter the leaves everywhere, Brightkit?" she hissed towards me.

"Of course not," I said, gathering all the courage that lay in my heart. "It was like this when I came in." My heart beat quickly, wondering if she would discover my lie.

But she didn't turn to me, but instead, Cloudblossom. "Did you tell her about the Sunlight Stone? It looks she found away to make it light." The way she spoke suggested she hadn't believed my lie for a second.

"I merely mentioned that she would get more light if she moved the leaves out of the way," her voice sounded more on edge than before. "I had forgotten about that complication. I was just worried that she would be scared in the dark by herself."

"You are a good medicine cat," said Petalstar. "I will forgive you for this because you can't see. But this isn't what you wanted to talk about, is it?"

I wanted to speak, show that I wasn't a coward, but I couldn't find my voice. It seemed to be caught in my chest, unwilling to spill out.

Instead, the medicine cat saved me. "She has received Bloomstar's Gift. You can see it in her eyes. I also heard the names as they ran through her memories."

Oakfire, Bloomflower, Oakfire, Bloomflower, Oakstar, Bloomstar.

I clutched my head as I fell to the ground. The voices sounded more powerful than ever before. They claws at the side of my head, screaming to be let out.

As I twitched on the ground, I saw Petalstar laying next to me. I briefly registered that her fur was shifting from a deep black to a bright white when the world disappeared.

When the world came back into focus, I saw the leader weakly scrambling to her feet. "So the little she-cat does have Bloomstar's Gift. I though she had a feisty look in her eyes."

This chapter is super extra long for a reason, I'm going on a vacation and won't be able t write. This will have to last for at least two weeks. I'm sorry it is kind of a filler but don't you love Aspenkit.

On another note, I would like to ask you to enter my contest, "And the World Listened." I want it to become an annual, popular contest where the winner is honored as one of the fandom's best writers. It would make me happy if you enter and try your luck. It is only a one-shot.