Graykit's Adventures
Part 1
The plan
Not too far from where Bluetail and his kits live, is a clan called Thunderclan. In a clan, there are different ranks such as Leader, Deputy, Medicine cat, Warrior, Apprentice, Elder, Queen, or Kit.
The leader of Thunderclan is Bluestar. Bluestar is a blue-gray she-cat, and the sister of Bluetail. The leader leads the clan by conducting warrior and apprentice ceremonies, choosing the most important decisions such as choosing whether to go to battle or not. Leaders also go to gatherings and announce important things that have happened in the clan.
The Deputy of Thunderclan is Redtail. Redtail is a small tom with a red tail. The Deputy organizes hunting and border patrols, and will be the next clan leader.
The medicine cat is Spottedleaf. Spottedleaf is a tortoiseshell cat. The medicine cat heals cats that are injured. They also can communicate with Starclan who are the clan's warrior ancestors. Medicine cats are not allowed to have kits, though.
Warriors protect, and hunt for the clans. Without the warriors, there would be no clan. Warriors always have at least one apprentice in their lifetime.
Apprentices have to be at least six moons old. They are in training to be either a warrior or a medicine cat, but a medicine cat can only have one apprentice.
Elders are retired warriors. They are given great honor, because they used to hunt and protect the clan. Part of the apprentice's job is to fetch prey for the elders; they also clean out their den.
The queens take care of their kits. They stay in the nursery with their kits until they are six moons old, and become apprentices. When their kits become apprentices the queens become warriors again.
Kits are the youngest and most prized members of the clans, because they are the future of the clan. They usually play around the nursery, but some kits get a little too curious and go and play in the middle of the camp, and sometimes even get into the forest!
Our story starts in the middle of the nursery, in the middle of the Thunderclan camp. At this time in Thunderclan, there are four kits, Ravenkit; a black tom with a white spot on his chest, Dustkit; a brown tabby tom, and Ravenkit's brother, Sandkit; a pale yellow she-kit with pale green eyes, and Graykit; a longhaired gray tom with yellow eyes. This is one of his adventures.
… … … … … … … … … … … …
I called out in a war call. I was flying through the air.
Coming in for a landing!
My heart was racing, my whiskers quivering with excitement. I reached my paws out, and they landed squarely on top of Patchpelt. For a moment, he swayed, then he regained his balance.
"Whoa," Patchpelt meowed unsteadily.
"Ha!" I meowed in triumph, which was a big mistake.
In my moment of triumph, Patchpelt took that moment to get me. All of a sudden, Patchpelt rolled over, and flipped up again. I was on my back, and before I could move, Patchpelt had put his giant paw on my stomach.
I squirmed and wailed "Hey! That's not fair! Get off of me!" Patchpelt just chuckled.
"Shhhhh!" An annoyed meow said. I looked over to see Brindleface,her gray tabby marking glistening in the bright morning light. "You two will wake Sandkit!"
Sandkit is another kit. She thinks that she's the best thing in the world, but me, well…I have other thoughts about her.
Patchpelt quietly lifted his paw off of me, smiling at me.
"Great match, son," he said as I stood up. He touched noses with me, "I've got to find your mother now"
Willowpelt is my mother. Patchpelt says that he loves her. I think that's the grossest thing in the world. Who likes she-cats? Who even needs she-cats? As I was thinking about this, I noticed two shapes moving in the corner of the den. I padded over to see what was going on.
"Hey! Stop! That hurts!" a voice yelped.
"Well, maybe if you'd learn to fight the right way, then you wouldn't get hurt!" Another voice cried back. Then, the shapes moved into the light. It was my friend, Ravenkit, and his brother Dustkit.
"He-hey! That's my whisker! No! You'll pull it out!" Ravenkit was throwing a huge fit. What Dustkit was doing, I had no idea; it was too dark in the back of the den to see. "Hey! Are you listening? Dustkit! Hey! OWWWWW!" At Ravenkit's shriek the two toms broke apart. "You- pulled- my- whisker- out-!" Ravenkit shrieked. He licked his paw, and dabbed the place where his whisker used to be gingerly.
"You're such a kittypet!" Dustkit shouted.
"Well you keep acting like a warrior, which you're not! You're just a kit!" Ravenkit shot back.
"Well you're a kit too!" Dustkit meowed, his face was angry.
"Well, you know, at least I don't try to act like I know everything," Ravenkit meowed back.
"Well, you're not so bright either!" Dustkit shouted. I couldn't take it anymore. I hated to watch them fight so I got in between them.
Dustkit and Ravenkit are always fighting. They may be brothers, but they have completely different natures. Dustkit always like to pretend to be a warrior, and also a bully. But Ravenkit tends to like to sit back and watch things. He's very timid, and sometimes shy.
"Hey! Cut it out! Both of you!" I meowed, stepping in between the two toms. "You guys are brothers, remember? Pull yourselves together!"
Ravenkit and Dustkit looked surprised to see me. They had been so into the fight that they hadn't noticed that I was standing there.
"Oh. Okay," Ravenkit mewed quietly, and he looked at his paws.
"Fine," Dustkit meowed. His reply was a little more forced, but he didn't actually mean to sound tough.
"Thanks guys. Do you want to do something?"I asked.
"Okay!" Ravenkit and Dustkit's reply were synced. Their eyes were both wide with excitement. Then Dustkit seemed to realize something.
"Wait!" He exclaimed "We can't do anything! Our parents won't let us go out of the nursery! You're so dumb!" At that, he turned and padded back into the darkness.
"Oh, I hate it when he's right!" Ravenkit exclaimed "We can't do anything or go anywhere! And if we were to sneak out, we couldn't because our parents are coming back right this second!"
"Oh come on!" I meowed "I'm not mouse-brained! I have a plan!"
"You do?" Ravenkit asked "What is it?"
"You'll see," I meowed.
Oops.
I had forgotten one detail; I didn't have a plan.
Oh well…time to wing it.
I walked back over to my mother's nest, making things up as I went. After smoothing down my fur to make it looked like I was really asleep, I was able to barely open my eyes into slits.
Willowpelt, Patchpelt, Redtail (Sandkit's dad), Robinwing, and Fuzzypelt (Ravenkit and Dustkit's parents) stepped into the den. For a moment, they talked about some new gossip they had heard about in the camp.
"Can you believe it?" Robinwing asked. I could see pure surprise on her face.
"I know, it's amazing! Bluetail's scent has been found!" Patchpelt exclaimed.
"Wait," Redtail meowed, his flanks rising faster and faster "On Thunderclan territory?"
"No," Patchpelt replied, looking a little impatient with the deputy, "don't you remember the scouting group that was sent out half a moon ago? They were sent outside the territory."
"I remember," Redtail meowed, his breathing slowing down to normal "I helped organize that patrol." He said it like it was the most important thing in the world.
I hardly knew who Bluetail was. I knew he ran away from Thunderclan a long time ago. Bluestar wanted to find him because they were littermates, so she sent out countless patrols to find him. But all of them failed, I guess. It turns out that the latest one that she sent out was successful.
Suddenly I noticed that Willowpelt was turning her gaze to me. I closed my eyes fully, just in case.
"Oh, look at Graykit! He must have worn himself out," She meowed. It was a good thing that my eyes were closed because a second later, I heard her paw-steps getting closer.
My plan might just work.
I dared to open my eyes just a tiny sliver so I could see what was going on. Willowpelt's eyes scanned me, then they traveled over to the moss.
"Oh! Just look at this moss! It's filthy! I'd better go and get Longpaw." Longpaw is my mother's apprentice. I don't know why she has an apprentice when she's a queen. Bluestar just thought she could handle it I guess. Maybe he was assigned to her before I was born…
Anyway, Longpaw is the most annoying cat in the whole clan. Whenever it's his turn to clean the nursery out, he always teases all of us kits. And it's not even funny teasing. He has these awful nicknames for us all.
He's all like "Hey you! I know what your warrior name will be! Dustmite!" (That's Dustkit's nickname.)
Or "Hi Ravenbrain!"
He also says "Hey Sandflower! Are you gonna be my girl?"
Sandflower actually isn't such a bad name, but it makes Sandkit really mad when someone calls her something girly. She's determined to be the toughest, which she might be. (Not that I'd ever admit that, though.) My nickname is the worst. Longpaw doesn't even use "gray" at all in it. He calls me "Smellykit." It's humiliating. I don't know why he had to choose me to pick on the most. There are three other kits here; why does he have to choose me? It doesn't seem fair. At least the other kits don't call me Smellykit.
A few moments later I heard my mother's voice outside the den. "You'll have to wake Graykit," Willowpelt was saying.
"Okay," Longpaw's voice sounded itching to get on with it.
"Be gentle; he's just a kit. He's very fragile," Willowpelt reminded. I cringed when she said that.
Thanks, mom. You make me seem weak in front of my biggest enemy yet.
"Of course," Longpaw replied slyly.
Uh oh. This can't be good in any way or form.
I could hear his paw steps coming closer. I couldn't move away with my mother still watching; then she'd know I was only pretending to sleep, and then ends Operation Kits Have Fun.
But if I stayed here, Longpaw would pummel me.
What to do, what to do?
I looked over at the den entrance and saw that Willowpelt had left. My thoughts brightened, only to realize that it was too late. I felt a waft of pain shoot through my side as Longpaw shot out his paw. Soon I was flying up into the air. I flipped over, with my paws flailing.
"Ahhhh!" I cried "Help!" I came flying down to the ground. I landed harshly on my side. Then I saw a tabby paw swing out and beat me back into the air "Ahh!"
"What's a' matter, Smellykit? Don't like to be a toy?" Longpaw teased. I can't let him do this to me.
I stretched out my paws, straitened my back, and hoped.
Yes! A sly smile slid onto my face.
I was going to land perfectly. My front paws touched the ground, and I landed right next to Longpaw.
"No," I answered "You just surprised me when I saw how hideous you look." I walked away, smirking, and holding my head high. I heard Longpaw snort behind me.
"Well, Smellykit, stop stinking up the nursery!" he called out to me. He began to tend to the moss.
Ha,ha, you have to do work! I taunted silently.
I walked over to where Ravenkit was waiting, and sat down, "Ravenkit," I whispered "Now's our chance, let's go."
"Okay!" Ravenkit replied, a little too loud. I cringed at his loudness, but then told myself silently that it was alright. I just reminded myself how happy Ravenkit looked to be going somewhere.
His face looked like the sun itself.
"You aren't going anywhere," there was a small snigger, "that is, you're not going anywhere without us." A pale ginger paw stepped out of the darkness. Green eyes with a scorn of laughter were highly visible in the shadows.
"Sandkit, what do you want?" I demanded.
"Me? Nothing, I just don't want little Smellykit to get hurt," Sandkit meowed.
"Yeah, well there's no one by that name here," I snorted back, "Except for maybe you. And if you meant me, and think that it's opposite day, I don't intend getting hurt. Because I have sense, and I'm not a mouse-brain, like some cats," I meowed. Sandkit's eyes bulged out of her head. After a moment, I couldn't take it anymore. I had to ask, "Tell me what you want."
"We want to come-" Sandkit began.
"Yeah, well good luck with that," I replied.
"But-"
"Go find your boyfriend, Sandflower," I meowed, stalking away.
"Wait! If you don't let us come, I'll- I'll- I'll tell Bluestar!" Sandkit called desperately across the den.
Well, I have to say, that made me stop in my tracks. I turned my head, anger billowing inside me. It made me so angry, because when I get a plan, no one, and I do mean no one tries to mess it up. I walked up to that she-cat, right up in her face and I whispered:
"You are a cruel creature and will never have any friends. Sometimes I think you just need to- to-"I couldn't think of anything to say.
Sandkit just smirked.
I backed up and began to speak normally, but not before rolling my eyes.
"Okay everyone listen up!" Ravenkit, Dustkit, and Sandkit gathered around me "First rule of Operation Kits Have Fun: I am in charge. Number two: no wandering around by yourself. Rule number three: NO telling other cats about this."
"Who'd do that?" Dustkit demanded sourly. I didn't reply.
"Of course, great Graystar," Sandkit meowed exaggerating way too much. Then she straightened, and spoke normally "Who died and made you leader?"
"Oh, put a mouse in it, Sandkit," I meowed angrily, "Is everyone ready?"
"Yep," Ravenkit replied. Neither Sandkit nor Dustkit said anything, so I just assumed.
"Okay, everyone lets head out," I meowed, turning around.
So, here we are, a bunch of kits, one always frightened, one a bully of a brother, another can't keep her mouth shut, and of course there's the kit that has it all. He can fight, he can hunt, and he has the looks.
I just can't wait until we actually get there…
Spoof Ending
"Yeah, right."
"Sandkit, this is my fantasy, get out."
"NO!"
"I can't wait 'til Firepaw comes around."
"Who?"
"You'll see."
Graykit's adventures
Part 2
Kits in the forest
Frost glittered on the ground. Icicles hung from the leaves. Everything smelled of frost. The ground was powdered with snow. An icy wind blew through the trees, and blasted me in the face.
I was lucky; I had long, fluffy, gray fur to keep me warm. Nevertheless, my nose and pads were freezing, and I didn't know how the others were doing. I looked back, to see three other kits trying to walk through the snow. Their heads were down, and their ears were flattened. Ravenkit looked as if he was becoming an icicle himself, and the others didn't look much better.
I was beginning to think if this actually was a good idea.
I lead our group to a small group of bushes that was sheltered from the wind. Once everyone was inside, I sat down and began to address everyone.
"Is everyone alright?" I asked.
"Y-yes, I think so," Ravenkit stuttered.
"I feel like an icicle," Dustkit complained. His brown tabby fur was flaked with ice.
"Yeah, I'm just perfect," Sandkit said sarcastically.
"Are you sure this was a good idea?" Ravenkit asked.
"What are you talking about? This was the most brilliant plan that I've ever came up with!" I meowed indignantly.
"Well, I guess it's better than sitting around in the nursery," Dustkit meowed "But it's so cold! By time we get back, we'll be icicles!"
"Maybe instead of complaining we should come up with a plan," Sandkit meowed, and I realized that she was actually on my side for once.
"What kind of plan?"Ravenkit asked.
"Well, I mean we should decide where we want to go and what we want to see," Sandkit meowed. I nodded.
What am I doing? Am I actually agreeing with Sandkit?
"I want to see the river," I meowed suddenly.
"I want to see the Thunderpath," Dustkit meowed.
Of course; he just wants to say that to disagree with me.
"I'd like to see that too," Sandkit meowed, using the same method as Dustkit, "Ravenkit?" I suddenly noticed that Sandkit was actually noticing Ravenkit for once.
What has this world come to?
"Well, I-"
"Go on," Sandkit encouraged.
"I'd like to see Four-"
Oh no. He's going to say Fourtrees, and make everything complicated! Why does he have to make things so difficult? I suddenly noticed that my expression was one of distress.
A look of realization flashed across Ravenkit's eyes, "The, uh, river too."
Whew. Problem solved.
"Are you sure?" Sandkit asked.
"I'm sure," Ravenkit meowed, giving a quavering smile.
"Then that settles it," Sandkit mewed "The two awesome kits and the two losers together."
"Yep, c'mon, awesome kit number two," I meowed to Ravenkit. We left Sandkit behind with a gaping mouth. "Meet you two back here!" When I stepped out of the bushes, the cold was so surprising. I had forgotten how cold it was. I was almost shot back three tail-lengths! "River, here we come!" I started to walk along a path.
"Graykit, wait!" Ravenkit called. I stopped and turned back to Ravenkit.
"What is it?" I asked.
"We don't know any of the territory at all!" Ravenkit exclaimed.
Then it hit me. Ravenkit was right. We had never been out of camp before, we didn't know the territory, and it was the middle of leaf-bare. What have I done? Oh well, time to wing it…again…
Just then, a patrol came around the corner. Whitestorm, Redtail, Darkstripe, and Mousepaw were sniffing, and talking together. I wasn't dumb; I could tell that this was at a border patrol.
Wait! A border patrol? That means they're going to the border! We might not get to see the river, but we'll get to see another clan territory.
"Ravenkit! Hurry, get under that bush; a patrol is coming!" I meowed in a whisper.
I raced along with Ravenkit under a holly bush. The branches scratched my shoulders, and the leaves tickled my nose. As I fought back a sneeze, I watched four sets of paws walk past the bush. Well, almost. Four brown paws stopped right in front of the bush we were underneath. I could hear Mousepaw was sniffing the air.
"I smell something," She meowed.
"What is it?" Darkstripe asked turned around to ask.
"It smells like," She paused. "Like Thunderclan kits."
"In the forest?" Redtail asked, "impossible."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Mousepaw meowed. The group continued on a few paces then Mousepaw asked, "Are we going to the Riverclan border?"
"Yes," Whitestorm replied.
"Cool!" Mousepaw exclaimed. Then the group padded away. I waited a few heartbeats until they were out of earshot. Then I shot out from under the bush and I shouted.
"Woohoo! We know which way to go now!" I exclaimed. Ravenkit slowly crawled out from the bush.
"Are you sure?" He asked. He looked very unsure of this, but in times like this, you have to learn to ignore this stuff.
"Of course I'm sure!" I meowed. "Let's go!" I darted after the patrol.
I thought Ravenkit had said something, but I didn't catch it. I knew Ravenkit was following me; he'd always follow me. Why wouldn't he?
I looked back just to make sure. I just had to. As I kept running, I began to hear the sound of running water. I ran faster, by this point, not caring if Ravenkit was following or not. I burst through the rushes, and rammed straight into Mousepaw.
Mousepaw turned around, her eyes round. She began to open her mouth.
"Wait!" I whispered, "don't say anything!"
Mousepaw stayed silent.
"Look, um I'm a- a Starclan cat. Yes, I am from Starclan, and you can't tell anyone I'm here."
"Um, okay," Mousepaw whispered. Although she was silent, her eyes looked unsure, like she could tell I was lying.
"What?" I asked "I don't look like a Starclan cat?"
"Um, no, not really, you just look like normal kit," Mousepaw meowed. "Unless you died, Graykit." I said nothing.
"Okay, okay you caught me," I admitted after a while, "but please don't tell the others I'm here." I was pleading by now.
"Okay, fine but if you get trouble for this, it's not my fault!" Mousepaw meowed.
Just then, Redtail happened to turn his head and see that Mousepaw was turned around and talking to someone.
"Mousepaw, who are you talking to?" Redtail's voice was stern. One could tell that he wanted an answer now.
"Um, no one. No one at all," Mousepaw meowed, then stepped away, giving me a glance that said, "go now."
I scampered back into the bushes as quickly and quietly as I could. I turned around and slid my paws on the crushed leaves. Out of nowhere came a huge pang of pain in my head.
Stars danced around me. My head hurt like nothing I had ever felt before. I seemed to not be able to walk, and finally I collapsed.
Birds flew across the sky; doves, thrushes, pheasants, and a raven. They flew around in a circle, the raven in the middle. I watched, mesmerized. Suddenly everything seemed to be spinning. The raven came flying down, beak pointing straight at my neck.
"NO!" I cried but my voice was drowned out by the call of the raven.
"CAW! CAW!" It landed, sqeezing my neck, choking me.
"Stop!" I choked out.
Then the raven spoke, "Are you happy now?" It asked in Ravenkit's voice "You almost got us caught! Graykit? Graykit can you hear me?"
All went black, and cold. I flailed my paws, trying to find something to hold onto to, to touch, anything real, anything that would take me away from that horrible raven.
"Graykit? Are you okay? Can you hear me?"
I opened my eyes. Everything was spinning. My head ached, trying to figure out what the blurred shapes were around me.
One shape in front of me came into focus;a black shape in front of me.
"G-get away!" I screeched "Stay back!" The black shape moved backwards sharply.
As my vision moved back to normal, I noticed the clawed feet of the raven, were really paws. I clumsily sat up, and saw the shape was Ravenkit. A look of relief came over his eyes as he noticed I was okay. But, soon for the first time in his life, anger replaced the relief.
"What were you thinking?" he demanded. "Just pounding after the patrol! You could've got us caught! Or hurt! What cat goes rushing out onto the shore? You didn't know if there could've been Riverclan warriors out there!" Ravenkit's whiskers trembled with anger, and he shook all over, as if he could barely hold his anger in.
"Well, never mind that," I meowed, "Has the patrol gone?"
"Yes," Ravenkit meowed, still angry.
"Well, then let's go to the river!" I exclaimed, and began to run into the bushes.
"Wait just a second!" Ravenkit meowed,"you wait up! That's all you do. You run from place to place and never wait for anyone, or think about what you're doing! You just run, run, run! And you're crazy! And you know what? I'm tired of it! I'm going to Fourtrees!" With that, Ravenkit was gone.
I stared for a moment, then shrugged; if he wanted to go to Fourtrees, then he could go to Fourtrees. I didn't care, not one bit. He should've just said so!
Suddenly the nearby bushes rustled. Patchpelt, Fuzzypelt, and Longpaw came out of the bushes.
Oh my gosh! Must Thunderclan send out five thousand patrols?
I rushed back to the shore before the other cats could see the other cats here, I could really look at the place.
Smooth and shiny pebbles littered the shore. Reeds made a wall against the water. The weak sun shone down on top of Sunningrocks.
Sunningrocks is a place that has been battled over for many moons. I climbed onto the Sunningrocks; they felt warm compared to the air. My head was still throbbing a little. I almost fell down onto the rocks. I felt my body instantly curve into the folds of the warm rocks. My eyes closed in sleep.
… … … … … … … … … … … … …
"Hello?" I felt a tap on my shoulder. "Hello?" I opened my eyes and sat up.
Standing in front of me was a she-cat. She was lithe and silver. Her silver tabby markings looked like tiny streams. Her eyes were a beautiful blue.
Just the color of the stream.
"Oh, good you're okay. I thought you had been halfway to Starclan!"
"N-no I'm okay," My words choked out, and I coughed.
"Are you sure?" The silver cat asked, tilting her head.
"Yes," I answered indignantly.
"Are you an apprentice?" The she-cat asked, sounding a little scared.
"No," I admitted. For some weird reason, I didn't want to lie to this cat. She just seemed so…simple, and…just like she wouldn't dream of telling my secret.
"Well, you're certainly not a warrior," The she-cat meowed."You've snuck out of camp!"
"Well, so what if I have?" I meowed. "You don't look like an apprentice either!" The she-cats eyes widened.
"I happen to be having my apprentice ceremony tonight!" She meowed.
"Oh," I meowed, stepping back sadly. The haughty look in her eyes disappeared. She seemed to lower herself to my level.
"I'm sorry," She barely whispered , "Apprentice ceremonies aren't something to brag about."
We stood in silence for a moment.
"I'm sorry, I was being mean too. And I admit, sneaking out of camp wasn't one of my best ideas," I meowed.
The she-cat laughed a light, glittering laugh. "We all have bad ideas sometimes," she meowed. She stepped closer to me, "I'm Silverkit."
"I'm Graykit," I meowed. "You're a Riverclan cat, right?"
"Yep," Silverkit meowed proudly.
"Well, Then I'd better chase you off my territory!" I meowed with a light laugh, and stood. Silverkit pretended to look scared. I chased her around and around and around. I was just about to catch her when, suddenly a spray of silver water hit me in the face.
I opened my eyes to see Silverkit swimming in a small circle in the water. Suddenly her light blue eyes met mine.
"What? Scared to get in the water?" She teased.
"Well, maybe," I admitted.
"Don't be," Silverkit meowed, "it's actually really nice."
"Sorry, but I prefer the dry land," I meowed.
"Silverkit? Silverkit! Oh! Where is she?" I saw a yellow queen walking through the reeds.
"Uh oh," Silverkit froze in the water, "I gotta go." She slid out of the water on the other side of the bank.
"Wait!" I called. She turned around, "Meet me here tonight; we can play more."
I don't know what made me say it, but something just did. Maybe it was the way her eyes sparkled when I chased her or, maybe it was the sleekness of her movements when she swam.
"Okay," She replied, and smiled at me. Then she had disappeared into the reeds.
"Wow, she sure is something," I remarked, not knowing where the words had really came from. The memory of her glittering eyes and shiny pelt was burned into the back of my mind. I knew that I'd never forget them.
Then it came to my attention that I'd never met a she-cat nice enough to play with me; Sandkit was the only she-cat my age, and she was just plain annoying. With a dreamy smile, I left the shore, and slipped back into the forest.
For some reason, Sandkit, Dustkit, and Ravenkit had disappeared from my mind. I did think of them, and I did acknowledge that they were still out here in the forest, but somehow they didn't place in my mind. Instead of going to the Thunderpath, or Fourtrees, I walked back to camp, and slid into the nursery unnoticed.
To be continued…
Graykit's Adventures
Part 3
Silverpaw
The moon shone high in the sky. Water lapped on fur as more and more cats gathered around the camp. The wind blew coldly through the camp. Riverclan was lucky that their camp was surrounded with thick reeds to protect them from the wind.
Even though the clan leader, Crookedstar, still remained inside his den, the clan knew there would be a meeting soon. As more cats appeared out of their dens in to the chilly night, the whispering and gossip got louder.
"Did you hear?"
"Yes, it's so exciting!"
Then, a dark brown shape emerged from under a log. His blue eyes shone with intensity. He turned around, bunched his muscles, and jumped onto the log.
"Let all those cats old enough to swim gather here to hear my words!" He yowled into the sky. Most of the cats had already gathered, but a few cats scattered out of their dens.
… … … … … … … … … … … …
I came out of the nursery last, with Sunfish trailing after me, still trying to groom my fur as we walked.
It's useless, Sunfish, I'm going now.
Finally she gave up, and I could walk by myself into the clearing.
"Tonight," Crookedstar's voice rang across the clearing, "we will have a new apprentice." His eyes shone with pride. It was normal for a clan leader to be proud of a new apprentice, but this was different. He had a different kind of pride, a kind of pride that was more personal. "Silverkit, please step forward."
I stepped forward slowly, trembling with excitement. My tail tip was quivering, my whiskers shaking.
"Silverkit, from this day on, until you have earned your warrior name, you shall be known as Silverpaw," Crookedstar's voice rang into the sky, and I could barely believe that tonight was my night. I was an apprentice now!
"Silverpaw! Silverpaw!" everyone was calling my name. I nodded my head in acknowledgment shyly, and tried to smile at all of the cheering cats.
My heart was swelling with happiness; finally I had earned my apprentice name! I knew what was coming next; I would get to see who my mentor was. As the cheers began to die down, I looked around anxiously, trying to determine who had been chosen to be my mentor. Crookedstar waited for the cheers to fade away and then spoke again.
"Creamfur, you shall mentor Silverpaw. I hope you will pass on your great skill and wisdom onto this apprentice." Creamfu's creamy colored head appeared through the crowd as she moved towards me.
I touched noses with her. I noticed that her eyes were sparkling with excitement.
I'm her first apprentice, I remembered. I smiled, and she smiled warmly back.
"Meeting dismissed," Crookedstar meowed. He jumped of the Highlog, and disappeared back into his den quickly. He was gone as quickly as he had appeared.
Isn't he going to congratulate me? I stared sadly at the entrance to Croodedstar's den. Suddenly all of tonight's excitement had drained.
"Hey, Silverpaw," It was Creamfur, "Come on; we've got to get you settled for tonight."
Oh yeah! I get to sleep in the Apprentice's Den tonight!
I followed Creamfur to a patch of cattails. Near the roots the stems parted to an opening. This opening was the entrance to the apprentices' den.
Now it's my den, too.
A flutter of excitement slithered itself through me. I shuffled my paws, not able to help myself.
You're an apprentice now. No more of that kit stuff.
I forced myself to stop. I looked up to see Creamfur smiling with amusement. At least she wasn't bad-tempered.
I like her.
Then Creamfur's gaze rested on me for a moment. Her amber eyes looked proud, but a little sad.
"I know it's your first day as an apprentice, but you'll have to wait 'til tomorrow to go out of camp," Creamfur meowed.
That's why she looked sad.
"It's okay," I meowed "I still get to sleep in the apprentice's den!"
"That's the spirit!" Creamfur meowed. She touched noses with me again, and brushed against my flank. "I'll show you your nest."
Creamfur slipped inside the den, and I followed after her. Inside, it was dark and warm. Similar to the nursery, except it didn't have the milky scent the nursery did. I suddenly felt a pang of longing for the nursery, and for Sunfish, who had nursed me as a kit. I had to remind myself that I would still see Sunfish every day; I just wouldn't be sleeping with her.
There were a few scattered nests here and there. At least it was roomy. But it wouldn't help in leaf-bare when it was colder than the frozen river. I thought about the river.
This year, the river hadn't frozen at the time it usually does. I shrugged, it will probably freeze tonight.
Tonight!
I had completely forgotten! I was supposed to meet Graykit! Suddenly feeling frantic, I spun around and raced out of the den.
"Silverpaw!" my mentor called, "Where are you going?" I stopped in my tracks. I spun my head around in embarrassment.
"Sorry," I mumbled, "I had just remembered something."
"It's alright," Creamfur meowed softly, though she looked thoroughly confused, "C'mon back to the den." I padded back with Creamfur, and ignored all of the questionable faces.
While I had been thinking away, Creamfur had actually been working. She had gathered some reeds that were in the back of the den, and laid them flat. Then, she had woven soft feathers into the reeds. The nest looked so soft.
"Thank you," I meowed, dipping my head. I didn't want to be rude;plus, she had done all of the work for my nest.
"Hey, I'm your mentor now, I've gotta' watch out for ya'," Creamfur meowed brightly, "Just let me know if you need anything. I know it's kind of hard when you first become an apprentice." Then she pretended to look strict. "Now, training starts bright and early; so no oversleeping!" She relaxed, bid goodnight, and then disappeared into the Warrior's Den across the camp.
I settled down in my nest, and waited. I wasn't quite ready to fall asleep, but I had nothing else to do. I could go and visit Sunfish, but that'd just make me lonelier. Then I realized that I could hear the other apprentices as they walked across the camp.
As soon as they entered, they said hello, and then settled down in their nests. I didn't feel lonely anymore, but Graykit was still etched into the back of my mind. I waited and waited, and watched for the other apprentices to fall asleep.
I thought that one she-cat, Pebblepaw, would never go to sleep. But finally, her breathing slowed, and the whole den was filled with quiet snoring.
I smiled, and slipped out of my nest, then slid out of the apprentice's den. Just outside, I paused, searching for cats that might still be awake. No sound was made, and nothing was seen. I crawled across camp, my belly almost touching the pebbly ground. I raced through the camp entrance, and headed towards the river.
No guard tonight? Strange…
My heart leapt as the river came into view. It flowed passed with its great strength, beauty and brilliance. I had always loved the river. It was always something interesting to look at, as well as the best part of Riverclan territory.
I scanned the river, looking for the best place to cross, and realized that floating on top of the water were flecks of ice. Suddenly the thought of swimming across didn't sound so good. I let my gaze travel all of the way across the river. It stopped when I saw two fluffy gray paws.
Graykit!
The gray kitten was smiling.
"Hi!" He called over the rush of the river, yawning. It made me yawn, too. We both giggled.
"Hello," I called back, "Just a second!"
I braced myself, and plunged into the river. Usually Riverclan kits don't know how to swim, but my father made an exception, and taught me a moon ago. Now I can swim as good as a Warrior!
I tried to think of this as I swam across the freezing river. It was icy and made my paws numb. Despite the strong current, I made my way across.
When I looked up from the shore, I saw Graykit sitting there, with his mouth gaping. "I just can't get used to you swimming."
"Well, I am a Riverclan cat, aren't I?" I asked, shaking the water out of my pelt.
"Yeah," Graykit meowed, then he looked thoughtful "But I thought the river freezes."
"Yes, it usually does by now, but this year it's late," I said, "It's hard for the river to freeze, because it's always moving; it has to get really cold for it to freeze."
"Oh, well, I guess its freezing now, right?"
"Yes, if it keeps up at this pace, I expect it'll be totally frozen by dawn."
"Cool! I'd like to see it then."
"I don't mean to be rude," I began, "but you're not even supposed to be out of camp."
"It'll be alright; no one will find out," Graykit insisted, his eyes looking straight into mine.
"If you're so sure," I said. I couldn't help it; his blue eyes were so…innocent. I just had to agree with him!
"Wanna play?" Graykit asked, waving his tail through the air.
"Sure," I replied, taking the same stance.
As soon as he heard my reply, Graykit crouched down, and prepared to pounce. I could see what he was doing and side-stepped out of the way before he got to me. Graykit squealed as he almost dove head-first into the river. I ran from him, going round, and round.
I gasped, but ran as soon as I saw that he was safe. I jumped on to a low ledge that was below Sunningrocks. I climbed as fast as I could, but Graykit was too fast. He caught up to be, andreached his paws up and got a hold of my tail.
"YOW!"He grabbed my tail in between his teeth and pulled. I started to slide down the rocks and they began to scrape my forepaws badly. I thought that the trail of sharp, pointed rock would never end, but finally I was pulled down on to the cold, hard rocks below.
My forepaws throbbed as I moaned; my head didn't feel so well either.
Suddenly, Graykit was in front of me, he crouched down low, ready to attack.
"Take that!" He exclaimed. I moaned again, wanting the pain to end, wanting it to go away. I wanted to call out to Graykit, but the pain was so much…
Graykit's eyes widened with realization. He straightened up, then made his way over to me.
"Are you okay?" He asked, his eyes filled with worry. He examined me quickly.
"Y-yes I think so," I meowed pitifully. Graykit still looked very concerned for me.
"I'm no Medicine Cat!" Graykit wailed, "What do I do?"
"Graykit…just, lie…down…with…me," I said weakly.
Graykit looked at me, "It's all I can do," he said, smiling. He came up to me and lay down.
"I am so sorry," he whispered to me.
"It's alright," I replied.
"I can't believe I hurt you," Graykit said sadly.
"I'm fine Graykit," I said, as my eyes began to close.
"Silverpaw?" Graykit asked.
"Yes?" I replied, barely awake.
"I think that I-"
That was the last thing I heard before I drifted off to sleep.
Graykit's Adventures
Part 4
Frozen
I smiled when I felt Silverpaw's warmness next to me.
She stayed with me all night!
I yawned, careful not to wake Silverpaw up. Her slow breathing soothed me. I watch the gentle rise and fall of her chest for a moment. I sighed happily, and reached my paw out to try and wake Ravenkit up.
Then, I sat up, realizing something. I was not in the not in the nursery. I was not even in camp. I was at Sunningrocks, with another apprentice. An apprentice from a whole other clan, that is.
Silverpaw.
I wished she were in Thunderclan with me, but I know her clan would miss her too much. I suddenly felt guilty for wanting to take her away from them; how could I do that? I sighed, and watched her sleep for a few moments.
As if she could tell I was watching her, Silverpaw sat up and looked at me. She stared at me for a moment, a little confused, but then she smiled.
"Good morning," she sighed.
"Hey," I replied, "Sleep well?"
Silverpaw nodded then stretched, and yawned. She stood up and we stared at each other in silence for a moment.
"Well, I'd better be getting back," Silverpaw finally said, looking a little disappointed.
"Okay," I meowed, trying to not look to upset. Anyway, I probably needed to go back home too. I knew that Willowpelt would be frantic if she found me missing. "Goodbye."
"Bye," Silverpaw meowed, brushing against me in farewell.
"Bye," I repeated, even though I had already said it. Suddenly I remembered, "When should we meet again?"
Silverpaw looked thoughtful, "Well, I'll be busy with apprentice duties, and I need to show that I'm trusting, so, we better wait until tomorrow night."
"Oh, okay," I agreed, a little miserable. I wanted to be able to see her sooner. But then again, it was probably best to agree with her.
"Then tomorrow it is," Silverpaw stretched again, and then turned to the river
… … …
I stared in horror, frozen, completely frozen. I was frozen, and so was the river. It was my only way back home, and it was frozen solid!
What am I going to do? How am I going to get back home?
I honestly didn't know.
"What am I going to do?" I asked no one in particular.
"Wait," Graykit meowed, coming to stand beside me, "Doesn't this make things easier? Now you don't have to swim!"
"Oh Graykit, I wish it were that simple," I meowed, shaking my head "But we don't know how thick the ice is."
"Then let's look," Graykit said. He looked like nothing would make him give up. I was about to protest, and say that only Riverclan warriors were able to tell, but Graykit seemed so determined, I just stayed quiet.
"Okay," I meowed, not very sure. I followed him up to the ice, and pressed my paw down on it for a moment. The ice did not move.
"Look, its solid!" Graykit exclaimed.
"Yes, solid enough to hold the weight of one paw," I replied a little sourly. Graykit ignored me.
"Okay, then press down on it," he suggested.
"Graykit! I don't want to fall in!" I said shrilly.
Graykit stepped back, looking positively hurt.
"Graykit," I whispered.
He looked at me sadly for a moment, "I'm only trying to help."
"I know; I'm sorry."
"Okay, just let me figure this out." Graykit paced for a moment, and then looked at me, his eyes bright, "Okay, so you need to find out if the ice is thick enough to hold a cat. Try looking towards the bottom of the river. If you can see the current, then it probably isn't that solid."
I nodded.
Wow, that's actually not a bad idea!
I looked at the ice, closer this time. I could see fish swimming below the ice. My heart sank.
They might be on the bottom of the river, I told myself.
I looked back again, but the fish weren't on the bottom of the river. They were only a couple of fish-tail lengths away from my nose.
"Graykit," I said, my voice trembling "The ice is too thick to break and make a path across, and too thin to walk across."
Graykit just stared at me with wide, terror-struck eyes.
"How are you going to get back?" He finally said.
I didn't have time to respond.
As if right on cue, the bushes rustled and three cats appeared. They smelled of undergrowth and trees.
Thunderclan.
One of them, a dark gray she-cat's eyes widened.
"Graykit?" She meowed. She rushed forward and scooped him up in her jaws.
"Mom!" Graykit whined "I'm not two moons old! You don't have to carry me!" Willowpelt set Graykit down.
"Well obviously I do," Willowpelt shot back "Because you've been sneaking out of camp!"
Willowpelt picked Graykit back up her jaws. Graykit groaned. Graykit shot an embarrassed side-glance at me, and closed his eyes.
"Excuse me while I take Graykit back to camp." Willowpelt mumbled through Graykit's fur. She flicked her tail, and was gone.
Not one heartbeat had gone by when the two toms slid their glances to me.
"Well, well what do we have here?" The tom was silver with black stripes. I knew that he knew I was only an apprentice, and that I was trapped.
"Um," I said, looking around anxiously.
"Seems like a little Riverclan apprentice," The tom taunted "Or as we call them, fishies!"
The dark tom next to him whispered in his ear, and they sniggered together. Suddenly, an idea popped into my head.
"Hey," I meowed at the dark tom "I don't know about your clan, but my clan respects our warriors. We don't sit around as if they were the same rank as we are."
"What?" The tom asked, his amber eyes wide in exasperation.
"Yeah," the silver tom said "fishy's right! Stop acting as if you were already a warrior!"
"What?" The tom repeated, "I'm not!"
"Yes, you are!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"NO!"
Perfect.
I slid around the two fighting toms, and headed into the forest. The two toms didn't even notice that I was gone. I smiled at my accomplishment.
If I couldn't get back home, I'd make my own until I could. I trotted through the trees, and under the undergrowth. I wasn't used to trees all around me, and I got confused. Everything looked the same. Brambles pricked my fur, and scratched my back. It felt like I was always going in circles.
Eventually, as the sun came to its highest, I found a small hollow. The floor was covered in sand, and was nice and quiet.
Perfect.
On the far side of the hollow, I made a dip in the sand and closed my eyes.
This will have to work for now…
Soon, a clouded, cold blackness came over me.
Ow!
Something prodded me in the side. I opened my eyes.
A dark brown shape formed in front of me. It was blurry and had big eyes.
Wait.
Eyes?
Was this thing alive? I blinked and shook my head. The brown shape came into focus. It was a small, dusky brown she-cat. Her amber eyes were wide in curiosity.
"Wh-what are you doing here?" she asked.
"Um," I meowed, unsure of what to say. Suddenly everthing spilled out, "Please don't tell anyone I'm here! I was on the bank, by Sunningrocks, and got trapped here when the river froze!"
The she-cat's eyes widened even more. For a moment, she looked thoughtful.
"Alright, I won't tell anyone you're here," She said after a moment, "In fact, I think I'll help you get back."
"You will?" I asked, my hopes rising. The she-cat nodded. I relaxed a bit.
Everything's going to just fine.
"Wait, you're not a kit are you?" The she-cat asked.
"No," I meowed guiltily, "And that's what makes it even sillier. It's my first day as an apprentice, and I wreck it. I'm sure Sunkit and Rockkit wouldn't be as silly and reckless."
"It's okay," Mousepaw meowed "Apprentice's can get into trouble too. I should know, I gotten in trouble loads of times."
"You have?" I asked.
"Yep, just because you're not a kit anymore doesn't mean you don't get into trouble," Mousepaw said. "C'mon, I'll take you home, now." She stood up, and led me out of the hollow. As we were walking, she looked back at me. "But remember this is only a temporary alliance. If I ever find you on my territory again, we'll have to fight. Think of it like…. like the night of a gathering. The truce only lasts as long as the full moon remains in the sky."
"Okay, I understand," I meowed "How many moons old are you?"
"Eleven and a half," Mousepaw replied "I hope to become a warrior soon. I've already passed my assessment. But, of course for me to become a warrior, my brother would have to pass his assessment, too."
"Do you know if he passed?" I asked.
"No. His mentor won't tell him, it's dumb," Mousepaw sighed.
"Oh, that's too bad," I said. Soon, we came to what I thought was the edge of Thunderclan territory. Through the trees, I could see a rocky, weird thing that connected the shores. "What's that?"
"It's a Twoleg bridge," Mousepaw replied "It connects Riverclan and Thunderclan territories. My plan is that you cross there, then you can go back to your camp." Mousepaw looked at me expectantly. I stood still, thinking. "Well, don't just stand there!" Mousepaw mewed. "Go! Before a patrol comes!"
"I- I can't," I admitted.
"Why not?" Mousepaw asked.
"Because from there, I don't know the way home," I admitted. Mousepaw's eyes widened.
"You should have said so," Mousepaw meowed. "But now, we need to change our plan."
"What are we going to do now?" I asked.
"Now, I have to go and get a warrior from my clan," Mousepaw meowed.
"No! You can't! Then, they'll know I was on your territory!" I exclaimed.
"I know, but I'll only tell one other cat. And she's very trusting. And anyway, if it was just me, and I took you back by myself, it'd make my clan look weak" Mousepaw said, I could tell that she was trying very hard to convince me.
"But, you're almost a warrior!" I said; I didn't want anyone to know about my mistake.
"I know," Mousepaw said, closing her eyes for a moment "But you have to understand! Please."
"Alright," I said glumly.
"Now, wait here in the bushes while I go and get my friend," Mousepaw instructed. I crouched in the bushes, and watched as Mousepaw disappeared into the forest.
I'll be fine.
I knew I would. I just hoped another cat wouldn't find me.
… … …
I wriggled and tried to un-wrap the moss around me. Willowpelt had tied it tight, and I could hardly move. Outside I could hear my mother patching up any hole in the nursery wall. She claimed to be patching it up because there was a draft in the nursery. But she was just making sure I didn't get out anymore.
Over in the corner of the den, Sandkit and Dustkit were play-fighting. They rolled, and tumbled, with their teeth bared. It looked like a lot of fun. Near them, Ravenkit sat by, watching them. Since we got back, I had noticed that they were excluding Ravenkit from everything.
Then, I heard the pawing, and shoving outside stop. Willowpelt walked into the nursery. She walked closer and closer me.
I could feel it coming.
She opened her mouth, and reached out her tongue.
Smack.
Her tongue rolled over the fur on my face. Lick after lick after lick.
I groaned and I whined, trying to be so annoying that she would stop, but nothing seemed to convince her to stop. She knows how much I hate it, how much I despise it.
"Mom!" I finally exploded.
"Oh Graykit, you're filthy and you know it," Willowpelt scolded, "so stop whining," Willowpelt meowed.
I groaned again.
"Graykit, stop that." Willowpelt continued to wash me. But because she had wrapped me up in moss, she was only able to wash my face. I could tell that she was taking a long time just to make me mad.
When she was finally done, she lay down next to me, and curled up. She wrapped her tail around me so that I wouldn't decide to leave. I felt her breathing slow, and soon she was asleep.
I didn't know what to do. I wanted to get out of this moss, and find Silverpaw. I didn't know if she was okay!
My stomach tightened with worry; what if she wasn't okay?
I have to get out of here!
Suddenly, I spotted a stick on the nursery floor. It wasn't a big one, but it was big enough. I reached out with my teeth, and grabbed it in my jaws. I stuck it down into the moss, and pulled with all my might. The moss snapped, and I was free. I was lucky that the moss was dry; otherwise it would've been much harder to break free.
I stood up and shook off the loose moss.
I looked to the back of the den and saw Sandkit, Dustkit and Ravenkit all curled up in a ball, asleep.
I sighed. I guess Ravenkit had moved on. He didn't need me anymore.
I peeked out of the entrance to the den. Across the camp, I could see Mousepaw; she was just coming into the gorse tunnel. She raced over to the nursery, and peeked inside, not noticing me.
"Oh, she's asleep," Mousepaw said quietly, her bright eyes dulling. She seemed to be gazing at Willowpelt.
"We could wake her," I suggested. Mousepaw jumped.
"Oh, hi Graykit. Are you sure it'd be okay?" Mousepaw asked.
"Yeah, she won't mind," I said.
As long as I get out of here first.
"Alright, if you're sure," Mousepaw meowed. She strode over to my mother, and prodded her with a paw. "Willowpelt?" Willowpelt shifted, and her amber eyes opened.
"Oh Mousepaw, what is it? Were you looking for Longpaw? I think he should be back from patrol by now," Willowpelt meowed.
"Oh, it's not that," Mousepaw meowed "I just needed help with something."
"Alright," Willowpelt meowed; she stood up, shook the moss off her pelt, and walked out of the den, not even noticing me.
Where is she going?
… … …
I shivered. The branches of the bush above me rustled. Something cracked a twig crack in the it came closer. For a few seconds it sounded muffled. Then I could tell what it was. It was four pairs of paws, tromping across the ground. Then, a scent came into my nose. I hardly recognized it, but it was familiar.
Mousepaw, and a dark gray she-cat came rounding a corner. I recognized the gray she-cat as the one from the shore earlier.
"There she is!" Mousepaw cried. They came towards me.
"This is the apprentice? Why, she hardly looks six moons old!" the other she-cat exclaimed. "Wait I recognize you. You were at the river this morning."
I nodded glumly.
"I know," Mousepaw meowed, then she looked at me, "This is Willowpelt."
"Hello," I meowed "And I am barely six moons old, I- I'm sorry."
"Well, I don't know what to say," Willowpelt meowed "It's good that you apologized, but you still need to learn your lesson."
"I know. And believe me, my clan will make sure of that," I said, dipping my head.
"Alright, no more jib jab. Let's get you home," Willowpelt meowed. She padded towards the Twoleg Bridge, and me and Mousepaw followed her.
Crossing the bridge was strange. For one thing, the surface was rocky, and cold, and for another, the river seemed to be far below, and it wasn't moving. I shivered at the thought of plunging deep into the dark liquid. Even though I could swim, I didn't want to fall in. I thought about falling and cracking the ice, and going deep, deep, into the darkness…
"Silverpaw?"
I jumped. Mousepaw was looking back at me, looking concerned, "Are you okay?"
"Oh, um fine," I replied, and ran to the end of the bridge.
Finally we had crossed into to my territory. I felt more comfortable already. We padded alongside the frozen river. Soon, as the reeds began to get thicker, we heard a hiss. A blue-gray tom stepped out of the reeds.
"Stonefur!" I exclaimed. I ran up to him. The tom looked down at me.
"Where have you been? Don't you know the clan has been searching for you since dawn?" he demanded. I shrunk under him. Stonefur turned towards Mousepaw and Willowpelt.
"Riverclan thanks you for returning our apprentice," Stonefur meowed "Now please, get off of our territory." He said the last sentence with a hiss. The two she-cats dipped their heads, and then padded away.
"Goodbye!" I called to Mousepaw. But she walked away, without looking back. Stonefur looked down at me.
"Don't make friends in other clans," He hissed, "It leads to trouble." Then he padded inside the camp. I followed him.
When I got inside, the clan had gathered around, and Crookedstar was out of his den. His yellow eyes met mine. They clearly said: Get over here now. I slid across camp towards the Highlog.
"Today, as all of you know, Silverpaw was missing. We thank Thunderclan for returning her," Crookedstar meowed.
"Thank?" A voice hissed from the crowd. I shrunk back in shock; I hadn't noticed how strong the rivalry was between clans.
But it will never be like that for Graykit and I.
"Yes," Crookedstar replied, "As you see, it was not Thunderclan's fault. Silverpaw crossed the borders herself." Most of the cats gasped, and turned angry and ashamed looks towards me. "I will decide her consequences."
Crookedstar looked straight at me. Without dismissing the meeting, he jumped back inside his den.
Cats scattered in different directions, some going to their dens, others going out of camp. As for me, I slowly inched my way towards Crookedstar's den. Before I entered, I turned around to scan the camp. Sunkit and Rockkit tumbled outside the nursery. Pebblepaw and Stripepaw talked together. Everthing seemed normal. All except one thing.
Right in the center of camp, Creamfur sat staring at me in embarrassment.
We met eyes for a moment; my light blue ones, and her deep amber ones. As we did, her eyes made a certain tom's face creep back into my mind.
I did it for Graykit, I wanted to say.
Creamfur shook her head, and turned away.
I darted into the den with dismay.
Inside, it was dark and warm. When I stepped in, two yellow eyes glittered at the back of the den. Crookedstar stepped out of the shadow.
"What were you thinking?" He demanded, looming over me.
"I- I-"
"Do you know how much debt we owe Thunderclan now?"
"No."
"Well, a lot. You need to learn your lesson. You caused a lot of worry and trouble. Why you crossed the borders I don't know, but you need to apologize to clan, and to Creamfur," Crookedstar's mew was angrier than ever. "You are the clan leader's daughter. When you act like that, what message does that send to other cats?"
"Not a good one," I admitted.
"That's right. For four moons, you will have to clean the nursery, put moss in the elders den, and you're on tick duty, too," Crookedstar meowed sternly.
"What?" I asked, exasperated "Four moons?"
"Yes, now go and apologize to the clan."
"But dad!" I exclaimed, "If only you knew why I did it! You'd understand!"
"Why, Silverpaw? Why? What would make you be so mouse-brained that you'd cross the border?" Crookedstar demanded.
"Because-" I stopped short. How could I tell him about Graykit? He'd never understand. He'd just be even angrier. I couldn't let him know, not about Graykit. I couldn't put him in danger. He was still a kit. Just a kit… "I…wanted to see the fish from another angle…"
I frowned; it wasn't the truth. I had always told the truth. I hated lying, especially to my father. But it was the only way. It was the only way to protect my Thunderclan friend.
I found that tears were streaming down my face. It was too much. This was too much! I had lied to my own father, and crossed the border onto another clan territory! This was so unlike me! This was so wrong!
"That still isn't a reason to run away like that," Crookedstar's voice was calmer now. He moved closer to me, and curled his tail around me as if I were still a kit, "Silverpaw, I can't lose you. Not after your mother and sisters. I've lost everything; even my brother. You are what I have left. I don't want to lose you. Other clans are dangerous, Silverpaw. They're dangerous. That was not a safe choice that you made. I just want you to be safe."
I looked up at my father, who was solemn now.
"I'm sorry, dad."
"And I know you are. That wasn't like you."
"Do I still have to clean out the Elders den?"
Crookedstar laughed, "Well, alright, make it just for tonight. But I still want you to apologize to the clan, and to Creamfur."
"Alright," I sighed.
My father followed me out of the den, and the joined me on top of Highlog. "Everyone, Silverpaw has something to say." The clan paused.
"Um… I- I'm really sorry about what I did," I meowed. Crookedstar nodded.
Everyone remained silent.
Crookedstar beckoned to continue. "And- I'm sorry Creamfur, for embarrassing you. Also, everyone, I'm sorry for causing such trouble. This won't happen again." I dipped my head.
Still silence.
I looked at my dad, and he looked satisfied. I jumped down, shaking. Crookedstar smiled at me.
"Good girl," he praised. He touched noses with me.
… … … … … … … … … … … …
After cleaning out the Elders den, and being mocked at by the other apprentices, I went back to the den.
I huffed by the other apprentices. I couldn't believe them! I was the newest apprentice, and then they have to mock me! Some welcome!
As settled down in my nest, I decided that I was not embarrassed. I was not scared. I was not humiliated. I was angry. I was angry at those mean apprentices, and even at my father.
Why did he have to make me announce everything to the clan? He just doesn't understand. He doesn't understand why I left. If only he was in my situation now. Then he'd understand….
I laid my chin on my paws, and thought.
Just wait until I'm a warrior. Then, I'll meet Graykit whenever I want and no one will ever find out.
I closed my eyes, dreaming of Graykit.