Chapter Nine
Truth
SunClan Camp Clearing
Whiplash enters his camp carrying the missing CloudClan Kits in his jaws gently. Rollingstar pads from his den hearing a Warrior's return to camp. He looks at Sunkit and Milkkit in front of Whiplash's forepaws. "Where did those Kits come from?"
"They smell like CloudClan to me," said Runningclaw.
"You stole Kits from another Clan," snarled Rollingstar.
"No! I found them wondering around in our territory!" Whiplash protested.
"Where is Bouncekit?" wailed Milkkit.
"When Kits wonder off they all usually go together so that none of the litter is left behind," said Featherwind pointedly.
"I would never leave my littermates alone…!" said Birchpaw.
"But your littermates are dead…" said Phoenixpaw.
"That's right, Mudkit and Snakekit died not long after they were born," said Antleg.
"Thanks for reminding me Phoenixpaw…" Winterwind pads over to the CloudClan Kits and sniffs Sunkit's head.
"These Kits need to go back to their mother's nest."
"We can bring them back during the next Gathering," suggested Wolffang.
"Never have we stooped so low as to stealing another Clan's Kits," said Shadowstone.
"When is the next Gathering anyway?" Dovefeather asked.
"I want to go to a Gathering too!" said Reedkit.
"Me too!" said Mothkit. Rollingstar looks at the two Kits his eyes shining.
"You two are too young to go to a Gathering." Rollingstar turns to look at Whiplash again. "Whiplash, you yourself will be the one giving the Kits back to their mother, do I make myself clear?"
"But I did not kitnap them!"
"Then why do you smell as if you were in the CloudClan camp?" asked Featherwind.
"Because of these stupid furballs." Whiplash knocks both Kits over with a wave of his left forepaw. Dovefeather quickly pads forward and gently lifts the Kits up by their scruffs.
"Are you going to look after them until the next Gathering?" asked Winterwind. Dovefeather's voice is muffled by fur.
"Yes, because these Kits are not even a day old yet so their eyes haven't even opened."
"Now that's just wrong," said Antleg.
"Stealing a Queen's newborn Kits is the worst thing that you can do. What were you thinking, Whiplash?" asked Featherwind.
"Whiplash, for this you will be staying in the Apprentices' den while you think about what you have done," said Rollingstar. Whiplash hangs his head in shame.
"Yes, Rollingstar," said Whiplash as he pads quietly to the Apprentices' den. Dovefeather takes Milkkit and Sunkit into the Nursery so they can nurse with her own Kits.