Welcome again and thank you for deciding to drop by this humble story! Sorry for the slow update, It's a long holiday, you see hahahaa. And I have to say, updates will probably be noticeably slower from now on, for I've run out of pre-written chapters. And then I'm going on a holiday vacation, AND then I have tests. I'm sorry. Please have this longer than normal chapter as a compensation.
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"Rainkit, wake up!" He felt someone prodding him as he slowly rose from a nice, soft bedding. Blinking the blur away from his eyes, he glanced around him. Whitekit seems like the one who prodded him, with Runningkit barely controlling her excitement behind her, shaking with a nervous gaze. Below him, he was on Littlemoss's tail, he guessed he kind of slept on it while he was not fully aware. Looking up, said queen was smiling lovingly at him, and he felt the tip of his ears growing warmer. He smiled shyly back at Littlemoss. The queen licked his ear gently before she nudged the three of them to the nursery. "Flowerheart's kitting has been a sucess. Now, aren't you all excited for a playmate?" A collective nods from them. "You can go and see them, but you must stay quiet and don't annoy Flowerheart, got it?"
"Yes!"
"All right."
"I'll try my best." He doubt Whitekit and Runningkit will stay still as they promised, though.
His new mother sighed affectionately. "I give you my permission, now have fun." With that said, Runningkit and Whitekit rushed in to the nursery, with him hard on their tail. In the nursery, Podfall was speaking to Redstripe and his tired mate, who was nursing three tiny kits at her belly. With a big brown tabby and a grey tabby visible from their perspective, the last kit was hid in the crook of Flowerheart's tummy, hiding it from sight. He heard Whitekit drew a sharp gasp when her eyes landed on them. Yet he can't remember any cat from his old life with pelts nor looks like this - assuming they were normal kits, it baffle him greatly to why Whitekit was acting almost as she saw a Starclan cat. Until Flowerheart shifted, and he almost choked on his own breathe.
That kit, the last kit that was formerly hidden behind its littermates, looked very identical to the cat he'd known and hold dear in his heart since he'd gotten the grace of knowing, on that fateful day of destruction and the beginning of a long journey; a cat he never thought he'd had the chance to live with again. To love again.
In that moment, he was hit by a wave of absolute longing. And his eyes watered as he forced himself to calm down. Everything he'd been holding in since the beginning of it all, came crashing down in that instant moment. Unbeknownst to him, Whitekit's reaction isn't that different from him.
"Sparrowkit, Archkit and Swallowkit." Flowerheart breathed. "They're wonderful." Runningkit smiled at the kits, oblivious to her overwhelmed littermates as she padded forward to admire them. "They look so pretty!" Flowerheart beamed at the compliment, while Redstripe chuckled. "You'll be having playmates now. But let's just wait until they're older before you start playing rough." Runningkit heaved a tiny sigh, but nodded in understanding nonetheless. "All right."
The grey medicine cat, who was busy tending to the queen and her kits, suddenly interrupted them. "Redstripe, isn't that Volestrike calling you on patrol?" Redstripe looked behind him, and sure enough, a patrol was waiting for him at the camp entrance. "I was hoping it's not me, but I'm clearly needed, am I?" "You should go." The mentioned warrior casted his mate and newly born kits a glance lovingly, before he exited the nursery, tail drooping along the way. Runningkit giggled slightly at the sight of it.
Podfall smiled cheekily at her immediately when Redstripe was out of their sight. "Now, no more bossy furballs here. Go and say hi to the kits. With warriors like Redstripe around, he'd even fuss at the sight of his kits squirming." She beamed, Podfall was taking her side, that's something really nice when she thinks about it. The clan only medicine cat is trusting her with being nice with these - perhaps reincarnated - kits. Impressing Podfall would be a breeze. With that thought, she settled down near the three newborns, and quietly, she greeted them. "Hi, Sparrowkit, Archkit, and Swallowkit." Silence was her only response, but she continued. "Even if I say that, I still don't know which one of you is who." Everything would've been normal, if not for the fact the grey tabby kit just snapped it's eyes open and looked up straight to Runningkit. "I'm Archkit, if you haven't realized." And promptly stood up and stretched calmly.
Flowerheart, who was just taking a nap a heartbeat ago, jolted awake at the sight of her kit perfectly standing and speaking, eyes wide open. "A-Archkit?" The queen stuttered. "You can open your eyes already?" The little kit nodded. Podfall mouth fell agape in absolute shock. "H-how? The kits I'd seen open their eyes earliest at two to three days, b-but you..." He trailed off, gazing confusedly at Archkit. The tiny tom smirked. "Logic can't restrain me." He concluded curtly, before skipping towards Runningkit. "Hi, Runningkit, is it?" Hastily, she nodded. "Come on, show me around the camp." Archkit then skipped away, pass Whitekit and Rainkit, out of the nursery, pass Littlemoss and Sandspots out into the camp clearing, with her hard on his tail.
"Can you really open your eyes? Don't you felt somehow restricted?" Now that they're in an open space without anyone near, she asked aloud, bewildered. "I spent a quarter moon until I can open my eyes, and even with that, I'm barely conscious most of the time." It's one of the most frustrating moments in her - current and past - life. She'd say she's fortunate enough to be unconscious most of the time, or else she'd been agitated to death. Not being able to speak clearly and unable to open her eyes is far more troubling that she'd ever imagine it'll be. And while being pampered again feels nice, it still feels off, like overgrown kits demanding attention, or so she thought.
Archkit shrugged. "I'm special, perhaps." Runningkit laughed dryly at him. "Then I'm special too, I suppose." Hearing that, Archkit gazed at her with interest. "Say, so are you, in some way, receiving your second chance?" So, he's a reincarnation too...She could see it in Archkit's eyes, he didn't expect much but was merely evaluating her. So, she puffed her chest out, and evadably, she answered. "Not really." Archkit flicked his ear in inquiry. "If the second chance you mean is returning here again, then I'm receiving mine, or not." She's being sly. Archkit realized with humour. Well then, I'll be playing along, but I wonder who is she. He's not the most observant cat in Starclan, and he'd admit he'd only been watching Shadowclan since his death, so he currently have zero clue on her identity. I'll play along, nonetheless.
"I wonder what does that means." Pretending to be timid, he continued. "Perhaps I'm mistaken, but I'm sure you didn't mean Starclan, yes? Because that would mean you came the whole other side, not returning." Shyly, he added. "Unless we're talking about the Dark forest here."
With equal wit, Runningkit retorted. "Cheeky, aren't you? Well, I wouldn't expect less from a kit who suddenly jolted awake the second he was born. Even if there's something wrong with that theory." Then idly, she asked. "Tell me, what's that oh-so great secret you've been hiding behind that bright, wide eyes of yours?" To be more effective, she drawled. "Not that I knew nothing." She grinned arrogantly. With elicit a snort from her companion.
"Cocky, aren't you?" Archkit teased. "Indeed, I do. But I expect you to have your grand plans too, no?" Runningkit was quick to reply to that. "Yes." "I expect that much. But at the same time, not really." Nonchalantly, he waved his tail "Now, it would've been terribly rude of me to not introduce myself the second I was born." He went on, but he did lowered his voice only to be heard between the two of them. "Archeye." Runningkit scowled in thought. Who is that? "Runningbrook." Certainly not a Shadowclanner? Both cats gave each other a while of silence as they gather thoughts about each other. Runningbrook? Is it that she-cat who is in Thunderclan - no, that's Runningwind, and it's a tom. Archeye? A name like that, he might be from Riverclan or Shadowclan, an elder?
In the midst of assessing each other, their concentration was broken by the group of warriors returning; border patrol. She stifled a laugh as she noticed Redstripe's eyes popped out of his sockets hilariously at the sight of his kit. The reddish warrior pushed past the group of warriors and dashed towards his kit. "Archkit?!" Archkit nodded. "Yes, I can open my eyes already." He explained calmly, despite Redstripe's panic attack.
Other warriors from the same patrol also approached Redstripe at the commotion. "Oh, is that Runningkit? And I expect you are Archkit?" A pure black tom ask them kindly, paying no heed to his panic-stricken clanmate. Seeing Archkit making no move to speak, she did the job. "Yes, I'm Runningkit, and he's Archkit." The black warrior smiled. "I'm Rookfeather. My clanmates here," he gestured at the cats on patrol. "Are Petalcloud, Berrystep, And Brackenwhisker."
"Hi!" A pale ginger she-cat greeted them. "I'm Petalcloud. Please excuse Redstripe - your father, Archkit - he's quite the overprotective one, but he loves you very much, you and your littermates. He forced the whole patrol up and moving very quickly just to see you!" Archkit's expression remain unchanging, but there's a pleasant glimmer in his eyes. Behind Petalcloud were the two remaining cats, who were talking to each other quietly. The blue-grey one cringing. "I followed to see the commotion, but now there's nothing to see, I'd rather go." The other golden brown tabby smiled. "Take it easy, Berrystep. I know you're not very fond of kits, but they're not as energetic as most, aren't they?" Berrystep shivered. "Eh, not thanks." With that said, she retreated back into the warriors den, Brackenwhisker heaved a sigh at his friend's denial, before turning to them. "Sorry about Berrystep. She's..." He went quiet for a short while, then forced himself to went on. "She's...she's a special cat, you see...well..." Eventually, he gave up. "I don't understand her myself."
Rookfeather gave him a sympathetic glance. "We all don't understand her." But just when Rookfeather said that, Petalcloud glared at them sharply. "You two never understand anything, let alone Berrystep. I understand her completely fine." The trio later broke into an argument, along with a blubbering Redstripe, again. Deciding the attention weren't direct at them anymore, Archkit nudged Runningkit. "Let's slip away, I'm kind of sleepy now." A small yawn. "Waking up on the first day is hard." Not letting the chance escape, she teased Archkit. "Woah, little kit is sleepy! Someone better get him moss and build the nursery! The great little kit must not walk all the way to the old nursery, must he?" Said kit shot her a grimace. "Impressive, now who was that I was seeing, with her eyelids fluttering?" Now that he said it, she was also feeling quite drowsy, too. Still, she forced her eyes open and cackled. "Are you speaking about your reflection in a puddle?"
Runningkit was utterly pleased when she saw Archkit's vein popped. "I'm too tired to argue with you now, Runningflea." Despite what he said, he openly - and proudly - smirked. Now it's her turn to cuffed him. "So tired, yeah, like Starclan I'm going to believe that, Archdung." Added with a couple more sneers and remarks, the two of them padded back to the nursery, intended of sleeping and resting the rest of the day.
A few days had passed, and Swallowkit still makes zero attempt to open her eyes, to Rainkit's worry. While Sparrowkit had already spoke and whined aloud, even bounding around the nursery from time to time, Swallowkit remain still and silent, the only movements she did were suckle and sleep. He wryly wonder if she was really meant to survive, or was she meant to gave him hope, then disappear away. At least, Whitekit was happy that her former mate was reincarnated, and Runningkit had already found her best buddy - or rather, a buddy she can be all witty and sarcastic with.
What's with the gloom? His mother would ask. Perhaps, the sorrows of love? His father would tease, and he would indignantly deny it. But, despite his denying, both didn't know how right they were. She's flawless and enchanting. He would and will always loved her, no matter what era or time, he knew it deep in his heart. He also knew he can't let go of her even willingly, but his chances with her is no more than a hopeless dream. Moreover, if he's really destined to be with her, why weren't they not mates since their previous lives?
Sullenly, he gave up contemplating. No matter how much he wrack his brain thinking, he won't be getting any answer soon, that's for sure. With that, he decided to take a nice stroll outside for a change of pace, alone. It was certainly strange, considering a moon ago, he, by no chance, would be let to wander alone - with Runningkit and Whitekit tagging along. But now, with Whitekit being all lovey-dovey with Sparrowkit, and Runningkit holding a marathon contest with Archkit at who's being wittier, he's finally left alone on his own and his thoughts. Which, was undeniably weird. But when he's an apprentice, he'd mostly be left alone with his mentor anyway, so he better get used to it by now.
Speaking of which, it was actually soon until he and his littermates are going to be make apprentices. Time flies by quickly when you're enjoying it, they said. He guess he better take it as a good omen. Despite his elderly mental thought, he can't help but still felt the same rush of excitement as kits tingling his tail tip like how he used to felt. Who would be his mentor? Would he even be a better warrior than before? Will he be one of those reliable warriors?
As each thought cross his mind, he felt more and more rejuvenated and lighthearted. The thought really sparked the nostalgia in him, a feeling he hasn't expect for a long, long time. How wistful. He realized with a small sigh. If only life could ever be this peaceful and happy all the time... But he's resolved not to fail this time, though. He'll success, and they'd at least be regard as the best warriors in the clan, if not one of them being the deputy of leader themselves.
Nonetheless, he was all of a sudden interrupted from his thoughts, by a very threatening warrior with pitch black fur and grey stripes. Who, if looks could kill, he would had been long gone. That look. He's a warrior, who - in his whole lifetime of experience, told him that - should not at all be mess with.
With that thought, he professionally scurried backwards out of instincts, much to the irritation - or amusement, he can't really read the warrior's face - of said warrior, who instead, knew no definition of personal space, as he stepped forward until he was face to face with Rainkit, and gazed ominously at him, deep into his very being. "You seems to have the potential, Rainkit." The warrior said. His voice suave and deep. The alarm in his head hastily ring, and he gulped. His intuition was warning him, but what can he do, other than gazing fearfully back at the warrior? "However, you're still too stupid." ...Maybe that's true. "And you make cringe-worthy mistakes all the time." Okay, that's certainly true. But that doesn't mean it's that obvious!"You also have no leadership qualities." Ah, yes. "Don't fret, however." The warrior assured calmly, with a hint of something darker behind his eyes, to his horror. "I am your mentor, that's why." A very confident smirk. "I'll fix you." His mind went blank as the words register itself in his mind. And his eyes widened dramatically.
There are a hundred and more things he wanted to ask, or rather, scream in fear at the warrior. But instead, he found himself gaping. "You are my mentor?" He asked, dumbfounded. Which drew a sharp cuff to his ear. A strangled yowl escaped his throat, not expecting the blow. However, it doesn't hurt much, he was just caught off guard. "Seems like you haven't heard me right, Rainkit." The warrior commented lightly, but his gaze leave no room for arguements. "Your mentor is me, Blackstorm." He had this sneaking suspicion that this warrior, Blackstorm himself, was the one who coerce whoever decide who should mentor who, to let him be Blackstorm's apprentice. Because of reasons he prefer not knowing at all.
"But, shouldn't this be keep a secret until my apprentice ceremony?" A smirk appeared on Blackstorm's face again. "I knew you were no ordinary kit, Rainkit." Fox dung! He knew Blackstorm was hiding something, but please don't be that whole reincarnation ordeal he'd been trying so hard to hide for the past few moons! Amidst of him panicking, Blackstorm passively watched him, before, in a nonchalant voice, told him, "Calm down. What I knew is not what you're desperately trying to hide." Hearing that, Rainkit heaved an utterly relieve sigh, not caring what Blackstorm will think in the slightest. Said warrior eye twitched, and he flicked Rainkit's forehead with his tail. "But I will know about it soon. Trust me." Such arrogance. Rainkit was never the aggressive or overly hostile one, but this time he's got the overpowering urge to just score his claw across Blackstorm's face, but he fear he might not survive.
Suddenly - gratefully, he may add - someone interrupted Blackstorm. "Blackstorm! You're leading the hunting patrol!" Blackstorm whipped his head back, irritation gleaming dangerously in his eyes. "Tell me, Stalktail. Who settled on me leading the patrol?" The ginger and white warrior sweat blood at the hazardous tone. "Well, Briarstar." A nervous laugh followed. Rainkit decided that the fellow deserve a praise for being able to put up with a warrior like Blackstorm.
The aforementioned warrior grunted, before returning to look at him. "Well then, Rainkit. I have high expectation for you, and I expect you to exceed them." Oh Starclan, the pressure. With that, Blackstorm padded away to the patrol without another word. He was about to let himself sag onto the ground, now with the tension and - potential - danger gone, when the cat who've been calling Blackstorm approached him. The cat, Stalktail, cleared his throat apologetically as he approached Rainkit.
"Sorry about that." The warrior smile was easygoing. "I'm Stalktail, Blackstorm's former apprentice, you see. You're Rainkit, right?" He nodded, which prompted Stalktail to heaved a resigned sigh. "I'm sorry for not breaking this to you lightly. But yes, Blackstorm's your mentor, Briarstar says so." His head spin, and he felt as he was about to faint when he hear those words. But quickly, Stalktail interrupt him. "Don't worry though! Blackstorm's a first class mentor! And he might even be the strongest warrior in Thunderclan!" Strongest? He found himself quickly voicing out his doubts. "Strongest in Thunderclan? Isn't that too absurd?"
But what Rainkit receive is not a confession that it was an exaggeration, but a firm shaking of Stalktail's head. "You were just born a while ago, you won't know anything. But on more than one occasion, did Blackstorm singlehandedly defeat a fox or badger. He was once the leading candidate for the deputy position, even, but he refused the chance." That information did really make his mind go blank. Someone that could defeat a fox or badger singlehandedly? Someone like that with such attitude? Should someone like that exist at all? It is even the truth? Sadly, a glimpse at Blackstorm's onyx eyes recalled from his memory was enough to assure all the facts were, indeed, real.
But that doesn't mean he's going to dance around and cheer happily, there's still the issue about Blackstorm's attitude and personality. And he bet his whole tail and pelt that nothing can change it.
He let out a bloodcurdling wail despairingly and let himself fell flat back onto the ground, and faint.
I think it's pretty clear that Rainkit has a crush on Swallowkit here. Welp, I have nothing to say more this time, so, thank you so much for reading this little story so far! Every review, favourite and follow is greatly appreciate!