The Heart of a Lion
Chapter 19: Lionblaze's Secret
Lionblaze led the way through the forest, breaking trail for the kits following him. They moved solely on clumsy paws, their eyes wide with fear and anxiety. The kits kept looking back at the territory they just left behind. After all, it was the only home they ever knew. They didn't know their roots also traced to ThunderClan here in the heart of the forest.
"Where are we going?" Silverkit asked for the hundredth time. She plodded along behind him, hopping in Lionblaze's exact paw prints like it was a game. "Are we going on an adventure?"
"Yes, we are," Lionblaze said and ushered them along with his tail. He stopped by a bramble bush where a small opening gaped in front of them. He made sure each for them got through safely before closing the gap and following after them. "We are going somewhere new."
Swiftkit, who was trailing the pack, whimpered. "But it is so far. Can't you tell us where we're going?" he complained. "Why isn't Mom here?"
"She couldn't come with us." Lionblaze looked away from the kit's powerfully innocent gazr and focused on the path ahead. He wondered if this was a bad idea taking the kits to the ThunderClan camp. They were probably too small to make the journey, and it would take too long to carry them separately.
He remembered that after Heathertail agreed to his plan, very reluctantly, she insisted on coming with him to insure the kits got to the camp safely, but Lionblaze knew it was too dangerous for her. If any of his Clanmates discovered her scent on ThunderClan territory right after the battle with WindClan, it would start an outrage. He knew how important it was to keep their kits safe, and he promised nothing bad would happen to them. He wished she were here now. He wasn't sure what to say to hits kits when they knew so little about this cruel, complicated world they were born in to.
"I don't want to go any farther," Swiftkit mewed. "There are too many trees here."
"Me too," Springkit agreed and sat down next to her brother. Silverkit was the only trooper left.
"Look, I know you want to go back. You will, but not now. We are going to meet some new friends. You will get to see how the cats live in the forest. Doesn't that sound exciting? Think of all the exciting stories you can tell Heathertail when you get back home," Lionblaze soothed them encouragingly.
The kits' eyes brightened and they continued to follow him and his dry promise.
Lionblaze was nearing the most popular trails that led in and out of camp. He could tell they were getting closer when he smelled ThunderClan cats on the breeze. He suddenly stiffened. Hollyleaf and Jayfeather!
"Lionblaze, there you are. What happened to you? We were getting worried!" Hollyleaf exclaimed and rushed over to greet him. "You disappeared…" She trailed off in awe when she saw the three young kits huddled near a grass clump, staring at her fearfully. "Oh my."
Jayfeather couldn't see them, but he was fully aware of their presence. "Kits? Where did they come from?"
"They look scared."
"Anything you want to tell us?" Jayfeather prompted.
Lionblaze was still trying to find words. He knew the second he brought his kits into camp, he would be bombarded by questions from his Clanmates, but he wasn't prepared to face his siblings about it yet. He hadn't even practiced what he would say. He decided to be evasive about it and scooped up Silverkit in his mouth. She meowed in protest and flailed her little paws in the air. "Please help me carry them to camp." And that was all he said. He briskly pushed on ahead so he couldn't see Hollyleaf's astonished face.
Hollyleaf and Jayfeather realized getting the kits to safety took first priority over questioning Lionblaze. They each took a kit: Jayfeather with Springkit and Hollyleaf with Swiftkit. They trotted in single file line behind Lionblaze. The kits, too confused and overwhelmed to say anything, were as silent.
Was this a good idea after all? Lionblaze thought with dread. Maybe there is something else we could've done…
He flashed back to his talk with Heathertail. She told him was plan was for the best and that her kits could no longer stay in WindClan-not with Breezepelt on the loose and seeking revenge. Her confidence alone gave him the courage to think that he did the right thing, but how come doing the right thing sometimes felt so wrong?