Runningblaze padded out of the den swiftly, heading towards the nursery. The other warriors didn't notice the cub in their deputy's jaws, but still, Runningblaze felt as if eyes were boring into him. He frowned, rolling his eyes side to side, uneasiness spreading within him. He was so afraid, afraid what will happen if his clan mates found out that he had brought a fox cub into WindClan. What if they have the same reaction as Brackenstar? What if they don't trust me anymore? The worrying fleeting thought made him regret why he had sympathized the fox cub, and brought it home. I couldn't abandon it now, can I? He quickened his steps, his eyes only set on the nursery entrance. His heart was beating faster when Sandpaw and Thistlepaw padded past the deputy, into the dirt place. Runningblaze heaved a sigh of relief; the two apprentices were too engrossed in their conversation to notice the red fox cub. Runningblaze was still thinking, and his heart suddenly turned as heavy as stones when he reached the nursery entrance, his mate's warm smile greeting him.
Milk scents wafted in the air, Runningblaze breathed in the fresh air before setting the cub on the floor. "Smokefoot," he gulped, not sure how to tell his mate about fostering the fox cub. "I...I..." Just then, Cloudpoppy lifted her head up, her green eyes scanning her surrounding. "What's that smell?" The white queen asked, disgust in her eyes.
"It's just me," Runningblaze shrugged, turning back to Smokefoot. Smokefoot was studying him, sniffing him, quite sure that there was something wrong with her mate. Runningblaze was thankful that the nursery was made in a big hole in a big oak tree, that way, the nursery wasn't so bright, and it will give Runningblaze sometime to explain everything before Smokefoot discover the fox cub. Not cooperating, the fox cub let out a soft wail, and rolled from side to side. Smokefoot's ears pricked up; the small movement caught her eyes.
"What's that?" Smokefoot whispered, sensing the anxiety rolling off her mate like sea waves. Runningblaze didn't reply, but turned and asked Cloudpoppy, "Will you take care of Silverkit and Ashkit for awhile? Smokefoot and I need to talk." Cloudpoppy nodded her head, using her bushy tail to pull the two kits closer to her. Silverkit and Ashkit grumbled a little, but once milk filled their mouths, they kept quiet, drifting off to sleep once again. Smokefoot got up, waving her tail at Runningblaze.
"Just spit it out, I got kits to take care of!" Smokefoot mewed, irritated at her mate's stuttering. Runningblaze felt the fox cub's heartbeat under his bushy tail. It's a life, it's a life!
"Well," Runningblaze looked around, ensuring that no warriors or apprentices were nearby or will overhear their conversation. "I found a fox cub." He stopped, examining the expression on his mate's face before continuing. Smokefoot showed no sign of shock, but amusement lit up in her deep blue eyes. "I'm not kidding." Runningblaze put on a serious face.
"And you want me to foster it?" Having known Runningblaze for so well, Smokefoot already knew what he was going to say. "It's dangerous, it can hurt Silverkit and Ashkit!" She complained. "And why don't you let Cloudpoppy foster it?"
"It's still so small... It doesn't know how to hurt anyone yet. As long as we teach it the ways of a cat, nothing will happen. Nothing bad will happen. If I tell Cloudpoppy about this, she will scream her head off, I tell you." Runningblaze felt a small hope lighting up within him when Smokefoot laughed. He slowly revealed the fox cub under his tail. He almost leapt in joy when Smokefoot's eyes softened. The gray queen sniffed the fox cub, and it extended its tiny claws, touching Smokefoot's wet nose. Runningblaze felt so happy as he watched the queen studying the cub in great curiosity. I better leave them alone for awhile. Runningblaze thought, exiting the camp. Sunlight landed on his pelt, and Runningblaze felt so fortunate to have Smokefoot as his mate.
"Let all cats four moons and older gather under the Meetingrock for a clan meeting!" Brackenstar leapt swiftly onto the hard rock, his eyes filled with mixed emotions. Runningblaze and Smokefoot pressed their pelts against each other, their neck fur bristling slightly as more and more cats began to congregate under the rock. Brackenstar heaved in a deep breath, before starting his speech. "If you all haven't noticed, there's a fox cub in our camp." He stopped as Goosefern instinctively jumped onto her paws, unsheathing her claws, looking around. "Do not fret. It's just a fox cub, and I have decided to keep it here, raise it into a fine warrior and-"
"And let it kill us off one by one?" Goosefern finished the sentence with a snarl. "Are there bees in your brains, Brackenstar? Do you know what a terrible mistake you have made? Have you thought of how a fox cub can grow into a fierce adult fox, and eventually turn against us? Do you really think that it will be grateful to us for sparing its worthless life? Did someone made you to do so?" Goosefern eyed the deputy suspiciously and finished her last sentence warily.
"Watch what you say!" Runningblaze growled, his claws digging into the rock, making scratch marks. Goosefern snorted, her smug face challenging the deputy.
"I didn't say it was you," the she-cat purred. "Or are you the guilty one?" Runningblaze bared his teeth. he would have jumped down to fight the rude warrior if Smokefoot wasn't there, giving him a don't-you-get-into-more-trouble glance. Runningblaze breathed in deeply, hoping that he would succeed in controlling the fire burning in his stomach. "Well, Brackenstar?"
Brackenstar narrowed his eyes, before stepping forward hesitantly. "It was my idea." Goosefern recoiled in disgust, spitting. She said no more, just sat down, her eyes turning into slits. Runningblaze found himself staring at his leader, bewildered by Brackenstar's answer. "Smokefoot will foster the fox cub, until it becomes an apprentice, it will be known as Redkit, in honor of its bright red fur."
"It has no honor!" Goosefern spat, and cats began to murmur to one another. "And are you serious, Brackenstar?" Goosefern was furious, her fur rising up, making her twice her original size.
"Yes." That was all Brackenstar said before returning to his den, his eyes fixed on the ground. Cats began to crowd around Runningblaze, asking questions about why didn't he stop Brackenstar's impulsiveness, about what does he plan to do with Redkit... Runningblaze looked at the cats in horror, he was at a loss what he should do. Suddenly, Smokefoot called out, loud enough for all cats to hear, "I will tell you all why I have agreed to foster Redkit." Immediately, cats turned towards her, throwing numerous questions at her. Smokefoot winked st her mate, and Runningblaze's paws just carried him out into the forest, guilt stabbing him like millions of daggers. What if what Goosefern said is true? What if Redkit should not be raised up in WindClan?
Runningblaze passed the dense undergrowth, and arrived at the wide moor. Wind ruffled his pelt, and Runningblaze sneezed. He padded towards the highest point of the moor, his thoughts lost in the clouds that were dyed red by the setting sun. A blue bird chirped, flying past the deputy. The bird began flying higher, as if aiming to fly into the clouds. Don't, you can never make it. You are just a tiny blue bird, not an eagle. You can never fly as high as it. The deputy thought, sighing at the bird. Runningblaze stared wide-eyed as it flew higher and higher, into the clouds, turning into a tiny black dot. Just then, he realised with a jolt: I should be like the bird, flying high and free. I shouldn't take others' comments to heart.
For once, his mind wasn't filled with the difficulties the fox cub will be facing, or the decision if he should abandon it anymore. He was thinking about nothing, just about the bright red sun hiding behind the mountains.
Redkit tried to open his eyes. Everyone else had opened their eyes, and from what the adults say, their eyes were simply beautiful, like a bright moon against the dark sky. Mother wants me to open my eyes. But how? "Open your eyes! Open your eyes!" Ashkit prodded Redkit with his tiny paw. Redkit snorted, kicking his foster brother away in annoyance. Ashkit rolled his eyes before scrambling on top of Redkit, stepping on him. Redkit jumped up suddenly, flinging Ashkit off, laughing as Ashkit landed with a loud thud.
"Redkit!"
Uh-oh.
"Who told you to kick your brother like that? You are such a mischievous kit!" Smokefoot chided, her tail pulling Ashkit nearer to her.
"What's michevious?" Redkit asked, cocking his head to one side. "And, I didn't bully Ashkit! He kept disturbing me!"
Redkit could feel Smokefoot letting out a deep, long breath that seemed to be filled with desperation. Redkit frowned, his nose sticking into the air. "Mischievous is, someone who is naughty, cheeky and bad. Well, you don't want to be mischievous, do you?" Smokefoot explained slowly, and practiced the pronunciation with Redkit while Ashkit was there giggling uncontrollably. After a few tries, Redkit got the pronunciation correct, and he puffed out his chest in pride. Ashkit laughed even harder at this.
"What's there to be proud of? I knew how to pronounce mischievous since the day I was born!" He sneered, nipping Redkit's left ear. Redkit jerked his head away from Ashkit, unhappiness written all over his face. "Ashkit!" Smokefoot glared at her son. "Redkit just need some help and encouragements!" Ashkit stuck out his tongue, running away.
Redkit didn't say anything, just curling up into a ball, his eyes fixed on the nursery entrance. His eyes widened as the leafs hanging on the nursery entrance rustled. Redkit scrambled to his feet, happiness dancing in his eyes. "Runningblaze!" He shouted, flinging himself on to the large tom and bringing the long fur over his head. Runningblaze let out a deep laugh, pushing the kit aside.
"Kit, let's go to the elders' den, shall we?" Runningblaze looked down at Redkit with his deep blue eyes. Redkit's heart beat faster, and his smile was wiped off his little face, replaced by a small frown. "What's the matter?" Runningblaze asked, his voice calming Redkit down.
"They don't like me at all, father."
"Why, they do like you!" Runningblaze licked Redkit's head, his eyes flashing with mixed emotions. Quickly, he grabbed Redkit by his scruff, heading towards the elder's den, saying, "I will show you. I will."
Mousefoot yawned, her teeth glistening under the sunlight. The old she-cat rolled over onto her back, stretching her stiff paws and closing her eyes, ready for a nap. She got up immediately as Runningblaze entered the den, shaking the leaves. She bit back a spat as she saw Redkit dangling in the deputy's jaws. "Good morning, dears!" She put on a forced smile as she caught Runningblaze's glare.
"Why don't you tell Redkit a story?" Runningblaze suggested, settling himself down beside the elder, their pelts gently brushing against each other. Mousefoot remained silent for awhile, reluctance in her eyes. "Mother, please." Runningblaze whispered, suppressing a growl. He hated how the clan treat Redkit. He's just a harmless fox. The deputy thought.
"Mousefoot, I can help you groom." Redkit stumbled towards the elder, and soon after, he was licking the elder's unkept pelt. Mousefoot jerked away, her eyes wide at the kit. Redkit stood there dumbfounded, embarrassed, not knowing what to do. Runningblaze pushed the elder back to her place, and stared at her.
"Um... Can you help me get mouse bile from Dawnberry? There's some ticks in my pelt," Mousefoot said hurriedly, and Redkit snapped out of his trance, quickly nodding his head. After making sure that the kit was out of earshot, Mousefoot turned back to Runningblaze, nearly shouting, "Sometimes I wonder if you are misusing your power, fancy bringing a fox back here!" Runningblaze looked irritated as he retorted, "Redkit is harmless, why won't you believe me?"
"Redkit is harmless?" Mousefoot mimicked her son's voice. "Don't you disgrace your family! Redkit is just..." Her words were cut off as Runningblaze pushed her over, growling, "mother, please, Redkit is innocent. I have to take care of him. I have to." Mousefoot pushed her son away forcefully, her voice sounding depressed and disappointed as she sighed, "my son, my own son."
Outside, in the thistle bush, a red tail poked out, shivering uncontrollably as the two cats inside continued their heated argument.
There, here's chapter two! Sorry for not updating for such a long time! Well, Redkit is a fox, so he will have some difficulty speaking in cat language. And what do you all think of Redkit's character? Do you think that he is caring or is he too sensitive? Remember, do review!