Chapter Five

Hollykit watched Eaglepaw slink back into camp guiltily. Hollykit narrowed her eyes. A churning feeling was twister her gut. Something didn't feel right. She watched Eaglepaw trot over to the newly named warriors, Robinwing, and Highwind. The three exchanged words briefly before disappearing out of camp.

I want to follow them, but, I can't leave camp! Hollykit let out a breath of frustration. Bored, she curled up and laid her head on her paws. She was almost lost in her thoughts when a piercing wail echoed through camp. Startled, Hollykit scrambled to her paws. The nursery! Hollykit darted towards the nursery, and burst inside. Meadowsong was laying on her side, and taking short, shallow breaths. She let out another pained wail as her stomach contracted. Hollykit stared in horror. What is happening?

"Hollykit, move!" She heard Redpaw order firmly. She had been so wrapped up in the grisly scene she hadn't noticed the other cats filing in.

"The kits are coming!" Redpaw called. The red tom turned towards Heronfrost. "Quick, get her a stick to bite down on" He demanded. Heronfrost gave a quick nod and quickly exited the den. Meadowsong let out a grunt of pain as she sunk her claws into the earth. Hollykit felt her stomach wrench into knots with fear. Meadowsong looked like she was in a lot of pain.

"We need a medicine cat! Stat!" A familiar cry rang through the camp, outside of the nursery. Hollykit saw Redpaw visibly tense up. "Oh StarClan, not now!" Redpaw let out a frustrated breath, before casting one glance at Meadowsong.

"Hang in there. I will be right back" He assured, before pushing his way out of the nursery from the crowd of observing cats. Hollykit, interested, followed him. She had just squeezed through Copperleaf's legs when she saw Eaglepaw panting, his ear torn, and a scratch that ran down his eye. Pebbleheart was pacing around, her stress was obvious.

"WindClan! They injured some of our warriors!" He stuttered through gasps. Redpaw let out an angry hiss. "What?" He snarled. Pebbleheart let out a sigh. "Redpaw, go with Eaglepaw to find the warriors. I'll deal with Meadowsong"

Shortly after Pebbleheart spoke, an agonized wail pierced through the air again. Hollykit quickly side-stepped, letting Pebbleheart through. Hollykit saw Shadowstreak murmuring with Softlight, who recently returned to the warrior den. Still filled with unease, Hollykit padded over. She could use a distraction.

"Hey Shadowstreak, Softlight. What are you guys talking about?" She asked curiously. Her unease heightened as she noticed damp streaks down Shadowstreak's cheeks. "Shadowstreak? What's wrong?" Hollykit gasped. Softlight gently looked at Shadowstreak, as if asking for permission for something. Shadowstreak let out a slight nod. Softlight sighed and turned towards Hollykit.

"Hailstorm was a great warrior of ShadowClan. He was respected greatly, and he was a natural leader," Softlight began slowly. Hollykit cocked her head. What did this Hailstorm have to do with anything? Softlight avoided Hollykit's gaze, and instead focused her robin-egg eyes on the ground. She opened her mouth to speak and a cry sliced the air like claws. Softlight visibly flinched at Meadowsong's cry.

"Hailstorm was a great father. A great mate. Shadowstreak couldn't have been more confident to have Hailstorm as your father" Softlight mewed. Hollykit blinked in surprise.

"What?" She meowed in surprise, and took a step backwards. She was taken aback. She never knew this Hailstorm. "Then, where is he?" Hollykit shifted her paws uncomfortably, and she saw Shadowstreak lower her head even more as liquid drops flowed down her face like a river. Softlight let out a small sigh.

"I don't know" She said quietly. Hollykit furrowed her brows. "What do you mean you don't know?" Softlight looked up at Hollykit and looked her in the eye. "He's gone. He disappeared shortly after you and Darkkit were born. You're upsetting your mother, go play somewhere else" Softlight gently rested the tip of her tail on Hollykit's shoulder, who sighed and skulked away. She was about to check up on Meadowsong, when Redpaw limped through the clearing, dragging the limp pelt of Robinwing. The anxiety and shock in Hollykit's belly intensified to a larger degree. Her limbs started shaking. Why is there so much trouble all of a sudden? Redpaw dropped Robinwing's body in the camp, and Hollykit shuddered as she saw a trail of blood leading into camp.

The bushes rustled slightly, and she saw Eaglepaw grunting in effort as he helped Highwind into camp. Highwind was in no better shape than Robinwing. A large gash ran down his shoulder, impairing his walking heavily. His fur was matted with blood, and a river of crimson red trailed down his eye. Eaglepaw helped him to the middle of camp. Redpaw returned to the scene with a collection of herbs and cobwebs. He moved efficiently in dressing Robinwing's wounds before moving onto Highwind. A large slash ran down his cheek, but he paid no attention to it. Hollykit's fur bristled at the sight of so much blood.

"Redpaw? Redpaw, are they alive?" Hollykit's ears flickered at the sound of Pebbleheart's voice. She saw the light gray tabby at the foot of the nursery, before she sprinted over to the two injured cats. Pebbleheart let out a gasp as she darted into the medicine cat den, and returned quickly, just as fast as Redpaw. Hollykit felt her heart twist for the young warriors. But that was interrupted when a young cry sounded from the nursery. Hollykit padded around the scene cautiously, before glancing into the den. Meadowsong laid on her side, with three kits suckling at her belly. Meadowsong looked exhausted, her fur was matted, and her eyes weighed down with fatigue.

"They're so cute" Hollykit whispered. Meadowsong gave her a tired smile, before laying her head down again. Not wanting to bother the kits, let alone disturb the medicine cats, she curled up in her nest, and tried to sleep off the horrible events the day brought.

Three days later saw Hollykit sitting outside the nursery, and watching in amusement as Meadowsong's kits, Cedarkit, Badgerkit, and the she-kit, Cinderkit. The three kits were taking turns pouncing on the newly-fallen leaves, copying the hunters crouch as Darkkit taught them. Her brother watched happily. The leaves let out a satisfying crunch as the kits crushed them with their tiny paws. Hollykit lifted her nose into the air to smell the crisp, cold scent of leaf-fall. The trees were losing their leaves, but not in ShadowClan camp. The pine trees only allowed a select few of leaves through as the wind blows them gently through the breeze.

She also saw Firepaw and Littlepaw sharing a mouse, and Brindlestar chatting with Elkheart. She let out a sigh. In a quarter moon, she would finally be free. Free from being held in camp and the nursery. Three days ago, she was worried sick for her Clan. But now, she hadn't the worry at all. Robinwing and Highwind we're alive, luckily, but resting in the medicine cat den. Redpaw still had that nasty scar on his face, but it didn't look like it bothered him. Hollykit stood up and stretched the stiffness out of her legs.

I wonder what Goldenkit is doing right now

Familiar images of the golden she-cat came to mind. Goldenkit seemed to have the perfect life, and family. She had a father. She had a mother who talked to her a lot. Her brother wasn't super cocky with her. Her Clan-mates weren't mauled by WindClan warriors. Hollykit shook her head clear of the thoughts. Now wasn't the time to be jealous of her. In her dream, Scarletpetal had specifically said that they needed to trust in each other. She couldn't be trusting of Goldenkit if jealousy ran through her paws.

I guess I'll find out what happened in Goldenkit's day when I sleep Hollykit layed on her back lazily and let the cool breeze run through her fur. While she was super bored, she was glad her Clan was OK. She'd take being bored than having her Clan in danger any day.