As Swiftstar called out the ancient words to celebrate the new apprentices, Russetkit sat, hunched in the nursery, unwilling to show her face to anyone. Sunleaf had exited the den, and Russetkit sat alone. The other queens had joined Sunleaf in watching their kits get apprenticed. Sunleaf had tried to urge Russetkit to go, to support her brother, but Russetkit didn't think she could handle the glare of Swiftstar burning into her pelt.
The cheers of the new apprentices' names bounced off the camp walls, and it made Russetkit dig her head into her nest. Jealousy seethed in her pelt, but she knew she only had herself to blame. It was her fault – she had nearly gotten herself and Blackkit killed. She didn't deserve to be an apprentice. Maybe Swiftstar was right after all.
"Russetkit!" exclaimed Patchshine. Russetkit looked up to see the gray-and-white she-cat racing over to her. She's not a queen anymore… so… why is she here?
"Russetkit, I'm sorry that today wasn't your big day." Patchshine's amber eyes were round with sympathy. She nuzzled Russetkit's head, and the ginger she-kit forced herself to not shy away. "I know it will be soon. Your father… is just trying to do what's best for you." The gray-and-white queen tried to choose her words carefully.
Russetkit shrugged. "It's fine." It's not fine. I'll still be stuck here in the nursery while my brother and my friends all get faster, stronger, and smarter. She looked at Patchshine questioningly. "Why did you come back to the nursery?"
Patchshine clicked her tongue. "I just wanted to grab a few things. I'm sorry, dear." Not knowing what else to say, the queen entered the nursery and dragged out her old bedding, rolling it into a loose ball. She probably is just moving her bed to the warrior's den, Russetkit assumed.
Scorchpaw emerged from the crowd, closely followed by Blackpaw and Gorsepaw. Her brother's amber eyes were dark with sadness. Blackpaw nuzzled Russetkit's cheek affectionately. "You'll be with us soon," the night-black she-cat mewed. "I just know it."
"Thanks, guys," Russetkit dipped her head to her former denmates. They exchanged sorrowful glances before going to find their mentors for their first training sessions. Russetkit could only watch them as they walked away. She felt as if the empty hole in her heart was only growing more by the second.
After the other queens came to move their bedding out of the nursery, Russetkit could only watch in cold silence. Even Sunleaf, her own mother, had gone back to her warrior duties. The bright ginger tabby she-cat had stood over Russetkit, her jaws partly opened as if she wanted to say something to her daughter, but no words came out. Russetkit knew Sunleaf was sad for her, but she wasn't going to stay and comfort her. Sunleaf had nuzzled Russetkit's cheek before leaving her completely alone in the now empty nursery. Russetkit made a small nest for herself and plopped into it with a disheartened sigh. I really am a failure.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Russetkit knew she should be going to find her brother and their friends and asking them how their first training session was. But she couldn't find it in herself to move out of her nest. No cat came to check on her. Russetkit's teeth began to chatter as she felt the cold evening wind blow through a drafty part in the nursery wall. But there were no bundles of warm fur to snuggle into anymore.
I can't live like this. I can't just wait around like a depressed sloth waiting for my father to see my potential. Russetkit felt herself filling up with a heavy resolve. I'm going to find somewhere else to live my life. I'm not good enough to be what Swiftstar wants me to be.
When she was sure the rest of the camp was asleep, Russetkit got to her paws quietly and slipped outside of the nursery. She strained her ears, listening for even the slightest noise. But the only sounds she could hear were the snores of sleeping warriors. Russetkit made her way to the camp's entrance, feeling her paws start to shake a little. I am not afraid! This is the decision I have to make. She forced her paws to keep moving, despite the tugging in her heart that willed her not to leave the hollow in the moor where she was born.
She easily slipped past Grayflight, who was supposed to be guarding the camp all night. The gray warrior's snores seemed to shake the ground below Russetkit's paws. She scoffed to herself as she tiptoed past his sleeping form. Some guard he is!
Once she was well out of the WindClan camp, Russetkit took a deep breath of the fresh moorland air. It was dark, but she could see decently well, noting the rolling hills that seemed to go on forever. Russetkit looked up at the midnight-black sky, awestruck by the beauty of the countless gleaming stars that shone down on her. Sorry if I upset you by leaving, StarClan. But I think I'll do better on my own. She paused to take another breath. Swiftstar deserves a better daughter than me. The dark thought seemed to drain her emotionally, but she couldn't help but feel that way after everything that had happened between them.
Russetkit's small ginger paws wisped through the grass as she broke into a run. Glee filled her like the air under a hawk's wings as it soared through the sky. I'm free! Free of Swiftstar's disapproving amber gaze and the snarl in his voice when he spoke to her. Free of Adderpaw's disdain and Sunleaf and Scorchpaw's pity. In fact, nobody would ever feel sorry for her again. She would become a strong, independent she-cat, and she didn't need all the drama that came with being a part of a Clan and a family, especially a royal family.
Breathless but exhilarated, Russetkit stopped when she smelled a particularly strong, fishy scent. This must be the border with RiverClan. Is that what RiverClan really smells like? She wrinkled her nose in disgust.
But the smell was even stronger than she could have imagined. It seemed to be getting more potent by the second. Then she heard a slight rustling in the forest that spanned across their shared border. Russetkit's stomach dropped as she heard voices. Quickly diving into a nearby shrub, Russetkit felt that her heart would beat out of her chest.
"This raid should be the easiest one yet," a tom's voice sneered.
"We'll catch Swiftstar completely by surprise," a softer voice agreed, most likely belonging to a she-cat. "Reedstar has really thought this plan through."
Russetkit felt her chest tighten, and she took in a sharp breath, but it felt like she was gulping down pine needles. They're on their way to attack WindClan!
Even in the gloom, Russetkit could see the snow-white splotches of a large tom's pelt. His voice commanded respect when he spoke. "Remember, we must avenge what happened to Rushcloud. Whatever it takes." His mew choked with grief. Russetkit wondered who Rushcloud was, and what happened to them.
"You can count on me, Otterfrost," another tom meowed darkly. "WindClan will pay for murdering our deputy in cold blood."
Russetkit could make out this new tom's pelt, which was covered in bright orange and black patches. His amber eyes glowed with a ferocity that made her shudder. I have to go back and warn the Clan!
The heavy emotions she had felt before seemed to creep back up her spine. Remember, you left for good. You're an independent cat now. But Russetkit's worry about her Clan and her family squashed those dark emotions immediately. I have to do something.
Slipping quietly out of her hiding place, Russetkit flung herself into the tall grass and pelted back towards the camp. She looked over her shoulder and saw that the RiverClan cats had crossed the border with ease but they were walking at a slower pace. For once, she was glad her small size allowed her to be completely hidden in the grass. I can beat them to the camp!
Russetkit pumped her legs harder than she ever thought was possible. Her muscles burned and her breaths came in ragged gasps, but she knew she couldn't stop running. She broke through the grass and beelined to the camp entrance. Grayflight's eyes were huge as he saw the small ginger she-cat running towards him as if an entire herd of foxes were on her tail.
"RiverClan is coming!" Russetkit yowled.
"Russetkit, what in StarClan's name…?" Grayflight's meow was one of utter confusion as Russetkit pushed past him. She ran into the middle of the camp, panting heavily.
"RiverClan is coming! They're planning a night raid!" she screeched.
Warriors and apprentices streamed from their respective dens, their fur bristling with shock and worry. Russetkit felt their stares burn into her pelt but she didn't care. "They have a huge patrol and they're coming to attack us right now!" she yowled.
"Russetkit!" Swiftstar's voice was tight with fury. "If this is one of your sick, twisted games, you can count yourself exiled from WindClan forever." The ginger-and-white tom's tail lashed furiously as he joined the rest of his warriors in the clearing.
"It's not! I promise." Russetkit pleaded desperately. Why won't they believe me?
Sunleaf's green eyes were full of disappointment as she gazed at her daughter. Scorchpaw, Blackpaw, Wildpaw, and Gorsepaw ran up to her in an instant.
"We believe you," Scorchpaw told her, his amber eyes shining with the light of battle.
"How far away are they?" Gorsepaw asked her.
"They will be here any minute," Russetkit panted in reply.
Swiftstar flexed his claws. "If this is true, then we must prepare to fight for our lives." His amber eyes were shadowed with dark anger as he lined up his toughest warriors in the front. Hawkfeather, Petalspring, Rabbitfur, and Spottedwing flexed their shoulders and braced themselves for battle. Wasppaw and Hollypaw stood behind their mentors, their teeth bared.
Russetkit nodded. "I can defend the camp, if you need me to!" she declared, unsheathing her claws. Even if she wasn't an apprentice yet, she was still at the age where she should be learning battle moves, and she wasn't afraid to get her claws bloody to defend her Clan. Just hours ago, she had been planning to leave her Clan. Now, she was ready to defend it until the death.
"That won't be necessary," Swiftstar told her. "Just stay in the nursery with your mother. Let the warriors do the fighting."
Russetkit's dark fur bristled at Swiftstar's blatant dismissal of her yet again. How could she live with herself if she hid in the nursery while the rest of her Clanmates fought for her life? "Isn't there something I can do?" she asked.
Sunleaf trekked over to Swiftstar and touched her head to his shoulder. Swiftstar licked Sunleaf's head and turned back to Russetkit, deep in thought for a few moments. "Fine. You can keep an eye on the entrance of camp and let us know if backup is coming, or if there are any other warriors slinking around that maybe are part of Reedstar's strategy."
Yes! Finally! She would be able to help her Clan! Russetkit flicked her tail across her head in acknowledgement of her father's orders. The misery and loneliness she had feeling earlier in the day had evaporated, replaced with a strong sense of duty, and the need to do her Clan – and her father – proud. She would stop any RiverClan cat from getting into the camp. She would not allow any cat to be harmed.
Swiftstar swung his head to address his warriors. "Hawkfeather, Grayflight, Oakcloud. Organize a perimeter around the front of camp. RiverClan will come, and I need you to bear the brunt of their charge." The ginger-and-white tabby tom turned around. "Heathercloud and Aspenstep, protect the elders' den. New apprentices, stay close with your mentors. Hollypaw, Lilypaw, Wasppaw, Songpaw, Bramblepaw, and Adderpaw, stay on the outskirts of the battle circle. Sunleaf and Petalspring, stay in the back. Driftberry, Dovewillow, defend Violetheart. Thrushwing and Deerheart, don't let them escape!"
The named cats nodded and split up into their formation. Heathercloud and Aspenstep exchanged determined glances as they bounded over to the elders' den, forming a wall in front of the entrance. Russetkit caught a glimpse of Tinybird and Smokebelly's faces, peering behind the two warriors. Adderpaw was searching the camp, his yellow eyes blazing with anger. Songpaw, Wasppaw, Lilypaw, and Hollypaw had just left the apprentices' den and were organizing themselves into a battle formation.
Hawkfeather, Grayflight, and Oakcloud formed a line in front of the entrance to WindClan's camp, their tails lashing, their muscles tense. Driftberry and Dovewillow raced over to the rock that harbored Violetheart and her herbs and stood in front of the crevice, their eyes hard with determination. Scorchpaw stayed close to Berrysplash, and although there was a trace of fear in his eyes, the light of battle never left his gaze. Gorsepaw crouched down next to Heathercloud, joining her in front of the elders' den, who immediately altered her apprentice's battle posture and whispered some things into his ear.
Wildpaw stuck to Spottedwing's side, and the dappled she-cat seemed to be offering her some encouragement. Blackpaw broke away from where she was standing next to her mother, Patchshine, and over to Russetkit. Her green eyes were round with worry.
"Russetkit, are you all right?" the black she-cat demanded.
"Yes!" Russetkit exclaimed. "RiverClan is coming!"
"But how did you…" Blackpaw's voice trailed off. She tilted her head, a small sigh escaping her as she gazed down at Russetkit. "Did you leave camp again?"
"There's no time for this, Blackpaw," Russetkit snapped at her friend, not wanting to be chastised by yet another cat. "We've got to fight!"
"Yes, we've got to." Blackpaw's green eyes bore into Russetkit. "But what would we have done if RiverClan found you – and StarClan forbid – kill you or kidnap you for getting in their way? Russetkit, you can't leave like that again!"
"But I found out about RiverClan!" Russetkit exclaimed. "And I've got to do what Swiftstar said! I'm sorry, Blackpaw!" Shooting out that apology to her friend, Russetkit raced over to the edge of camp, keeping her green eyes pierced and focused on the top of the hollow where the RiverClan patrol was seconds away from flooding down. The fishy scent was becoming stronger by the second. They're coming! She gasped as a fearsome howl echoed through the night.
"RiverClan, attack!"