Prophecies of Two and Four }{ UF, Adventure/Ro...

[chellurton]

This one's kinda short but oh well.

Chapter 8

Mothface had been in the nursery for almost a moon when her denmate, Tanwhisker, had her kits. There were three of them. The first was tan, like her mother, but she had dark gray spots. Her eyes were bright green. She was named Frogkit. Her sister was a solid black and had dark blue eyes. She was called Beetlekit. There was only one tom in the litter. He was black and white like his father, Blacknose, and his eyes were a bold yellow. He was named Skunkkit.

Mothface’s favorite was Beetlekit. She had so much personality. It was very often that Mothface would wake up to find Beetlekit tumbling over her. Tanwhisker apologized ruthlessly, but Mothface assured her she didn’t mind. She actually quite enjoyed the little kits running around. It was easy not to think of Birchfoot when she was imagining her own kits. Surprisingly easy.

She thought of herself, Amberwind, Birchfoot, and his sisters, using them as reference. In her mind she played around with their pelts and eyes, trying to fit them onto tiny bodies. It would still be another moon before her own kits arrived and she could barely stand it. She loved them so much already, and they’d never even met. She imagined her kits playing with Beetlekit and the others. She wondered if any of her kits would enjoy life quite so much as the black kit.

Mothface knew something was wrong the instant she woke up and head wasn’t filled with tiny squeaks. She looked around in alarm. Tanwhisker wasn’t in the nursery. That was odd. Skunkkit and Frogkit were standing around a black heap on the ground. “What’s wrong,” Mothface asked cautiously.

“Mama said we have to watch Beetle kit ‘till she comes back,” Skunkkit informed her.

“And make sure she’s alright,” Frogkit added.

It was then that Tanwhisker returned, Dustpaw following. “Skygaze is at the Gathering tonight,” he explained to her. He gently nudged the two kits away to get a closer look at Beetlekit.

“Tanwhisker,” Mothface started.

“I don’t know, Mothface,” the queen wailed, “I woke up and she was wheezing so heavily. I tried nudging her and she just wouldn’t wake up. Now look at her, she’s barely breathing!”

“I’m sorry” Dustpaw meowed, “I don’t know what’s wrong with her. I can give her something to help with her breathing, but I can’t guarantee it will work.” He left the den and returned a moment later with some herbs. He gently pried open Beetlekit’s jaws and pushed the herbs into her mouth. However, he scooped them back out again. “Foxdung,” he muttered, “Her throat is very swollen, I can’t get her to swallow it.”

Beetlekit stirred a bit then. She opened her eyes first and looked around slowly. Carefully, she rolled onto her paws. Her jaws opened in an attempt to speak, but no sound escaped from her mouth. Frustrated, she tried again, with great effort. But to no effect. She merely collapsed again, exhausted, and drifted off once more, her face troubled.

“I’m sorry,” Dustpaw apologized again, “All I can do is wait here with you until Skygaze returns. Hopefully he’ll know what’s wrong.”

Skunkkit and Frogkit soon fell asleep. But the three cats stayed anxiously awake, desperately hoping for some sign of improvement. Eventually Scaledazzle would lead Skygaze to the nursery. However, by then young Beetlekit had left them, to join StarClan. When Skunkkit and Frogkit woke up, they were confused.

“Where’s Beetlekit,” Frogkit demanded.

Explaining to the young kits what had happened was difficult. However, Mothface knew that in a few moons, they wouldn’t even remember that Beetlekit had existed. They wouldn’t have any memories from that early on.

Mothface couldn’t imagine how Tanwhisker must feel. Before she went to sleep again, Mothface sent a silent prayer to StarClan that her kits would not suffer the same fate.

[chellurton]

Hearing About the Gathering

(This isn’t an actual chapter, just something extra I decided to throw in. Birchfoot and Mothface both missed the most recent Gathering and they hear about it from their sisters)

*Mothface and Amberwind*

Mothface woke at sunhigh the day after Beetlekit’s death. She made her way over to the fresh kill pile and grabbed only a small fish. She didn’t particularly feel like eating, but she knew she had to. As she was finishing up, Amberwind approached her.

“Hey,” she meowed cautiously, “I heard about Beetlekit. I’m sorry, I know you were attached to her.”

Mothface groaned inwardly. StarClan knew that was the last thing she wanted to talk about. She turned to her sister and smiled weakly. “How was the Gathering,” she asked, desprate to change the subject.

“ShadowClan has three new warriors,” she replied dutifully, “Weedclaw, Blackshadow, and Sootnose.”

Weedclaw. She knew it must be her old friend. “Weedclaw was Birchfoot’s apprentice,” she mewed.

Amberwind caught on to the hidden meaning. “Birchfoot wasn’t there,” she informed Mothface, “But I talked to Patchleaf. She said he’s been kind of mopey, particularly since Weedclaw’s ceremony. Poor she-cat’s worried sick. She can’t figure out what’s wrong.” Amberwind chuckled.

Mothface sighed.

Amberwind immediately rethought her tactic. “He’s fine though,” she insisted, “No illnesses or injuries. And he isn’t slacking off. Patchleaf says he’s taking every opportunity to keep busy.” She looked at Mothface hopefully, but noticed she had turned back to her lunch.

“I know,” she whispered, “I already knew that, Amberwind.”

Amberwind smiled weakly. “Of course you did,” she replied. She stalked away, her tail dragging in the dust. Brilliant, Amberwind, she thought, You kicked her when she was down.

****************************************

*Birchfoot and Patchleaf*

Birchfoot woke early the morning after the Gathering. Ever since Weedpaw had become Weedclaw, he had been finding it harder to keep busy. He hadn’t gone to the Gathering, which was alright. He figured Mothface wouldn’t be at this one anyway. It bettered his chances to see her at the next one.

Webstream had taken him out on the dawn patrol, which was good. But now he was heading back into camp, and he could feel the depression sinking back in. It always did that when he couldn’t distract himself. Life without Mothface was hardly a life at all. And every day, no matter how he tried, he couldn’t help thinking of the kits that would never truly be his.

“Hey there,” Patchleaf purred as he entered the camp once more. “I’ve been looking for you.” She smiled brightly at him.

“Hi,” he replied, trying to look cheery. It didn’t work. He saw the recognition in his sister’s face. He knew it hurt her to see him so sad, and he tried to put on a brave front. Unfortunately acting wasn’t his strong side.

“You missed the Gathering last night,” she continued, a bit flatly. She was trying to pretend nothing was wrong. “Three new kits in RiverClan,” she meowed.

Kits? Birchfoot perked up. “Wh-who was the queen,” he demanded far too eagerly.

“Tanwhisker, I think…” Patchleaf replied, confused.

“Oh,” was all he could manage in response. His heart sank, he had hoped to hear his kit‘s names. He padded back to the warriors den, hoping to catch a nap.

“Frogkit, Skunkkit, and Beetlekit,” Patchleaf called in an attempt to catch his attention. But she was too late. She had lost him to the darkness once again. She stared after her brother, praying that this strange dark cloud would soon lift from him

[chellurton]

Please comment on this, I'd really like to know how Hearing About the Gathering turned out.

[chellurton]

A Meeting With Amberwind

(Sorry about the lack of real chapters. These little pieces keep coming to me and I feel that they can‘t be ignored.. They’re both just little events that occur between the important stuff. Just think of Hearinf about the gathering as 9a, and this as 9b.)

It wasn’t until the scent hit him that Birchfoot realized his little hunt had carried him to the RiverClan border. It was a place he tried to avoid at all costs. He tried to stay focused on the hunt, but it was difficult. Even more so when he caught a familiar scent on the breeze. I little like Mothface but…

“Oh, Birchfoot,” came a high-pitched meow, “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Birchfoot nearly jumped out of his fur. He wheeled to face whoever had startled him. “Amberwind,” he hissed, “What are you doing?” She looked at him innocently but he had heard the mischievous tone that she couldn’t keep from her voice.

“Just taking an afternoon stroll,” she insisted. But now that Birchfoot was thinking clearly, he caught the staler traces of her scent. Amberwind had been coming here regularly for StarClan knew how long.

“What do you want,” He growled again.

“Nothing,” she insisted once more, “Nothing at all.”

Birchfoot sighed. “How’s Mothface,” he relented. This couldn’t end without him playing into whatever Amberwind was getting at. There was real curiosity about that of course, but he didn’t really feel like talking about it.

“Fine. She hasn’t had the kits yet,” she meowed too quickly.

So that’s what she’s getting at, Birchfoot realized. He waited patiently for her to continue.

“While we’re on the subject of kits,” she meowed, trying to sound non-chalant, “Any suggestions?” Birchfoot didn’t reply. “For names, mouse brain,” she hissed, slightly annoyed.

“Oh,” understanding and shock shot through him. This was absolutely perfect. Even though he would never be there foe his kits, naming a few of them would make them his in some, solid way. Of course, only he, Mothface, and Amberwind would know the names were his, but that was enough.

“Robinkit,” he meowed, after thinking for a while, “That would be nice.”

“Ah,” Amberwind meowed. “After Robinwing, perhaps? I didn’t know she was your mother. Any other suggestions?”

“Cricketkit,” he blurted out without thinking. He was glad he did. That name would always remind him of the beautiful night he first met Mothface. When she had told him about the night, its sights, its sounds…

“Cute,” Amberwind meowed, obviously thinking it was a name chosen at random. “well, see you Birchfoot,” she chirped, before darting off. She had gotten what she wanted, so she had no reason to stay.

This meeting with Mothface’s sister had been just what Birchfoot had needed. The face that he would be naming some of their kits was enough to bring a big ray of sunlight back into his world. The separation would still hurt, but he knew he would be able to handle it a lot more tactfully now. He padded back to camp smiling, something he hadn’t done in over a moon. Patchleaf would be pleased.

[chellurton]

This is a very important event in this story. Kitten time!

Chapter 10

Dustpaw returned to the medicine cat den carrying a stick with a wad of moss at the end. He moved carefully, making sure none of its content dripped into his mouth. He gently shook the wad of moss off of the stick into a shallow did in the rock at the back of the den.

As he turned to leave the den and dispose of the stick he saw Skygaze enter behind him. The medicine cat set down the pile of leaves he had been carrying. “Did you collect enough juniper already,” his mentor asked in disbelief. Dustpaw shook his head. “Why are you carrying a stick around when you haven’t done your job yet? What have you been doing anyway?

Dustpaw set the stick down carefully, it was still a little wet from the moss. “I was heading toward that big juniper bush by the horseplace,” he began explaining, “but when I was halfway there I found a recently dead mouse. It was old, but quite large and I’d noticed we were out of mouse bile before I left.”

Skygaze smiled. “Good thinking Dustpaw,” he purred, “I was right to choose you as my apprentice. You’ll be a fine medicine cat one day.” Dustpaw looked down at his paws in embarrassment. Skygaze continued, “ It’s a good thing too. Bogtail was giving me an earful about her ticks this morning!”

Dustpaw chuckled. “Do you think I should go get rid of those for her,” he offered, “My paws are already covered in the foul stuff.”

Skygaze nodded “Yes perhaps you should,” he meowed “Get ash paw to help you. You may as well get rid of all of their ticks while you’re at it.”

“That will take a while,” Dustpaw protested, “And I still need to go collect the juniper.”

“Don’t you worry about the juniper. I’ll take care of it.” Skygaze turned around and made his way to the camp entrance once more.

Dustpaw picked up the stick’s dry end in his teeth and scooped the moss up once more. Moving carefully again, he led his den and moved toward the elders. Out of the corner of his eye he saw his brother, Ashpaw, approaching him. That’s good, I won’t have to fetch him now, he thought.

“Hey Dustpaw,” Ashpaw purred, “On tick duty?”

“Yes,” he replied smoothly, after setting the stick down away from the elder’s nest. “And so are you.” He saw Ashpaw’s mouth open in protest. “Skygaze said you’re to help me,” he meowed smugly. Ashpaw shut his mouth in frustration. “Go get the elder’s out of their nests would you? We wouldn’t want the bile getting in there. His brother padded away nervously. Dustpaw chuckled silently. And divided the soaking moss in two with his paw.

By the time Ashpaw had coaxed the elders away from their nests though, he had gotten over his momentary frustration. They each took their share of the moss to an elder and began pressing the bile into the elders’ pelts where the ticks were. They chatted about training and recent events within the camp. Ashpaw complained about how lonely the apprentice den was and Dustpaw assured him that he’d be with the warriors before he knew it. They listened to some of the elders’ old tales with interest. They both liked hearing about the Clan’s history.

“Can you tell us again what you’ve heard about the great journey,” Dustpaw asked casually. That was always a subject of interest for him since his first night at the moonpool. He longed to know about the lives of Stormfur and Feathertail. However, he found there was little information about the two.

They were just beginning to talk about the Tribe when it happened. Tanwhisker bounded out of the nursery. “Skygaze,” she called as she ran for the medicine den. Dustpaw signaled to his brother that he would be back as soon as he could, then ran off to intercept Tanwhisker. “Skygaze isn’t here right now,” he told the queen, “Can I help you?”

Tanwhisker looked at him a little doubtfully. However, she must have realized he was her best option. “It’s Mothface,” she meowed, a bit of panic at sky gaze’s absence apparent in her voice, “Her kits are coming.”

Dustpaw couldn’t keep the shock from his eyes. Of course he had known that Mothface was having her kits soon, but he hadn’t thought it would happen when Skygaze was on the other side of the territory! He took a deep breath to calm himself. And nodded at Tanwhisker before striding toward the nursery. He could sense that she was relaxing a bit.

Dustpaw tried to look confident, but he was panicking inside. He tried to recall in his head the night that Tanwhisker’s kits had been born last moon. He took another deep breath and glanced behind his shoulder, hoping Skygaze had magically appeared. He hadn’t. With no other options, Dustpaw went nervously to work.

However, as he began he found himself more confident. The first kit came healthy as far as he could tell. He handed it off to Tanwhisker, who was being very helpful. The second kit came the same way. The third was a bit of a scare, because it was breathing irregularly. However, Dustpaw instructed Tanwhisker on what to do, and soon it was normal. Finally the last kit came, as healthy as the first two.

“I’ll be right back,” he told Tanwhisker. He darted out of the nursery for a moment and returned shortly with a mouthful of borage. “Eat this,” he instructed Mothface. He then turned to inspect the kits more closely. All seemed completely healthy, though he made a not to keep an eye on the third in case it started breathing irregularly again.

He brought the kits in front of their mother. There was so much love in her gaze as she looked at them. He recalled two sets of eyes looking that way when Tanwhisker had her kits. Dustpaw realized that he hadn’t heard anyone say who the father was. A queen had the right not to tell, but they usually wanted too. He heard approaching paw steps and stepped to the side to make room for Amberwind.

“They’re beautiful,” The ginger she-cat gasped, “and they look just like their… mother.” Dustpaw noticed some hesitation before the word mother, but ignored it. “Any names,” Amberwind asked, the almost constant hint of mischief in her voice.

Mothwing gave her a look that might have been a warning, but that didn’t make sense. “Why yes, I do,” she replied.

She turned her gaze to the first kit. It was a she-kit. She was nearly identical to her mother. The only difference was that her tabby fur was much darker. The second was a she-kit as well. She was black, but with the barest hint of white fur on her chest. The third sister of the bunch was black, all the way through. She was definitely the smallest. The fourth was the only tom of the litter. He was a tabby, lighter than the first kit, but darker than Mothface. However, the fur on his chest and stomach was pale ginger rather than brown.

Mothface thought hard for only a moment before her first decisions had been made. “The tabby she-kit is Cricketkit,” she meowed, her voice thick with meaning, “And the tom is Robinkit.” She paused for a moment, glancing at Tanwhisker, before adding, “The small black one, that’s Beetlekit.” The two queens exchanged a heartfelt glance. She then fixed her gaze on the remaining kit. “What do you think Amberwind?”

“She looks like a Crowkit to me,” her sister replied without hesitation.

Mothwing nodded. “Crowkit it is,” she meowed.

Tanwhisker stood up, guiding her kits toward the nursery entrance. “Why don’t we play outside,” she suggested.

“Okay,” Skunkkit agreed eagerly.

“But I want to stay and see the other kits,” Frogkit protested. However she followed her mom and brother away from the nursery.

With one last glance at the kits, Dustpaw followed, leaving the little family alone. Ashpaw had returned to the apprentice den by now, so Dustpaw padded toward his own den. He was very tired. But as he was walking he could help overhearing what tan whisker was now telling Grayfoot, his own mother.

“I just don’t know Grayfoot,” she whispered, “I can’t think of a single tom here who looks like those kits.”

[chellurton]

(This chapter takes place five moons after the kits are born. A lot has happened since then, so I’ll have to fix up the allegiances again.)

Chapter 11

“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here for a Clan meeting,” Darkstar’s yowl could be heard throughout the camp.

Cricketkit’s eyes widened in excitement. She looked at Mothface. “Can we go mom,” she begged, “Please!” Beetlekit lashed her tail in agreement.

Mothface laughed. “Of course you can,” she purred, “It’ll be good foe you to watch. After all, that will be you in another moon.” Her eyes sparkled with pride as she spoke.

“Yes,” Cricketkit squealed. Beetlekit barely restrained herself from leaping up in excitement. Crowkit smiled, pleased to be going to the Clan meeting too. “Robinkit, you lazy furball,” Cricketkit hissed, “Wake up!”

“Huh, What,” Robinkit mumbled, jostled out of his sleep.

“We’re going to the Clan meeting,” she squeaked, “You don’t want to miss it!” She bounded out of the nursery, ignoring her mother’s call to wait. She found a good spot at the edge of the gathered group of RiverClan cats and sat down, waiting for her family to catch up.

“Look,” meowed Crowkit, sitting down beside Cricketkit as the others caught up, “Skunkkit and Frogkit are over there.” The two kits waved back at Cricketkit and her siblings in excitement. I wish that was me, Cricketkit thought. She could barely stand to wait one more moon to become an apprentice.

“I call on StarClan to look down on these two kits,” Darkstar began, “They wish to become warriors of RiverClan, but first they must train as apprentices! Frogkit,” he turned his gaze to the spotted she-kit, “From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Frogpaw. Amberwind, you had a fine mentor in Boldclaw. I expect you will pass all you have learned onto Frogpaw as her mentor.”

Cricketkit watched Amberwind step forward to touch noses with her new apprentice. So that’s why she was particularly excited this morning, she realized. Mothface was beaming as proudly as if she herself was getting her first apprentice.

Darkstar now turned his gaze to Frogkit’s brother. “Skunkkit, from this day until you receive your warrior name you shall be known as Skunkpaw. Twistedfang is honored in the clan as a respected deputy and a great mentor. May he pass all of his great knowledge and skill on to you, his new apprentice.” Skunkpaw didn’t try to hide his pride as he touched noses with his new mentor, the deputy.

“Skunkpaw,” Cricketkit called out with enthusiasm. The cheer was quickly taken up. “Frogpaw! Skunkpaw! Frogpaw! Skunkpaw!”

And then the meeting had ended. As the crowd dispersed, Cricketkit pushed forward to talk to Skunkpaw. “Congratulations,” she mewed, “Deputy’s apprentice. That’s really something. You know, Twistedfang mentored my mom too.”

“That’s great,” Skunkpaw purred, “I’d love to be a great warrior like Mothface!

Cricketkit beamed. She knew he was only saying that because he felt a certain amount of affection toward the queen he had known almost as long as his on mother, but it still made her proud to hear her mother called a great warrior.

“I’m going to go check out my new den,” Skunkpaw mewed, he eyes sparkling, “Then I get to go train! Bye!” He turned away and took off before Cricketkit could protest. His sparkling yellow eyes were all she could see now. Her own eyes matched them for color, apart from the green ring she had around the center.

“Oof,” she gasped as a weight crashed down on top of her. She quickly rolled on to her back and her a sharp exhale of whoever she had just crushed. She rolled to her paws and wheeled around to find Beetlekit lying there, glaring back playfully. “so mighty Beetlestar,” she growled, “You think ShadowClan can just walk in here and attack me whenever you want? Cricketstar, leader of RiverClan, will not stand for that. The moment Beetlekit got to her feet, Cricketkit charged her knowing her down. By the look on Beetlekit’s face she imagined a surprised squeal was the appropriate sound.

But Beetlekit smiled mischievously. She leapt to her paws and dove straight for cricket kit, who’s surprised squeal was audible clear across camp. “Frontal attack,” Cricketkit assessed, “ A risky move.” Cricketkit’s tail was lashing playfully. She shifted her weight onto her haunches and cleared a surprised Beetlekit with one leap. When she hit the ground she wheeled quickly, faced by a confused Beetlekit. She hopped to the side the batted at Beetlekit with a sheathed paw.

Beetlekit tried to counter but despite her efforts, Cricketkit pinned her down. “a victory for RiverClan,” she crowed proudly. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Beetlekit’s tail make an odd movement, almost like she was signaling…

A moment later cricket kit had been knocked to the ground, his by two speeding bundles of fur. Beetlekit, Robinkit, and Crowkit all stood over her now, pretending to claw at her. “Ack, reinforcements,” she squeaked as paws batted at her. Then she tried to lie perfectly still, barely managing to make her tail cooperate. “You killed me,” she informed her siblings.

“I though leaders like you, Cricketstar, were supposed to have nine lives,’ Crowkit taunted.

“Of course I do,” Cricketkit purred, her eyes still shut, “Well, I did. But you killed all of them.”

Crowkit giggled and she and Robinkit yowled a victory for “ShadowClan”. Beetlekit stood triumphantly over her victim.

Cricketkit rolled back onto her paws. When she opened her eyes she was facing the camp entrance. She caught a glimpse of Skunkpaw’s tail as he left camp to go training. She looked ahead until the sound of his paw steps disappeared. She was suddenly aware of her brother and sisters staring at her. She turned to face them. “Well Beetlestar,” she meowed, “Maybe you can’t talk, but you’re still an excellent leader!”

[chellurton]

D ; Nobody's commented this in a while... Please do, I'd really appreciate it.

Chapter 12

“Ow,” Crowkit mumbled as she woke up to a sharp pain in her side. “What is it,” she groaned, her eyes still closed. Her only reply was a lashing tail. Must be Beetlekit, she thought. Reluctantly she rolled over and opened her eyes, revealing their bright amber hue. She gazed up, her eyes meeting Beetlekit’s deep pools of blue. “What is it,” she sighed again.

Beetlekit crouched in response, she wanted to play. Crowkit was hardly in the mood. She stood up, shaking some scraps of moss off her fur, then shook her head. “Not right now,” she mewed, “I’m going to go and see what Dustfoot is doing.” Beetlekit looked disappointed, but Crowkit didn’t pay much attention. She was sure beetle kit could find Robinkit or Cricketkit to play with. Cricketkit always wanted to play.

As she left the nursery Crowkit squinted in the light. She closed her eyes and sighed as she realized how warm it was. Newleaf was coming in nicely. She took a moment to savor the warmth against her black fur. The she opened her eyes again and continued on to the medicine cat den.

“I don’t want to cause you any trouble,” she heard Skygaze rasping as she drew closer, “But this tick in my side id really bothering me.”

Dustfoot chuckled in response. “It’s no trouble Skygaze,” he meowed, “For an elder, you sure are good-tempered.”

“I just don’t want to be a nuisance,” he replied, “I was once a medicine cat too, you know.”

“Yes Skygaze, I know,” he sighed, rolling his eyes, “You’d think I was a horrible apprentice, the way you seem to keep reminding me that you were my mentor. You were the medicine cat once, and I’m the medicine cat now. You’re an elder now Skygaze. You don’t need to worry about these things anymore.” He detected Crowkit’s presence then. “Oh, hi Crowkit,” he purred, “You have great timing. Could you go and fetch Frogpaw or Skunkpaw? Skygaze has a tick he needs removed.”

Crowkit nodded and mrowed with amusement. Somebody was going to get mouse bile on their paws today. She turned and headed off to the apprentice den.

Crowkit poked her head into the den. She had been here a few times on similar tasks. She glanced around the room, almost missing Frogpaw who was sitting in the shadows. “Frogpaw,” she called, “Get up you lazy furball!”

Frogpaw’s head shot up in alarm. “Wh-what,” she mumbled groggily. “Oh, hi Crowkit,” she mewed, still half asleep. Then her face fell. “I guess I’m removing ticks, then” she grumbled.

Crowkit purred. “How did you know?”

“Why else would you be here,” she mumbled, grumpy now that she was faced with the disgusting task. “Don’t laugh,” she wailed, “I’m sure you think it’s funny now, but just wait another moon! I doubt you’ll find it so funny when you have mouse bile on your paws!” She stormed out of the apprentice den and off to see Dustfoot.

Now she didn’t know what to do. She had been hoping Dustfoot may have had a less trivial task for her. She was bored now. Backing out of the apprentice den, she glanced around camp, hoping to find something interesting. She managed to spot Robinkit barreling at her, his pale green eyes sparkling, just in time to dodge him. He crashed into the ground, graceful as a badger.

“Foxdung,” her brother mewed, “I was hoping to catch you off guard.” He spat out a mouthful of dirt and shook the dust off of his pelt. “Sparrowsong’s kits said they can toss a ball of moss better than us. I told them that two of us against all three of them would be an even match. Do you want to join me? I can’t find Cricketkit.”

Crowkit sighed. “Maybe,” she mewed, “I don’t have anything better to do.” She followed Robinkit over to where the younger kits were waiting.

They’re so little, Crowkit couldn’t help but think. She knew she wasn’t that big, compared to the warriors. But she felt huge standing next to these kits, who were only two moons old.

The first, Leafkit, was the spitting image of his father Barkfur. He was a tortoiseshell with dull amber eyes. He was also muscular, and the largest of his litter by far.

Graykit was his brother. His dusty gray fur was a little bit long. His eyes were a pale blue. He was the smallest kit in the litter. He also had a sour attitude to match.

Goldenkit was the only she-kit of the litter. She had her mother’s fur, only brighter. It was a gold hue to match her name. Her bright blue eyes sparkled like the lake on a sunny day. She was tough, but sweet. Perfect some toms might say.

And of course, Robinkit was some time. She could just imagine the drool coming out of his slightly parted mouth. It was absolutely disgusting. And, like the “some tom” he was, he was completely oblivious to his own affection. She figured it would be many moons before he figured it out. When he was a warrior, and she was the Clan’s top apprentice. It was all Crowkit could do to stop from hacking up a hairball.

“Are you two just going to stand there all day,” Leafkit challenged.

“No,” Crowkit mumbled, “I’m gone.” She turned around and stalked back to the nursery, leaving her brother too confused to protest. I just need some more sleep, she thought, unable to keep the bitterness out of her mind.

[chellurton]

Current Allegiances

(T)=tom
(S)=she-cat

RiverClan
Leader: Darkstar(T)
Deputy: Twistedfang(T)- Skunkpaw
Medicine Cat: Dustfoot
Medicine cat apprentice: none
Warriors:
-Amberwind(S)- Frogpaw
-Blacknose(T)
-Bigear(T)
-Oakpelt(S)
-Torntail(S)
-Scaledazzle(T)
-Grayfoot(S)
-Boldclaw(T)
-Barkfur(T)
-Ashstorm(T)
Apprentices:
-Frogpaw(S)
-Skunkpaw(T)
Queens:
-Mothface(S)
-Sparrowsong(S)
Kits:
-Beetlekit(S)
-Robinkit(T)
-Cricketkit(S)
-Crowkit(S)
-Leafkit(T)
-Graykit(T)
-Goldenkit(S)
Elders
-Bogtail (S)
-Skygaze(T)
-Raggedfur(T)

ShadowClan
Leader: Marshstar(S)- Shrewpaw
Deputy: Webstream(T)
Medicine cat: Cherviltail(S)
Medicine cat apprentice: none
Warriors:
-Birchfoot(T)- Branchpaw
-Darkwing(S)-Tinypaw
-Finchheart(S)
-Mosstail(S)
-Pinethroat(T)- Thunderpaw
-Aspenface(T)
-Weedclaw(S)
-Blackshadow(T)
-Sootnose(T)- Duskpaw
-Brackenpelt(S)
-Fernfoot(S)
Apprentices:
-Shrewpaw(S)
-Thunderpaw(T)
-Tinypaw
-Branchpaw
-Duskpaw
Queens
-Tawnyhawk(S)
-Patchleaf
Kits
-Sunkit(S)
-Flowerkit(S)
-Smokekit(T)
Elders
-Flatface(T)
-Rosefoot(S)

ThunderClan
Leader: Lionstar(T)
Deputy: Palefoot(T)- Floodpaw(T)
Medicine cat: Duskwhisker(T)
Medicine cat apprentice: Grassbreeze(S)
Warriors:
-Deerheart(T)
-Rainstorm(S)
-Stonegaze(T) -Fawnpaw(S)
-Featherspot(S)- Lichenpaw(T)


WindClan
Leader: Treestar(T)
Deputy: Rabbitdash(S)
Medicine cat: Twosight(S)
Warriors:
-Breezefur(S)
-Stoneface(T)
-Coldshiver(S)

[chellurton]

Another short one. Oh well.

Chapter 13

“Harsh,” Crowkit heard a familiar voice whisper as she strode into the nursery, “Are you still mad at Robinkit for clawing your tail?”

Crowkit sighed. “No, Cricketkit, that’s not it,” she mewed tiredly. Did she really have to explain herself? The confused look on her sister’s face told her she did. “It’s just all so sickeningly predictable, you know?” She searched Cricketkit’s face for some trace of understanding.

None. “No,” she replied, “I can’t say that I do. What are you talking about?”

“Goldenkit,” Crowkit insisted. Was her sister really so thick. Could she not see it?

“I thought we were talking about Robinkit,” she complained, “You’re confusing me, can you please get to the point?’

Crowkit sighed again. Apparently her sister was so thick. “I can see it all playing out,” she began, “The brave strong warrior, Riverclan’s hero. The golden-furred, blue-eyed, she cat, the beauty of the Clan.” She paused. “It always happens that way. It’ll start out when Goldenkit becomes Goldenpaw. Robinkit, of course, will have been apprenticed long ago with the rest of us. He’ll see her in a new light, and she’ll be drawn by the dull, ordinary, personality characteristic to them both. They become warriors, have kits. And RiverClan’s two most beloved live happily ever after.” She almost spat at the last part.

She noticed that Cricketkit was staring at her, eyes wide. She instantly felt ashamed for speaking about her brother so spitefully. She cared deeply for him, of course. She cared deeply for her whole family. But he was so pitifully shallow that she could hardly stand it. He was still her brother though. Cricketkit had a right to be appalled.

“That’s amazing,” Cricketkit finally gasped. Crowkit looked up, stunned. Had she misinterpreted Cricketkit’s shocked gaze? “You can see all of that,” she continued in awe, “How’d you do that?”

“I thought the whole scene was so obvious,” she admitted, not entirely enjoying the fuss her sister was now making. “I mean, if you just look around and observe a little, there’s a lot you can predict-”

“No,” Cricketkit interrupted, “Maybe there’s a lot you can predict. Not me, I couldn’t do that. I’m watching them right now. I’m watching everything Robinkit and Goldenkit do. But I’m not even starting to see that. I can just see them now. Who they are at this very moment. Especially in little Goldenkit, I cannot see the warriors they will be.”

Crowkit took a moment to consider this. She had always assumed that everyone else could see these predictable scenes playing out into the future. She had thought these things obvious. To think she was the only one was weird, and a little frightening.

“But,” Cricketkit meowed, a new tone creeping into her voice, “There’s some I can do that you can’t.” Crowkit could only assume what was coming. She shifted back a little and Cricketkit’s jump landed squarely in front of her.

“Ouch,” Crowkit giggled, “That looked like it hurt.”

“Yeah, I bet it did look that way,” Cricketkit grumbled, pulling herself up off of the ground. “Stop laughing! It was a pretty good jump. It’s not my fault that you know all of my moves!”

“That’s because you only have one,” Crowkit teased, “It’s good they named you Cricketkit. You hop around like a little cricket! And when you meow, a lot of the time, you sound like you’re chirping.”

“Yeah,” Cricketkit growled back, “You only wish you could chirp. Chirps sound pretty. But all the little crow can ever do id caw-caw-caw!”

“Little,” Crowkit scoffed, “The last time I checked you were the small one!” She could see her sister’s tail lashing about playfully now. Then something occurred to her. “Hey Cricketkit,” she meowed, “What are you doing in here anyway. You’re never in the nursery if you can help it.”

“I’m hiding,” she wailed, “I know the second I step out there Robinkit is going to shout, ‘Hey Cricketkit, come play with Graykit and the others!’ I’d rather sit in here all day than have to put up with that grouchy, gray ball of fur. So he’s small. I’m small too, but I don’t make everyone else hear about it all the time. It’s only a problem if you make it one, which he does!”

“You live with him,” Crowkit pointed out, “Though I see your point. He can be quite irritating.” That whole bunch is irritating, she added silently to herself. But she couldn’t help but wonder if she really found them irritating, or if it was just resentment she was feeling for Goldenkit.

[chellurton]

This seems to work for other people so, no more story until I get at least two comments.

[chellurton]

Ah, nevermind. I'm writing more, I love it too much.

Chapter 14

Robinkit could do nothing but watch his sister walk away. He was left stunned. Well, not that stunned. It wasn’t the first outburst like that Crowkit had made lately. He couldn’t figure her out. What in StarClan was her problem?

“Looks like you’re left short-pawed,” Leafkit jeered.

Robinkit looked back. “Yeah,” he admitted regretfully. Where on earth was Cricketkit?

“Whatever,” Leafkit mewed, losing interest. “There are other things to do. Wanna go see if the elders have any good stories.

“Those old cranks!” Graykit complained, “I couldn’t stand another second of their blather.” He looked sourly in the direction of the elders.

Leafkit glared at him. He obviously resented his brother’s negative attitude. Maybe he thought it made him look bad. “Well,” he replied, “Since you think you know best, what do you suggest we do?”

Graykit looked surprised. He said nothing, only looked down at his paws a he absently dragged one through the dust. Leafkit threw him a look that said ‘that’s what I thought.’

“I think Frogpaw just got back from her first training session,” Goldenkit mewed shyly, “I’ve never talked to an apprentice before. It might be interesting to hear what she learned today.” She looked around hopefully.

Robinkit thought that sounded like a good idea. Since he was older than the other three, he had been able to ask Ashstorm what it was like to be an apprentice. However, Ashstorm had been very nearly a warrior at that point, so it was different. Besides, he knew Frogpaw much better, and he wanted to see her. “That sounds good,” Robinkit agreed.

Leafkit nodded his approval. Graykit merely glared around, which was his normal reaction to life. They always took that as a yes because if he really didn’t want to do something, he’d say so. “Alright,” Leafkit agreed. Robinkit began to lead the way to the apprentice den but Leafkit made his way to the front. Typical Leafkit, he always wanted to lead. Robinkit considered tackling him but decided against it. His siblings would come to his defense and the odds were against Robinkit.

“Hey Frogpaw,” robin kit called as he shoved his way past Leafkit to the den entrance.

“Hi,” she mewed sleepily, opening her jaws in a wide yawn.

“Oh, did we wake you?” Goldenkit asked timidly.

“Yes,” Frogpaw replied, “But that’s alright. I’m glad for the company.”

“How apprentice life treating you?” Robinkit ventured.

“It’s lonely,” Frogpaw wailed, “It’s just me and Skunkpaw in this den. I can hardly wait a moon for you and the others to be apprenticed. I’m used to more company.”

“What’d you learn today?” a wide-eyed Leafkit asked before Robinkit could reply.

“Not much,” Frogpaw admitted, “We just did a border patrol. I learned the scents of WindClan and ShadowClan. And I got to see the Horseplace. Oh! And we came across a ShadowClan patrol. I met Weedclaw, Darkwing, and Birchfoot.”

“Darkwing and Birchfoot,” Robinkit repeated, “They elders told me about them. They’re supposed to be feared warriors. And my mom said Birchfoot id very well respected, and that he deserves it.”

“I’ll say,” Frogpaw replied, “He was huge.”

The other kits continued to ask questions of Frogpaw, but Robinkit had drifted too far off to listen. His head was filled with images of wonder and glory. Exploring new places, meeting enemy warriors, moving out of the nursery. Robinkit wanted his apprenticeship so badly it almost hurt. He literally itched with excitement. Every second was increasingly slow as he counted down to the day he would be apprenticed. Less than a moon left, he thought, you can make it.

[Guestkit]

PLEASE CONTINUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[courageheart]

i agreeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!please continue!!!!!!!!its very good!!!!