This is the story of Jaggedpine's kits, Gempaw, Nightpaw, and Greenpaw. This is only Volume 1. It is very epic, and I love it.
Nightpaw-A black tom with a patch of yellow over his eye. He's very energetic, strong, and has loads of natural ability
Gempaw-A pure yellow she-cat. She hates small spaces, considering what she had to face as a kit, and tends to get depressed and non-interactive when in them.
Greenpaw-A yellow and white she cat. She's fearful, but very strong and smart. She hopes one day to occupy the medicine cat den.
You can catch the first part of the story in my bio, Jaggedepine's history
-- Edited by Jaggedpine on Wednesday 10th of March 2010 01:05:27 PM
-- Edited by Jaggedpine on Sunday 21st of March 2010 03:58:18 AM
-- Edited by Jaggedpine on Saturday 10th of April 2010 03:56:14 AM
-- Edited by Jaggedpine on Wednesday 7th of July 2010 03:36:34 AM
-- Edited by Jaggedpine on Thursday 8th of July 2010 05:44:01 PM
-- Edited by Jaggedpine on Wednesday 11th of August 2010 01:50:24 AM
__________________
I am Jaggedpine. Just thought I should let you know.
It started out as any other Greenleaf storm. It rained and just a little bit of thunder rolled on the distance. Jaggedpine was out on evening patrol with some others. They went on because it was only a little rain. But they noticed it began to rain harder. It kept coming, and lightning began to strike across the sky. Soon, it was pouring. Water ran down Jaggedpine's head and face and he shook his fur. "We have to get back," he remarked. They began to run toward camp, and the wind started to howl, whipping the shrubs and low branches in the cat's faces. They were still a ways from camp, so they started to run at top speed. Jaggedpine's shoulders rose and fell quickly as he strode for camp. He was in the front of the patrol, and a large branch lashed at him, as if it wanted to grab him. He dodged it just in time, and continued running. Thunder and lightning clashed together to make a loud clapping sound. The tom knew that his kits would be scared. He ran harder at that thought. He had to comfort them. Soon, he had lost the others, but he didn't care. He had to get back to camp. It was close now. He could almost see it. Yes! The tunnel! He crawled through and noticed it leaking. He burst into the camp and raged for the nursery. Rain pelted him, and it hit so hard he thought he would fall. It was as if his paws weren't even touching the ground. At last, he made it to the nursery. He slid in and saw Tesselsong, the kits crying beside her. She looked up and saw him. The tom shook his rain-soaked fur and stalked over to comfort his kits. But they didn't seem scared. They seemed like they wanted to go out and see what was happening. Nightkit broke away from Tesselsong's tail blocking the way, and soon Gemkit and Greenkit were at his tail. Jaggedpine tried to stop them, but they dashed in between his legs and bolted for the entrance. Jaggedpine lunged in front of them, but they weaved around his legs. He snapped at them, hoping to catch one. Tesselsong was up now, trying to get them to stop. They didn't listen. The storm was growing fiercer, and it would be very dangerous for kits to be out there. Jaggedpine almost caught Gemkit, but she streaked away. "No!" called Tesselsong, as the kits took their first steps outside of the nursery. Jaggedpine leaped at them, out the entrance, and immediately the wind blew him around. The rain slapped him, and he ordered Tesselsong to stay in the nursery. It was so hard to look for the kits with the wind always moving you. The rain and wind died down as if StarClan had made that way so he could look for his kits. But, they were gone...
Nightkit screamed when the wind picked him up. "Mommy! Daddy!" he cried with terror. The water smacked his pelt and he was sopping wet. "Help!" Greenkit shouted as the strong wind carried them toward the treetops. Nightkit just hoped that this would end and he could be back with his mom. He wished that he had never wondered what the loud noises were outside, and lightning struck. He screamed, but his cries were lost in the howling wind. They sailed toward the lake, rather quickly, rolling and kicking, trying to get down somehow. "Daddy!" Gemkit sobbed. The kits twirled toward the other side of the lake, kicking and screaming. The wind started to die down, and the kits were lowered toward the lake. They hadn't reached land yet when the wind really began to go down. The kits started to plummet toward the ground. Nightkit screamed at the top of his lungs, but was cut off as he hit the water, slapped it, and his side stung. Suddenly, he was engulfed in this world where there was no sound. He felt like he was cradled next to his mom again. He saw Gemkit and Greenkit hit the water too. Nightkit took in a deep breathe of relief that he was safe... Suddenly, his lungs were filled with water! Not air! He thrashed as he noticed he wasn't safe! This wasn't a miracle! He was going to die! He couldn't breathe! He clawed at the water until he could hear again and his fur plastered to his body. He gasped and gagged, but the water tugged him under again. He tried to surface, but he saw his sisters sinking toward the bottom. He couldn't let this happen! He thrashed toward them and noticed, he could move. He could move underwater. He went toward Gemkit and Greenkit, but he couldn't do it. His lungs screamed for air and he thought they would explode. He clawed toward the surface, but something was pulling him down. He tried to go up, but it was no use, He was too tired. He let the forse of the water bring him down, and he grew tired. Everything immediately went black...
Nightkit awoke and thought he would throw up. He choked up water and gaped, trying to let air in. He didn't know what had happened, but he knew that he was wet and cold, and didn't know where he was. He looked around and saw Gemkit and Greenkit. They lay still beside him. He noticed that he was in a camp. The ThunderClan camp? Was he home? He saw a black and white cat standing not far from where he lay.
"Daddy?" he asked weakly. The black and white cat laughed.
"No. My name is Chacewing," the cat replied.
"Where are we?" Nightkit breathed.
"You're in RiverClan," Chacewing explained. Nightkit couldn't believe it. Why were they in RiverClan? Then, he remembered. They were in ThunderClan, then they were swept away and landed in the water. "You nearly drowned if it weren't for Dapplepaw and Streamheart. They saw you in the storm, falling from the sky," Chacewing said.
"Why, if I didn't know better, I'd call you Stormkit. Tell me, where are you from?" a white cat asked. He was rather large, and strong-looking. Nightkit didn't know if he should tell. But maybe they would bring him home if they knew where they were from.
"I live in ThunderClan." Gasps and startled whispers came from the RiverClan cats. The white tom stared at them with rage.
"Well then," he said, then lifted his head. "Take them to the nursery. Reedfrost can take care of them." Nightkit cringed in fright when Chacewing approached him and swung a paw at him, even though the claws were sheathed. The blow hit his head and sent him unconscious.
-- Edited by Jaggedpine on Tuesday 15th of December 2009 12:40:33 AM
-- Edited by Jaggedpine on Wednesday 16th of December 2009 10:34:48 PM
__________________
I am Jaggedpine. Just thought I should let you know.
Chapter 2 Nightkit woke up in a dark place with his sisters asleep beside him. At first he didn't know where he was. He looked around and saw he was in a cave of pulled-over reeds. It was night outside and there were still traces of the storm. RiverClan was sleeping. His head hurt from Chasewing hitting him. He sighed and heard rousing behind him. Nightkit whirled around and got poised to strike if he had to fight. But it was Gemkit, moving her paws in a chase dream. Then, the cat that they had been sleeping with opened her eyes and twitched her tail. She hissed for Nightkit to come to her, and the black kit obeyed, crouching low. It was going to be a long night. But he hadn't noticed the full moon that night in the sky, and the clouds wrapping around it...
Nightkit jerked awake. It was morning. The sun batted him like a cat hunting a mouse. Greenkit was awake beside him, but afraid to move in fear of waking up Reedfrost. Nightkit stared at her and her eyes caught her brother's. They looked at each other for a while before Nightkit stood up and shook his pelt. Greenkit stared at him and cringed back in fear when the queen roused and opened her blue eyes. The tortoiseshell looked at the kits and huffed, then went back to sleep. Nightkit rolled his eyes. "Come on. We're obviously RiverClan kits now, so let's act like them," he hissed. Greenkit looked at her brother, then to Reedfrost. She didn't know what to do, but finally she thought that Nightkit was right and stood to follow him. They chased each other out of the nursery and tumbled around in front of it. The only thing that would have made it better was the comforting and caring gaze of Tesselsong, their mother, watching over them. Now there was some queen they didn't even know that was due to have her kits soon. When that happened, Nightkit and his sisters would definitely be abandoned and forgotten. It was almost certain they would die when the kits came. Nightkit sighed and decided not to think about it. He tackled Greenkit and they twisted and twirled around each other.
Suddenly, a large black she-cat with amber eyes trotted up and glared down at them. Nightkit stared back up defiantly. The she-cat hissed and drew back a paw, ready to cuff the kit. Nightkit leaped out of the way.
"Stormkits aren't allowed to play in the camp," she rasped. Nightkit didn't even know what she was talking about.
"What's a Stormkit?" he asked. The black cat laughed and swiped the black kit over the head, sending him soaring across the camp.
"You're a Stormkit! You're a filthy good-for-nothing ThunderClan kit! You were sent to us by the storm so we have to take you in, but you're here as prisoners!" she snapped. Nightkit took a step back, scared. He wasn't a prisoner! The black cat threatened to swipe again, but Nightkit darted into the nursery, Greenkit at his heels. This couldn't be happening. They curled up together with Gemkit. Nightkit lay there helpless, but he was in a spot where he must help himself, because help wasn't going to come from this queen, or any other RiverClan cat. He just wanted someone to tell him what was going on. He closed his eyes and wished he was home again, playing with his sisters outside of the nursery with apprentices giving him tips and Tesselsong keeping a close eye on them, keeping them in her warm gaze. He wished Jaggedpine was there to talk to him and tell him about amazing cats in history. He wished he could be doing this right now. He wished this queen, Reedfrost, was a bit more loving and caring. He wished everyone was. He wished they weren't keeping him prisoner, and he wished they would take him home. Wishes. They were only thoughts never to come true. He pretended that the leader, that large white tom, would come in right now with a few more warriors and they were taking them across ShadowClan territory just to take them home. Wishing and pretending. That was all...
"Wake up you stupid Stormkit!" a voice hissed into Nightkit's ear. He had fallen asleep and it was now sunhigh. He opened an eye and looked up to see the tortioseshell fur of Reedfrost. She was glaring at him. He looked around and saw Gemkit and Greenkit huddled together at the back of the nursery. "Hurry! Leafstar wants to see you now!" she ordered. Nightkit stood and shook his black fur. The yellow patch over his eye that showed his resemblance to Tesselsong gleamed in the sunlight when he stepped outside of the nursery. RiverClan was gathered for a clan meeting. Two warriors that had been waiting outside of the nursery followed at the sides, herding the kits toward a round rock that the white cat was seated on. He glared at them. Nightkit wanted to glare back, but he had learned his lesson about doing that to a RiverClan cat. His head still hurt from being beaten by the black she-cat.
They stopped in front of the rock and the kits looked up at the great cat above them. He grinned.
"Hello Stormkits," he laughed. Nightkit didn't know what a Stormkit was, and why everyone was calling him that. His name was Nightkit! "You may be wondering why I call you Stormkit. It will be the name of shame that will hang over you for the rest of your lives in Riverclan." Nightkit didn't know why they needed a name of shame. Did any other cat have a name of shame? Nightkit shook his head. They weren't going to spend the rest of their lives in RiverClan either. "You kits are not RiverClan kits, but rather ThunderClan prisoners, that we have found a very good thing to get that ThunderClan will pay for you. From now until then however, you will be the lowest cats in Riverclan, along with Flightpatch back there." The white tom pointed his nose to the back of the camp, where a dirty old gray tabby she-cat lay. Nightkit didn't know what half of this was about. Why were they prisoners? What had they done wrong? Why did ThunderClan have to pay for them?
Little did they know, the battle between ThunderClan and RiverClan still was raging on.
-- Edited by Jaggedpine on Wednesday 7th of April 2010 01:19:54 AM
__________________
I am Jaggedpine. Just thought I should let you know.
Chapter 3 Gemkit stared, unbelievingly at the white tom, RiverClam leader. She took a step back. They couldn't be prisoners! Not when just yesterday they were well-fed, loved ThunderClan kits! Gemkit looked at her brother, who seemed as shocked as she was. She also wasn't sure why their old clan had to pay for them. She shook her head. Stormkits? What did that even mean? That wasn't her name! It didn't seem so bad, considering some kits were actually named Stormkit. She shook her head again. Her green eyes shone in the sunlight. Raging whispers came from the clan, and she cringed. She had to do something to stop this. She did the first thing that came to her mind. "Why?" she asked. "Why?" The leader glared at her, then grinned. "I'm so impolite! Where are my manners? My name is Leafstar, RiverClan leader. What are your names?" he asked. Gemkit stood defiantly. "My name is Nightkit," her brother said. "I'm Greenkit," replied her sister, scared and nervous. Gemkit knew that it her turn, because eyes of all colors turned to stare at her. "My name is Gemkit." Leafstar smiled and flicked his tail dismissively. The two warriors that had been guarding them and Reedfrost stood, and she head-butted the kits to get them to stand. Gemkit walked cautiously toward the nursery where they had been before, but the guard warriors took herded them away from there, to a darker corner of the RoverClan camp. It was a hole, sort of a depression in the earth. They gray tabby, Flightpatch, was there, staring at the kits with a blank expression.
"Welcome to your new home, Stormkits," rasped Reedfrost. She shoved the kits into the hole, which was dirty and smelled of rotten fish. "Leafstar wanted to make it outside of the camp, but he didn't want to have good warriors guarding you out there," the queen explained, and angry smirk on her face. The guard warriors turned and sat where they were, ears perked.
Gemkit decided to look around this place where she was confined with her littermates and this old she-cat. She stalked toward the back of the hole and saw a rock, leaned up against a larger rock. She scented Flightpatch, so she knew they were allowed. Cautiously, she took a few steps forward, into the leaning rock, like a lean-to. She crept through it and arrived at the end, but it branched out. It was a place sort of like the nursery, with reeds bent over the top and tightly weaved together to form a roof and walls. Gemkit took a deep breath. Her sense of smell wasn't very good, but she still relied on it. The scent of Flightpatch was strong here. This must be the prisoner and low warrior's den. It made sense, because the reeds were tightly weaved and there was no hope of escape. Gemkit smiled. She had to show Nightkit and Greenkit this. It was kind of cool. The reeds let the light in so it was warm and dry. It gave off a coz affect to it's residents. She tumbled out of the cave and through the lean-to. Her brother and sister were laying together where all cats could see them. Gemkit grinned and rolled over to them.
"Hey, check this out!" she whispered. Greenkit opened her eyes and Nightkit moved his paws. "It's really cool." Nightkit's eyes opened and he stood, taking a few tired steps. Greenkit did the same.
"Well, we're apparently prisoners and whatever's cool is probably forbidden," she yawned. Gemkit shook her head.
"Come on, we're allowed," she hissed, urging her brother and sister to follow her. Nightkit looked at Greenkit and shrugged, then they trotted after their sister. Gemkit felt the blank eyes of Flightpatch boring into her back all the way to the lean-to. Nightkit and Greenkit stopped to admire the place, and Gemkit went on into the cave of reeds. Her littermates followed closely. Their expressions went blank when they reached the cave. They looked around and saw the beautiful affect the light had on the place. Usually, the sun would hit you square in the face and you wouldn't be able to see, but this cave acted as a barrier, as a guard to the kits from the sun. It spread the light out. Nightkit flopped over to sleep in the warm cave.
That was when terror took them over.
"What are you doing in my den?" spat a voice. The kits whirled to the entrance and saw Flightpatch, lightning in her eyes. She was obviously angry that the kits had found her den. Nightkit leaped up and raced at the tabby, but she slid out of the way. The black kit came back, teeth gnashing and eyes blazing. Nightkit didn't like to be judged, or being told what to do, so that was the kind of cat he was. Gemkit saw one little sliver of fun she could have. She raced after her brother in his rapid chase for Flightpatch, and they were joined by Greenkit, and the angry battle turned to a time of pure laughter and fun for the kits, tripping and tumbling over each other. It seemed to Gemkit that the older warrior was having a but of fun too.
Just when it was getting fun for all four cats, a thundering voice came from the entrance of the cave...
-- Edited by Jaggedpine on Sunday 20th of December 2009 03:32:02 AM
-- Edited by Jaggedpine on Sunday 20th of December 2009 03:48:31 AM
__________________
I am Jaggedpine. Just thought I should let you know.
Chapter 4 "What do you think you're doing?" roared an angry voice from the entrance of the cave. The cats whirled around to see a large white tom standing there. Leafstar! "Flightpatch, you know better than this!" he snarled, racing into the cave. The gray tabby stared at him as he came up to her. "I'm sorry Leafstar, I was just trying to pull my tail out of the way because that kit was charging me, but they turnedit into a game," she said scaredly. Leafstr glared at the kits, and wheeled around toward the entrance, and with one final glare, he leaped away. Gemkit heaved a sigh. The older cat swiped at Nightkit, but the black Stormkit jumped out of the way. "I never want to see you filthy ThunderClan near me again!" she growled, and shooed the three towards the entrance. Greenkit ran out right away, with Gemkit at her side, but Nightkit stayed and hissed at Flightpatch. The cat stared down at the young kit, right into his eyes, and strangely, she saw a twinge of familiarness... "You three are Jaggedpine's kits, aren't you?" she asked. Gemkit stopped to see what the cat had to say. Nightkit stood still, thinking back to their old home. What was their father's name? "Yes! That was Daddy's name!" shouted Greenkit, rolling back into the cave. Flightpatch gave her a stern look. "Shh! Be quiet!" she commanded, and the little kit sat down. The kits gathered around to hear the older cat's story about their father. Gemkit crouched close to the ground, ready for anything. Everything however, except what was to come. "No. You kits aren't old enough to hear what I have to say about him." Greenkit rolled over and cried, but Nightkit tackled her to make her be quiet. Gemkit looked at her paws in disappointment. How did this cat know their father? Suddenly, a cry came from the camp. Leafstar! The four cats leaped up and raced for the entrance of the cave, through the lean-to, and out into the depression. Gemkit looked up at the round rock and saw the large white tom. She sighed, wondering what it was this time. Flightpatch came into the depression and headed for the back of the gathering group of cats. She folllowed closely, Greenkit and Nightkit behind her. They sat down and Gemkit looked at the rock again, but she couldn't see it. She growled in frustration. The taller cats in front of her flicked their tails in her face, and she jumped back. Flightpatch crouched low and jerked her head for the kits to get onto her back. Gratefully, Gemkit climbed onto their older companion. Nightkit crawled up next to her, Greenkit at his tail. "As you all know, there are two kits who are to become apprentices," Leafstar shouted. Gemkit wondered why they ddn't know the kits when they were in te nursery. Then, she remembered their mother, Poolfur, didn't want her kits living with them. Leafstar looked toward the nursery, where the two kits sat with Poolfur. She nuzzled them and pushed them forward. The kits weren't much older than Gemkit and her littermates. There was a she-kit and a tom. Leafstar looked down at them and they stopped at the round rock.
When the ceremony was over, the three kits waited with Flightpatch while the other cats parted and went on with the day. The she-kit that had become an apprentice was a dark brown tabby, that had been named Maypaw. Her brother, a gray and black tabby, was named Finchpaw. Gemkit thought while they waited. They were to become apprentices soon, but would Leafstar have a ceremony for them? Would they receive their apprentice names and go on to learn the ways of a warrior, or would they have their kit names until they were old, or until ThunderClan came to get them? "Gemkit, come on!" hissed Nightkit, and the yellow she-kit looked up to see her littermates and Flightpatch heading for the cave, and she bouned after them, wondering still if she would ever be an apprentice, or even a warrior...
Hunger gnawed at Gemkit's stomach. It was so terrible that she couldn't sleep. She sighed. It was night, and she hadn't eaten since they arrived in RiverClan. She groaned and Flightpatch's eyes opened. "What's wrong Gemkit?" she asked groggily. Gemkit pretended like she was asleep. But it wasn't enough to convince the older warrior. "Please Gemkit. Tell me," she said. The yellow kit sighed and turned over to look into the blue eyes of the she-cat. "I'm hungry," she moaned. Flightpatch laughed quietly. "We get hungry a lot. You should get used to it. I'll see if you can eat tomorrow, which Leatstar will probably say it will be okay," she said. Feeling better, Gemkit rolled around to find a comfortable spot, and she lay still. It was pitch black in the cave, but it was warm and she felt happy, but she was still hungry. The kit tried not ot think about it. She tried to think about the apprentices again. She wondered if she would ever make any friends in RiverClan. She hoped so. Maypaw seemed like a nice cat, and Gemkit wanted to meet her. Gemkit let her thoughts ride on the wind until she fell asleep.
-- Edited by Jaggedpine on Wednesday 23rd of December 2009 06:31:51 PM
-- Edited by Jaggedpine on Wednesday 23rd of December 2009 06:49:25 PM
-- Edited by Jaggedpine on Wednesday 23rd of December 2009 06:56:08 PM
__________________
I am Jaggedpine. Just thought I should let you know.
Chapter 5 Greenkit's eyes opened and she yawned. Nightkit was still asleep, and so was Gemkit, but Flightpatch was gone. She stood and padded out of the cave cautiously. She was not the kind of cat to be striking out alone, but she knew that a friend was out there. Greenkit liked to be with others. She liked having others to protect her. She would fight, but only if there was someone to back her up. If there wasn't, she would flee. Outside of the den, in the old depression, the gray tabby sat silently. The gentle breeze ruffled her fur, and her eyes were closed. It was as if she didn't even know Greenkit was there. She was lost in her thoughts. "Flightpatch?" the yellow and white kit asked. Flightpatch's eyes opened and she turned. "Hello. Can I do something for you?" she asked. Greenkit looked up into the dark sky. The light of dawn hadn't struck yet. "No, I was just wondering, do you know if we'll ever get out of here?" Greenkit asked. The older cat's eyes glazed over and turned to ice, fixed on the kit. They seemed to burn holes through her. "Well, if your clan cares about you, they'll come and get you. But they haven't yet, so I doubt they will come at all!" she snapped. Greenkit was taken aback. She turned tail and raced into the cave, tripping over Nightkit's tail. The black tom opened his eyes and looked up. "Gee, what's up with you?" he asked. "I don't know what happened. I just asked a question, and Flightpatch got all mad at me," Greenkit panted. By now Gemkit was awake. She grunted. "I knew we shouldn't trust that old mouse-brain," she laughed, and lay back down. They were silent for a while, and Greenkit thought about what was wrong. They were in RiverClan, and everyone hated them, there wasn't a soul around that cared about them, and she was hungry. She reached her paws into the air and kicked them around. Then, it struck her. How didn't she think of it before? Flightpatch had a story, so she obviously had a connection to their father. Also, she had to have a problem with ThunderClan if she snapped at her about them. Greenkit leaped to her paws and raced back into the lean-to and silently crept the rest of the way to the older cat, who was calm and quiet. Greenkit looked at her. Was she talking to StrarClan? Suddenly, Flightpatch started to speak. "Oh Jaggedpine, where are you? I wish you could come here and save me. I wish these kits you shared with me. My love for you was too strong, and I don't even care if we are the ones who started the war. I love you, and I don't even care if you don't love me, it's too strong. I love you, and I will do everything I can to save your kits, and I'll get them out of here. I promise I'll return them. I'll take care of them as if they were my own. I love you, and I don't know if you can hear me but, but..." Flightpatch cut off and collapsed, tears in her eyes. Greenkit jumped up and ran toward her. She examined the cat. Her blue eyes bore into the kit, but they weren't filled with anger, but with love and compassion, and sorrow. "Tell me. I'm ready. How do you know my daddy? Why were you talking to the wind like that? Why were you trying to reach him?" the kit asked, her yellow and white fur shining in the first light. Her amber eyes burned with spirit. "You're just like your father, you know that?" the warrior said. Greenkit hudled in closer. Then, Strikefire, the deputy, pranced out of the warrior's den. He was about to assemble the dawn patrol. Flightpatch stiffened. "We're out too late! Run! Get in the cave!" she hissed in a whisper. Greenkit bounced into the reed cave, the gray tabby warrior at her heels.
Greenkit stretched and yawned. She was still hungry, and it was sunhigh. Flightpatch had gone to talk to Whitestar about food, and the kits were bored. Gemkit slept and Nightkit chased his own tail, but found no fun. "I'm so bored!" he cried, and fell where he was. Greenkit raced over to him and tackled her brother. He screamed and slid out from under her. Greenkit wasn't a very good fighter, but she loved the scent of herbs. She wanted to be a medicine cat. Nightkit raced back at her, and she squealed when he shoved her over. Her brother was a great hunter. The yellow patch over his eye that symbolized his relation to his mother made him intimidating in battle. He would make a great warrior. Suddenly, Flightpatch darted into the den and stopped just before stepping on the playing kits. "Come on! We don't have much time to eat!" she hissed, and the kits bounded up. Nightkit woke Gemkit. They left the cave and passed through the lean-to into the depression. They weren't usually allowed out there during daylight. They were only able to be outside the den at night when everyone but the guards were asleep. There lay two water voles that were old and quite small, and a small bird. Flightpatch jumped on the bird and the kits threw themselves at the voles. They pretended they were hunting and caught the creatures, laughing and playing. A warrior came up to them and swiped a paw at the kits. "Shut up!" he snarled. The kits fell silent and ate the water voles. Greenkit wasn't really full after she ate her fill, but at least it was something. She hoped ThunderClan would come for them, and they would eat all they wanted. She hated being hungry. Her father and mother loved her. Why hadn't they come yet? Did they even know where their kits were? She raced back into the cave after she finished eating. She didn't like being under the angry glares of the RiverClan cats.
Later that day, the sun burn everything in it's path. It was very hot, and Greenkit thought that she would catch on fire. She wanted to get out of the stuffy cave and run and play, but the most they could do at this point of the day was sleep. Flightpatch had found her sleep, but how did she? It was so hot that nobody could sleep. Suddenly, a growl came from the entrance. Whitestar stood there, anger shining in his amber eyes...
-- Edited by Jaggedpine on Sunday 27th of December 2009 08:36:02 PM
-- Edited by Jaggedpine on Tuesday 29th of December 2009 04:53:06 PM
-- Edited by Jaggedpine on Monday 5th of April 2010 01:38:04 AM
__________________
I am Jaggedpine. Just thought I should let you know.
Chapter 6 Nightkit sighed with annoyance. What was it with this cat? Did he just want to make their lives miserable? The black kit looked away, Greenkit raced for the back of the cave, and Gemkit lay down bordely. Leafstar apparently didn't get the message, and he stormed up to Flightpatch. "Come with me," he ordered, and the gray tabby warrior padded after him out of the cave. Nightkit smiled micheviously, and followed. Gemkit hissed at him, but he didn't agknowledge her. It was time he had his own adventures. Outside of the cave, it was bright, and he squinted against the sun. Leafstar led Flightpatch out of the camp. Nightkit raced behind the outside of the cave, and slunk throught the openings between the back of the dens and the barrier that surrounded the camp. A sly, devilish smile ran across his face. His first real adventure! Looking over his shoulder to make sure nobody was watching, he raced out of the camp antrance. He breathed in the clean air, and felt so free. He didn't know it was that easy to get out. He could take his sisters and they could sneak out and get home that night! Nightkit saw Leafstar and Flightpatch, and he bounded after them, glancing below him to make sure there were no sticks or leaves that he could rustle and give away his place. The clan leader padded to the bank of a stream, filled with these shiny little things that Nightkit had never seen before. They were so fast and graceful. He scented the air, and there was this scaly scent, that must have been the creatures. Leafstar began to speak, and the kit stopped to listen. "It's time I made you in charge of what you do," he said, an edge to his tone. "You and those stupid Stormkits eat what you can catch. When they become apprentices, you teach them how to fish and swim. I won't make my warriors suffer with having to teach them," he growled, and left, running toward the camp. Nightkit knew that it was safe with just Flightpatch here. He leaped out of hiding and ran at the warrior. She screamed with fear and slipped into the water where the little creatures lived. At first the kit thought she would drown, just like he did when they were in the storm. But, he saw her kick her legs and take deep breathes, and she didn't go under. The current carried her gently toward a rock, and she grabbed on and climbed out of the water. "You mouse-brained Stormkit!" she growled. "Why did you follow?" "I just wanted some fresh air, and to see what you were doing," Nightkit piped. Flightpatch's eyes glazed over in hatred. "You can't just leave the camp whenever you want to!" Nightkit waved his tail in frustration. His eyes narrowed. "Why am I here? I'm a ThunderClan cat, and I want to be a ThunderClan warrior!" he snapped. Flightpatch climbed out of the water and shook her pelt. "I'm supposed to teach you when you become apprentices. Don't count on it Stormkit," she growled, and clambered through to the camp. Nightkit lowered his head. He had to be trained if he was ever going to be a warrior. He ran after Flightpatch, not saying another word.
That night, Nightkit's belly rumbled. He strethed his legs and his paws tingled. Gemkit licked her paw, and Greenkit paced back and forth. Nightkit thought about ThunderClan, and his mom and dad. But they hadn't come. Not at all. Wouldn't they have come? "Will we ever become apprentices?" asked Gemkit. Nightkit knew the answer, and told his sisters about what he had done that day. "You left the camp?" Greenkit gasped, astonished. Her yellow and white fur rippled and she glared at her brother. "Now we're all gonna get in trouble!" she hissed. Gemkit smiled. "What was it like?" she asked. Greenkit gave her a warning glance, but the kit didn't pay any ttention. Nightkit thought for a moment. "It was big, and there was a stream. These little shiny things were sliding through the water, and they were really fast too." Nightkit went on to tell them about the trees and the scaly scent and everything. Suddenly, Flightpatch came into the cave and glared at the kits. "Don't you dare say another word!" she spat, slashing her claws at Nightkit. He leaped out of the way and hissed at the older cat. He ran at her, but she was too fast, and slid easily out of the way. "Never say anything about what you do outside of the camp! You weren't even supposed to be there!" The cats snarled at each other for a while more, then Flightpatch suddenly whirled and stormed out of the den. Nightkit smiled in triumph. "My first battle, and I won," he purred, before curling up and falling asleep.
-- Edited by Jaggedpine on Saturday 9th of January 2010 04:37:40 AM
__________________
I am Jaggedpine. Just thought I should let you know.
Chapter 7 A quarter moon passed until the kits fell into the lake and were brought to RiverClan. They all knew that they should soon be apprentices, and each one was excited. Nightkit saw himself looking out of the den every night at Maypaw when she was guarding. Greenkit became braver and stronger. Gemkit had become very restless, and began to suffer from depression. But, today was the day they were to be apprenticed. Gemkit woke that morning, and heaved a great sigh. Her eyes were tired, and paws were unmoving. She watched as Nightkit and Greenkit played, and Flightpatch's side rising and falling as she slept. Usually, she would have joined her littermates, but she didn't feel the urge to do anything but sleep lately. She snapped at any cat that spoke to her, and Nightkit and Greenkit had started sleeping away from her, and ignoring her. Gemkit had once been the playful, brave one that was most like her brother, but now it was Greenkit. She saw herself drifting farther and farther away from them. Suddenly, Leafstar called a clan meeting. She opened her eyes wide and groaned. Flightpatch opened her eyes too and yawned. Nightkit and Greenkit tumbled for the den entrance. But, that's when Chacewing, the black and white tom that had greeted them on their first day, walked in. "You're not wanted at this meeting," he growled, and stalked away. Gemkit bared her teeth. Anything to get out and stretch her paws. The kits huddled close together and tried to make anything out of nothing, like have some fun, but they were disturbed by the booming and roaring voice of Leafstar, his words unable to make out. Gemkit thought she would throw up, and stood. Flightpatch slept in a corner, side heaving.
Suddenly, Chasewing burst into the cave and growled. The kits leaped up, Flightpatch heaved herself to her paws, and Gemkit stared at big black and white tom.
"Come on," he ordered, and the cats followed him. Leafstar was on the round rock, and the cats sat at the back of the camp, the leader's eyes boring holes in them.
"Gemkit, Nightkit, and Greenkit, please step forward," he commanded, and the kits tumbled forward toward the front of the group. Many warriors retreated to their dens, apprentices laughed at taunted them, and elders gossiped. Gemkit felt herself tingling with excitement for the first time in a long while, and she felt powerful. "You three are ready to become apprentices. You must first complete the training necessary. We have decided that you should be trained as normal apprentices, and not as prisoners," he boomed, and Gemkit knew she would explode. "Nightkit, please step forward," he said, eyes sly.
Leafstar did the ceremonies for each kit, and they were given mentors. Nightpaw was given a dark brown tabby tom named Waterfoot, Greenpaw was given a white she-cat named Tealwhisker, and finally, Gempaw was given a gruff-looking dark gray tom named Winterfang.
Leafstar wasn't done yet. "And since Stormapprentices was too much of a mouth-full, we have decided to call you now, Stormcats." Gempaw sneered. Only this evil cat would speak to his clan about such a thing.
When the ceremony was over, Winterfang flicked his tail at Gempaw.
"Come on Stormcat. I'm going to show you the territory," he snarled. The yellow apprentice, her paws itching with excitement, raced after her mentor. He led her without words through RiverClan territory. He started talking out of random. "I don't want you to turn out like my old apprentice," he hissed.
"Who was that?" Gempaw asked.
"The cat that sleeps with you at night. Flightpatch. She was an amazing cat, with more skill than I'd ever seen or heard of. She caught on fast to fighting and hunting, and turned into a disloyal ecxcuse for a cat that started the war with ThunderClan, along with that mouse-brained idiot Jaggedpine," he snarled, licking his jaws, eyes clouded with hatred and memories. Jaggedpine? That was Gempaw's father! She couldn't believe that the best dad ever started the war!
Thoughts of disbelief in her mind, Winterfang led her to a small pool. It was deep enough for even the big gray tom to sink in. Gempaw shuddered.
"What's this?" she asked.
"It's the Sliverpool. It's where we catch most of our fish, and where apprentices learn how to fish, and swim," her mentor explained. He swished his tail. "But there's another place where advanced apprentices learn to swim," he said, a ragged grin showing on his face. "I believe that you are advanced by what I've seen of you. Come on, and I'll how you." Gempaw didn't know what her mentor was talking about, but she just followed him.
They trudged on for a while, until they came to a deep, long river. Gempaw stared into it with awe.
Suddenly, behind Gempaw's back so she couldn't see it, Winterfang unsheathed his claws and shoved the apprentice into the freezing water, and she hit it yowling with fear and pain. She plummeted into the water, and tried to claws her way to the surface but the current tugged her down. She couldn't breath. Cold horror welled in her throat and flashbacks of falling into the lake came back to her. She thrashed but didn't surface. She couldn't even see where water met air! The river was much deeper than she thought. She opened her stinging eyes and looked ahead, where sharp, giant boulders waited for her. Winterfang was trying to kill her!
-- Edited by Jaggedpine on Saturday 30th of January 2010 04:31:24 AM
-- Edited by Jaggedpine on Sunday 31st of January 2010 11:25:12 PM
__________________
I am Jaggedpine. Just thought I should let you know.