Post by Jayjaycats on Nov 25, 2018 0:25:05 GMT -5
I am working on a story and here it is below. You might recognize the name Snowbird...
Snowbird, Feathertail and Ripplefur are littermates
Hazelfur and Morningflower are littermates
*BTW this is not the same Snowbird from the Frostclan rp!*
Chapter 1
âFeathertail, Hazelfur, Snowbird, Morningflower, Ripplefur!â The cats cheered out these names, but most of them cheered Snowbirds the loudest. It was no surprise, every cat loved her. With her long white pelt and kind nature most of the toms had seen her as a prize to be won. Now Snowbird was a warrior and could have a mate. But itâs my choice, thought Snowbird smugly. With toms drooling at her paws the she-cat rubbed her head against her litter brotherâs pelts, Ripplefur and Feathertail.
Goldenstar flickered his tail for silence as he concluded the ceremony. âI hope the Sun, Moon and Stars guide your paths, youngsters. As a warrior you each can have a mate, and tonight you all shall sit watch for the clan.â
With that the four new warriors were enclosed by their friends or perhaps a future mate. Snowbird looked around for her friend Hazelfur, who had also become a warrior. However, her view was blocked by Morningflower, Hazelfurâs sister. âIsnât this exciting!?â She meowed and pranced around Snowbird full of energy.
âŚ
After sleeping through sun high the following day after guarding the camp, Snowbird was once again bursting with energy. Snowbird left her mossy nest and stretched her back, while her eyes scanned the den searching for the golden pelt of Hazelfur. Ripplefur was snoring peaceably in the far end, Feathertail was looking longingly at the sleeping Morningflower and Hazelfur was nowhere in the den. Feathertail must have felt her watching him because his gaze quickly rested on her. He got out of his nest and moved swiftly to Snowbird, swerving around Morningflower who had made her nest close to the entrance.
âMorningflower is a pretty she-cat, and polite too.â Snowbird purred teasingly.
Feathertail flicked his golden tail uncomfortably and pushed through the bracken at the denâs entrance mumbling, âGotta hunt for the clan.â
Snowbird followed him out into the camps clearing, the sun was warm on her white paws as she looked around the camp. She twitched her ears when the sound of forest prey rang through the camp. The breeze carried her clan mateâs scents to her and she strained her nose to find out where Hazelfur had disappeared to.
Hazelfur was basking in the grass near the nursery, flickering his tail impatiently. Perhaps he too is restless and wants to be with me, Snowbird thought. Snowbird quickly groomed her thick fur and padded over to Hazelfur, lifting her tail high. Hazelfur lifted his head and purred happily as she laid down beside him. Snowbird felt his tail wrap around hers as they groomed each other lovingly.
Chapter 2
Feathertail should be returning from his hunt. Finally, Snowbird heard the familiar rustle of the thorn bush snag on to furry back. He had returned, and it was time to tell him. Snowbirdâs mouth flew open. In Feathertails mouth was a large goose and a rabbit. It was very rare to catch a white goose, it was like a four-leaf clover, it gave good luck. I hope that lucks for me, she wished silently. Her brothers catch had caught many eyes and a small group was starting to form around him. Dammit! Iâll never get to him now, she thought annoyed.
Feathertail raised his head and trotted up to the food pile and placed it on a close tree root. âThis is for Morningflower, nobody touch it!â He had to shout to get his voice heard among the comotion. Morningflower stepped timidly foward. With that Feathertail said, âMy dear clan mates, I am in love with this she-cat. Morningflower, do you love me back and become my mate?â
âWhat? I thought he hated her,â Hazelfur muttered with a confused expression scrawled on his face.
âNot since this morning,â Snowbird purred, remembering her encounter with her litter mate that morning.
The crowd of cats feel silent as Morningflower agreed to be his mate, and a cheer went up. They ate the white goose, giving some to their friends. When the group parted, Hazelfur ran to his sister while Snowbird talked to her brother. âCongratulation brother. I. Iâm. Me and umm Hazelfur are mates too.â She stumbled on her words, but her brother didnât care, he seemed to like Hazelfur and Morningflower quite a lot now.
Then they split to different dens. Feathertail and Morningflower to the leaderâs den to tell the news, while Hazelfur and Snowbird went to rest in the warriorâs den. Hazelfur quickly joined his nest to Snowbirds and laid down. Curling up against Hazelfurâs warm body, Snowbird slept.
âŚ
Chapter 3
âAwesome! We can both keep each other company while our mates are away.â Morningflower exclaimed excitedly.
Snowbird and Morningflower had entered the nursery, both heavy with kittens. The sweet smell of warm milk and quiet meows of kittens hit their nose swiftly. Snowbird sniffed deeply, remembering her days in here as a kit.
âHmm, I hope my kits are strong and important like us one day,â Snowbird hoped out loud.
âOh yes, yes. Mine might be the best warriors or even become the next leader. They must be treated as precious as the leaderâs kits.â Morningflower purred. âWell we donât have to wait long, my belly is very swollen. Iâm expecting them to come in two moons, if not less!â
As the pair were discussing what theyâll name their kits, Feathertail and Hazelfur entered with a rabbit each. âHere is your meal. How are you? When do you think the kits will arrive? Iâm sorry I was out all morning hunting.â Hazelfur said hurriedly, it was obvious he was stressed that Snowbird might die giving birth. Some she-cats died, some kits died. It depended if the mothers ate well and had been taken care of. So far both she-cats were well and expecting healthy kits.
âWeâre fine Hazelfur, I should deliver the litter in three sun rises. Morningflowerâs should arrive from now till two sun rises.â She explained trying to calm down the nervous flutter inside Hazelfur. She didnât want to catch his nerves.
âŚ
Chapter 4
The tiny meows were barely audible, but when you heard them they were music to the ear. This little kit was called Songkit because of her glorious voice. Her ginger tortoiseshell pelt was spiked up, while she tried to catch her fatherâs tail.
âTheir gorgeous,â was all their father, Hazelfur, would say.
Snowbird had born a litter of four healthy kits. The oldest was Firekit, his pelt a dark ginger like Hazelfurâs, then there was Songkit who had beautiful round blue eyes. The nest kit was called Cloudkit who was white like his mother, but had blue eyes. The youngest kit was Icekit, she was the exact replica of Snowbird. Only smaller and very quiet.
Morningflowerâs kits were also very nice. But mine will always be prettier! Snowbird thought savagely, if any cat dares to harm my kits, they will have to answer to me. Morningflower had, had three kits named Gingerkit, Turtlekit and Petalkit. All fully ginger, except Turtlekit who had a line of spots on his back.
Then a rustle sounded and Goldenstar entered the nursery. âWell done, I approve on your litter. You can soon take them walking around in the camp.â He said nodding, âYour litter is very nice as well Morningflower, they seem like strong warriors. Very goodâ He then left as quickly as he had arrived.
âŚ
The morning rays were starting to pour over the camp when Snowbird woke up. The nursery was quiet as all the kits were asleep. Snowbird stretched her back, then it hit her. Her kits werenât in the nest. Snowbirdâs heart skipped a beat. Maybe theyâre with Morningflower, she tried to reason. But they werenât. Snowbird got horrible thoughts of what might have happened, did a fox come in and grab them? Maybe they got up and needed to stretch. All through the camp with her clan mates help they searched with no success. A patrol went to investigate including Hazelfur and Snowbird. The cats split up once in the woods, so they have a better chance of finding the kits.
A shadow flickered above Snowbird. A hawk. Perhaps the kits have been eaten by it. As she watched the hawk fly south, she caught a scent. A scent of warm milk and soft moss. Snowbird was straight on the trail. Up through the bush land, to the river. Snowbird followed, not noticing where she had wandered into. The scent was stronger here. The kits were close by. Then another scent crossed her path, familiar and was also strong. Snowbird stopped in her tracks looking around. A bush rustled ahead, Snowbird instinctively went into a crouch. Out tumbled seven kits unaware of her. Snowbird realised with joy four of them were hers, but the other three she was unfamiliar with. The other kits were black and ginger. The kits looked up and her kittens ran to her squealing, âMother cat! You found us.â
Snowbird licked their pelts then stared with hostile eyes at the unknown kits. âWho are you three, and who is youâre mother?â She demanded at once.
The eldest kit raised his head defiantly and replied with a steady, deep voice. âIâm Picklekit and these are my sisters Nestlekit and Mousekit. We are from Rockclan, a dog came to our camp and scattered all of us last night. Now we donât know where we are.â Picklekit looked at Snowbird with such fierce blue eyes, that she was shocked by the hostility the young cat held.
âI see. Iâll help, but only if you all promise to stay close. Okâ With a nod from all seven kits, Snowbird got her bearings and travel the way she thought was right. âLetâs go.â They had to travel slowly, as the kits were all weary from walking such a long distance. Snowbird picked up the youngest Rockclan kit and set her on her back. Soon Snowbird saw the Rockclanâs camp ahead, but once again she heard a rustle from a close bush. Instead of kits tumbling out, Hazelfur stepped out. Snowbird explained what had happened and where they were going. âWell since Iâm here, Iâll walk with you lot.â Hazelfur put his daughter, Icekit, upon his broad back, and picked up the other she-cat from Rockclan.
They went down the hill and stepped into the space of cave carefully hidden by reeds and tall grass steams. The cave opening was overpowering with the scent of terrified cats and the stench of dogs. As soon as they had entered screeches of protest arose from basking cats.
âWho are you, trespassers!?â An aggressive young tom queried at the same time as a ginger she-cat exclaimed, âMy kittens!â
Snowbird noticed Hazelfur tense and move closer to her and their kits. âWe are not here to harm you, we are simply here to return these lost kits.â She explained politely, trying not to provoke the clan into a fight. The Rockclan kits jumped up to the she-cat after Snowbird and Hazelfur placed down the two she-cats.
âIs that really you Snowkit?â
Snowbird searched the crowd of cats to see who had used her former name. It was a white she-cat that looked very familiar.
âItâs me silly, Sparrowcall. Or who you might remember as Sparrowkit,â the she-cat said. It dawned on Snowbird that her old friend Sparrowkit had grown up so much after all those moons ago. The she-cats both lived in Forestclan, but Sparrowcallâs mother had moved over to Rockclan. The two she-cats rubbed heads affectionately. Once the others saw this, they relaxed and looked more interested then hostile. âSo, who are youâre friends, Snowkit?â
âItâs Snowbird, actually.â She informed proudly, âAnd this tom is my mate, Hazelfur. These four trouble making kittens are ours. Meet; Firekit, Songkit, Cloudkit and Icekit.â
âCute. The kits you just returned belong to my friend, Foxclaw. Foxclaw do you remember Snowbird?â She asked looking around for the ginger she-cat.
âYes, actually. You were that loud kitten of Littleclaw, how is she?â Foxclaw asked. Soon the she-cats were in a long talk about their families and the loss of Snowbirdâs mother.
Hazelfur gave a little cough. âI think we should leave now, itâs sun high,â he informed. The cats said far well and went on their way.
Chapter 5
Inside their own camp the cats were angry about the kittens walk-a-bout adventure. âYou could have been killed,â Golden star explained when the kits got confused. âYour mother was heartbroken when she saw you all missing. Please donât leave again unless youâve been informed to, understand. If you keep acting like this, youâll never become apprentices.â
The thought of never becoming an apprentice stopped the kits from doing anything that shouldnât be done. The kits stayed in the nursery till Snowbird was up and only went to the elders for a story. However, once or twice Snowbird would find Firekit wandering into the apprentice den to see his new friends Ashpaw and Dawnpaw. The two apprentices seemed to be fond of Firekit and his silly attics. It had been 6 moons since the kits were born and were soon getting a ceremony as an apprentice. Finally, Goldenstar started looking for warriors ready for a new apprentice. As each day came to an end the kits looked long fully at high rock.
Then one-day Goldenstar came bounding around the camp, purring with delight when he saw Firekit and Songkit listening to the apprentices telling them about battle moves. Then he saw Cloudkit watching the medicine cats sorting herbs from afar, it looked like he would one day be a medicine cat. Icekit was busy listening to the elders tell a story.
As the moon lifted into the sky, Goldenstar raised himself onto the high rock. âLet all Forestclan cats gather for a ceremonyâ, he bellowed to the cats. At once the cats abandoned their work and sat around the rock. Snowbird sat behind her four kits who were trembling with excitement. The noisy meows were silenced by Goldenstarâs flick of a tail. âAs some of you know Snowbirds kits are ready to be apprenticed. Firekit come forward, from this moment on you will be known as Firepaw. You shall be my apprentice. Songkit is now Songpaw, apprentice to Ripplefur. Fernfur has decided to take Cloudkit as another apprentice for medicine. And finally, Icekit. You are gentle and quiet, you are a great asset to my clan. Mistyspirit, you will mentor Icepaw.â Goldenstar watched as the new apprentices touched noses with the warriors and medicine cat. âThe ceremony is over, and the clan is stronger than ever.â As he stopped meowing the cats rouse their own voices in agreement, so Goldenstar had to silence them again. âTonight, is the gathering. Firepaw, Songpaw, Cloudpaw and Icepaw will come. Along with their mentors and; Dawnpaw, Leafcloud, Snowbird, Hazelfur, Sunpaw and Strawtail.â With that he jumped down from the rock and waited for the chosen cats to gather around. Once all the cats were ready he signalled with his ears it was time to leave.
âFirepaw! In the morning tell me everything,â Turtlepaw meowed. Turtlepaw and his litter mates, who had been apprenticed a moon ago, were gathered around. Firepaw dipped his head in reply and followed his own litter mates.
Chapter 6
âWow. I didnât think there would be so many cats!â Icepaw squeaked. Her brothers and sister could only stare in wonder at the vast number of cats.
âRemember, stay close to your mentors,â Snowbird purred lovingly. Before she even finished telling them, Firepaw and Cloudpaw were already racing towards the circle of cats with their mentors close behind. Songpaw nodded to her mother then followed the others while Icepaw stayed put.
âWhy are those cats staring at Firepaw?â Icepaw asked. Snowbird followed her daughters gaze till it rested on a small ginger tom and two ginger she-cats. They were familiar. The tom was speaking to the she-cats with such a steady, deep voice that Snowbirds memory was jolted back to when her kits had wandered away from camp. Of course, these were the Rockclan kits who had been lost! Snowbird started to purr with affection of these young kits who had obviously been apprenticed recently. But Snowbirdâs purr caught in her throat as the tomâs gaze fell on Songpaw, his gaze had turned to deep admiration for the young she-cat. A hiss escaped from Snowbird. Snowbird was so deep in thought about the tom that she didnât notice that the tomâs sisters were making their way to her and Icepaw.
Icepaw must have realised who these cats were, because when Snowbird turned to her daughter she was busy sharing tongues with the she-cats. âItâs so good to see you both again, Nestlepaw and Mousepaw. My, you two have grown so much!â Icepaw excited meows turned Snowbirds anger into excitement as well.
However, before she could talk to the cats, the gathering was filled with startled and frighten squeals. Snowbird turned to where the sounds were coming from. But when she saw the commotion, she was trapped from all sides. Her desperate meow of warning was cut off by other cries of help. And that was all she could remember, before something stabbed into her pelt and she was tossed into a deep sleep
Chapter 7
Something was prodding her awake. As Snowbird opened her eyes she saw a black paw nudging her belly. Snowbird went to hit whoever it was, but when she rose her paw she remembered what had happened at the gathering. She sat upright expecting to see one of her clan mates, but this cats scent and pelt was unfamiliar. It had a fully black pelt with piercing green eyes. âWho are you,â she ordered at once. She started examining the cat noticing it was a tom and his pelt wasnât fully black but had some specks of ginger on it. When the tom didnât answer her question, she asked it again but this time more forcefully. âWho are you!â
The tom looked at her amused for a second before replying, âI am Jack. Who are you, oh scary she-cat?â he mocked. Snowbird was burning with fury but before she got ready to launch an attack at the tom something hit her.
âYou must be a kitty pet with a name like that.â As she looked around she noticed that she was in a cage with only this tom as company. However, she spotted some other cages settled near-by. âWhere am I?â
âŚ
The two-legs were saying something. Something she couldnât understand, so she turned to Jack. âThey are saying food time, mouse brain,â he scoffed. But when the two-legs placed the âfoodâ down, Snowbird saw despairingly that it was the hard kitty pet pellets. Snowbird pushed away the pellets angrily. How long will I stay here? Surely, they are going to let me go soon, even though she thought it seemed highly unlikely.
Snowbird watched as the black tom stuffed his mouth with the pellets. When Jack finally stopped eating he flicked his tail for her to come closer. Snowbird walked reluctantly over to Jack and sat beside him on the cold floor. âThe two-legs will release us into a bigger pen soon with the other cats. Sleep where you like, but once day you must come back to me quickly.â Snowbird dipped her head submissively. Sure enough, a two-leg opened something that led into the bigger pen. Snowbird stayed flank to flank with Jack until she entered the pen.
She started running around to the other cats and opening her mouth to smell the familiar scents of forest, rock or river. A scent carrying the smell of fish led her to a frightened Wetclan apprentice. âWhat is your name?â She queried. The small cat looked up at her and smelt her Forestclan scent Snowbird held. âI am Sandpaw, of Wetclanâ she said timidly. The apprentices ginger pelt was shaking from the strange arrival. Snowbird purred soothingly, hoping to calm the young she-cat. âI am Snowbird, of Forestclan. Why donât we look around and see if we can find anymore clan cat?â She asked. At once hope flared in Sandpawâs eye. âOk, I think I saw my mentor get caught as well.â
âŚ
Snowbird and Sandpaw had gathered up nine clan cats in total, not including themselves. Three from Wetclan, four from Rockclan and only two other Forestclan cats. Snowbird wrapped her tail around Dawnpaw and Sunpaw from her clan, while Sandpaw greeted her brother, her brothers mentor and a white she-cat. There were two apprentices and two warriors from Rockclan. Snowbird was too busy reassuring the Forestclan apprentices to notice a ginger Rockclan tom sit next to her. Snowbird jumped when he started mewing to her. âYouâre the she-cat who returned me to my clan when I was a kit, werenât you?â Snowbird nodded, and he continued. âItâs me Picklepaw. My mother Foxclaw sometimes talks of you with her friend Sparrowcall. Sparrowcall says that you were her best friend, she says your name is Snowbird.â
âSo thatâs your name,â Snowbird and Picklepaw turned around to the new voice. It was the black tom who called himself Jack. Snowbird saw Picklepawâs hackles raise and unsheathe his claws. Snowbird gave a warning hiss to Picklepaw and to her relief he sheathed his claws. Jack watched the procedures with amusement glittering in his eyes. âI am Jack, and you must be her friend. You know you two are very similar, all talk no bite.â He looked at Snowbird and saw anger flash in her eyes, so he continued mocking. âOh dear, Iâm so terrified.â With that Snowbird flung herself at the black tom and landed on his back. She dug in her claws feeling joyful to let them sink into his pelt, Jack started wailing like a kit. Snowbird raked his back, watching blood drip out and heard Jack yowl in agony. Jack flipped himself upside down forcing Snowbird to jump off. Snowbird spied his soft belly and lunged, but instead of landing on him she was lifted into the air. She let out a yowl of fury and shock, she was so intent on ripping up the black tom that she hadnât noticed the two-legs arriving. The two-legs were yelling at her, but she couldnât make out the words. However, their voice tone told her they were angry and shocked. Snowbird curled her legs under her and flattened her ears as she was handled in the air.
Chapter 8
When the two-leg did put her down she was placed in a larger pen. It had a small cave in one corner and a water bowl in another. There was no sky or sun, just what looked like a giant cloud. Snowbird glanced up warily at the two-legs, but they were moving away. âWhere am I?â she asked herself at loud.
âWho are you?â Even though the words were meowed softly Snowbirdâs fur spiked up, only to turn around to a large ginger tom. Snowbird froze. The tomâs eyes were a deep blue that held authority, but she didnât waver. âYou remind me of someone I knew long ago,â purred the tom circling her. His eyes were a mixture of joy and hope as he went on. âMissy had the same snow-white pelt and green piercing eyes.â
At once sob was caught in Snowbird throat, âHow do you know my mother.â She remembered that her mother was once a kitty-pet called Missy, before she joined Forestclan and took her new name, Littleclaw.
The ginger tomâs eyes flew wide and hurriedly meowed, âIf you are Missyâs first litter you must be my daughter!â He bounded over to Snowbird quickly and covered her in loving licks. Snowbird let herself sink into his soft fur and purr deeply. âYes, I am her first litter! There are two other in the litter, two toms.â She explained hurriedly to her father. âTheir names is Ripplefur and Feathertail, and I am Snowbird. Why didnât you join Forestclan with Littleclaw, I mean Missy?â She meowed.
âSo, she did join.â Her father said contently, âI was going with her, but these two-legs caught me on the way.â He looked down lovingly to her daughter, âMy name is Gingersnap, or Snap for short. Come to my nest and tell me everything.â
The tom led Snowbird into the cave and settled down in a soft two-leg item. âSo, what has happened?â
Will continue the story soon
Snowbird, Feathertail and Ripplefur are littermates
Hazelfur and Morningflower are littermates
*BTW this is not the same Snowbird from the Frostclan rp!*
Chapter 1
âFeathertail, Hazelfur, Snowbird, Morningflower, Ripplefur!â The cats cheered out these names, but most of them cheered Snowbirds the loudest. It was no surprise, every cat loved her. With her long white pelt and kind nature most of the toms had seen her as a prize to be won. Now Snowbird was a warrior and could have a mate. But itâs my choice, thought Snowbird smugly. With toms drooling at her paws the she-cat rubbed her head against her litter brotherâs pelts, Ripplefur and Feathertail.
Goldenstar flickered his tail for silence as he concluded the ceremony. âI hope the Sun, Moon and Stars guide your paths, youngsters. As a warrior you each can have a mate, and tonight you all shall sit watch for the clan.â
With that the four new warriors were enclosed by their friends or perhaps a future mate. Snowbird looked around for her friend Hazelfur, who had also become a warrior. However, her view was blocked by Morningflower, Hazelfurâs sister. âIsnât this exciting!?â She meowed and pranced around Snowbird full of energy.
âŚ
After sleeping through sun high the following day after guarding the camp, Snowbird was once again bursting with energy. Snowbird left her mossy nest and stretched her back, while her eyes scanned the den searching for the golden pelt of Hazelfur. Ripplefur was snoring peaceably in the far end, Feathertail was looking longingly at the sleeping Morningflower and Hazelfur was nowhere in the den. Feathertail must have felt her watching him because his gaze quickly rested on her. He got out of his nest and moved swiftly to Snowbird, swerving around Morningflower who had made her nest close to the entrance.
âMorningflower is a pretty she-cat, and polite too.â Snowbird purred teasingly.
Feathertail flicked his golden tail uncomfortably and pushed through the bracken at the denâs entrance mumbling, âGotta hunt for the clan.â
Snowbird followed him out into the camps clearing, the sun was warm on her white paws as she looked around the camp. She twitched her ears when the sound of forest prey rang through the camp. The breeze carried her clan mateâs scents to her and she strained her nose to find out where Hazelfur had disappeared to.
Hazelfur was basking in the grass near the nursery, flickering his tail impatiently. Perhaps he too is restless and wants to be with me, Snowbird thought. Snowbird quickly groomed her thick fur and padded over to Hazelfur, lifting her tail high. Hazelfur lifted his head and purred happily as she laid down beside him. Snowbird felt his tail wrap around hers as they groomed each other lovingly.
Chapter 2
Feathertail should be returning from his hunt. Finally, Snowbird heard the familiar rustle of the thorn bush snag on to furry back. He had returned, and it was time to tell him. Snowbirdâs mouth flew open. In Feathertails mouth was a large goose and a rabbit. It was very rare to catch a white goose, it was like a four-leaf clover, it gave good luck. I hope that lucks for me, she wished silently. Her brothers catch had caught many eyes and a small group was starting to form around him. Dammit! Iâll never get to him now, she thought annoyed.
Feathertail raised his head and trotted up to the food pile and placed it on a close tree root. âThis is for Morningflower, nobody touch it!â He had to shout to get his voice heard among the comotion. Morningflower stepped timidly foward. With that Feathertail said, âMy dear clan mates, I am in love with this she-cat. Morningflower, do you love me back and become my mate?â
âWhat? I thought he hated her,â Hazelfur muttered with a confused expression scrawled on his face.
âNot since this morning,â Snowbird purred, remembering her encounter with her litter mate that morning.
The crowd of cats feel silent as Morningflower agreed to be his mate, and a cheer went up. They ate the white goose, giving some to their friends. When the group parted, Hazelfur ran to his sister while Snowbird talked to her brother. âCongratulation brother. I. Iâm. Me and umm Hazelfur are mates too.â She stumbled on her words, but her brother didnât care, he seemed to like Hazelfur and Morningflower quite a lot now.
Then they split to different dens. Feathertail and Morningflower to the leaderâs den to tell the news, while Hazelfur and Snowbird went to rest in the warriorâs den. Hazelfur quickly joined his nest to Snowbirds and laid down. Curling up against Hazelfurâs warm body, Snowbird slept.
âŚ
Chapter 3
âAwesome! We can both keep each other company while our mates are away.â Morningflower exclaimed excitedly.
Snowbird and Morningflower had entered the nursery, both heavy with kittens. The sweet smell of warm milk and quiet meows of kittens hit their nose swiftly. Snowbird sniffed deeply, remembering her days in here as a kit.
âHmm, I hope my kits are strong and important like us one day,â Snowbird hoped out loud.
âOh yes, yes. Mine might be the best warriors or even become the next leader. They must be treated as precious as the leaderâs kits.â Morningflower purred. âWell we donât have to wait long, my belly is very swollen. Iâm expecting them to come in two moons, if not less!â
As the pair were discussing what theyâll name their kits, Feathertail and Hazelfur entered with a rabbit each. âHere is your meal. How are you? When do you think the kits will arrive? Iâm sorry I was out all morning hunting.â Hazelfur said hurriedly, it was obvious he was stressed that Snowbird might die giving birth. Some she-cats died, some kits died. It depended if the mothers ate well and had been taken care of. So far both she-cats were well and expecting healthy kits.
âWeâre fine Hazelfur, I should deliver the litter in three sun rises. Morningflowerâs should arrive from now till two sun rises.â She explained trying to calm down the nervous flutter inside Hazelfur. She didnât want to catch his nerves.
âŚ
Chapter 4
The tiny meows were barely audible, but when you heard them they were music to the ear. This little kit was called Songkit because of her glorious voice. Her ginger tortoiseshell pelt was spiked up, while she tried to catch her fatherâs tail.
âTheir gorgeous,â was all their father, Hazelfur, would say.
Snowbird had born a litter of four healthy kits. The oldest was Firekit, his pelt a dark ginger like Hazelfurâs, then there was Songkit who had beautiful round blue eyes. The nest kit was called Cloudkit who was white like his mother, but had blue eyes. The youngest kit was Icekit, she was the exact replica of Snowbird. Only smaller and very quiet.
Morningflowerâs kits were also very nice. But mine will always be prettier! Snowbird thought savagely, if any cat dares to harm my kits, they will have to answer to me. Morningflower had, had three kits named Gingerkit, Turtlekit and Petalkit. All fully ginger, except Turtlekit who had a line of spots on his back.
Then a rustle sounded and Goldenstar entered the nursery. âWell done, I approve on your litter. You can soon take them walking around in the camp.â He said nodding, âYour litter is very nice as well Morningflower, they seem like strong warriors. Very goodâ He then left as quickly as he had arrived.
âŚ
The morning rays were starting to pour over the camp when Snowbird woke up. The nursery was quiet as all the kits were asleep. Snowbird stretched her back, then it hit her. Her kits werenât in the nest. Snowbirdâs heart skipped a beat. Maybe theyâre with Morningflower, she tried to reason. But they werenât. Snowbird got horrible thoughts of what might have happened, did a fox come in and grab them? Maybe they got up and needed to stretch. All through the camp with her clan mates help they searched with no success. A patrol went to investigate including Hazelfur and Snowbird. The cats split up once in the woods, so they have a better chance of finding the kits.
A shadow flickered above Snowbird. A hawk. Perhaps the kits have been eaten by it. As she watched the hawk fly south, she caught a scent. A scent of warm milk and soft moss. Snowbird was straight on the trail. Up through the bush land, to the river. Snowbird followed, not noticing where she had wandered into. The scent was stronger here. The kits were close by. Then another scent crossed her path, familiar and was also strong. Snowbird stopped in her tracks looking around. A bush rustled ahead, Snowbird instinctively went into a crouch. Out tumbled seven kits unaware of her. Snowbird realised with joy four of them were hers, but the other three she was unfamiliar with. The other kits were black and ginger. The kits looked up and her kittens ran to her squealing, âMother cat! You found us.â
Snowbird licked their pelts then stared with hostile eyes at the unknown kits. âWho are you three, and who is youâre mother?â She demanded at once.
The eldest kit raised his head defiantly and replied with a steady, deep voice. âIâm Picklekit and these are my sisters Nestlekit and Mousekit. We are from Rockclan, a dog came to our camp and scattered all of us last night. Now we donât know where we are.â Picklekit looked at Snowbird with such fierce blue eyes, that she was shocked by the hostility the young cat held.
âI see. Iâll help, but only if you all promise to stay close. Okâ With a nod from all seven kits, Snowbird got her bearings and travel the way she thought was right. âLetâs go.â They had to travel slowly, as the kits were all weary from walking such a long distance. Snowbird picked up the youngest Rockclan kit and set her on her back. Soon Snowbird saw the Rockclanâs camp ahead, but once again she heard a rustle from a close bush. Instead of kits tumbling out, Hazelfur stepped out. Snowbird explained what had happened and where they were going. âWell since Iâm here, Iâll walk with you lot.â Hazelfur put his daughter, Icekit, upon his broad back, and picked up the other she-cat from Rockclan.
They went down the hill and stepped into the space of cave carefully hidden by reeds and tall grass steams. The cave opening was overpowering with the scent of terrified cats and the stench of dogs. As soon as they had entered screeches of protest arose from basking cats.
âWho are you, trespassers!?â An aggressive young tom queried at the same time as a ginger she-cat exclaimed, âMy kittens!â
Snowbird noticed Hazelfur tense and move closer to her and their kits. âWe are not here to harm you, we are simply here to return these lost kits.â She explained politely, trying not to provoke the clan into a fight. The Rockclan kits jumped up to the she-cat after Snowbird and Hazelfur placed down the two she-cats.
âIs that really you Snowkit?â
Snowbird searched the crowd of cats to see who had used her former name. It was a white she-cat that looked very familiar.
âItâs me silly, Sparrowcall. Or who you might remember as Sparrowkit,â the she-cat said. It dawned on Snowbird that her old friend Sparrowkit had grown up so much after all those moons ago. The she-cats both lived in Forestclan, but Sparrowcallâs mother had moved over to Rockclan. The two she-cats rubbed heads affectionately. Once the others saw this, they relaxed and looked more interested then hostile. âSo, who are youâre friends, Snowkit?â
âItâs Snowbird, actually.â She informed proudly, âAnd this tom is my mate, Hazelfur. These four trouble making kittens are ours. Meet; Firekit, Songkit, Cloudkit and Icekit.â
âCute. The kits you just returned belong to my friend, Foxclaw. Foxclaw do you remember Snowbird?â She asked looking around for the ginger she-cat.
âYes, actually. You were that loud kitten of Littleclaw, how is she?â Foxclaw asked. Soon the she-cats were in a long talk about their families and the loss of Snowbirdâs mother.
Hazelfur gave a little cough. âI think we should leave now, itâs sun high,â he informed. The cats said far well and went on their way.
Chapter 5
Inside their own camp the cats were angry about the kittens walk-a-bout adventure. âYou could have been killed,â Golden star explained when the kits got confused. âYour mother was heartbroken when she saw you all missing. Please donât leave again unless youâve been informed to, understand. If you keep acting like this, youâll never become apprentices.â
The thought of never becoming an apprentice stopped the kits from doing anything that shouldnât be done. The kits stayed in the nursery till Snowbird was up and only went to the elders for a story. However, once or twice Snowbird would find Firekit wandering into the apprentice den to see his new friends Ashpaw and Dawnpaw. The two apprentices seemed to be fond of Firekit and his silly attics. It had been 6 moons since the kits were born and were soon getting a ceremony as an apprentice. Finally, Goldenstar started looking for warriors ready for a new apprentice. As each day came to an end the kits looked long fully at high rock.
Then one-day Goldenstar came bounding around the camp, purring with delight when he saw Firekit and Songkit listening to the apprentices telling them about battle moves. Then he saw Cloudkit watching the medicine cats sorting herbs from afar, it looked like he would one day be a medicine cat. Icekit was busy listening to the elders tell a story.
As the moon lifted into the sky, Goldenstar raised himself onto the high rock. âLet all Forestclan cats gather for a ceremonyâ, he bellowed to the cats. At once the cats abandoned their work and sat around the rock. Snowbird sat behind her four kits who were trembling with excitement. The noisy meows were silenced by Goldenstarâs flick of a tail. âAs some of you know Snowbirds kits are ready to be apprenticed. Firekit come forward, from this moment on you will be known as Firepaw. You shall be my apprentice. Songkit is now Songpaw, apprentice to Ripplefur. Fernfur has decided to take Cloudkit as another apprentice for medicine. And finally, Icekit. You are gentle and quiet, you are a great asset to my clan. Mistyspirit, you will mentor Icepaw.â Goldenstar watched as the new apprentices touched noses with the warriors and medicine cat. âThe ceremony is over, and the clan is stronger than ever.â As he stopped meowing the cats rouse their own voices in agreement, so Goldenstar had to silence them again. âTonight, is the gathering. Firepaw, Songpaw, Cloudpaw and Icepaw will come. Along with their mentors and; Dawnpaw, Leafcloud, Snowbird, Hazelfur, Sunpaw and Strawtail.â With that he jumped down from the rock and waited for the chosen cats to gather around. Once all the cats were ready he signalled with his ears it was time to leave.
âFirepaw! In the morning tell me everything,â Turtlepaw meowed. Turtlepaw and his litter mates, who had been apprenticed a moon ago, were gathered around. Firepaw dipped his head in reply and followed his own litter mates.
Chapter 6
âWow. I didnât think there would be so many cats!â Icepaw squeaked. Her brothers and sister could only stare in wonder at the vast number of cats.
âRemember, stay close to your mentors,â Snowbird purred lovingly. Before she even finished telling them, Firepaw and Cloudpaw were already racing towards the circle of cats with their mentors close behind. Songpaw nodded to her mother then followed the others while Icepaw stayed put.
âWhy are those cats staring at Firepaw?â Icepaw asked. Snowbird followed her daughters gaze till it rested on a small ginger tom and two ginger she-cats. They were familiar. The tom was speaking to the she-cats with such a steady, deep voice that Snowbirds memory was jolted back to when her kits had wandered away from camp. Of course, these were the Rockclan kits who had been lost! Snowbird started to purr with affection of these young kits who had obviously been apprenticed recently. But Snowbirdâs purr caught in her throat as the tomâs gaze fell on Songpaw, his gaze had turned to deep admiration for the young she-cat. A hiss escaped from Snowbird. Snowbird was so deep in thought about the tom that she didnât notice that the tomâs sisters were making their way to her and Icepaw.
Icepaw must have realised who these cats were, because when Snowbird turned to her daughter she was busy sharing tongues with the she-cats. âItâs so good to see you both again, Nestlepaw and Mousepaw. My, you two have grown so much!â Icepaw excited meows turned Snowbirds anger into excitement as well.
However, before she could talk to the cats, the gathering was filled with startled and frighten squeals. Snowbird turned to where the sounds were coming from. But when she saw the commotion, she was trapped from all sides. Her desperate meow of warning was cut off by other cries of help. And that was all she could remember, before something stabbed into her pelt and she was tossed into a deep sleep
Chapter 7
Something was prodding her awake. As Snowbird opened her eyes she saw a black paw nudging her belly. Snowbird went to hit whoever it was, but when she rose her paw she remembered what had happened at the gathering. She sat upright expecting to see one of her clan mates, but this cats scent and pelt was unfamiliar. It had a fully black pelt with piercing green eyes. âWho are you,â she ordered at once. She started examining the cat noticing it was a tom and his pelt wasnât fully black but had some specks of ginger on it. When the tom didnât answer her question, she asked it again but this time more forcefully. âWho are you!â
The tom looked at her amused for a second before replying, âI am Jack. Who are you, oh scary she-cat?â he mocked. Snowbird was burning with fury but before she got ready to launch an attack at the tom something hit her.
âYou must be a kitty pet with a name like that.â As she looked around she noticed that she was in a cage with only this tom as company. However, she spotted some other cages settled near-by. âWhere am I?â
âŚ
The two-legs were saying something. Something she couldnât understand, so she turned to Jack. âThey are saying food time, mouse brain,â he scoffed. But when the two-legs placed the âfoodâ down, Snowbird saw despairingly that it was the hard kitty pet pellets. Snowbird pushed away the pellets angrily. How long will I stay here? Surely, they are going to let me go soon, even though she thought it seemed highly unlikely.
Snowbird watched as the black tom stuffed his mouth with the pellets. When Jack finally stopped eating he flicked his tail for her to come closer. Snowbird walked reluctantly over to Jack and sat beside him on the cold floor. âThe two-legs will release us into a bigger pen soon with the other cats. Sleep where you like, but once day you must come back to me quickly.â Snowbird dipped her head submissively. Sure enough, a two-leg opened something that led into the bigger pen. Snowbird stayed flank to flank with Jack until she entered the pen.
She started running around to the other cats and opening her mouth to smell the familiar scents of forest, rock or river. A scent carrying the smell of fish led her to a frightened Wetclan apprentice. âWhat is your name?â She queried. The small cat looked up at her and smelt her Forestclan scent Snowbird held. âI am Sandpaw, of Wetclanâ she said timidly. The apprentices ginger pelt was shaking from the strange arrival. Snowbird purred soothingly, hoping to calm the young she-cat. âI am Snowbird, of Forestclan. Why donât we look around and see if we can find anymore clan cat?â She asked. At once hope flared in Sandpawâs eye. âOk, I think I saw my mentor get caught as well.â
âŚ
Snowbird and Sandpaw had gathered up nine clan cats in total, not including themselves. Three from Wetclan, four from Rockclan and only two other Forestclan cats. Snowbird wrapped her tail around Dawnpaw and Sunpaw from her clan, while Sandpaw greeted her brother, her brothers mentor and a white she-cat. There were two apprentices and two warriors from Rockclan. Snowbird was too busy reassuring the Forestclan apprentices to notice a ginger Rockclan tom sit next to her. Snowbird jumped when he started mewing to her. âYouâre the she-cat who returned me to my clan when I was a kit, werenât you?â Snowbird nodded, and he continued. âItâs me Picklepaw. My mother Foxclaw sometimes talks of you with her friend Sparrowcall. Sparrowcall says that you were her best friend, she says your name is Snowbird.â
âSo thatâs your name,â Snowbird and Picklepaw turned around to the new voice. It was the black tom who called himself Jack. Snowbird saw Picklepawâs hackles raise and unsheathe his claws. Snowbird gave a warning hiss to Picklepaw and to her relief he sheathed his claws. Jack watched the procedures with amusement glittering in his eyes. âI am Jack, and you must be her friend. You know you two are very similar, all talk no bite.â He looked at Snowbird and saw anger flash in her eyes, so he continued mocking. âOh dear, Iâm so terrified.â With that Snowbird flung herself at the black tom and landed on his back. She dug in her claws feeling joyful to let them sink into his pelt, Jack started wailing like a kit. Snowbird raked his back, watching blood drip out and heard Jack yowl in agony. Jack flipped himself upside down forcing Snowbird to jump off. Snowbird spied his soft belly and lunged, but instead of landing on him she was lifted into the air. She let out a yowl of fury and shock, she was so intent on ripping up the black tom that she hadnât noticed the two-legs arriving. The two-legs were yelling at her, but she couldnât make out the words. However, their voice tone told her they were angry and shocked. Snowbird curled her legs under her and flattened her ears as she was handled in the air.
Chapter 8
When the two-leg did put her down she was placed in a larger pen. It had a small cave in one corner and a water bowl in another. There was no sky or sun, just what looked like a giant cloud. Snowbird glanced up warily at the two-legs, but they were moving away. âWhere am I?â she asked herself at loud.
âWho are you?â Even though the words were meowed softly Snowbirdâs fur spiked up, only to turn around to a large ginger tom. Snowbird froze. The tomâs eyes were a deep blue that held authority, but she didnât waver. âYou remind me of someone I knew long ago,â purred the tom circling her. His eyes were a mixture of joy and hope as he went on. âMissy had the same snow-white pelt and green piercing eyes.â
At once sob was caught in Snowbird throat, âHow do you know my mother.â She remembered that her mother was once a kitty-pet called Missy, before she joined Forestclan and took her new name, Littleclaw.
The ginger tomâs eyes flew wide and hurriedly meowed, âIf you are Missyâs first litter you must be my daughter!â He bounded over to Snowbird quickly and covered her in loving licks. Snowbird let herself sink into his soft fur and purr deeply. âYes, I am her first litter! There are two other in the litter, two toms.â She explained hurriedly to her father. âTheir names is Ripplefur and Feathertail, and I am Snowbird. Why didnât you join Forestclan with Littleclaw, I mean Missy?â She meowed.
âSo, she did join.â Her father said contently, âI was going with her, but these two-legs caught me on the way.â He looked down lovingly to her daughter, âMy name is Gingersnap, or Snap for short. Come to my nest and tell me everything.â
The tom led Snowbird into the cave and settled down in a soft two-leg item. âSo, what has happened?â
Will continue the story soon