Owlkit charged her and lunged at Blazekit’s flank. Blazekit twisted but not fast enough. She heard a tiny scraping sound and Owlkit’s teeth grazed her haunches. Pain like she hadn’t known before shot from Blazekit’s behind. A stranger, tangy scent filled the air and dark liquid spread from a gash in her leg turning her ginger fur brown. Blazekit shook and turned around, she knew that this substance must be Blood. Blazekit slowly turned to face Owlkit, her friends eyes were wide with horror. “ Blazekit, I-I’m so sorry. Here, let me lick it and it’ll get better-” Blazekit swung her aching hind legs away from Owlkit’s tongue. “ Don’t touch me!” Blazekit’s meow quavered. With a sense of horror, Blazekit realized she was afraid of Owlkit. “ Fox-heart!” she wailed and ran from the ferns, tearing across camp. A dappled pelt caught her eyes. “ Littlewhisker!” Blazekit threw herself towards a she-cat sunning herself in a warm patch of sunshine. Littlewhisker lifted her head in surprise as Blazekit buried her face in Littlewhisker’s thick pelt.Blazekit inhaled Littlewhisker’s soft scent, her tense shoulders relaxed. She felt a sudden dampness on her wound as Littlewhisker’s nose sniffed it. “ What happened to you, sweet one?” “ I got hurt.”Blazekit whimpered. “ Oh?” Littlewhisker smelled the wound once more. Her eyes darkened. “ What happened? Was Owlkit there?” She smells her daughter! Blazekit looked away, heat fluttering. She forced herself to meet Littlewhisker’s eyes. “ I’I stumbled and fell on a sharp st-tone. Owlkit w-was there. She tried to lick it, to-to make it better. But it didn’t work.” Blazekit stuttered. She couldn’t believe she was lying to defend Owlkit. Littlewhisker’s tongue swished smoothly over her wound, dulling the throbbing ache. Blazekit half-closed her eyes, pressing closer to her foster mother. “ Owlkit’s leaving. You to. You’re going to move back to the warrior’s den and leave me alone in the nursery with Redriver.” she chocked. Littlewhisker glanced up sharply and then returned to her licking. “ Hush, sweet pea. I’d never leave you, not ever. We’d never leave you, no matter what. Tell you something...” she leaned in closer. “ I’ll let you sleep with me in the warrior’s den with me sometimes.” “ Really?” Blazekit’s heart pounded with delight. “ Really.” Littlewhisker purred. Blazekit ducked under her chin and tipped her head back to the sky. “ That cloud looks like a fish!” Blazekit pointed with her claw. Littlewhisker glanced up at the puffy shape and then back at Blazekit. “ I’ll teach you to fish, if you’d like.” Littlewhisker offered. “ I’d like!” Blazekit squealed, the ducked her head in embarrassment at her words. A purr rumbled in Littlewhisker’s throat and she padded off towards the reed-bed. Blazekit followed, delighting at the sensation of her paws squelching in the mud. The soft swish of reeds dragging over water soon filled Blazekit’s ears. Her heart thumped in excitement as she spotted the deep puddles of water. Littlewhisker took her place at the bank where small waved lapped at the muddy ground. “ Okay, watch me. Fish are very quick, so you must hold still. Don’t even move a whisker, or it’ll know.” Littlewhisker warned. Blazekit nodded solemnly and copied her position. Her tensed haunches felt awkward, and at once Blazekit felt like shifting her paws. She could see silver flicks as minnows darted swiftly in the shallows. Why can’t we just reach in and get them? she grumbled to herself. Littlewhisker’s eyes were fixed on the unmoving surface, she seemed as still as stone. Worried, Blazekit sniffed the air. Good. She’s still alive. She turned her attention back to the water and stiffened. A small grey shape was nearing Littlewhisker’s paws. Littlewhisker showed no sign in her body, but Blazestar saw a flicker of triumph in her eyes. Suddenly, a fly buzzed by and sat on Blazekit’s nose. It’s tiny legs tickled her rough muzzle and she yelped, shaking her head vigorously to get it off. There was a splash and a low growl in Littlewhisker’s throat. The minnow had gotten away. “ Blazekit! I told you to stay still!” she hissed. “ I did! There was a fly on my nose!” Blazekit whined, scuffling at the ground with her paws. Hot shame burned through her pelt. Littlewhisker sighed. She crouched back down again. “ We’ll just have to wait some more.” Blazekit crouched beside her, sad. I disappointed Littlewhisker. But I can make up for it! she began to raise her head but stopped herself just in tim. She glanced in frustration at the minnows flicking just out of her reach. Why can’t we just jump in and get them? The water’s only as high as my paw. When I stick it in here it only goes to about my ankle. Besides, all RiverClan cats have to learn how to swim sometime. Blazekit slowly inched away. Littlewhisker grunted but didn’t say anything. “ I’m gonna jump in and get the minnows.” Blazekit announces. “ I’m going to make up for you missing that fish.” at this, Littlewhisker lifted her head. She put out a paw to catch old of Blazekit’s tail. “ That’s okay, sweet pea. You made a mistake, and you’ll learn. But don’t jump in and get the minnows. You’d drown! The water is deeper than it seems.” Littlewhisker warned. Blazekit wriggled away. “ No, its not okay! And besides, the water’s only up to my paw!” Blazekit crouched down, ready to spring. “ Blazekit, no!” Littlewhisker snarled. “ you’ll drown and die!” she reached out a paw, but it was too late. Blazekit had already leapt, plunging headfirst into the murky water.� Brown exploded all around her. It felt so natural. The water curled and twisted around her body, making her a part of it. She felt so graceful and free, not bulky on land as she now thought of it. She stretched out a paw. No water resisted it, her claws sliced through the soft substance. Where are all the minnows? she wondered. They had all scattered, leaving her alone. So that’s why RiverClan cats don’t jump in and fish. The fish want to play hide-and-seek! Well, I can’t play now. I’d better get up and tell Littlewhisker I couldn’t find any. She tilted her head up. Suddenly, a pain filled her chest. She didn’t know what is was, but that she needed air. And a deep instinct inside of her knew that there was no air in here. Panic surfaced into her throat. She opened her mouth and gasped. Water flooded in. She opened her mouth to cough, and more entered. Pain and anxiety clouded her thoughts. She lost sense of direction. Her head spun. In that one moment, she knew she was going to die. What will Redriver think? her last thought flashed across her mind before the world turned black. �Chapter 3
A tom was staring at her. His blue eyes pierced right deep into her soul. His coat was unintelligible in the dark, but Blazekit could faintly make out white flecks on his fur. Somehow the strange strength of his blue gaze filled her with warmth. You will live! the words rang out in her mind. Blazekit frowned. How? I’m already dead! she replied. Her body felt as still as stone. A loud purr rumbled from the tom. He didn’t move, but she felt a pelt pressing around her. Not yet. Not yet, my kit. StarClan has given you your chance. Use it well, for it is your last. Then the tom disappeared and Blazekit’s world went dark again.
Slowly, she blinked her eyelids. The sudden brightness made them water and sting. Blazekit lifted her head and then dropped it back again. It felt like a rock. She opened her jaws and breathed in the scent of RiverClan. She gasped at the pain that erupted in her chest and coughed. “ Little one?” came a soft meow. A grey face bent close to hers and green eyes gazed deep into her own. “ are you awake?” “ Daisyflower?” Blazekit murmured. “ Your awake! I’ll get Littlewhisker, and er, Redriver.” Daisyflower hastily scrambled out of the medicine den entrance. A heartbeat later, another cat darted in- a loud purr rising in her throat. Blazekit’s heart lifted. “ Littlewhisker!” she cried. Littlewhisker darted over to Blazekit and began to lick her head lavishly “Oh my sweet pea, I thought you were dead!” she chocked. Blazekit looked up at her, confused “ What happened to me?’ she whispered. Littlewhisker’s eyes clouded. “ You jumped in the minnow pool and drowned. It took all of Larkflight and Daisyflower’s efforts to heal you,” she said. Before Blazekit could reply, another cat stuck their head through the entrance. “ Mama, can I come and see Blazekit now?” the tawny-colored head asked. “ Owlkit!” Blazekit cried. Owlkit burst into the den and squealed “ You’re alive!” she cheered. Blazekit snorted playfully and butted her on the shoulder. “ Of course I am!” Owlkit pranced around, tail high in happiness. Littlewhisker touched her daughters nose affectionately and padded out. Owlkit crouched down and swished her tail playfully across the floor. Blazekit was happy. She had seen the cats she loved the most, Littlewhisker and Owlkit, yet someone was missing. A tiny part of her soul longed for her mother, the mother who hated her yet was still a mother nonetheless. “ Owlkit?” Blazekit began, but was stopped. “ It’s Owlpaw now,” she meowed quietly. “ Oh. Owlpaw, can you get Redriver?” Blazekit looked up with pleading eyes. Owlpaw scuffed her paws against the ground. “ I-I guess.” why is she so nervous? Owlpaw slowly exited the medicine cat’s den. Her tail-tip twitched uncomfortably, and her pelt was fluffed out slightly. Blazekit waited. She knew Redriver wouldn’t fawn over her, but at least one or two comforting words would be nice. She kept waiting. Why wasn’t Redriver coming? She craned her neck, trying to see outside the den entrance. She couldn’t see anything. Slowly, Blazekit extended a trembling paw over the edge of the nest. She heaved her aching body upwards and stepped towards the den entrance. Her legs were trembling, her head-swimming. But she could see two pelts, Owlpaw’s tawny one and Redriver’s golden one, standing together at the edge of the clearing. Owlpaw’s tail was waving in distress. Blazekit slowly padded out of the entrance. She had to hear what they were saying. Her paws felt like trees, heavy and bulky. She ducked under the cover of somme ferns and slunk closer to her mother. She stopped when she could clearly hear their conversation. “... please,” Owlpaw pleaded “ she really wants to see you.” Redriver let out a contemptuous snort. “ But I don’t want to see her.” Redriver said. “ Redriver, you have to! She’s sick and weak, seeing her mother might make her feel better.” “Well get Littlewhisker to see her. I really couldn’t care less. She should have drowned! ” No! My mother thought I should have died. Blazekit began to shake. Owlpaw spat at Redriver’s feet. “ Do you even have heart? Don’t you even care for your only kit?” Redriver’s eyes widened. She bent her muzzle close to Owlpaw’s ear. “ My heart tore the day Blackflame died. And the day that kit made him stay behind.” with that, she stalked away. Redriver! Redriver, come back! Redriver! Blazekit’s mind whirled. A sob broke from her throat. Owlpaw whipped around and drew the ferns aside with her tail. “ Blazekit! What are you-” she gasped in astonishment. Blazekit barged past her and stumbled across camp. She was half blinded with pain and sorrow. My mother- my mother truly hates me. She want me dead! Blazekit collapsed near the reed bed. Stop it! Stop being such a baby! She never loved you, face it. So what? You have Littlewhisker and Owlpaw. Redriver isn’t your mother. Littlewhisker is. Forget about Redriver. She’s just another warrior in this clan. Forget. Forget. Forget her! The lightning that crackled in the distance mirrored Blazekit’s feelings inside.�Chapter 4 “ Blazepaw! Blazepaw!” came the loud cheers of her Clan. Blazepaw puffed out her chest proudly. Littlewhisker’s eyes glistened as she yowled Blazepaw’s name to the sky, and Owlpaw bounced up and down in delight. Willowstar purred and gently bent down to lick Blazepaw’s head. “ Blazepaw, I know you have not had an easy kithood,” she began. Blazepaw winced at the memory of Redriver’s words, still thorns lodged in her heart. The ginger she-cat was sitting at the edge of the camp, flatly refusing to call out her daughters name. “ however, I think you will be a great warrior.” Really? Blazepaw’s heart swelled with pride. She dipped her head to Willowstar and scrambled down to Littlewhisker and Owlpaw. “ I have a present for you” purred Owlpaw. She handed over a shiny shell, that smelled deliciously of the river. “ you can weave it into the top of your den.” Blazepaw butted her flank playfully with her head. “ Thank you so much!” “ I wish I was your mentor. But Flintscale is a good cat, and a strong warrior.” Littlewhisker meowed. “ I’m glad to hear it.” boomed a deep voice. Blazepaw whirled around and saw a large stone-grey tom standing over her. “ Flintscale?” she gasped. He chuckled and softly cuffed her ears. “ Thats’s me. Do you want to tour the territory now? Afterwards, we can learn some battle moves- or hunting, whatever you choose.” Blazepaw liked him immediately. He had a cheerful twinkle in his eye, and an amused edge to his voice. “ Sure!” she purred and bounced around happily. Flintscale nodded to Owlpaw “ Why don’t you ask if you and Songfall can join us later?” he meowed. Owlpaw nodded in delight and sped off. “ Come on, Blazepaw.” he ordered and headed towards the entrance. Littlewhisker licked her ear and then trotted away. Blazepaw’s paws fizzed with excitement. She was going out of camp! Just before she reached the exit, Blazepaw felt a pair of eyes boring into her flank. She turned around. It was Redriver. The she-cat dropped her gaze and abruptly walked away. Blazepaw shrugged off the feelings that were churning inside of her. I don’t care about her anymore. She is not my mother. “ Blazepaw?” came Flintscale’s call. “ Coming.” she darted through the sedge and burst outside of camp. Outside! I’m free! she gasped. There were so many scents, and sky was so big! Flintscale let out an amused mrrow. “ Amazing, isn’t it?” he asked. Blazepaw nodded. “ Come on, I’ll show you around.” he padded away. Blazepaw followed him, tail-lashing happily. He walked through marshy grounds, pebbly shores and much more, pointing out different landscapes and different ways of catching prey. He paused at a tangle of slender willow trees. “ This is a very small section of forest in our territory. We don’t usually hunt forest prey- but its useful to know how incase something happens to the river.” “ What could possibly happen to the river?” Blazepaw snorted. The river was so giant and ever=lasting, could something defeat its power? “ Lots of things. Sometimes there is a drought, and the river dries up. Sometimes Twolegs come along and poison it. You never know.” he replied. Blazepaw was shocked. She followed Flintscale, listening as he paused once or twice to point out something. Finally, he stopped and shook out his pelt. “ You are about to see one of the most famous landmarks on RiverClan territory,” he announced. There was a layer of sarcasm in his voice, tainted with sorrow. Blazepaw was curious. “ What?” she asked. Flintscale sighed and simply moved aside the ferns with his tail. “ Behold Sunningrocks.” he grunted. The calm, blue water lapped slowly at hard brown stone in a spot of sunlight. She recognized the grey-and-white pelts of Wolfsnout- an elder- and her mate, Frogleap sunning themselves and flicking their tails lazily. So this is Sunningrocks. These pieces of stone had been fought over since before the elders mother’s were kits. Flintscale sighed. “ Long ago, these rocks were in the center of the river. Only RiverClan bothered to swim and reach them, and we claimed them for our own. Then the river changed course and the rocks were washed against ThunderClan’s shore. Those snake-hearts claimed it for themselves! And many battles have been fought over those rocks ever since. We have them for now, but not for long with ThunderClan pressing at our borders.” he explained. Blazepaw bristled and dug her claws into the soft earth. “ ThunderClan! Why can’t they keep their greedy paws off our territory?” she growled. Flintscale snorted. “ They’d say the same for us. Come on, lets see if Songfall and Owlpaw are going to join us.” he darted away. Before he got far, the grass began to tremble. Blazepaw recognized Owlpaw’s scent, and Songfall’s soft grey fur. She bounded over to Owlpaw’s side and purred. “ How’s your first time outside of camp?” Owlpaw asked. “ Amazing! RiverClan territory is so big!” she replied happily. Owlpaw puffed out her chest. “ I’ve been learning water- fighting skill!” she boasted. Blazepaw tipped her head to one side. “ Really? It sounds like fun.” “ It is! Hey, why don’t you ask Flintscale if you can join us?” she suggested. Blazepaw darted over to her mentors side. “ Flintscale, can I do water-fighting with Owlpaw?” she pleaded. Flintscale twitched his ears “ please?” she added. He sighed. “ Fine. But very, very basic ones, you understand? I haven’t trained you very well in swimming yet.” he cautioned. Blazepaw leapt into the air in delight. She hared away after Owlpaw, kicking up loose dirt and leaves in her wake. “ Wait up!” yowled Flintscale, sprinting behind her. Blazepaw slowed down as Owlpaw settled into a trot. She sniffed the air. It smelled tangy, like the river and deliciously of fish. Owlpaw ducked through soft, long ferns and halted beside a pebbly slope. She let out a purr “ Come on!” there was a splash as she dived nimbly into the water and gasped. “ Cold!” Blazepaw crouched down, ready to spring. She hesitated. Memories of nearly drowning flooded her head and terror gripped her heart when she looked down at the water. Frog-brain! You are RiverClan cat! And besides, you didn’t know how to swim then. Blazepaw took a deep breath and launched herself into the river. Her feet hit the muddy bottom and she unsheathed her claws to get a better grip. The lake was still today, with only the softest of currents swirling around her legs. Still, it was different from the calm reed bed where she learnt how to swim. Blazepaw cautiously extended a paw. It felt fine. She kicked off from the ground, and glided in the blue-green water, purring in delight. It’s amazing! How could I have ever been afraid? Owlpaw was darting around like a minnow in front of her. Her fluid swimming was more graceful than Blazepaw’s choppy strokes. I’ll learn. For now, she was just happy to be in the water. Behind her, Flintscale and Songfall dove in hardly making a splash. Flintscale pushed towards her, leaving small waves lapping in his wake. “ Let’s get started. Blazepaw, can you stand?” at her nod, he beckoned Owlpaw and Songfall closer. “ the most basic move is called the Double- Front- Paw Slap-Down. It goes like this,” he reared back and brought his front paws down heavily on the surface. A wall of water erupted before her face and she turned away. “ You try.” Songfall urged. Blazepaw gritted her teeth and reared just as Flintscale had done. She brought her paws down on the water, wincing at the slight sting in her pads. A large wall of white erupted in front of her, sending powerful currents through the river as it fell back down. Flintscale gave her an approving purr. “ Very good!” he praised. Blazepaw puffed out her chest proudly. “ Come on, its time we head back to camp. You can pick a nice juicy piece of fresh-kill- tomorrow you’re going on the dawn patrol!” Flintscale took in a huge breath and dove underwater. Blazepaw watched, fascinated, as his lean shape shimmered below the surface and burst out of the water near the bank. It’s over already? Blazepaw felt a pang of dissappointment. Still, she waded towards the stony shore and scrambled out, shaking her bright ginger pelt and spraying droplets everywhere. “ Bye Blazepaw!” called Owlpaw. Blazepaw waved her tail in farewell and skipped after Flintscale as he lead the way back to camp. As she ducked under the familiar sedge entrance, she suddenly felt bone-tired and stifled a yawn. Flintscale watched her sympathetically. “ You must be exhausted. Show me your paws” she lifted them up. The soft black pads were cracked and held flecks of blood. “ They aren’t used to this sort of exercise. Soon, they’ll look like mine.” Flintscale showed her his own tough grey ones. “ go to the medicine den to get them treated. See you tomorrow!” he bounded away. Blazepaw watched his strong outline and muscles that were hard underneath his pelt. All the other warriors were like that, strong and powerful. Will I ever be like that one day? suddenly, six moons of training seemed like a long time. A bright ginger pelt flashed at the edge of her vision. Redriver was ducking into the warriors den. Blazepaw stopped. She dug her claws into the ground and fluffed out her pelt. It had been such a great day that Blazepaw hardly had time to think about Redriver. But now... she felt a familiar twist in her heart. I must speak to her. Blazepaw padded towards her mother. “ Redriver?” she called tentatively. No answer. Then, the entrance trembled as the beautiful she-cat came out. She flicked her ear irritably. “ Who’s there?” she grumbled. Her eyes rested on Blazepaw. “ What do you want?’ she barked. Blazepaw scuffed at the ground with her paws. “ I-I wanted to tell you about my training today,” she chocked. “ Don’t bother. I don’t want to listen.” Redriver growled. “ But-but...” Redriver stalked away and padded into her den. Blazepaw stood stiff legged with horror. Some invisible cat jabbed a claw into her chest. Redriver! the wail caught her in throat. She darted into the den and stared at her mother. “ Redriver! Redriver, please!” she howled. Redriver’s eyes flashed. “ Do what? Be a mother to you? Be a mother to the cat who killed Blackflame?” “ I didn’t kill him!” “ Yes! You made him die! If it wasn’t for you, Blackflame would still be alive!” Blazepaw gasped in horror. The blood roared in her ears and she staggered in hot agony. “ Blackflame would want you to be a mother to me!” she struggled to control her emotions. “ he would be disappointed in you.” she dropped her voice to a cold whisper. I have done nothing wrong! I did not kill my father! You are heartless! she screamed inside. Redriver stood up at this. She bared her fangs. She let out a blood-curdling yowl. The next thing Blazepaw knew, blood was welling on her muzzle.Redriver lashed her tail and crouched in the corner of the den. “ Get away from me!” she snarled. Blazepaw was numb. Every bone in her body ached and every muscle screamed. Her heart was tearing, splitting in two at Redriver’s words. With a wail she fled, ignoring the stinging in her paws. Medicine could heal them, but it could never heal her heart. ��Chapter 5