The Secrets of WillowClan: A Warrior Cats Choose your own adventure

Page 28

Okay, you sign, sounds fun. Violetkit's eyes light up and she nuzzles you, purring deeply. She practically bounces into the elder's den. Chuckling a bit to yourself at her enthusiasm, you follow her into the elder's den.

You pad into the elder's den. Compared to the nursery, it seems rather cramped and small. You see a greying dark brown tabby tom groaning in the gloomy light. "Ugh, my head!" he complains. That's Oakface, Violetkit signs.

Out of the gloom pads Sapstep. "Quiet down Oakface, I'm sure Cherryblossom will have your treatment ready for you soon." She looked down at the two of you with an unreadable expression. "Well, well, well. What might two little kits be doing in my den?" she asked curtly.

Violetkit's tail lowers. "We're not here to cause trouble, we just wanted to hear a story," you say, a bit defensively. "Our Mamas gave us permission to be out of the nursery, we promise."

Sapstep's face breaks into a broad smile. "Of course you can hear a story. I always have time for kits." She kicked her leg at Oakface. "Move over, you old whiner. We have company." Oakface groaned but padded deeper into the den, leaving a comfortable looking nest of moss, feathers and cotton free. Sapstep gestures to it. "Make yourselves at home." Violetkit nods happily and nestles into the nest. You sit beside her. You both look up at Sapstep expectantly.

Sapstep clears her throat. As she speaks, she signs her words so Violetkit can understand her tale. "Long ago, there lived a wicked cat named Hailheart. He was cold and cruel, but the most dangerous thing about him was that he was extremely good at pretending that he was the nicest cat you'd ever meet. He smiled and flattered his way to the top, and when he finally became deputy, he pushed Gorsestar into a fox's den and made sure they tore his leader and former mentor apart. Then crying fake tears, he explained the disappearance to his clan, and his grief seemed so genuine, they never even thought to doubt him.

When Hailheart went to the Moonmirror to get his nine lives, he was arrogant enough to believe he'd gotten away with it completely. But StarClan sees everything. Instead of getting his nine lives, the ghosts of StarClan surrounded him. A starry old tom, so long dead he was practically invisible, padded before him. 'Hailheart,' the ghost said, 'you have committed crimes against your fellow cats and the Warrior Code so heinous that StarClan has decided you will not receive your nine lives. No longer will StarClan reward murderous tyrants. Instead of nine lives, you will receive nine reincarnations, each living a life more miserable than the last. These cats will bear your curse, and none will see StarClan. Finally, in your last reincarnation, your descendant will not live past the age of 12 moons before they face StarClan's vengeance. It will come in the form of a cat with eyes of gold and the pelt of a lion, and he will end your clan forever!' With those final words, StarClan let Hailheart wake up. In a panic, he fled his clan, never to enjoy the fruit of all his evil. Some say that his reincarnation still stalks these woods, ready to attack any cat foolish enough to wander out there alone!"

Violetkit shivered, and buried her face in your pelt. You wrap your tail around her protectively. "That doesn't seem like that scary a story," you say, mainly to cheer up Violetkit. "Who cares what happens to Hailheart's old clan? They sound stupid."

Sapstep gave a chilling smile. "Oh, I suppose I forgot to tell you. Some say Hailheart's old clan was WillowClan..."

You thank Sapstep for the story, but frown as you pad out of the elder's den. The story seemed really farfetched, but what if it was true? You are shaken out of your thoughts as Violetkit bounds out of the elder's den, seemingly unaffected by the story that had terrified them moments ago. I thought you were scared, you sign to Violetkit, confused.

Violetkit laughs. Yeah, I was. Now I'm better. I love being scared! It's such a rush, she signs. You smile. If Violetkit is happy, you guess you can be happy too.

Violetkit turns to face you, looking a bit more serious. Thanks (Y/N)kit. For everything.

You smile and sign back. You don't need to thank me, I always have fun with you. Suddenly Violetkit is nuzzling you, and you can't decide who's purring more: you or Violetkit. After a long while, she pads back into the nursery den, and you follow her. For some reason, you still can't get that story out of your head.

Gain one relationship point with Violetkit. Go to page 25.

A/N: Don't forget to upvote, add the story to your library and reply. I really appreciate it.