Serpentclan's Secrets (OLD)

Chapter 3 - Unfamiliar Faces

Honeyflick and the cats of the patrol entered camp hurriedly, seeming proud of something. Ivyeyes approached them, tail twitching.
"Honeyflick, I assume you all dealt with the fox?"
"Yes. We managed to kill it."
"That's fantastic! We won't have to deal with the chances of it coming back. I say, you should all get your injuries checked out. Head to the medicine den."
"Of course."

The golden she bowed her head, leading the bleeding cats to the medicine den. Ivyeyes breathed a sigh of relief when they all left. The clan was no longer in danger, and the sun was out now. She smiled. Sharppetal trotted over.

"Ivyeyes. Did the patrol achieve their goal?"
"Yes, they have."
"That's great!"
"Mhm... would you mind taking leadership duties for a while? I'm going for a walk."
"Oh- I don't mind."

The two nodded respectfully and Ivyeyes exited camp, taking in a deep breath as she wandered around the territory. She brushed past ferns and bushes, being careful with every step she took. Upon arriving at the river, she sat beside the clear, rippling shallows and watched schools of fish swim by. Something small suddenly rolled near her, and she thought it was a clumsy rabbit at first. She stood, about to leap onto it to catch it, but she noticed it wasn't a piece of prey. It was two small cats, two small kits. They seemed to be apprentice aged but they were a bit small. A she-kit and a tom kit. The tom pinned down the she-kit, bursting with laughter.

"Muahah! I win! I win!"
"Erm.. Cow? Look above you.."

The tom raised his head, gasping and leaping backwards.

"Aaah! A big scary wild cat! Run!!"
"Aahh!"

The two kits started to run, but the she tripped over her paws and landed on her back. Cow went to help her but Ivyeyes got there first.

"Shh. I mean no harm to both of you."

Ivyeyes helped the smaller one stand as Cow stared at her. She smiled genuinely, but her pelt pricked. A tom kit. Kits.. It's been so long since I've seen a tom cat or a kit, since we chased the toms out.. She shook her head, ignoring this.

"What are your names, little ones?"
"I'm Cow, and this is Farm."
"I assume you're both littermates?"
"Yep!"

Ivyeyes sat down. These kits meant no harm, and that was obvious. All she was confused about was what they were doing in the middle of the forest, as they seemed like house cats.

"You two, how come you've came all the way here? Don't you know it's dangerous?"
"Oh.. I thought we weren't that far from home."
"You are kind of far. Want me to take you back to your home?"
"We don't know the way back, so that would be nice!!"
"Come on then. Stay behind me at all times; there's dangerous rogues around."

Ivyeyes crossed the twoleg bridge with the kittens trailing behind her. Her heart felt warm for a moment, but she remembered her kits with a pang. Those had passed away before the toms were chased out, as the old leader had killed them in cold blood. She felt upset just remembering it, but they were likely having a good time in Starclan. She walked along, before detecting the foul scent of the twolegplace. The kits were back home now.

"Farm and Cow, your house should be around here somewhere."
"Thanks... what's your name?"
"Ivyeyes."
"Thanks Ivyeyes!"
"You're welcome, little one."

The kits sprinted towards the fence of their home, and Ivyeyes turned back. Such well behaved kits. They must've been raised so well... She began heading back to the river, the little motherly side of her feeling overwhelmed in a way she didn't understand.