Cinders to Flames

Prologue

Blizzardstar drew a tongue over his paw, blinking lazily. Everything was doing well; his Clan was large, and prey was plentiful. Blizzardstar had been leader for countless moons now. He was reluctant to tell even his deputy and best friend, Ravenwing, that he was on his second last life. This was one of the hottest green-leaves Blizzardstar had seen, and the warriors were struggling to keep cool. Luckily, the prey pile was full, and the heat seemed to be the only problem.

"Ravenwing, can you send a party out to fetch some water for the elders?" Blizzardstar asked his deputy, who was resting beside him in the shade of the Highrock.

The small black tom got up, dipping his head in respect to his leader. Blizzardstar watched as Ravenwing darted across the clearing to some of the warriors, who were resting in front of the warrior's den.

A few warriors got up and followed Ravenwing out of the camp and into the forest. Blizzardstar opened his jaws wide in a yawn, and then rested his head back on his paws.

Blizzardstar woke to the yowling of cats.

"What's going on?" He asked.

"A patrol spotted a fire; it's heading toward the camp." Iceleap responded, his blue eyes wide with fear.

"We must evacuate the camp." Blizzardstar told his son, keeping his voice calm and orderly. He leapt onto the Highrock, his voice bellowing over the screeching of the panicking cats.

"Everyone, listen. We must get the elders and kits to safety! Ravenwing, Appleheart, Houndheart and Mudsplash will go with the elders." Blizzardstar ordered, "Go to the river on the opposite side of the camp, go quickly!"

The four warriors and three elders quickly left the camp in the opposite direction of the fire.

"Now, Berryfang and Yellowleaf help Goldenstripe with her herbs. Grab as much as you can. Iceleap, Sootslash, Darkfeather, and Skyfur, grab the kits."

Blizzardstar looked around the camp, and there were no more cats left. He leapt down from the Highrock and started running down the path to leave the camp.

"Blizzardstar, we can't find Cinderkit and Frostkit!" Skyfur meowed, her eyes wide with fear.

"Go with the others, I will find them, I promise."

"Please, I don't want to lose Frostkit like I lost the others." Skyfur pleaded, her eyes clouded with grief.

"I promise. Take Wolfkit to safety." Blizzardstar meowed, gently touching his muzzle to Skyfur's, and racing back to the camp. The clearing was on fire. Flames licked at Blizzardstar's pelt, but he raced through camp, desperately yowling the lost kit's names.

"Help!" A high-pitched screech made Blizzardstar almost leap with joy. They're still alive!

The kit's clung to a rock at the edge of the camp that was surrounded by flames, and their ears were flat with terror.

"You need to jump, I will catch you!" Blizzardstar called, blinking as the smoke stung his eyes.

"I can't! It's too far!" Cinderkit squealed, staring from the ground to the flames.

"Listen to me, you need to jump!" Frostkit called. Frostkit was the oldest of the kits, and she was much calmer than Cinderkit.

"But- "

Cinderkit's mew was cut off when Frostkit gave her a shove, and Cinderkit gave a squeak of fear. The grey she-cat landed roughly, with her hind leg in the flames that surrounded the rock. Blizzardstar snatched her from the ground before she was engulfed by the fire. Blizzardstar looked back, the camp exit was almost completely cut off!

"Go! Leave me here!" Frostkit cried out, still standing on the rock. The fire was much too high, Frostkit wouldn't make it.

"I promised I wouldn't leave you here!' Blizzardstar protested.

"Either one or three will die tonight." Frostkit meowed, giving Blizzardstar a hard stare. He turned around and raced through the clearing toward the entrance, Cinderkit in his jaws. He gave a mighty leap, jumping over the flames. When he reached the rest of the Clan, waiting by the river, the cat's reunited with happy purrs.

"I'm sorry, Skyfur." Blizzardstar meowed to the silver she-cat.

"No." She gasped, and her eyes widened with horror.

Blizzardstar bowed his head with grief for the brave little kit. "If it wasn't for Frostkit, Cinderkit and I wouldn't be here. She saved us."