Crossed Pathes [OC]

Prologue ~ First Greeting

"My kits! Where are my kits?"

A gray she-cat wailed as she overturned every stone and stick in the Shadowclan camp, other cats in camp eyeing her warily as she poked her into the dens along the bramble-thick wall.

"Rainfall," A soft voice purred behind her, "Please, relax. I'm sure Windclan can hear you all the way from across the lake."

Rainfall turned a panicked look to her companion, "What can I do Specklepelt, I can't find them anywhere!"

Specklepelt's eyes were gentle as she swept her tail across Rainfall's flank, "There are already two patrols out looking; I'm sure they'll be found soon. Why don't you get some fresh-kill and relax while we wait."

Rainfall nearly conceded and followed Specklepelt but was distracted by the rustling of thorns as a patrol came through the entrance, led by a powerful tom.

Dashing over to the patrol, Rainfall's eyes darting around their paws. "Please tell me you've found them, Riotclaw!"

The tom shook his head, "Not yet. I'll rest for a few moments and take another patrol." He padded past Rainfall towards the fresh-kill pile.

Rainfall turned after him, her tail drooped. Gazing up to the skies she whispered, "Oh Starclan, please let them be safe."

"Watch out!" Called a shrill voice, as small paws pattered across hard ground. There was a squeal as one small body bundled into another.

"Gotchya!" A fluffy brown she-kit stood triumphantly over her sister.

Wriggling out from under her opponent, a dark-furred she-kit stood up. "Yeah, yeah," she grumbled, "Can we go back now, Hawkkit?"

"What?" Hawkkit's green eyes widened, "But we just got out here Shadekit!"

"Don't you think mama knows?" A small voice spoke up.

Rolling her eyes, Hawkkit spun around into the undergrowth, "Come on Woodkit! We finally get out of camp and you two just wanna go back!"

Shadekit and Woodkit exchanged glances as they padded after their sister. "I think I wanna go home."

"Fine, then go back. But I wanna explore!" Hawkkit growled, as she sprinted away into the undergrowth.

"Wait!" Shadekit squealed, chasing after Hawkkit, with Woodkit on her tail.

"Look out!" Woodkit warned, but not before Hawkkit tumbled over a dip in the ground.

Shaking pine needles from her fur, Hawkkit scrunched her nose, "Yuck! What's that smell?"

"What are you doing here?" A low voice growled, making the kits freeze on the spot.

Glancing around, Hawkkit's eyes met a menacing amber glare. "Eep!"

She could see the glisten of his claws, "Answer me! This is Riverclan territory."

"I - we," Hawkkit stammered, before three more cats emerged from the bushes, one warrior and two apprentices.

"Darkwater what are you doing?" The older cat inquired, "These are kits."

"They're trespassing over our border, Oatfur!" Darkwater growled through gritted teeth.

Shaking his head, Oatfur pushed Darkwater back and turned to the kits. "Hello," he meowed gently, "you must be Shadowclan kits. You seem awfully far from your camp."

Hawkkit nodded shakily. Her fur stuck up as a smaller white cat snickered behind him.

"I dunno, Oatfur. Maybe Shadowclan is so weak, they're making kits warriors!" The white tom's whiskers twitched. Oatfur cuffed his ear, while the pretty gray she-cat beside him purred with amusement.

"Gleampaw, you ought to know better than that!" Oatfur scolded.

"Hawkkit what are you doing!" Shadekit gawked as Hawkkit marched over to Gleampaw, sticking her nose a whisker's length from his.

"Shadowclan is the more powerful clan in the forest!" Hawkkit growled. "I oughta rip yer ears off!"

"Why don't you try it, tiny warrior?" Gleampaw challenged, bearing his teeth.

Darkwater unsheathed his claws as Oatfur pushed the two apart.

"This is unnecessary!" Oatfur growled. Taking a breath, he turned to Hawkkit and her littermates again. "Let me bring you back to your camp," he meowed, "Darkwater, continue taking Gleampaw and Bluepaw around the border. I'll catch up later."

Darkwater hesitated, locking eyes with Oatfur. Dipping his head silently, he beckoned for the apprentices to follow.

Before disappearing into the undergrowth, Gleampaw shot a triumphant glare to Hawkkit.

Hawkkit sniffed as she turned her attention to Oatfur, who sighed. "Alright, let's get you three home."

He started padding off into the trees, beckoning for them to follow with his tail.

Hawkkit and her littermates scampered after him, kicking up pine needles.

After a while of silent walking, Shadekit piped up, "How come you know where our home is?"

Oatfur glanced over his shoulder, "Its not important."

Hawkkit would have questioned him, if it weren't for the exhaustion dragging on her body. Suddenly, there was a pounding of paws and a spray of pine needles.

Standing nose to nose with Oatfur, Riotclaw growled, "What are you doing in Shadowclan territory? And with our kits no less."

Oatfur took a step back, keeping his eyes steady with the Shadowclan deputy. "They were at the border; I was bringing them back, I promise you."

Riotclaw's eyes narrowed, "Honeyfur," he meowed over his shoulder, "Take Oatfur back to his territory. And make sure he stays there," he added.

The small golden she-cat emerged from the bushes, nodded, and led Oatfur back to Riverclan.

Riotclaw turned his firey gaze to the three kit, making them all flinch.

"You three have been gone since sun-high," he growled, pointing out the sun slowly hiding behind the trees, "Your mother has been putting ants on everyone's pelt from worry."

They hung their heads in shame. "I'm sorry," Woodkit and Shadekit both whispered.

Riotclaw focused his gaze on Hawkkit. "Well?"

"Sorry," she murmured.

Riotclaw let out a sigh, "Let's just get back to camp. Moss-Star can decide what to do with you."

Trudging slowly behind Riotclaw, they made their way home. Hawkkit stared hard at the ground, hot with shame and anger.

"Shadekit, Hawkkit, Woodkit! I was so worried about you!" Rainfall wailed as she nuzzled into their fur, checking over them feverishly.

Riotclaw slipped past them, disappearing into a gap in the brambles on the other side of camp.

Moss-Star's den... Hawkkit felt a shiver down her spine.

After what felt like moons, a she-cat emerged from the den, Riotclaw at her side. Moss-Star's black and ginger fur was smooth and her expression was gentle, but Hawkkit couldn't help feeling the growing dread in her belly.

"Shadekit, Woodkit, Hawkkit," Moss-Star meowed, "I'm glad you three are okay. And I hope you understand the danger of your actions today." They all nodded.

"Then," Moss-Star continued, "I think Riotclaw should choose your punishment. After all, he is your father."

Riotclaw gave Moss-Star an unsure glance, "I think they ought to start in-camp apprentice duties, since they wish to be warriors so fast."

Shadekit sulked as Woodkit silently hung his head. Hawkkit just let out a sigh of relief. I'm just glad my apprenticeship wasn't delayed!

Moss-Star nodded in agreement, "I think that would be suitable. For the next two moons, you three will care for the elders and help patching holes in the camp walls."