Spirits on the Wind

Chapter 2

Minnowkit woke up to hear Blossomstar's voice calling to the clan. He scrambled out of his nest and into the clearing, yawning.

"Today we are here to give two apprentices their warrior names. Poppypaw. You have been a great apprentice and you have trained hard. StarClan please look down on this apprentice as she receives her warrior name. She has trained hard to learn your mighty code. Poppypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect your clan, even at the cost of your life?" Blossomstar rang out.

"I do!" The yellow tabby she cat yowled loudly.

"Stripedleaf, as her mentor, do you believe she deserves to be a warrior."

"I do." A tabby tom sitting next to Poppypaw called.

"Then with the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. From this day until StarClan take you as their own, you will be known as Poppyleaf!"

Minnowkit cheered for Poppyleaf. Then Blossomstar repeated the ritual for Jetpaw, giving him the name Jettail.

After the celebration was over Minnowkit overheard Fallowkit and Minkkit talking. "I want to go out of camp! We are almost apprentices after all!" Minkkit whispered.

"You're right. Let's sneak out the dirtplace tunnel." Fallowkit agreed. Minnowkit followed them, slinking through the bushes without being seen.

The two older kits trotted along the shrubs in the river. A yowl broke the silence as Fallowkit stood face to face with a giant red furred beast.

"Fox!" Minkkit screeched. The fox thrashed at the two kits while Minnowkit hung back, frozen with fear. They were too far from camp to run back and get help.

The fox scooped up Fallowkit in his jaws, tossing her harshly into a tree.

"No!" Minkkit meowed and stuck thorn sharp claws into the fox's muzzle. It got even angrier and turned on Minkkit.

Luckily, a flash of gray fur darted in and grabbed the kit and pulled him away. The fox's jaws clamped on air where Minkkit had just been.

"Rippletalon." Minnowkit gasped quietly. More warriors started showing up, pushing the fox back. Even Poppyleaf and Jettail were there!

Finally, the fox ran back yelping after Rippletalon scratched its eyes.

Minnowkit watched as Minkkit nudged Fallowkit, trying to wake her up. The yellow tabby kit was dead. Before he got spotted, Minnowkit stumbled back to camp, his paws still shaky from what happened to Fallowkit.

When he fell, a slight nudge at him rump pushed him to his paws again. He looked back to see Silverkit next to him. "That was a dumb idea, Minnowkit." She scolded but a smile brimmed on her face. "It was so cool though wasn't it!" She bounced on her paws.

"I know right. I wish Fallowkit was still alive though." Minnowkit bowed his head with sadness

"It's alright, but her mother will miss her deeply." Silverkit nodded. Minnowkit remembered that when he was a firstborn, Timberpelt, Fallowkit and Minkkit's father was killed by a Twoleg. It was a depressing time and the clan and now Fallowkit? It's all too soon.

Silverkit walked ahead of him, her pelt brushing his, leaving tiny stars on his pelt also. His eyes widened. "That's so cool!" He meowed and licked a star on his pelt. It tasted like hot water.

"Now, you should get back into the nursery and pretend you didn't she anything." Silverkit pushed his towards the nursery.

"Okay!" He turned around to look at her again but she was gone. He rolled his eyes and slipped into the nursery, laying down in the nest.

A little later he heard loud, sad yowls. Songbird wept for her daughter. My he patrol had just carried in the dead kit and laid her down for vigil. The rest of the day was solemn and sad.