Splashflight's Mistake (book one)

Chapter 17

Splashpaw woke in his den to Aquastar calling the gathering patrol. He got up, stretching. It had been three moons since Brightshine's warrior ceremony. Fallingfeather followed his sister the next moon with his, and Morningshine had never left his side since then. Splashpaw trotted out of his den, following Nightgaze. He could maybe sneak away to meet with Brightshine tonight.

"Nightgaze, can I stay this time? I need to catch up on sleep..." Splashpaw gave a huge yawn and rubbed his eyes. Nightgaze nodded.

"Alright. I've been working you hard these days. Why don't you sort some herbs with me when I get back and I'll tell you all the news," He suggested and Splashpaw's eyes sparkled.

"Alright! Thanks," he said, and trotted back to his den. Curling up in his den, he pretended to fall asleep until the commotion died down. He evened his breathing and slowed his heart, making sure his eyes were open so he didn't actually sleep. When everyone left, he got cautiously to his feet and crept to the warriors den.

"Brightshine?" He whispered. Brightshine's head shot up, her eye staring at his immediately. She got out, understanding his motives, and together they snuck out, going through the dirtplace tunnel.

Trotting together, they each leaped across the freezing river and followed the bank to their secret waterfall cave. Brightshine smiled at him, even though she was panting when they arrived, her breath clouding in the leaf bare air.

Splashpaw looked at her with concern. Had she always been this plump? Was she eating too much? "Whats wrong? Are you catching greencough too?" The snow crunched under his toes as he circled her worriedly.

Brightshine shook her head. "No, I'm fine. Just a bit winded..." She murmured back with a beaming smile. Suddenly the realization hit Splashpaw like a tom of bricks. He put two and two together. Excited sweat beaded at his brow and he smiled, jumping up and down.

"Brightshine! You're expecting!" He cried, his mew interrupted by purrs of joy. Brightshine gave a little nod and smiled broadly, her eye squinting up with laughter.

"You got it! Aren't you supposed to be a medicine cat?" She teased, and Splashpaw laughed, shoving her gently.

"Thats great, Brightshine! Oh, can you imagine how perfect they'll be?!" He leaned up against her shoulders. They spent the night laying together in the cave, and soon the two happy mates were fast asleep.

*****

Splashpaw woke in a thick, dense forest. The stars had disappeared, and the sky was blood red. The ground was sticky beneath his toes. He sank down slowly with a disgusting squelch each time he took a step. Splashpaw curled his lip with disgust. "Ew!"

Pushing his way through the slimy trees, he sniffed the air. He immediately closed his mouth and retched at the reek of death and blood that bombarded him like a tital wave, nearly knocking him over. He regained his footing, and pricked his ears.

Hearing wails, he trotted after the sound. Rounding a bend, he stared in horror at the sight that met him.

A long, endless row of faceless kits stood, their features familiar. But Splashpaw had never seen them before. He knew the scents, but he couldn't name them right then. He stood, staring blindly at the large shadow standing at one end of the row of kits.

Then, one by one, the shadow moved down the line, striking each kit to death until the wails of pain died with each one. He made his way swiftly down the line of kits, killing each one. Splashpaw watched in horror.

He turned around, wanting to run, but he met glittering eyes and an evil grin. The shadowy cat cackled, and started to chase him, claws out and ready to kill him. Splashpaw ran as fast as he could, but he reached a dead end, running blindly off of a large cliff, and plunging down into an endless dark abyss. Then the cat spoke.

"The lake of blood will grow with every strike. Kits will drown in rivers of endless blood and pain and the clan will be wiped out. Only the ringed tail and the dappled turtle can deliver us from the fatal morning star!"

Then everything went dark.