The Flood Of Power Book 1: New Moon

Chapter 15

He was going to die.

He was going to die at the paws of that terrible beast who wanted to take his soul and eat his heart.

A beast who wanted to see him cry so that it could laugh in a horrible way.

The beast had him cornered at the edge of camp, looming over him with eyes glittering mischievously.

"Now, youngun', there's no need to be that scared of me, is there?" The beast shifted slightly, sunlight falling onto the brown and silver fur on her face. Sneezewing sniffled slightly and sighed. "Did you think I was Blackmist again? Do I really look that similar to him? Poor kit." She leaned down to give Mistkit a gentle lick between the ears before padding away.

Mistkit shivered dispite the warm day. Blackmist was on a hunt to find him, and he refused to be found. Mother can't protect me forever. I have to learn to protect myself. If I don't, then how will I be a warrior? He asked himself, his tiny paws scuffling the ground.

Then he heard the creaky voice of his greatest enemy. "Have you seen little Mistkit? Squirrelfoot said she wanted him to go to the nursery to take a nap."

He couldn't see who the old cat was talking to, but hoped that they would say that they didn't know where he was.

"I am afraid I have not. If I see him, I'll be sure to tell you." Came Ashstar's voice, cool and calm as always.

"Alright, thank you, Ashstar." Blackmist bumbled off, his old bones making him slow and unsteady.

Once he was far out of earshot, Ashstar's voice said, "Mistkit, come here."

Reluctantly, Mistkit left his hiding spot and padded slowly to his leader, who was lying in a patch of sunlight. He expected a scolding, but then remembered who he was looking at.

"Blackmist doesn't mean any harm, and probably doesn't know that he's scaring you. What has he done to make you so scared of him? Try to make you talk?" Mistkit nodded, flattening his ears. Ashstar laid his head down on his paws. "You might as well head to the nursery, Squirrelfoot will be missing you." Mistkit nodded, leaving the leader and racing to the nursery before Blackmist could spot him.

"Is a fox chasing you?" Horseear purred in amusement at his ruffled fur and wide eyes.

"Couldn't find him, Squirrelfoot." Blackmist poked his head into the nursery, almost ending up with Mistkit on his nose. As soon as he saw the elder, Mistkit sprinted across the soft moss of the nursery floor and dove into his mother's comforting fur.

She wrapped her tail around him and nuzzled his head. "I think he knew it was time for nap." She purred. Nightkit squeaked a protest as she started lapping at his fur.

"I think I may have scared the little thing." Blackmist meowed, then left.

Mistkit poked his head out from his mother's fur. Nightkit was still half awake, and was purring contentedly while Squirrelfoot washed him. Me too! I want to be cared for too! Mistkit thought, wiggling over to his littermate's side and trying to stuff his own head into the path of Squirrelfoot's tongue.

"Now, now, Mistkit, wait your turn." Squirrelfoot mewed gently, nudging him aside and continuing to wash his brother.

He sulked, his head resting against her forepaws. Several moments passed before the ginger queen pulled him closer to her muzzle and started lapping at his fur with long, rythmatic strokes. Relaxing, he snuggled in closer to her and wrapped his forepaws around Nightkit's leg.

"Mistkit, wake up." A stern, yet gentle, voice roused him. Opening his eyes, Mistkit saw rolling hills and towering trees, all made from stars. Curled around him was a golden she-cat. He blinked up at her with wide eyes. She purred. "Hello little one!"