Battlecats - The Path to the Trees

Chapter 9

Hawkkit stared at the entrance to the suckle den. The day had finally come. The last two phases had seemed to fly by, and he and Silentkit were finally old enough to be made battlekits. It seemed like just yesterday Slenderpaw had been made a battlekit herself and now here the both of them were, silently waiting for their ceremony.

A rustling at the entrance to the den stirred Hawkkit from his thoughts. A black she-cat entered, Slenderpaw. "How're you two holding up?" She purred, whisking her tail around excitedly. Hawkkit shrugged, "Calmer than you were, for sure." Hawkkit let out a mrrow of laughter. Slenderpaw did as well.

"What about you Silentkit?" She eyed her mute brother carefully. He nodded in response, smiling and waving his tail happily. Slenderpaw smiled in return. "Great! Cats are beginning to gather outside already. Sharp Spirit should begin soon." She gazed at the entrance to the den wistfully.

"So, how's battlekit training treating you?" Hawkkit meowed. "It's been a while since we've spoken."

"It's been great," Slenderpaw mewed. "Rosyfur is a wonderful mentor. We've been working on our climbing techniques recently. You'll be learning that soon as well." She winked.

"Like it's that hard," Hawkkit rolled his eyes. "Maybe not," Slenderpaw shrugged. "But I'm totally way ahead of you guys. You'll never catch up." She waved a paw emphatically in the air before laughing. Hawkkit rolled his eyes again. "We'll see about that."

"Snowcloud!" Slenderpaw meowed, pushing past her brother and padding over to touch noses with the black and white mother. "How have you been?" Hawkkit, once again, rolled his eyes.

Snowcloud purred happily as she touched noses with his sister. "I've been great. Just tired from taking care of those little rascals." She pointed with her tail toward her now four phase old kits.

"They're getting so big!" Slenderpaw chirped happily. "Soon enough you won't have to care for them anymore, they already look large enough to be battlekits!"

Snowcloud purred as well. "It's hard work, kits, but I've never been happier than watching them grow up." The black and white she-cat gazed lovingly at her brood. "Kits! Why don't you come say hello to Slenderpaw, she's come to visit before the ceremony."

Her four kits romped their way over before settling in front of Slenderpaw. The largest of the four, Brackenkit, stepped forward, his tail high and his eyes gleaming at Slenderpaw with interest. "What's battlekit training like?" He asked, his eyes wide with curiosity. "Is it fun or scary? Have you seen the whole territory yet?"
Slenderpaw chuckled lightly, "Training has been going quite well Brackenkit, and I'd honestly have to say it's very fun. I've quite enjoyed myself these past two phases. As for the territory, yes, I have seen it all, but I haven't memorized all of the places yet. I'll get it in due time."

"I can't wait to explore the territory!" Brackenkit squeaked, hopping on his paws. "I've always wanted to go to the beach and see the ocean! But Snowcloud said I can only go once I'm made a battlecat." The young tom pouted as he looked over at his mother.

"And she's right!" Slenderpaw chided. "The ocean is much more dangerous than the rivers and streams on our territories. Even WebPod cats wouldn't dare swim in such torrential waters."

Brackenkit gasped, "Really? And I thought they were such good swimmers!" Slenderpaw shook her head emphatically. "No, no, no! They know the dangers of the water and even they stay clear of it." She nodded as she ended her sentence. Brackenkit looked a little crestfallen to hear that as his little tail drooped and his pout got deeper.

"But," Slenderpaw continued, tipping the kit's drooping chin upward with her paw to look at her. "You only have two more phases to go and maybe, just maybe, you'll be able to go see that ocean. If you're careful of course." She chuckled. Brackenkit brightened a little and his smile returned.