Ghosts of the Clans (COMPLETED)

Chapter 4

Antkit jerked awake, blinking in the bright sunlight that was streaming into the nursery. Leafkit, Heatherkit and Breezekit were already gone. They must be playing together outside, he thought bitterly, but when he poked his head outside, everyone was gathered, ears pricked and listening to Tallstar. Heatherkit and Breezekit sat in the middle, their pelts sleek and eyes gleaming.

Scurrying to sit beside Willowclaw, Antkit remembered that the two older kits had been dropping hints since three dawns before. He had not seen Thistleclaw for about half a moon now, and wondered if it had been a normal dream.

"Heatherpaw, your mentor will be Crowfeather. Breezepaw, your's will be Whitetail." Tallstar finished. "Heatherpaw! Breezepaw!" the Clan chanted enthusiastically. Not wanting to seem jealous, Antkit too raised his voice to chant alongside them. 

After the ceremony, Antkit returned to the nursery to see if Swallowkit, Thistlekit and Sedgekit were awake. They were Gorsetail's kits, born a quarter moon ago. Antkit liked them- at least they didn't make fun of him. He especially liked Swallowkit- the dark gray she-kit was mischievous, yet could act really innocent.

"Antkit! Wanna play moss-ball?" squeaked Swallowkit as soon as he entered. "Sure!" he purred, grabbing some moss to clump into a ball. Thistlekit and Sedgekit leapt up to join them, and they played happily in the clearing. It's been so long since I'd played, Antkit realised. It's good to feel so exhilarated again.

"Kits! It's time for your feed!" Gorsetail called from the nursery. Looking downcast, they chorused, "Alright, Gorsetail," then scampered away, leaving Antkit alone in the clearing. But no sooner did they leave did Leafkit strut to him, his tail high. "Wow, you're playing with the younger kits! Amazing talent; it will really help as a warrior!" he sneered. Stung, Antkit retorted, "Well then, O Great One, what were you doing?"

Immediately, he regretted those words as Leafkit began boasting, "Chatting with senior warriors, obviously! Flytail introduced me to them; he's so well-respected! Unlike you, of course. It's hard to believe that he's your father too."

Willowclaw appeared by Leafkit's side and gave him a sharp cuff to his ear. "Leafkit! You shouldn't speak to your brother like that!" she scolded, but yet her leaf-green eyes remained soft. As a queen, she obviously found it hard to reprimand her own kits.

Out of the blue, Tornear, who had led a patrol consisting of Flytail, Ashfoot and Robinwing just a few moments ago, hurtled into camp, his pale blue eyes wide and blood streaming from his pelt. "Three dogs have come into the moor! I came to fetch help." he panted. Tallstar leapt to his paws. "Mudclaw, Crowpaw, come with me! We will come help."

A few tense moments passed, then after what seemed like an eternity, the patrol returned, their heads bowing and tails drooping. They were carrying a large bundle of white fur, its fur streaked with scarlet blood. With a jolt of horror, Antkit realised who the warrior was.

"Flytail!" Willowclaw let out a heartbreaking wail.She ran forward as Robinwing and Mudclaw lowered the warrior to the ground, pressing her nose against the blood-stained fur. "He died bravely. We'll always remember him," Tallstar tried to comfort her, but she turned and glared at him. "That's not enough!" she sobbed, sounding utterly devastated.

His heart cracking to see his mother so wrenched, Antkit pressed his pelt against Willowclaw's trembling one. She nudged him closer, wrapping her tail around Leafkit and him.

Yet Antkit's mind was only thinking of the last words he had spoken to his father.

"I don't want you to be my father."