Warrior Cats: A Twoleg Kit

Prologue

The rain fell hard through the cold night air. A chorus of droplets streamed down from the sky, determined to flood the already marshy ground. A harsh wind picked up and swirled the small water drops across the air, whisking it sideways in a furious cycle. Small, soft paws thrummed against the wet ground, gliding over the damp marshland. The she-cat's sleek pelt did nothing to hold off the drowning rhythm of the rain.

Her breath quickened as she ran, her silky fur now plastered to her sides. Her thoughts became a jumbled mess of exhaustion and determination. The winds threatened to knock her over but she kept her pace, bounding over logs and small vegetation as the rain continued its relentless onslaught. Her mind was set on one goal, to protect the wailing kit she held in her jaws.

The she-cat's ears pricked as she heard sets of other cat's paw's ahead of her. A shout rang through the air as three cats leaped through the lush vegetation, their eyes glinting with hostility. The she-cat drew back sharply, standing defensively in a desperate attempt to protect her kit.

"A kittypet? So close to camp?"

"Easy, Stormheart. Listening to what she has to say may be in our best interests."

They cats began to circle the tired she-cat. They flicked their tails, splashing small droplets of water between themselves. The kittypet bowed her head solemnly and tried to face her foes in their eyes.

"My name is Priscilla. I come from the twolegplace. Please, I mean your cats no harm," she kept her gaze high as she spoke but her flank still trembled with fear. Stormheart, a dark blue and grey tom with a scar across his shoulder, shot forward. His claws barely managed to scrape along the she-cat's back before he was stopped short.

Water trickled down the other cat's muzzle as she stood in front of the tom. Her yellow gaze fell on his face as she cast him a stern look. He sheathed his claws immediately, standing back to let his deputy pass.

The ash-grey cat spoke calmly, "I am Ashpelt. Please, ignore my warrior. What are you doing on RiverClan territory?"

Priscilla's voice barely held as she trembled in the rain, "I have lost the rest of my litter. This kit is my last one, I need her to be safe. Will you please take her as one of your own?" The small grey kit stumbled from beneath her mother's wet belly, her eyes searching the other cat's figures in surprise. Her gaze fell upon the powerful deputy in front of her and she gave a small cry.

As the kit's mother tried to smooth her Stormheart spoke up, "You can't take this kit Ashpelt. Our clan is already short on food, we can't afford another mouth to feed." Ashpelt's eyes did not move from the small bundle in front of her. She swished her fluffy tail in contemplation.

"What do you mean 'lost'?"

The kittypet stared solemnly at the she-cat before her, "My housefolk, took my other kits away. I don't know where they've gone but I refuse to let this one disappear as well. I know these lake territories are home to many cats, won't you please take her? I want to chose where this one will live."

Ashpelt contemplated the kittypet's request deeply. She turned her head towards the third cat, a small tabby she-cat not much older than six moons. "Smallpaw, go back to camp and alert Longstar to make preparations for another kit."

The apprentice nodded and took off into the vegetation.

"You can't be serious, Ashpelt. This kit will never make a true warrior, she's of kittypet blo-"

Ashpelt twisted around and snarled back at Stormheart, her eyes glowing with anger, "'No warrior may neglect a kit in pain or in danger'. That is the warrior code and if you wish to not break it you will help this poor kit out of this rain and into a warm nest. Do you understand?"

Stormheart nodded his head, "Yes, Ashpelt."

The deputy's eyes shone momentarily with triumph. She turned to Priscilla, "We will take your kit now but you must get back to your twolegs, this place is not safe for a lone kittypet."

The she-cat understood. She gave her kit a small lick in farewell and handed her over to Ashpelt carefully. Priscilla stopped to give a small blink of gratitude before bounding back into the undergrowth with a flick of her tail.

Stormheart padded over to the RiverClan deputy, "We must go now."

Ashpelt nodded and turned to race back to camp, her rain-slick pelt dripping as the rain tumbled behind her.