Gilafang's Resentment (Book 4)

Chapter 4

"All cats old enough to kill, please gather beneath the bloodrock for a clan meeting. Gilakit curled his lip at the words his mother used. Does she have to be so cruel about it? He wondered bitterly in his mind before he bounced out of the nursery beside his sister. "Today we welcome my kits as apprentices."

Gilakit settled himself beside Lemurtail near the back. Her plump, round belly sagged under her, and Gilakit smiled. Maybe Sunsetkit and him could finally have a friend. Lemurtail was so kind, surely the kits she bore would be just as kind as her.

"Gilakit, step forward!" Morningstar's call broke his thoughts and he jumped, and darted up to the top of the bloodrock. This is the rock where Morningstar made her first kill, Brightshine's kit, and Lemurtail and Turtlefaces brother, and that was the origin of its name. It was also rumored that she had killed her sister here too, on that very same day, but Gilakit didn't want to believe that. The very thought that one cat had died there made his skin crawl with disgust. He shook his head to clear it and gazed up at his mother, trying to forget all of his sour feelings towards her and enjoy the ceremony.

"My dear son, I am proud to give you your apprentice name. Gilapaw, your mentor will be Fangscar, he is ready for an apprentice. He has received excellent training from his leader, and I trust this strong tom to pass on all he learned from me to you." Morningstar rested her muzzle on Gilapaw's forehead, and in return Gilapaw licked her shoulder respectfully before turning back to face his mentor. He couldn't help but wince at the sight of him.

Fangscar's face was hidden in so many scars and scabs from battle Gilapaw could barely see his features underneath. His pelt was ragged with more scars, and he had his claws unsheathed as he padded over to Gilapaw. Does he always keep them unsheathed? Gilapaw wondered as he tentatively touched noses with the big, scary tom. Fangscar nodded as if to make the moment official before turning to watch the rest of the ceremony.

Sunsetkit was staring up at her mother warily, she knew and understood the hatred of her size that her mother had for her, and knew how much Morningstar longed to kill her. Sunsetkit still woke up from nightmares about Morningstar.

"Sunsetpaw, your mentor will be Brokenjaw. I am sure he will be the perfect match for your skill and size, and you will learn a lot from this tom." Morningstar said flatly, as if she were suddenly bored. She barely skimmed Sunsetpaw's forehead, and recoiled with a soft hiss as Sunsetpaw made a move to lick her shoulder. Gilapaw growled low under his breath. The mangy foxheart! He yowled to himself, unsheathing his claws to rip out the grass beneath him. Sunsetpaw flinched at her mother's obvious warning and hurried to Brokejaw's side, touching noses with him and then clinging to his side. Lemurtail stood on the opposing side of Sunsetpaw, wapping her tail around her protectively.

Morningstar cleared her throat. "Meeting dismissed." She said and leaped back down, bounding straight back to Fallingfeather, who was glaring at her. His tail was flicking with anger as Morningstar looked at him, confused. She said something Gilapaw couldn't hear, and Fallingfeather just looked more angry. Gilapaw crept closer.

"I can't believe you just said that!!" He spat. Gilapaw widened his eyes at the look his father was giving Morningstar. He looked like he wanted to kill her. Morningstar rolled her eyes.

"Said what, you big lump?" She pushed him over playfully, and Fallingfeather hissed.

"Don't touch me!!" He yowled, jumping back with an infuriated hiss. "I cannot believe you!!! You give this big, proud speech about our son, and then you act like Sunsetpaw is an enemy cat! What made you even think to do that?!" He screamed, his fur bristled on his back. Sunsetpaw poked her head out of the apprentices den, her eyes widened in surprise and fear. Gilapaw watched with wide eyes too; he had never seen his father so angry.

Morningstar looked at him blankly. "She's weak! Can you blame me? The only reason she's alive to this day is because of you!" She spat back, clearly angry her mate had the nerve to address her this way. Gilapaw tensed his muscles, ready to leap on his mother if she made a move. His tail lashed. Is she really this blind?!

Fallingfeather scoffed with disbelief. "You mean you actually considered killing her?! How could you do such a thing, Morningstar?! That is absolutely foxhearted!!" He yowled, backing away. He was shaking with anger. "If this is the real you, Morningstar--which I hope deep within my heart isn't--then I- I deeply regret ever thinking you were a good cat. I- I love the cat that I knew before this stupid mess!" He yowled.

By now there was a crowd around them, all watching tensely as the two mates fought. Morningstar was glared at them all with slitted eyes. Gilapaw felt uneasy, and he moved closer to Lemurtail, suddenly not liking the anger in the air.

Fallingfeather went on with a shaking breath. "I loved you, Morningstar. But if you don't love both of my kits equally, then I guess I was much too blind to your true colors!" He said, backing farther away. He then got up, and pushed his way towards Gilapaw and Sunsetpaw, looking at them both sadly.

"I'm so sorry she did this to you, Sunsetpaw. I had no idea, I'll never let any-" he broke off with a choked gasp, his eyes widening in surprise, and crumpled to the ground limply, with blood welling in his neck. As he fell, his body revealed a seething Morningstar, teeth clenched and panting, shaking with anger. She stared at the rest of the shaking clan.

"Go to your dens!!" She barked, tail still lashing. Sunsetpaw and Gilapaw clutched each other, and scrambled away from their mother, racing to the apprentices den, too shocked to comprehend the fact that their father had just died, defending Sunsetpaw.