Asha's Path Book 1: Famine

Chapter 3

"And this is the den where you'll be sleeping," Caramel finished.

"The camp is-" she was interrupted with a yawn. "Huge."

"Yes it is. Now I think it's time to go to bed."

Asha nodded, almost falling asleep like a horse-standing up.

Caramel led her into the den and the huge nest in the corner.

Caramel curled in first, adjusting her belly, and Asha curled to sleep in Caramel's paws, in front of her chest.

The sound of Asha's soft breathing made Caramel smile. "You'll be a big sister soon," she whispered. "Then you'll be even happier."

As Caramel allowed sleep to pull her under, she felt Storm's tail wrap around her middle.

The three cats slept together, warm and safe in their den.

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"This is where Wolf and Lake are, right?"

Caramel nodded. "Tell Raven that you're visiting them."

"Okay!"

Asha passed over to the mother den and saw a black cat in a nest, with a light grey kit and a white kit beside her.

The white kit was playing with a scrap of moss. The other was sitting up straight, her eyes closed.

"Raven?"

The black cat looked up. "Asha! Nice to finally meet you! Storm told me all about you."

"Nice to meet you! I came to play with Lake and Wolf!"

"Well, Wolf is playing with the moss ball. Lake's a little tired, so she's just relaxing."

"Okay," Asha said. "Maybe Wolf and I could play moss ball together!"

"Sure you could. Wolf, can you keep and eye on your sister while I go out on patrol?"

"Sure thing, Raven!"

When Raven had gone, Asha padded up to Wolf. "Why did you call her Raven and not mom?"

Wolf was silent as he batted the ball around.

"Maybe I could play ball with you?"

"I guess. Here," Wolf tossed it to her and she batted it back hard.

"See if you can dodge this!" Wolf squealed, lunging for Asha.

They began play fighting, Wolf's weight bearing Asha significantly.

"Lemme up!"

Wolf smirked. "No! You can stay under there for a while!"

"Wolf! My legs are going to fall asleep!"

Wolf eventually got up and Asha shook out her fur. Wolf did the same, and dust clouded the den.

"Wolf," came a small voice. "Will you please be more careful?"

"Sorry, Lake!" Wolf smiled, glancing at his sister.

"Come on, let's go outside! It's sunny!"

Lake slowly followed Asha and Wolf as they bounded outside.

They played until the sky got dark.

By then Raven had come home and curled the two kits down beside her.

Asha went over to her parents den and curled beside Storm.

"Good night, dad. Good night, Caramel."

They responded with good nights and they fell asleep to the sounds of crickets chriping.

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I'm sorry I'm such a bad writer.