WarriorCats: Raised by foxes

Chapter One

The two foxes sat close together, heads dipped sorrowfully. Their first-born kit had died, finally, of the sickness that had claimed him. It was the first time that one of their kits had died, and they were shocked at the empty feeling his death had brought, even though they still had two. Thank goodness they still had two. They felt they needed to fill that empty spot with something else. But what?

"Let us take a walk, Soft Heart. We need to try to take our mind off our sadness.

Soft Heart sighed. "I suppose. Where will we walk to?"

Her mate paused, thinking. "Why not the river? It always looks lovely. It's beauty might help."

"Sure, Russet Claw. I like the river."

Russet Claw and Soft Heart padded together toward the river, which was not that far from their den. The sun was still high in the sky, but was starting to dip towards the horizon. The river was beautiful, sparkling in the sunlight, but Soft Heart's mind was not noticing that. What she noticed was a sodden lump, caught against a branch that was preventing it from being swept away. Soft Heart gasped and moved closer to get a better look.

"Russet Claw, come over here! There is something caught on this branch," she called out.

Russet Claw looked at thing that caught Soft Heart's attention. "It's probably just a piece of river debris or some Two Leg object. Don't worry about it," he called back.

Soft Heart stared intently at it. "I do not think it is debris or trash. I think... I think it is a kit!" Her eyes widened. "We need to get it out of there!"

Russet Claw glanced at her. "Why worry about it? It is probably already drowned. There ia nothing we can do. Besides, it is not our kit."

"But it could be..." Soft Heart murmured.

"What do you mean?" Russet Claw asked. "How could that be our kit? Our kit died of sickness, remember?"

Soft Heart laughed. "Not in that way, silly. We could take it in, raise it as our own. It might fill the hole in our hearts."

"Are you sure that's a good idea? What if the parents come looking for it? And don't get your hopes up. It is probably dead."

Soft Heart knew it was probably dead, but she didn't care. "I am going to go and get it." She padded determinedly into the current. She saw the branch loosen from the rock pinning it in place. I must hurry! She reached forward and grasped the bundle of wet fur firmly in her jaws, just as the stick broke free. She headed back towards shore, her bushy tail held high to keep it out of the water. She deposited her load at the feet of her mate. "Now let us bring it back to our den."

At the den, Soft Heart was busy licking the kit dry. "It is a cat kit! she exclaimed, surprised. "It must be from those Clans that live closer to the lake."

"Do you think we should return it?" asked Russet Claw.

"No. They will chase us away, like they do to any fox, or even cat, that steps paw in their territory." Soft Heart growled. "I say keep it anyways. I have plenty of milk."

In front of her the kit stirred, coughing up water. "It is awake!"

Yes, foxes do talk like that, which makes them sound really weird.

~Goldenfeather

Ahhh! StarClan! Why didn't anyone tell me that I used a million contractions in this chapter?! ~Future Goldenfeather