Owlflight's Kits (Book One)

Chapter Five

Days had passed since Owlflight found out that he was going to be a father. He worried endlessly, always trying to keep an eye on Firepelt, who had moved to the nursery where she would stay until the kits were born.

Every cat in MudClan was anxious for the kits to be born. They'd come right in the middle of leaf-bare, where they'd hardly be able to survive the harsh climate of the mountains. Firepelt ignored them, claiming that her kits would be the strongest kits that MudClan had ever known.

"Have you thought of any names?" Spiderpaw was asking Firepelt.

"What about Songkit? It's a beautiful name.." Firepelt offered.

"You could name one Echokit, in honor of Echopaw." Owlflight said. Firepelt's eyes lit up at the thought.

"My favorites would have to be Cloudkit or Stonekit. They're simple.." Spiderpaw said.

"Or maybe.. Robinkit." Owlflight muttered. Firepelt nodded.

"Well, we don't know how many kits we will have. We'll just have to see.."

"Stormkit," Spiderpaw ignored her. "Whitekit, Dovekit, Moonkit, um.. What about Robinkit?"

"I already said that." Owlflight pointed out.

"Well, whatever. You two leave me alone.. I want to rest. Bring me some food!" Firepelt rolled over onto her back, stretching.

Owlflight stood and walked over to the fresh kill pile, to see Silverpaw taking the last piece to the elder's den. He flattened his ears, turning to Stripedstar. "We're all out of fresh kill!" He called to her. She looked up from where she was resting outside her den.

"Tell Moonbeam." She said dismissively. Owlflight nodded, bounding over to where Moonbeam was talking to Flamefur.

"Stripedstar wants you to organize a hunting patrol." He said.

"Very well. Find three warriors and an apprentice to go with you." She ordered.

Owlflight immediately went to the warriors den. Only Spottedfeather and Blurrypelt were inside. "Would either of you like to join a hunting patrol?"

"Sure." Blurrypelt said, standing up. "Who else is coming?"

"Dunno yet." Owlflight shrugged. "Redshade?"

"Sure, I'll find him." Blurrypelt bounded off.

Owlflight caught a glimpse of Shadeclaw making his way toward the fresh kill pile, only to realize there was nothing there. "Would you like to come hunting with us?" Owlflight offered, feeling uneasy about talking to Shadeclaw. He had felt that way ever since he had that strange dream from Thorncloud.

"Sure." Shadeclaw shrugged.

Soon, Owlflight set off with Redshade, Blurrypelt, and Shadeclaw. Spiderpaw followed shortly behind, seeming reluctant to leave Firepelt. Owlflight was surprised that Spiderpaw had grown closer to Firepelt than she had ever been with her best friend, Silverpaw.

"Owlflight and I will go towards the mooncave. Redshade and Spiderpaw can go to the river, and Blurrypelt can go to tallrocks." Shadeclaw offered. Owlflight felt uncomfortable being alone with Shadeclaw, but he didn't mention it.

"How is Firepelt?" Shadeclaw asked as they headed into the mountains.

"Good.. I guess.." Owlflight muttered.

"It must be hard, having kits when you're still very young. You've only just become warriors!"

"I know.." Owlflight muttered. The sound of pawsteps behind him made him stop in his tracks.

"Owlpaw!" It was Rainpaw. He looked different; instead of his crystal blue eyes that he used to have, his eyes glowed the unnatural shade of blue that Thorncloud had.

"Its Owlflight now, actually." Owlflight said. Rainpaw blinked.

"I should have known that.." He grumbled, "Where are you going?"

"Hunting." Owlflight replied. He wondered if Rainpaw knew that his sister had joined StarClan.

"We have plenty of fresh-kill in the mooncave! Why don't you come and eat! You can take some back to the clan." Rainpaw offered. Owlflight glanced up; The sun was already beginning to sink below the horizon. It would be best if he found a lot of prey, and he guessed that StarClan's messengers would have quite a lot.

"What do you think, Shadeclaw?" Owlflight asked.

"I think it'll be great. We can take some back to the clan! Just don't tell them where we got it.." Shadeclaw looked thoughtful.

"Great! Come on!" Rainpaw dashed off, Owlflight and Shadeclaw following more slowly.

Soon they were lit by the eerie green light of the lamp in the mooncave, munching hungrily on some of the most delicious fish they had ever had.
"I have to bring some of this back to Firepelt!" Owlflight said. He noticed Thorncloud watching Shadeclaw closely. Moon cats could predict the future; that just reminded him of his dream. Something terrible was coming to the island.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Owlflight stood up. "We should be heading back now. Come on, Shadeclaw.."

"Can I take some fish back?" Shadeclaw asked. Thorncloud nodded slowly. Shadeclaw picked up several fish and headed out of the cave.

Owlflight started to do the same, but Thorncloud stopped him. "Wait, Owl. I need to speak to you.." He said.

"What is it?" Owlflight asked, settling down beside Rainpaw.

"Shade will cover the island, Owlflight. The darkness it brings will take many lives.." Thorncloud's eyes darkened.

"Is that a prophecy?"

"Yes. Leave, now!"