Owlflight's Kits (Book One)

Chapter Seventeen

The sun was rising, casting flames of color over the sky. The warmth and strong prey scent reminded Owlflight that greenleaf was here, which gave him a bit of excitement for the days to come.

The water was calm, making it safe to cross over and to their island. Winter slept silently in the bush where he had sheltered, not daring to come any closer to Owlflight or the others in case they still viewed him as a threat.

"Good morning!" Cloud was the first to speak. "I smell prey. Can we hunt?"

"No." Owlflight growled. "Were We're still on GreenClan territory. We will not steal prey."

"If you aren't in the clans, how come you still follow the warrior code?" Winter asked, now awake. His jaws parted in a massive yawn as he stood and stretched. He was quite small, not much larger than Robin. But with his massive claws and sharp teeth, Owlflight could clearly see that he was a very powerful cat.

He thought for a moment about Winter's question. He enjoyed being with the clans. He was clan born, it only made sense for him to follow the rules he had been taught all his life. "Wouldn't want the trouble." He replied simply. "GreenClan will kill to defend their border."

"That's a bit harsh." Winter muttered. "Where do you live?"

"Why would we tell the son of Bloodshed where we live?" Stone spat back, suddenly bursting out of the bushes. Cloud limped out a moment later, shaking the mud from her pelt.

Winter blinked at him. Stone was large, but as plump and young as he was, Winter would be able to kill him as quickly as he had done to his brother. "I'm coming with you, aren't I...? I thought I was invited." He tilted his head.

Stone flattened his ears, tail fluffed up to twice it's usual side. "Who invited you?"

"I did, you piece of fox dung!" Cloud laughed. "He saved my life, and he's in pretty big danger. When Bloodshed wants you dead... There's not really anything to do but hide."

"We owe him Cloud's life." Robin said, though he didn't look like he was comfortable being with the cat. "He saved Cloud, and me, really."

Owlflight nodded in agreement. "I don't see why he would kill to save us then turn around and kill us. He can come." He couldn't help but notice the flash of pleasure in Winter's eyes. Had he made the right decision? Or had he put his life in danger?"

*

It was easier with a fifth cat around. Winter was quite the hunter, and Owlflight noticed that he was becoming good friends with Cloud. Because of her limp, hunting was difficult for her. Winter was always making sure that she was well fed because of this.

Robin seemed nervous around him, which Owlflight understood. Winter looked like an exact copy of Bloodshed. Owlflight was nervous around him, too. Stone clearly hated the poor cat, despite all he had done for his sister. He didn't trust him; no cat seemed to trust him besides Cloud.
Winter knew this, but he was in no hurry to impress the others. He didn't have to make a huge gesture to win the trust of his new friends; he would earn it with time.

"Here." Winter dropped a vole near Cloud's paws. Owlflight watched him closely, eyes narrowed. Cloud purred and took a quick bite, while Winter settled down next to her and curled their tails together.

"Thanks." Cloud whispered to him, "Have you eaten?"

"Yes, I ate a rabbit while I was out. I meant to bring that to you instead of the vole, but it looked so tasty.." Winter licked his lips.

Cloud snorted. "Mouse-brain." Winter didn't reply. Instead he rested his head on his paws, muttering something that Owlflight couldn't hear. Cloud licked his ear, before finishing her vole and curling up beside him to sleep.

Stone was just returning from hunting, a crow clutched in his jaws. "Nice catch." Owlflight complemented him.

"It's for you." Pride flashed in Stone's eyes as he spoke. "Where's Robin?"

Owlflight shrugged. "Went down to the gorge to get a drink. He isn't back yet.."

"What if he fell in?" Cloud's worried tone alarmed Owlflight.

"I'll go look for him." Winter said quickly. Cloud looked at him gratefully. She hadn't gone near the gorge since her accident, and was always worried when her siblings went near it.

Winter bounced off into the bushes, leaving Owlflight to think. He felt uncomfortable about the fact that Cloud and Winter had grown so close. He was always taking care of her, seeming to care about her more than he cared about himself. Owlflight knew that the two cats were clearly in love, but he wasn't sure if he supported it.