Underpaw

Chapter One

"Mamma watch!" The small tortoiseshell tabby kit said to her mother as she tumbled from on top of a wood plank. "I'm the best jumper cat that ever lived" she smiled triumphantly as she sat up and wobbled to her feet. "Yes you are my little one" the tortoiseshell she cat purred with amusement as her young daughter tumbled at her feet. Suddenly they heard a sound. "Marigold hurry get in the den" her mothers tone let the little kit know that whatever the sound she heard was it was not good. She scurried inside the den and sat with her tail curled around her paws. Her mother sat stiff outside waiting for the cats as there loud paw steps echoed through the ally. "Taxes" the largest of the three cats said to the she cat. "I d-don't have any" she stammered. "Lightning" the smallest of the three looked up "yes" he replied "go check the den" the large tom nodded towards the towering den that Marigold and her mother had made. Lightning nodded and trotted towards the den. Before the she cat had any time to protest he was inside the den tearing it to shreds. Thankfully she saw her young kit scramble out before he had time to harm her. Marigold ran out and away from the ally. She darted around a corner and saw a little hole in the ground. Only big enough for a very small animal. Maybe a cat,she thought as she pocked her head into the hole. "Hello" she called "anyone there?" No answer. "Hello!" She yelled a bit louder. "Shhh" a small shushing sound came from inside the hole. " just wait a minute" marigold watched as a small kit emerged from the hole. "Don't yell" the little kit said "they might hear you." "Sorry" marigold said in a more shushed tone. "It's ok" the kit smiled " I'm Juniper by the way" she flicked her tail at Marigold "what's your name?" She asked. "Marigold" she said smiling. "Nice to meet you Marigold" Juniper said "we should hurry though" they might be coming." Juniper hustled into the hole and Marigold followed. "It's pretty dark in here" Marigold whispered as they walked deeper under ground. "Ya I know" Juniper said "but you get used to it." Suddenly they heard a yowl coming from Marigolds den. "Mamma!" Marigold turned and ran out of the hole. "Wait!" Juniper yelled "it's not safe!" "I know" Marigold said "but I have to save my mamma." She turned and ran out. She ran down the ally and carefully peeked around the corner. Her mom was bravely battling the large brown tom and the smaller black tom, but she noticed that the other tom as gone. She turned around just quick enough to see Juniper get clawed in the chest and killed. She didn't even have time to yowl. She was about to run over and find the tom but she heard another yowl. Her heart sunk. No! She thought. Please no.