Shadowstripe's Treachery

Chapter 21

((Cat above is Fernkit))

((Larkstar's pov))

More than five moons had passed since the death of her brother and her mate, and Larkstar had gotten along fairly well for such an awful shock. She had given birth to two beautiful kits, though one of them had died early from an unknown cause. Her remaining kit, Fernkit, was a fluffy she kit that didn't look a thing like her or Cinderstorm. Instead, the kit shared most of Shadowstripe's traits, like her dark tabby pelt and her amber eyes. Larkstar had to try very hard not to think of her brother whenever she looked at her kit, though sometimes she had to leave camp and go on long walks to compose herself so she wouldn't have a panic attack in front of her kit.

Panic attacks had become more common for her, and Russetleaf had yet to figure out what herbs to give her whenever that did happen. She had done a good job of hiding how she felt in front of Fernkit, and she tried to shelter her to the best of her abilities from her family's dark past. Clover had been like a second mother to Fernkit, and Larkstar was so grateful to have her around when she had to do her duty as leader. The whole clan had pitched in to support her during this tough time, and she was very grateful.

Now she was in the nursery attempting to take a nap. She had appointed Meadowleap as the new deputy, and she was also a huge help, though she wasn't Larkstar's first choice. I would've chosen you, Cinderstorm, she sighed, if you had lived.... if only you could've seen our kits.. "Curse you, Shadowstripe!" She hissed out loud.

Fernkit had just come in from playing outside, and she gave her mother a questioning look, "What? Who is Shadowstripe?" She squeaked.

Fox dung! She thought to herself, "Oh no one, sweetie... I'm just a little stressed." she laughed nervously.

Fernkit sat next to Larkstar, a serious look in her eyes. "Larkstar?"

"Yes?" She asked.

"What did my dad look like?"

Larkstar stiffened, "Uh... well... uh.. he was very muscular and had fluffy grey fur. But please, Fernkit, let's talk about something else-"

"Wait!" She mewed, "One more question."

She let out a shaky sigh, "Okay, go ahead."

"Are you my real mother?" She asked curiously.

Larkstar's muscles tensed even more, "Of course I am! Why would you ask that?"

"Because I don't look anything like you!" She pointed out.

"Well of course you do! You... uh... have the same.... paws?" She tried to find something that they had in common.

"Do I look anything like Shadowstripe?" She queried.

"How do you know about Shadowstripe?" She gasped.

The little kit looked confused, "Well... I don't really. I just hear you cursing his name sometimes, and I always wondered who he was..."

I thought I had done a good job of keeping him a secret! Oh well... there's no going back now. "He... was my brother."

"Then why do you curse him?" Fernkit squeaked.

Larkstar sighed hesitantly, "He was... a murderer," she choked on her words, "and he did some very bad things to your father...."

Fernkit nodded solemnly, "Oh."

"Can we not talk about this anymore?" She mewed, "Why don't you go play outside?"

She nodded, knowing better not to ask anymore questions because of her mother's mental instability. She obediently went outside with a sigh. Larkstar's muscles relaxed the moment she left, but she still felt anxiety building up inside her, as if something was forming in her stomach, slowly destroying her from the inside out.