Of Kits and Queens - #Wattys2016

Chapter One

Just a few tree lengths away from the edge of CentralClan territory, a small pond rippled as little water droplets slipped off of a low-hanging willow tree branch. In the distance, the city border line could be seen, the buildings glinting in the rising light of the moon. To the left of the pond, the run-down IvoryClan building looked ancient in the falling light.

A small rabbit bounded out of the CentralClan territory, escaping its fate of death. The willow trees swayed back and forth with the comforting breeze. An old and cracking Twoleg path wove through the grass like a snake.

A light wind blew, cooling down the air from the humid green-leaf day. Mice and rats scurried about through the City Clans. For a few seconds, the crickets and wind quieted down...the flies stopped buzzing. A brown she-cat walked down the cracked Twoleg path, a large kit swinging from her jaws. She padded silently down the path, her tail slightly waving back and forth.

The queen was a slim brown she-cat with some red marks on the side on her face. Her kit, the complete opposite, was a large and burly tom. Half of his face was black, and other half--ginger.

The she-cat sighed as she gently placed her kit by the side of the pool. She wrapped her tail around her paws and sat down, panting from the heat. The kit lumbered to the edge of the pool, quickly lapping up the water.

"Halfkit! Oh...Halfkit, for StarClan's sake--oh, don't drink so much!" She warned gently. When he kept drinking, she said, "You know City Clan water isn't the cleanest...Oh, you'll become sick!"

Halfkit waded in and sneezed, the water allowing just his paws to be covered. He purred lightly as the wind blew the water which tugged at his fur. "Mama...it's great! You should come in!" He smiled happily.

Kestrelsong took a few small laps at the pool, quenching her slight thirst. "It could be mixed with some sewer water, dear. Come on, let's dry you up."

Halfkit giggled and touched his nose to the water. There was a little splash; rings widened around him, and he watched in amazement as it rippled. "Ma, look! Look what I did!"

Kestrelsong smiled and beckoned Halfkit over. He shivered a little before padding out. "Where are we going, again?" He asked as she began to lick his fur dry.

She sighed. "Oh, Halfkit! You've forgotten already."

"Sorry, mama! I tried hard not to forget...but...but I forgot again," He dipped his head in shame.

Kestrelsong brushed her tail over her son's back. "It's quite alright...I'll remind you again."

"And tell me...about becoming a...an apprentice, mum!" He smiled. "I remember...something about that!"

"Oh, Halfkit!" She meowed, leading him to a nearby bush for shelter. "That's all you remember, but there's much more to EmpireClan life than that! You'll listen this time, now. Right?"

Halfkit nodded eagerly. "I'll remember!"

"Alright," She purred and lay down. As Halfkit snuggled in her fur, she felt another object with him. "What's that?"

Halfkit's large body covered it, and he gave his mother a goofy grin. "Nothing, mama!" He giggled, tucking his nose under his tail.

Kestrelsong picked him up by the scruff, revealing a small mouse. "Where'd you get that?" She gasped.

"I...I found it just over there," Halfkit explained, pointing to a brown metal plate in the ground. "The fur is soft! And...and...it was a little warm..."

Kestrelsong frowned. "The mouse could have gotten a disease and died, Halfkit," She meowed as she picked it up and tossed it into the small pool. "You remember where we're going? I mentioned it just a moment ago," She said, curling up around her son.

Halfkit watched as his mouse made a splash and disappeared. "A...place, I remember," He stuttered.

"Where?"

"Er...I'm...I'm not too sure," He admitted.

"Well, my son, we are going to another clan--just like the one we came from!" Kestrelsong spoke softly.

"From where we came from?" He squeaked.

"From IvoryClan," She explained. Halfkit nodded slowly. "EmpireClan is where we'll live...and tomorrow, we'll be able to meet Sunstar. Try not to get into too much trouble, dear. Just stay where I tell you...when we meet Sunstar, don't ask a lot of questions like you tend to do. Is that alright?" She asked while licking the top of his head.

"Sure, mama! I've got it!" He purred.

Kestrelsong smiled. "So what are you going to do when we meet Sunstar?"

"I...er...I'm just gonna sit there...like a good kit!" He squeaked.

"And wait for daddy," She added.

"And wait for daddy," Halfkit repeated.

"My wonderful little warrior! Now you repeat that to yourself...two or three times. You won't forget it, then, will you?"

Halfkit snuggled up in his mother's fur, mumbling to himself. "Sit there and wait...I'll sit there and wait...sit there and wait for mama and daddy,"

Kestrelsong yawned. "And you won't get into any trouble like you did in IvoryClan,"

Halfkit's blue eyes blinked up. "Like I did in IvoryClan?"

"Ah, you've forgotten that too," She sighed, laying her head on her paws. "Well, now. I won't remind you--or else you might do it again..."

Halfkit nodded and tucked his nose under his fluffy tail, trying to fall asleep.

The wind whistled as it pulled at the green grass. The long, flowing branches of the willow trees swayed back and forth. Halfkit's ears twitched as he heard prey running through CentralClan territory and crisp green-leaf leaves rustling.

"Kestrelsong?" He whispered.

The queen's nose twitched, though she kept her eyes closed.

"Mama," Halfkit whispered again, licking her muzzle.

Her dark blue eyes blinked open, groggily meeting Halfkit's gaze. It was night now, and Silverpelt was shining. "Yes, dear? Why don't you sleep?" She sighed.

"Mum, tell me how it's gonna be," He meowed softly. "In...in EmpireClan..."

Kestrelsong waved her tail. "We'll have a nice life there...with daddy," She added. "And, my little warrior, you'll become an apprentice when you're ready."

"I'm ready, mum!"

"No, dear. Not yet. You'll know when you're ready to fly,"

Halfkit smiled happily and began to fall asleep once again. "When I'm ready...to fly..."

Silverpelt gleamed, shining down on the pool which reflected to light of the moon. In CentralClan camp, a faint yell of an elder was heard, and an angry apprentice answered. The long willow branches swayed back and forth--small cherry blossom flowers were carried far, far away in the little night breeze.