Into the Storm

Chapter 2

Frostkit opened his eyes, pain churning in his belly. 

Shakily getting to his paws, Frostkit pressed his paws on his moms face, who wake with a start, "Frostkit? What's wrong? You're paws are burning up!" Riverices annoyed voice instantly turned worried as she got to her paws, careful not to wake her slumbering kits. 

"Don't....feel...good." Frostkit gagged, the world around him seemed to be going in circles.

Riverice picked the tom up by his scruff, quickly going to Whispersongs den, "Whispersong, I'm sorry about bothering you, I know you must be tired from last nights meeting with the others, but Frostkit is gagging." Worry came off the she-cat in waves, making Frostkit anxious. 

The white medicine cat looked at Frostkit, "Did you get into anything?" 

"I had a mouse yesterday.. it tasted a bit funny but I didn't-" Frostkit gagged, a slime going up his throat, threatening to come out. 

"It was probably rotten, Sunfur was going to sort the rotten prey from the good but.." Whispersong sighed, "Riverice, can you tell Eagletalon to gather some cats to sort that out, I don't need the elders and kits sick. We're low on herbs as it is." she picked up a white leave, putting a bundle in front of Frostkit as his mother left, "Eat those, it will make you feel better."  

"Is it gross?" Frostkit asked, looking at the medicine cat, who nodded.

"Yes, but would you rather eat them and feel better or miss your apprentice ceremony? It's due any day now." Whispersong peered at him, her green eyes narrowed playfully.

Instantly the tom lapped up the leaves, his face contorting in a look of disgust, "Yuck!" He said once he got the vile flowers down. 

He gagged multiple times before throwing up a brown-yellow slime, he trembled, still trying to recover from the disgusting herb.

"Good job, such a strong little warrior." Whispersong purred, licking his ear gently. 

"Can I still be an apprentice?" Frostkit asked, looking at her, he didn't want to be apprenticed late.

"Yes, you can, but, don't eat any fresh-kill today, it will be to rough on your stomach. I'll speak to Graystar and see if you can be apprenticed tomorrow." 

Excitement bubbled in the gray tom, "Thanks Whispersong!" He called, running out. 

The clan was now awake and lively, the fresh-kill pile was getting filled, put into holes in the icy ground to keep it fresh longer. Ivytail and Mousetail, some elders, were talking to Scarpelt.

Rushing over to the three, Frostkit greeted them, "Hi Scarpelt! Where are you going?"

"Sunningrocks, it's warming up, leaf-bare is going to last but the sun isn't hiding anymore. Good thing to, my old bones can't take anymore of this." Scarpelt replied, his gray ear twitched, flicking away some frost that fell on it. 

"Can I come?" Frostkit asked hopefully, eyes shining.

Mousetail chuckled, "Maybe when Graystar makes you an apprentice you can, but as for now, the answer is no." The blind tom said.

"Come now," Ivytail started, "I want to take advantage of the sun." She purred, then turned looking at Frostkit with sympathy, "Sorry little warrior, you can come when your apprenticed." She padded away, leading her mate and brother off.

Frostkit watched, disappointment prickling his heart.

"Come on Mousepaw! Lets go the the Sandy Hallow." Frostkit looked up, seeing Iceheart leading the tom towards the bramble entrance of the camp. Thunderheart followed him with Dawnpaw, Bramblestripe and Foxpaw taking the rear.