Revenge (Sequel To Embarrassing Love)

Chapter 2

Emberkit flexed his claws inside the nursery. Birds chattered loudly outside. He looked outside and saw Squirrelfur grooming his messy pelt in a patch of sunshine. Squirrelfur glanced at him and beckoned for him to come. Emberkit obediently padded up to Squirrelfur.

"Would you like to hear a story?" he asked. "Yes!" Emberkit mewed excitedly. Squirrelfur purred with amusement.

"Okay, do you want to hear about one of the greatest leaders of Thunderclan, Bramblestar?" he asked. Emberkit nodded and sat down.

"Many years ago, when there had only been four clans, there had been a great war between good and evil. Out of the dark rose Bramblestar. The war had sent the clans into chaos. Starvation and disease spread over every territory and food became scarce. The clans were nearing complete destruction. Then, Bramblestar remembered his father's plans. Tigerstar was his father and was very evil. He had, luckily, been killed in battle, but his memory still lived on and then his plans seemed like the only option. At the next moonlit gathering, Bramblestar proposed the idea of becoming one great clan known as Fireclan, in honor of the past leader Firestar. Riverclan was the first to agree, then Windclan, then Shadowclan. The newly formed Fireclan moved to a disease free area where food was more abundant and the ill could heal. Bramblestar had saved the clans from destruction." Squirrelfur finished.

Emberkit's eyes gleamed with awe. "Wow. I'll be like that one day!" he squealed.

"I'm sure you will." Squirrelfur purred. "Now I must rest my old bones, I'll tell you another story tonight if you like." He pulled himself to his feet and padded over to his den. Emberkit watched him limp away with concern. I'll tell Softwing about his limp. Emberkit decided.

Softwing lay in her nest while Kinkfoot was sorting herbs. Softwing lifted her muzzle and stared at Emberkit expectantly.

"Squirrelfur has a limp." he meowed. Softwing nodded and grabbed a bundle of herbs before padding out of the den. Her pelt smelled strongly of herbs. How does she stand that smell? Emberkit wondered. As he turned to pad into the clearing, he heard a screech of alarm from one of his clan mates.

"Thunderclan, attack!" the words rang throughout the camp. Emberkit's fur stood on end and he peaked outside.

"Stay in here!" Kinkfoot ordered and dashed outside with as many herbs as he could carry. The camp was a flurry of fur, blood flying everywhere. The strange smell of undergrowth was slowly becoming stronger. A large spotted tom with large fangs charged at him. His eyes gleamed with early triumph.

"Emberkit!" a terrified voice screeched. A strong paw pushed him out of the way just in time. He turned around to see Flamestorm and the spotted tom grappling fiercely. Emberkit dashed through the bushes. He couldn't stay, not while cats were trying to kill him. The ground was hard under paw and Emberkit's legs grew tired. He stopped to lean against a tree when the screeching finally faded into the distance.

The sun lowered in the sky as Emberkit huddled in the roots of an old oak tree, lost, alone, and afraid. He mewled for help, but no one was within earshot. With a sigh, he sank to his feet and gathered some leaves for a makeshift nest. The sounds of the forest were much louder than in the nursery. Emberkit quivered in fear as he closed his eyes. Eventually sleep swept over him in a dark wave.

Sunkit crouched in the nursery, safely behind Lifeblaze and Dawnkit. I hope Emberkit is safe. he thought.

"Thunderclan, retreat!" a tom screeched from outside. A wave of relief passed through Sunkit. He cautiously stuck his head outside to see the last of the Thunderclan cats dive into the ferns to go back to their territory. The warriors who had fought had many scars, none of which looked too serious. Kinkfoot and Softwing were busy treating Owlgaze who had a scratched muzzle.

Lifeblaze padded over to Flamestorm. "Where's Emberkit?" she asked worriedly. Flamestorm looked around camp. "I don't know." he screeched.

"Where did you last see him?" Lifeblaze asked. "Near the medicine den." Flamestorm answered. Lifeblaze nodded and headed towards the medicine den.

Emberkit's eyes fluttered open weakly. The crunch of a twig had woken him up.

"Who's there?" he mewed shakily. The bracken moved to reveal the bulky shape of an unknown creature. It had a black stripe on its muzzle and beady eyes. Its paws wielded long claws. It took a few steps closer to Emberkit, cornering him against a tree.

"W-what are you?" Emberkit stuttered. The creature sat down unexpectedly in front of him.

"Don''t worry young one. I safe." it said gruffly. Emberkit stared at it, perplexed. "How can you speak like me?"

"I learned way of cat from mother badger. Now I help cat." the creature picked up Emberkit in its large jaws. He squealed with alarm as the badger ran with him through the forest. It splashed through the shallow part of a river, thoroughly soaking Emberkit. A strange scent washed over him after a few more thumping strides. They burst into a clearing full of gray and black pelts.

"Welcome to Midnight."

Lifeblaze yowled in terror. Emberkit's scent was mixed with that of a badger next to a tree. A clump of orange and black fur had stuck to one of the tree's roots. Lifeblaze sniffed in hopelessly.

"Lifeblaze, he's dead. I'm sorry but we must return to our clan." Flamestorm mewed and licked Lifeblaze's cheek. She sighed and picked up the fur in her mouth gently.

"Okay, let's go." she sighed and padded back to camp. Flamestorm followed closely behind her.