WarriorCats: Raised by foxes

Chapter Six

When the sun had reached the crown of the second tree, the siblings knew they should be heading back. They had devised a system of time based on the placement of the trees, which were in strangely straight rows. They knew their mother usually kept them in there for one tree-pass.

Wriggling through the tiny hole, River sat with her brother and sister and tried their best to look bored, like they really had sat in there the entire time.

She was glad of the Mossy Hollow. The Time-out room, or corner, had blank dirt walls and had the faint musky scent of badger. The dirt was perfectly smooth and the soil was packed, making it impossible to climb the walls. It was too small for play fighting, the ceiling was too low for jumping, and there was no toys for games.

A few moments later Soft Heart's narrow snout appeared in the entrance. "You can come out now. I hope you have learned from your impertinent behavior. Especially you, Scratch."

River paused to think back on why they were sent there in the first place. Oh yeah! She made a mental note to be more careful when she was speaking, it seemed like Mother Soft Heart was always listening.

She climbed up the dirt ramp to her bed, since she wouldn't be having any supper. She curled up in her soft nest made of shed fur, feathers, and dried grass, making sure to turn the proper amount before settling down.

Then, as she often did before, River pressed her ear to the wall. Her room was adjourning her parents, so she was in the best position to listen in to their conversations.

At first she couldn't make out what they were saying, but soon their voices rose above a whisper. "-the Council of Elders! It's coming up soon, and I will bring a disgrace to my name if I can not teach them how to speak!" This was Soft Heart.

"I think we have more problems than just speaking, darling. What about her? Do we bring her? It shall create many problems, and what will we tell her then? That she is-" Russet Claw's voice was drowned out by the snoring of Dazzle coming from beneath her.

River stuffed some feathers in her ears, but she could still hear it. She stared straight at the ceiling, willing for sleep to take her, but it would be a long time coming. Her head was too full of the things she overheard.