Aspenleaf's Duty

Chapter 2

The Greenleaf heat was worse the next morning. Ravencall came to Silverstar's den as the sun rose, eager to further discuss the water shortage. With Blackheart's help, the kits managed to scramble down the jutting rocks to the clearing. Sparkkit, Larkkit, Stormkit and Lilykit had scampered off to play with Flowerfern's kits Dawnkit and Mistkit as well as Hazelbreeze's kit Icekit. Aspenkit sat quietly in the shade beside her father, watching her siblings rolling in the dust with the other kits. Blackheart sat down beside his youngest kit and looked down at her, his normally guarded eyes full of concern.

"Still don't want to play?" he murmured. Aspenkit looked up at him, her eyes wide. Blackheart looked at her for a few moments more before nodding a little. "Ok, I got it." He lowered himself onto his belly and gestured for his daughter to come closer to him. She shifted herself until she was beside his shoulder. Blackheart looked at her for a long moment, his eyes softening. "You know Aspenkit, we don't understand you, you're the most unusual kit your age I've ever encountered. You've never spoken but you at least used to play. You seem more at home among the elders these days, when you have your whole life ahead of you."

Aspenkit lowered her gaze, embarrassed by her father's gentle scolding. She knew she wasn't normal, with her lack of confidence to the point that she shied away from any interaction outside of her family.

"However," Blackheart continued. "I also realise that we understand you more than other cats do. While you don't talk, we know you well enough to know what you want without you asking for it." He hesitated before continuing. "But one day, you'll be a warrior and then you'll have to speak. How can you take part in patrols, and take a mate, and raise kits and fight if you can't communicate with your clan mates? Communication is a vital part of clan life Aspenkit."

"Hey Blackheart." They looked up to see Blackheart's apprentice Robinpaw looking expectantly at his mentor. "Are you still going to show me that move today? That twisty slashy one."

"It's called the in-air twist Robinpaw." Muttered Blackheart.

Robinpaw flicked his ginger ear. "Same thing." He meowed cockily. "Are we going to or not."

Blackheart gave a little sigh. "Robinpaw, you are a fine apprentice but you need to learn patience before you can become a warrior."

"Patience catches no prey." Argued Robinpaw. He then seemed to notice Aspenkit for the first time. "Is this the quiet one?" he asked dropping to his belly so he was at eye level with Aspenkit. "Hi, I'm Robinpaw, what's your name?"

Aspenkit hesitated at being spoken to directly and looked up at her father. Blackheart returned her gaze steadily, his eyes warm as he silently encouraged her to speak. She looked back at Robinpaw, opening her mouth and trying to summon the words. But try as she might, words just would not come.

"I see I've left you speechless." Mewed Robinpaw, winking at her. "Don't worry, I have that effect on all the she-cats."

Aspenkit gave a small purr of amusement. Despite his brash and almost aggressive friendliness, she decided she liked this tom. He didn't seem so serious about life as some of the other cats were.

Blackheart had been looking down at his daughter and seemed to be satisfied by her relaxing around another cat. "We'll go soon Robinpaw." He mewed looking back at his apprentice. "Go and grab yourself some fresh-kill and I'll meet you at the entrance. Go and ask Heatherfrost if she and Creekpaw would like to come too."

Robinpaw's eyes lit up at the thought of training with his sister. The prickly she-cat had trouble sometimes with the other apprentices but Robinpaw knew exactly how to handle her. He gave a respectful nod to his mentor and winked again at Aspenkit before dashing across the clearing to the fresh-kill pile.