Warriors: Crying Skies

Chapter One

Relatively small, blueish gray with brown spots, and very fluffy, Rainkit was rambunctious, and there was nothing anyone could have possible done about it, except two cats, but no one really knew that. Rainkit didn't see herself as loud or obnoxious in the least, but her mother and the other queen in the nursery believed, and knew otherwise, so the small kit often got her way. The two older she-cats loved the quiet of Rainkit not being there or her asleep, but they were rare. StarClan forbid the she-kit be quiet for five minutes while she was awake.

Rainkit always begged to leave the nursery, and no day was different. But the particular day that the story begins, she was very excited. For no reason, really, she just was. So, when she kept pestering her mother with more enthusiasm, ("Please, Skyleaf? Please? Please? PLEASE?") she relented, catching a look from Goldenfeather that said, 'make her shut up'.

Rainkit was excited for the day ahead, and ran out of the nursery, instantly bouncing into the deputy, who stared her down. She squeaked and lowered her head. Wildheart scared her for some reason. Don't take the kit the wrong way, she knew he was nice as could be, but that's still how it was. She expected him to be angry, but instead, he began to purr to her and draped his tail over her small head.

"I don't bite, Rainkit. You're okay. Just be careful, okay? You know who wouldn't put up with that? A grumpy cat. Luckily I am not." Rainkit relented and stared happily at him. This happened every time. He would say something and in an instant, Rainkit would just melt and was very comfortable with him. "Why don't you wake up Dewpaw? I think Darkfoot might appreciate you doing that for her."

Rainkit nodded. "Okay!" So, she scampered off to the apprentices den. Cautious as she approached, Rainkit took a quick sniff before padding inside, searching for Dewpaw, which was not hard considering he was the only cat in there. She ran up and poked him. Nothing. "Dewpaw! Get up! Get up!"

He rolled over away from her. An old habit of his.

"C'mon! Wildheart told me to!"

Finally, the older tom sat up and yawned, looking at the kit before him. And, as if suddenly he was being attacked, Dewpaw lowered his ears and averted his blue eyes from hers. "I-um, Rainkit. Thanks." She happily nodded before scampering into the sunlight, him following closely behind. He stretched in the sun, keeping an eye on Rainkit, who was looking around at the cats milling around. Probably looking for Timberfoot.

When she looked back at him, he looked away, as if he had not, in fact, been staring at the soon to be apprentice. "Hey, do you think you can play with me? I've heard Speckleheart's stories and recently she keeps forgetting which ones she's told me and which she hasn't. No one else is around and Skyleaf wants me out of her fur."

Dewpaw sat down and curled his tail over his white paws. He did not look at her, mostly afraid of the look he knew she was going to give him, as he replied, "I would, but Darkfoot promised to take me around the territory today, and she already told me she won't let me get out of doing anything she says we are going to do." He spared a glance at the kit, which was a mistake. Her eyes showed sadness and betrayal. "I-I mean, we should be back before sundown. Maybe if you can convince Skyleaf to let you stay out, I can play with you then...?"

With every word, Dewpaw's head lowered and his eyes moved around. His confidence was diminishing with each thing he said. He wondered why ever he was like this. But, Rainkit was not disappointed.

"I'm sure she'll let me! Thanks! Hey, be sure to tell me what happens okay? I want to know where every tree is! Every mouse, every squirrel! And the borders! You have to tell me what it's all like!"

Dewpaw sighed in relief and nodded. "Yeah, sure. I-"

"Dewpaw!"

Both cats looked to see Darkfoot, amber eyes shining almost maliciously. Funny. Rainkit quite liked her despite this yet Wildheart, a very kind tom, scared her. She bounced up happily at the sight of the much older she-cat of dusty gray fur. Darkfoot was surely taking Dewpaw out now and then he could come back and recount the tale of the territory to Rainkit! She would wait those couple more days, but she couldn't. Her heart told her so.