WarriorCats 1: The New Clans

Chapter 10

"Thistleclaw quick! It's Dewkit! She's collapsed!"

Thistleclaw leapt up and bolted across the clearing. He sensed Robinwing right behind, knowing that the Medicine Cat had heard his mate's cry of distress. The tabby saw Larkfeather crouched over the unmoving ginger kit, Brindlekit milling around right behind her, worried for his beloved sister.

"Dewkit, can you hear me?" Robinwing pressed his paws down on the tiny cat's shoulder, shaking her softly. His tone was serious, and anxious as he tried to ignore the two parents who were pacing nervously.

"Eat these." Robinwing snapped, dropping three leaves at Larkfeather's paws. The she-cat stared in disgust at the leaves, nudging them with her nose before gagging violently. "Eat them." the reddish-brown tom growled. "Dewkit collapsed because she didn't get the nutrients of Larkfeather's milk. These will help her produce milk, in case there's a problem." Robinwing explained quietly to Thistleclaw, both of the cats watching as Larkfeather lapped up the leaves slowly. "Dewkit should stay in my den for a few hours. Make sure Brindlekit gets enough milk so he doesn't collapse." the Medicine Cat finished, picking the limp Dewkit up and carrying her carefully into his own den.

Darkness. That's all she could see. A pain in her stomach told her to stop walking, but, determined for her Mother's milk, Dewkit half dragged herself painfully towards the Nursery, behind Larkfeather and Brindlekit.

"Come on Dewkit, hurry up!" her brown-tabby and white brother complained, scampering back to her once more. He nudged her playfully, yelping in fright when she fell hard on her shoulder, slumped heavily against a smooth-faced rock, worn out from the sun. "Mother! Mother quick!" Brindlekit yowled, tugging on Larkfeather's tail. She half turned to see her daughter just a lifeless ginger shape on the ground about a fox-length away.

"Thistleclaw, help!" Larkfeather mewed desperately, calling his name over and over again. She took a deep breath, summoning all her strength and bellowed at the top of her lungs. The whole Clan glanced her way with a worried expression, before Thistleclaw burst towards them.

"No, don't worry, she'll be fine, you need to stay with Brindlekit. I think I hear him calling you!" Robinwing urged Larkfeather away, shoving her shoulder gently with his head. Dewkit pricked her ears, eyes still closed, and listened to them talking. She sensed Robinwing standing beside her, sorting his herbs into piles.

"I know you're awake." he murmured, not looking at the kit. She opened her eyes, sitting up carefully. "How could you tell?" Dewkit asked groggily, standing up with a wobble. "Can I go now?" she added hopefully.

"Yes, alright. But be careful, and make sure that you get enough milk from Larkfeather!" Robinwing called after her as she bounded out to Brindlekit.

"Dewkit!" he exclaimed, leaping towards his sister, but keeping his eye open for any contact, licking her nose quickly. The Twp were like two peas in a pod, closer than anyone in the whole Clan almost as if they were mates!

"Brindlekit!" Dewkit replied with the same excitement to see him in her voice. The ginger of her fur was bright, like her emerald eyes, in the sun. It was just past Sunhigh, and there was a Gathering tonight, with the Full Moon just in sight from the rays of the sun. "I wish I could go to the Gathering, don't you?" Dewkit sighed, watching in awe as Moltenstar called out the names that would be coming to the gathering with him; Snownose, Hazelstorm, Darkfur, Silverstorm, Streampaw, Jigsawpaw, himself, Ivystream and finally, the sightless Pinetail. As dark set in, the cats fled off, leaving the remaining cats to guard the Camp.

"Yeah, wouldn't it just be amazing to be standing among the Clan, looking up at all of the Leaders? I've always wanted friends in the other Clans!" Brindlekit replied with an excited shiver.

"But for now, young ones, you will remain in Camp. It is just as important, to Guard your Clan's territory, as it is to arrive with DawnClan at the Gathering." Streakfoot smiled, the elder standing beside the two kits as they watched the Gathering Cats pelt away, their furs merely a blur of colpurs as the wind roared at them.

"Are your paws okay, Streakfoot?" Featherpaw asked politely, coming up to stand beside them.

"It's as right as rain, thanks to you! Some day you'all make an excellent Medicine Cat, and I hope I'm alive to see it." he replied warmly, showing fondness to Robinwing's apprentice. She was 5 and a half moons, almost a full Medicine Cat rather than an apprentice.

"Thanks, Streakfoot. That means a lot to me. And of course you'll live to see it! You're the oldest cat in the Clan for Starclan's sake!" Featherpaw joked, playfully nudging his shoulder.

"Don't remind me." Streakfoot smiled softly, padding back to the Elder's den and greeting his mate, Skypelt, with a lick on the nose before they both settled down comfortably in their bedding of thick, soft moss and feathers.

"Come on, Brindlekit, Dewkit, into the Nursery. It's Bedtime." Larkfeather yawned, making sure to keep them both ahead of her in case of any mishaps-again!

"But-" Brindlekit began to moan, before getting a stern look from Thistleclaw. "Okay..." he sighed, bouncing into the Nursery with his ginger sister right behind. They waited for Larkfeather to come, before settling down into her stomach.

At the Gathering...

"DawnClan has received two new kits; Brindlekit and Dewkit. Streamkit, Jigsawkit and Lilykit have now been made into Streampaw, Jigsawpaw and Lilypaw, two of whom are here." Moltenstar glanced down at Streampaw and Jigsawpaw, both fidgeting in excitement. Streampaw's light gray pelt reflected the colour of the Moon, while Jigsawpaw's  multi-coloured fur, white and Golden, stood out like a river in the desert.

After the other two leaders finished speaking, the Clans began to mingle, congratulating Streampaw and Jigsawpaw. They quickly became friends with two other apprentices. One from MistClan and one from BrackenClan; Swallowpaw from BrackenClan, and Applepaw from MistClan. Soon, the Gathering ended, and they had to part, galloping along behind their own Clan.

When the Gathering Patrol got back, most of the others were asleep. Lilypaw was waiting at the entrance, her golden pelt bristling against the cold. She looked drowsy but determined to wait for her siblings as they flooded in, brightening when her eyes caught sight of Jigsawpaw's familiar unusual pelt, and Streampaw right beside him. "How was the Gathering?" she asked, following them over to the Fresh-kill pile and watching them eat hungrily.

"Oh it was amazing! We met two other apprentices from two different Clans; Applepaw and Swallowpaw! They're really nice, you'd love them!" Streampaw burst, excited to share their news with her sister.

"Great!" Lilypaw smiled, yawning suddenly. "I'll see you in the Apprentices' den, I'm exhausted!" the golden she-cat padded away, quickly falling asleep in her comfortable moss bedding.