Snowflake's Story

Chapter Fourteen

A few months passed.

Blossom gave birth to Ash's kittens; a gray and white queen with blue eyes named Dove, an orange tomcat with blue eyes named Flame, and a silver queen with orange paws, a black tail tip and green eyes named Coal.

Cookiedough and Puddle announced that they were expecting kittens; Mouse wasn't very happy. Puddle's old mate, Mouse's mother, had died before Snowflake was born, apparently.

Mouse, Spider, Dusty, Night and Apple had all become growncats.

River had acted like a father to Sand and Carrot, since Tim was dead. He was also talking to Sara a lot more, but had still been taking it slow.

Ice Cream was bound to give birth to Hop's kittens soon.

Bella wasn't very far behind Ice Cream; she'd probably give birth to Falcon's kittens a day or two after Ice Cream had Hop's.

Snowflake had continued to deliver prey to Blizzard.

Mud had become an oldcat.

Snowflake, James, Cocoa, Bird and Glow have been training together for a while.

"May cats of the clowder gather around for the growncat ceremony of Cocoa and Bird!" River yowled from his ledge.

Cocoa's eyes widened. "What? I didn't know!" He instantly started grooming his chest.

Bird nudged him, her amber eyes glittering with affection. "You look fine. Come on, let's go! I bet you can't beat me to River!" She sprinted toward the alpha.

"Bet you can't!" Cocoa retaliated, running after her.

River flinched as the two cats halted in front of him. He rested his muzzle on Bird's forehead first.

"With the power of the Ghostcats running through my veins, I call upon Snow to approve of Bird becoming a growncat."

A white she-cat with amber eyes appeared next to River, who Snowflake assumed was Snow. Bird had mentioned her a few times; she was her and Falcon's mother. Snow whispered something in River's ear, then disappeared.

River sat up straight. "Bird? Do you promise to use your mastery of stealth and cleverness to benefit your clowder?"

Bird nodded quickly.

"Then it is done," River meowed. "Bird, you are now a growncat."

Falcon was the first to cheer, then Cocoa, then Snowflake, then Glow, then James, then the rest of the clowder.

River rested his nose on Cocoa's forehead next. "With the power of the Ghostcats running through my veins, I call upon Snuggle to approve of Cocoa becoming a growncat."

Snowflake's tail twitched. Snuggle? Then her mind clicked; Cocoa had no family. Snuggle was the closest cat to him that had died.

Snuggle appeared and whispered into River's ear, then vanished.

River lifted his head. "Cocoa? Do you promise to use your mastery of strength and courage to benefit your clowder?"

Cocoa nodded. "Of course, River."

"Then it is done," River continued. "Cocoa, you are now a growncat."

Bird cheered first, then James, then Glow, then Snowflake, then the rest of the clowder.

Cocoa bounded over to his friends, Bird at his side. "I almost can't believe it!" He cheered.

Snowflake smiled. "You deserve it, Cocoa. So do you, Bird."

Bird let out a purr and glanced around. "Have you guys seen Falcon?"

"I have," Falcon meowed, padding up to his little sister. "I'm so proud of you."

Bird smiled and pressed against Falcon.

"We've been through a lot, lil' sis, but I knew we'd make it through," Falcon said.

Snowflake wasn't sure what he was referring to, but kept her mouth shut for them to have their moment.

Bird pulled away from her brother, smiling, then suddenly nuzzled Cocoa. "We're growncats, and my big brother is so proud of me, and--" She cut herself off and pulled away from Cocoa, unsure of how he'd react to the sudden gesture.

Cocoa only purred and laid his tail over Bird's back. His golden eyes shimmered with affection. "I know," he whispered.

 Snowflake smiled and flicked her tail.