Snowflake's Story

Chapter Twenty-One

(What's nine plus ten?)

More months passed.

Sand and Carrot became youngcats.

River and Sara had become more attached to each other.

Bird's belly had grown.

Cookiedough was close to having her kittens.

Crow gave birth to Red's kittens. One was a black and white tomcat with green eyes named Skunk. Another was an orange queen with green eyes named Sunshine. The last one was an orange tabby tomcat with a black underbelly, black paws. a black tail tip and green eyes named Scorch.

Dusty and Night announced they were expecting kittens.

Carrot had went missing one night, but came back the next morning. She had become very nervous of everything.

"May cats of the clowder gather around for the growncat ceremony of Snowflake!" River called from his ledge. He jumped down.

Snowflake's eyes widened with wonder. She was about to become a growncat! She padded over to River with all the calmness she had and sat down.

River waited until the clowder quieted down, then rested his muzzle on Snowflake's head.

Memories flooded into Snowflake's mind. The last time she was here, in front of the whole clowder, Snuggle was beside her and Glass had just died.

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

Snowflake had to stop herself from trembling when Snuggle appeared beside River. River chose well; Snuggle was the perfect cat for this special ceremony. Her brother whispered something into River's ear, then looked at Snowflake. He looked just like Snowflake remembered; a small youngcat. Apparently Ghostcats didn't grow up.

Two words screamed desperatley inside Snowflake's head; don't go.

Snuggle mouthed two more words to her, just like he did the day he died.

It's okay.

Then he vanished.

River lifted his head. "Snowflake? Do you promise to use your mastery of intelligence and hunting to benefit your clowder?"

Snowflake blinked; she didn't know she was a good hunter. "Not a doubt in my mind," she replied.

River smiled. "Then it is done. Snowflake, you are now a growncat."

Blizzard cheered first, pride shown clearly in her voice. Then James, then Glow, then Cocoa, then Bird, then the rest of the clowder.

Snowflake had never felt happier.