FInleap's Story

Prologue

                "Wake up, you pain in my side," A she-cat hissed. "Wake up, or I'll put you out of the misery of living in this family." The small tom lifted his head, glaring.

                "Ha! Littlekit's up," Another kit laughed. "How're you doing, Littlekit?"

                "My name's not Littlekit," The small tom muttered. "I'm Finkit, Shadowkit! Buzz off." He hissed, which came out like a distorted purr.

                "Aw, look at that," Shadowkit jeered. "A fiercesome growl for a fiercesome warrior."

                "Fox dung!" Finkit yowled at Shadowkit angrily. "I wish you, and dad, and mom would stop teasing me! Stop acting like I'm worthless! You're stuck with me, so get used to it."

                "Hey, is Littlekit crying?" Shadowkit laughed, smacking Finpaw across the back with his unsheathed claws.

                "That'll leave a scar. Be proud, Fin." Dutch growled, appearing at the cave's entrance.

                "Look who decided to check up." Willowtooth growled, curling her tail around Shadowkit and Finkit. "Why are you here, kittypet?"

                "I came to look at the kits," Dutch growled, swiping at Willowtooth. "So shut your muzzle, she-cat."

                "Hey, dad." Shadowkit greeted. "Lit- I mean Fin is a weakling. You should 'take him out' like the she-kits in our litter." He snickered.

                "Fin has little to no potential, but I can't kill a son, Shadow. Never kill your sons, but do something about horrid she's." Dutch hissed, spitting at Willowtooth.

                Finkit looked up at Willowtooth expectantly, waiting for her to lash back at Dutch, but she did nothing. "Dad, why are you so harsh to she-cats?" He questioned.

                "Fin, you can't just ask that," Shadowkit said defensively. "Why question Dutch's authority? Toms are obviously superior to she-cats."

                "No, Shadow, Fin has a good question." Dutch said, sliding Shadowkit to the side with his tail. "She-cats were made primarily for breeding. She-kits that are born in a litter are given to another tom in exchange for food and other supplies."

                "Oh," Finkit looked up at Willowtooth, who'd tightened her embrace around him. "So, what about Willowtooth?" He asked.

                "Once you grow up, she will have another litter, and this will go on until she is too old to breed." Dutch said.

                "Stop feeding Finkit such nonsense," Willowtooth growled. "Finkit, most toms respect their mates, and don't give away kits for a reward you could get yourself if you weren't lazy. Don't be the type of tom that Dutch is."

                Dutch growled and dragged Willowtooth out of the cave. That was the last Shadowkit and Finkit saw of their mother and father.