The Heart Of A Warrior

Chapter three: Living In The Dark

Gingerkit bounced out of the den, darting between and out of Redwing's long legs just for the fun of it. Snowkit was looking envious- probably because Gingerkit was taking "her" spot. It had been three moons since Gingerkit had felt the star's presence, and she was growing stronger and more adventurous each day. Redwing, noticing what Gingerkit was doing, purred with laughter and started moving faster until she was trotting in circles. Redwing's shoulder wasn't buckling inward as often as before, but it was still there. So Gingerkit was careful not to run into that leg, of course, but she felt an undying fire inside her, willing her to play, run. Gingerkit gave a pip of happiness and started moving faster, weaving between the legs. With a squeak of excitement Brackenkit copied her- unfortunately, he went through the other side, so they ended up colliding head on head. Great Starclan... It hurt!

"Ow," Gingerkit complained, rubbing her aching head with her ginger paw. Brackenkit recoiled, giggling. Gingerkit glared at him. Redwing stiffened and gave Gingerkit a lick to make sure she was okay, which Gingerkit brushed off and gave Brackenkit her death glare.

"You totally meant to do that!"

He grinned, "Maybe..."

Gingerkit lunged at him. "You are so dead!

He squeaked and started to run away, his paws churning up dirt into Gingerkit's face as she chased him in circles around Redwing. She was gaining. Her long legs greedily ate up the earth as she picked up speed. Perhaps sensing this Brackenkit dashed down the slope and paused by the fresh kill pile. "Get this instead!" With a swipe Brackenkit tossed a large mouse at Gingerkit. She let out a squeak of surprise as it landed on her back, and she shook it off indignantly. Gingerkit gave Brackenkit a playful menacing stare, and she crouched down, tail lashing. Brackenkit gave a mock yowl of fear and started back up the hill, where Redwing had just noticed they were gone and was trotting down the hill quickly.

Gingerkit waggled her haunches, tucked her hind paws beneath her, then sprang forward, chasing after Brackenkit as he raced back up the hill. She gagged as the dirt started flying again, and a kicked-up rock smacked her square in the face. She skidded to a halt, then licked her paw and drew it over the tiny cut over her eye where the rock hit her. It barely stung.

Brackenkit had stopped and was coming back to her. He stopped beside to her, but as he opened his mouth to ask her why she had stopped Redwing bounded up, huffing anxiously, cutting him off.

"What's wrong, Gingerkit?" Redwing asked breathlessly. She flexed her shoulder as Gingerkit meowed.

"Nothing," She replied with a fake yawn. "Just getting tired."

"All right, you can go back to the den-"

"No!" Gingerkit meowed, leaping onto all fours. "No, I'm good, really."

Redwing eyed her, obviously not believing her, but she let it go. "Fine, you can play. But stay up here. I'm going down soon- follow me down when I call you. Okay?"

"Okay!" Gingerkit and Brackenkit meowed happily.

Redwing nudged Snowkit. "Are you going to play with them?"

"Um...no. I mean, no thank you," Snowkit replied, her ears flat against her head. Redwing sighed. This conversation had happened many times before. "All right." Redwing, along with Snowkit, went to go lie down in the shade of a small fern.

Brackenkit crouched down, ready for a play fight. Gingerkit ignored him. Her mind was focused on something else. "Do you think we'll be made apprentices soon?"

Brackenkit stared at her and didn't move for a moment, obviously wondering if it was a trick, but he must have decided against it because he then relaxed his tense muscles and sat down.