Mosskit Book 2: The Journey

Chapter 17

            For a few weeks they had traveled through the mountains. The climbing was tough and would give Mosskit horrible memories, but he was doing it to get home. That's what mattered.

            Ginger promised that they had gone halfway through the mountains, but every time that Mosskit got to the top of a mountain, he groaned, seeing the next one ahead of him. It seemed like the mountains just got harder to climb each time.

            "Wake up," a soft whisper came from Snakekit.

            Mosskit smiled, lightly batting at the she-cat with his paw. "I'm still tired," he said.

            "Ginger said we have to make it to the top of the mountain today, Mosskit. She said it has a lovely view with a dazzling waterfall," Snakekit said. "Plus, there's breakfast waiting for you."

            Mosskit pricked his ears and opened his eyes. He smiled at the plump rabbit that layed before him.

            Mosskit quickly devoured the rabbit without any hesitation. Snakekit laughed as he gobbled it up. Sharpening his claws on the bones, Mosskit got up, now fully ready to start the dangerous journey once again.

            "You were sure sleepy," Ginger said.

            "You make me climb a mountain every day," Mosskit complained.

            Ginger laughed as she began to walk, leading the way up the mountain.

            "Are you excited to go to SnowClan?" Snakekit asked as they began to climb.

            Mosskit nodded. "I barely remember it. I just remember that Momma brought me into the nursery where two other kits called her Momma. It's a confusing memory. I'm sure you'll enjoy SnowClan though. We'll be apprentices when we arrive! We'll be ready for any battle!"

            Snakekit laughed. "Definitely. What other clans are there?"

            Mosskit shrugged. "I'm not sure. I didn't live in SnowClan when I was born. A rogue captured me and Momma, but then he let us go, and then Momma returned to save him. That's when the fire came."

            "That's horrible," Snakekit said. "I'm excited to meet all your clanmates!"

            "Me too!" Mosskit said. "I don't really know a whole lot of them."

            Snakekit laughed, batting him with her paw.

            "Stop messing around," Ginger growled, the wind ruffling her fur as she trudged up the mountain. "If one of you fall down that mountain, I won't be there to help you."

            Mosskit rolled his eyes. The old she-cat always had a grumpy attitude. It was odd. She acted more wise and grumpy than when he had lived with her. It was as if her whole personality had changed. Mosskit believed it was just the stress to lead the journey.

            Mosskit smiled as the sun began to shine more, providing him with a little more warmth. It was colder in the mountains and it made Mosskit more cold than usual. Mosskit groaned as he saw patches of snow above.

            "Great," Snakekit groaned.

            "It'll be fine," Ginger reassured them.

            They trudged up the mountain, through the snow. Snakekit shivered as she walked through the snow.

            Snakekit had fallen behind Mosskit, so Mosskit checked every few seconds to make sure she was still behind him. The she-cat's fur was thin, providing her with little warmth in the snow.

            As they continued to trudge, Mosskit stopped, no longer hearing Snakekit's footsteps behind him. He gasped as he turned around, seeing the she-cat laying limp in the snow.

            "Ginger!" Mosskit gasped. He ran to the she-cat. Her body was ice cold. She was still breathing and alive.

            Ginger came forward, picking up the weak she-cat. "She'll ride on my back for now."

            Mosskit nervously walked behind Ginger, hoping Snakekit would be okay.

            As the sun began to set, they finally arrived at the top of the mountain. It was a beautiful view. There was less snow, only a few patches. A beautiful waterfall went down the mountain. Trees gave good shelter. It was paradise.

            Ginger laid Snakekit in some moss, licking her fur to warm her.

            Snakekit opened her eyes. "What happened?"

            "You collapsed in the snow," Mosskit explained.

            "I hate the snow," Snakekit shivered. "Where are we?"

            "We reached the top of the mountain," Ginger said. "You're probably thirsty. Come on, let's get some water."

            The three padded over to where the waterfall was. The waterfall gave way to a river below.

            Mosskit lapped up water. Once he felt refreshed, his stomach grumbled. Ginger walked around, looking for prey while Snakekit laughed at Mosskit.

            "What?" Mosskit asked.

            Snakekit splashed water at him. "That's what!"

            Mosskit laughed, splashing water at her.

            "Careful!" Mosskit barely heard Ginger's warning.

            The two continued splashing water until suddenly Mosskit heard a gasp. Snakekit's paws held onto the side. She had fallen into the river that led to the waterfall.

            "Snakekit! Hold on!" Mosskit gasped, grabbing for her paws.

            Snakekit mewed. Her body was torn away. "HELP!" she screeched.

            "NO!" Mosskit yowled as her black body disappeared in the water. Mosskit searched, but it was too late. She had most likely gone down the waterfall.

            "Ginger! Snakekit needs help!" Mosskit yowled.

            The ginger she-cat came by with a water vole in her mouth. "I cannot save her."

            "What do you mean? We have to go down there!"

            "It's too dangerous," Ginger said. "If StarClan believes she is part of the journey, they will let her live and she will find us."

            "She is part of the journey!"

            "Maybe...but if she was, why did StarClan let her fall down the waterfall?"

            Ginger walked away, leaving Mosskit in shock. Was it true? Had StarClan made Snakekit go down the waterfall. Was Snakekit dead? The she-cat he loved couldn't be dead. She just couldn't. But maybe she was...