Not It

Chapter 2

As usual, Pigeonkit was bored.

The entire nursery was under the ever-watchful gaze of the three queens. The queens knew all the kits had a tendency to be bored more so than their other litters. Most of which didn't survive very long, but they don't talk about that.

"I'm bored," whispered Pigeonkit to Swiftkit.

"You're always bored," Swiftkit complained, despite also always being bored.

"I know because you all are so boring!" Pigeonkit answered with an irritated glint in his light brown gaze. Swiftkit's ragged white pelt flashed as the she-kit stood up with great speed.

Applekit, who was suddenly awake, pointed out, "That's not fair!"

"Life's not fair. Anyways, let's go!" She raised her voice, and after a momentary pause, everyone woke up at the same time. They all blinked their eyes in unison. Each of them yawned in turn. They all looked at Swiftkit and immediately complied, despite not hearing what she had said.

They all charged out of the den like a herd, and the clearing was empty - as usual.

Coppercloud limped out behind them. The she-cat's back leg was deformed and it usually made it difficult for her to walk correctly. It was upsetting to her that she became a camp queen, but she made a vow to always be kind and play with the kits.

She was figuring out that was hard.

"I'm bored!" stated Pigeonkit.

"We know, Pigeonkit! You already said that!" snapped Pikekit, looking angrily at Pigeonkit. 

Cloverkit's voice rose from the irritated chatter, "Can we play a game?"

"We're trying to figure that out, Cloverkit, if you hadn't noticed," Pigeonkit's light brown eyes swept sharply to the she-kit.

Cloverkit visibly shrunk against the ground, "I'm sorry- I didn't mean to make you angry, I'm really sorry... I just wasn't paying attention- I'll try harder next time- I'm sorry... Is that okay? I'm so, so sorry..."

Pigeonkit flashed Swiftkit a confused glance at the she-kit's apologies, though the patchy white she-kit gave a quick shrug.

Furzekit wobbled slightly on his paws as he flopped in the middle of the group of kits. Coppercloud was suddenly unimportant. Troutkit and Applekit glanced around, considerably bored at the chatter that seemed to be going nowhere.

"Okay, let's play a game then," Pigeonkit asserted.

"Fine!" answered Swiftkit swiftly, "What shall we play?"

"H-how ab-about Cl-Cl-Clan-n-n?" asked Troutkit shyly, looking away. Her gaze shadowed over.

Shatterstar walked right past the kits, ignoring them.

All the kits gasped, "Shatterstar! Come on and play with us!" They had barely seen the leader around camp, yet had heard rumors that the tom was a fantastic hunter and fighter. He would be amazing to play Clan with!

Shatterstar ignored them and promptly left the camp, slipping out of the entrance.

"Rude!" scoffed Swiftkit quickly.

"That's not fair, he's our leader!" pointed out Applekit.

Cloverkit piped up, "Can we play yet?"

"We're getting there!" snapped Pikekit, sleek fur rising momentarily.

The she-kit shrunk back once more, "I-I'm sorry... I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, I just wanted to start... We are playing Clan, right..? I'm sorry- I'm sorry..."