Heartstar's rise : Book one

Ch. 7

Heartkit had just turned three moons. He grinned as Stormpelt wrestled him to the ground. 

               "My little kit is three moons old!" he cried happily. Sandwing watched them from the dark nursery. Stormpelt caught her eye but she turned away. 

              "Go thank Sandwing for nursing you all these moons," whispered Stormpelt. Huffing, Heartkit trotted to Sandwing. 

                "Thanks Sandwing," he said. Sandwing raised her eyebrow and snorted. She rested her head on her paws. 

                "I never asked for kits," she mumbled. "I never asked to raise kits alone..." Stormpelt pricked his ear. He heard her. 

               "Who is the father?" Stormpelt asked. 

               "I guess there's no use hiding it from anyone. We never even talk anymore," Sandwing growled under her breath. "Clawpelt." Stormpelt tilted his head. Clawpelt was one of the fiercest cats in the Clan. He had never wanted kits as he had said it "distracted" him from his duties. Pinestar had told Stormpelt he would be a good leader but Stormpelt disagreed. Clawpelt would never feel the love of fathering kits. He wouldn't ever love a mate. What kind of leader would that be?

              "He's never talked to the kits," frowned Stormpelt. Sandwing turned her head away. 

               "The kits were never supposed to happen," she muttered. "We were never supposed to happen." 

               "But you love your kits. Nothing could change that," Stormpelt soothed. Sandwing didn't answer. Heartkit returned to Stormpelt's side. 

               "I'm sure Clawpelt is very proud of your kits," whispered Heartkit. Sandwing turned her eyes at Heartkit. They were sharp and calculating. Stormpelt pushed Heartkit gently away and led him towards the fresh-kill pile. 

                "Why don't you chose something to eat?" suggested Stormpelt. "Sandwing wants to be alone." Heartkit pounced at the pile and took out a large robin. He dropped it at Stormpelt's side and ate it heartily. After several big bites, he had enough and pushed it over to Stormpelt who devoured it in one bite. A patrol had returned with more fresh kill. Heartkit bounded up to them, followed by Stormpelt. Leading the patrol was Clawpelt. 

                  "You caught that?" gasped Heartkit, looking at a large vole in Duskpaw's mouth. She nodded proudly. Stormpelt smiled. 

                  "Good job," he nodded. Heartkit searched the clearing and spotted Firkit, Lionkit and Honeykit by the warrior's den, wrestling on the ground. He bounded up to them. Stormpelt watched them then looked at Clawpelt. His eyes followed Heartkit to Firkit, Lionkit and Honeykit. Stormpelt saw Clawpelt turn away quickly and pad the other direction. Stormpelt sighed. 

                  "Go see them," Stormpelt said. He padded beside Clawpelt. Clawpelt shot him a confused look. "Your kits." Clawpelt bristled. 

                 "I don't have kits," he said. 

                 "Are you saying Firkit, Honeykit and Lionkit aren't yours?" questioned Stormpelt. He stopped Clawpelt from walking out of camp. 

                 "They were a mistake," hissed Clawpelt. "Sandwing told you?" 

                "I am the Shadowclan deputy," retorted Stormpelt. "So yes she told me."

                 "Well it's none of your business," Clawpelt said, turning away. 

                 "It is," said Stormpelt firmly. "Go talk to them. You don't need to tell them you are their father but they are your Clanmates whether you like it or not. You'll find one day you might be fighting beside each other." Clawpelt reluctantly agreed and shuffled towards the kits. Stormpelt watched, passive. Clawpelt approached the kits and lingered near them unsure. Then Firkit sprung at him and bit into his tail. Clawpelt's fur bristled but he relaxed and forced a smile. He glanced at Stormpelt and growled slightly but he seemed more at ease with the kits. Suddenly, Sandwing was by Stormpelt's side. 

                 "What have you done?" she accused. 

                 "I made sure Clawpelt knew your kits are his Clanmates. He cannot ignore them forever," Stormpelt assured. 

                 "It's none of your business," growled Sandwing. "He can ignore them forever. He chose to!" 

                 "Not anymore," said Stormpelt firmly. 

                 "He's a bad father," Sandwing turned her head away. Her pelt was unbrushed and dirty. "The kits don't deserve to know him." Stormpelt smiled, Sandwing did love her kits. And she wanted to protect them. 

                 "I know you want to protect them but look how well Clawpelt is doing," Stormpelt said. "It won't hurt your kits." Sandwing huffed but slunk away back into the dark nursery. Clawpelt was playing with the kits, wrestling with them. Heartkit was clutching onto him on his back. Stormpelt smiled. He watched as his kits clambered over Clawpelt's strong and muscled body then slide down with a thump on the floor. Stormpelt's eyes gleamed with amusement and love.