Mosskit Book 2: The Journey

Chapter 23

            Mosskit shivered when he awoke. The sky was gray and cloudy. No doubt a storm would occur. When he opened his eyes, he realized his chin was still resting on Snakekit's flank. He quickly pulled his head away, stirring Snakekit.

            "Mosskit?" she said.

            "I'm here," Mosskit replied, rising from his nest. He looked around, noticing no Ginger. Maybe Snakekit is right Mosskit thought. But he shook the thought away. No, Ginger was probably just gathering prey like she did every morning.

            "No Ginger?" Snakekit asked.

            Mosskit shook his head. "We'll just wait for her to get back."

            Snakekit yawned and padded outside of the small cave. Mosskit followed behind her.

            As they came outside, Snakekit sat down. "Ugh, another rainy day of new-leaf," she said.

            "But green-leaf will be soon," Mosskit pointed out. "New-leaf is almost over."

            "I guess," Snakekit said, creating patterns in the dirt with her paw.

            "You're doing it again," Mosskit began.

            "Doing what?" Snakekit asked.

            "Acting like that again! You're acting depressed," Mosskit said. "My father told me to set our eyes on the future. I know you're nervous about SnowClan, but you don't need to be nervous. It's better to be excited."

            Snakekit growled, then stopped. "Wait, you told me your father died before you were born."

            "Oh, um, well," Mosskit mumbled as he shuffled his paws.

            "You lied to me?!" Snakekit hissed.

            "No! It's just that..." He sighed, trying to think of how to tell Snakekit about his mother and father visiting him in his dreams.

            "So you did know your father?! Your father is probably alive! He's probably at SnowClan, isn't he?! That's why you want to go to SnowClan!" she hissed.

            "What? No, Snakekit! That's not true! My father is—"

            Mosskit was cut off as Snakekit lashed her tail and padded towards Ginger who had just entered the clearing with some fresh rabbits. Snakekit grabbed the smaller rabbit and began to nibble on it.

            Mosskit grabbed the bigger rabbit and sat away from Snakekit, biting into the rabbit. He sighed, wondering what had happened to the Snakekit who he had just known only a day ago. Why was she so angry at him?

            Then Mosskit stopped. What if his father was alive? Sure, he had never met him, and his mother told him he was dead, but...what if he wasn't? His mother could've been lying! Maybe he was alive when he gave him that StarClan message? Suddenly, Mosskit thought about him being in SnowClan. Then he stopped. This was exactly what Snakekit was yelling at him about.

            Finishing his rabbit, Mosskit rose from the ground, ready to go.

            "Snakekit, eat some more," Ginger groaned, pushing the rabbit towards Snakekit.

            "I'm not hungry," Snakekit complained.

            "You barely nibbled that thing!" Ginger hissed. "Eat!"

            Snakekit sighed and took a bite of her rabbit. Once she had swallowed, she pushed the rabbit aside. "Ginger, I'm really not hungry."

            Ginger sighed and buried the rabbit. "Some other cat will be lucky when they find it," she mewed. "Now come on, kits. We're only seven sunrises away from arriving!"

            Ginger seemed excitement, but neither Mosskit or Snakekit let out a celebratory mew. They were too focused on the fight that had happened that morning while Ginger had been hunting.

            As they walked, the clouds continued to grow darker. Mosskit shivered as the wind blew at his pelt. How was Snakekit dealing with this cold weather?

            Suddenly, Mosskit felt the first raindrop on the tip of his nose. "Rain!" he yowled.

            Ginger rolled her eyes. "It's fine for now, Mosskit. Once it gets bad, we'll find a spot to stay until the storm passes."

            "Why not now?" Snakekit said. "I'm freezing my pelt off!"

            "I can stand next to you and keep you warm," Mosskit offered.

            "I'm fine," Snakekit remarked, still angry at Mosskit.

            But as they walked, the rain continued to fall, falling faster and faster with each pawstep.

            "Ginger, I really think we should go find a place," Snakekit said.

            "For once, I agree with Snakekit," Mosskit said.

            "For once?!" she hissed.

            "No, I meant with the weath—"

            "Whatever," Snakekit hissed.

            Mosskit jumped as a clap of thunder came from overhead.

            "Scared?" Snakekit said in a snooty voice.

            "No," Mosskit remarked, jumping again as another thunder clap sounded.

            "Kits! We need to get inside now!" Ginger yowled, her voice barely audible because of the rushing wind.

            Mosskit squinted as rain and wind rushed against his pelt. He struggled to walk through the wind and rain. He turned to see Snakekit struggling too.

            "Grab onto my tail!" Mosskit said.

            "No! I'm fine!" Snakekit hissed, lashing her tail.

            "Please..."

            But Snakekit didn't and continued to walk through the heavy rain, no matter how bad she struggled. Mosskit struggled too. He only hoped Snakekit would be okay.

            Ginger looked around. "There's nothing here!" she yowled.

            Mosskit looked around too but saw absolutely nothing.

            He gasped as a sudden screech came from Snakekit. She was grasping onto a rock with all her might, the wind trying to push her.

            "I'll save you!" Mosskit said, sprinting towards Snakekit. He groaned as the wind pushed him into the rock, but he grabbed Snakekit's scruff anyway, trying to heave her off.

            He gasped as the wind picked up and thunder clapped. Rain poured down heavily. Mosskit couldn't even see where he was anymore. He couldn't see Ginger either.

            He let go of Snakekit and stood over her, protecting her with his body. He gasped as water flooded the ground. Suddenly, Mosskit was pushed away by the wind, plunging into a tree.

            "Snakekit!" he yowled.

            The wind pierced his ears and the rain stung his eyes. He tried to walk forward, but it was hopeless. The storm was much too strong.

            Mosskit stumbled forward, falling onto the ground, his head already hurting from hitting the tree. His vision then began to darken, and he swore he saw Snakekit standing over him...