Hiddenstar's Lament

Chapter Two

Cold snowflakes plastered Hiddenkit's golden pelt as he waded through a thick sheet of snow and ice. He slipped a bit, and tripped as he tumbled across a small patch of frigid sleet. His teeth were chattering as he entered the healer's den. Multiple cats were laying in nests, and barely lifted their heads as Hiddenkit padded inside. His pelt burned with embarrassment- he knew that he looked like a fool. His gaze fell on Orchidkit, who was letting out a few soft coughs and wheezes. Stormheart was holding her tail to the tiny kit's head, and let out a sigh. Then, she noticed Hiddenkit. "Hiddenkit? What are you doing here? This is a den full of sick cats! You could easily fall ill." She warned sternly. Hiddenkit's ears flattened against his cranium. "I just wanted to check on Orchidkit..." he murmured softly, his voice quivering a bit. "W-Will she be okay...?" He asked her quietly, his eyes filling with worry and fear. Stormheart didn't answer his question, and just carried on treating the sickly, pale and pallid cats in utter silence. Hiddenkit bounded over to his sister, licking her incredibly hot cheek. Orchidkit was letting out rasping breaths, her eyes watering with pain. Hiddenkit's eyes were wide with fear for her. "I-It's okay, brother. I'll be okay." Orchidkit smiled at him. She reached out a shaking white paw to touch his golden one. "We'll get to grow up together, and we'll become warriors someday. Won't that be..." She began, before she broke into a coughing fit. Stormheart herded Hiddenkit out of the healer's den, and gently gazed down at him, her deep green eyes brimming with sympathy. "You can visit again tomorrow." She meowed tiredly. "But what if I want to stay? I want to stay with Orchidkit!" Hiddenkit protested, looking crestfallen. Stormheart simply blinked at him. "It's too risky, little one. Just... we don't want you getting sick. Alright?" She purred, trying to distract him from what he had just seen. Hiddenkit finally nodded, knowing that he couldn't argue with the clan's healer. "O-okay..." He muttered sadly, padding away, still looking back at the distant shape of his fragile sister.

A day had passed by. Hiddenkit had spent his entire day checking on Orchidkit, bringing her savory, warm prey, and playing with Crowkit and Foxkit. He picked up a small moss ball, and nudged it towards Crowkit with his tiny nose. He liked being around the tom, it simply made him feel safer. Crowkit hooked it with a claw, his deep amber eyes glistening. Before the two of them could talk, they heard the familiar voice of one of the apprentices, Silentpaw. The long-furred She-cat entered the den, and stretched out her limbs. "How are you two doing? Are you excited to become apprentices?" She asked with a simple amused purr. Hiddenflame simply nodded modestly, while Crowdusk blinked up at her boldly. "I'm going to be the best guard that any cat can ever be. I'll protect this clan with my life." He vowed firmly. "Good, good." Silentpaw grinned. Hiddenkit admired his words. He certainly wished that he had that much self confidence. How did Crowkit do it? He didn't know.

It was at last nighttime, and the bengal could feel the cold, unforgiving night chill press against his fur as he snuck out of the nursery. He quietly padded past the other kits, and poked his head out of the entrance, hoping that Specklelight hadn't heard him. He made a beeline for the healer's den, and entered. Everyone was asleep, except for Orchidkit. She was coughing up a storm, and her eyes were dull with pain. Any cat would have thought that she was dead if they hadn't looked at her close enough. Her usually cheery expression was gone. It was replaced with a void of empty sadness. Stifling a sad whimper, Hiddenkit padded up to her, and curled around her gently. Orchidkit let out a wheeze. "H-Hiddenkit... you shouldn't be here... you could get sick..." She rasped faintly. "I don't care. You can't just rot away in here alone..." Hiddenkit muttered to his sister shakily. "O-Okay, fine... you win..." Orchidkit smiled. Hiddenkit gently allowed her to lean on him quietly. Shielding his sister from the threatening, cold, blackening night, he closed his eyes, knowing... hoping... that everything would be alright. Or would it be?