Warriors: A New Beginning #1: The Beginning

Chapter 40

Curlyfur heaved in her nest, a stick in her jaws that Treetail had given her. When a spasm shook her, splinters flew off the stick.

"Don't worry," mewed Mintleaf, assured, beside her. "Everything will be fine."

Wavepelt watched from the nursery entrance quietly. Curlyfur was having her kits... Wavepelt was curious to see what a kitting was like.

It seems painful. She shuddered. But think of the kits you would get.

That triggered her thoughts of Bushtail and... Windclaw. The two cats who loved her.

She sighed. It didn't feel right to mate with Bushtail... but he's so sad, now! I feel bad. She closed her eyes.

"Four kits!" Mintleaf exclaimed. "Well done, Curlyfur."

Treetail was there in an instant, and Wavepelt ran into the nursery. Curlyfur had four kits nestled in front of her: one had a beautiful golden pelt, one was a brown and yellow tortoiseshell, one was a dark brown tabby, and the last one was a yellow tabby that looked a lot like its mother.

Featherkit peeked inside the nursery. "Can we come in now?"

Mintleaf nodded. "Just don't trample your new denmates."

"Okay!" Featherkit scooted in, followed by her brother.

"They're wonderful," Wavepelt purred, gazing at the kits. "Have you decided names for them yet?" she asked her mother.

"Well..." Curlyfur mused. "I was thinking Goldenkit for this one, after Goldstar." She pointed to the first kit, which was a she-cat. "And I like Patchkit for this other she-cat." She gestured to the second kit, the tortoiseshell she-cat. "For the last she-cat, I don't know yet. For this one tom... perhaps Treetail could name that one."

"How about Raykit?" Curlyfur's mate suggested. "Like a ray of light."

Wavepelt froze. Rayheart. Did Treetail know about the kittypet? Of course not. He was just thinking of a good name.

"I like that." Curlyfur nodded. "Goldenkit, Patchkit, and Raykit. What about the last one?"

"I like Elmkit," Treetail replied. "After the tree."

"Okay." Curlyfur closed her eyes. "Goldenkit, Patchkit, Raykit, and Elmkit..." She drifted into sleep.

"She's probably tired," Mintleaf told her.

Just then a cry arose from the clearing. Wavepelt darted out to see Splotchpelt angrily storming in camp, his patrol following.

"RiverClan!" the warrior spat. "I detest those fox-hearts!"

"What is it?" Reedstar left his den and approached Splotchpelt.

"RiverClan scent has been found inside our borders," the black and white tom reported. "As well as the squirrels, a thrush, and a mouse— all covered with RiverClan scent and half-eaten."

"What?!" Reedstar's pelt stood on end. "Trespassing, that's one thing, but stealing prey and leaving it as crow-food, that has to be dealt with!" He leapt onto Highrock and called a meeting.

Wavepelt's pelt was prickling as she joined ThunderClan below Hhighrock. This has gone too far!

"ThunderClan," Reedstar declared, "Splotchpelt told me that RiverClan has stolen prey and left it as crow-food, as well as trespassing!"

Yowls of outrage filled the camp.

"Why would they do such a thing?" Whiteheart cried.

"This is too much," Thorntail growled.