The Outcasts

01

          After a long pause, Mousekit realized Tallkit was waiting for him to attack. He glanced at Soulheart and Swiftclaw, his parents, before deciding he should surprise attack his brother. Lunarkit was watching intently from behind Mousekit, with Smokekit behind Tallkit.

          "Go underneath his belly," Swiftclaw advised Mousekit in a whisper. Mousekit nodded, gulping. I can do this, Mousekit thought. A reassuring gleam in Soulheart's eyes told him he could. So Mousekit crouched, wiggling his tail in the air. "Ah- don't move your tail so much, dear," Soulheart whispered, "Tallkit would see it if Smokekit weren't distracting him."

          Mousekit blinked uncertainly, "O- Of course!" He squeaked quietly. "You got this, Mousekit!" Lunarkit cheered with a purr. Mousekit nodded, walking slowly toward Tallkit. He leaped fpr his brother's belly, but Tallkit saw and moved out of the way quickly.

          Swiftclaw frowned, "You'll get him next time, I'm sure!" He sympathized. And when exactly is next time? Mousekit thought sadly, I'll never successfully attack Tallkit. I'll always disappoint Swiftclaw, since he's the Clan's best fighter, but his sons... Mousekit glanced at Tallkit, Well, at least one of us is good, He sighed, curling up beside Soulheart's belly.

          "Look, I've got to go on a patrol so..." Swiftclaw stared at Mousekit for a moment, then exchanged a glance with Soulheart all before he left the nursery. Mousekit watched him leave, dread filling his chest. "Don't be sad. Swiftclaw loves you, Mousekit..." Soulheart mewed. "Then why does he always leave when I do something wrong? Why can't he stay?" Mousekit asked. "Your father is a very important warrior to BreezeClan, Mousekit. He can't be here to teach you 24/7." She replied. "But he doesn't teach me at all, so why is it my fault I can't attack Tallkit?" Mousekit objected. "It isn't," Soulheart began, but Mousekit cut her off. "It is! Swiftclaw acts like I'm invisible..." He murmured.

          "Well... Whatever." Soulheart turned away, clearly giving up the debate. Her heather eyes were glossy with a glint of anger, and Mousekit realized with a gulp that he had upset her. "I'm sorry!" Mousekit yelped, pressing into his mother's belly.

          Soulheart looked at him. "Don't press there, Mousekit. You're old enough for prey now." She mewed gently. Mousekit blinked away sadness. Of course I am, He thought, regret piercing through his heart like an icicle, I would still get milk if I hadn't upset her... He frowned to himself. Clearly, the queen noticed, and nudged him with her cheek. "You'll be named Mousepaw by tomorrow, dear. You shouldn't be drinking milk anymore."

          Although Soulheart sounded kind, Mousekit knew she was unsure if he would receive his name. He was extremely small compared to Tallkit, and when he was born, Cardinalfeather didn't think he would survive. Swiftclaw had made sure every warrior in the Clan knew how strong Mousekit was when Mousekit had stayed alive through the night. But surely he was big enough to be an apprentice? Even though he was smaller than Lunarkit and Smokekit, who were a moon younger than he was, and he was the same size as Flowerfoot's kits, who were much younger... But, he had worked hard to grow! He had always been the first to eat. Some had said it was selfish... But Soulheart argued he needed to eat to grow. Mousekit looked at his mother. Perhaps he would be an apprentice.

          Clearly, though, Soulheart didn't think Mousekit would be one. Therefore chances were he probably wouldn't be. He knew Soulheart wanted to move out of the nursery, so when Tallkit was apprenticed, would he be alone in the nursery with the other queens and their kits? He didn't want that! He'd be the oldest in the den! While the others grew big enough to be apprentices, he'd have to stay in the den forever!

          The tiny speck of hope he had broke into tiny pieces. He didn't want to be anywhere near Tallkit right now, not when he was much more fortunate. Why couldn't I be born a normal size? Why can't they see, I'm as healthy as Tallkit! Just because I'm small doesn't mean... His thoughts trailed off as Soulheart got up and left the den. She's probably telling Buzzardstar not to apprentice me, Mousekit thought gloomily.

          Lunarkit trotted up to Mousekit. "Tomorrow's your big day!" She squeaked happily. "I'm gonna be the loudest one in the crowd," She announced proudly. "That's nice, Lunarkit, but I'll probably stay in the den for a while." Mousekit said sadly. "Why?" Lunarkit questioned. "Because I'm small, and apparently that makes me weak..." Mousekit sighed. Lunarkit frowned as Leapspeck grabbed her by the scruff and purred a "Nap time!", but Smokekit was already asleep by her belly.

          Mousekit curled up in Soulheart's empty nest, breathing in the faint scent of her milk. It brought back memories of when he was only two moons old, when Tallkit had tripped over Buzzardstar's tail. Mousekit had felt embarrassed and hid beside Soulheart's belly. But those times were over now; he was turning six moons old tomorrow, and unlike other apprentices, he'd stay in the nursery.

          When Mousekit relaxed and closed his eyes, he opened them again in a forest. Where am I? Mousekit wondered. "StarClan," a russet tom with black splotches meowed as though he could hear Mousekit's thoughts, "and before you ask, no, you are not dead. Mousekit, you must receive the prophecy!" He growled. "Wh-What prophecy?!" Mousekit asked, frightened.

          "Weak prey will be destroyed by a swift breeze." The cat's answer echoed.

          And then, as though it had never happened at all, Mousekit's vision faded to black.