Warrior Cats; Smokeskull's Revenge [ 1 ]

Chapter 5

When Smokekit awoke, the medicine cat den was empty. In fact, Smokekit believed she wasn't even in the medicine cat den anymore. Her eyes opened slowly and her head bobbed up. As she got a better look, Smokekit saw that she was no longer in Echoleaf's den, she was in the nursery. But no other cats were there.
Then, Smokekit's ear flicked at a sound from the outside. She glanced out at the Highrock, where she heard Skystar addressing the Clan of the newest Clan news. Smokekit was curious, so she got up and padded outside. She was shocked by the amount of cats that we're going worriedly up at the leader as she spoke loudly.
Skystar was yowling, but not loud enough for Smokekit to hear her words. She crept forward, listening to the cats chatter, even though it was a meeting; as Skystar would have said earlier 'All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting.' Smokekit was not yet old enough to catch her own prey, but she attended the meeting.
"Echoleaf has shared information with me as to having a dream of Smokekit. This kit has been in the medicine cat's dream and StarClan has shared, with Echoleaf, that Smokekit will soon lead a prophecy of her own." Skystar said, her eyes were sternly gazing at her Clanmates.
More meows of disturbance blurted out eagerly from the Clancats. They were clearly uttering of disparity at the cause of Smokekit's prophecy.
Could this be true?, Smokekit thought worriedly. She could have her own prophecy! That would be so scary, and exciting at the same time. She gazed up at Bluesong, who was sitting beside Skystar who was still giving details on the news.
Bluesong was looking at her gently. His dazzling blue eyes were locked on hers. Smokekit wondered why he was looking at her and no other cats were.
But then Skystar continued louder than before, "In other words, Coalstorm is to have her new kits at half moon; meaning after a few more sunhighs from now." The leader glanced at her paws, then back at the crowd of CloudClan cats. "That is all. Meeting dismissed."
Smokekit watched as the leader jumped down from the Highrock and padded across the clearing, towards the nursery. She stood a few fox-lengths away from the entrance, but Skystar did not seem to notice. Coalstorm must be in the medicine cat's den, if she is to start kitting soon, Smokekit suggested to herself.
She had just started walking after Skystar into the nursery when Hollywish appeared around the other corner of the nursery. It seemed she was coming out of the medicine cat den, but she tried to make it seem not-so obvious. The black she-cat looked around suspiciously, and Smokekit felt like she was hiding something.
A heartbeat after that, Bluesong appeared and he started after Hollywish. The two trotted for Skystar, who was peering into the empty nursery that was now flooding with queens and kits.
"Skystar," Bluesong started, sitting beside the leader quietly. "Hollywish has brought news to my attention that cannot be left undiscussed."
When the Tom received no answer, he added, "We will wait for you outside your den." Then, Bluesong and Hollywish padded off towards the leader's den.
Hollywish gave a sudden glance at Lionstripe, who was sitting outside the warriors den gazing back at her. Smokekit let a rumble of a growl out of her throat before chasing after them.

Skystar had finally arrived, and the black she-cat was staring at her the whole time she took to walk over. "Lionstripe and I would like to request your permission to be mates." HollyLeaf stated with her chin high.
Moved, the leader nodded her head and replied with a simple statement, "Permission granted."
Smokekit growled again, but stopped when she noticed Bluesong's eyes were not on the leader. He was looking back at her. His gentle blue eyes filled with curiosity.
"Bluesong," Skystar snapped after Hollywish pranced off to tell Lionstripe the 'good' news. "You have not been yourself today. What's the matter?"
Bluesong turned his head at Skystar and meowed, "I am worried about little Smokekit." The deputy closed his eyes and sighed, "What if she cannot handle this new kit? We both know Coalstorm only has the ability to process one kit at a time; Therefore, how will Smokekit cope with that kind of rejection? All the cats will surely ignore her, including Lionstripe who used to be her best friend. He now has a mate!"
Surprised, the leader shook her head. "StarClan does not lie about prophecies, Bluesong. Nor do they lie to medicine cats. She will handle it fine. But I still am sorry this new kit of yours will not grow up with his or her real grandparents. You would have made a great grandfather, Bluesong."
"Thank you, Skystar." he bowed his head in sorrow. "That means a lot coming from you."
Smokekit wondered what that could mean-Could Bluesong and Coalstorm's mother be mates? How was that even possible? These thoughts were rudely interrupted by Lionstripe galloping across the clearing. "Smokekit!" He yowled, coming to a dust-blowing halt in front of her. "Where have you been?!"
"Out." She mewed ignorantly in his face.
Lionstripe remembered that she was mad at him for something, then he backed off.
"Smokekit?! My kit!!" Coalstorm raced out of the nursery to meet the grey-furred she-kit. She instantly rasped her pink tongue against Smokekit's forehead. "It's okay, mama's got you now." She meowed softly and grabbed the kit by the scruff, darting back to the nursery entrance where she had been sitting before Lionstripe's yowl.
Smokekit, bouncing from her mother's jaws, shook herself rapidly. But the queen did not let go until they reached the inside where Smokekit had woke up before hearing about her prophecy.
"Stay here, little Smokekit, I'll fetch a mouse for you and I to share." Coalstorm meowed before storming quickly out of the den.
Icepelt was already heading back towards her with a vole when the queen dropped to her paws. "Coalstorm?!" The Tom dropped the scrap of meat and dropped his head at the queen who was now laying on the floor.
Coalstorm squealed in pain, but managed to let out a small cry saying, "Get Echoleaf!"
Not even a heartbeat later, Icepelt had darted the other way, racing across the clearing. Smokekit was now standing at her mother's side. "Coalstorm?" The grey kit mewed softly in question.
She got no answer but more desperate cries of agony. Smokekit saw Skystar poke her head out of her den and watch as two warriors -Crowfur and Jaystep, Smokekit guessed- ran out of their dens to help the queen over Echoleaf.
Smokekit got to her paws and galloped over to the medicine cat who was working quickly, hovering over a moss bed to comfort the queen.
Coalstorm appeared into the gorse tunnel heartbeats later, carried in gently by Crowfur and Jaystep.
They had just set her on the bed when Smokekit felt a tug on her scruff. "You shouldn't be here, little one."
Just by hearing the delicate voice, Smokekit knew it was Doveheart, a beautiful grey she-cat with blue eyes. This cat was known for her delicacy in everything. She was always kind-hearted and high-spirited, but Smokekti knew this had to be the one time she had to kick her out; Coalstorm was kitting, and it was not right to let another kit watch.
Just as Smokekit padded out with her head hanging down, she heard a faint meow. Then, Echoleaf meowed, "It's a she-kit!"

Crowfur and Jaystep walked out and sat patiently in front of Smokekit, blocking her view of the inside.
"You must be so excited!"
Smokekit looked up to see Jaystep's smiling, grey, tabby face. "Yes," She rolled her eyes and continued sarcastically, "I'm so excited to be ignored for the next three moons."
Crowfur shot her a look of disappointment. "You should be glad to have a little sister to look over!" He snapped, but continued in a more friendly tone, "You're already mouse-brained as it is, why don't ya want a sister?" The dark-pelted warrior touched his nose on her forehead.
Smokekit shook her head, denying any new thoughts that might have appeared of this new kit. "No reason," She made up the words as she went, "I just don't want to be left out now, you know?" One lip was slowly drawn up the side of her face in uncertainty.
"I know right!" Jaystep poked his head into the kit's face abruptly. "As soon as Doveheart was born, I was totally kicked out of the spotlight."
As soon as the words slipped out of Jaystep's mouth, Smokekit could see Crowfur step on his paw as he shot a desperate glare at the grey, loud-mouthed cat. "That doesn't help at all, you birdbrain!" Crowfur growled.
"No," Smokekit accepted it, letting out a sigh of slight grief. "I'm going to have to learn to cope with life one way or another; and this will be the first."
The two stared for a moment, then the silence was broken, "You're pretty mature for your age, little one." Crowfur stated, continuing more serious and conscious, "When will your apprentice ceremony be?"
"Not for a few more moons." Smokekit shook her head and sighed again.
Jaystep, startled, backed out of the way as Doveheart led Coalstorm out of the gorse tunnel and into the clearing. It was clear her kitting was over, and Echoleaf had already given her poppy seeds to ease the pain.
The black queen limped across the clearing with Doveheart until reaching the nursery. Smokekit poked her head in, "Mama?" She meowed sincerely.
"Come in, my little Smokekit." Coalstorm purred in greeting manner. She was laying on a thick bed of moss, and was comfortingly curled up.
Doveheart was just padding out when Smokekit walked in. "You must rest now, Coalstorm," The she-cat warrior said over her shoulder.
Smokekit glanced back at her gratefully, but only thankful for the fact that Doveheart cared for her mother. Otherwise, Smokekit knew she was not some cat that had not yet been truly befriended. "Yes, Doveheart." She mewed as the friendly warrior passed through the nursery tunnel.
Feeling appreciative, Smokekit felt a massive thrill of surprised at her own emotions. She thought she would feel hatred and despise for this new kit. But now, now that the new kit had been born. Smokekit sorrowed herself for ever feeling that way; For she had not thought of the good this kit might bring. Maybe the newborn would be a great new addition to the Clan's welfare and community.