Warriors: Calling Wild

Chapter Eleven

     Flashkit was sneaking out again. Sootkit watched from his nest as his brother tiptoed out of the nursery. As soon as he was out of earshot, Sootkit rustled out of the nursery to find out what the black and white kit was up to. Flashkit was squeezing through the dirtplace entrance. That's how he was getting out of camp! He dodged Mistytail, the guard, and scurried after Flashkit. He had to rely solely on his sense of smell, because it was hard to see in the dark. Sootkit tried to stay downwind, a trick Steampaw had taught him. He tracked his brother all the way to the sycamore sap. Flashkit was sitting there with his tail wrapped around his paws as if he was waiting for some cat. In a heartbeat, he was joined by a light brown she-cat who rubed her muzzle against her brother's. Along with the she-cat came a horrible stench that smelled of dirt and water. There was only one clan that lived underground: NightClan. They could see extremely well in the dark and spent most of their lives surrounded by rocks.

     Flashkit had been seeing some cat from another clan! Sootkit stretched his neck to hear what they were saying. The only thing he caught was the she-cat's name. Birchpaw. If Birchpaw and Flashkit were to become mates, it would ruin his brother among the clans! It was against the warrior code! Sootkit stepped forward to get another look, but made the mistake of stepping on a fallen branch. It cracked beneath his paw, alerting his brother and Birchpaw of their company. Birchpaw scurried off in the direction of her territory and Flashkit skipped merrily back to camp without seeing Sootkit.

     Sootkit stayed still for a moment longer before deciding to step out. The moment he did so, Birchpaw sprang from behind a bush and landed on top of Sootkit wit an 'oof.' Sootkit squirmed beneath her weight, and finally managed to get out from under her. He faced his opponent, tail swishing back and forth, claws unsheathed, and eyes wide open. Birchpaw mirrored his moves.

     "You are MoonClan aren't you?" She asked at last. Sootkit stayed silent while maintaining his position.

     The apprentice pleaded with him. "Please! You can't tell any cat! Flashkit would never be able to become a warrior if any cat knew!" A flash of emotion crossed over her face, but it diminished just as quickly as it had come.  Sootkit thought about this for a moment and then looked back up at Birchpaw. He didn't know how they had met, or why, but they seemed happy together. Right? I'm sure StarClan wouldn't stop love. Would they? Sootkit tool his unsheathed claws and swiped her over the ear playfully.

     "I'll keep quiet for my brother. But if you try anything..."

     Birchpaw nodded her head quickly and gave her thanks before hopping away. The sun was coming up now, signaling dawn. The Dawn Patrol would be waking up soon. I should be back to camp. Sootkit hurried home, and and entered as he had left. Flashkit and Willowkit were in their nests, but Flashkit wasn't asleep. Instead of trying to provoke him, Sootkit tried to play nice.

     "Where were you? You were gone when I woke up and I was looking everywhere for you!"

     Flashkit lied easily. "I was in dirtplace." Is it really that easy for him to lie to family? What if he has lied about other things too?
     Sootkit shook the thought from his mind and left the nursery. He couldn't look at his brother any longer. Sootkit stepped over to the fallen log and layed next to it to watch the assembled warriors leave to patrol the territory. The group consisted of Cheetahclaw, Patchpelt, Tigerlily, Berryheart, and Snowpaw. They left in a hurry. Sootkit then dozed off, with Willowkit soon joining him in the sun.