Painted by Smoke

Chapter 11

Rushsong's POV:

I awoke to Lilystream's scream. I sat up, startled. First, I checked on Sunkit and Brushkit. They weren't mine, but I had been looking after them ever since their mother died giving birth to them 3 moons ago. I was so proud when Lagoonstar asked me to look after his kits for me. He and my mate Lionwind are close, as Lionwind is deputy for Lagoonstar. His kits were fine, if startled from being awoken so suddenly.

Next, I checked on my own kits: Riverkit, Frogkit, and Lakekit. Despite being nearly full-grown at 5 moons, the three she-kits liked to sleep huddled together in a pile. I saw Riverkit's stormy orange eyes meet mine as she looked around in fright. She seemed to relax a bit upon seeing me and laid her head back down on Frogkit's flank. Frogkit, who looked just like her father, was still asleep. Lakekit, however, had jumped to her feet the second Lilystream had cried out, and she had already made a lap over to the other side of the den and back. Terror filled her eyes as she trotted over to me.

I looked over to see Lilystream crying into Hareleap, her mate's, neck. "Beekit and Amberkit are gone," she wailed, sorrow overwhelming her voice. Her third kit, Rosekit, was crouched in a corner, looking more terrified than anyone.

"What's going on?" Brushkit asked as I stood up.

"It's alright," I soothed, nudging him and his sister over towards Lakekit, who put her tail around them. "You'll be fine."

"Why is Wiwystweam cwying?" He mewed, looked scared, as well. Sunkit was silent as she pressed herself against Lakekit's side.

"Hush now," I said, and Lakekit pulled him towards her with a kind paw. She, too looked scared. I shot her a grateful look and padded over toward Lilystream.

I gently lay a tail tip on Lilystream's shoulder in a comforting gesture. "What happened?" I asked.

Lilystream let out another sorrowful wail and turned to me. "I woke up and they were gone! Beekit and Amberkit, vanished! And Rosekit hasn't said a thing since she woke me up!"

I looked out towards the den entrance, suddenly realizing for the first time that it wasn't yet dawn. As I watched, the entrance ruffled and Ashsmoke and Reefpaw entered. They had probably heard something and been curious. Reefpaw likely wanted to help and Ashsmoke was quick to rush into potential danger. Sometimes, between Ashsmoke's childishness and Reefpaw's stoicism, it was hard to remember that they were actually mentor and apprentice, not littermates or friends. They were, however, both toms, so I had to usher them out.

Over the next few hours, there was a rush of questions and activity. Lagoonstar suspected ShadowClan – Morningstar had asking him for more hunting territory recently – and he was sure there was a trace of their scent in the nursery. I, along with Lilystream and most of the clan, agreed with him. Their foul history proved that they couldn't change, no matter how much they said they had.

Throughout all of this, Rosekit still has refused to say a single word.