Story!

[Junipertree]

"Please keep going Spiritstep! I want to know what happens next!"

[lui]

She chuckled quietly, ultimately amused by the kits behaviors. "All right, all right. Now where were we again...? Ah, yes...

Bloodkit's eyes sparkled. Not of tears, but of joy. This kit, whom he had just met, was willing to go with him. They hardly knew anything about each other, but both could feel a tight connection. At least Bloodkit didn't have any family, but Peachkit? She had a sister.

What would Skykit think of Bloodkit? Stealing her sister away with him, to certain death? Hatred for him. Wanting to murder him. He could scarcely imagine the thoughts running through Skykit's mind when she finds out that her sister is gone.

The clouds thundered above the moor. Without a word he nodded to Peachkit, both leaving Fireclan into rouge territory. Rain splattered the dry grounds, promising that no fire's would destroy the territory of Fireclan itself.

Peachkit was scared, running a few foxtails behind Bloodkit, letting him lead the way. She felt scared, what she was doing was wrong. Kit's aren't suppose to leave the camp, much less leave the clan. Thunder boomed in the sky, making Peachkit run closer to Bloodkit.

There pelts brushed, a small tan she-kit, and a equally small blood red tom. Heat flowed through both of them. What was this feeling? It was love. The love of two kits facing a dark future. They continued to doubt it though. Despite everything, they didn't want to be in love.

Love drew cats to do terrible things for each other.

And this was no exception.

The pitter patter of the rain drew to a close. As two water-logged kits arrived in Rouge territory. The sun was rising, and there paws were bleeding. Never in there lives had they ran so much, or so long. Nearly hours long they ran, without letting up. Fear and love pushing them forward.

"Bloodkit, are we almost there?" Peachkit asked, going close to the kit, fearful of the evil cats that stayed in Rouge territory.

A different voice answered, "Who is this!?"

Bloodkit spun around, getting himself in front of Peachkit, "This is my friend! She stays!"

Peachkit's small face appeared over Bloodkit's shoulder, "Hi Sam."

"How do you know him?" the red tom replied.

She looked down shamefully, "I listened in on your conversation. . ."

Sam jumped down from ledge he was standing on, as several other cats appeared from small caverns of the Redclan camp. He was furious. Fireclan would surely be angry that two of there cats were missing. Though, the rain would have washed away their scent by now. "Does she have family?" he asked.

"No," Bloodkit replied, "She had just arrived in Fireclan when I left. No one would be looking for her."

Peachkit's tail twitched, she was a terrible liar, "He's right." she mewed, keeping her head down to hide her shifty eyes.

Another cat stepped forward, a greying she-cat, "Let her stay Sam, we need healthy kits. The clan is dying"

Bloodkit was ashamed of himself, he had left the clan dead and starved. His father had died months ago. These few cats remained, "How many members are there now, Riverwhisp?"

"Hmm," Riverwhisp said, taking a seat, "I'll say, including Sam and I, five warriors. Three apprentices, and no kits."

Peachkit touched her nose to Bloodkit's neck comfortingly, "It's okay, we'll bring it back." she whispered.

He pressed himself closer to her, seeking the warmth of her wet pelt. Jumping upward to the ledge he stood proud and strong, the wind quickly drying him pelt. Clearing his throat, he addressed the clan.

Around her, the cats gathered. They had so much faith in him. He was just a kit. . . his father must have been great if they had so much faith is the blood running through the veins of the red kit. Taking note of the cats, she could only see one apprentice. Where we the others?

"Bloodstar was a great leader, we shall never forget him. But now," Bloodkit began, "he has passed. Now I, his son, shall take him place as leader. From my birth I have been taught by him. Learning the ways he had learned from his father, and the toms before him. We may look weak now, we may have lost cats, we may have been-"

A screech interrupted him as a crazed apprentice ran into the camp, "HELP! HELP! SHIMMERPAW IS IN THE MUD FLATS!" Once again the elder paused from her story, maybe to recollect the events, or just to let the kits speak. Saying nothing, Spiritstep licked her paw out of boredom and waited.

[Loudheart]

*Loudkits eyes sparkled* "keep going! keep going!"

[Junipertree]

"What happens next!?!?!"

[Dawnpaw]

*Dawnpaw sat entranced in the story*
"Then what? Finish the story!"

[Spottedkit]

* walks in nervously * Hi, I'm Spottedkit. I heard the story outside, may I join?

[lui]

"Fine, fine, I'll start again. Yes, you may join Spottedkit. Anyways...

Peachkit turned and stared, open mouthed at the apprentice. Mudflats? she thought, while at the same time, thinking what in the world she could do to help.

On the other hand, Bloodkit, now Bloodstar, jumped down and raced through the exit of the camp. He knew this was troubles. The rainy season was just starting. Redclan would soon be nothing but a land of mudflats. In the past the clan just strode around the holes of mud. Yet now, with a clan so weak, starved cats would see a struggling rabbit or mouse, and dive in without thinking.

Despite the rain, the dirt was tough under the pads of the dark red cat. From the run his pads had started to bleed. It was too late to stop and tend to his wounds. He could just merely imagine the fear in the face of Shimmerpaw. The she-cat was usually a tough girl in the clan. But that was moons ago... before Bloodstar had left.

Peachkit raced after him, the pain too much for her own pads she was forced to stop. It made her look at her surroundings, trying to figure out a easy way that she could get closer to the cats to see what was happening. Licking her paws, her blue eyes searched around.

Redclan was sparse, even compared to Fireclan. At least Fireclan had grass, here it was dirt and rocks. Like a desert landscape. One would think that all the water would just create a lust environment for the cats. Yet the rocks around them suggested there was also rock under them. No wonder why plants couldn't get through.

Tiny roots couldn't break the thick stone shielding the earth. Blinking she caught sight of a tree top, the tops of the leafy tree just appearing from the tip of the stone. Climbing up slowly, trying to keep her paws safe she heard more screeches. Once to the top she gazed out. The tree was lust, she could just see the many birds nests in there. All that prey. . . if one could just get there!

Another screech of help broke away her thoughts.

Taking a step her paw caught the edge, making her slightly slip off. Catching herself just in time before she fell into the mudflat bellow. That's how Shimmerpaw got into the flat. The apprentice probably figured she could jump there and save the clan. But even Peachkit knew a hopeless sight when she saw one, even though she was optimistic.

Shimmerpaw was several yards away from the stone that Bloodstar was now standing on, pads bleeding heavily, his breath in short gasps. It was too much for him. If was either Shimmerpaw's life, or both Shimmerpaw and Bloodstar's.

The once white head of the apprentice shrieked once more, before cascading under the dark brown mud.

Her life was lost. On just the first rain of the season.

Peachkit feared for the clan, she feared for Bloodstar. Looking down she watched him, should she go see him? Comfort him? Sam took her by the nape of the neck, choosing to leave him alone and bringing Peachkit back to the camp. More dark clouds gathered above them, signaling yet another night of rain.

At the camp Peachkit's paws was attended too. No one said a single word, all knowing the outcome. The apprentice that had arrived to bring the news of Shimmerpaw entering the mudflats was now laying on the ground next to Peachkit. It was a tom, almost the size of a warrior. Others had called his name before, Timberpaw.

"Timberpaw, I'm sorry for what has happened."

Silence.

"Were you family?"

More silence.

"Talking might help. . ." the tan she-kit spoke, for the last time.

"You're the only she-cat in the clan able to have kits. Shimmerpaw was the clans hope in being revived. Don't die."

This time, Peachkit was silenced. Did. . . did Bloodstar bring her here just for that? Was he just using Peachkit?

"Besides anyways, I'm nearly a warrior. And you should be a apprentice now. Maybe you could help the clan. Talk to Bloodstar about it. Bye." Timberpaw got up, leaving Peachkit alone with her thoughts.

Bloodstar arrived late, giving the announcements of Shimmerpaw's death, and Timberpaw's, now Timberheart, ceremony. Along with one last message, one to Peachkit, naming her Peachpaw. Making her mentor a senior warrior by the name of Stone.

She had more than training on her mind, she had to talk to Bloodstar. Soon."

[Junipertree]

"When does she get to finally talk to Bloodstar!?!", Juniperpaw asked anxiously.

[Loudheart]

"KEEP GOING! it's getting really good!"

[Junipertree]

"Yeah!"

(gppd?)

[Loudheart]

(yes my cat has made a new word while she was on keyboard ;D (i'll fix it)))

[Junipertree]

(lol! Cats can't type!)

[Loudheart]

(mine can! she made a BEATIFUL word didn't she lol)

[Gentleheart]

The old she-cat lifted herself onto all four paws. "It's getting late, honey," She purred to Loudpaw. "And you have training tomorrow. We should all be getting to sleep now," Quir kindly, the old cat ushered the younger ones out of the den.

[Dawnpaw]

"But we haven't finished the story!" Dawnpaw complained as she slowly padded out of the elders den. "I want to hear the end!"