Streams of Fire

Chapter 1
Skykit raced across the nursery clearing, squealing as Tidekit dashed past her. With a flying leap, the grey she-kit pounced on the leaf. Skykit skidded to a stop, gasping for breath. “Wow, you’re so fast, Tidekit!” she exclaimed. Whitekit and Pinekit padded up to them. “Did Tidekit beat you again?” Pinekit teased. Skykit purred, flicking her tail.

“She’s way to fast for me. Wanna race, Pinekit?”

“No thanks,” Pinekit laughed. “You’d leave me in the dust!” Tidekit brushed herself off and gave her chest a few licks. “Is it time to eat yet?”

“It should be” Whitepaw replied. “I’m starving!”

“Let’s see if the warriors brought any fresh-kill!” Pinekit mewed, jumping up. The four kits dashed over to the entrance of the clearing, eagerly awaiting the patrol.

“Leafblossom!” Skykit squealed. A grey tabby she-cat was leading the patrol. “Wow, you brought loads of prey!”

“Look at the size of that rabbit!” Pinekit gaped. “Hey, Tidekit, wanna share it?” Tidekit nodded eagerly. Leafblossom purred.

“I’m glad to see you all so enthusiastic,” she mewed. “I’m sure you’ll be great hunter later on. Then it’ll be your turn to feed the kits!”

“I can’t wait!” mewed Pinekit, swiping the air with her paw. Tidekit sunk her tiny teeth into the rabbit, tearing off a mouthful.

“I’d rather just eat and sleep.” she mewed, her voice muffled.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full, Tidekit,” Whitekit scolded. “That’s just rude.”

“I’m going to take some to the queens,” announced Skykit, dashing off with a plump mouse in her jaws.

The nursery den was warm and smelled of milk. Skykit breathed it in, enjoying the friendly scent. Six queens lay in the nests, quietly chatting with each other. Skykit dropped the mouse in front of Echowing, the dark grey queen. “Sorry,” she apologized. “This was all I could carry.” Echowing purred.

“It’s all right, Skykit,” she mewed. “Thank you.” Skykit dipped her head, embarrassed. She looked down at Echowing’s four kits. “Wow, they’re so cute!” She bent down to take a closer look. “What are their names?”

“Dewkit, Robinkit, Alderkit, and Shinekit,” mewed Echowing proudly. “They’re half a moon old.”

“When are you going to move back to camp?” asked Skykit.

“Probably when they’re old enough to eat prey,” Echowing replied. “I’d hate to leave them though. Don’t blame me if I visit every day at sunrise!” Skykit purred in amusement. “Don’t worry, I won’t! I would do the same if I ever have kits.” She stopped for a moment to ponder. ''Will I ever have kits? It seems so far away…'' Skykit shook off the thought and turned back to Echowing, who was suckling her kits.

hank you." Skykit,"carry."front of Echowing, the dark grey queen.  of the clearing, eagerly awaiting the patrol.

“You kits are about ready to be apprenticed,” Echowing remarked. “I feel like it’s been moons and moons since your mothers left.”

“Yeah,” Skykit agreed. “I’m kinda scared though. Is apprenticeship hard?”

“It really depends on the cat,” Echowing replied. “The beginning might be a little difficult, but you’ll catch on fast. I’m sure you’ll be fine.” Skykit stood up a little straighter, suddenly excited. “I hope it comes soon.”

“Me too, Skykit,” Echowing mewed. “Me too.”

When the day finally came, the large crowd of kits was gathered at the front of the clearing. All their mothers had come and wept over them with pride. Skykit sat beside Whitekit, her eyes shining with excitement. I wonder who my mentor will be? “I hope we’ll be in the same patrol,” whispered Whitekit.

“We’d better be,” Skykit whispered back. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.” A few warrior were going through the crowd, rounding up the kits into patrols. “Skykit,” a voice mewed from behind her. Skykit turned around to see a large black tom standing there. He looked down at her warmly. “Come with me.” Glancing worriedly over her shoulder at Whitekit, Skykit followed the tom away from her friend.

“Here you are,” the tom announced. “These are the other apprentices in your patrol.” Skykit looked around. There were six other kits sitting in a circle on the ground; three toms and three she-cats. Skykit sat down cautiously as the tom left to speak with the other warriors. She stared at the ground, too nervous to talk to the other kits. Suddenly she heard someone yowl. “Sneak attack!” A weight dropped on her back and Skykit collapsed to the ground with a squeal. She rolled over to see a dark grey tom kit standing over her. He stepped aside to let her get up and she shook the dust off her pelt. A grey and white she-kit stomped over with a sour look on her face.

“Nightkit!” she snapped. “You don’t just jump on random cats you don’t know!” The tom kit flicked his short tail as the she-kit turned to Skykit. “Sorry about that,” she mewed, flustered. “My brother has been trying out his stupid fighting moves on every cat around him. I’m Jadekit, by the way,” she added. “And that’s my dumb brother, Nightkit.”

“I’m Skykit,” Skykit replied nervously. “It’s nice to meet you both.” Jadekit was bigger than her by a mouse length, and she had dazzling green eyes that seemed to put Skykit’s to shame. Before Skykit could say anything else, the black tom came back along with two other warriors.

“Alright kits,” he announced. “Are you ready to go to camp?” Skykit bristled with excitement as the rest of the kits cheered. Finally. Her heart sank when she realized the Whitekit wasn’t in her patrol. Jadekit nudged her.

“Look more excited!” she whispered. “No mentor wants a downcast apprentice.” Skykit tried to brighten up, but she was filled with disappointment. I’ll talk to Whitekit later… “Be prepared for some water,” the tom continued. “Because we’ll have to cross a ton of rivers on the way to camp. You probably know that the island is half sunken in the ocean, and ancient DolphinClan cats dug the canals to keep the whole island from flooding.” Skykit nodded slowly. The queens had told them that story numerous times. As the patrol set off towards camp, Skykit looked around in panic. ''What am I supposed to do without my friends? ''

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