Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Rage

The dew drops gently fall to the ground as the strong black kit walked across the grass.  He paused to look at the flowers, then continued to walk.  He raised his head to the sky and sniffed for any signs of prey.  Nothing.  His belly growled with anger.  The cat’s tail swayed as he tried to distract himself from the hunger piercing his side.  He slowly closed his eyes then opened them again.

“Crow!  Crow!  Where are you?” Crow looked back behind him.  Mom.  He turned and ran back

towards the she-cat.  Perhaps she has food for me?  Soon he could see his mom’s amber eyes looking at him.  

“Do you have food?” he asked his mom.  Might as well just get to the point.  Crow’s hope sank when his mom’s eyes saddened.

“No, Crow.  Even better.”  What could possibly be better than feeding our starving bellies?

“Then what, Mama?”  Crow looked up into the blue eyes of his mom’s.  She looked back at him, her words false, she didn’t even believe herself.

“I’m expecting kits,” she said.  Crow stared at her.  How can Mama be so selfish, while I starve she creates more mouths to feed!

“Oh, Crow.  I’m sorry.” His mom glanced at her paws and hung her head.  Crow walked up to his mom and purred into her soft fur.

“We’ll get through this,” his mom said slowly.  Crow nodded.  We will get through this.  

“They’re beautiful,” his dad said.  Crow looked at his new brother and sister.  

“What are you going to name them?” Crow asked his mother.  Moons had past since his mother realized she was expecting kits.  

“The tom looks brave, like a fine fighter,” his dad said.

“And the she-kit looks like a peace maker,” his mom added.

“Let’s name them Claw and Peace.” his father’s words stung in Crow’s heart.  Crow remembered when he was born.  His mother and father didn’t comfort him with such carefully picked words.  They love them more than me, and when I was born there was plenty of prey.  We could feed over six kits back then, and now two more selfish kits!  
Crow looked down at his brother.  He was a dark brown tom, with his mother’s fur.  The she-cat, however, looked more like her father, with splotched dark gray fur.  Crow had to admit, they were had much better looks than Crow’s completely black fur.  He sighed. Mom and Dad now have Claw and Peace to raise. I'll go somewhere where there's lots of prey, in a lush forest.
Later that night, when Crow's mom and dad had fallen asleep, Crow crouched down and slunk off towards the exit to their den. Just when he was almost far enough away to run, he heard paw steps behind him.
"Crow! Crow! Wait up!" Claw.
"Go away, Claw." Crow looks at his brother then turns away.
"Wait! Crow! I want to come too!" Peace ran up to him. Her soft green eyes bore into his.
"You can't come," Crow's words were far too harsh. "Mom needs you and Claw." Just as Crow turned around again, a huge orange blur rushed past him. Fox! Oh, no! The kits!
"Claw! Peace!" Crow's words echoed throughout the forest. The fox lunged at his siblings, but cut short by the black paw scraping at its muzzle.
"Touch my brother and sister and I'll claw your heart out!" Crow snarled at his opponent. The fox lunged at him in response. The fox's jaw nearly bit into Crow, but the cat just barely side-stepped out of the way. Oh no you don't! The kits aren't your midnight snack!
"Peace! Watch out!" Peace's bright green eyes widened as the fox turned towards her. Crow lunged at the fox, but fell short. Then, a dark brown miracle flew by. Mom! Crow's mom slashed out at the fox, and while the fox stood there, stunned, she bit down on its neck. The fox yowled in pain, and then flung the she-cat off its back.
"Mahrie!" Crow's father ran toward his fallen mate. The fox turned to the kits once more, determined to make the battle worth while. Its neck was pouring out blood. Claw and Peace backed away slowly, but the fox advanced quickly. Mom and Dad may like them more than me, and I don't like them because of that, but I won't let them live a short like. They're my kin.
Crow lunged at the fox once more, and bit into its neck.