Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Fastclaw

 

    Coalkit tossed the ball of moss to his sister, Aquakit.

“How about that one?” Coalkit asked her.  

“A little damp...” Aquakit held the moss to her nose, then wrinkled it and recoiled in disgust.

“Smelly!” she declared.  Amberkit laughed and tossed Aquakit another.  

“Dry,” Aquakit declared.  She sniffed it and shrugged.  “And it passes the smell test!”

“Great!” Coalkit declared.  “Let’s play!”  Together the three kits tossed around the moss ball.

“Oh, no!” Amberkit watched as the moss went sailing towards the elders den.  The kits exchanged a glance.

“She-cats first,” Amberkit said with a glance at Aquakit.

“You’re a she-cat too!” Aquakit said to her sister.

“I’ll get it.” Coalkit padded towards the elders den.  A plump gray she-cat was sleeping next to where the moss landed.  Uh oh!  It’s Mistdapple!  I had better be careful is I want to get the moss back.    Coalkit decided to walk around the warriors den so he could get behind the elders den and sneak up towards the moss, then snatch it before Mistdapple could see.  But as he neared the elders den, two voices made him stop.  

“How can you expect me to stay here?” A gray she-cat cried.  It’s Wingshadow!

“LeafClan gave you shelter when you needed it!  How could you want to go back to LeafClan?”  An angry tom cried at Coalkit’s mom.  Fireblaze!  Don’t yell at Mom!

“Stay here or else,” Fireblaze growled.  

“No.” Wingshadow replied.  You tell him, Mom!

“Wingshadow, I’m not letting you go back to MoonClan.” The tom’s voice was rising quick.  That could only mean one thing.  Wingshadow!  Back up!

“Fireblaze... don’t...” Wingshadow’s shrill cry meant nothing to her mate.  Fireblaze ran towards the nursery.

“If you won’t stay here, none of your kin will!” Fireblaze yowled to her.  
Amberkit!  Aquakit!  No!

“I got the moss!” Coalkit could hear his sister’s triumphant meow as she carried the moss toward Amberkit.

“Kits, come with me,” Fireblaze yowled calmly.  Maybe he’s calmed down.  Amberkit and Aquakit walked alongside her father.  Amberkit padded alongside her sister.  But Fireblaze’s gaze was toward the trees away from camp.  

“Fireblaze, don’t!” Wingshadow begged the tom to stop, but her efforts were helpless.  Coalkit followed his sisters and mother after Fireblaze from afar.  Finally, Fireblaze stopped.  Coalkit stared at his father.  How can this short-tempered evil cat be my kin?  Fireblaze’s eyes were filled with hatred, and his claws stained red with blood.  Wingshadow’s eyes grew round with fear.  

“Fireblaze, you don’t know what you’re doing!” Wingshadow hissed at her mate.

“Yes, yes I do,” Fireblaze replied, his eyes red.  He leapt at Wingshadow, his claws unseathed.  Aquakit and Amberkit screamed, but Coalkit was too shocked to join in.  

“What’s Dad doing?” Amberkit screamed at her sister.  Aquakit couldn’t speak as she watched her mother’s delicate body limply hanging from Fireblaze’s jaw.  Coalkit watched as Amberkit ran.  But Aquakit was still.  Aquakit let out a silent scream as her mother's head rolled toward her, Wingshadow's open eyes staing no where. Coalkit felt like fainting.  
Fireblaze turned to Aquakit.  She let out a small, helpless squeak as Fireblze grasped her in his jaw.  Aquakit let out a final scream before a sickening crunch filled the woods, and Aquakit's neck snapped. Fireblaze hooked his red eyes into the spot Coalkit was hiding. Coalkit ran.