kittypets-read-the-series

[kittypets-read-the-series]

i had no idea this came back, i was waiting for it. i just now found out so excited to see it again (im very late)

haha! hello there :)

glad you've found the blog!

Sadly, KPR is kinda in a stasis at the moment. Other interests have came forth (BT, Apollo, ect.) but I have no plans on abandoning this!

...but it may be a while hehe

[kittypets-read-the-series]

#now watch me go silent for two months lol

Look at me predicting the future lmao

VERY neglectful Alder now speaks and gives the same reasons.

But uh...don't expect a new chapter post yet. I've got a vacation next week and i'm trying to fly through my college work.

Neglectful Alder Now Speaks

I'm being neglectful here, aren't i?

explanation: Burning Thistles is getting towards a climax so there's that excitement going on and i've been sucked into oneshots for the trials of apollo so. yeah. that's what's going on rn lol

stay tuned! i'll get more chapters up and posted soon.

[kittypets-read-the-series]

Neglectful Alder Now Speaks

I'm being neglectful here, aren't i?

explanation: Burning Thistles is getting towards a climax so there's that excitement going on and i've been sucked into oneshots for the trials of apollo so. yeah. that's what's going on rn lol

stay tuned! i'll get more chapters up and posted soon.

[kittypets-read-the-series]

B1 C11: Our New Guest Groans Over His Failures

Ruby nearly choked.

“T-T-Tiny?” she whispered.

Her brother’s eyes flared and he hissed.

“That’s not my name!” he growled. Icy blue eyes flicked around the clearing. “Why, exactly, am I here?” he directed his question at Bluestar, the only one he seemed to actually like at the moment. Bluestar met his gaze calmly.

“You’re here, because you are family to my former apprentice.” Scourge flicked his tail at that.

“I don’t know who you’re talking about.” he muttered. Bluestar tilted her head.

“Fiery pelt, green eyes, unrelenting determination,” the blue-gray leader listed off. “He was an excellent apprentice, then warrior.” She fixed Scourge with a look. “You may not know him as my apprentice, but he was an opponent of yours when you laid claim to the forest.”

Scourge stood stock-still has the realization settled in. “You’re joking.” he meowed. “No way...there’s no way…” he shook his head. Bluestar only tilted her head.

“You know it’s true,” she meowed softly. She turned to the others. “You may now continue.” She disappeared as Scourge slunk off to a spot far away from the rest, clearly not wanting to converse with anyone. The gathered cats exchanged uneasy, confused looks before turning to the screen to continue their viewing.

Firepaw returned with a chaffinch gripped firmly between his teeth. He dropped it in front of Tigerclaw, who stood waiting in the hollow. “You’re the first one back,” meowed the warrior.

Scourge stifled a furious hiss as he saw his near-murderer.

“Yeah, but I’ve got loads more prey to fetch,” Firepaw mewed quickly. “I buried it back—” “I know exactly what you did,” Tigerclaw growled. “I’ve been watching you.”

“That doesn’t sound creepy at all!” Tommy meowed, trying his best to defuse the tense atmosphere in the clearing.

A swish of bushes … “Then it’s his own fault,” Tigerclaw replied coldly. “There’s no room for fools in ThunderClan.”

Scourge smirked. Is that why you were kicked out then, Tigerstar? He mentally scorned the dark tabby.

They waited in silence. … Dangling from his mouth was the long, diamond-patterned body of an adder.

“Woah!” Livy exclaimed. “That’s a snake!”

“An adder to be precise.” Crystal corrected, casting an unreadable look at Scourge. She wanted to talk to him. He closed himself off to others, and that was not healthy. Not one bit.

“Ravenpaw! Are you okay?” Firepaw called. … “I was too quick for it!” Ravenpaw purred loudly. Then he caught Tigerclaw’s eye and fell silent.

Zach groaned. “Back to the Tigerclaw Bullying Ravenpaw Show.”

Tigerclaw fixed all three excited apprentices with a cold stare. “Come on,” he said shortly. “Let’s collect the rest of your prey and get back to camp.”

“He doesn’t look happy,” Oliver muttered to Princess. She nodded, and could guess why. Ravenpaw knew that Tigerclaw killed Redtail, and had probably sent him to Snakerocks to try to get him indirectly killed.

Firepaw, Graypaw, and Ravenpaw entered the camp, … Sitting next to him was a fluffy gray kit, no more than two moons old. … “Isn’t that the kittypet, Firepaw?” squeaked the gray kit.

Princess gazed at the little gray kit, curious. Didn’t Firestar tell me that his first apprentice was Cinderpelt? A gray she-cat? That kit looks an awful lot like her.

“Yeah! Look at his orange fur!” mewed the black one. … “I can’t wait to start my training,” mewed the tabby. “I’m going to be the best warrior ThunderClan has ever seen!”

“Kits!” Crystal meowed fondly.

Firepaw lifted his chin, … “Can you eat adders?” asked Graypaw.

“Ew! Please, no!” Hattie wrinkled her nose.

“Trust you to think of your stomach!” … “Let’s put it on the tree stump, then,” suggested Graypaw, “so that Dustpaw and Sandpaw can see it when they get back.”

“Oooo! Rub it in their faces, I say!” Luna suggested.

They each carried a piece … “It’ll be full moon tomorrow.” “Sandpaw and Dustpaw have been twice already,” replied Graypaw.

“I hope they get to go this time!” Filou meowed. “I want to know what these meetings are like.” Scourge was looking bored, gazing at the screen through slitted eyes. 

“Perhaps Bluestar will choose one of us this time,” … It’ll be the first time the Clans have met since WindClan disappeared. No cat knows what ShadowClan is going to say about it.”

Scourge stared blankly at the screen. Say what now? He thought. What did I miss?

Tigerclaw’s low meow interrupted them. “You are right, youngster.” The warrior had strolled up to them unnoticed. 

“Creep!” Nami meowed.

“By the way, Firepaw,” he added smoothly, “Bluestar wants to see you.” Firepaw looked up, startled. Why would Bluestar want to see him?

“That’s what I’m wondering.” Nutmeg murmured.

“Now—if you can spare the time,” … “Tigerclaw has told me that he saw you talking with a cat from theTwolegplace today,” she meowed quietly.

“Uh, oh…” Tommy meowed. “So that’s what this is about…”

“But—” Firepaw began. … “No.” … [Bluestar] “Do you wish to leave the Clan?”

Scourge blinked at that. He literally only knew Firestar for a split second - before they ended up killing each other - but even he knew that was a stupid question to ask.

“Of course not!” … Perhaps I expected too much of you. Perhaps my judgment has been clouded by the Clan’s need for new warriors.”

“Didn’t she hear him?” Cody meowed. “He said he didn’t!”

Panic swept through Firepaw … We don’t have room for anyone who isn’t sure whether their heart lies in the past or the present.”

Scourge rolled his eyes. It’s right down obvious he doesn’t want to leave, he thought to himself, a sliver of resentment and jealousy running through him. When he was young, he had wondered about the forest, wondered what it would be like to live in it. But thanks to Tigerstar, his curiosity had turned to hatred, and when the time showed up, giving him the chance to kill Tigerstar and lay claim to the forest, he took it. Though, he hadn’t taken into account the Clans’ culture and customs...if only he had known about those damn nine lives!

Firepaw took a deep breath … “Meeting Smudge made me certain I made the right decision. I could never have been satisfied with the soft life of a kittypet.”

“That’s true,” Nutmeg meowed softly. “Always the most lively.”

“Adventures.” Luna added.

“Curious.” Tommy meowed.

“Determined.” Filou mewed.

Willful. Princess added mentally. Honestly, she could mention so many characteristics of her brother that it would take up a book.

Bluestar looked closely at him … Whatever the reason, he was glad Bluestar liked her too.

“Firepaw makes the strangest friendships,” Ruby meowed. “Graypaw’s silly, Ravenpaw’s jumpy, and Yellowfang is the embodiment of grumpiness.

“But there is something about her … “Firepaw, although you showed bad judgment today in talking to a house cat, Tigerclaw was impressed by your hunting skills. 

Really? Was the thought that both Princess and Scourge shared. That’s a surprise.

In fact, he reported that you all did well. I am pleased with your progress. You will come to the Gathering—all three of you.”

“Yay!” Livy yowled. “We get to see the Gathering!”

Firepaw could hardly stand still. … “She thought I might want to leave ThunderClan.” “You don’t, do you?” asked Ravenpaw.

“Of course he doesn’t!” Filou meowed.

“Of course he doesn’t!” mewed Graypaw.

“Now I’m thinking like Graypaw.” Filou muttered.

Firepaw gave his gray friend an affectionate swipe. “Yeah, you’d hate that. You need me to catch mice for you! All you can catch these days are hairy old squirrels!”

Hattie mrrowed a laugh at Firepaw’s comment.

Graypaw dodged out of the way of Firepaw’s blow, … One of his back paws knocked the adder flying. It hit Ravenpaw on the head and wrapped itself around his neck.

The watching cats dissolved into laughter. Scourge had to stifle his. He did, after all, have a reputation to uphold.

Ravenpaw spat with alarm and surprise, and then turned on Graypaw. … “Scared it might try to bite you?” Firepaw teased. He crouched down, hissing, and sidled up to Ravenpaw.

“Oooo!” Tommy meowed. “Careful Ravenpaw! A snake’s coming for you!”

Ravenpaw twitched his whiskers and retorted, “Some snake you’d make!” … All three cats tumbled into the dirt and tussled on the ground. 

“It’s great seeing them behave like this.” Nutmeg meowed to Jake. Her mate purred in agreement.

Finally they fell apart and settled themselves, … “They have to stay behind and guard the camp.”

“Praise the stars!” Luna exclaimed.

“Oh, let me tell them!” begged Graypaw….  “It’ll be fantastic,” Graypaw replied confidently. “I bet all the great warriors will be there. Clawface, Stonefur...”

Princess tilted her head thoughtfully. Didn’t Firestar mention that Clawface was part of ShadowClan? And he was the one-oh, he was the one to kill Spottedleaf… She shook her head. Stonefur was RiverClan’s deputy before Mistyfoot...oh yeah….he was killed during the Half-Clan Purge. Goodness, this is just sad.

But Firepaw wasn’t listening anymore. … In fact, it was bad luck that Tigerclaw had sent him so near the Twolegplace at all.

“He’s got a point.” Oliver meowed. “Why send him there at all-wait.” he paused. “Was Tigerclaw testing him? Like, he doesn’t trust him?”

“That,” Luna meowed. “Is worrying.”

… Why had Tigerclaw sent him so near his old haunts? Had he wanted to test him? Could it be the great dark warrior didn’t trust his loyalty to ThunderClan?

“My thoughts, exactly!” Oliver declared. If Scourge had eyebrows, he would be raising one right now. This just got interesting.

[kittypets-read-the-series]

Break Time! (Surprise!)

Nutmeg rolled onto her side, contemplating as the other kittypets stood and stretched their legs. Jake, who had disappeared briefly, returned with a mouse clamped in his jaws and he dropped it at her paws.

“Here, try it.” her mate invited. Nutmeg gave the mouse a dubious look, unsure. She gently sniffed it, then took a bite. Jake’s whiskers twitched as her ears pricked. “Good, amiright?” Nutmeg purred.

“It is,” she meowed.

“Well, save some for me!” he exclaimed. Nutmeg poked her mate’s side with a paw.

“I think I should be worried about you not saving any for me.” Jake gave her an offended look.

“What ever gave you that idea?” he meowed innocently.

LINE BREAK LINE BREAK LINE BREAK

“Princess.” said she-cat paused as she heard Oliver’s mew, and instantly knew what he was going to ask.

“Yes, Oliver?” she meowed, turning to meet him. He touched his nose to her shoulder.

“You know something about this right?” he asked. “Every time Tigerclaw is mentioned, you tense up. And every time he does something, you mutter under your breath.” the white tom sat down, tail curled over his paws. “There was something going on in the forest at that time, wasn’t there?” When Princess didn’t answer, he leaned forward and whispered; “Does it have something to do with Tigerclaw?” Princess hesitated, then nodded. Oliver slowly nodded. “And I assume that Firepaw also is involved?” Princess met her mate’s blue eyes.

“Very involved.” she meowed softly, green eyes glazing as she remembered the stressed, anxious looks of her brother. Firestar had tried to hide as much of it as he could from her, but Princess saw right through it. She knew her brother was under a lot of pressure, especially when he became deputy, and then leader. That’s why she always made sure to be there when he called. To reassure him that she was there for him, and would always be there for him. Her tail drooped. Not anymore. A small voice in her head goaded. He’s not here anymore. He left. And you’ll never see him again.

“Princess?” Oliver asked, eyes concerned. “Feeling alright?” Princess shook herself, angry at letting those thoughts get to her.

“I’m alright.” she meowed. “Just...remembering.” Oliver nodded, pressing against her.

“If you need to talk,” he offered. “I’m right here.” Princess dropped her eyes to the ground. Those were the same words she spoke to Firestar, moons ago. She turned to Oliver and brushed her nose to his cheek.

“Thank you.”

LINE BREAK LINE BREAK LINE BREAK LINE BREAK LINE BREAK LINE BREAK

Ruby slunk through the forest, belly rumbling with hunger, and mouth watering with the scent of so much prey. She had never come across a place so filled with food. She paused as she spotted a squirrel. Dropping into a low crouch, she slowly crept forward, paw by paw, until she was a few tail-lengths away. The squirrel froze, lifted its head and began looking around. Now! Ruby sprung forward and landed on the gray creature, cutting off its squeal of fear with a perfectly delivered snap to the neck. The warm smell of blood filled her nose, and she licked her lips as she picked the squirrel up and trotted back to the clearing where Socks was sitting next to their grandmother. The gray she-cat dropped her catch and settled down.

“Nice catch.” Crystal praised. Ruby happily flicked her tail as Socks gave it a sniff.

“That smells so good.” he groaned. Ruby nudged the squirrel towards him.

“Go on, have a bite.” she urged him.

“Thanks!” The tuxedo tom took a bite and chewed as Crystal casted a critical eye over both of them.

“It’s good to see you two getting along.” she meowed, a tad bit evasive. “Too bad your brother isn’t here to join in.” Ruby and Socks froze, casting guilty glances at each other at the mention of Tiny - or Scourge as he called himself. Ruby studied her paws as Crystal’s disappointed gaze swept over them both. “Tell me,” the old she-cat meowed. “I won’t yell, but tell me why you thought it was a good idea to bully your brother like that.” Socks answered, voice small.

“I….I guess we were just...just…” he and Ruby met each other’s eyes. Socks continued without breaking eye contact with his sister. “I guess we were just...jealous.”

“Jealous?” Crystal prompted. Ruby sighed.

“Yeah, jealous.” she scuffled the ground. “Mother was just paying so much attention to him, because he was the...well...runt of the litter. And I guess we just didn’t like that.” Ruby felt her ears burning with shame as kithood memories filled her mind. Excluding Tiny from their games. And when he did join in, roughly pushing him around. She flinched as the worst one yet entered her mind.

“You know what happens to unwanted kits?” her own scornful voice filled her ears. In her mind’s eye, she remembered the terrified, uneasy eyes of her little brother. Ice-blue wide with terror as she spoke the damning words that sealed his fate.

“They get thrown into the river!”

Ruby stifled a sob. After that moment, Tiny had been nowhere to be found. Mother had searched for him, and found his scent trail ending at the forest, and she had proclaimed that Tiny must have been killed by the forest cats. Many moons later, however, Ruby and Socks found out just how wrong she had been. Her little brother, riddled with scars, claws reinforced with dog teeth, collar studded with his victim’s teeth, and those gentle, curious icy eyes had turned into a chillingly emotionless stare, bitterness coating the irises.

Crystal stared gently at her first two grandchildren, disappointment but also compassion in her green eyes. She gently licked them both on their heads.

“I’m glad you’ve realized what you’ve done was wrong,” she meowed softly. Socks pawed the ground as Crystal nudged Ruby’s squirrel towards them. “Eat.” she prompted. “You’ll want a full belly.” Ruby and Socks slowly began eating, guilt still circling through them, but acceptance for their mistakes seeping through as well.

LINE BREAK LINE BREAK LINE BREAK LINE BREAK LINE BREAK LINE BREAK

The gathered cats all settled back down in the clearing, ready to continue the viewing when a starburst momentarily blinded them. When their vision came to, Bluestar was standing there yet again.

“Bluestar?” Princess asked. “What are you doing here? Is there something else we need to do?” Bluestar gestured with a paw.

“No,” she shook her head. “I have conferred with the members of StarClan, and we have reached an agreement.” The gathered cats exchanged bewildered looks. “Another will be joining you.”

“Who?” Livy asked. Bluestar glanced off to the side.

“Me, apparently.” Only the ones who recognized the newcomer gasped.

[kittypets-read-the-series]

B1 C10: Firepaw Has An Awkward Reunion

By the following morning, … And be kept awake all night by those mewling kits! I’d rather get wet!” Yellowfang growled.

Nutmeg thoughtfully narrowed her gaze. Why was Yellowfang so against kits? It was strange.

Firepaw watched her circle stiffly on her mossy bed. … “Thank you, Firepaw,” replied Yellowfang quietly, settling down again.

“Is...is she feeling alright?” Tommy whispered. “Is she sick?”

“I don’t know…” Filou meowed, staring in shock at the screen.

Firepaw felt stunned. … “Well, don’t just stand there like a startled squirrel; go and fetch some moss!” she snapped.

“Whew!” Tommy sighed. “False alarm! World’s not gonna end!”

Firepaw’s whiskers twitched with amusement. … “Sorry, Speckletail,” Firepaw mewed. “Are you on your way to see Yellowfang?”

“Somehow...I don’t think so.” Nutmeg meowed.

“What would I want with that unnatural creature?” replied Speckletail crossly. “Actually it’s you I was looking for. Bluestar wants to see you.”

“I wonder what it’ll be about?” Taylor mused.

“Maybe about his training,” Crystal suggested. “Like I said before, he’s only been hunting. Maybe soon they’ll be doing some fighting.”

Firepaw hurried toward … “It is time for you to return to your training, Firepaw. But you’ll need to work hard to make up for time you have lost.”

“Called it!” Crystal meowed.

“Great! I mean, thank you, Bluestar!” … Bluestar told me that Tigerclaw is going to assess us today. Are Sandpaw and Dustpaw coming too?”

“Stars, I hope not!” Ruby exclaimed. “I don’t want to hear about them again!”

“Whitestorm and Darkstripe took them … You’re Tigerclaw’s apprentice, after all. When he reports back to Bluestar, he’s going to want to tell her how good you are.”

“It’s nice that he’s encouraging Ravenpaw.” Nami meowed.

“You can never tell with Tigerclaw,” … “Lionheart and I have spent the last few weeks trying to teach you how to hunt decently,” he meowed. “Today you’ll have a chance to show me how much you have learned. 

“So...no fighting practice yet?” Crystal rhetorically asked. “Figures.” She wanted to see her youngest grandson kick butt once more.

Each of you will take … “Ravenpaw, you will follow the trail beyond the Great Sycamore as far as the Snakerocks. That should be easy enough for your pitiful skills. 

“Great way to boost his confidence.” Jake meowed sarcastically.

You, Graypaw,” … You [Firepaw] shall take the route through the Tallpines, past the Treecut place, to the woods beyond.”

“Wait, isn’t that by the town?” Socks asked. “Why’s Tigerclaw sending Firepaw there?”

Firepaw nodded,... “Oh, he’ll be okay,” mewed Graypaw. “Not even an adder would be fast enough to catch Ravenpaw at the moment, he’s so jumpy. 

“I do hope he’ll be alright!” Nutmeg meowed.

I’d better get going. … A movement caught his eye. It was a mouse, scrabbling through the pine needles. 

“Go get it!” Nami meowed.

Remembering his first lesson, Firepaw dropped into the stalking position, keeping his weight in his haunches, his paws light on the ground. 

“His stance is perfect!” Jake exclaimed proudly. Crystal nodded in agreement.

The technique worked perfectly. The mouse didn’t detect Firepaw until his final leap. He caught it with one paw and killed it swiftly. 

“Perfection!” Crystal meowed.

Then he buried it, … One lap of that muddy trench water and he’d taste the monster’s foul-smelling tracks for days.

“Yeah...that’s not a good idea.” Hattie meowed, wrinkling her nose.

He decided to wait. … These were the woods that bordered the Twolegplace. He must be very close to his old home now.

Smudge frowned. Didn’t he and Firepaw meet after he joined ThunderClan? This was starting to sound like it...

Ahead Firepaw … He stopped, crouched, and inhaled deeply. The smell was unfamiliar; it was a cat, but not a ThunderClan cat. 

Smudge blinked. Yep, this was it.

Firepaw felt his fur bristle … One more heartbeat; then he leaped. The black-and-white cat jumped into the air, terrified, and raced away through the trees. Firepaw gave chase.

Gave me a heart-attack! Smudge thought.

It’s a kittypet! … With the blood roaring in his ears, Firepaw leaped onto its back in a single bound.

Smudge silently sighed. That had hurt.

Firepaw could feel the cat struggling … This soft, plump house cat, with its round eyes and narrow face, looked very different from the lean, broad-headed cats Firepaw lived with now. 

“That’s to be expected.” Crystal meowed.

And yet something about this cat seemed familiar.

“Really?” Hattie asked. “Who could it be?” Smudge determinedly stared at the screen.

Firepaw stared harder. … Then it came to him. “Smudge!” he meowed out loud.

“Smudge?!” Hattie exclaimed. She gave the black and white cat on screen a closer look. “It is you! Why didn’t we notice it?”

“Don’t know,” Cody meowed.

“Huh.”

“H-ho-how d-d-do you know my n-name?” stammered Smudge, still crouching. “It’s me!” Firepaw meowed. The house cat looked confused.

Smudge flattened his ears. “He looked very different from the last time we saw each other!” he meowed defensively. Hattie licked his ear.

“We know,” she meowed.

“We were kittens together. … [Smudge] Or are you living with new housefolk? You must be, if you’re still alive!”

“Oh, ye of little faith!” Tommy sighed dramatically. Smudge buried his face in his paws. It was embarrassing seeing himself acting so clueless.

“I’m called Firepaw now,” … “Well, Firepaw, it looks like your new housefolk don’t feed you enough! You certainly weren’t this scrawny last time we met!”

Luna gave Smudge a dead-panned look. “It’s the kibble. Definitely the kibble.” Smudge buried his face even deeper.

“I don’t need Twolegs to feed me,” … “I suppose you’re used to the smell of those wildcats now.”

“That’s likely.” Oliver meowed.

Firepaw shook his head, as if to clear his mind. “But we were kittens together. I should know your smell like I’d know the smell of my birth mother.” 

Nutmeg sighed softly.

Then Firepaw remembered. … “You’ve been to the Cutter!” He gasped. “I mean, the vet!”

“Oh!” Taylor exclaimed. “That’s why Firepaw had a hard time remembering!”

Smudge shrugged his plump black shoulders. … What’s it like, living wild?” … He thought about mouse bile and clearing away Yellowfang’s dirt, and trying to please both Lionheart and Tigerclaw at once during training. He remembered the teasing he suffered about his kittypet blood. 

“Yeah, those aren’t the greatest moments.” Filou meowed.

Then he remembered the thrill of his first catch, of charging through the forest in pursuit of a squirrel, and of warm evenings beneath the stars sharing tongues with his friends. “I know who I am now,” he meowed simply.

Smudge nodded his head, in complete understanding of his old friend’s choices.

Smudge tipped his head … “And stay alert. There may be another cat in the area who is not as fond of kittypets—I mean, house cats—as I am.”

Smudge shivered at the thought of Tigerclaw - because who else could Firepaw be referring to?

Smudge’s ears flicked nervously at these words. … I’ll find a finch or two here, he decided. Then I’ll catch something else on the way back through the pines. 

“I caught a finch once!” Nami meowed proudly.

He felt bursting with energy after meeting Smudge … Now he just needed to impress Bluestar and Tigerclaw, and the day would be perfect.

“This was a pretty good scene.” Ruby murmured to Socks as the screen faded out. Socks flicked an ear.

“Yeah,” he agreed. “But I have a feeling the next one is gonna have something bad in it.” Ruby paused, considering her brother’s words.

“Let’s hope not.”

[kittypets-read-the-series]

B1 C 9: Learning the Herbs: Featuring Livy

“I’d go and see to Yellowfang, … She was still lying beside the Highrock. Graypaw was right; she was glaring at him.

“She better leave him alone!” Nutmeg meowed. “He’s just doing what his mentor and leader told him to do!”

“Well, here goes,” … [Graypaw] “Call out if you need a hand. If she looks like she’s going to have you, I’ll sneak up behind her and whack her on the head with a stiff rabbit.”

Tommy snorted with laughter. “That’s one way of stopping her!”

Firepaw purred with amusement and trotted off toward Yellowfang. His cheerfulness quickly evaporated as he neared the injured queen.

“That’s not a good sign.” Ruby meowed.

The old cat was clearly in a terrible mood. She hissed a warning and showed her teeth. “Stop right there, kittypet!”

“Here we go…” Hattie muttered.

Firepaw sighed. … “You are a kittypet, though, aren’t you?” Yellowfang wheezed.

The watching cats all sighed, resigned to the fate of listening to the idiocy of anti-kittypets.

She’s tired too, … “Your mother a kittypet? Your father a kittypet?”

Nutmeg and Jake exchanged sad looks. Yes, the life of a kittypet was easy, but it was also safe. Nutmeg knew of Jake’s escapades into the woods, and they both agreed that their kits should stay in Twolegplace, even though they may not get to see them often. Though, Nutmeg thought drily. That didn’t stop Firepaw.

“Yes, they were.” … He certainly didn’t have to answer to this foul-tempered prisoner.

“Too right!” Luna agreed.

Yellowfang seemed to take his silence as an invitation to go on. 

“Here we go again…” Nami muttered.

“Kittypet blood is not the same as warrior blood. Why don’t you run home to your Twolegs now instead of looking after me? It’s humiliating, being fussed over by a lowborn cat like you!”

Princess winced. Firestar would not take to that well. Not at all.

Firepaw’s patience ran out. … “You’re just going to have to get used to being cared for until you are well enough to look after yourself, you spiteful old bone bag!”

If cats could whistle, Tommy would be doing so at this moment. “Little brother just got feisty!”

He stopped as Yellowfang … Was she having some kind of a fit?

Livy and Taylor stared at each other, just as confused.

“Look, I didn’t mean...” he began, before he suddenly realized that she was laughing!

“What the…” Smudge said.

“Mr-ow, ow-ow,” she mewled, a purr rumbling up from deep inside her chest. Firepaw didn’t know what to do.

“You and me both, bro,” Filou meowed, staring at Yellowfang on screen in utter confusion. “You and me both.”

“You have spirit, kittypet,” … The pain is killing me!”

“Well...that was an abrupt mood swing.” Nutmeg meowed, bewildered.

Stunned by her change of mood, … As usual, she looked bright-eyed and friendly, her dappled coat gleaming with a hundred shades of amber and brown.

Tommy sniggered and opened his mouth to declare Firepaw’s crush once more, but was stopped by Luna slamming his face into the dirt. “Pah!” he spat. “Luna!”

“It’s what you deserve!”

Firepaw shyly mewed a greeting, … “I’ll fetch some marigold leaves too. … it’ll keep off any infection. Wait here.”

“Marigold for infections?” Livy asked, interested. “I never knew that.” Livy lived in a Twoleg nest with a housefolk who was a vet for Twolegs, and she knew a few of the materials that her housefolk used. The idea of medicine had always fascinated her, and learning about clan medicine appealed to her immensely.

“Thanks,” … go easy on the poppy seeds. I don’t want her to deaden the pain entirely. A little pain can be useful, as it will help me judge how well she is healing.”

Livy nodded, mentally noting to herself the uses of poppy seeds.

Firepaw nodded … He turned his head and looked at Tigerclaw curiously. The warrior narrowed his eyes and looked away.

Princess narrowed her own eyes. Why was Tigerstar paying such close attention to Firestar? At this time, he doesn’t even know about his crimes...so why all this attention?

Firepaw dropped … “Wake up,” Firepaw mewed. “Or you’ll be late for training.”

“Ah, waking others up is such fun!” Zach meowed. Taylor glared at him.

“For you maybe!”

Graypaw lifted his head … The black cat opened his eyes immediately and leaped to his feet. “What is it?” he mewed, looking around wildly.

“Woah!” Oliver exclaimed. “Easy there!”

“Calm down, Ravenpaw. … Then he flipped over onto his side, and looked across the clearing to see if Yellowfang was awake yet.

“He’s taking his responsibilities seriously,” Crystal voiced approvenly. “That’s good.” Princess agreed. Firestar had always paid close attention to his duties, but also to what he believed was right. That’s what made him such a great cat and leader.

She had been given … out of hearing of the elders, but in full view of the warriors’ den across the clearing. 

“Strategic planning.” Oliver observed.

Firepaw could just see … [Dustpaw] “I bet you wish you were out training with us.” … He [Firepaw] wasn’t going to let himself get annoyed by Dustpaw’s taunts.

“Good thinking!” Cody meowed.

“Don’t worry, Firepaw,” … “Perhaps she thinks a kittypet is better off staying in camp, tending to the sick,” mewed Sandpaw rudely, tossing her sleek ginger head and throwing him a scornful look.

“Did Firepaw just describe Sandpaw as sleek?” Luna muttered to Princess. The brown tabby’s whiskers twitched.

“Perhaps.” she replied, fighting back her amusement. Luna looked disgruntled.

Firepaw decided to ignore … Coming, Ravenpaw? Tigerclaw must have something planned for you.” Ravenpaw sighed and nodded, … they trotted out of the camp.

“I wonder what’s the matter with Ravenpaw,” Hattie meowed. “He seems to be...I don’t know…”

“Unenthusiastic?” Smudge supplied. Hattie nodded.

“Yeah, unenthusiastic.”

Even though his injury was completely healed, … “The base of my tail itches like fury, but I can’t reach it. Give it a wash, will you?”

“Yech!” Tommy and Ruby meowed in unison.

With an inward shudder, Firepaw crouched down and set to work. As he cracked the plump fleas between his teeth, he noticed a gang of small kits tumbling in the dusty earth nearby. 

“Aw…” Nutmeg meowed.

They were mauling each other … To his surprise, Firepaw felt her spine stiffen beneath his teeth.

The watching cats looked confused at this.

He listened for a moment … “Stay away from me, you scrap of fur!” she hissed.

“Woah,” Crystal meowed, sitting up. “Take it easy! He didn’t mean to do that!”

The tabby kit took one look…  “Don’t you know medicine cats don’t have kits?” hissed Yellowfang furiously.

“Medicine cats can’t have kits?” Hattie meowed, surprised. “Why not?” Princess tipped her head.

“Not completely sure,” she meowed. “I think it’s because the first clans were concerned that they would treat their kin before any other.” Tommy sighed.

“Looks like Firepaw’s crush won’t ever happen then.” he meowed. “She’s a medicine cat.”

“True,” Princess meowed. “But he does have a mate now.”

“Who is it?” Nutmeg asked, ears pricked.

“You’ll see.” Princess meowed, eyes amused at the frustrated looks she got.

“But I heard you were… “accidents seem to happen to kits when I’m around them.”

Nutmeg tilted her head. “I wonder what she means by that.” she murmured.

Her orange eyes clouded with emotion. … Ask Spottedleaf for a little mouse bile to rub on them. A splash of that in their breathing holes and they’ll soon loosen their grip.”

“Mouse bile?” Livy echoed, bewildered. “What’s that?” Princess rested her tail on her daughter’s shoulder and stared into her eyes, serious.

“You don’t want to know.” she meowed. “Firepaw had Cloudtail collect some bile once when he got into trouble. It’s the worst apprentice punishment one can get.” Livy nodded, eyes wide.

“I’ll get some now!” Firepaw offered. He was glad of a chance to get away from the grumpy cat for a while. And it was certainly no hardship to go and see Spottedleaf again.

Tommy opened his mouth, paused, then shook his head. “Too easy.” he muttered.

He walked toward the fern tunnel. … If ShadowClan made a move on their territory, ThunderClan would shelter inside the camp. They would not let themselves be driven from their hunting grounds as easily as WindClan had been.

“That’s good,” Taylor said. “They should be able to defend themselves since they’re prepared.”

Darkstripe, Longtail, Willowpelt, and Dustpaw were waiting … Firepaw met her gaze for a moment, then looked away, an uncomfortable feeling prickling his fur. Spottedleaf turned her attention back to the herbs.

“He does have a crush on her!” Tommy bursted out.

“Obviously.” Luna meowed.

Crystal frowned, fur rising slightly at just how long the tortoiseshell medicine cat had met her grandson’s eyes.

Firepaw waited, happy to sit quietly and watch her at work. … She passed it to Firepaw. He tasted her warm, sweet breath as he took the bark strip between his teeth.

“Don’t. Say. Anything.” Luna threatened. Tommy stared at her, then shrugged.

“Alright,” he meowed. “I do prefer being alive.”

“The moss is soaked in bile,” Spottedleaf explained. “Don’t get any in your mouth, or you’ll have a foul taste for days. Press it onto the ticks and then wash your paws—in a stream, not with your tongue!” 

Livy paid close attention to Spottedleaf’s words, determined to learn as much as she could.

Firepaw nodded … “Then you can go and do whatever it is you apprentices do,” she murmured.

“Freedom!” Filou yowled.

When Firepaw had cleared away Yellowfang’s dirt, … “Yes, Halftail,” Firepaw replied.

“You know,” Crystal meowed. “Firepaw’s been doing nothing but hunting for training. At least as far as we know. He hasn’t had any battle training yet.” Nutmeg nodded.

“That’s true,” she meowed. As much as she didn’t like fighting, she knew that Firepaw would need to learn how to defend himself, his friends, and his clan. And since ShadowClan seemed to be posing a threat at this moment...Firepaw would need to learn fast.

He made his way out of the camp … “What are you doing in there?” Graypaw and Ravenpaw were standing looking at him as if he were mad.

“Water isn’t that bad!” Luna protested. Filou gave her a weird look.

“Uh, yes it is!” he disagreed. “It’s horrible.” 

“Mouse bile.” … “And we’ve still got the rest of the afternoon to hunt. … ” “You bet!” Firepaw purred. He gave himself a final shake, then bounded into the undergrowth after his friends.

“It’s great that he still gets to spend time with his friends.” Nutmeg meowed to Jake.

“Friendship is a great thing.” her mate meowed.

Firepaw could tell that the cats back at camp were impressed … “Well done, you three,” meowed Lionheart. … And take some of it back to your den with you. You deserve a feast!”

Jake puffed up, smug, that his son (and his friends) were getting praised for their good work.

The three apprentices flicked their tails with delight. “I hope you’ve not been neglecting Yellowfang with all this hunting, Firepaw,” Tigerclaw growled warningly.

“Oh, go stick your head into a beehive won’t you?” Crystal growled. “Maybe a few stings will knock that pride down a few notches!”

Firepaw shook his head impatiently, eager to get away. … He had obeyed the warrior code this time and not eaten a morsel while he was hunting for the Clan. Nor had Graypaw or Ravenpaw.

“Good,” Nutmeg said. “He’s learnt his lesson.”

They trotted away … “Where are Dustpaw and Sandpaw?” asked Ravenpaw. “They must still be out on patrol,” Firepaw guessed. “Good,” meowed Graypaw. “Peace and quiet.”

“Hear hear!” Luna meowed.

They ate their fill and lay back to wash. … “Hey! Guess what!” mewed Graypaw suddenly. “Ravenpaw managed to squeeze a compliment out of old Tigerclaw this morning!”

Tommy gasped. “Is the world ending?!?!”

“Really?” Firepaw gasped. “What on earth did you do to please Tigerclaw—fly?”

“Doubtful,” Ruby meowed. “I don’t think we’ll ever be able to fly.”

“Well,” Ravenpaw began shyly, looking at his paws, “I caught a crow.”

“Close enough to flying for me!” Zach meowed.

“How’d you manage that?” Firepaw mewed, impressed. “It was an old one,” Ravenpaw admitted modestly. “But it was huge,” [Graypaw] … Tigerclaw couldn’t find fault with that! … a bad mood since Bluestar took you on as her apprentice.” 

“Jealous, perhaps?” Hattie meowed thoughtfully. “That Firepaw’s getting a lot of attention?”

“That’s a possible reason.” Smudge meowed.

He licked his paw thoughtfully for a moment. “Hang on, make that since Lionheart was made deputy.”

“Oh…” Hattie realized. “It’s because he wanted to be deputy…”

“He’s just worried about ShadowClan, and the extra patrols,” mewed Ravenpaw, hastily. “You should try not to annoy him.” … [Firepaw] “I forgot to take Yellowfang her share!”

“Oof, better get that done then!” Cody meowed.

“You wait here,” mewed Graypaw, leaping up. … [Firepaw] “This is my punishment, not yours.” … [Graypaw] “They’re all busy eating. You know me: quiet as a mouse, quick as a fish. Wait here.”

“Quiet?” Luna asked, amused. “Anyone remember the lopsided badger?”

Firepaw sat down again, unable to hide his relief. … Quickly, he began to pad across the clearing toward Yellowfang.

“Almost there...almost there…” Tommy chanted.

“...it’s gonna go wrong.” Socks meowed.

“Stop, Graypaw!” … Tigerclaw strode out and marched over to Graypaw. “Where are you taking those mice?” he demanded.

“Oh, no.” Tommy meowed.

“Knew it.”

With a sinking feeling in his stomach, … “I, er, I was just feeling hungry. I was going to take them off and eat them by myself. If I let that pair get a look in”—he glanced at Firepaw and Ravenpaw—“they’ll leave me with nothing but bones and fur.”

“Good recovery!” Taylor meowed.

“Oh, really?” mewed Tigerclaw. “Well, if you’re so hungry, you might as well eat them here and now!”

Taylor paused. “Or maybe not…”

“But—” Graypaw began, … Firepaw thought he’d never manage to swallow it, and his own stomach clenched in sympathy, but eventually Graypaw gave a final, difficult gulp and the last bit of mouse disappeared.

“At least he managed it,” Oliver meowed sympathetically. “Though, he’s probably gonna have a stomachache now.”

“Better now?” asked Tigerclaw, … Firepaw sighed and got to his paws. He would make sure he took her enough to see her through the night. … his paws were tired.

“Good idea.” Hattie meowed.

“Are you okay, Graypaw?” … “Mrr-ow-ow,” moaned Graypaw. He was hunched into a low crouch, squinting with pain. “I’ve eaten too much!”

Oliver winced.

“Go and see Spottedleaf,” Firepaw suggested. … Firepaw wanted to watch him go, until another angry yowl from Yellowfang sent him sprinting across the clearing.

“Well, that was interesting.” Crystal meowed.

[kittypets-read-the-series]

B1 C 8: Crystal Wants Everyone To Shut Their Yappers

Yellowfang growled in defiance … Firepaw recognized them: Tigerclaw, 

“Bad luck.” Tommy meowed.

Darkstripe,

“Even worse luck.”

Willowpelt, 

“....don’t know who that is, but if her name’s anything to go by, she must be fine.”

and Bluestar, 

“Oof,” Tommy winced. “The leader herself. The worst luck imaginable.”

all of them lean and hard-muscled. … “Silence!” Tigerclaw growled.

“Silence!” Luna mocked.

Firepaw glanced at Yellowfang … [Bluestar] “I assume that you have a very good reason for breaking the warrior code?”

“She’s mad...very mad…” Zach whispered to Livy.

Firepaw was not fooled by the leader’s soft tone. … [Darkstripe] “Once a kittypet, always a kittypet!”

Nutmeg hissed and unsheathed her claws, longing to rake them across the tom’s face and teach him a lesson.

Bluestar ignored Tigerclaw and looked instead at Yellowfang. … You are ShadowClan’s medicine cat, aren’t you?” she meowed to Yellowfang. “What are you doing so far into ThunderClan territory?”

“A medicine cat?” Nami meowed. “Why is she not with her clan?”

“I was the ShadowClan medicine cat. … He might have enjoyed tackling her more if he’d known.

Crystal snorted with laughter. “That’s the me in him kicking in right there!”

[Tigerclaw] “Yellowfang!” … Darkstripe spoke. “This old cat is no use to us. Let’s kill her now. As for this kittypet, he has broken the warrior code by feeding an enemy warrior. He should be punished.”

“Oh, shut your yaps.” Crystal growled. “I bet if I dive into your histories I can find worse things!” Princess determinedly stared at the screen, not reacting to her grandmother’s words. They would see that those two have commited atrocitus acts of treason.

[Bluestar] “Keep your claws in, Darkstripe,” … “I’ve still got three good legs,” the grizzled she-cat snapped back, limping forward.

“Yeah,”Jake meowed, whiskers twitching. “My son beat up on the fourth.”

Firepaw saw that Yellowfang’s eyes were glazed with pain, … Tigerclaw says they are untrustworthy and selfish. They often live around Twoleg dwellings, but belong to no one and catch their own food.”

“I don’t think I’ll take Tigerclaw’s word on that.” Socks muttered. A loner sounded too close to a rouge, and he hated it when others made assumptions just because he was a rouge.

“I might end up a loner once Bluestar has finished with me,” Firepaw mewed.

“Stars, no!” Oliver meowed. “If they kicked out everyone who ate on patrol, I’m sure they would have a lot less cats.”

“Bluestar is very fair,” [Graypaw] … “That was mouse-brained. You really broke the warrior code there, but no cat is perfect!”

“Graypaw’s got a point,” Nami meowed. “We all have our faults.”

Firepaw didn’t answer … Word spread quickly through the Clan that this was ShadowClan’s medicine cat, and a steady jeering hum rose up around them.

“Can’t they just be polite, for once?” Nutmeg muttered. “It won’t hurt to be nice!”

Yellowfang seemed deaf to the taunts. Firepaw couldn’t help admiring the way she limped with dignity through the corridor of stares and insults. 

“Respect.” Tommy lashed his tail. “My respect is starting for her.”

He knew she was in a great deal of pain, … Yellowfang glared at Spottedleaf and hissed, “I know how to take care of my own wounds. I don’t need your help.”

“Least she still has her pride,” Cody meowed.

Spottedleaf said nothing … He had broken the warrior code. He guessed that this meant he was forbidden his share in the fresh-kill.

Crystal sighed. “Kind of harsh, but understandable. He did break this code that he swore to live by.”

He paused beside the Highrock … [Tigerclaw] “It’s just too dangerous to bring an enemy warrior into the heart of ThunderClan! Now that she knows the camp, even the youngest ShadowClan kit will hear of it. We will have to move.”

“Paranoid.” Smudge hissed quietly.

“Calm down, Tigerclaw,” … “Do you really believe that? What on earth was that foolish kittypet thinking of?” Tigerclaw spat.

“Don’t you dare call my son foolish!” Nutmeg hissed, hackles rising.

“But think for a moment, Tigerclaw,” … She did not even glance at him; her eyes were clouded with unknown distant thoughts. 

“Someone just talk to him!” Luna groaned. “Tell him if he can eat or not, then let him move on! He probably hates just sitting there for everyone to stare at!”

“Frostfur!” … “Yes, Bluestar? What is it?” “One of our apprentices has seen a fox in the area. 

“You mean two,” Crystal muttered. “My grandson was there as well.”

Warn the other queens to guard the nursery carefully. … A plump wood pigeon had been left for her there. Firepaw looked on longingly as she carried it away to eat with the senior warriors.

“Just tell him already!” Luna shouted.

Finally his hunger drove him forward. … He [Graypaw] saw Firepaw approach the pile and flicked his head encouragingly. (A/N Graypaw: Encouraging Firepaw since 1863) … “You didn’t bring back any prey. The elders will eat your share. Take it to them.”

“No need to be rude.” Hattie muttered.

Firepaw looked over to Bluestar. … There would be nothing else for him to eat until he went out hunting again tomorrow.

“Pros and cons,” Tommy meowed. “Pros and cons to everything.”

Firepaw wandered over to Graypaw. … “Come on,” mewed Graypaw. He leaped up. Ravenpaw and Firepaw followed him as he scampered over and nudged his way forward into a good position.

“His size sure does help get some good spots.” Cody meowed, remembering the deputy she had briefly seen before he was taken away.

“I’m sure you have all heard … “Can you hear me from there?” she asked. “I may be old, but I’m not deaf yet!” Yellowfang spat in reply.

“Snarky one, eh?” Jake joked.

Bluestar ignored … Almost every tree had been sprayed by ShadowClan warriors. And we met no WindClan cats even though we journeyed deep into their heartland.”

“Wait, so...WindClan’s gone?” Taylor meowed, shocked. Jake was tense, and Nutmeg, noticing her mate’s stiffness, pressed against him in a comforting gesture.

Her words were met with silence. … Never before had one Clan driven another from its hunting grounds.

Was Talltail alright? Jake wondered

“How can WindClan have been driven out?” … Their new leader, Brokenstar, gave no hint of any threat when we met him at the last Gathering.”

“Brokenstar…” Ruby repeated the name. “That sounds like a scary name.”

“Perhaps Yellowfang has answers?” … [Bluestar] From this moonrise onward, warriors will travel in larger groups. Other Clan members will remain close to the camp. Patrols will travel the boundary edges more frequently, and all the kits must stay in the nursery.”

“Good precautions.” Tommy meowed.

The cats below her nodded in agreement. … “One young cat has been sharing mentors with Graypaw and Ravenpaw. … “I shall take on Firepaw as my own apprentice.”

“Woah!” Filou meowed, eyes wide. “Firepaw’s getting mentored by Bluestar? Did not see that coming!” Princess purred. So that’s when Firestar was taken on as Bluestar’s apprentice!

Firepaw opened his eyes wide in amazement. … “So Firepaw is to be rewarded, not punished, for feeding an enemy warrior when he should have been feeding his own Clan?”

“Oh shut your prey hole!” Crystal meowed sharply.

“Firepaw is my apprentice now. … We are warriors, not savages. She is to be treated with respect and courtesy.”

Ruby and Socks exchanged looks. They were raised to view the clans as savages, who killed for fun and gave no mercy to anyone. Perhaps...perhaps they were wrong.

“But the Clan cannot support Yellowfang,” Darkstripe protested. “We have too many mouths to feed already.” “Yeah!” Graypaw whispered into Firepaw’s ear. “And some of them are bigger than others!”

“Ooooo….burn!” Tommy meowed gleefully.

“I don’t need anyone to care for me!” … [Bluestar] Firepaw, as punishment for breaking the warrior code, it will be your responsibility to care for Yellowfang. You will hunt for her and tend her wounds. You will fetch fresh bedding and clear away her dirt.”

“Well…” Jake meowed. “He did break the code, though this punishment kind of sucks.”

“All punishments suck.” Filou meowed.

“Yes, Bluestar,” … “Good idea!” hissed Dustpaw. “Firepaw had better be good at cracking fleas!” “And hunting!” added Sandpaw. “That sack of bones is going to need feeding up!”

“Those two need to be taught some manners!” Crystal hissed.

“Enough!” … One or two congratulated Firepaw on being chosen as Bluestar’s apprentice; others mockingly wished him luck looking after Yellowfang. 

“If I ever find out who those cats are…” Nutmeg muttered.

Firepaw felt so dazed … “Well, I hope you’ll think twice about bringing strays back into the camp next time,” he [Longtail] sneered. “Like I said, outsiders always bring trouble.”

“Oh, shut up won’t you?!” Socks yowled. “I’m getting sick of hearing this!”

[kittypets-read-the-series]

B1 C7: Yellowmom Enters The Scene

Firepaw retraced his steps … A stranger! Perhaps that ShadowClan warrior…

“Oh dear…” Nutmeg murmured. “Please no…”

Instantly a growl rumbled in Firepaw’s throat. … but Firepaw could tell she was tired, hungry, and sick, and she was in an ugly mood.

“Oof, that’s not good.” Tommy meowed.

Dropping low, Firepaw moved forward, heading toward the scent. Then he paused in puzzlement. The warrior scent was fainter now. He sniffed again.

“She must have moved downwind.” Crystal concluded. Firepaw’s opponent was a clever one. He’ll have to stay on his toes in this fight.

Suddenly, with a lightning movement, … Two heavy paws clamped down onto his shoulders, and iron jaws closed around the back of his neck. 

Nutmeg squeaked, extremely worried for her son.

“Murr-oww!” … He forced himself to go limp, relaxing his muscles as if in submission, and let out a pretend howl of alarm.

“Hopefully that trick will work again,” Jake meowed. “Graypaw was younger and less experienced, but this she-cat clearly knows a fight, and probably knows lots of tricks.”

The she-cat opened her mouth to give a triumphant yowl. “Ah, a puny apprentice. Easy prey for Yellowfang,” she hissed.

“Wait, Yellowfang?” Hattie meowed. “Wasn’t she one of those starry cats from before? With Bluestar?”

“Yeah,” Cody meowed. “She was!”

“Why did she attack Firepaw?” Oliver wondered. “She didn’t seem to hate him before, so...what happened?”

“I’m sure we’ll find out.” Princess meowed. Firestar had mentioned Yellowfang to her. She had been ThunderClan’s medicine cat at one point. She was interested to see how the old she-cat and her brother’s relationship developed into a close bond.

At the insult, Firepaw felt a surge of fury. … The she-cat gave a snarl of surprise as she was thrown clear. She tumbled backward into a gorse bush.

“Yay!” Livy yowled. “Go Firepaw!”

Firepaw shook himself. … The she-cat had a broad, almost flat face, and round orange eyes. Her dark gray fur was long and matted into smelly clumps. Her ears were torn and ragged, and her muzzle was traced with the scars of many old battles.

“Woah, she’s been in a lot of fights!” Smudge meowed, inspecting the image of the cat on screen.

“No kidding!” Zach agreed.

Firepaw stood his ground. … “Enough talk,” Firepaw spat, feeling the stir of ancient cat spirits deep inside him. 

“Firepaw’s not gonna waste time chatting now!” Luna meowed.

There was no trace of the house cat in him now. … “No need to be hasty, now,” she purred in a silky tone.

Princess gave the screen a dead-panned look. “Flattery won’t work on him. He’s immune to it.”

Firepaw wasn’t fooled by her trickery. … Firepaw sensed Yellowfang’s huge jaws lunging toward him. He leaned backward, just in time. Snap!

Nutmeg jumped.

Bared teeth closed on the air next to his ear. … “Mur-ugh!” The taste of the matted fur was horrible, but he chomped down hard.

“Get her!” Filou yowled.

“Reow-ow-wow!” … Up close, the message of desperation and weakness, and the aching void of the she-cat’s hunger, was almost painful.

Princess’s tense stance softened. She knew that Firestar would now tone down his aggressiveness in the face of a defeated opponent.

Something stirred inside him, … [Lionheart’s voice] “You speak from your heart, young Firepaw.” … “This will make you a stronger warrior one day.” … [Tigerclaw’s voice] “Or it might make him give in to kittypet weakness right at the moment of attack.”

“Follow your heart,” Nutmeg meowed. “The heart is always right.”

Yellowfang lunged forward … Over and over they rolled, biting and snapping.

“This is intense!” Taylor meowed, eyes locked onto the screen.

Moments later they broke apart. … “If I weren’t so hungry and tired, I’d have shredded you into mousedust.” The she-cat’s mouth twisted in pain and defiance. “Finish me off. I won’t stop you.”

“Wait, what?” Nami meowed, eyes showing her surprise.

Firepaw hesitated. He’d never killed another cat before. Perhaps, in the heat of battle, he would, but a mercy killing, in cold blood? This was something very different.

“It is,” Crystal meowed gravely.

“What are you waiting for?” Yellowfang taunted. “You’re dithering like a kittypet!”

“Oooo….he’s not gonna like that…” Tommy winced. Princess agreed, knowing that both Firestar and Cloudtail were still a bit touchy about their heritage.

Firepaw smarted at the she-cat’s words. … “Ha,” she snorted. “Don’t tell me ThunderClan is so desperate they have to recruit kittypets now?”

Ruby huffed at that.

“ThunderClan is not desperate!” … How had a Clan cat gotten in such a state? ThunderClan elders were looked after better than kits! “You seem in an awful hurry to die,” he meowed.

“What do you do when you meet an old, mangy she-cat?” Tommy joked. “You ask her; ‘Why are you in a hurry to die?’ of course!” Luna stared at him, unimpressed.

“Yeah? Well, that’s my business, mousefodder,” … His first thought had been to go and dig up the thrush he had killed earlier, but that would take too long.

“He’s going to feed her.” Hattie meowed.

“Wait, but isn’t the clan supposed to be fed first?” Smudge asked.

“Well, doesn’t that just apply to the hunter?” Livy added. “Firepaw’s not the one eating, he’s just making sure Yellowfang doesn’t stave before deciding what to do.”

Maybe he should go and scoop up the rat carcass. Easy meat, but a starving cat needed fresh-kill. Only when times were very hard would a warrior eat crow food.

“Yech!” Hattie wrinkled her nose. Ruby and Socks exchanged looks. They knew that any meat was good meat in the town. You got what you could, eat, and leave before someone else comes around to challenge you for it. Or BloodClan arrived just to beat you up. But crowfood...even the most desperate rouge was hesitant about eating something like that.

Just then he paused, scenting a young rabbit ahead. … A rush of speed, a flash of claws, and he had it. He held the wriggling body fast and finished it off quickly.

“Nice.” Jake meowed. Talltail would approve.

Yellowfang looked up tiredly … Firepaw growled, shoving the rabbit nearer with his nose. He felt embarrassed by his kindness. 

“Never feel embarrassed by doing something nice for someone else.” Nutmeg meowed.

“Look, if you don’t want this...” … He still had to take back enough prey for the Clan, but the fresh-kill smelled delicious.

“Oh no,” Tommy meowed. “Resist, Firepaw! RESIST!”

“Mmm-mm.” … There wasn’t much left to line a growing cat’s belly, but his fight with Yellowfang had sharpened his appetite even more; he gave in to his hunger and gulped down the scraps. 

“Firepaw…” Luna groaned. “This won’t end well.”

It was delicious. … “Better than the muck Twolegs feed some of our brothers, isn’t it?” she mewed slyly. Knowing she had found his sore spot, she was trying to antagonize him.

“Oh, leave him alone won’t you?!” Ruby meowed. “He already has to deal with his own clan being prejudiced against him, he doesn’t need a complete stranger doing it too!”

Firepaw ignored her and began to wash. … These were ThunderClan warriors, confident enough in their own territory not to care about the noise they made.

“Uh oh…” Smudge said. “He’s in trouble…”

Firepaw licked his lips guiltily, … But surely he would understand why Firepaw had fed this wretched creature. 

“They shouldn’t punish him for keeping another cat alive,” Crystal meowed wisely. “But feeding himself? Yes, I do think he should be punished for that.”

His mind reeled, suddenly fearful of what would happen to him. His first apprentice task, and he had ended up breaking the warrior code!

“Don’t panic!” Filou meowed. “Stay positive, and everything will work out.”

[kittypets-read-the-series]

B1 C6: Firepaw Does Something Stupid

Early-morning sunlight streamed down onto the forest floor as Firepaw roamed in search of prey. Two moons had passed since he had begun his training. 

“Already eight moons?” Nutmeg whispered. “He’s growing up so fast!”

He felt at ease … He was determined to do well, even if his task was only to bring back fresh-kill for the Clan.

“Oooo!” Taylor exclaimed. “A solo mission! That’s awesome!”

He headed for the stream … The stench of a fox lay heavy in the air here. 

“Fox?!” Ruby yelped.

The smell was stale, … Firepaw had still never seen one properly.

��Pray that you don’t see one,” Crystal muttered. “Nasty buggers. I sure taught one a lesson though.” she smirked as she recalled whipping the fox’s butt before it could severely hurt an apprentice of ThunderClan, one whom she remembered was Pinepaw. I wonder whatever happened to him. He made friends with Jake, I know, but after that...I’ve got no clue.

He struggled to screen out … A moment later he saw the vole. The fat brown body was darting back and forth along the bank as it gathered grass stalks. 

“Mmmm…” Jake sighed. “Vole.”

Firepaw’s mouth watered in anticipation. … Almost there. Another moment and he would be near enough to spring....

“He’s gonna get it!” Nami meowed.

Suddenly there was a loud rustle in the ferns behind him. The water vole’s ears twitched and it disappeared down a hole in the bank.

“Aww…” Nami’s ears drooped.

Firepaw felt the hackles rising along his spine. Whatever had ruined his first good chance of catching prey would have to pay.

“Kick their butt!” Crystal yowled once more.

He sniffed the air. He could tell it was a cat, but he realized with a jolt that he couldn’t identify which Clan it belonged to—the stale stench of fox still confused his smell-sense.

“Dang it, that’s not good.” Jake meowed. Smell was very important in the forest. You had to identify all the smells in the area to pinpoint the one you’re looking for.

A growl rose in his throat … From the noise it’s making, it must be big, Firepaw thought, preparing himself for a fierce battle.

“Kick their butt.” Crystal meowed. Jake stared at his mother.

“What is up with you and kicking butt?” he asked. Crystal gave him the stink-eye.

“That’s what we did in the old days!” she meowed. “Kits these days don’t know how to kick butt, but at least Firepaw is showing promise.” Jake opened and closed his mouth at ‘kits’. He wasn’t a kit, he was a grown tom! But he didn’t bother to argue with his mother. There was no winning with her.

He leaped for the trunk of an ash … He dug in hard, gripping with thorn-sharp claws, ready to deal out a powerful warning bite.

“Yes!” Crystal yowled.

“Wa-ah! What’sat?” … “Uh! Graypaw?” … but he was too fired up to loosen his grip.

“Wait, it was Graypaw?” Filou meowed. “What was he doing making all that noise?”

“Ambush! Murr-oww!” spat Graypaw, … “You’ve raked me to shreds!”

“Oh well,” Crystal shrugged. “He still kicked butt in my opinion.”

“Sorry,” Firepaw mumbled. “But what was I supposed to think, with you creeping up on me like that?” “Creeping up!” Graypaw’s eyes were round with indignation. “That was my best stealth crouch.”

“That was stealth?!” Luna meowed incredulously.

“Stealth! You still stalk like a lopsided badger!” Firepaw teased. … “Uufff-ff!” Firepaw shook his head to clear it and then launched a counterattack.

“Kick his butt!” Jake gave up.

He managed to get in a couple of paw strikes before Graypaw overpowered him and held him down. 

“Graypaw’s weight would be hard to overcome,” Jake meowed. “But Firepaw’s speed should help him.”

Firepaw let his body go limp.

“Wait, he’s giving up?” Ruby meowed, confused.

“You give up too easily!” mewed Graypaw, loosening his grip. As he did so, Firepaw sprang to his feet, firing Graypaw off his back and into the undergrowth.

“Oh!” Ruby meowed, realization coming to her. “It was a trick.”

“A trick signature to ThunderClan, I think.” Jake meowed. “Pinestar told me that ThunderClan came up with that move, and they loved surprising the other clans with it. Though,” he meows drily. “They eventually picked it up and began using it as well.”

Firepaw leaped after him … He jumped nimbly off Graypaw and began to squirm around in the leaf litter, enjoying his easy victory and the warmth of the earth against his back.

“He’s quick, clever, and decisive,” Crystal listed off. “Very good in a fight.”

Graypaw seemed unbothered by his second defeat of the morning. It was too fine a day for bad temper.

“Sign of a great friend,” Smudge meowed. “Not holding grudges for something so small.”

“So how’re you getting on with your task?” … I thought you had to give them a message from Bluestar.”

“I wonder what the message is?” Oliver mused.

“Yeah, but there’s plenty of time. … “I bet Dustpaw and Sandpaw used to swallow a shrew or two when they were on hunting duty,” snorted Graypaw.

“Maybe,” Luna meowed. “But that doesn’t mean you should.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they did, but this is my first solo assignment....” “And you want to do it right; I know.” Graypaw sighed.

Nutmeg sighed. “I really don’t like how Firepaw feels like he has to continuously prove himself.” she murmured to Jake. “It’s going to grate on him eventually.” Jake nosed her shoulder.

“He’ll be alright,” he meowed. “I think he’s just trying to make a good impression.”

“What is the message from Bluestar, anyway?” … Seems that some ShadowClan cats have been prowling around. Bluestar wants to check things out.”

“ShadowClan really sounds like a troublesome clan.” Socks meowed.

“You’d best get going then,” … “It doesn’t matter,” Firepaw mewed. “I’ll find another. It’s such a warm day, there should be quite a few out and about.”

“Good idea.” Nutmeg meowed.

“True. But you still have to catch them.” … Silverpelt would be in the sky before he got a chance to eat.

Nutmeg frowned, not liking the idea of her son going hungry for so long.

Graypaw stroked his whiskers. … The fox-stench was still in the air, but suddenly it smelled stronger.

“Oh no.” Hattie meowed.

Firepaw paused. “Can you smell that?” … It stepped into a clearing in the undergrowth and Firepaw saw a low body, glinting red in the dappled sunlight. Its tail was heavily furred and it had a long, narrow snout.

“Get out of there!” Crystal meowed.

“So that’s a fox?” Firepaw whispered. … He’d have made mousemeat out of a tiny scrap like you.” 

Nutmeg squeaked, remembering just how small her youngest had been.

Tommy snickered at Firepaw’s offended look.

Firepaw looked a little put out, and Graypaw added, “You’d stand a better chance these days, though. Anyway, Bluestar will probably send a warrior patrol to scare it off. Put the queens’ minds at rest.”

“That’s good.” Livy meowed.

The fox had not noticed them, … How do you think old Halftail earned his name? He hasn’t been able to climb a tree since a badger bit his tail off!”

“So that’s how he lost his tail!” Hattie exclaimed.

“Why not?” “Scared of falling. … Firepaw kicked earth over the prey, so that it would be safe from predators until he came back for it.

“That’s good,” Jake meowed approvenly. “It’ll keep predators from stealing your prey.”

Suddenly a squirrel broke cover. … The acrid stench that hit their mouths and noses surprised them.

“They’re at the Thunderpath.” Filou meowed.

“The Thunderpath,” Firepaw mewed. … “Yuck!” Graypaw snorted. “Those monsters really stink!”

“No kidding!” Tommy meowed.

Firepaw twitched his ears in agreement. … A border of oily grass lay between the trees and the Thunderpath. He crept slowly out onto it, and then shrank back as a stinking monster hurtled past.

“What in the name of the stars is he doing?!” Nutmeg screeched.

“Hey! Where are you going?” Graypaw mewed. … Cautiously, he reached out a paw to touch it. It felt warm, almost sticky, heated by the sun. 

“Firepaw!” Luna meowed, burying her face in her paws. “What do you think you’re doing?!”

He looked up, staring across the Thunderpath. Was that a pair of eyes glinting out of the forest on the other side? 

“Get out of there right now!” Nutmeg ordered.

He sniffed the air, but smelled nothing except the stench of the great gray path. The eyes on the other side were still shining in the shadows. Then they blinked, slowly.

“Someone’s there, get out now!” Crystal meowed, 

Firepaw was sure now. … The wind from it almost toppled him over. Firepaw turned and ran as fast as he could back into the safety of the forest. 

Nutmeg had her ears flat to her head, eyes wide with terror, and taking deep, fast breaths.

“You mouse-brained fool!” … “I think I saw a ShadowClan warrior,” he mewed between licks. “In the forest on the other side of the Thunderpath.”

“And he just acts like nothing happened?!” Luna exclaimed.

“A ShadowClan warrior!” echoed Graypaw, his eyes wide. … He envied Graypaw, wishing he were off to join a warrior patrol. But at least he’d have something to tell Dustpaw and Sandpaw when he returned to camp. 

“That’s true,” Oliver meowed.

Today he had seen his first ShadowClan warrior.

[kittypets-read-the-series]

B1 C5: Graypaw: The Comedian

“Hey, Firepaw, wake up!” Graypaw’s meow broke into Firepaw’s dream. He had been chasing a squirrel, up and up, into the topmost branches of a tall oak.

“We all do love climbing!” Oliver purred.

“Training begins at sunrise. Dustpaw and Sandpaw are already up,” Graypaw added urgently. … His drowsiness evaporated as excitement surged through his veins.

“We get to see him train!” Livy meowed excitedly. “This is so cool!”

Graypaw was giving … So Lionheart thought you and I could train with him and Tigerclaw this morning. … “They’ll be waiting!”

Wait, Tigerstar trained Firestar? Princess thought, surprised. That is severely ironic. Firestar learned a good chunk of his moves from his worst enemy.

Graypaw led Firepaw … “In future, I expect you both to be punctual,” growled Tigerclaw.

“Day one, and he’s already nagging.” Socks muttered to Ruby, who nodded.

“Don’t be too severe, Tigerclaw … “You have not yet been assigned a mentor, Firepaw,” he went on. “For now, Tigerclaw and I will share your training.”

“Ironic...” Princess whispered. 

Oliver gave her a look that said Explain to me soon.

She licked his ear. “I will.”

Firepaw nodded enthusiastically, his tail held high, unable to disguise his delight at having two such great warriors as his mentors.

“He sure is getting the best training possible.” Jake meowed. 

Princess blinked, remembering something. Didn’t Firestar tell me that Bluestar was his mentor? When did she take over his training?

“Come,” … “Today we are going to show you the edges of our territory, so that you know where you will be hunting and what boundaries you need to protect. Graypaw, it won’t do you any harm to remind yourself of the Clan’s outer limits.”

“We get to see the territory!” Zach yowled. “That’s awesome!”

… “There is a Twoleg path here,” murmured Lionheart. “Use your nose, Firepaw. Can you smell anything?”

Crystal pricked her ears, looking forward to seeing her grandson train.

Firepaw sniffed. … “Yes,” he replied.

“Good job.” Crystal meowed, nodding proudly.

… There was no undergrowth here to hide in, and Firepaw sensed tension in the other cats as they stalked unprotected between the tree trunks.

“They must not be used to open skies,” Hattie meowed. “More used to trees over their heads.”

“Twolegs put these trees here,” meowed Tigerclaw. “They cut them down with foul-smelling creatures, which spew enough fumes to make a kit go blind. Then they take the fallen trees to the Treecut place that lies near here.”

“Ah, the logging place!” Luna exclaimed.

Firepaw stopped and listened … “The Sunningrocks are over there.” He pointed with his soft muzzle to a treeless mound of boulders.

“That’s where Redtail died.” Cody murmured. 

And where Tigerstar commited his first murder… Princess thought.

Firepaw felt his fur stand on end. … And he was also surprised to realize just how familiar and comforting the ThunderClan scents seemed to him already.

“The forest is in his blood,” Nutmeg meowed, glancing at Jake, who shrugged innocently.

… “We’ll follow this boundary line, as it leads straight to Fourtrees,” Lionheart meowed. He set off quickly, away from the Sunningrocks, followed by Tigerclaw. Graypaw and Firepaw trotted after them.

“What’s Fourtrees?” Filou wondered.

“What is Fourtrees?” Firepaw panted.

“It’s happened again!”

… He wasn’t used to traveling so far and so fast. He was quite relieved when Lionheart and Tigerclaw led them out of the thick woods and stopped at the brow of a bush-covered slope.

“Yeah, we all aren’t used to walking so much.” Smudge meowed, flexing a paw. He didn’t fancy walking up and down and all around a scary forest, thank-you-very-much.

It was sunhigh now. … WindClan governs the high ground ahead of us, where the sun sets. 

Jake pricked his ears at the mention of WindClan.

You won’t be able to catch their scent today… “The elders say that the cold winds from the north blow over the ShadowClan cats and chill their hearts.”

Hattie shivered. “They sound scary…”

“So many Clans!” Firepaw exclaimed. And so well organized, he added to himself, remembering Smudge’s lurid tales of wildcats wreaking terror in the forest.

“Yeah…” Smudge meowed, embarrassed. “I might have been a bit wrong there…”

… “Why we must fight to protect what little we have.” … Why can’t the Clans work together and share their hunting grounds, instead of fighting each other?” Firepaw suggested boldly.

Princess sighed. She knew, from Firestar himself, the reason why, though she didn’t quite understand it all. Firestar had also spoken his mind, even if it was radical thinking.

A shocked silence greeted his words.

“So…” Tommy meowed. “I’m getting the feeling that was the wrong thing to say…”

Tigerclaw was the first to reply. “That is treacherous thinking, kittypet,” he snapped.

Princess silently snorted. Says the ex-ThunderClan cat who was once ShadowClan’s leader, and tried to literally do what Firepaw naively suggested!

“The ways of the Clans are new to this apprentice.” … “You speak from your heart, young Firepaw. This will make you a stronger warrior one day.”

Jake nodded, agreeing whole-heartedly.

Tigerclaw growled. “Or it might make him give in to kittypet weakness right at the moment of attack.”

Jake flattened his ears and glared at Tigerclaw.

Lionheart glanced briefly at Tigerclaw … “Then there must be a meeting very soon?” Firepaw suggested, remembering how bright the moonlight had been the night before.

“Good problem-solving.” Crystal meowed, lounging in the grass.

“Indeed there is!” … “Which Clan is that?” he asked.

“They’ve already seen RiverClan’s, and WindClan is up on the moor, so this must be ShadowClan.” Taylor concluded.

… “We are traveling along their border. Keep your wits about you, Firepaw. Fresher scents mean that a ShadowClan patrol is in the area.”

Nutmeg tensed, worry coming over her once more.

As Firepaw nodded, he heard a new noise. … “This is the Thunderpath,” meowed Tigerclaw.

“Thunderpath?” Zack asked, confused.

“He means a road.” Princess explained.

Firepaw followed ... Firepaw shuddered at the bitter smell that rose from the path.

“Yeah, they aren’t the nicest smelling things.” Oliver wrinkled his nose.

Next moment he leaped back, … An untrained apprentice would be easy prey for an adder, and I expect you are getting tired, Firepaw.”

“Adders?!?!” Nutmeg yelped. 

Firepaw couldn’t help feeling relieved … Firepaw and Graypaw took their share from the pile that lay in a shady part of the clearing and carried it to the tree stump outside their quarters.

“Ah, now they can relax.” Luna meowed.

Dustpaw and Sandpaw were already there, munching hungrily.

“Never mind…” she muttered.

… “Enjoy the food we caught for you?” “Who knows, you might even learn to catch your own one day!” sneered Sandpaw.

Luna huffed. “I’m sure he will!” she hissed, eyes flashing.

“Are you two still on hunting duty?” … We’ve been patrolling our territory borders. You’ll be glad to know all is safe.”

Nami and Livy laughed. “That’s a good response!”

“I’m sure the other Clans were terrified … “Are you going [to the Gathering]?” Firepaw blurted out, impressed in spite of the apprentices’ hostility.

Princess shook her head. “Always looking past the bad for the good.” she whispered.

“Of course,” replied Dustpaw loftily. … “’Bye, you two,” called Sandpaw over her shoulder. “Have a nice, quiet evening!”

“I’m sure they will with you two gone.” Luna muttered.

The assembled cats … All the apprentices get to go sometime.”

“That’s exciting!” Cody meowed. 

Ruby shivered. Meeting the other wild cats? No thank you!

The two apprentices ate … “You’ll hear all about it later, if I know those two,” he had mewed.

Filou and Tommy snorted with laughter.

It promised to be another warm day. And this time Ravenpaw came to join them. Thanks to Spottedleaf, his wound was healing well.

“That’s good news.” Nutmeg meowed approvenly.

Graypaw played around, scooping leaves into the air and leaping after them. Firepaw watched, his tail twitching with amusement. Ravenpaw sat quietly at one side of the hollow, looking tense and unhappy.

“Why’s Ravenpaw upset?” Livy asked, confused. Princess had a pretty good idea on why.

“Cheer up, Ravenpaw!” [Graypaw] … [Ravenpaw] “I suppose I’m just worried about my shoulder getting hurt again.”

“That is a concern,” Crystal agreed. “But it shouldn’t hold you back either.”

At that moment, Tigerclaw emerged from the bushes, closely followed by Lionheart. “Warriors should suffer their pain silently,” … “You need to learn to hold your tongue.”

Jake narrowed his eyes. Something about the way Tigerclaw said that….it sounded like a threat. 

Princess fixed her green eyes on Tigerclaw, gaze burning with longing to teach him a lesson.

Ravenpaw flinched and dropped his eyes to the ground.

“Why is Tigerclaw Ravenpaw’s mentor if he’s just bullying him all the time?” Nami meowed hotly.

“Tigerclaw’s a bit grumpy today,” Graypaw whispered into Firepaw’s ear.

“You don’t say?” Socks muttered.

… “Today we are going to practice stalking.

Crystal sat up, excitement gleaming in her eyes.

Now, there is a big difference between creeping up on a rabbit and creeping up on a mouse. Can any of you tell me why?”

“Uh...there’s a difference?” Zach asked.

“Yep.” Ruby and Socks meowed together. Mice were hard to come by in the town, rabbits even more, but when one showed up you had to know just the right way to stalk it….or you’ll go hungry.

Firepaw had no idea, and Ravenpaw seemed to have taken Tigerclaw’s comment to heart and was holding his tongue. “Come on!” snorted Tigerclaw impatiently.

“Well, maybe you shouldn’t have told him to hold his tongue!” Jake muttered.

It was Graypaw who answered: “Because a rabbit will smell you before he sees you, but a mouse will feel your pawsteps through the ground before he even smells you.”

“Oh,” Zach meowed. “I didn’t know that.”

“That explains why a mouse I once stalked got away before I was even a couple fox-lengths away.” Nami whispered to her sister.

… So what must you bear in mind when hunting mice?” “Step lightly?” Firepaw suggested.

“Bingo.” Crystal meowed smugly.

… “Quite right, Firepaw. You must take all your weight into your haunches, so that your paws make no impact on the forest floor. Let’s try it!”

The watching cats lean forward, ready to see the apprentices’ attempts.

Firepaw watched as Graypaw and Ravenpaw immediately dropped into a stalking crouch. “Nicely done, Graypaw!” meowed Lionheart as the two apprentices began to move forward stealthily. “Keep your rear down, Ravenpaw, you look like a duck!” spat Tigerclaw. 

“Sure, keep bullying him,” Tommy muttered angrily. “Not like that’ll affect his psych or anything!”

“Now you try it, Firepaw.” Firepaw crouched down and began to creep across the forest floor. He felt himself fall instinctively into the right position, and as he stepped forward, as silently and lightly as he could, he felt a glow of pride that his muscles responded so smoothly.

“Very good,” Crystal meowed, observing her grandson’s first attempt. “Little clumsy on the forward movement, and the pace could be better, but look at that balance!” she flicked an ear. “Must come from climbing up and down fences.”

“That’s true!” Jake meowed, practically puffed up with pride at his son’s first attempt. “He’s a natural!”

“Like his father.” Nutmeg meowed affectionately.

“Well, it’s obvious you’ve known nothing but softness!” growled Tigerclaw. “You stalk like a lumbering kittypet! Do you think dinner is going to come and lie down in your food dish and wait to be eaten?”

“Excuse me?!” Luna hissed. “Can’t he keep his trap shut for once?”

“You know what they say,” Oliver meowed. “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all!”

Firepaw sat up quickly as Tigerclaw spoke, a little taken aback by his harsh words. He listened carefully to the warrior, determined to get everything right.

“At least Firepaw’s not letting Tigerclaw get to him,” Smudge meowed. “He never did let hurtful words get under his fur. He always brushed it off.” That was a trait Smudge admired about his old friend, and one he wished he had. He took words very seriously, and hated it when others picked on him. Though, when Firestar had still been in Twolegplace, he had cleverly used his words to talk circles around the bullies, but never stooping to their level. Firestar had really been a great friend.

“His pace and forward movement will come later, but his crouch is perfectly balanced,” Lionheart pointed out mildly.

“My point exactly!” Crystal proclaimed.

“Which is better than Ravenpaw, I suppose,” complained Tigerclaw. He cast a scornful look at the black cat. “Even after two moons of training, you’re still putting all your weight on your left side.”

“His injury is probably bothering him!” Filou pointed out angrily. “I don’t blame him for favoring it!”

Ravenpaw looked even more dejected, and Firepaw couldn’t stop himself from blurting out, “His injury is bothering him, that’s all!”

Filou gave up. He was apparently cursed to speak what Firepaw will say. Though he was amused by it.

Tigerclaw … If Ravenpaw picked up things as quickly as you, he’d be a credit to me instead of an embarrassment. Imagine being shown up by a kittypet!” he spat angrily at his apprentice.

Did...did Tigerstar just complement Firestar? Princess thought. Sure, it was rude and aggressively mean, but the point remained. Tigerstar had just complimented Firestar. Her train of thought went back to her earlier theory. Well, if Tigerstar really was trying to gain Firestar’s trust, he’s going about it in the completely wrong way!

Firepaw felt his fur prickle with discomfort. He couldn’t meet Ravenpaw’s eyes, so he looked down at his paws.

“Well...things just got awkward.” Tommy meowed in the dead-silence.

“Well, I’m more lopsided than a one-legged badger,” [Graypaw] … “I think I’ll have to settle for hunting stupid mice. They won’t stand a chance. I shall just wander up to them and sit on them till they surrender.”

“And now it’s broken!” Tommy yowled as the watching cats dissolved into laughter. “We can count on Graypaw to lighten the mood!”

“Concentrate, young Graypaw. This is no time for your jokes!” meowed Lionheart sternly. “Perhaps you might focus your mind better if you try out your stalking for real.” All three apprentices looked up brightly.

“Yes!” Livy exclaimed. “We get to see them hunt!”

“I want each one of you to try catching real prey,” … And you, Firepaw, follow the rabbit track over that rise; you’ll find the dry bed of a winter stream. You may find something there.”

“Or just Uncle Firepaw.” Livy corrected herself. “But that’s still awesome!” She was really liking her uncle.

The three apprentices bounded away, even Ravenpaw finding some extra energy for this challenge.

“Good, he needed a confidence boost.” Nutmeg meowed.

With the blood pounding … Then he smelled mouse. 

“Here we go…!” Tommy meowed.

“This time, it’s for real!” Cody said.

He recognized the odor instantly, remembering his first taste the night before. Wild energy surged through him, but he remained motionless, trying desperately to pinpoint the prey. 

“Good, good…” Crystal meowed softly, attention fixed on the screen.

He strained his ears … Firepaw shifted closer, remembering to keep his weight on his haunches until he was within striking distance. 

“Very good…” Jake whispered, momentarily forgetting he wasn’t actually there.

Then he pushed back hard … He killed it quickly with one sharp bite.

“Whoo-hoo!” Tommy yowled. “At last!”

Firepaw carefully lifted … He was a true ThunderClan apprentice now.

“That he is!” Crystal announced.

[kittypets-read-the-series]

B1 C4: Firepaw Gets Information Overload

Shocked yowls … “Oakheart was among them.”

“Who’s Oakheart?” Ruby asked.

“I think Firepaw mentioned him to me once,” Princess meowed. “He was RiverClan’s deputy.”

“Oakheart!” … Graypaw was silenced by a fierce glance from the old gray tom who had first sensed Ravenpaw’s return.

“Graypaw is quite the talkative one!” Livy purred.

… Ravenpaw paused to wheeze for breath. His wound was still bleeding heavily, and he stood awkwardly to keep the weight off his shoulder.

“Poor thing,” Nami meowed. “That wound must hurt.”

… Half scrambling, half falling, he slithered off the Highrock and collapsed on the ground below.

“Is he alright?” Livy asked, concerned.

… “Spottedleaf!” Out of the fern-shaded corner trotted the pretty tortoiseshell Firepaw had noticed sitting beside Graypaw earlier. 

“Oooo….” Tommy meowed. “Does my little brother have a crush~?” Luna swatted at him “Hey! What was that for?”

“For being annoying.”

… “It’s all right, Goldenflower, his wounds aren’t fatal. But I’ll need to fetch some cobwebs to stop the bleeding.”

“Cobwebs to stop the bleeding?” Zach repeated. “Weird.”

… All eyes turned to the direction it had come from. A massive dark brown tabby staggered through the gorse tunnel. 

Princess stiffened, recognizing the description Firestar had given her multiple times.

Between his sharp teeth the warrior held not prey, but the lifeless body of another cat. … Firepaw craned his neck and glimpsed a flash of bright ginger tail hanging limply in the dust. 

“That must be Redtail…” Oliver meowed softly.

… I couldn’t save him, but I managed to take Oakheart’s life while he was still gloating over his victory.” 

“Well, that’s good right?” Socks asked. “Redtail was avenged.” 

Princess had to clamp her mouth shut to refrain from yowling that Tigerclaw was the murderer. 

Oliver noticed and gave his mate a questioning look. She shook her head.

Tigerclaw’s voice was strong and deep. … As they groomed they purred hushed phrases to the dead warrior.

“What are they doing?” Filou asked.

Firepaw whispered into Graypaw’s ear, “What are they doing?”

“I THINK LIKE FIREPAW!”

Graypaw didn’t take his eyes off the dead cat as he replied. “His spirit may have left to join StarClan, but the Clan will share tongues with Redtail one last time.”

“StarClan?” Filou echoed.

“StarClan?” Firepaw echoed.

“What the-again?”

… “Silverpelt is that thick band of stars you see each night stretching across the sky. Each star is a StarClan warrior. Redtail will be among them tonight.”

“Ah, so the stars are their ancestors.” Nutmeg meowed.

… “Redtail was a brave warrior. … I always relied on his judgment, for it bore witness to the needs of the Clan, and was never swayed by self-interest or pride. He would have made a fine leader.”

“He sounds like a nice tom.” Crystal meowed.

… He had not known Redtail, but he couldn’t help feeling moved as he witnessed the Clan mourn.

“Firepaw has always been empathetic,” Princess meowed. She decided to refrain herself from calling him ‘Firestar’. 

That might be a bit of a spoiler for her kin.

… She won’t want to let him go too quickly. He was one of the best warriors. Not as big and powerful as Tigerclaw or Lionheart, but quick and clever.”

“Being quick and clever is a great advantage in a fight,” Jake meowed. He tipped his head thoughtfully. “I wonder what Firepaw’s fighting style is like…”

Firepaw looked at Tigerclaw, admiring the strength that swelled in his powerful muscles and broad head. His massive body showed signs of his warrior life. One of his ears was split into a deep vee shape, and a thick scar sliced the bridge of his nose.

“He looks scary.” Hattie shivered as she stared at the image of the warrior. 

Princess was slightly surprised that her brother had once actually admired Tigerclaw. Was he feeling alright?

… He’s always been a bit jumpy, but I’ve never seen him this bad before. Let’s go and see if he’s woken up yet.”

“Good idea,” Nutmeg meowed approvenly. “Ravenpaw will need some support to help him through the trauma he just went through.” 

Princess glanced at her mother. You have no idea.

… I’ve spent a lot of time training him up, and I don’t want my efforts to be wasted at the first battle.”

“Be a little more sympathetic, won’t you?” Taylor meowed, his eyes narrowed onto Tigerclaw’s figure. “Ravenpaw must be really shaken up!”

… [Tigerclaw] jabbed Ravenpaw with one of his front claws. “Come on, then! Get up!” 

“Woah!” Zach gasped. “That claw is huge!”

… “Look at the length of that claw!” … “I know I wouldn’t want to get into a fight with him!”

Oh, the irony… Princess thought, knowing very well that both Firestar and Graystripe got into fights with Tigerstar.

… We don’t want him opening his wound by jumping about trying to please you. Leave him alone.”

“That’s gotta be a blow to the pride.” Cody muttered to Smudge. He nodded in reply, wondering just what Firestar had been thinking joining this clan.

… “Who’s this?” he asked Graypaw, towering above them.

“One wrong word…” Nutmeg hissed, eyes narrowed on the huge figure of Tigerclaw. “One wrong word...and he’s dead.” 

Jake slowly scootched away from his mate, eyes wide.

… “I was a house cat,” Firepaw meowed boldly, “but I am going to train to be a warrior.”

“Ya! You tell him, little brother!” Tommy yowled.

Tigerclaw looked at him with sudden interest. 

“That’s a first.” Princess muttered. 

Oliver caught it and looked at her once more, eyes asking the question he was thinking.

“Later,” she whispered. He nodded.

… Bluestar mentioned that she had stumbled across some stray kittypet. So she’s actually going to try you out, is she?” Firepaw sat up very straight, anxious to impress this distinguished Clan warrior. 

Was he feeling alright? Princess thought. Firestar went from admiring Tigerclaw to outright hating him. She was kind of looking forward to seeing her brother’s adventures in the forest, and maybe...maybe seeing where he went after the forest was destroyed, and if he and Cloudtail were alright.

“That’s right,” he mewed respectfully.

“See?” Crystal meowed. “Good manners.” Jake rolled his eyes.

“Yes, mother, we know.” he meowed. “Good manners are great tools. We know.”

Tigerclaw eyed him thoughtfully. “Then I shall watch your progress with interest.”

What did he mean by that? Princess thought. I thought he hated kittypets...so wouldn’t he just outright ignore Firestar? She contemplated for a bit. Unless...Firestar told me he had supporters in ThunderClan, but only one remained loyal to him in the end…what if…….could Tigerclaw had been thinking about gaining Firestar’s loyalty? Princess shook her head. Stars, I hope not! Things could have gone terribly had that happened.

… “Do you think he liked me?” “I don’t think Tigerclaw likes any apprentices!” whispered Graypaw.

“Then why does he have an apprentice?” Oliver asked.

Just then Ravenpaw stirred and twitched his ears. “Has he gone?” … “Yep, he’s gone.”

“So casual.” Luna meowed, amused.

“Hi, there,” … Firepaw realized she was serious, despite the lively glimmer in her warm amber eyes.

“Crush~!” Tommy meowed. Luna whacked him again.

“Come on then, Firepaw,” … Hanging lichen draped the entrance, sheltering the leader’s nest from wind and rain.

“That’s nice.” Livy said.

“The warriors sleep over here,” … Sometimes they are invited to join the senior warriors for eating, which is a big honor.”

“Wow,” Taylor said. “Two stops in, and Firepaw looks like he’s getting information overload.”

“What about the other Clan cats?” Firepaw asked, fascinated but feeling rather overwhelmed by all the traditions and rituals of Clan life.

“Called it!”

“Well, the queens. … “One of the apprentices’ duties is catching fresh-kill for the elders.”

“Ah, that’s good,” Crystal nodded, approving of this job. “That’ll teach the young ones to respect their elders.”

“Hello, youngster,” … His patchy fur was dark brown, and there was only a stump where his tail should have been.

“What happened to his tail?” Hattie asked, amber eyes shocked.

“Looks like it’s been bitten off.” Jake supplied, studying the tail.

Hattie gulped.

“That’s right,” Firepaw replied, copying Graypaw’s polite nod. “I’m Halftail,” purred the brown tom. 

“No kidding.” Zach meowed. 

Princess hushed him. “He’s an elder, you must show respect for him. He’s been in many battles, and has earned his rest and respect.”

“Welcome to the Clan.” … Would you mind if these youngsters shared a mouse, One-eye?”

“One-eye?” Cody muttered.

The pale gray queen who lay beside him shook her head. Firepaw noticed one of her eyes was clouded and sightless.

“Oh my!” Hattie gasped. “She only has one good eye!”

“Well, her name makes sense now.” Livy meowed.

“What about you, Dappletail?” … His whole body quivered at the thought of sharing his first real food as a Clan member.

Jake licked his muzzle. “Mmm...mouse is tasty, though I do prefer vole.”

“In that case, you can have first bite. … “Fantastic!” mumbled Firepaw, his mouth still full.

Crystal buried her muzzle in her paws, muttering about manners.

“Move over then,” … “Oh, yes! It was not long after she [Bluestar] lost her kits.”

Nutmeg gasped. “She lost her kits?!” The very idea of it was horrible.

“She’ll not be happy to be appointing a new deputy,” Smallear observed. “Redtail served her long and well. … According to Clan custom, the choice has to be made before moonhigh after the death of the old deputy.”

“That’s smart,” Oliver meowed. “That way the clan won’t be at risk of being leaderless if anything happened.”

“At least this time the choice is obvious,” … Perhaps he meant Tigerclaw; after all, he had avenged Redtail’s death.

“Maybe, but he seems kind of...aggressive?” Ruby tentatively meowed. “Like, lowkey not nice.”

Tigerclaw was sitting not far off, … Firepaw looked at Tigerclaw. He couldn’t help noticing the hunger in the big warrior’s amber eyes as he stared up at the Highrock.

Princess narrowed her eyes. She knew that Tigerstar had been hungry for power, and she was interested to see the full story in detail.

“Lionheart,” … You had a fine mentor in Tigerclaw, and I expect you to pass on some of the excellent skills you were taught.”

“Ugg, Darkstripe?” Tommy meowed, wrinkling his nose.

The tabby warrior … All he wanted to do was find somewhere warm and dry to curl up and sleep.

“Don’t blame ya, Firepaw.” Smudge meowed.

Graypaw shook his head. … “Not as many as usual—just me, you, Ravenpaw, Dustpaw, and Sandpaw.”

Graystripe, Firestar, Ravenpaw, Dustpelt, and Sandstorm,  Princess thought.

As Graypaw and Firepaw settled themselves beside the tree stump, a young she-cat crawled out from beneath the ferns. Her coat was ginger, like Firepaw’s, but much paler, with barely visible stripes of darker fur.

“That must be Sandpaw.” Luna meowed.

… “He smells like a kittypet! Don’t tell me I’m going to have to share my nest with that revolting stench!”

“Excuse me?!” Luna hissed, green eyes narrowed.

Firepaw felt rather taken aback. … “Psst!” spat Sandpaw crossly.

Princess was half-amused and half-confused. It was funny that Firestar and Sandstorm didn’t get along at first, but also...they didn’t get along at first. What had happened?

“Hold on, youngsters.” … I’m sure you’ll get used to it, Sandpaw,” meowed Whitestorm calmly. 

“Nice comeback,” Crystal meowed.

“Now, it’s getting late,... , sniffing once more as she brushed past Firepaw.

Tommy gasped. “Oh no, she’s just touched a kittypet!” he and Filou dissolved into laughter.

With a flick of his tail, … The air was fragrant with fern scent, and warmer than outside. 

“That looks very nice,” Nami meowed. “Wonder how comfortable moss is…”

“Where do I sleep?” … “Anywhere, just so long as it’s not near me!” snarled Sandpaw, who was prodding some moss with her paw.

Luna had her eyes narrowed onto Sandpaw’s figure, not liking how her youngest sibling was being treated.

Graypaw and Firepaw exchanged glances, … This was his home now. He was a member of ThunderClan.

“Yay!” Tommy meowed. “He’s officially a member!”

[kittypets-read-the-series]

B1 C3: Rusty Kicks Butt (Grandma Crystal is So Proud)

“Tommy, be quiet! It’s starting!”

“Okay, okay, Luna! I’ll stop talking!”

“Shut up!”

“Shutting up!”

That morning, … Could he really abandon this comfortable life?

“It is a tough decision,” Jake meowed, completely understanding.  He had been slightly tempted to join Talltail, but he hadn’t, preferring to roam around the area at his own leisure.

He ate, then pushed his way out of the cat flap into the garden. The day promised to be warm, and the garden was heavy with the smell of early blossoms.

“They do smell good.” Hattie meowed.

“Hello, Rusty!” … and today you’re not much better yourself.”

Smudge flattened his ears, embarrassed. “I don’t blame him for doing so now!”

Rusty sat down … “And you fought all three of them!” Smudge interrupted, his tail twitching with excitement.

“Got a little carried away there…” Smudge muttered.  He had been excited to hear about Rusty - er - Firestar’s escapade into the woods.

… “Just the youngest one; the other two came later.” “How come they didn’t shred you to pieces?”

“Great vote of confidence Smudge.” Cody meowed. The black and white tom wrinkled his nose at her.

“They just … “I wouldn’t trust them if I were you.”

Nutmeg looked thoughtfully at Smudge. “Are you sure it wasn’t your desire for him to stay that led you to that?” Smudge pawed the grass. It had been that.  He hadn’t wanted to lose his best friend.

… His black-and-white friend had never shown any interest in venturing into the woods. … He would never understand the restless longing that Rusty’s dreams stirred in him night after night.

Smudge sighed. He was right about that.  Firestar had always been….different from the other house-cats.  More prone to poking around in something, trying to hunt, stuff like that. Most of the friends they hung around with would always scoff at Firestar’s interest in the forest, and though Smudge did think his red-furred friend to be crazy to go off into the woods, he knew that Rusty never truly felt comfortable in Twolegplace.

“But I do trust them,” … You get along with everyone!”

Hattie nodded, agreeing.  Smudge was very friendly.

“But it won’t be the same!” Smudge wailed.

Hattie pressed her nose to Smudge’s shoulder. “I don’t blame you for being upset.” she meowed quietly. 

… “That’s just the point. If I stay around here till they take me to the Cutter, I won’t be the same either.”

“Already using clan slang,” Luna observed. “He’ll fit in quickly.”

… “Fair enough. I can see I can’t stop you, but at least let’s spend one more morning together.”

Jake and Nutmeg exchanged a look. They were glad Smudge had been a good friend to Rusty throughout his kithood.

Rusty found himself enjoying the morning even more than usual, … Every one of his senses felt supercharged, as if he were poised before a huge jump. 

“He was prancing around, tail-twitching, and always moving.” Smudge supplied helpfully. “You could tell he was excited.”

As sunhigh approached, … but he had no idea whether it was old or new. 

“He’ll learn,” Crystal meowed. “I taught my kits how to scent.  I’m sure he can pick it up with a bit of practice.”

… “You have a lot to learn,” meowed a deep voice. “Even the tiniest Clan kit knows when another cat is nearby.”

“Give him a break, won’t you?” Socks muttered. “He’s got time.”

Rusty saw a pair … “One of ThunderClan’s senior warriors.”

“Why are there two of them there?” Ruby questioned. “I mean, there’s just one of him, surely they don’t need two warriors.”

Rusty looked at the tom and felt his spine tingle with cold fear. Was this a trap? 

If it is, I’ll rip them apart. Nutmeg thought.

… murmured the white cat. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Hmm…” Taylor mewed. “Guess Rusty really made an impression on Bluestar.”

Rusty dipped his head in greeting.

“Good,” Crystal meowed. “Manners will get you places.”

“Come, we can speak more … The two warriors made no allowances for Rusty as they sped through the forest, and before long he was struggling to keep up. 

“Why aren’t they slowing down?” Hattie asked.

“They’re probably testing his stamina.” Jake replied. “Seeing how well he holds up in a run.”

Their pace barely… slimy, foul-smelling water. 

Ruby wrinkled her nose.

The Clan cats waded … “We are very close to our camp now,” meowed Lionheart.

The cats all perked up, curious about the camp.

Rusty strained to see any signs of life… The air smelled stronger, speaking of many, many different cats.

“See?” Crystal meowed. “I told you he would learn!”

“No one questioned you, mother.” Jake meowed.

He nodded thoughtfully … The clearing was dappled by sunshine, and the air felt warm and still.

Everyone was listening intently to the description of the camp.

Rusty looked around, … It is a custom that binds the members of the Clan together.”

“So it’s bonding time!” Filou meowed.

The cats had obviously smelled … A thick curtain of ferns and gorse shielded the camp from the rest of the woods.

“Well protected.” Oliver meowed.

“Over there,” meowed Lionheart, … a lesson you must learn quickly if you wish to stay with us.”

“That’s a good rule,” Luna meowed. “Loyalty is important.”

“Here comes Bluestar,” … “Lionheart was convinced he would not.”

“Hmph.” Crystal huffed, green eyes displeased.

… “Well, what do you think of him?” … “He kept up well on the return journey, despite his puny size,” Whitestorm admitted. 

“He’ll grow.” Nutmeg meowed. Rusty had been the smallest, and the youngest, in her litter.  But despite that, he was the most adventurous.

… “So it is agreed?” Bluestar looked at Lionheart and Whitestorm. Both cats nodded.

“Boo-ya!” Tommy yowled.

“Then I shall announce … Rusty was sure they must all be able to hear his heart pulsing and smell his fear-scent.

“Just relax...” Jake whispered, eyes glued to the screen.

Now a deafening crescendo … This Clan needs wildborn warriors to defend it, not another soft mouth to feed.”

“Oh, great!” Cody muttered. “Here we go again!”

Lionheart bent down and hissed into Rusty’s ear, “That tabby is Longtail. … But Rusty couldn’t move. How could he ever prove to these fierce cats that he wasn’t just a kittypet?

“Kick his butt.” Crystal suggested.

… “Your collar is a mark of the Twolegs, … it will bring the Twolegs into our territory, looking for the poor lost kittypet who fills the woods with his pitiful tinkling.”

“Kick his butt!” Crystal meowed, more firmly this time.

All the cats howled in agreement. … “The noise of your treacherous bell will alert our enemies, even if your Twoleg stench doesn’t!”

“Kick. His. Butt!” Crystal yowled, eyes blazings at the taunts aimed at her grandson.

[Lionheart] “Do you back down from a challenge?” … Rusty flattened his ears, narrowed his eyes and, hissing, leaped through the startled cats to fling himself onto his tormentor.

“Yes!” Crystal yowled, eyes gleaming.

Longtail was completely unprepared for Rusty’s attack. … writhing tussle that flipped and somersaulted around the clearing at the heart of the camp. 

“Take him down Rusty!” Tommy called.

The other cats had to spring out of the way … Then Rusty felt his collar tighten around his neck. 

“Uh oh.”

Longtail had gripped it between his teeth … And suddenly, with a loud snap, he was free.

Nutmeg breathed a sigh of relief.

Longtail tumbled away from him. … Longtail’s left ear was badly torn, and blood dripped down his lean shoulders onto the dusty ground. 

Crystal smirked at the pale tabby’s injuries.  That’s what you deserve.

They stared at each other, … and is free to join ThunderClan as an apprentice.”

“Boo-ya!” Tomy yowled once more. “He’s in!”

… “You look like a brand of fire in this sunlight,” she murmured. Her eyes flashed briefly, as if her words had more meaning for her than Rusty knew. 

The gathered cats looked curiously at each other.

… Firepaw! A thrill of pride surged through him at the sound of his new name. 

“It is a good one.” Nutmeg meowed, eyes warm.

He turned to greet the gray apprentice … You’ve spoiled his good looks, that’s for sure.”

“Good looks?” Luna questioned. “Pfft…”

… “She’s our medicine cat. Not bad-looking either. Younger and a lot prettier than most—”

“She must heal and take care of the sick and injured.” Ruby guessed.

… He [Darkstripe] spat the word kittypet scornfully, then turned and stalked off.

“I don’t like him.”

“Agreed!”

“Now Darkstripe,” Graypaw hissed to Firepaw under his breath, “is neither young, nor pretty....” … “Smallear smells trouble!”

“What’s going on?” Cody asked.

… “That’s Ravenpaw! Why is he alone? Where’s Tigerclaw?”

Princess, once again, blinked when Tigerclaw’s name was mentioned.

Firepaw looked at Ravenpaw staggering across the floor of the clearing. He was panting heavily. His coat was ruffled and dusty, and his eyes were wild with fear.

“Poor dear…” Nutmeg whispered. “He must be really scared of something.”

… “Redtail?” Firepaw echoed, thoroughly confused by all these names.

“Aren’t we all?” Socks asked rhetorically. He liked nice and simple names, thank you very much.

“Bluestar’s deputy,” … “Redtail is dead!”

“Redtail?” Filou asked. “Graypaw said he was the deputy right?  How did he die?”

“Let’s continue,” Oliver suggested. “We might find out why.” Princess was studying her paws.  She knew how Redtail died.  How Tigerclaw - or Tigerstar as he was actually known as - was the former deputy’s murderer.

[kittypets-read-the-series]

B1 C2: And Then An Invite

“Well?” hissed Bluestar, her face only a mouse-length from his now. 

Nutmeg growled protectively.

Lionheart remained silent … “I will not hunt here again.” 

“Well,” Crystal meowed. “He knows his manners.”

Bluestar let her hackles fall … What flashed between the two warriors? 

“I want to know that too.” Filou meowed.

Quietly he asked, … Bluestar’s guarded answers were just making him more and more curious. 

As were the rest of them.

Lionheart answered him. … “And you all live and share prey together?” Rusty murmured in awe, thinking a little guiltily of his own easy, selfish life. 

Smudge scrambled his paws against the grass and Hattie’s ears drooped a bit as they, too, had that thought. Cody remembered the time she had spent in ThunderClan, and could partially relate to them.

Bluestar looked again at Lionheart. … “Perhaps you should find out these things for yourself. Would you like to join ThunderClan?” 

“What?!” Socks yelped, eyes wide. Sure, he and Ruby had picked and teased their brother Tiny about the wild cats, but the thought of actually joining those savages? Scary!

… “But kittypets can’t be warriors!” [Graypaw] “They don’t have warrior blood!” 

“So what?” Crystal yawned. “I kicked a fox’s behind once.  I bet Rusty could beat one of yours.” Then she added: “If he doesn’t, I’ll catch you all a mouse.”

A sad look clouded Bluestar’s eyes. “Warrior blood,” [Bluestar] “Too much of that has been spilled lately.” 

Livy shivered at the thought of blood.

Bluestar fell silent and Lionheart meowed, … It might prove too difficult for you. After all, you are used to a comfortable life.” 

“Mmmmm….” Crystal hummed.  “If he’s anything like Jake, I have a feeling he can handle it.  Better even, if he’s still with the clans now.”

Rusty was stung by Lionheart’s words. 

“Don’t blame ya, little bro.” Tommy meowed. It was frustrating whenever they were immediately written off as ‘soft’, or ‘lazy’.

He swung his head around … You cannot live with a paw in each world.” 

Princess nodded, a sad but wistful look in her eyes. She had kind of regretted not joining ThunderClan.  She had always thought they would be right there.  In front of her garden.  But now...they were gone.  And it hurt.

A cool breeze … “I can tell that you are still a tom,” Bluestar added, 

“Still a tom?” Ruby asked, confused.

“despite the Twoleg stench that clings to your fur.” “What do you mean—still a tom?” 

“That’s what I asked!”

[Bluestar] “You haven’t yet been taken by the Twolegs to see the Cutter,” … [Bluestar] “You would be very different then. Not quite so keen to fight a Clan cat, I suspect!” 

“Ah!” Jake meowed.  Then he explained; “The Cutter is the vet.”

“Oh!”

“Okay,”

“Now I get it.”

Rusty was confused. He suddenly thought of Henry, who had become fat and lazy since his visit to the vet. Was that what Bluestar meant by the Cutter? 

“Yep,” Crystal nodded. “Smart tom.”

“The Clan may not … And there are many mouths to feed. 

“That sounds tough.” Zach whispered to Nami, who nodded in agreement.

But the rewards are great. … but could he live like that for real? 

“He can, and he will!” Princess exclaimed proudly.

Lionheart interrupted his thoughts. … Tigerclaw will wonder what has become of us.” 

Princess’s eyes widened at Tigerclaw’s name.  She knew who he was, and what he had done.  She was also severely ticked off that the dark tabby had tried to kill her brother multiple times.  Princess may be a kittypet, but there was one thing you should know about her.  Never mess with her family.

He stood up … and the rustling leaves seemed to whisper his name into the shadows.

“Wow.” Filou meowed as the book finished the chapter. “Our little brother is joining the forest cats. Amazing!”

[kittypets-read-the-series]

FIRE & ICE MASTERPOST

SUMMARY

The kittypets have finished reading about Firepaw - now Fireheart's - apprentice days. They now enter his early warrior life, and are joined by some new faces.

Trouble is coming, Brokenstar is still on the loose, and Tigerclaw is now deputy of ThunderClan.

Everyone's eager to see what happens next.

Yes, even Scourge is getting into it.

He's still not happy though.

Chapters Below The Cut!

Fireheart Tries To Reveal The Local Murderer (It Doesn't Happen)

[kittypets-read-the-series]

B1 C2: RUSTY GETS AMBUSHED

It was very dark.

“What was dark?”

“Filou! Be quiet!”

“Alright, alright, Luna, keep your fur on!”

Rusty could sense something was near.

“It’s Rusty!” Tommy meowed.

“I think this might be from his point of view.” Princess said.

… This place was unfamiliar, but the strange scents drew him onward, deeper into the shadows.

Nutmeg shook her head. “He always was the most adventures of our kits.” she whispered to Jake.  “He got it from you!” Jake just looked at her innocently.

… Suddenly a flash of gray raced past him. Rusty stopped still, listening.

Hattie squeaked.

… He was downwind of the mouse. He knew it was not aware of him.

“He always was the hunter.” Luna said.  “I’ve lost count of all the times he pounced on me!”

… The mouse dived for cover, heading toward a hole in the ground. But Rusty was already on top of it.

“WHOO!” Filou yowled.

Suddenly a noise roared nearby.

“What is it?” Cody asked, eyes wide.

… Angry, Rusty gave up the hunt. He spun around, his green eyes glaring, intent on searching out the noise that had cost him his kill.

“I hate it when that happens!” Jake muttered.  He was hunting a sparrow once and another cat, a rouge, had startled some bushes, making him lose his catch.  He had longed to teach that rogue a lesson, but the rogue looked battle-scarred and dangerous, so he cut his losses and went on his way.  Lots of cats without a housefolk thought kittypets were cowards - some were - but others knew when to argue with a wild cat and when not to.

… The forest had disappeared. He was inside a hot and airless kitchen, curled in his bed.

“Oh, it was a dream.” Oliver said.

… Rusty had been dreaming.

“Mouse dung!” Tommy meowed.

Lifting his head, he rested his chin on the side of his bed. His collar rubbed uncomfortably around his neck.

“Downside to being a kittypet.  THE DANG COLLAR!” Filou sighed.

… Rusty rolled onto his back, savoring the dream for a few more moments. He could still smell mouse. 

“That happens with me sometimes.” Livy meowed. “Part of my dream follows me back into the real world.”

From his bed he could smell the bland odor of his food. His owners always refilled his dish before they went to bed.

“They are good housefolk.” Hattie sighed.  “Very nice.”

The food felt dry and tasteless on his tongue. Rusty reluctantly swallowed one more mouthful.

“Yeah, sometimes the food isn’t that good.” Zach said, wrinkling his nose.

“But we sure do let our housefolk know!” Tyler meowed.

… He made his dirt beneath a large bush with glossy green leaves and heavy purple flowers.

“Didn’t need to know that.” Tommy muttered.

… It was a favorite spot of his, as he could see right into the neighboring gardens as well as into the dense green forest on the other side of the garden fence.

Nutmeg looked pointedly at Jake. “Just like you.” she muttered.

… He heard his owners giving him one last call from the back door. … But this time Rusty ignored his owners’ voices and turned his gaze back to the forest. The crisp smell of the woods had grown fresher after the rain.

Nutmeg turned to Jake again, but he cut her off. “I know! I know! Just like me!”

… Was something moving out there? Was something watching him?

“Oh dear.” Hattie said.

… Tensing his muscles, he crouched for a moment. Then he leaped lightly down into the rough grass on the other side of the garden fence. As he landed, the bell on his collar rang out through the still night air.

Princess purred. “He’s heading into the woods now!”

“Where are you off to, Rusty?” … A young black-and-white cat was balancing ungracefully on the fence.

“Wait...that sounds like you Smudge.” Cody said.

“Hello, Smudge,” Rusty replied.

“I knew it!”

“You’re not going to go into the woods, are you?” … “Henry said he went into the woods once.” The cat lifted his head and gestured with his nose over the rows of fences toward the garden where Henry lived.

“That old tabby never went into the woods.” Jake huffed.  He knew Henry, the furball exaggerated everything.

“That fat old tabby never went into the woods!” Rusty scoffed.

Jake blinked.

“Welp,” Filou said.  “You know what they say, like father, like son!”

“He’s hardly been beyond his own garden since his trip to the vet. All he wants to do is eat and sleep.”

“Too right!” Jake agreed

“No, really. He caught a robin there!” Smudge insisted.

“Don’t believe everything that puffball says.” Jake meowed, shaking his head.

… “Henry told me there are all sorts of dangerous animals out there. Huge wildcats who eat live rabbits for breakfast and sharpen their claws on old bones!”

Jake and Crystal started hacking in amusement. 

“I’ve met two wild cats, those rumors aren’t true!” Jake meowed.  

Crystal recalled the story of how she had saved a wild cat's life from a fox.

… Suddenly the movement of a tiny creature caught his eye. He watched it scuttle under some brambles. Instinct made him drop into a low crouch.

“It’s real this time!” Luna perked up.

… Excitement coursed through him, making his heart pound. This was even better than his dreams!

“Get it! Get it!” Filou and Tommy chanted.

… Then a sudden noise of cracking twigs and crunching leaves made him jump. His bell jangled treacherously, and the mouse darted away into the thickest tangle of the bramble bush. Rusty stood very still and looked around.

The kittypets held their breath.

He could see the white tip of a red bushy tail trailing through a clump of tall ferns up ahead. He smelled a strong, strange scent, definitely a meat-eater, but neither cat nor dog.

“Oh no.” Jake muttered. “Fox.”

Distracted, Rusty forgot about the mouse and watched the red tail curiously. He wanted a better look.

“No…” Jake meowed. “Stay away from the fox!”

… he kept his eyes fixed on the strange red fur up ahead, and continued to creep onward. It was only when the faint rustling behind him became a loud and fast-approaching leaf-crackle that Rusty realized he was in danger.

Nutmeg gasped, worried for her youngest.

The creature hit him like an explosion and Rusty was thrown sideways into a clump of nettles. Twisting and yowling, he tried to throw off the attacker that had fastened itself to his back. It was gripping him with incredibly sharp claws.

Princess and Luna’s eyes were wide.

… He writhed and squirmed from whisker to tail, but he couldn’t free himself. For a second he felt helpless; then he froze. Thinking fast, he flipped over onto his back.

“Dangerous, but might just work…” Jake whispered.

He knew instinctively how dangerous it was to expose his soft belly, but it was his only chance. He was lucky—the ploy seemed to work. He heard a “hhuuffff” beneath him as the breath was knocked out of his attacker.

“That’s my kit!” Jake yowled proudly.

… Rusty managed to wriggle free. Without looking back he sprinted toward his home.

“Run, run, run, run…” many whispered.

… Even though the pain from his scratches stung beneath his fur, Rusty decided he would rather turn and fight than let himself be jumped on again.

Jake nodded in agreement.  He would rather do that too.

It was another kitten, with a thick coat of shaggy gray fur, strong legs, and a broad face. … Taken by surprise by Rusty’s turnabout, it fell back into a dazed heap. The impact knocked the breath out of Rusty, and he staggered.

Nami and Livy listened with wide eyes as their uncle took on this scary-sounding wild cat.  Their mother had told them about him and their brother Cloudtail’s exploits in the forest.  They were excited to hear about them first pawed.

He quickly found his footing and arched his back, puffing out his orange fur, ready to spring onto the other kitten. But his attacker simply sat up and began to lick a forepaw, all signs of aggression gone.

“What….?” Tommy tilted his head in confusion.

… “Hi there, kittypet!” meowed the gray tom cheerily. “You put up quite a fight for a tame kitty!”

“Not all of us are tame.” Jake said mysteriously. Nutmeg whacked him with her paw.

“I tamed you.  So you aren’t on that list.” 

Jake gave her an offended look as Tommy and Filou gagged at their parents.

Rusty remained on tiptoe for a second, wondering whether to attack anyway. Then he remembered the strength he had felt in this kitten’s paws when he had pinned him to the ground.

“Good.” Jake nodded.  “Know when to attack, and when not to.”

… “What’s a kittypet like you doing out in the woods? Don’t you know it’s dangerous?” asked Graypaw.

“Uhh...yes.” Cody said.

“If you’re the most dangerous thing the woods has to offer, then I think I can handle it,” Rusty bluffed. … “Oh, I’m far from the most dangerous. If I were even half a warrior, I’d have given an intruder like you some real wounds to think about.”

Nutmeg stiffed at the thought.

Rusty felt a thrill of fear at these ominous words. … “You must have heard of the four warrior Clans that hunt around here!

“Wait, wait, wait.” Oliver said. “Time out. So, Rusty was supposed to know about these ‘Clans’, but this Graypaw is surprised that Rusty doesn’t really know about the dangers? Am I the only one seeing this?”

… The other Clans are always trying to steal prey from our territory, especially ShadowClan. They’re so fierce they would have ripped you to shreds, no questions asked.”

Nutmeg dug her claws into the earth at the thought. She knew from Jake that WindClan was rather friendly with outsiders, but this ShadowClan…she shivered. They sounded nasty.

… “They come to take prey that is rightfully ours. … Kits have to be six moons old before they even begin training. Tonight is my first night out as an apprentice.”

“Hmm.” Nami said.  “They have an organized system.”

“Why don’t you find yourself an owner with a nice cozy house instead? … “No way! I can’t think of anything worse than being a kittypet!

“How about being dead?” Nutmeg said, her eyes narrowed.  “Starving? Incredibly sick?  Losing the ones you love?  There are many things that are worse than being a kittypet.”

They’re nothing but Twoleg toys!

Luna huffed. “No we are not!”

Eating stuff that doesn’t look like food, making dirt in a box of gravel, sticking their noses outside only when the Twolegs allow them?

“I could go outside whenever I wanted.” Ruby whispered to Socks.  He nodded in agreement.

… “I guess you’ll never understand.” … “You weren’t born wild. It makes a big difference.

“No it does not.” Jake hissed, eyes narrowed into slits.

You need to be born with warrior blood in your veins, or the feel of the wind in your whiskers. … “That’s not true!” he [Rusty] mewed indignantly.

“Too right!” Jake muttered.

… “I smell cats from my Clan,” … “Run!” … He was too late.

“Oh no!” Livy squeaked.

Rusty turned to see a large gray she-cat strolling majestically out from the undergrowth. … “Bluestar!” Beside Rusty, Graypaw crouched down and narrowed his eyes.

“Bluestar? Wasn’t that one of the starry cats who showed up before?” Socks said.

He crouched even lower when a second cat—a handsome, golden tabby—followed the gray cat into the clearing. … Lionheart, I’m sorry.” … Rusty copied Graypaw and crouched low to the forest floor, his ears twitching nervously.

Nutmeg was stiff with tension.

“Who is this?” … Rusty flinched as she turned her gaze on him. … [Graypaw] just a Twoleg pet from beyond our territories.”

“Excuse me?” Nami said, offended.

Just a Twoleg pet! The words inflamed Rusty, but he held his tongue.

“Looks like he got mother’s brains!” Filou said.

Jake looked offended.

Nutmeg’s eyes glittered with mirth.

The warning look in Bluestar’s stare told him that she had observed the anger in his eyes, and he looked away. … Bluestar was still staring at Rusty. “You fight well for a Twoleg pet,”

“Again with the pet?” Tommy muttered.

… “Sit up now, both of you!” … I’ve not seen a kittypet do that before.” Rusty managed to nod his thanks, taken aback by such unexpected praise.

Jake puffed up at hearing a Clan leader praising his son.

Her next words surprised him even more. … We patrol this border frequently, so I have often seen you sitting on your boundary, staring out into the forest. … Bluestar stared at Rusty thoughtfully.

“Wonder what she’s thinking.” Crystal muttered.

“You do seem to have a natural hunting ability. … His [Lionheart] deep meow was respectful but insistent. … Send him home to his Twolegs!”

“Why?” Hattie asked, confused. He had just been hunting a mouse.  What was the big deal?

“Send me home?” … “But I’ve only come here to hunt for a mouse or two. I’m sure there’s enough to go around.”

Jake winced.  He knew from Talltail and Pinestar that was not true.

Bluestar had turned her head to acknowledge Lionheart’s words. Now her gaze snapped back to Rusty. Her blue eyes were blazing with anger.

Smudge squeaked.

“There’s never enough to go around,” she spat. “If you didn’t live such a soft, overfed life, you would know that!”

Nutmeg huffed. “It’s not his fault he was born a housecat!  He’s not to blame for not knowing something at such a young age!”

Rusty was confused by Bluestar’s sudden rage, but one glance at the horrified look on Graypaw’s face was enough to tell him he had spoken too freely. … These were not cozy fireside cats he was dealing with—they were mean, hungry cats who were probably going to finish what Graypaw had started.

“Continue, continue!” Nutmeg yowled.

[kittypets-read-the-series]

INTO THE WILD MASTERPOST

SUMMARY

A family meet-up between Firestar's siblings with their mother throws them into quite the tail (pun intended)!

Bluestar, former leader of ThunderClan and resident of StarClan, has invited them - and many other current & former kittypets - to read/watch the adventures of Rusty.

Frankly, no one but Princess knows what's up.

Until Scourge is thrown into the mix as well.

He's not gonna be happy.

Chapters Below The Cut!

*Bolded means link is attached*

Prologue

Rusty Gets Ambushed

And Then An Invite

Rusty Kicks Butt (Grandma Crystal Is So Proud)

Firepaw Gets Information Overload

Graypaw: The Comedian

Firepaw Does Something Stupid

Yellowmom Enters The Scene

Crystal Wants Everyone To Shut Their Yappers

Learning The Herbs: Featuring Livy

Firepaw Has An Awkward Reunion

Break Time! (Surprise!)

Our New Guest Groans Over His Failures

Oliver Grudgingly Plays Devil's Advocate

This Chapter Is Dedicated To Yellowmom & Fireson (WE STAND)

Firepaw Nearly Gets Run Over (Nutmeg Has A Heart-Attack)

Bluemom Appreciation Chapter

One Life Lost, How Many Left?

The Truth Revealed (Another Chapter Dedication. This Time To...ROSETAIL!)

The Ravenpaw Protection Squad Is Created

Scourge Gives His Brother Advice (Then Scolds Himself For Doing So)

Uh Oh, Livy Has Now Inherited The Fire Fam Genetic Trait of Depression (Aw, Shit, Here We Go Again!)

Ravenpaw Makes A Run For It

Brokenstar Shoots To The Top Of Everyone’s Hit List

Princess Recalls A Funny Story (Firestar Would Be Embarrassed. Graystripe Found It Hilarious.)

Firepaw Kicks Brokenstar’s Butt

Firepaw and Graypaw Become Full Ninjas