NEW BLOOD-Thief in Morning Light. NEW POLL!
Aug 15, 2018 22:04:38 GMT -5
mintedstar/fur🦇 and Spottail like this
Post by phantomstar57 on Aug 15, 2018 22:04:38 GMT -5
NEW BLOOD-Thief in Morning Light
This tale began as a contest on the old WFC Forum, whose rules I have long forgotten, but recall I had to use a variation of a phrase , which appears in this story as such, "Everyone possesses a natural inclination to idolize something, and often, the object of such devotion remains undeserved"
This is my 1st NEW BLOOD tale in the 1st person!
Enjoy this short tale into NEW BLOOD future. (Chapters are short!)
UPDATED CHARACTER PAGE for this tale & LOST - to account for the 11 seasoncycle jump in time.
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
NEW BLOOD CHARACTER PAGE (Allegiences)UPDATED CHARACTER PAGE for this tale & LOST - to account for the 11 seasoncycle jump in time.
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
Chapter One
Chapter One
Many seasoncycles passed in ThunderClan and the apprentices and young warriors of the time of the Coyote menace, the Ashfur debacle, and the RiverClan uproar,grew up into fine mature warriors. Among the Clans, peace reigned supreme, with three siblings as Clan leaders, Phantomstar of ThunderClan, Smokestar of WindClan, Indistar of ShadowClan, with the mate of Bluefrost, Troutstar, as the fourth leader, of RiverClan, and lastly, Phantomstar’s son, Nightstar of SkyClan.
The alliances between Clans stood strong, until things went missing; herbs, nests, and even the woven roofs of the dens. The leaders, upset and alarmed, posted stronger patrols, and bickering replaced the banter along borders, as clans accused others of sending an unknown robber into their camps.
The Clans finally realized this creature loved to take its contraband into the trees, and came to the conclusion no cat committed these crimes. They never saw the beast, and only heard its raucous cries among the rustling of branches. Over time, its antics amused the Clans, until it grew bold, sullying the camps and stealing things of more worth. It fell to me, a large half Maine Coon warrior, and my petite, full Maine Coon aunt, who excelled working the trees, to find and catch this illusive little crook.
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
Chapter Two
The moonlight washed the hollow in silver light as it sank in the western skies. I sat on top of the cliff near Highledge, scanning the trees, and ground. Nothing moved, except for the normal nocturnal creatures. I sighed with frustration.
“If it was leaf bare, I’d catch that little piece of fox dung. Now, it hides in the leaves,” I growled to myself, then heard pawsteps on the cliff. I jerked my head around.
“Come down. Our kits woke up and want their mother,” a soft voice interrupted. “I heard them crying from the warrior’s den.”
I spotted the smooth sleek black pelt of my mate, Spiderleap, as he moved up the cliff, his lithe tall body leaping from rock to rock with ease. He looked very much like his father, Spiderleg, who went to StarClan many seasons ago in the Great Coyote battle. I felt a flash of envy, thinking of my difficulty with the cliffs. I took more after my enormous father than my mother, and though my huge paws gave me some advantage, Spiderleap’s lithe, athletic shape trumped my big grippy feet.
“I thought the little piece of crowfood might show up with the moon out,” I protested, wrapping my thick bushy tail around my paws. Just then, another black shape climbed the rocks, and I recognized my cousin Blackhawk, son of my uncle, Gentleoak, and Rosepetal. His long black pelt moved in the breezes, and he waved his bushy tail.
“Sunflight, “ Blackhawk sat beside me. “If you don’t get some sleep, we’ll never catch that little thief.” He closed his eyes, and I saw a tremor of laughter shake his body. “It sleeps at night. So should we.”
“The thing is even stealing parts of dens!” I argued, feeling my pelt bristle. “It’s not funny!”
“It is, but it’s still annoying. All the Clans are working together again, and you and I have permission to cross borders at will. Eventually we have to catch it.” Blackhawk bared the tips of his fangs.
“Many think its funny, simply because nobody is getting hurt. Phantomstar. Nightheart, and Demonstreak are not taking this seriously any more,” Spiderleap added.
“I know. Nor are Troutstar, Nightstar, Smokestar, or Indistar. You both think it’s just hilarious. I hear you and the other warriors laughing when it drops the nest material out of the trees, and screeches.” I muttered, and stood up.
“Well, it is. It steals mostly useless stuff that can be replaced, though your uncle and aunt are not happy medicine cats. It did steal some herbs he left outside the door.”
“So far it has not gone inside,” I said with a yawn. “I suppose you’re right. It’s not dangerous. Just a really annoying little pest.”
“I will help you catch the thief,” a long-legged Maine Coon warrior bounded up to me. I eyed my aunt from Kyemama’s and Demonpoppa’s third litter a seasoncycle after the Coyote battle.. Her copper eyes shone from her black face framed by a silvery ruff. Black smoke in color, like her older sister, Smokestar, Gabbiflight's silver highlights lightened her overall pelt, and tipped her ears in white, unlike her darker sister.
“Gabbiflight,” I said, then paused, looking at her long legs and lithe physique. Though small in stature compared to the rest of the Clan Maine Coons, nobody in all five clans outran her, not even Smokestar. She also rivaled a squirrel for her prowess in the trees. “All right, you can help.”
“I will catch it,” she insisted with a soft prrt of mirth. “I’ll prove to Whitefoot and Greyface they’re wrong and I'm not a fluffhead.”
“Your littermates are annoyed with you. You drive them crazy,” I admonished her. “You still play like a kit, when you’re mated and have had your own kits.”
Sunflight,” Spiderleap gently interrupted. “Kits?”
“Ah yes,” I mewed. “I’ll talk to you later, Gabbifight.” I trotted away, and Gabbiflight stood a moment before bounding away. I marveled at her speed.
I followed my mate to the nursery, and slipped in, curling around my restless kits. Spiderleap returned to the warrior’s den. Lizzie, the pretty blue-cream tortoiseshell cat that came home with Kyemama a number of seasons ago raised her head, blinking bright green eyes. She took over overseeing the nursery after Daisy went to StarClan shortly after Lizzie arrived. Another cat who helped with finding Kyemama helped Lizzie in the nursery and Elder's den. Fantastic with kits, YooHoo found his place in the Clan.
“Your kits missed you.” Lizzie muttered.
“I know. Thanks for watching them.”
My sister raised her head, her pale blue eyes bright in the dim den.
“I quieted them as best as I could,” Shimmersong mewed, laughter in her blue eyes. “Did you see anything?”
“No,” I grumbled, looking at my smaller sister’s unusual silver, gold and black tortoiseshell tabby fur. “It’s not funny. It’s irritating that something can get in and out of camp unseen and with things that belong to the Clan!”
“It’s harmless,” Shimmersong purred. “It doesn’t steal fresh kill or anything of any worth. Nests can be rebuilt, kit toys replaced. Even the woven patches on the den roofs can be redone. My father is a great builder .”
“If our uncle catches one in the medicine cat den it may not live long enough to steal anything else,” I growled, then groomed my kits. “Why am I the only one who doesn’t think its funny?”
Shimmersong uttered a purring giggle, reminding me of Gabbiflight, and I laid my head down, trying to nap, but I twitched my ears at every little scurry outside the den. The mystery robber must soon grow too bold and make a mistake, I thought, and it’ll be mine! I fell into restless sleep.
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
Chapter Three
“Sunflight!”
My uncle’s yowl reverberated down from Highledge. I jerked awake, and carefully extricating myself from my sleeping kits, scurried to the den entrance, and looked up. I spotted Phantomstar standing there, dark silver tabby coat bristling, sea-green eyes glittering with annoyance. He unsheathed his claws from enormous pristine white paws. I felt a spark of pride, knowing I took after him, through my own father, in size, and conformation. The only traits my mother, Sparkfire, gave to me sat on my face, a pair of vivid green eyes, along with her reckless temperament. My father emerged from the Senior Warrior’s den, and Nightheart, my younger sibling, poked his head out of his and Sunbeam’s den below Phantomstar’s.
“Can’t a cat catch a nap around here?” Demonstreak growled, his long black coat rumpled. The Maine Coon tom flexed his enormous white forepaws.
“What is going on?” Nightheart asked, lashing his tail. I noted his short black pelt, but his body conformation marked him as kin. My brother scowled.
“That little thief struck again early this morning!” Phantomstar lashed his thick bottlebrush tail, flattening his tall furry ears. “Why can’t you find it?”
“What happened? Isn’t it still funny?” I retorted, glancing down at my own large black, red flecked paws, not meeting my uncle’s blazing eyes. I quickly groomed a misplaced hair in my long thick red-ticked pelt, and dipped my head so low my ample ruff brushed the ground. Anger built inside, churning my stomach, and frustration bristled the hair along my spine.
“No! Look,” Phantomstar snarled with uncharacteristic rage. “The stinky little robber left its reeking dung by the den door! And stole the nice little windbreak Demonstreak weaved for me and Berryfrost. This is not amusing anymore.”
“This little beast must be caught,” Berryfrost exited the den to stand next to Phantomstar, her bright blue eyes ablaze, her long silky cream coat rippling with utter outrage. “Before it dismantles all the dens piece by piece!”
“Agreed!” Sunbeam stated, coming alongside Nightheart. ThunderClan’s deputy looked back at his mate. She met Berryfrost’s gaze. The two she-cats glared at me.
“NOT acceptable!” A roar echoed from inside the medicine cat den, and Gentleoak burst out into camp, followed by Angelglow and a flustered Alderheart. He halted and looked up at his brother, his normally gentle amber eyes blazing. His golden brown tabby pelt puffed so he looked gargantuan.“I won’t abide by stinking scat in the medicine cat den! It also took one of my water carriers! It must be caught!”
“Sunflight, you were entrusted to catch this thing.” Demonstreak looked at me, as my mother, Sparkfire , joined him. “You’re one of the best in the trees. If you can’t handle the duties because of your kits, please say so and I will go after it myself.”
“I can,” I replied, struggling against my temper. “It moves in the trees better than I do. Better than Gabbiflight. I can’t tell if it flies or runs!”
“Then you must find a way to track it,” Phantomstar retorted. “The beast has crossed a line. Your Uncle’s water carriers are valuable and hard to replace. It dropped dung in our camp! I won’t tolerate that kind of disrespect.”
“I know that! I’m not as smart as you, either,” I spat, then shook myself. “I’m sorry, but it would be nice if my intellectual uncle lent me some help.”
Phantomstar’s sea-green eyes calmed, and he lifted his long thick tail. “I will think about it, Little Niece. Maybe Kyemama can think and try to figure out what this thing is.”
“She says she has no clue. Demonpoppa knew more than Kyemama does. But, he isn’t here to help us,” I meowed, my heart sinking with grief. Phantomstar glanced at Demonstreak, and Gentleoak sagged visibly. Angelglow uttered a soft cry, and Alderheart lowered his head. Berryfrost uttered a small squeak, flattened her ears, and dashed back into the leader’s den. Demonstreak dropped his head, eyes wide, ears flat. Sparkfire sat at the mouth of their den, and she uttered a keen. Nightheart and Sunbeam pressed their heads together. The entire camp silenced, and many looked to the memorial sticks at the foot of Highledge which bore marks commemorating every lost warrior since the Great Battle many season before my parents’ birth. The intricate scratches for my grandfather flared before my eyes, as big and bright as the one marking my great-grandfather, Firestar, another of our revered ancestors.
All the Clans still mourned the loss of my grandfather Demonstone, who perished last Leaf Bare despite ample deer prey. Demonpoppa contracted greencough, after sustaining injury in a battle with a stray coyote the previous seasoncycle, which he insisted on fighting despite retiring to the elder’s den several seasoncycles previous. His aged body succumbed to the disease and injury despite all efforts of our very talented and skilled medicine cats.
Kyemama, also retired to the Elder’s den, almost followed him to StarClan, but Gentleoak, Angelglow and Alderheart refused to let her die. She survived the green cough, but, the trauma left her a shell of her former self. My thoughts turned inward, my heart rising to throttle me. Everyone possesses a natural inclination to idolize something, and often, the object of such devotion remains undeserved. In my grandparents’ case, they earned every speck of reverence and devotion ThunderClan and all the Clans bestowed upon them. My heart and soul burned with the desire to see Demonpoppa’s spirit form from StarClan, if even once, to say goodbye, and to help Kyemama’s broken heart heal.
“I am sorry, Little Niece.” Phantomstar’s soft voice drew me out of my thoughts. “We all miss him.”
“He was so strong still for his twenty seasoncycles,” I mewled like a heartbroken kit.
“He lived a long full life,” a tortoiseshell warrior with blue eyes said softly, emerging from the warrior’s den. “For a Clan cat, it is a very long life. He accomplished so much, not only as a warrior, but as a master builder.”
“Lilyheart is right.” A black warrior joined Lilyheart. “We lost Bramblestar in a fight with a feral dog pack during his last life. He died as a warrior should. Ivystar we lost too soon, in battle with those dogs a few seasons ago tat began her decline. We finally drove them off, but it was too many battles and illnesses for her nine lives. My father should not have died too soon, either. But at least, with that fight we had enough large warriors in all the Clans to actually kill a couple of them, and we drove them far away from here. We paid a big price again, for peace, for however long it may last.”
“Yes indeed, Hollytuft, we have, and we stay strong and united,” Lilyheart meowed. “Thank StarClan for Ivystar’s wisdom in naming Phantomstar to be her deputy. Demonstone died as a warrior should, and Kyestorm gave so much to this clan and others with her proliferation of her kind in the Clans, strengthening all of us in so many ways, she deserves to be spoiled rotten until she joins Demonstone in StarClan.”
“She does, and we will spoil her always,” Gabbiflight spoke up, flanked by her siblings, blue smoke Uncle Greyface and tortoiseshell Aunt Whitefoot. Whitefoot raised one of her huge white paws.
“I slashed that mangy coyote who hurt my Demonpoppa,” she mewled. “It died under our warrior’s rage. I miss him.”
“I thought he’d live forever after he gained such spunk after you and Blackhawk’s patrol found Kyemama,” Greyface meowed, his voice soft, belying his great size. I met my uncle's gentle green-gold eyes, and nodded.
“He was wonderful,” a small black three-legged she-cat meowed. “After my injury in that first big battle, he pushed me hard, and never made me feel inadequate. He made me the warrior I am now.”
“He sure did, Fierceheart,” I mewed. “Your indomitable spirit and tenaciousness helped a lot. Many might have given up but not you. Blackhawk never gave up on you either.
“Your cousin is a most wonderful mate,” Fierceheart bared the tips of her fangs in a smile. Her green eyes sparkled. “Though bearing such large kits is difficult for me! I wanted to slap Blackhawk when I bore our kits!”
“You do well enough,” I teased, as the mood around me lightened. “Wildpaw is a huge version of you in a long coat! She even has the same white markings on her chest and belly.”
“But she has those white roots, like Demonpoppa,” Fierceheart lowered her voice. “He was such a wonderful warrior.”
“Thank you,” I murmured. “You are all right. We lost many wonderful warriors over the seasonscycles, but they watch over us in StarClan, and we have not seen or heard a coyote or wild dog in two seasoncycles.
“Mamaaaaaa!” The squeal of one of my kits jerked me around. Red-ticked Sunkit and her black-smoke brother, Smokekit, dashed out of the nursery, their fluffy coats mussed and tousled. Sunkit’s mouth opened wide as she screamed her outrage, her blue eyes shut. “Someone stole the pretty toy Unca Demonstreak made for us!”
“I told you not to leave it outside the nursery,” I purred, taking the sting out of my words. Their distressed faces punched all the angst and grief from my mind and body.
“I know,” Sunkit mewled. “But we always do. Right by the door so we know where it is!”
“We have to catch this thing now,” Gentleoak said, walking over, and stopping in front of me. His ample ruff mantled around his head, and his amber eyes glittered. “Those water carriers are ours. I found them when I was a young medicine cat, floating in the lake. We carry moss, water, and herbs, so easily with those. You must find the creature and get that back.”
“I will,” I promised my uncle. He gazed at me, his eyes softening and I glimpsed the pain which glimmered there ever since Demonpoppa’s’s death. I dropped my voice. “You know you and Angelglow did all you could for my grandfather.”
“I know that in my mind, but my heart refuses to believe me,” Gentleoak replied, his voice soft. “Just catch that thief.”
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
CHAPTER FOUR
I watched my uncle trot back to the medicine den, where he met Angelglow and Alderheart. Their apprentices sat, eyes down, and I knew Gentleoak reprimanded them for allowing something to sneak in and do such crimes. I barely remembered Jayfeather, but since my grandfather went to StarClan, Gentleoak acted more gruff and surly, bringing back memories of my own youth, and encounters with ThunderClan’s legendary medicine cat. He lounged in the Elder’s den for many seasons, crippled by painful swollen joints, before going to StarClan three seasoncycles ago, passing in his sleep. Graystripe and Millie left to join StarClan not long after the Great Coyote battle. Purdy went to StarClan as a warrior, joining the first Great Coyote Battle so many seasons ago. I still missed his wild stories and way of speech. Now, only Kyemama, Brambleclaw, Squirrelflight, Thornclaw, and Molewhisker and Brackenfur occupied the Elder’s den. Brackenfur refused to retire, staying at Demonstone's side as a builder, until Demonpoppa’s death. He lost heart and moved to the Elder’s Den.
I glanced at the Elder’s den, and saw Kyemama sleeping in the sun just outside the doorway. Gentleoak tended her, and she barely moved. She flicked a tall ear as he set one of his precious water carriers in front of her. She lifted her head and lapped a few gulps. Her red tabby fur lay ragged along her gaunt frame, and I worried. I glanced out at the forest, and vowed to catch that little crook, and get back the larger water pot my uncle treasured so much. I trotted to the Queen’s den to nap, and ready myself for my task. I curled around my kits and fell into quiet slumber.
The territory opened before me, and I teetered on the edge of a leafy oak branch on the grand Ancient Oak. Mist wafted across the lake, illuminated by silver moonbeams, brighter than I ever remembered. Silverpelt glittered, and the stars moved. I suddenly realized I dreamed. Vivid rainbows colored the mist, rippling lake surface, and a figure floated out of the mist up to my position. I gasped.
“Demonpoppa!” My vision blurred with emotion.
“My beautiful granddaughter.” His high voice echoed in my head. “I wish to ease your sadness. Don’t grieve for me. I am happy.”
“Oh, Demonpoppa” I wailed like a kit. “We all miss you! Gentleoak and Angelglow think they failed you.”
“They didn’t,” Demonstone said. My heart wept at the familiar voice, and I wanted to wrap my paws around his neck. “My internal injuries were too great and the green cough too severe even for my son’s great talents.”
“But,” I mewled.
“I know,”Demonpoppa settled on the branch and licked my head. I trembled at the touch. “Kyemama grieves. I understand as I think you do. But, please tell her to live, and do her best until her time comes to join me?”
“I, . . .I . . .,” I stammered, as terror flashed through me, along with a searing grief. Spiderleap and I became mates very early in our lives, and our bond ran deep. Understanding pierced my screaming anguish, and I knew what Kyemama felt.
“I was very old, even by kittypet standards” Demonpoppa went on. “I did not have the strength to overcome illness. I don’t regret it either. I no longer had the strength to do what I loved, building.” His voice sharpened with a mix of annoyance and humor. “You grieve for me, and everyone fails to catch that little thing that robs your camps.”
“You know about it?” I flattened my ears. “It stole Gentleoak’s water carrier.”
“I know, but I cannot reveal it to you,” Demonpoppa said, draping his tail over my back, and nuzzled my cheek. “Don’t worry for your Uncle. I shall pay him a visit and get Yellowfang and Jayfeather to join me. He can’t afford to wallow in guilt. He did beyond his best and kept your grandmother alive. It’s not her time yet.”
“She looks far older than her seventeen season cycles,” I retorted. “She lays around and does nothing at all. She won’t even tell stories to the kits anymore. Not even the story about the famed Shadowface who helped her get home after the twolegs catnapped her.”
“She needs a visit from me and Purdy.” Demonstone purred, before his voice dropped into serious tones. “The trees are key, Sunflight. You excel in the trees despite your size. Push yourself. Take advantage of Gabbiflight’s skills. Your aunt may be a blabbermouth fluffhead, but she is as agile as the little thief, and smarter than she lets on. The little beast is a tree dweller, and it is there you will find it.”
“Does it fly?” I asked, eager for more information.
“I can’t tell you more,” Demonpoppa said, and groomed my face. “Don’t grieve and know we watch over all of you. Go. Catch the little thief and make your father, aunt, and uncles happy.”
“Demonpoppa,” I mewed. He flopped his bushy tail over my muzzle.
“No. This is not goodbye, sweet granddaughter. It is just a fare well,” he purred, then leaped from the branch, and glanced at me, blinking his gold eyes in a feline kiss. He vanished in the mists.
CHAPTER FIVE
I woke with a start, my heart aching. I inhaled, then exhaled in a purring sob. I missed my grandfather more than I thought possible. He lived an amazing twenty seasoncycles, eighty seasons, and that knowledge took the agony out of my grief.
A soft high-pitched “haa” sound whispered outside the den, jerking me alert, wiping away my sadness. I twitched my ears, hearing it again. The thief’s vocalizations! It dared come deep into camp again, somehow avoiding the cats on sentry duty. The setting moon sent silver light into camp, and dawn lightened the skies. A breeze blew in from over the cliffs, taking any scents out over the lake. The creature exuded a pungent odor, almost reminiscent of twolegs, which gave me the suspicion it lived with them. I rose and slipped out of the nursery, and headed for the Warrior’s den, eyes and ears alert. I saw nothing of the beast. I crept in and found Gabbiflight, and tapped her with a paw, but saw she stared out the den door, eyes slitted with annoyance.
“It‘s out there,” she whispered, flexing her left front paw. Her one white toe stood out in the dim light as she extended her claws. Though the smallest pure blood Maine Coon in all the Clans, she still possessed huge feet and dagger claws.
“On my tail flick, we go,” I murmured, bending my head to her ear. She nodded, her demeanor all seriousness with not a speck of her normal flighty mischievousness. We snuck out of the den, and froze, listening, scenting the air. A high-pitched, barely audible “hee” sound came from the direction of the medicine cat den and I looked up. I stifled a gasp and Gabbiflight gaped uncharacteristically at a loss for words. The creature hung from the rocks, above the den and Alderheart’s head. He gazed out across the camp, ears twitching, head swiveling back and forth, obviously unsure if he heard something or not. We stared for many moments at the small black and white animal which resembled, of all things, a cat-sized twoleg! I gathered my wits and slapped Gabbiflight with my tail.
Go, chase it. I’m right behind you,” I hissed. Gabbiflight shot across camp, leaping up the rock face in deadly silence. The creature uttered a ear-piercing shriek, and swung up the cliff to the top. I tailed my aunt, scaling the rocks recklessly, scrabbling and clawing while Gabbiflight leaped nimbly up the cliff. The black twoleg lookalike with the white face screamed as it sprang into the trees, moving with startling speed, and with a technique alien to me. It used its tail as well as its four limbs to grip and swing itself through the branches. Gabbiflight followed the creature, using every bit of her agility and speed. Heavier and slower, I dropped to lower level branches and trailed my aunt from below. The animal shrieked its terror. As the sun rose above the horizon, I glanced back and the entire camp bustled, awakened by the beast’s unearthly scream. I looked ahead, and spotted Gabbiflight chasing our prey, a mere half a foxlength behind it. I increased my speed, using all my skill to leap higher, surging ahead, taking risks on thinner branches.
The little thief scrambled higher, then leaped down into an old beech tree. Gabbiflight dove after it, and I shot straight ahead, hoping to intercept the animal.
“Found its nest!” Gabbiflight yowled, triumph in her voice. I broke out of the dense leaf cover and saw a nest of leaves and twigs in the crook of two larger branches. There, shining in the dappled sunlight, rested my uncle’s precious pot and my kit’s special toy, among a slew of other items belonging to not just the Clans, but twolegs. Gabbiflight tackled the animal, pinning it to the branch, and my heart skipped a few beats. Bigger than my diminutive aunt, it struggled to heave her off, grabbing at her with its twoleg paws. It bared ts teeth revealing sharp teeth and snapped at Gabbiflight’s legs, sinking its teeth into her lower leg.. Gabbiflight uttered a hiss of pain but did not move, leaving her claws deep into the animal’s shoulders. The branch shook with the animal’s gyrations.
“Hope you’re behind me, Sunflight!”
“I am!” I uttered a yowl and dropped on the branch which swayed under the weight, and grabbed the beast by the back of the neck. I crashed into the nest with my hindend, and flailed for footing. Everything fell out onto the forest floor. My uncle’s pot clanked on a root. The creature let go of my aunt’s leg, and screamed in ear piercing tones. I stifled the urge to sink my fangs deep and end it that moment. I gained a foothold on the swaying limbs, unsure of what to do next. I met my aunt’s coppery gold gaze, and she blinked.
“Are you going to kill it?” she asked.
“No,” I answered between clenched teeth and black creature fur. “We take it back alive. Let my uncles decide what to do with it.”
“How do we get it down from here?”
“I don’t know,” I answered, my heart hammering as the wind increased, rocking the tree limbs under my big paws. My claws gripped the branch, but fear shot through me with each wind gust.
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
CHAPTER SIX
“Sunflight! Gabbiflight!” the familar voice floated up from the forest floor. I peered down, flattening my ears as the animal continued to scream. I spotted many warriors below us, and the unmistakable pelt of my aunt, Indistar.
“Here, Phantomstar!” Gabbiflight yowled. “We caught it!”
“What is it?” Phantomstar asked.
“You have to see it to believe it!” Gabbiflight prattled, reminding everyone why Kyemama named her Gabbikit when she was a mere quarter moon old. “It looks like a tiny twoleg with fur! But it bites! Oh great StarClan, it stinks. Its pulling my fur hoping we let go. We should kill it and eat it.”
“No!” Troutstar yowled. “It might be a baby twoleg!”
“How do you know?” Gabbiflight asked, and I growled.
“Just help us get it down before we fall, and it escapes.” I snarled,, accidentally breaking skin and tasting blood.
“Leafstrike,” Nightstar spoke to my cousin in SkyClan. “Get up there and assist.”
“I’ll go too.” I recognized my mate’s voice. The tree rocked in a wind gust, and I thought of my kits. Spiderleap’s face appeared through the beech leaves. Leafstrike angled in from the side, his silver tabby pelt bristling, but his green eyes shone with excitement. Nimble, but large like his father, he stood confidently on the moving branches.
“Let me take it. I can carry it.”
“Its crazy strong,” Gabbiflight said. “It will take more of us to carry it.”
“Oh Great StarClan, kill it and be done with it.” someone snarled from below. I recognized Indistar’s voice.
“Don’t be reckless,” Phantomstar’s voice answered, calm and even. “If it is a two leg and we kill it they will come after us. We have to return it to them.”
“Good point,” Indistar capitulated, but her voice growled with irritability. The creature suddenly shrieked and struggled. I lost my grip, and it reached up with its twoleg paws and grabbed Gabbiflight’s ears. She yowled, and reared back, almost falling, but regained her balance. The beast let go and dropped, and just as it grabbed for a branch, ready to swing away, I calculated the distance.
“No, you’re not getting away,” I snarled, and launched after it. I snapped my teeth back around its neck, and landed on the larger branch below. My legs burned with the pain of retaining my balance. The thing screeched like demons from the Dark Forest itself, and though it jerked my neck, I did not let go. My neck muscles protested and my grip slipped.
“Drop it,” Phantomstar’s voice commanded. I peered past the animal’s black fur, and saw our leader poised confidently below me on a sturdy limb. I let go. The creature grabbed my ruff, yanking out a big clump of my red-ticked fur, but I barely felt it. Phantomstar, a giant of a Maine Coon, snatched the creature out of the air, sinking his fangs into one of its rear legs. He shook the creature like the rest of us shook mice, and banged its head against the tree limb. The animal went limp. He dropped to the ground, and with a tail wave, indicated we all follow him back to camp. Gabbiflight and I darted down to the ground, and flanked our uncle. Gabbiflight picked up Gentleoak’s pot, and I grabbed my kit’s toy. Everyone retrieved items obviously belonging to the Clans. A few intriguing items others took as well. The rest, mostly twigs and stones, they left.
The morning sun shone bright, through the canopy and I looked at the animal. Though covered with black fur with white face and markings, it looked like a two-leg.
“Is it a baby one?” I asked, glancing to my right at Demonstreak. My father flicked his tail in a shrug.
“I have seen twoleg kits but never one so small and never with fur.”
We entered camp and the remaining cats swarmed out of dens, and those readying for patrol ceased all activity. The kits and Shimmersong peered out of the nursery. The elders crowded the entrance of their spacious den.
“What is that?” came from many. Lizzie trotted out of the nursery, head cocked, eyes on the stunned animal. Yoohoo followed.
“It’s a monkey.” she announced.
“A what?” I exclaimed, thinking she made up the word.
“It’s a monkey, and two-legs keep them as pets.” Lizzie walked up and touched a paw to the creature’s torso. “It’s probably an escaped one.”
“Should we just kill it and eat it then?” Phantomstar asked Lizzie. Lizzie gaped at Phantomstar, then at the monkey, a look of horror passing over her face. Why did she feel that way? What might happen to us if we ate it?
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
CHAPTER SEVEN
“No,” a new voice joined the conversation and my heart swelled with joy to hear Kyemama speak. She sat outside the Elder den, Squirrelflight at her side. “It’s a twoleg pet. You should bring it to a twoleg nest and leave it there.”
“I agree with Kyemama,” Lizzie meowed. “But if we do how do we stop it from coming back when it wakes?”
“Wrap its legs together so it can’t run?’ Greyface suggested. “Or wrap its whole body in den weaves.”
My uncle’s grey features quivered with a suppressed grin. The wind tousled his thick tall white ear tip hair, ruffling his silver white ruff. I smiled back, appreciating his intelligence, which rivaled Phantomstar’s. He also learned his trade well, becoming a master builder, surpassing even Demonstreak’s skill. That thought reminded me of Brackenfur, who became one of Demonpoppa’s best friends over the seasons. They both died that same Leaf Bare from the same green cough. I wondered what they might have thought of this strange invader
I shook myself out of my thoughts, and stared down at the strange unconscious creature that caused so much mischief.
“I like the idea of a full body wrap.” I said.
“But where do we leave it?” Whitefoot asked, pointing one of her massive white paws at the creature.
“By the dog pens up in the horseplace. The two legs come out often to see their dogs.” Phantomstar said, glancing thoughtfully eastward. “Get to work, quickly”
Greyface raced to his favorite work spot, on a stone Briarlight used to weave. She joined StarClan the same Leaf Bare as Demonpoppa. Green cough took many Elders and old warriors then, sending Cloudtail, Brightheart, Mousewhisker, Thornclaw, Birchfall, Poppyfrost, Whitewing, Berrymose, Rosepetal and Cinderheart to StarClan as it infected the entire camp and beyond. All the Clans suffered such losses that Leaf Bare, and not from lack of food.
I recalled the day of the great coyote battle when Bumblestripe finally rebuffed Dovewing for good, leaving her free to hook back up with Tigerstar and join ShadowClan. Unlike his namesake, he proved to be a good, wise leader, choosing Cloverpelt as his deputy after Rowanstar succumbed to injuries after the Coyote battle. A horrible battle with a pac of dogs killed Cloverfoot, and Tigerstar chose Indiclaw as deputy. The virulent green cough took them that same Leaf Bare it took my grandfather. It also took Dovewing, who went to StarClan after contracting it herself, as she desperately tried to care for them. Their kits, Lightpaw, Pouncepaw and Shadowpaw, survived the disease, thanks to all the medicine cats working together. Angelglow ranged far west, and found a new patch of the stronger catmint, and carried it home in one of Gentleoak’s pots. She planted it in different places around the territory and it flourished, saving many lives come New Leaf. I lowered my head at the memories. All the medicine cats tried that season to save lives, and so many died.
I shook myself out of the sad memories, as Greyface, Demonstreak, and several of their apprentice builders moved swiftly to create a strong wrap out of vines and long flat grasses. Bumblestripe, still spry and vigorous, joined them, along with his mate, Maplesong, my aunt from Kyemama’s second litter.
Kyemama watched with interest at the entrance of the Elder’s den. Squirrelflight joined her, and one by one the elders peered out of the spacious Elder’s den. Blossomfall and Molewhisker followed to sit behind Kyemama. Nightheart and Sunbeam came out of their den below Highledge. Finchlight came out of the Senior Warrior’s den, trailed by Cherryfall, Stormcloud, and Lilyheart.
I watched in fascination as my uncles trussed up the monkey as if making a waterproof tie piece for a den roof. They left its head sticking out at one end and the toes of the hind legs at the bottom.
Phantomstar moved to crouch beside the monkey. “Get it up on my back and two of you flank me to keep it there.”
Demonstreak and Greyface hoisted the creature up on their brother’s back. ThunderClan’s imposing leader moved out of camp, his brothers at his sides, keeping the captured beast on his broad back. I followed, along with many warriors. Outside, the other Clan leaders waited, flanked by warriors, Indistar’s ears lay flat, her eyes baleful, not liking her brother’s idea. Smokestar and Nightstar gazed with fascination, and Troutstar flicked his tail nervously. Snowsquall bumped Indistar.
‘It is best we get it out of our territories.” he whispered. “And best it stays alive.”
“I know,” she snapped irritably. “I just want this over with so twolegs don’t get riled up and start hunting cats. Ever since they caught Kyemama, they’ve been sweeping our territory every so often, looking for cats like us. This thing may be a spy!”
“It does not speak two-leg language,” Phantomstar retorted, then stopped in his tracks. “Kyemama said twolegs can attach things to anything to watch things in the forest or den. Did anyone examine this creature to see if anything twoleg made is on it?”
“Do we have to unwrap it?” Greyface groaned, as Phantomstar turned and headed back to camp. He halted in front of the medicine cat den, and lay on his belly. Demonstreak rolled the trussed animal off his back as Gentleoak and Angelglow waited, ears canted back. Demomnstreak and Greyface carefully peeled off the weavings. The creature twitched.
“It’s coming to!” Gabbiflight cried.
“Quickly check this beast for anything twoleg made,” Phantomstar ordered.
Gentleoak, Alderheart, and Angelglow examined the unconscious animal, raking its fur, and sniffing every inch of its body. Kyemama ambled over and joined the search. Lizzie trailed her.
“Let me look,” she meowed. The medicine cats all stood back as Kyemama slowly inspected the creature, turning it over and carefully sniffing behind its neck, between the shoulder blades, then she flipped it back over and carefully scented every bit of the animal. Lizzie copied her. Kyestorm and Lizzie looked up at Phantomstar.
“Nothing,” Kyestorm stated, and Lizzie agreed with a nod.
“Then we get it somewhere twolegs will find it.” Phantomstar said, laying on his belly. “Quickly before it wakes up.”
Demonstreak and Greyface swiftly trussed the monkey back up, and moved the animal onto their brother’s back. They moved out of camp and headed to the lake, with Smokestar, Gabbiflight and Bluefrost accompanying us. The rest of the Clans stood back, watching from the cover of the forest. Doubt and worry flared in Indidstar’s green eyes, and Nightstar watched with more fascination than concern. Troutstar gazed, his blue eyes unreadable, but I knew he worried more about Bluefrost than the monkey. I followed the patrol, taking up the rear, eyes on the creature, worried it might wake before we reached our destination.
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
Chapter Eight
Early morning mist wafted off the lake, drifting eastward toward the rising sun, as we moved along the lake shore, heading toward the broken bridge. I looked up as we passed it, marching slowly up the slope, and one of Kyemama’s elder’s stories flickered through my mind. The story said my Aunt from Kyemama’s very first litter, Smokewind, flung Harestar off that bridge seasoncycles ago, long before the WindClan leader gained his nine lives, because he tried to kill Kyemama! Smokewind saved her life that day, and the lives of my aunts and uncles in the litter she carried, which included Angelglow and Maplesong. I always thought of that history whenever I passed this spot, wondering what possessed Harestar at that time with such hatred. Old stories insisted he belonged to the Dark Forest cats during the Great Battle, seasons before Kyemama arrived in ThunderClan, but if he ever did, it never showed in his actions and decisions as Clan Leader. However, it sure might explain why he despised Kyemama enough to want her dead. I shivered, upset by the thought that Clan cats once harbored no qualms against hurting and killing cats from a different Clan, sometimes over things as trivial as a border trespass.
“Mousedung!” Greyface swore with a snarl, and I jerked myself out of my thoughts. A screech echoed across the lake, and the monkey lay on the grass, flipping like a beached fish. It rolled itself downhill, screaming loud enough to wake StarClan and beyond. Greyface’s twine held firm, and I whirled, giving chase. A blur of smoky black pelts passed me on either side, as Smokestar and Gabbiflight shot down the hill after the escaping beast, but despite their speed, the screaming bundle rolled into the lake.
I skidded to a halt at the water’s edge, but before I reached out a paw, a blue smoke shape trundled past me, and splashed in without hesitation. My Aunt Bluefrost pounced on the creature, her massive big feet pushing it under the lake surface. The shrieking stopped immediately. She held the beast under for many heartbeats.
“Don’t drown it!” Phantomstar called out. Bluefrost turned her large head, a smirk crossing her blue-grey features. Greyface plunged past his older sister, and plucked the monkey out of the water. It sputtered and wailed, as the larger blue smoke sibling placed the bundle on the grass. He turned to me.
“Find some thick-bladed reeds and get them to me.”
“Of course,” I meowed the reply, and hurried along the shore to the very marsh where Kyemama almost drowned. I heard pawsteps come alongside me. I turned, coming face to face with Bluefrost.
“Come, I know where to find the best ones. My kits love their Uncle and use this as an excuse to visit all the time. “
I followed her to a clump of tall wide reeds rustling in the gentle breeze.
“Perfect!” I exclaimed, noting the width and flexibility. We worked quickly to cut down a nice bundle, and I carried it back to the waiting patrol. Phantomstar held a huge white paw over the monkey’s mouth, keeping it from screaming. Greyface ran over, his golden eyes wide with delight, putting me in mind of Demonpoppa.
“Excellent choices,” he remarked. “I can reinforce the body and make something to wrap around its mouth.”
“Why not knock it out again?” I asked.
“We might kill it if we try that again,” Greyface’s tall white-tipped ears dipped briefly. Bluefrost touched his nose with hers, standing much shorter, but thicker. Her eartips fluttered as she flicked her ears and I noted much less white in hers. Greyface turned to my father.
“Demonstreak, let’s weave fast.”
I watched, with fascination as always, as my uncle and father worked. The sun crept higher in the sky, and soon they finished the work, leaving only the monkey’s eyes, ears, and nose free of the wrap.. The monkey looked up at my clanmates. Demonstreak and Greyface strapped up the monkey, who blinked wide brown eyes, and, its fast breathing told me it tired, struggling against my uncles’ handiwork. I felt sorry for the thing, and felt relief that Indistar stayed behind. She might have drowned the poor beast. Greyface and Demonstreak hoisted the monkey back up on Phantomstar’s back. They took a long piece of woven grasses and tied the beast to Phantomstar’s back. I watched in amazement at their skills, feeling pride in my kin, and the fact that thanks to Demonpoppa, every Clan possessed a master builder, a new skill and need of the Clan’s with its own apprenticeship. I lacked such skills, unable to weave the simplest of ropes, but Gabbiflight loved weaving and building. She also loved being a warrior, and her skills in that department, lay with mine, in the trees. I gazed at my diminutive aunt, realizing for all her propensity to gossip and babble like a fool, she possessed great intellect and skills.
My uncle and father secured the scared monkey, and we moved up the hill, hugging the fence, heading toward the open fields. We slipped through the ancient gap in the fence, and stepped into the field. Beyond, lay the twoleg dwelling and the dog dens. We fanned out. Gabbiflight and I took the points, with Bluefrost inside of me and Smokestar inside of her. My father, Phantomstar and Greyface walked the middle. Across the expanse, a group of horses watched us, then resumed grazing. I prayed to StarClan the monkey kept quiet. If it spooked the horses . . .I did not complete that thought.
The warm sun beat on our backs, and the mist cleared off the lake as we trudged our way across the field. Dewdrops falling from the tall grasses felt good, and I resisted the urge to shake my pelt. We drew closer to the large two-leg den, passing the barn sitting further upfield, and the fencing to the dog dens appeared. A sharp demarcation marked the end of the field, where shorter greener grass sparkled in the sun, still wet from dew. With an upraised tail Phantomstar signaled a halt.
“Stay here,” he commanded, then glanced at my father. “Come with me.”
Greyface twitched his ears and flicked his tail before glancing at the rest of us. Smokestar’s gold eyes glittered, and Bluefrost’s blue eyes widened with concern. Gabbiflight and I exchanged glances and for once, she gaped, speechless. Phantomstar and Demonstreak crept across the grass, and onto the hard pale stone. A dog’s growl drifted to our ears, and suddenly, barking erupted from the dog dens. With a swipe of his claws, Demonstreak cut the tie and Phantomstar reared up like a horse, dumping the monkey on the hard smooth stone. The mouth wrap loosened and the monkey shrieked in terror. Phantomstar and Demonstreak shot out of there like lightning bolts, low to the ground, tearing across the meadow. The horses snorted, heads coming up in alarm and they raced away toward the barn.
“RUN!” Phantomstar yowled. “Back to camp!”
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
Chapter Nine
I stood, rooted to the grass as my Clanmates fled, and the door to the two-leg den opened. A group of them poured out onto the stone ground, and saw the monkey. One of them picked it up, and all of them yammered in their loud voices as they carried the beast into the den. To my shock, a black and white dog darted from inside the house, barking, and it froze, locking gazes with me.
“Sunflight!” Phantomstar yowled. I whirled away and dashed after my family. Barking echoed across the meadow, drawing closer.
“Did it see you?” Demonstreak snarled in my ear as I drew abreast of him. Ahead, Smokestar and Gabbiflight raced, disappearing as the land sloped toward the lake.
“I don’t know,” I answered, knowing the dog saw me. “It may have.”
“What were you thinking?”
“I wasn’t” I admitted. My father growled and moved ahead, joining Phantomstar, his annoyance evident in his lashing tail. Barking drew closer and I risked a backward glance, and saw flashes of black and white. The dog followed! I quailed and asked my legs for more speed, and tripped over a hidden rock. I stumbled, and regained my footing, but lost ground. Though half Maine Coon and of decent size, I knew tackling that dog alone was a suicide mission. We rushed for the gap in the fence. Phantomstar and Demomstreak slowed, tails waving. Greyface and Bluefrost ran ahead, and I rushed to catch up.
Stupid me, I railed at myself. Why did I have to gawk like a stupid kit? The dog gained on me, and its hot breath washed over my back. Its barks and snarls rang in my ears. The realization struck me, if I continued to run like prey, the dog would kill me. I made a swift decision, and stopped. I spun to face the dog, rearing up, claws out. As it barreled at me I leaped and landed on its face, Its fangs scored my flank, and pain lanced through side. I screeched as loud as the monkey, raking the dog’s ears with my front claws. It snapped its long jaws, catching my left hindleg, and pain shot up into my back. A crack echoed in my ears, and I lost my grip on its head. I flew through the air, shrieking inarticulately, thinking of my kits, my mate. I can’t die like this! I landed in the grass, gasping for air, and the dog leaped for me, but before it took one more lunge, four huge bodies slammed into the astonished dog, bowling it over.
I wailed in pain, but watched in relief as Phantomstar, Demonstreak, Greyface and Smokestar raked the dog, ripping out fur, drawing blood. Gabbiflight and Bluefrost joined in, and huge Maine Coon paws struck with speed and force on every part of the dog’s body. Gabbiflight nimbly danced in and around her siblings, striking the canine’s more sensitive parts. It yelped, then kiyi’d in fear. Cowed, and bloody, the dog rolled over, scrambled to its feet and raced away, blood caking its black and white pelt. Gabbiflight hurried over to me.
“Are you alright?” Her coppery gold eyes widened. “Oh no, you’re hurt. Your leg! Does it. .
”
“Can you climb on my back?” My father’s voice, soft with worry, interrupted Gabbiflight. I looked up into is bright gold eyes as he dropped to his stomach.
“Yes,” I mewed, rose to my three good legs, and, shaking, clambered onto Demonstreak’s broad back like a three moon old kitten. I wrapped my forelegs around his neck as he rose to his feet. Phantomstar stood by the fence gap, waiting, as the rest of us slipped through. I held tight, resting my head on my father’s neck as he snaked past the old fencing. It ripped some wads of his black flank fur and white belly hair as he twisted in efforts to keep me clear.
Down the slope my family members traveled faster, looking back at me and my father. We traversed the shoreline moving quickly. My leg throbbed, and the wound on my side burned, but I took comfort in the warmth and presence of my father’s back. At sunhigh, the place we left everyone came into view. Indistar and Nightstar surged forward.
“Why is Sunflight on your back?” I recognized my mother’s imperious tones. She burst into view, scrambling along the rocky shoreline. At her heels, my mate, Spiderleap, ran, his eyes widening. Nightheart ran behind our mother.
“Sunflight!” They called in unison.
“What happened?” Indistar asked. “Did you have to kill the monkey?”
“No,” Phantomstar answered. “But we ran into a bit of a problem.”
“Sunflight!” Spiderleap cried. “You’re hurt!”
“She dawdled when she should have run,” Demonstreak grumbled, but took the sting from his words with a reassuring purr.
“I wanted to see what happend,” I admitted, hissing as pain seared along my flank. “The twolegs took in the monkey, but one of the dogs in the den got out and chased me.”
“It almost got her too,” Gabbiflight chimed in, pride in her voice. “But she turned and fought like a true warrior. The mangy mutt grabbed her by the leg and hurt her. Then me and my brothers and sisters got to the dog. Oh dd we trouce his flea butt! I clawed something he may not use for a long time.” Gabbiflight purred a giggle. “Hope he didn’t want pups.”
After the raucous laughter, Sparkfire marched alongside my father, glaring at Gabbiflight.
“Let’s get my daughter to the medicine cat den. She’s losing blood, bleeding all over her father! More time for the story later.”
Demonstreak surged ahead, leading the way into camp. Cats paused in their duties, and my heart skipped a beat when I spotted my kits sitting next to Shimmersong and Yoohoo, their eyes dilated with distress. I waved my tail at them, signaling I lived. Their little faces relaxed, and tiny tails rose above heir backs. I lost sight of them when my father brought me into the medicine cat den. Spiderleap trailed us into the den where Gentleoak waited. Sunbeam joined Nightheart. Alderheart trotted out into camp.
“Anyone else hurt?” he called out.
“No,” Phantomstar answered, as Berryfrost trotted across camp. From the entrance, my cousin Blackhawk barreled in, carrying a fat squirrel. He veered and headed straight for us. I slipped from Demonstreak’s back onto soft bedding. Gentleoak bent down to sniff my wound, then with deft paws, examined my leg. His amber-gold eyes blinked in a smile, and he purred,
“You will be fine,” he said, pressing gently on the leg. “No breaks, just a sprain of the hock. The wound is shallow and should heal well. After I treat you, you will rest.”
“My kits, they need me,” I murmured.
“You will join them shortly, but I want your nursery nest cleaned out and replaced.” Gentleoak raised his voice. “Yoohoo?”
The small cream and blue tom appeared at the den entrance. His blue eyes shone with anticipation.
“What do you need?”
“Sunflight’s nursery nest needs replacing, with the softest material you can find.”
“Yes, Gentleoak! Right away!” Yoohoo raced off to complete his task and I purred. The tom never complained about his work, and joyously helped wherever needed. He and Lizzie kept the nursery clean and organized. Gentkleoak applied a poultice to my flank, and to the bites on my leg.
“You will rest here til sunset, then you may return to your den with your kits.” Gentleoak flicked his bushy tail. “Do they need to be fed?”
“Not until tonight,” I mumbled. “They are eating some fresh kill now.”
Angelglow approached me and bent down to lick my head. Worry shimmered in her eyes, as she examined me without touching her brother’s handiwork. She turned away without a word, and I drowsed, basking in the love of Clan and family. But as I slipped into sleep, I wondered if that pesky monkey might escape the two-legs and return?
“Sunflight.” Someone called me out of my dreams. I opened my eyes, staring into the concerned gaze of my mate. Behind him, the moon sent beams of silver light into the medicine den.
“Spiderleap?” I raised my head, my first thought on my kits. “Our kits?”
“No,” he chuckled. “They are fine but clamor for their night feeding.”
“I slept all day?”
“Yes, as your Uncle ordered,” Spiderleap answered. “He says you can return to your nest. It’s all ready for you.”
“Great!” I sat up, feeling stiff and sore. I stood up, my legs shaking with fatigue.
“Take it slow, and once you get to that nest, stay there,” Gentleoak said, his soft purr rumbling with subtle command.
“I will,” I promised, and leaned into Spiderleap. He guided me to the nursery, where I gratefully collapsed into a clean soft nest. I gazed at Yoohoo and Lizzie. “It’s wonderful. Thank you.”
“Momma!” My kits rushed to me, skidding to a stop just at the lip of the nest when Spiderleap raised a paw.
“Gently. Your Mom is hurt. Be very careful around her.”
“Of course, Spiderpoppa,” little Sunkit retorted, and promptly led her two siblings to my belly. They settled in to nurse, and I lay out flat, relaxing. Spiderleap sat down and I noticed a twinkle in his eye.
“What is it?” I asked.
“We have news about the monkey.”
“Really?” I raised my head, but pain in my flank forced me to drop it back to the nest.
“Yes. Smokestar and Phantomstar went back to the twoleg den just after sundown, and questioned the kittypets there.”
“Was that dog there?” I asked, alarm flashing through my body.
“No,” Spiderleap answered, laying down on his stomach. “The kittypets say their twolegs returned the monkey to its twolegs.”
“So, how did it get here in the first place?”
“Nobody knows but it apparently escaped the twoleg den, and wandered until it reached our lake.” Spiderleap tilted his head. “It appears the monkey lives with twolegs in the area where we think Kyemama and Demonpoppa came from.”
“Really?” I scowled. “That is not real far away. Will the monkey come back?”
“Nobody can answer that,” Spiderleap answered with a chuckle. “But if it does escape again, come back, we will know what it is this time.”
“Yes, we sure will,” I purred. “And Gabbiflight and I will know how to catch it.”
“With luck,” Spiderleap laughed. “The beast will be terrified from its experiences with us and never comes back.”
“If it has any brains it won’t come back,” I said with a yawn. Spiderleap reached over and licked my head. He stood up, stretching his lithe body.
“Sleep well, beloved,” he purred and left the den. I groomed my nursing kits, and lay my head back down. As sleep took over, I felt safe, secure and happy, surrounded by loving Clan and kin, and most of all, the thief in morning’s light no longer plagued our camp.
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦