River Clan 20 (final chapter)

The camp seemed ominously silenced. A frown burrowed on every face. The same thought burned in every River Clan cat’s mind. Luna’s clan was bound to attack. Fuzzypelt padded over to the prey-pile. The soft leaves smothered in snow crunched lightly under her feet. Her paws felt numb, but her spirit was all joy. For Luna’s clan would not surprise them. She stopped. The prey-pile wasn’t large, but it was enough. Green eyes sparkling with curiousity, Fuzzypelt watched as Leaffrost padded quickly over to the nursery. Fuzzypelt dropped into walk beside her. Leaffrost’s muscles strained toward the nursery. She was mouthing a pile of herbs. For Berryfrost.

“Leaffrost! Berryfrost?” Fuzzypelt mewed excitedly.

Berryfrost’s kits had been born. As the pale winter sun shone down on Fuzzypelt, she felt as if it were summer. But then she stopped. The cold wind made her shiver, and she wondered if the kits would survive in this weather. Head bent against the icy wind, she made her way toward the sheltered nursery.

“Oh, Berryfrost!” exclaimed Fuzzypelt when she drew near to the entrance.

Three healthy kits mewled in the soft moss of the nursery.

One of them, a pure black kit, clawed a peice of moss, mew turning into a squeak. Fuzzypelt gasped. This kit’s claws were like the claws of Leapord Clan!

The other, a white kit with pale orange stripes was the beauty of the litter.

As she turned her eyes on the last one, she suddenly knew what the bluish-grey cat should be named.

“Have you named them?” Fuzzypelt mewed curiously, gently pawing the straying kittens back to their mother.

Eyes glowing with pleasure, Berryfrost mewed quietly back, “The black one you see there, he is Thornkit. The white one with stripes, Vinekit, and the last one, Mistkit.”

Fuzzypelt nodded. These were sufficient names for River Clan kits. A rasping voice came from outside. Leaffrost had returned with more herbs.

“I brought some-” Leaffrost started, but frowned when she saw Fuzzypelt.

“I’m sorry,” Leaffrost mewed strictly, “but you must be off!”

She gently pushed Fuzzypelt out into the camp grounds. Shivering, Fuzzypelt padded over to talk to Brackentail about the new arrivals. She didn’t have time to say a word. The feeling came too suddenly.

“Brackentail! Behind you!” Fuzzypelt yowled, unsheathing her claws quickly.

Brackentail turned, only to have a giant tabby pounce on her back. Brackentail jumped out from under him, leaving him crashing to the ground. She started to claw his pelt with unsheathed, dangerous claws. He yowled. Then the whole camp exploded with angry cats. Fuzzypelt saw a sleek and scarred white cat launch toward her. She transformed into a furball of fury, and screeched at the oncoming attacker. As though in doubt, the cat stopped for a moment. Fuzzypelt saw her chance.

River Clan’s camp was filled with confusion. Berryfrost burrowed deeper into the nursery. Leaffrost struggled with a smaller tom, soon bringing him to the ground. A wild she-cat attacked Runningclaw, and inflicted some ammount of wounds before dashing away. Fuzzypelt and Brackentail were busy fighting. Skystar was up against a duet of nasty looking warriors. Fuzzypelt struck out at the warrior. Suddenly, another cat burst out of the bushes, claws extended. Fuzzypelt lept out of the way, but tripped over yet another cat. She crashed to the ground and limped up. She growled. The others responded. They circled her menacingly. Suddenly a roar erupted from a River Clan warrior. Brackentail jumped on to the first, and clawed his ear off. The other two attacked her fiercly. With a burst of strength, Fuzzypelt threw herself into battle. One of them turned toward her with gleaming claws and growled. He aimed for her side, and she felt as if she was being ripped to pieces. She yowled. The last thing she remembered was crashing to the ground. The pain. The peace. The blurred shapes of fleeing cats. The triumphant and sorrowful yowls. Then the stars welcoming her warmly into the sky. Beestripe embraced her, and as she gazed down on River Clan, she felt one, sure feeling. Fuzzypelt was home.