Brightfeather's Trial ~Non-Game Fan Fiction~
Jun 17, 2019 21:49:00 GMT -5
Post by Graystar on Jun 17, 2019 21:49:00 GMT -5
I wrote this last night in a frenzy and figured I would post it here. It's not top quality, it's only chapter one, but it's something. My only hope is that reading it is not a complete waste of your time. Enjoy~
Chapter 1
Brightkit padded cautiously out of the nursery. This was her first time seeing the camp, and she stared around in amazement. It’s so big! I don’t think I’ll know my way around it. Everywhere cats moved. A pile of prey was in the middle and three she-cats were near it, talking. A large brown tom called over two apprentices and meowed something, most likely telling them to clean the elders’ den. The apprentices always say they do that more than anything.
“Keep moving, Brightkit!” Sedgekit’s mew sounded from behind her. “I want to see the Highrock.” Without waiting for Brightkit to move, he pushed his way her and out of the den.
“Watch it!” Brightkit meowed, calling Sorrelflower’s attention.
“Now, kits, don’t be disruptive,” their mother’s calm meow called from the inside of the den. She blinked slowly, and, in the dark of nursery, her fur seemed gray. “I expect you to not get in any cat’s way. And don’t stay out long.”
Brightkit turned her head back quickly, meowing, “We won’t. We’ll be back before sunhigh.” Then she dashed out into the clearing, where her brother was already hopping around like an excited rabbit.
He suddenly rushed up to Brightkit and pushed her into the middle of the open space. “Come on; let’s talk to the senior warriors!”
Brightkit took a moment to lick her fur flat before glaring at Sedgekit. “I’m sure they have more important things to do than be bothered by some kits.”
Then the massive body of Smokefoot moved in front of the pair. “Don’t be so sure. I’d love to take you kits around the camp.” His yellow eyes glinted with humor.
“Oh, you’re Smokefoot, our mother’s brother, aren’t you?” Sedgekit bounced around the tom, his paws flying. “Can you show us where the leader's den is, and where the warriors sleep, and where the Highrock is, and-”
“Keep moving, Brightkit!” Sedgekit’s mew sounded from behind her. “I want to see the Highrock.” Without waiting for Brightkit to move, he pushed his way her and out of the den.
“Watch it!” Brightkit meowed, calling Sorrelflower’s attention.
“Now, kits, don’t be disruptive,” their mother’s calm meow called from the inside of the den. She blinked slowly, and, in the dark of nursery, her fur seemed gray. “I expect you to not get in any cat’s way. And don’t stay out long.”
Brightkit turned her head back quickly, meowing, “We won’t. We’ll be back before sunhigh.” Then she dashed out into the clearing, where her brother was already hopping around like an excited rabbit.
He suddenly rushed up to Brightkit and pushed her into the middle of the open space. “Come on; let’s talk to the senior warriors!”
Brightkit took a moment to lick her fur flat before glaring at Sedgekit. “I’m sure they have more important things to do than be bothered by some kits.”
Then the massive body of Smokefoot moved in front of the pair. “Don’t be so sure. I’d love to take you kits around the camp.” His yellow eyes glinted with humor.
“Oh, you’re Smokefoot, our mother’s brother, aren’t you?” Sedgekit bounced around the tom, his paws flying. “Can you show us where the leader's den is, and where the warriors sleep, and where the Highrock is, and-”
“Slow down. I’ll show you everything that’s inside the camp and get you both back before sunhigh,” Smokefoot gently placed his paw on Sedgekit, anchoring him to the ground. “Don’t wear yourself out before we’ve started.”
Brightkit lifted her tail, purposefully more calm than her brother. “I would love for a senior warrior to show us camp.” Shooting a look at Sedgekit she added, “And we won’t be any trouble.”
Sedgekit dipped his head, “No, we won’t. I’ll be as solemn as an elder.”
Smokefoot’s deep meow came almost as purr. “I hope you’re not speaking of Amberberry. She has more energy than an apprentice on his first day.” He swept his tail across the ground. “Come, then. Let’s start with apprentices’ den. You will be sleeping there soon.”
“I wouldn’t call five moons ‘soon’,” Sedgekit grumbled, but Smokefoot was already padding away.
Brightkit and Sedgekit caught up to him quickly and he directed them to a clump of ferns. A brown-and-white shape was visible through the leaves, curled up in a nest asleep.
“That’s Longpaw. Normally all the apprentices would be out training already, but he’s getting over a sickness.” Smokefoot whispered. “We shouldn’t disturb him.”
Brightkit tilted her head. “Shouldn’t he be in the medicine cat’s den, then?” The kit cast a worried glance at the lump of fur.
Smokefoot mewed, “He’s over the illness, and he just needs to rest.”
“Let’s keep going!” Sedgekit meowed, obliviously loud. Brightkit cuffed him gently around the ears. “Hey, what was that for?” His mew rose above the muffled sound of the camp.
Smokefoot scooted Sedgekit away from the den with an outstretched paw. “Yes, we should move on. I don’t want Grayfur scolding me for her apprentice’s lack of rest.”
Sedgekit, all injuries forgotten, sped to another part of the clearing. “Is this leader’s den?” he asked. “I want to meet Tawnystar!” Without waiting for a response he stuck his head in past the leaves.
“No, this is the warrior’s den. And some warriors like to rest after sunrise patrol.” A lithe white tom poked his head out of a mess of branches, forcing Sedgekit back. His ears flicked impatiently. “Shouldn’t you be in the nursery with Sorrelflower?”
Smokefoot spoke before Brightkit could reprimand her litter mate. “I’m showing these two around the camp. Sedgekit is enthusiastic about clan life. Please excuse him, Snowclaw”
Snowclaw grunted with a look like he was already losing interest in scolding the eager kit. “Just keep him from disrupting everyone.” The tom then disappeared back into the warriors’ den.
Brightkit stood frozen. How embarrassing! My first day out of the nursery and my brother upsets a warrior. Sedgekit was still cautiously examining the den, his tail lowered to the ground. She shook her head. One day I hope he learns to think.
Smokefoot directed his attention to Brightkit. “Since Sedgekit discovered the warriors’ den,” he gave a teasing glance at Sedgekit, “what would you like to see next?”
Brightkit scanned the camp. I’d love to see the medicine cat. Her eyes came back to her brother, who was now sitting with uncharacteristic stillness. “Take us to the leader’s den,” she decided.
Smokefoot dipped his head. “You sound like Tawnystar. Do you think a little kit can order me around?” His mew turned into a rumbling purr. “Very well. Perhaps Tawnystar will be there to see you. He always loves meeting the kits.”
“Great!” Sedgekit squealed, instantly on his paws. “Maybe he’ll let us into the den. I want to see what it looks like!” He began to race off, but Smokefoot’s voice stopped him.
“I haven’t shown where it is yet! Do you plan on stumbling into it like the warriors’ den?”
Sedgekit paused and gave his chest a quick lick, embarrassed. “Yeah, it’s probably better if you show us.”
Smokefoot headed off in the direction of the Highrock- or, at least, what Brightkit believed to be the Highrock- with the kits behind him. The Highrock was a tall, gray stone that extended partly out into the clearing, with smaller rocks at its base. Tawnystar speaks to the Clan up there, I bet. She turned her head to Sedgekit, who she could tell was doing everything in his power to not rush off again. “Don’t be too ashamed about the warriors’ den. I think Snowclaw was just tired. Once he’s rested, he will think it was funny, you crashing into the bush like that,” she mewed to Sedgekit.
Her brother lifted his head some. “You really think so? I don’t want a warrior to hate me.”
“Oh, I doubt Snowclaw hates you for that. I’m sure kits get into trouble all the time, not just us.” Brightkit shoved his shoulder lightly. “And if you did burst into the Tawnystar’s den, he would probably think you were a just a curious kit. He might even see it you showing promise for being a brave warrior.”
Sedgekit bounced up and down. “Now I wish I had tumbled into his den!”
Smokefoot stopped, and the three were completely under the shadow of the Highrock. “Here’s the entrance. I see if Tawnystar would like to meet you.” The large tom disappeared behind a sheet of lichen. Moments later he came out, eyes gleaming. “He’ll be out in a moment. Prepare yourselves,” he purred.
Brightkit gave her fur a quick cleaning then sat completely still, with her head up and tail curled around her paws. Sedgekit had the respect to lick a couple spots on his pelt before Tawnystar emerged from the den.
Their leader was brown with broad shoulders and green eyes that looked like they held answers to everything. He examined the two kits, his body rigid and eyes missing nothing. Brightkit felt incredibly nervous, her paws twitched as she tried to remain as still as possible. Finally, Tawnystar spoke. “These are fine kits. I can already tell they will be great warriors. Thank you, Smokefoot, for bringing me out here. I might have spent all day worrying in my den, but these kits remind of all the blessings StarClan has given ThunderClan.”
Smokefoot dipped his head, meowing, “I thought you would like these two. This one-” he gestured with his paw to Sedgekit, “reminds me of you as kit.”
“Well, then,” Tawnystar began; his eyes alight with humor, “I’m sorry for Sorrelflower.” He directed his gaze at Brightkit. “You must the reasonable one, then.”
Brightkit gathered her confidence and calmly mewed, “I would say I am.” She shot a playful glance at Sedgekit.
Tawnystar nodded his head. “Good. The Clan needs ones like you. Now, I must return to my duties.” He turned, withdrawing into his den.
Smokefoot rose to his paws. “Let’s see the rest of the camp. I have sunhigh patrol, unfortunately. I would much rather play with you, or teach you some stalking techniques, but the Clan comes first.” He touched both kit’s head with the tip of his tail, then he walked in the direction of a fallen tree.
“I can’t believe we met the leader!” Sedgekit squealed. “And he liked us!”
Brightkit nodded, “I bet most kits don’t see the leader on their first day out of the nursery. We must lucky.”
“Lucky or not,” Sedgekit meowed, his chest fur puffed out, “Tawnystar said we’d be great warriors!”
For once, Brightkit matched her brother’s enthusiasm. “We’re going to be the best warriors this Clan has ever seen!”
Brightkit lifted her tail, purposefully more calm than her brother. “I would love for a senior warrior to show us camp.” Shooting a look at Sedgekit she added, “And we won’t be any trouble.”
Sedgekit dipped his head, “No, we won’t. I’ll be as solemn as an elder.”
Smokefoot’s deep meow came almost as purr. “I hope you’re not speaking of Amberberry. She has more energy than an apprentice on his first day.” He swept his tail across the ground. “Come, then. Let’s start with apprentices’ den. You will be sleeping there soon.”
“I wouldn’t call five moons ‘soon’,” Sedgekit grumbled, but Smokefoot was already padding away.
Brightkit and Sedgekit caught up to him quickly and he directed them to a clump of ferns. A brown-and-white shape was visible through the leaves, curled up in a nest asleep.
“That’s Longpaw. Normally all the apprentices would be out training already, but he’s getting over a sickness.” Smokefoot whispered. “We shouldn’t disturb him.”
Brightkit tilted her head. “Shouldn’t he be in the medicine cat’s den, then?” The kit cast a worried glance at the lump of fur.
Smokefoot mewed, “He’s over the illness, and he just needs to rest.”
“Let’s keep going!” Sedgekit meowed, obliviously loud. Brightkit cuffed him gently around the ears. “Hey, what was that for?” His mew rose above the muffled sound of the camp.
Smokefoot scooted Sedgekit away from the den with an outstretched paw. “Yes, we should move on. I don’t want Grayfur scolding me for her apprentice’s lack of rest.”
Sedgekit, all injuries forgotten, sped to another part of the clearing. “Is this leader’s den?” he asked. “I want to meet Tawnystar!” Without waiting for a response he stuck his head in past the leaves.
“No, this is the warrior’s den. And some warriors like to rest after sunrise patrol.” A lithe white tom poked his head out of a mess of branches, forcing Sedgekit back. His ears flicked impatiently. “Shouldn’t you be in the nursery with Sorrelflower?”
Smokefoot spoke before Brightkit could reprimand her litter mate. “I’m showing these two around the camp. Sedgekit is enthusiastic about clan life. Please excuse him, Snowclaw”
Snowclaw grunted with a look like he was already losing interest in scolding the eager kit. “Just keep him from disrupting everyone.” The tom then disappeared back into the warriors’ den.
Brightkit stood frozen. How embarrassing! My first day out of the nursery and my brother upsets a warrior. Sedgekit was still cautiously examining the den, his tail lowered to the ground. She shook her head. One day I hope he learns to think.
Smokefoot directed his attention to Brightkit. “Since Sedgekit discovered the warriors’ den,” he gave a teasing glance at Sedgekit, “what would you like to see next?”
Brightkit scanned the camp. I’d love to see the medicine cat. Her eyes came back to her brother, who was now sitting with uncharacteristic stillness. “Take us to the leader’s den,” she decided.
Smokefoot dipped his head. “You sound like Tawnystar. Do you think a little kit can order me around?” His mew turned into a rumbling purr. “Very well. Perhaps Tawnystar will be there to see you. He always loves meeting the kits.”
“Great!” Sedgekit squealed, instantly on his paws. “Maybe he’ll let us into the den. I want to see what it looks like!” He began to race off, but Smokefoot’s voice stopped him.
“I haven’t shown where it is yet! Do you plan on stumbling into it like the warriors’ den?”
Sedgekit paused and gave his chest a quick lick, embarrassed. “Yeah, it’s probably better if you show us.”
Smokefoot headed off in the direction of the Highrock- or, at least, what Brightkit believed to be the Highrock- with the kits behind him. The Highrock was a tall, gray stone that extended partly out into the clearing, with smaller rocks at its base. Tawnystar speaks to the Clan up there, I bet. She turned her head to Sedgekit, who she could tell was doing everything in his power to not rush off again. “Don’t be too ashamed about the warriors’ den. I think Snowclaw was just tired. Once he’s rested, he will think it was funny, you crashing into the bush like that,” she mewed to Sedgekit.
Her brother lifted his head some. “You really think so? I don’t want a warrior to hate me.”
“Oh, I doubt Snowclaw hates you for that. I’m sure kits get into trouble all the time, not just us.” Brightkit shoved his shoulder lightly. “And if you did burst into the Tawnystar’s den, he would probably think you were a just a curious kit. He might even see it you showing promise for being a brave warrior.”
Sedgekit bounced up and down. “Now I wish I had tumbled into his den!”
Smokefoot stopped, and the three were completely under the shadow of the Highrock. “Here’s the entrance. I see if Tawnystar would like to meet you.” The large tom disappeared behind a sheet of lichen. Moments later he came out, eyes gleaming. “He’ll be out in a moment. Prepare yourselves,” he purred.
Brightkit gave her fur a quick cleaning then sat completely still, with her head up and tail curled around her paws. Sedgekit had the respect to lick a couple spots on his pelt before Tawnystar emerged from the den.
Their leader was brown with broad shoulders and green eyes that looked like they held answers to everything. He examined the two kits, his body rigid and eyes missing nothing. Brightkit felt incredibly nervous, her paws twitched as she tried to remain as still as possible. Finally, Tawnystar spoke. “These are fine kits. I can already tell they will be great warriors. Thank you, Smokefoot, for bringing me out here. I might have spent all day worrying in my den, but these kits remind of all the blessings StarClan has given ThunderClan.”
Smokefoot dipped his head, meowing, “I thought you would like these two. This one-” he gestured with his paw to Sedgekit, “reminds me of you as kit.”
“Well, then,” Tawnystar began; his eyes alight with humor, “I’m sorry for Sorrelflower.” He directed his gaze at Brightkit. “You must the reasonable one, then.”
Brightkit gathered her confidence and calmly mewed, “I would say I am.” She shot a playful glance at Sedgekit.
Tawnystar nodded his head. “Good. The Clan needs ones like you. Now, I must return to my duties.” He turned, withdrawing into his den.
Smokefoot rose to his paws. “Let’s see the rest of the camp. I have sunhigh patrol, unfortunately. I would much rather play with you, or teach you some stalking techniques, but the Clan comes first.” He touched both kit’s head with the tip of his tail, then he walked in the direction of a fallen tree.
“I can’t believe we met the leader!” Sedgekit squealed. “And he liked us!”
Brightkit nodded, “I bet most kits don’t see the leader on their first day out of the nursery. We must lucky.”
“Lucky or not,” Sedgekit meowed, his chest fur puffed out, “Tawnystar said we’d be great warriors!”
For once, Brightkit matched her brother’s enthusiasm. “We’re going to be the best warriors this Clan has ever seen!”
Chapter 2
Brightkit yawned and stretched, awakened by sunlight breaking through cracks in the nursery’s wall. She nestled back into Sorrelflower’s fur, determined to get more sleep.
“Help! We need Smallfeather!” A terrified mew sounded from the clearing.
Brightkit leapt to her feet and rushed to entrance of the nursery. As she was peering out, Sedgekit came beside her, his ears perked.
The warrior from yesterday, Snowclaw, was standing over a dark brown shape. His eyes were wide with fear and he lashed his tail anxiously. “Get Smallfeather!” he yowled. Just then, a smaller, lithe cat darted out of the medicine cat’s den, his mouth full of herbs.
He placed them on the ground and began inspecting the unconscious cat. “What happened?”
Snowclaw shook his head. “I don’t know. I was out hunting and I found him lying unconscious below Sunningrocks.”
“Does that mean RiverClan did this?” Sedgekit meowed to Brightkit.
Smallfeather continued checking over the injured cat and Brightkit could see blood gushing from a wound in his head.
Sorrelflower scooted in front of the kits and nudged them to back of the nursery, as more clanmates began to seep into the clearing. “You don’t need to see this, kits.” She wrapped her tail around them, her body blocking the view of the clearing. Still, Brightkit could hear the chorus of mews that echoed her brother’s question.
“Sunningrocks? Does that mean RiverClan is to blame?”
“Tawnystar, should we treat this as a declaration of war?”
“Don’t be ridiculous; RiverClan would never attack a medicine cat.” Brightkit recognized Smokefoot’s voice.
It’s the medicine cat! No way would a Clan harm a medicine cat, even if they were on enemy territory, unless they wanted to start something. Brightkit pressed into her mother’s fur.
Tawnystar’s meow resonated above the clamor, “We cannot know anything yet. It is possible RiverClan attacked Pinetail, but we have no evidence to suspect so. It could have been passing rouge, or an accident.”
The Clan’s anxious questioning did not stop, and one cat cried, “Obviously, RiverClan wants war!”
Tawnystar continued, “There is no reason to believe that! Now, Smallfeather, take Pinetail to your den. I suggest the rest of you all return to your duties.”
The frantic murmuring slowly gave way to the usual sound of camp, albeit more hushed and uneasy.
Brightkit glanced up at Sorrelflower. Her face was dark with worry, before she blinked and looked down at the kits. “Kits, would you like to listen to elders? I hear they tell the best stories before sunhigh.” Her mew was cheery, but Brightkit could sense her apprehension.
“We’d love to listen to the elders,” Brightkit meowed as happily as she could. “Wouldn’t we?”
Sedgekit had been trying to peer around Sorrelflower during the event, but now he stared at the ground, looking very small. “Sure.”
Brightkit stood and, once she knew Sedgekit was following, exited the nursery.
The camp’s mood was somber, and not without good reason. If RiverClan hurt the medicine cat, that’s bad news for the whole clan. I just hope Pinetail gets better, and then he can explain what really happened. Even with the chance of it being an accident, Brightkit felt that things were about to get worse for the Clan.
Chapter 3
The sunlit warmed Brightkit’s back. Dirt covered the bottom of her paws and they were starting to ache. She and Sedgekit had been out training since sunhigh.
“Come on, try again,” Sedgekit meowed, standing a few tail-lengths away. Besides him was clump of ferns that was the object of Brightkit’s recent ire. “Just put more power into your back legs and the jump is really easy.”
“Easy for you to say,” Brightkit huffed. “You have legs like a rabbit!” I guess all that jumping around actually helped him. I never would have thought I would regret not being an excitable mouse-brain. She crouched down and fixed her eyes on the ferns. Putting all her strength into her back legs, she leaped into the air. Landing only a few mouse-lengths, Brightkit realized she again failed to hit the mark. “Fox dung!” she growled.
At that moment, Sorrelflower appeared next to her. “Don’t say that, Brightkit,” she admonished. Brightkit shrunk at her mother’s gentle chide. Of course, the one time I lose my temper, Sorrelflower is right there!
“Sorry,” she mewed. Her ears were hot and she stared at ground. It was only a small warning; I don’t why I’m getting my fur so ruffled about it.
Sedgekit skittered over to them and exclaimed much more loudly than he needed to, “We’re practicing out pounces! Do you want to see how far I can jump?” He didn’t wait for an answer. At once, the kit was crouched on ground with a very eager expression. Sedgekit shot over the ground on landed ungracefully a whisker away from the clump of ferns. “I got right on top of it before, I promise!” he meowed quickly.
“Oh, I’m sure,” Sorrelflower purred. “But pouncing is less about where you land and more how you do it. If you want to be a good hunter, you’ll need to land more neatly than that.” She turned her head to Brightkit. “You may have only gone a small distance, but you landed skillfully.”
Brightkit let out a small purr. The compliment was enough to wash away the lingering shame from moments ago. Just then, Brightkit heard Smokefoot’s voice from the fresh-kill pile.
“No, I don’t think he’s woken up yet.”
“Oh, what a terrible thing. I hope he recovers soon and we can find out it was an accident.” That was Amberberry’s coarse meow. They must be talking about Pinetail, Brightkit thought. Only a few sunrises ago the medicine cat had been found unconscious and badly injured on the border with RiverClan. No patrol had found any suspicious scents or been able to talk to a RiverClan cat about what happened.
Smokefoot mew grew hushed and Brightkit perked her ears. “I hear Tawnystar is a mouse-length away from taking a patrol into their camp and demanding answers.”
“Certainly not!” Amberberry exclaimed. “I don’t think standing in their camp and accusing them of trying to kill our medicine cat would ease the tension.”
Smokefoot shrugged. “I don’t think it’s smart, but I do want to know what happened.”
Amberberry cast a glance to the medicine cat’s den. “Pinetail will tell us when he wakes up.”
Smokefoot gave a mew of agreement, but his gaze was far less confident.
“Come on, try again,” Sedgekit meowed, standing a few tail-lengths away. Besides him was clump of ferns that was the object of Brightkit’s recent ire. “Just put more power into your back legs and the jump is really easy.”
“Easy for you to say,” Brightkit huffed. “You have legs like a rabbit!” I guess all that jumping around actually helped him. I never would have thought I would regret not being an excitable mouse-brain. She crouched down and fixed her eyes on the ferns. Putting all her strength into her back legs, she leaped into the air. Landing only a few mouse-lengths, Brightkit realized she again failed to hit the mark. “Fox dung!” she growled.
At that moment, Sorrelflower appeared next to her. “Don’t say that, Brightkit,” she admonished. Brightkit shrunk at her mother’s gentle chide. Of course, the one time I lose my temper, Sorrelflower is right there!
“Sorry,” she mewed. Her ears were hot and she stared at ground. It was only a small warning; I don’t why I’m getting my fur so ruffled about it.
Sedgekit skittered over to them and exclaimed much more loudly than he needed to, “We’re practicing out pounces! Do you want to see how far I can jump?” He didn’t wait for an answer. At once, the kit was crouched on ground with a very eager expression. Sedgekit shot over the ground on landed ungracefully a whisker away from the clump of ferns. “I got right on top of it before, I promise!” he meowed quickly.
“Oh, I’m sure,” Sorrelflower purred. “But pouncing is less about where you land and more how you do it. If you want to be a good hunter, you’ll need to land more neatly than that.” She turned her head to Brightkit. “You may have only gone a small distance, but you landed skillfully.”
Brightkit let out a small purr. The compliment was enough to wash away the lingering shame from moments ago. Just then, Brightkit heard Smokefoot’s voice from the fresh-kill pile.
“No, I don’t think he’s woken up yet.”
“Oh, what a terrible thing. I hope he recovers soon and we can find out it was an accident.” That was Amberberry’s coarse meow. They must be talking about Pinetail, Brightkit thought. Only a few sunrises ago the medicine cat had been found unconscious and badly injured on the border with RiverClan. No patrol had found any suspicious scents or been able to talk to a RiverClan cat about what happened.
Smokefoot mew grew hushed and Brightkit perked her ears. “I hear Tawnystar is a mouse-length away from taking a patrol into their camp and demanding answers.”
“Certainly not!” Amberberry exclaimed. “I don’t think standing in their camp and accusing them of trying to kill our medicine cat would ease the tension.”
Smokefoot shrugged. “I don’t think it’s smart, but I do want to know what happened.”
Amberberry cast a glance to the medicine cat’s den. “Pinetail will tell us when he wakes up.”
Smokefoot gave a mew of agreement, but his gaze was far less confident.