Falling From Stars

[Brambleclaw]

Moonracer glanced down at the four bundles of helpless fur. There was a soft, silver tom with a large build much like his father. He was spotted off-white, that seemed to streak across his fur. Another was a beautiful silver-cream she-kit with a tiny build, though little muscles sprouted. She was soft and unlike her siblings, her coat was thin. She was born with long whiskers - unusual. A third was the same orange-brown of her father's patches. The fourth, and runt of the litter, a small she-kit with a flowing and vibrant coat of white, dappled lightly with black specks. Her muzzle and paws were coated black, and her tail was tipped in the same nightly color. They were known as Strongkit, Silverkit, Foxkit and Moonkit. But something didn't seem quite right about Moonkit.

"What are their names?" Asked a large tom, the father. He was a Russian Blue x Torti mix. It was simple to see in his medium grey-toned fur littered with patches of an ugly orange. This handsome tom was a sight to see. Tigermoon, his mate, Moonracer, and their new litter were all who crowded the tiny nursery. The Medicine Cat, Starleaf, had already checked on the new kittens. The nursery was quiet but for the sound of gentle suckling from the delicate kits. The warmth and sweet aroma of fresh milk relaxed all visitors that day.

"I called them Strongkit, Silverkit, Foxkit." Moonracer ached at the name Strongkit. Tigermoon stiffened - he must've felt the same.

"And the fourth?"

"I call her Moonkit." The words struck the tom. He frowned, nudged her with a paw.

"No, that will not do." Moonracer nodded, unsure of what she could call the little thing. Another cat entered as Tigermoon left his mate with his new litter. Her first litter's son, Eric. Tawnyfoot slipped in behind him. All of her kits were present. If only Strongjaw were there...

"Mother," Tawnyfoot's eyes glittered happily, "they are so beautiful." Moonracer nodded happily, glancing to her son Eric. He looked unsure, as if he tried to muster a smile, but his face was crooked and awkward.

"Mom, I -"

"Hush. I know what you feel." Eric had mated once. Ebonytail's litter had consisted of two beautiful kits - One tortishell and one ash. They had been named Speckledkit and Littlekit. Both had been taken by Green Cough - the queen too. Poor Eric could not bear it, and had never visited the nursery until now.
"I know it is hard, Eric, to lose your kits. I know what it was like to lose Ebonytail. But I'm glad you stayed here with us." Moonracer and her kits had once belonged to twolegs. They had found their way into the woods, and when they met ThunderClan had stayed. Now Eric had never changed his name. But Tawnyfoot and Moonracer had both wanted to change. They left their pasts behind them - something Eric could not do himself. He bowed his head as his mother spoke.
"My baby, I do wish the best for you." Moonracer nodded. Eric shyly backed away into a corner of the nursery, his face pained. Seeing these kits was hard for him.

"What are their names?" Moonracer glanced quietly down at her kits. Tawnyfoot might be able to help me find a suiting name... At that thought, Moonracer knew exactly what to say.

"Moonkit, Silverkit, Foxkit."

"And the fourth?"

"I think, Fallingkit."

[Brambleclaw]

Eric sat at the entrance to the camp. His tear-streaked face was hidden by a screen of fresh brambles. He was gazing into the cloudy sky, thinking. He glanced around at his Clanmates through the tunnel. They seemed happy enough. New kits meant fresh blood. Silverkit will be a strong warrior one day. And Moonkit was born to be a warrior, too. Foxkit is queen, surely, with her beauty. I wish I had been born to be a warrior. Tawnyfoot is lucky. He continued to think those things. His sister Tawnyfoot sat a few tail-lengths away from the freshkill pile, purring happily. A tom named Darkspade glanced at her casually. He had done so often, Eric realized. And often Tawnyfoot glanced at him too. He frowned. Spring love was what had struck he and Ebonytail, but it had failed miserably. Now she was dead, her two kits gone as well. He glanced back into the forest, jumping back with a start. A foxlength from where he was sitting was a pair of glistening green eyes, as vibrant as Ebonytail's. It took all Eric's strength not to cry out for his mate. From the shadows stepped the lithe she-cat not, but a large sandy-brown tom. His pelt looked a lot like Eric's - hauntingly familiar, in fact. It was a dark and sandy golden-brown. Like someone mixed brown and orange paint, then sprinkled it with sand.

"Eric!" The voice called out. It was the soft, melodic sound of a tomcat. Of course! It was Forestpaw! He was carrying a thin vole and two scrawny mice.

"Those are great catches - for leafbare, I mean." Eric nodded. Maybe now he'd be able to eat something - the other cats were bound to have catches like this by now! Eric was sure.

"I only caught the vole. The other two are from the rest of the patrol. It's sad. Three pieces of prey for five cats patrolling. They sent me to bring it back to camp. Give the mice to your mother, they can make one meal the both of them. Leave the vole on the pile, maybe you can take it to the elders." Forestpaw nodded, and left the prey in the frozen earth. Sighing, Eric carried the prey into camp. He handed the two mice to Tawnyfoot who was heading out to see the kits again. She was so obsessed with the kits, it was unreal. He glanced at his sister, who padded out from the den met by Darkspade coming from the elder's den. He had attempted to give them the vole - they had refused. They sat together, sharing the vole and chatting away. They should leave that for a cat who needs it! He thought unhappily, glancing around the clearing. He padded out into the forest, attempting to help re-stock the freshkill pile.


In the ghastly forest, all was silent. Eric slowly went over each Clan cat's name, attempting to remember them all. It had only been several sunrises that Eric had been back. He wanted to clear up the dust of what he had left behind when he had gone.
"Start at the top." He mumbled to himself. "Work down to the bottom." Suddenly, he froze. A mouse nibbled cautiously at an acorn. He probably found a squirrel's leafbare stash. Leaping, he flew silently to the mouse. As it realized its peril, it was dead. Burried beneath the weight of the snow, Eric vowed to later return for it.

Eric began - like always - chanting the names of those in the Clan. It helped consume the time, and it helped him remember whom he was staying with. Lately he had been so scatter-brained, ever since Ebonytail's death. He had named all he could think of, and had finally finished by his return to camp. He saw Tawnyfoot, curled up and sleeping happily in the sunshine. Forestpaw had returned and his patrol had found a few other pieces. A measly mouse, sparrow and now Eric's mouse. Eric sighed, placing his prey on the pile and curling up in his den for some sleep.

[Brambleclaw]

Tawnyfoot slipped back into the nursery, a light snowfall landing on her fluffy pelt. She shivered at the warmth that reached out and tickled her. Inside the den it was warm and cozy, the fresh aroma of milk overwhelming. The she-cat purred as she approached the kits.
"They are looking lovely." She meowed to her mother. Moonracer gleamed, her eyes bright and overjoyed. She glanced down again at the tiny scraps suckling. It had been a half-moon now, in another half-and-quarter-moon the kits would open their eyes. Moonracer almost leaped with utmost joy at the thought. Little eyes staring up kindly at her. They could purr and play soon as could see, she was sure. And she knew what else it meant - they would soon be apprenticed. Well, not technically soon. But she thought it so. A one-and-quarter-moon were not long for them, but long enough. They seemed as if just born. And it was as if they were. Poor scattered Moonracer, seemed to be acting as if they were older than they were. Did it mean she wanted them gone? She hoped not, suddenly realizing her flurry.
"Yes, they are lovely." She purred.

"Oh, is it fun?" Tawnyfoot purred.

"Of course. Eric, he understands?"

"No." Tawnyfoot did not want to admit that she had not yet told them. She frowned and glanced toward the entrance of the den.

[Brambleclaw]

Leaping over-top of her mother, Fallingkit cleared the jump and escaped the evil Darkstar's blows.

"Hah! Foolish kitty! I will defeat you one day!!!" Moonkit cried, leaping high to attack again his sister. Teeth bared, claws unsheathed, but no pain. They were too little to cause harm to one another.

"Oh, never! I will always win! Good always prevails!" Fallingkit watched as her brother slammed into his mother's side, unable to leap atop her.
"Cannot climb this great mountain? It was no match for me!"

"Oomph!" He cried as he landed awkwardly. "Hey, that isn't funny!" He scrambled up, catching his sister by surprise. Together they rolled down the opposing side of the 'mother mountain' and onto their sister. Silverkit cried out as she was buried by several ounces of fluff. But the two kits hurried off her.
"I'm so sorry!" Moonkit cried.

"Me too." Fallingkit sounded less than sorry. She leaped at her brother, and they tussled in a corner of the den. Fallingkit blinked, clearing her soft, dark blue gaze. She smiled as she pinned down her brother.

"What are you two doing?" Silverkit looked unhappy now. But she seemed curious enough. Foxkit stirred and blinked sleepily. Her soft green eyes were like leaves upon a tree.

"We are playing 'Darkstar VS Fallingstar!' and I am the evil one!" Moonkit cried.

"Why not Moonstar?"

"It sounds funny. A Moon and a Star? Nah! But you can be Silverstar, if you want to play."

"Okay!" And Silverkit bowled her sister over. "I'm just another leader who hates the both of you!" They tussled for a minute, before they heard someone at the den entrance. It was Snowkit, a silvery-white kit who was ld enough to be apprenticed. Little did the group know that she had just been officially named Snowpaw. Her mother, Frostheart, had left the den two sunrises previous, much to her daughter's dismay. Frostheart was like her name, cold and uncaring. Her kit meant almost nothing to her, and is was almost as if Snowpaw was Moonracer's daughter.

"How did it go, Snowkit?" Moonracer asked, her gaze loving.

"Snowpaw now!" she cried, and the four other kits cheered.

[Brambleclaw]

"But I want to be a warrior now!" She shrieked.

"Sweetie, there there now. If you left, who'd take care of me?" Moonracer smiled sweetly down upon Fallingkit. But Fallingkit wouldn't have it. She stormed toward the entrance of the nursery.

"Sis', we need to help ma." Moonkit gave Fallingkit a serious look. She rolled her eyes, but listened.

"If you became a warrior now, you'd be stomped like a mouse." Silverkit sneered. She was cuffed on the head by her mother's fluffy tail, a sign to keep quiet. Foxkit rolled her eyes, burying herself in her mother's fur.

"Hey, I'd mentor her." Eric slipped in, a big grin on his face.

"It's not funny! I want to be a warrior!" Fallingkit screamed. She glared at her half-brother.
"And you aren't gonna be my mentor. I'll have a mentor that cares! If you'd cared bout Ebonytail, she wouldn't a -" But before she could finish her sentence, she was eating Moonkit's tail.

"Shhh!" he whispered, glancing up at Eric. The tomcat was stunned, and he looked terrified. Suddenly, Eric turned and raced out of the den, leaving a trail of wet tears.
"Now look what you've gone and done!"

"But -"

"No, Fallingkit, you know that was wrong." Moonracer glared at the tiny white fur ball. "Now go and apologize, or else you'll never be a warrior." The tone of Moonracer's voice was haunting - it wrought Fallingkit right down to her core.


"Eric!" she called as she ran outside.

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry. I never meant that. I'll be patient." She stared into his eyes, watching them water once more. He cuffed her ear playfully, and the two began to wrestle. Moonkit sighed, and Moonracer smiled happily. She loved her kits, all of them, and loved to see them get along. But this wasn't the beginning of trouble for her.

[Brambleclaw]

Fallingkit waved her tail, beckoning the others forward. She slipped through the painful barriers that had been placed. She averted the entrance, and any patrols. Now, Fallingkit had a keen sense of smell, hearing, and was silent s she flowed through the undergrowth. She smiled slyly, licking her lips at the tastes of prey. Fallingkit slipped into a bracken bush as she heard several cats passing. Next to her, Moonkit winced as a branch dug deep into his pelt. The two had left Silverkit, Foxkit and their mother asleep in the den. It was the best way to get out unnoticed.

By the time an alarm cry went up as the cats realized their kits were missing, it was past sunhigh. The two had made their way deep into a rabbit burrow - it had been abandoned some time ago. Suddenly, there were pawsteps everywhere about them, above them, around them. The cats were searching frantically for scent. Suddenly, they heard a triumphant mew from Forestpaw. He stood at the entrance to the rabbit hole, and just stared at the two pairs of little eyes that glinted. The rains had made tracking difficult, so Forestpaw had used his sight to track them.

"Come out! You're safe now!" Forestpaw cried, but the two shrank back far into the hole. Forestpaw sighed and slipped into the burrow. He kept getting stuck when the tunnel narrowed. With a final push, he grabbed both kits tightly and came out, in an easier fashion. When he reached the top, two warriors took the kits and Forestpaw received much praise.

"Why would you do something like that?" Moonracer glared at the two kits. Moonkit shrank back in fear, but Fallingkit just stood and stared directly at her mother.

"We were having fun. We wanted to be warriors for a day."

"You know it was wrong. Your whole Clan was out searching for you in a panic. Now, go and apologize."

"But, but - "

"But what?"

"But what about the mouse we caught?"

[Brambleclaw]

Fallingkit plundered through the undergrowth yet again. Moonkit streamed behind her - both unhappy, angry, upset. A patrol headed them. It was the fourth time the to had escaped. They all walked in silence. Fallingkit walked a few paces ahead, sniffing around at anything visible. She seemed helpless. But the patrol knew how keen and clever she was.

-

"Tonight, we'll slip out again. Just us two." Fallingkit whispered.

"Okay." Moonkit nodded. Suddenly, Silverkit slipped up to them.

"No you won't!" Silverkit declared.

"Who's going to stop us?" Fallingkit puffed out her chest indignantly.

"No one. But I'm coming with." Silverkit jumped with glee as Fallingkit nodded.

"Then come on. Let's go play, while we wait!" Moonkit said, plundering out of the den.

-

"Where to first?" Moonkit slipped out of a bracken bush. He had dodged several patrols hunting for the kits. Narrowly, however. A bush stirred, and Silverkit crawled out.

"Promise me never to take me out on one of these patrols again." Foxkit croaked.

"Fine. Never again." Fallingkit was not enthusiastic about her words. Even though Foxkit was shy around others - even her parents - around her siblings she was open and very friendly. Foxkit had found out about the kits' next escape via her sister Silverkit, and had been eager to come with. Unfortunately, Fallingkit knew her elder sister was nothing but trouble. Fallingkit focussed on the bushes ahead. A menacing pair of eyes. And a strong, terrible scent filled her scent gland. Fallingkit spat in disgust.
"Guys, looky here." She flicked her tail to the bush. As the kits' stares penetrated the creature's fiery red pelt, a fox was instantly on top of them. It grasped Foxkit by the scruff, a loud squeal of fear erupting from her jowls. Even though she was 5 moons, and she wasn't the youngest, she was the smallest. Fallingkit had grown large, leaving the young kit to be smallest. The fox grasped her in its jaws menacingly. As soon as the fox had moved, a patrol whom had spotted it was on top of it. They tussled around, hoping that Foxkit would be freed from its tight grasp.

Suddenly, the small bundle of orange fur was flung across the way and slammed hard into a tree. She squeaked, but instantly fell silent. Her leafy green eyes clouded with pain, and she fell into an unconscious state. The fox went trampling through the undergrowth as he was chased off by a warrior. The others gently picked the kit up and carried her back to camp.

-

"Mama?" Foxkit hoarsed, gasping for air.

"What, baby?" The queen was nuzzling the kit, trying to give her love as if it would save her.

"Promise me that no one will ever take me out again." Foxkit tried to purr, but broke out into a fit of cough.

"I promise." She said, her eyes watering. Suddenly, the kit fell silent. Moonracer screamed in fear, and no matter how calm Starleaf and Silverpaw tried to make her, she still wailed. Her yowl was menacing and painful. The kit remained there the rest of the night - she refused to let her go. Her deep breathing was roused as nothing more than sobs as the dawn approached.

"We will burry her by Strongjaw." she said, and began to pick up her kit.

"Wait!" Moonkit cried, stepping forward.

"What?" Moonracer was upset and impatient, making her sound cross.

"She said never to be moved again. We will burry her in a place in the clearing."

"Yes, yes." Moonracer nodded. Soon as the kit was buried in her favorite spot, sheltered under a new oak tree in growth just outside the barrier of camp. Moonracer, Tawnyfoot, the other kits, Tigermoon, and even Eric sat in mourning. The tears that would have been shed under the tree on the edge of the earth would be many, and Fallingfeather still says that is why the tree stands tall. It shelters a love unbroken.

[Brambleclaw]

Fallingkit glanced silently up at the moon. It's crystal beauty was withdrawing, a beautiful sight. The breathtaking view, however, fazed the kit not. She just kept padding through the undergrowth, eager. She cautiously padded amongst the trees, shrubs, and bare patches of earth in thrill. To her, adrenaline was only enjoyable if one did it in such a manner as to break a few rules. The death of her sister seemed to slip over her head, as she bravely trod with head high across the barren earth. Six moons next sunrise, and a mentor to love and cherish. But with Fallingkit's little adventures, any cat could see that delay may be necessary. She did not mind, however. This little escapade would without worry be her finest yet. Only she, making double-time and clearing the length of ThunderClan before sunrise was her goal.

Of course, as the moon reached it's highest point in the stars, Fallingkit had already made it into the center part of ThunderClan's territory. To go right, or left, was her only opposing decision. She sat, licking her forepaw, thinking hard.
ShadowClan side, or RiverClan side... She knew how easy it would be to get to the river and back. ShadowClan's border was even more treacherous. And so she stood, stretched, and headed off toward a newfound danger.

ShadowClan patrols weren't usually sent out at night, and any cat could scent the border. She would be back home before anyone noticed her absence. Bounding along merrily, the young kit suddenly realized that she was lost. The ground grew sticky and wet with mud, and the forest was long since gone. She panicked, wondering where in ThunderClan she was. She reached a particularly sticky mud patch and suddenly realized that she was in fact stuck. She tugged to free her paws with all her might, but she was stuck hard. Giving up, Fallingkit lay down in defeat. Was this the end? Was she joining her sister?

"Goodbye, cruel world!" Fallingkit finally cried. Suddenly, she realized that the sun was beginning to come up over the horizon. And her cry had attracted a patrol.
"Over here!" She cried out again, and scented cats. But it wasn't familiar. Her heart stopped beating and she gasped. ShadowClan was intruding on ThunderClan territory!

"Well, well, what have we here? A lost little kitten stuck in the mud!" A ShadowClan tom sneered.
"Not so tough now, eh? Why you intruding on our turf?" His booming voice sent shivers down Fallingkit's spine. The tall, large and muscular brown tom had a mangled coat and wild gold eyes. She hissed.

"I'm a brave ThunderClan Warrior!" Fallingkit cried, and the rest of the patrol laughed. The brown tom was not alone, as there were two other toms and a she-cat who looked as if she were a Queen. One tom was grey and heavily spotted with thick black splotches. His eyes were a spiteful blue. The other tom and the she-cat were apparently mates as he stood protectively near, and somewhat in front of, her. He was a vivid gold with green eyes, and she was jet-black with blue eyes. Fallingkit thought these facts over.
"What are your names?" She asked politely. The patrol laughed again. The brown one spoke up.

"I'm Mudfury. This spotted guy is Coldfire, and this little lady is Foxsun." Fallingkit choked at the name. Her sister. The tom continued. "And this golden guy is named Leechfur." There was somewhat of a sneer in the name. Fallingkit smiled.

"Foxsun and Leechfur are mates. Coldfire is Foxsun's brother, and obviously a friend of yours. You are Deputy, but you are in love with Foxsun and hate Leechfur because now he is having kits with your love." Mudfury's eyes widened.

"I'll say. Almost all true. But I... err... don't like Foxsun."

"True. You love Foxsun. It's obvious." Mudfury sighed.

"All my heart and more." Foxsun smiled a little, and Leechfur hissed angrily. Coldfire seemed to remain stoney and silent. "Let's take her to Darkstar to show off her skills."

"Darkstar? Cool name!" Fallingkit exclaimed happily as Mudfury pulled her out of the mud and dragged her along.

-

The patrol sent to retrieve the young kit arrived not too long after she was 'imprisoned' in the ShadowClan camp. She was already in big trouble with Darkstar, and had earned Mudfury's fury at unveiling his secret. The patrol, lead by her angry father, was just icing on the cake. They quickly retrieved her after a bit of arguing, and took her quickly back to their own camp. Littlestar was quick to have a word with her.
"That little stunt you pulled almost caused a fight! I'm going to have to postpone your apprenticeship one moon. Also, you'll be taking up in the Medicine Den until then. You missed you brother's and sister's ceremonies, too." Fallingkit shrugged and met her leader's gaze intensely. Her reply was completely true.

"Make me wait! I don't care if I wait two hundred moons to be apprenticed! That was fun!"

[Brambleclaw]

Fallingkit watched in silence as her brother was named Moonpaw. Her sister Silverpaw. Foxkit should be here. She thought angrily, and then realized she should also be up there. But she was going to wait two moons if it killed her. Smiling, she caught Littlestar's gaze and smiled.

-

Two moons later had gone by very quickly. Fallingkit never did go out of camp, much to her leader's surprise. Of course, the young kit was waiting until she could actually go adventuring. As an apprentice. Why postpone it any longer? Fallingkit's eyes twinkled merrily as she watched Littlestar conduct the meeting grudgingly.

"Fallingkit, please come forward." Fallingkit bounded gracefully forward, stopping right before her leader. A wide grin was spread across her face.

"I do!" Fallingkit cried before Littlestar could say anything. "I do promise to train faithful and true until I become a warrior." The Clan blinked in surprise, Littlestar most awestruck.

"Okay, you are to be called Fallingpaw." Littlestar said quietly, and Fallingpaw smiled. She didn't even listen to who her mentor was. She didn't care. Why should she? She had gotten her way. She was an apprentice! She caught the stern gaze of a dark red tom named Corefire, whose silvery eyes chilled his fiery fur. She smiled and touched his nose gently. Without a word, the she-cat turned and stared at her brother and sister.

Fallingpaw noted her brother's eager pride, but her sister seemed to care less. She was probably still mad about Foxkit. But it was a mistake! The spotted she-cat padded up to her silvery sister, meeting fierce gaze for fierce gaze. The two were locked for a moment, and then she looked up. Eric sat smiling down at his little half-sister, lost in some distant memory. Forestpaw was sitting not too far from the brown tom, and Fallingpaw gasped with inward surprise. The two looked very similar, if not identical. What a strange spectacle that was!

Fallingpaw suddenly realized that she was in fact an apprentice. Free from kitten bonds. Free. With a big grin on her face, the newly named Fallingpaw bolted out of the ThunderClan camp. Cats watched in shock, and Littlestar groaned. Fallingpaw had used the leader to get freedom. She would be fun to train. Nuzzling Corefire, her brother, Littlestar sighed.
"Let her run."

[Spottedleaf ~Dapps]

"More ferocity!" Fallingpaw hissed in defiance. "More ferocity? I'm ferocious enough!" She growled, launching herself at him as darkness glimmered in her eyes. He stepped to the side and she landed in a flurry of dust, sitting up and coughing unhappily.
"More ferocity, less gab." He meowed calmly. She rolled her eyes but got up, shaking dust out of her fur. Her mentor was a thorn in her pad sometimes. What did he expect, she had to be perfect? She looked at Corefire and nodded glumly, getting her stance ready and leaping. She landed and turned to face him, breathing heavily.
"How was that?"
"Faster." He demanded emotionlessly. Fallingpaw shrieked in annoyance, then turned to work at it again.

-

It had been a long and utterly pointless day for Fallingpaw. She may have been growing closer to her Warrior Ceremony, yes, but she was having trouble getting ready for the tests. She wanted to get her name with her siblings, because if she didn't she knew she might go crazy. It would mean true embarrassment and it would remind every cat of how disobedient she was. As the stars glittered above her head, Fallingpaw found herself wandering toward the clearing where apprentices always came to train. She knew that she could get extra practice in by training all hours of the day, even at night. So that was what she did.

And all night she trained, leaping at twigs and stalking leaves. She was almost ready to give up when she felt herself beginning to get the hang of things. Would Corefire be proud of her the next day or what? And then she noticed that the sun was beginning to rise and light the sky on fire. Her heart sped up and she frowned slightly. It was the next day. And the Clan was probably already awake. Maybe Corefire was even looking for her this instant! And if he didn't find her? She'd most surely never get her name with her brother and sister. She hissed unhappily, turning and racing back to the camp on paws that were faster than lightning.

She soon found herself out of breath and sneaking into the apprentice's den the same way she suck out every night. Stumbling over a few cats she curled up into her soft mossy nest and fell into a deep slumber. It was only for several seconds, however, and she heard Corefire calling her name. Sleepily she stood and stretched, padding out to greet him. But before she could say a word, she was yawning unhappily.
"Want the day off?" He asked, but she just shook her head. She had to train. To get her name. She had to.