"Sparkkit get off me!" yelped Lilykit writhing as her sister landed on top of her.

"Caught you!" squeaked Sparkkit, shaking out her ginger fur. "I'm the best hunter!"

"Your crouch was great!" cried Stormkit bouncing over to her. "Show me!"

"And me!" squealed Larkkit hurrying after his brother.

Aspenkit sat watching her siblings. Beside her, the elder Twigtail was sunning herself, her grey fur shining as she stretched out.

"Don't you want to play too?" she questioned the little golden kit.

Aspenkit looked up at her, her brown eyes wide. It was difficult to make other cats understand. It wasn't that she didn't want to play with her siblings. It was more that she wasn't sure how. When they had still been in the den, they had all played too rough, and somehow it had been Aspenkit who got hurt.

"You're a quiet one aren't you." Commented Honeyfur who was stretched on Aspenkit's other side her golden patches gleaming where she had just washed. "Surely you'd rather be playing with your brothers and sisters than sitting here with us old cats?"

Aspenkit tucked her paws underneath her chest and settled herself more firmly to where she sat, looking back up at Honeyfur as though that were answer to her question. 

"She likes our stories I'll bet." Mewed Twigtail licking Aspenkit between her ears. "Though really Aspenkit, you need to speak some time. Isn't it frustrating for you as well when we don't know what you want?"

"Now, now." said Ambermoon, padding up and settling beside Twigtail. "A quiet kit is a rarity, let's not discourage it. Now Aspenkit, would you like to hear a story? Maybe about how Bramblestar saved us in the great storm that nearly killed us all?"

"Or maybe how all the clans were forced to join together to defeat the Dark Forest?" offered Twigtail.

"She's heard all of those." Interrupted Honeyfur, a playful glint in her green eyes. "I have a story for you, little Aspenkit that will stay with you forever, for it shows just how important your clan is, and how the warrior code should always be respected and followed."

"Oh that's a good one." Said Twigtail. "Kits!" she called to Aspenkit's siblings. "Come here, and listen to Honeyfur tell about the fall of Shadowclan."

The kits ears perked up with interest and they bounded over to where Aspenkit sat at Honeyfur's paws gazing up expectantly.

Honeyfur purred and tucked her paws under her chest. "The only way to get kits to be quiet is to offer a good story." She gave a few chesty purrs of amusement, wrapping her tail around her back paws. "Now where to begin... ah yes. It all began many moons ago, when Alderheart was still an apprentice."

"That long ago?" cried Sparkkit. "But he's ancient."

The elders all purred hard in amusement. "I'll tell him you said that!" mewed Ambermoon tucking her own paws underneath her. "Go ahead Honeyfur."

"Alderheart began receiving visions from Starclan who told him to go and find a clan long lost to the forest. They were called Skyclan and when the clans were still new, Skyclan was banished from the forest. Starclan regretted the fact that they did not stop the clans from banishing them, and a long time ago, Firestar, the hero of the forest was sent by Starclan to find them. He found where Skyclan had lived and he and his mate Sandstorm managed to rebuild the clan. Now when Alderheart, who was then Alderpaw arrived, Skyclan was gone and in it's place was a band of rogues!"

The kits let out a frenzy of horrified squeaks.

"But where were Skyclan?"

"Where did they go?"

"These rogues were vicious and did not live by the warrior code." Continued Honeyfur when the kits had quieted. "They were led by a wicked cat named Darktail who allowed cruelty to happen within his group. Weaker cats went hungry while the savage ones were rewarded. When Alderpaw arrived, they fooled him into believing that they were Skyclan and took advantage of his knowledge of herbs and healing then held him and his group captive until finally one night they managed to sneak away and escape. On this journey, Alderpaw found two kits. Twigkit and Violetkit. Twigkit became our very own Twigtail here, but that's another story. Now several moons later, a group of rogues settled just outside of clan territory. Many apprentices from Shadowclan turned their backs on the warrior code and joined them until the group of rogues was strong enough to overthrow Rowanstar, the leader of Shadowclan."

Again the kits squeaked in horror at the dramatic tale.

"But how could he do that?"

"How could Starclan allow that?"

"What happened next?"

"Rowanstar came to Thunderclan with his mate and son where our noble leader Bramblestar gave them shelter. He spent a long time sending his cats to spy on the rogues, looking for the opportune moment to overthrow Darktail and return Rowantar to his rightful position."

Ambermoon chuckled. "It didn't help that Rowanstar was trying to tell him how to lead his clan."

"It certainly didn't make Bramblestar want to keep him in camp." Agreed Twigtail.

"Several moons passed." Continued Honeyfur. "And Bramblestar had been planning alongside Mistystar and Harestar, the leaders of Riverclan and Windclan. Finally, they led an attack on the rogues. It was a long and bloody battle. Eventually, Darktail announced that any cats still loyal to the warrior code could leave his group, but that he would not surrender Shadowclan. Many cats gave their lives, including Bramblestar's daughter, Sparkpelt, and his deputy, Squirrelflight. The tragedy of Sparkpelt's death was that her kits were just out of the nursery when she was killed. Alderheart helped to raise the kits as his own."

Sparkkit who had been fidgeting throughout the story had fallen silent at the mention of her namesake and was now listening with rapt intent.

"Many of the cats who were trapped by the rogues managed to escape, and joined other clans, but those who remained became the new Shadowclan. However, among those who escaped was the medicine cat, Puddleshine. During leaf-bare there is less prey and the other clans began to patrol their borders relentlessly so that the rogues could not trespass and steal prey. Cats fought over prey until there was little left. By now, they were all weak and hungry. During this leaf-bare, greencough came to the forest too. Without the right herbs, greencough is almost always deadly. In a clan where there is no code, and only the strongest survive, nearly all Shadowclan perished, including Darktail. Without their leader, the rogues who survived the season knew it was only a matter of time before the clans would come and drive them out and in their weakened state, they would be no match for the them. And so, they fled before they could be attacked. And that's how Shadowclan became a legend, and nothing more."

The kits all sat, letting out a collective sigh of awe.

"So Shadowclan disappeared because they didn't have the warrior code!" gasped Stormkit.

"We don't have to worry about that!" cried Lilykit leaping to her paws. "I'm going to always abide by the warrior code, and I'll be the best warrior Thunderclan has ever seen!"

"And I'll be the best hunter!" squeaked Larkkit.

Sparkkit was still staring at Honeyfur. "Is that all true?" she whispered.

"It's all true." A deep meow came from behind them. The kits all turned to find themselves face to face with their father. Blackheart stood, his chest broad and his long legs muscled. His black pelt shimmered in the Greenleaf sun, but his eyes, yellow and sharp seemed cold.

"Blackheart!" squeaked Lilykit bounding towards him. "Was Sparkpelt your mother? Were you one of the kits Alderheart raised?"

"I was." Said Blackheart sombrely, sitting down as his kits approached him. "I couldn't have asked for a better mother than her, nor a better friend than Alderheart. Remember that next time you call him ancient." The other kits purred as Sparkkit looked a little embarrassed.

"Is there more to the story?" asked Stormkit, his blue eyes huge as he looked up at his father.

Blackheart looked thoughtful. "Bramblestar made Silverbird his deputy when Squirrelflight was killed." He murmured. "Rowanstar, Tawnypelt and Tigerheart stayed in Thunderclan when it became apparent they could not return to Shadowclan. Tigerheart took a Thunderclan cat, Dovewing as his mate. When Bramblestar gave his last life, Silverbird become Silverstar and many moons later, she had five beautiful kits."

The kits squirmed in delight at this happy ending to the story. They began winding around their father's legs and asking for a badger ride. Blackheart's flinty gaze flashed as he looked down at his kits. They immediately fell silent. For a long moment, they looked unsure as to what he would do or say next.

Then he dropped to his belly. "Climb on then."

"All of us?" Squealed Larkkit. "At the same time?"

"Yes but don't tell your mother." Purred Blackheart. "She'll say it's not safe." The kits mewled in delight as they clambered onto their father's back. Then he looked up to where the elders were sat. "Aspenkit, do you want to play too?"

Aspenkit had gotten to her feet at the sight of her father but she now plopped her rump back down. Blackheart dipped his head in understanding before getting to his paws and stomping around, tossing the kits one way and the other being the wildest badger he could possibly be.

"He's an odd one, your father." Said Twigtail, settling herself back down beside Aspenkit. "All the world would believe he is cruelhearted. Being descended from Tigerstar, why wouldn't they think that. But they forget he has Firestar and Bramblestar in him too. Just look at him with those four."

"He's always been serious." Ambermoon commented. "Quiet too, just like you little one. But he thawed when he and Silverbird became friends, and he has more so since you five were born."

"Let all cat's old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the high ledge for a clan meeting."

All the cats looked up as Ravencall's yowl went up. Blackheart immediately stopped and dropped back down to his belly. "Sorry kits, end of the ride." He muttered as the kits slipped from his back. He stood up, shook his black fur out and padded forward to join the crowd of cats forming below the ledge.

"Why is Ravencall getting the clan together?" said Larkkit indignantly. "That's Silverstar's job."

"He's been doing all her other jobs while she's been busy with us." replied Lilykit. "It makes sense that he should address the clan too."

"Come on!" cried Stormkit. "I want to hear what's going on!"

"I don't think so little ones." said Twigtail, stepping in front of them. "It's only for cats old enough to catch their own prey."

"We're old enough!" squeaked Stormkit. "We're nearly two moons old!"

Honeyfur purred with amusement. "Such grown up kits!" she chuckled. "Tell you what, kits, if you're very quiet, and very well behaved, you can sit with me."

"We'll be good!" squeaked Lilykit happily.

"And so quiet!" whispered Stormkit.

"We'll be quieter than Aspenkit!" declared Larkkit. Sparkkit cuffed him over the ear. "Ouch! What was that for?"

"You know Aspenkit can't speak!" hissed Sparkkit. "That wasn't nice!"

"She can speak!" sulked Larkkit. "She just won't!"

Aspenkit stared at her siblings bickering over her rather than listening to Ravencall as they had been so desperate to a few moments before. She just couldn't understand her siblings, try as she might. Moreover, they couldn't understand her... or maybe they'd just never tried...

"Cats of Thunderclan." Boomed Ravencall's voice and the kits snapped to attention. "I have called this meeting because of an issue before us which could well become a problem in the future. It has been a long Greenleaf, and a long time since we have had any rain. Many of you have come to me to let me know that the stream which runs through our territory has been running lower. Today's dawn patrol has told me it has finally dried up."

Cries of horror and outrage immediately rose from the cats surrounding the ledge.

"How will we survive without water?"

"Have the brown animals returned?"

"What will we do?"

Ravencall raised his tail and waited until silence fell. "I have been speaking with Silverstar about this and we believe we have come to a temporary solution. The water in the lake is less than it would normally be, but is still plentiful. Throughout each day, patrols will travel down to the lake and drink their fill before bringing back some moss for elders and kits who cannot leave the camp."

"The other clans will do the same!" cried a tortoiseshell she-cat getting to her feet. "Didn't they do that before when the brown animals came?"

"Featherflower is right." Said a golden coloured tom also getting to his feet. "If the brown animals have returned, what then? The clans will fight over the water as they did generations ago."

"Lionfall, Featherflower, I understand your fears." Yowled Ravencall, trying to make himself heard over the mutterings of the clan that started as Lionfall finished. "And we will not allow ourselves to become that desperate again. Our cats will not die of thirst as cats did during the great drought. Before the lake shrivels we will travel to find the water as cats did all those moons ago. For now, however, we shall stay within our territory, and we shall behave peacefully with the other clans. We shall collect water in moss, and store it in crevices in the rocks, ready for when we need it. Are there any objections to this plan?"

The cats began to mutter to one another, but nobody objected.

"In that case, this meeting is over." Called Ravencall beginning to make his way down from the high ledge.

"Ravencall!" cried Lilykit bounding over to the deputy. "What are the brown animals?"

"How did they steal the water?" asked Stormkit following close behind his sister. "Will they give it back?"

Ravencall sat down as the kits approached. "That's hardly something kits need to worry about." He meowed solemnly. "By the time you are old enough to understand the situation, the rain will return."

"Tell us anyway, or we'll never understand!" demanded Larkkit. "Please Ravencall!"

"Please?"

"Pretty please with a mouse on top?"

"That's enough." Snapped Blackheart and the kits fell silent. "Ravencall has more important things to be doing than telling kits stories. Now come along my dears, the sun is going down. It's time for kits to be in their den with their mother."

Ravencall licked the patch of white chest fur on his otherwise black pelt. "They're no trouble Blackheart. Curious kits are intelligent kits. Come, I'll help you get them up the ledge."

"Need any help?" asked Ravencall's mate, Hazelbreeze as she padded up. "I imagine the four of them are a pawful."

"Five." Said Blackheart quickly, gesturing to where Aspenkit still sat beside Honeyfur. "And they are. Starclan gave me two eyes, though some days I wish they'd given me six."

Hazelbreeze and Ravencall both purred in amusement. Blackheart and Ravencall dropped to their bellies to let a kit up before grasping another by their scruff.

Hazelbreeze trotted over to where Aspenkit was watching. "Ready to go in?" she asked cheerily.

Aspenkit bent her head forward so that Hazelbreeze could get a good grip on her scruff. She was very fond of Hazelbreeze. She was kind and caring to every cat she met and always very gentle. As she lifted Aspenkit, her teeth were firm but not excessively so and she stepped carefully so that the kit didn't swing around too violently.

She leapt nimbly up the jutting rocks to the high ledge where the leaders den was. Blackheart slipped past her as they entered and back down the rocks towards the fresh-kill pile. Inside the kits were scrambling over their mother. Hazelbreeze gently placed Aspenkit down beside Silverstar who nodded her thanks to Hazelbreeze before licking Aspenkit between the ears.

"Hello my little ones." She purred between licks, trying to address all their excited squeaks at once. "Have you all behaved yourselves today? Have you had fun? Did you all play nicely together? The elders told you a story? Which one?"

"Silverstar," said Lilykit raising up onto her hind legs, placing her front paws against her mother's chest. "What are the brown animals? And why are they taking our water?"

"The brown animals came many moons ago." Explained Silverstar, her grey eyes shining with love as she looked down at her kits. "They built great walls out of trees and stopped the river."

"Wow!" whispered Sparkkit. "They must have been huge!"

Ravencall purred and wrapped his tail over his paws. "A little bigger than cats." He mewed. "Very strange creatures with big teeth which they used to cut down the trees."

Awe sparkled in all the kits eyes. "But how do we know it's not them again?" squeaked Stormkit.

"Unlikely." Said Ravencall, licking his chest fur again. "When the brown creatures came, we went moons without rain and then the stream stopped very suddenly. If the lake recedes any more, then we will send cats to find the problem. Nothing for you to worry about little kits."

"Exactly." Purred Silverstar drawing her kits closer to her. "Come now my little ones, it's time you started to settle down. Come have your milk and make yourselves comfortable."

"But we're not sleepy!" yawned Stormkit.

Ravencall and Hazelbreeze both purred in amusement before getting to their paws and leaving the leader's den with a respectful dip of the head to Silverstar. As they left the den, Blackheart appeared, a rabbit in his jaws.

"Is the rest of the clan fed?" Silverstar asked as he set the fresh-kill down beside her.

His eyes glinted in amusement. "You mean all the queens and the kits?" he mewed. "Yes, everyone's fed, it's just you and I left."

Silverstar and Blackheart began to tear into the rabbit while the kits latched onto their mother's belly. Aspenkit settled herself between Lilykit and Stormkit, who shifted to make more room for her. She felt a soft purr rising in her throat as she nestled herself beside her mother, the warm milk scent comforting her. They may not understand her quietness or the way she was so reserved but she would not change her family for all the world

Aspenkit CTA Luisa Stagni