Post by LιθΠΗΣαRτεD on Aug 13, 2015 3:29:11 GMT
Chapter 4
"Really, Rosepaw?"
"I said I'm sorry!"
Thrushkit woke to the sound of Shellsong's scolding voice, and Rosepaw's indignant exclaim. Wondering what was going on, he padded outside the nursery, and saw his family crowded around Rosepaw.
"Rosepaw, you must understand that borders are there for a reason," said Flamewolf's firm voice. "You must pay attention to where you are. Crossing the border means that you are not alert enough, and that you are not focused enough."
"It was an accident!"
"Hi," Thrushkit squeaked nervously, squeezing himself between Snowfall and his father. They all stared at him; Frostpaw and Goldenpaw looked furious at his interruption, and they glared at him from across the circle. Uh-oh. His heart began to pound. I'm going to get yelled at. What's up with Rosepaw?
"This doesn't involve you," said Goldenpaw, flicking his ears.
"Yes, go play with your friends," said Shellsong in a more gentle voice, picking him up by the scruff and dropping him outside the family ring. "Go on. We're trying to deal with something here. Wrenflight, can you watch Thrushkit?" she called over him. The rest of the group looked uneasy, and Rosepaw was rolling her eyes and scowling. Thrushkit's face crumpled. Was Rosepaw mad at him?
"Sure, Shellsong," said Wrenflight, padding up. Wrapping a tail around him, she lead Thrushkit away. "Let's go, Thrushkit. Foxkit, come keep Thrushkit company!"
"What?" the small russet tom bounded out from the nursery, his eyes darting around. What's he looking for?
"I said, keep Thrushkit company. Cinderkit and the others are napping. You two can talk, okay?" Giving her son a lick on the head (while he rolled his eyes), Wrenflight disappeared into the nursery.
"Er... want to play moss-ball?" asked Thrushkit awkwardly after a momentary pause. The other kit's eyes were constantly looking around, taking things in. Thrushkit wondered if there was ever a moment when he could be focused on one thing.
"No, that's boring," said the kit rather brusquely. "Let's try to sneak out of camp."
"But we'll get in trouble."
"Who cares?" snorted Foxkit.
"We're still kits. They'll understand, right? They'll think we're just playing." This kit has already understood a lot of what the big cats probably think of us. Perhaps he had underestimated Foxkit.
"It's still risky," he said lamely. The russet kit smirked at the uncertain look on Thrushkit's face. "Come on. It's not a risk if you know what you're doing. You scared?"
"Shut up," snapped Thrushkit, stepping forward to take the lead. "Of course I'm not! Now, we'll need to sneak out unseen."
"Just hide among the tall grass," said Foxkit easily. "And we need to find some flowers, too, to roll in."
"What?"
"To hide our scent," replied Foxkit, giving him a queer look. It's not that obvious, okay? Stop looking so smug! "So they don't smell our trail going out."
"How do you know this?" asked Thrushkit, genuinely impressed. But that doesn't mean I'm admiring him!
"I've listened to some training sessions, learned a couple things." Wow. He's smarter than me, thought Thrushkit grudgingly. And I'm three moons older than him.
"Whatever. Where do you want to go, anyway? Just wander aimlessly?" "No, I have an idea of where to go," said Foxkit, a crooked grin spreading onto his face.
"What, the Butterfly Garden?"
"The Butterfly Garden? What are you, two moons old? No, I meant the Hawk Perch!"
"Are you joking? Forget it! There's hawks there!"
"Duh."
"Don't you understand, you mouse-brain? We're going to get captured, and then eaten. It's dangerous out there-- not even warriors go there often!" said Thrushkit in frustration. Part of him wanted to stay because of the hawks, but the other part of him desperately wanted to one-up Foxkit in his face. And if they both got captured, well, it would be a draw, wouldn't it?
"You can stay," said Foxkit promptly, rolling his eyes. "We're wasting time. If you're not going, then I'll just go by myself. And if you rat me out, I'm taking you with me! You were supposed to be with me! You were supposed to be a good example, and not let me wander off." Thrushkit was taken aback momentarily. This kit, who was younger than him, was threatening him.
"Fine," he snapped, giving in. "But if we're dead and in StarClan, then I'm going to kill your spirit and you'll disappear forever."
"Sounds good," said Foxkit cheerfully, looking smug again. Thrushkit gnashed his teeth and sank his small claws into the dirt, trying to push away the urge to lunge at the russet-pelted fur-ball. He was now extremely reluctant to go, yet at the same time he was fueled up enough to want to leave now. Let's just get this over with.
"Look, Twigtail's going out," muttered Thrushkit, angling his ears towards the departing medicine cat. "And Alderpaw's talking to Shadowpaw. We just get the herbs and disguise our scent with them." "Sure." Foxkit pushed past Thrushkit and bounded towards the medicine den.
"Hey!" following him, Thrushkit sniffed around for the strongest-smelling herb before choosing to roll around in a couple of freshly-picked flowers. Foxkit shook his pelt.
"Okay, let's go." The two wandered around for a while, trying to give the others the impression that they were just playing. However, warriors seemed to everywhere, and it was nearly impossible to find an area of escape.
"What are you two up to?" Rosepaw had appeared before them; the congregation of their family had broken up, and whatever issue looked like it had been resolved. Thrushkit's heart dropped, but Foxkit still had a nonchalant look on his face.
"Just exploring," he said vaguely. "Can we help you?"
Rosepaw frowned. "Exploring? You two know the camp already." her eyes narrowed.
"Are you thinking of sneaking out?""Yeah." Jeez. It's impossible for him to lie just a little bit, huh?
"Whatever," Rosepaw muttered. "Looks like we're all breaking the rules today." and she left, leaving Thrushkit confused. What did she do?
"Nice sister," Foxkit snorted, and dove into the grass. With a bemused shake of his head, Thrushkit followed suit.
"Do you even know where this is?" asked Thrushkit uncertainly, surprised at Foxkit's confident strides.
"No."
"What?"
"Will you relax? We'll know when we get there."
"Of course we will know. If we're dead, we're there!"
"Just shut up! That's StarClan, mouse-brain. Go back if you want," growled Foxkit, sounding genuinely frustrated. Thrushkit scowled back, but stayed where he was: behind Foxkit. The russet tom was alert again; his ears swiveled left and right, and his head darted back and forth. His tail was flat and cautiously positioned, and he was certainly watching where he stepped.
Suddenly a loud, high-pitched bark sounded nearby, and both kits froze. Thrushkit's heart almost dropped. Dog! Oh, no... we're not even at the Hawk Perch yet! Foxkit's determined and confident look melted clean off his face, and he flattened his ears in terror.
"U-uh... Foxkit, we ought to leave."
"No, really?" retorted the russet tom. There was a loud crash, and grass was crumpled as the dog suddenly burst out. Thrushkit and Foxkit frowned.
It was tiny. It was no bigger than them, but its sharp teeth gleamed as it caught the sunlight. By its clumsiness, it was still young, yet beneath its pelt was visible muscle.
"Is this some kind of joke?" said Thrushkit in disbelief. "Let's just--"
"Ow! It bit me!" Foxkit's face contorted in pain as the dog lunged forward unexpectedly and latched itself to his leg. "It hurts! Do something!"
As much as he wanted to see Foxkit's leg get bitten off, Thrushkit grounded his teeth and threw himself at the small dog, claws outstretched. Almost instantly, the dog shifted its attention to him, and its teeth snapped at Thrushkit's face.
"Take a load of this!" The dog yelped as Foxkit scrambled up and slashed viciously at its side; confused, it looked from Thrushkit to Foxkit. Disoriented, Thrushkit weakly batted at it with its paws, and it threw them aside, sending Thrushkit flying. His entire back was in pain, and his head spun. Ow.
"Thrushkit! Foxkit!" a familiar voice called out sharply. A large shape exploded out from the meadow, sending butterflies flying. Another head blocked Thrushkit's view as it bent down, and he felt a jaws latch onto his scruff. Beside him, he could hear someone else running, also carrying Foxkit. Scuffles and yelps sounded in the near distance.
"You mouse-brains," growled Frostpaw's annoyed voice. He glared down at Thrushkit, who flattened his ears; he'd never seen his brother more irritated. Rosepaw stood next to him, checking on Foxkit, who looked somewhat shaken. Thrushkit looked past his siblings to see Goldenpaw wrestling with the small dog. Frostpaw leapt away without another word, sending loose grass flying into Thrushkit's face. Rosepaw crouched over them both.
"What happened?"
"W-we were walking, and that dog came near us," squeaked Thrushkit, his voice catching in his throat.
"It's gone now," said a gruff voice. Frostpaw approached them with a battered-looking Goldenpaw. Grass stuck in both of their pelts, and Frostpaw's white coat was smeared with dirt. Both scowled at the kits.
"Frostpaw! Goldenpaw! Rosepaw! Where are you three?" Rubbleclaw crashed through the grass with Shrikestorm and Larchhaven at his flanks. Frowning in confusion, he gestured to Thrushkit and Foxkit. "What are they doing out here?"
"They seemed to have snuck out," said Goldenpaw. "It looks like they lack the ability to listen to others' advice to stay in camp--"
"True," said Foxkit.
"--and the maturity needed for a future warrior of WhisperClan," Goldenpaw finished, leering. Foxkit frowned.
"That's enough, Goldenpaw," said Rubbleclaw sharply. "Go back to camp, you three. We'll deal with these two."
Thrushkit gulped, but Foxkit only flicked his tail.
Although Foxkit had been right about the warriors thinking that their escape was only out of curiosity and playfulness, Frostpaw and Goldenpaw had seemed to think the opposite. Frostpaw had acted as if he'd only rescued Thrushkit because he had to, and Thrushkit had started to think that perhaps it was only because they were Clanmates, and nothing more. Both brothers had started to look at Thrushkit with embarrassment, and became mysteriously deaf when Thrushkit was brought up. If an outsider had looked at the three toms, they would never think that they were siblings. Wow. I bet Goldenpaw and Frostpaw just thought I was ten times more stupid. It wasn't my fault, really. I had to watch Foxkit.
He desperately wished Frostpaw and Goldenpaw could like him. Why didn't they like him? Was it because he had a different father? Was it because he was just dumb and clumsy? I bet they were like that when they were my age! Cinderkit and her littermates may have had neglectful parents, but at least their older sisters were fun to play with (even if they were a little old). The luckiest of them all, perhaps, was Foxkit, who practically had everything they didn't. Lucky he doesn't have hateful siblings. Well, he doesn't have siblings AT ALL.
While Thrushkit had gotten a long, stern lecture from Shellsong, Flamewolf, and Snowfall (all whom looked extremely exasperated at having to explain the warrior code and the rules once more), Foxkit had gotten away with little scolding. Wrenflight had dismissed Foxkit's acts as kit-play (like Foxkit correctly predicted), but it seemed to make the russet tom annoyed. Wrenflight had even called him "brave," which made Thrushkit scowl once he'd heard it.
Thrushkit comforted himself with the thought of his upcoming apprentice ceremony. Only a half-moon to go! And I'll be out of here, and Foxkit can sulk by himself in the nursery.
He was chattering excitedly with Cinderkit and her sisters about it when the news was delivered.
"I can't wait until we're 'paws," Cinderkit said with excitement.
"Then we don't have to be confined to the territory," added Blazekit, with a glance at Thrushkit.
"I wonder who my mentor will be."
"I want Moonclaw!"
"I want Icestar!"
"I want Swiftblossom or Pinetail."
"I want Flamewolf," Thrushkit chimed in. "I heard he's great."
"Yeah, but he's your father," said Blazekit. "Icestar doesn't give fathers their own kits as apprentices."
"Oh," said Thrushkit, feeling sad. I won't get the chance to impress him, then.
"You could hope for Snowfall," Emberkit said, patting his shoulder with her tail.
"I guess."
Suddenly, the very cat they were talking about burst into the nursery. "Has anyone seen Rosepaw?" exclaimed Snowfall in a worried voice.
"No," replied Blazekit, looking mildly interested. "Why the worry?"
"Can't find her anywhere," said the large warrior, frisking his tail. "We can't detect her scent, and there's no trail of her whereabouts."
"What?" Shellsong was by their side in an instant, looking aghast. "Are you serious? Have you sent out patrols?"
Thrushkit felt his heart drop. Rosepaw missing? No. She was an adventurous cat, he knew that, but she couldn't get lost! She was so smart. "Maybe she went out by herself and disguised her scent," he squeaked, remembering Foxkit's technique. Twigtail had given them a scolding about ruining his herbs.
"That's not necessary for her," said Snowfall, the sides of his mouth quirking up a bit. "And we've scoured the entire territory."
"Relax," drawled a voice behind them. Snowfall turned to reveal Frostpaw and Goldenpaw standing behind him.
"Don't fret," sighed Goldenpaw. "It's just typical Rosepaw. We'll find her."
Will we? thought Thrushkit nervously. Oh please oh please... don't let me be stuck with these two as my only siblings!
"Really, Rosepaw?"
"I said I'm sorry!"
Thrushkit woke to the sound of Shellsong's scolding voice, and Rosepaw's indignant exclaim. Wondering what was going on, he padded outside the nursery, and saw his family crowded around Rosepaw.
"Rosepaw, you must understand that borders are there for a reason," said Flamewolf's firm voice. "You must pay attention to where you are. Crossing the border means that you are not alert enough, and that you are not focused enough."
"It was an accident!"
"Hi," Thrushkit squeaked nervously, squeezing himself between Snowfall and his father. They all stared at him; Frostpaw and Goldenpaw looked furious at his interruption, and they glared at him from across the circle. Uh-oh. His heart began to pound. I'm going to get yelled at. What's up with Rosepaw?
"This doesn't involve you," said Goldenpaw, flicking his ears.
"Yes, go play with your friends," said Shellsong in a more gentle voice, picking him up by the scruff and dropping him outside the family ring. "Go on. We're trying to deal with something here. Wrenflight, can you watch Thrushkit?" she called over him. The rest of the group looked uneasy, and Rosepaw was rolling her eyes and scowling. Thrushkit's face crumpled. Was Rosepaw mad at him?
"Sure, Shellsong," said Wrenflight, padding up. Wrapping a tail around him, she lead Thrushkit away. "Let's go, Thrushkit. Foxkit, come keep Thrushkit company!"
"What?" the small russet tom bounded out from the nursery, his eyes darting around. What's he looking for?
"I said, keep Thrushkit company. Cinderkit and the others are napping. You two can talk, okay?" Giving her son a lick on the head (while he rolled his eyes), Wrenflight disappeared into the nursery.
"Er... want to play moss-ball?" asked Thrushkit awkwardly after a momentary pause. The other kit's eyes were constantly looking around, taking things in. Thrushkit wondered if there was ever a moment when he could be focused on one thing.
"No, that's boring," said the kit rather brusquely. "Let's try to sneak out of camp."
"But we'll get in trouble."
"Who cares?" snorted Foxkit.
"We're still kits. They'll understand, right? They'll think we're just playing." This kit has already understood a lot of what the big cats probably think of us. Perhaps he had underestimated Foxkit.
"It's still risky," he said lamely. The russet kit smirked at the uncertain look on Thrushkit's face. "Come on. It's not a risk if you know what you're doing. You scared?"
"Shut up," snapped Thrushkit, stepping forward to take the lead. "Of course I'm not! Now, we'll need to sneak out unseen."
"Just hide among the tall grass," said Foxkit easily. "And we need to find some flowers, too, to roll in."
"What?"
"To hide our scent," replied Foxkit, giving him a queer look. It's not that obvious, okay? Stop looking so smug! "So they don't smell our trail going out."
"How do you know this?" asked Thrushkit, genuinely impressed. But that doesn't mean I'm admiring him!
"I've listened to some training sessions, learned a couple things." Wow. He's smarter than me, thought Thrushkit grudgingly. And I'm three moons older than him.
"Whatever. Where do you want to go, anyway? Just wander aimlessly?" "No, I have an idea of where to go," said Foxkit, a crooked grin spreading onto his face.
"What, the Butterfly Garden?"
"The Butterfly Garden? What are you, two moons old? No, I meant the Hawk Perch!"
"Are you joking? Forget it! There's hawks there!"
"Duh."
"Don't you understand, you mouse-brain? We're going to get captured, and then eaten. It's dangerous out there-- not even warriors go there often!" said Thrushkit in frustration. Part of him wanted to stay because of the hawks, but the other part of him desperately wanted to one-up Foxkit in his face. And if they both got captured, well, it would be a draw, wouldn't it?
"You can stay," said Foxkit promptly, rolling his eyes. "We're wasting time. If you're not going, then I'll just go by myself. And if you rat me out, I'm taking you with me! You were supposed to be with me! You were supposed to be a good example, and not let me wander off." Thrushkit was taken aback momentarily. This kit, who was younger than him, was threatening him.
"Fine," he snapped, giving in. "But if we're dead and in StarClan, then I'm going to kill your spirit and you'll disappear forever."
"Sounds good," said Foxkit cheerfully, looking smug again. Thrushkit gnashed his teeth and sank his small claws into the dirt, trying to push away the urge to lunge at the russet-pelted fur-ball. He was now extremely reluctant to go, yet at the same time he was fueled up enough to want to leave now. Let's just get this over with.
"Look, Twigtail's going out," muttered Thrushkit, angling his ears towards the departing medicine cat. "And Alderpaw's talking to Shadowpaw. We just get the herbs and disguise our scent with them." "Sure." Foxkit pushed past Thrushkit and bounded towards the medicine den.
"Hey!" following him, Thrushkit sniffed around for the strongest-smelling herb before choosing to roll around in a couple of freshly-picked flowers. Foxkit shook his pelt.
"Okay, let's go." The two wandered around for a while, trying to give the others the impression that they were just playing. However, warriors seemed to everywhere, and it was nearly impossible to find an area of escape.
"What are you two up to?" Rosepaw had appeared before them; the congregation of their family had broken up, and whatever issue looked like it had been resolved. Thrushkit's heart dropped, but Foxkit still had a nonchalant look on his face.
"Just exploring," he said vaguely. "Can we help you?"
Rosepaw frowned. "Exploring? You two know the camp already." her eyes narrowed.
"Are you thinking of sneaking out?""Yeah." Jeez. It's impossible for him to lie just a little bit, huh?
"Whatever," Rosepaw muttered. "Looks like we're all breaking the rules today." and she left, leaving Thrushkit confused. What did she do?
"Nice sister," Foxkit snorted, and dove into the grass. With a bemused shake of his head, Thrushkit followed suit.
"Do you even know where this is?" asked Thrushkit uncertainly, surprised at Foxkit's confident strides.
"No."
"What?"
"Will you relax? We'll know when we get there."
"Of course we will know. If we're dead, we're there!"
"Just shut up! That's StarClan, mouse-brain. Go back if you want," growled Foxkit, sounding genuinely frustrated. Thrushkit scowled back, but stayed where he was: behind Foxkit. The russet tom was alert again; his ears swiveled left and right, and his head darted back and forth. His tail was flat and cautiously positioned, and he was certainly watching where he stepped.
Suddenly a loud, high-pitched bark sounded nearby, and both kits froze. Thrushkit's heart almost dropped. Dog! Oh, no... we're not even at the Hawk Perch yet! Foxkit's determined and confident look melted clean off his face, and he flattened his ears in terror.
"U-uh... Foxkit, we ought to leave."
"No, really?" retorted the russet tom. There was a loud crash, and grass was crumpled as the dog suddenly burst out. Thrushkit and Foxkit frowned.
It was tiny. It was no bigger than them, but its sharp teeth gleamed as it caught the sunlight. By its clumsiness, it was still young, yet beneath its pelt was visible muscle.
"Is this some kind of joke?" said Thrushkit in disbelief. "Let's just--"
"Ow! It bit me!" Foxkit's face contorted in pain as the dog lunged forward unexpectedly and latched itself to his leg. "It hurts! Do something!"
As much as he wanted to see Foxkit's leg get bitten off, Thrushkit grounded his teeth and threw himself at the small dog, claws outstretched. Almost instantly, the dog shifted its attention to him, and its teeth snapped at Thrushkit's face.
"Take a load of this!" The dog yelped as Foxkit scrambled up and slashed viciously at its side; confused, it looked from Thrushkit to Foxkit. Disoriented, Thrushkit weakly batted at it with its paws, and it threw them aside, sending Thrushkit flying. His entire back was in pain, and his head spun. Ow.
"Thrushkit! Foxkit!" a familiar voice called out sharply. A large shape exploded out from the meadow, sending butterflies flying. Another head blocked Thrushkit's view as it bent down, and he felt a jaws latch onto his scruff. Beside him, he could hear someone else running, also carrying Foxkit. Scuffles and yelps sounded in the near distance.
"You mouse-brains," growled Frostpaw's annoyed voice. He glared down at Thrushkit, who flattened his ears; he'd never seen his brother more irritated. Rosepaw stood next to him, checking on Foxkit, who looked somewhat shaken. Thrushkit looked past his siblings to see Goldenpaw wrestling with the small dog. Frostpaw leapt away without another word, sending loose grass flying into Thrushkit's face. Rosepaw crouched over them both.
"What happened?"
"W-we were walking, and that dog came near us," squeaked Thrushkit, his voice catching in his throat.
"It's gone now," said a gruff voice. Frostpaw approached them with a battered-looking Goldenpaw. Grass stuck in both of their pelts, and Frostpaw's white coat was smeared with dirt. Both scowled at the kits.
"Frostpaw! Goldenpaw! Rosepaw! Where are you three?" Rubbleclaw crashed through the grass with Shrikestorm and Larchhaven at his flanks. Frowning in confusion, he gestured to Thrushkit and Foxkit. "What are they doing out here?"
"They seemed to have snuck out," said Goldenpaw. "It looks like they lack the ability to listen to others' advice to stay in camp--"
"True," said Foxkit.
"--and the maturity needed for a future warrior of WhisperClan," Goldenpaw finished, leering. Foxkit frowned.
"That's enough, Goldenpaw," said Rubbleclaw sharply. "Go back to camp, you three. We'll deal with these two."
Thrushkit gulped, but Foxkit only flicked his tail.
Although Foxkit had been right about the warriors thinking that their escape was only out of curiosity and playfulness, Frostpaw and Goldenpaw had seemed to think the opposite. Frostpaw had acted as if he'd only rescued Thrushkit because he had to, and Thrushkit had started to think that perhaps it was only because they were Clanmates, and nothing more. Both brothers had started to look at Thrushkit with embarrassment, and became mysteriously deaf when Thrushkit was brought up. If an outsider had looked at the three toms, they would never think that they were siblings. Wow. I bet Goldenpaw and Frostpaw just thought I was ten times more stupid. It wasn't my fault, really. I had to watch Foxkit.
He desperately wished Frostpaw and Goldenpaw could like him. Why didn't they like him? Was it because he had a different father? Was it because he was just dumb and clumsy? I bet they were like that when they were my age! Cinderkit and her littermates may have had neglectful parents, but at least their older sisters were fun to play with (even if they were a little old). The luckiest of them all, perhaps, was Foxkit, who practically had everything they didn't. Lucky he doesn't have hateful siblings. Well, he doesn't have siblings AT ALL.
While Thrushkit had gotten a long, stern lecture from Shellsong, Flamewolf, and Snowfall (all whom looked extremely exasperated at having to explain the warrior code and the rules once more), Foxkit had gotten away with little scolding. Wrenflight had dismissed Foxkit's acts as kit-play (like Foxkit correctly predicted), but it seemed to make the russet tom annoyed. Wrenflight had even called him "brave," which made Thrushkit scowl once he'd heard it.
Thrushkit comforted himself with the thought of his upcoming apprentice ceremony. Only a half-moon to go! And I'll be out of here, and Foxkit can sulk by himself in the nursery.
He was chattering excitedly with Cinderkit and her sisters about it when the news was delivered.
"I can't wait until we're 'paws," Cinderkit said with excitement.
"Then we don't have to be confined to the territory," added Blazekit, with a glance at Thrushkit.
"I wonder who my mentor will be."
"I want Moonclaw!"
"I want Icestar!"
"I want Swiftblossom or Pinetail."
"I want Flamewolf," Thrushkit chimed in. "I heard he's great."
"Yeah, but he's your father," said Blazekit. "Icestar doesn't give fathers their own kits as apprentices."
"Oh," said Thrushkit, feeling sad. I won't get the chance to impress him, then.
"You could hope for Snowfall," Emberkit said, patting his shoulder with her tail.
"I guess."
Suddenly, the very cat they were talking about burst into the nursery. "Has anyone seen Rosepaw?" exclaimed Snowfall in a worried voice.
"No," replied Blazekit, looking mildly interested. "Why the worry?"
"Can't find her anywhere," said the large warrior, frisking his tail. "We can't detect her scent, and there's no trail of her whereabouts."
"What?" Shellsong was by their side in an instant, looking aghast. "Are you serious? Have you sent out patrols?"
Thrushkit felt his heart drop. Rosepaw missing? No. She was an adventurous cat, he knew that, but she couldn't get lost! She was so smart. "Maybe she went out by herself and disguised her scent," he squeaked, remembering Foxkit's technique. Twigtail had given them a scolding about ruining his herbs.
"That's not necessary for her," said Snowfall, the sides of his mouth quirking up a bit. "And we've scoured the entire territory."
"Relax," drawled a voice behind them. Snowfall turned to reveal Frostpaw and Goldenpaw standing behind him.
"Don't fret," sighed Goldenpaw. "It's just typical Rosepaw. We'll find her."
Will we? thought Thrushkit nervously. Oh please oh please... don't let me be stuck with these two as my only siblings!