Chapter Seven

Brokenkit

"She will be with the patrol to lead them to the missing kits."

Brokenkit couldn't believe it; she was actually going on a mission! A real mission! With warriors! But her excitement vanished as the responsibility of leading the older cats weighed down her shoulders and her tail sank in concern.

"Excuse me, Mudstar?" She mewed desperately, waving her tail to catch his attention.

"Yes?" Mudstar meowed, his hard stare unnerved Brokenkit but she couldn't take back her words now.

"Can.... Can I take Thornkit too?" The tiny kit meowed, her mind whirled and she found that she felt safer with the tomkit around.

Mudstar's eyes flashed in surprise and he opened his mouth to disagree but seemed to think better of it. Instead he asked, "Why must you bring Thornkit?"

"He makes me feel safe," Brokenkit mused in embarrassment, her pelt heating. "Don't tell him I said that..."

"I won't," an amused glint entered the leader's eyes and he nodded. "Very well. Darktail," he turned to his deputy, "You will take charge of Brokenkit and Thornkit on this expedition."

Dawnlight stepped forward, her meow braking a sudden silence that filled the den. "Mudstar, I know it is not my place to request such things but may I join your warriors in finding the kits?"

Darktail was about to spit a reply when Mudstar raised his tail for silence, not even bothering to glance at the other tom. "Yes, you may. These are your kits and shall be handled by you."

Dawnlight dipped her head respectfully, grateful for the his understanding. "Thank you, Mudstar."

"Do not thank me," the leader meowed, "Thank Brokenkit."

Brokenkit's mismatched eyes glimmered in pride, puffing out her chest, she mewed, "No need to thank me."

Dawnlight purred in amusement, her tail twitching, "Okay, Brokenkit. Whatever you say."

Mudstar's whiskers trembled in surprise but otherwise he hid it well. But Brokenkit still caught his surprise and her tailtip flicked in amusement and concern.

Have I done something wrong? She whispered to herself, quietly enough that the older cats did not hear her.

Darktail turned his burning amber eyes toward Brokenkit, but as he did so, his amber gaze softened until he looked as though he was watching one of his kin playing. This confused Brokenkit but she dropped it into the back of her mind as Mudstar began to speak.

"Darktail, Dawnlight, Brokenkit, you three should prepare the others for the search but don't leave until this rain has let up." He commanded, dismissing them with a flick of his ears.

Darktail and Dawnlight nodded respectfully while Brokenkit just watched in curiosity.

Then all three cats padded out and into the pouring rain, the wind buffeting their fur and the cold seeming to sink into their bones. Brokenkit had a hard time finding the nursery, and when she did, she was greeted by the warm milky smell and a worried Stonepelt.

"You were gone so long, I had started to think you were hurt or lost!" Stonepelt murmured into Brokenkit's ear as the young kit settled down next to her mother.

"I was talking to Mudstar," Brokenkit replied cheerfully, her mother's warmth making her feel better.

"Really?" Squirrelkit, who was in a conversation with his brothers, Thornkit and Splashkit, but now had his full attention on Stonepelt and Brokenkit. Because of Squirrelkit, Thornkit and Splashkit looked at the two related she-cats.

Brokenkit nodded enthusiastically, "Yes! I also talked to a water-cat! Er, I mean a RiverClan cat... Then I talked to Darktail! And I'm going on a mission to save the missing kits!"

"Oh, really, now?" Stonepelt purred in amusement. Her ears twitched in what seemed like fear or concern.

"Yes!" Brokenkit nodded again, her mismatched eyes gleaming excitedly, her fur bristling in a sudden nervousness that raked her body and flooded her mind with dreaded thoughts. Instantly, her tail dropped and she curled it around herself so as to not let any cat notice.

"What if your lying?" Thornkit meowed, his dark gaze a steady glare at Brokenkit.

"I'm not!" Brokenkit hissed, her fur bristling in anger. "I would never lie! Not to my kin, not to Squirrelkit, not to Splashkit, not to Mudstar, not even to Dawnlight, and especially not to you, Thornkit!" The younger kit bared her teeth in fury.

Thornkit looked taken aback by her serious tone and by the mention of his name. His fur fell flat immediately and his dark eyes turned a share darker, "Sorry..." He mewed, his words were almost inaudibe as he glanced away and curled up into a ball.

Both his brothers looked angered and shocked at Brokenkit's sharp meow but neither spoke their disagreement on her actions. Instead, they curled up next to Thornkit and began sharing tongues and calming him.

Brokenkit's heart plummeted, she had thought her words would have brought her closer to the three; but instead it pulled them apart. It was like a huge, bubbling river separated the denmates from each other.

Oh no... Brokenkit thought, what have I done?

She turned back to her mother, her ears flat against her skull in shame, Brokenkit's mother looked saddened but her yellow eyes held a certain understanding that told her that Stonepelt would always side with her, no matter what was to come.

I'm sorry mother...

Brokenkit was about to speak an apology when a familiar voice wafted into the nursery.

"Brokenkit? Thornkit? It's time to go."

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