"Crow..."

A black she-cat padded a small clearing, eyes darting around the area. Her tail lashed with mischief.

"I know you're out there~" The she-cat sang, her voice echoing.

In the nearby brush, a small black she-kit crouched low. Her sky-blue eyes flashed, holding in a loud laugh. The black she-cat stood a few mouse-lengths in front of her. She smirked.

"Oh Crow~ If you don't come out, I guess I'll just eat the rest of the rabbit." The she-cat turned, waltzing away. Her tail was high, and the smirk remained on her face.

Crow mewed, "No, I want it!" She quickly covered her mouth once she realised her mistake.

The she-cat turned around and picked up the small kit, "Gotcha!" The kit playfully hit the larger cat with her paws.

"Let me go mom!" Crow's mother dropped her kit softly, flipped her over on her belly, and nuzzled her black nose into Crow's belly. The kit let out a loud fit of giggles.

"M-Mom, stop!" She giggled and slid away from her mother, then turned and jumped on her back.

"Now, I've got you!" She playfully nibbled on her mother's fur. She winced and spit out the fur, "Gross!"

The she-cat smiled, but a sudden noise made her stop. She perked her ears, tensing up. "Crow. Hide in the brush." She picked up her kit, setting Crow down secretly in the brush.

Her mother turned around, coming in contact with three large toms, staring down at her. The largest stepped up to the she-cat. His pelt was dark, casting a strange shadow over him. He purred, "Raven~ It's been so long since I've seen you." His eyes flashed with rage.

Raven stood her ground, "It has been a pleasure not seeing your face, Clash." She spat this words at him. Crow huddled back, scared.

Clash smirked, "I had a deadline, Raven. We know about your kit. He needs to come with us." He hissed, the cats behind him huddled around Raven.

Her mother hissed, "You'll never get my kit. I don't care if you even kill me." Her legs shook slightly. Crow's eyes widened.

Clash smirked, "If that's what you want..." He flicked his tail, signaling the other two.

They pounced on Raven, clawing into her back and face. Crow watched her mother fight hard. She couldn't do anything, they would kill her. She shook her head and jumped out.

She bit into Clash's leg. He yowled, kicking Crow off of him. He pivoted, glaring at the black kit. "Why you little-" Then, he took a cold hard look at Crow. He huffed, "She lied! It's it's a she-kit."

Crow looked up at Clash with hatred, "Leave my mommy alone!" Clash laughed, flinging Crow away, into the thick bushes.

The black she-kit watched with helplessness, the large toms clawing her mother. Hot tears fell down her cheeks. The only sound she could hear, was her beating heart.

Clash laughed, motioning towards the two other toms, as they walked away. Their snickers and laughs rang through the trees, haunting Crow.

She bolted out, nudging her mother, who lied on the cold ground, blood pooling around her. "Mommy?" Crow nudged her mother again.

Raven looked up with dull eyes, almost seeing past her kit. "Crow..." She rasped, voice lost. Crow cuddled against her.

"What can I do momma?" She mewled.

Raven purred, "I'll be fine... honey.... just let me rest..." She coughed, blood sputtering.

Crow shook her head, "I'm not leaving you momma! Not now, now ever." She sobbed into her mother's side, breathing in her scent.

Her mother reached up, placing a crow feather- that she had previously had behind her ear- behind Crow's left ear.

"Crow... You must go on... You have many adventures that await you..." Raven rasped, reaching up to her kit's nose. "You'll be part of something big..."

As she said this, her eyes grew dull, and her breathing slowed. Crow looked down at her still mother, her tears covered the blood-matted fur.

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Hope you like it! :3

I'll post the Allegiance in the next chappie!