Quote: Dustkit wrinkled his nose in defiance, as Lionkit shot his brother a stern glare. "Yes mama." he replied. "Yes mama." Dustkit mimicked in a high pitch voice. Lionkit rolled his eyes.
Cloudshade nodded, then headed to the back of the den. She got the traveling herbs out.
Specklefur sighed with exasperation. She then realized that Ebonykit had sneaked away. "Off creating trouble again, most likely," she muttered, padding out. She felt strange.
Outside, Ebonykit was talking with Shadowkit. "Mama said we couldn't go see Troutfur today because she's not feeling well. Well, if she can't, then why don't we?"
Shadowkit nodded vigorously. "Good idea!" She bounded out of camp with Ebonykit. Shadowpelt stared at the sleeping form of Silverstripe. He sighed, licking her cheek.
Dustkit smirked, padding up behind Lionkit. He jumped at him, chewing on his ear. Lionkit snarled, flipping his brother.
Troutfur waited patiently, eager to see his mate and kits.
Silverstripe stirred, but didn't wake.
"Boys." Specklefur said sternly, though it was a bit weak. Her breaths came out raggedly. "Don't fight... I don't feel good. I don't want to handle your fights right now." She laid down, closing her eyes.
"Where's Fourtrees?" Shadowkit asked.
"We're not going to Fourtrees!" Ebonykit replied, bopping Shadowkit on the head. "Silly! Daddy's in RiverClan."
"But, mama says that we shouldn't go into other Clan's territories!" Shadowkit protested, a bit uneasy.
"Oh, so what? We're just going to see our daddy." She came to the gorge.
"We have to cross that?" Shadowkit gulped. "It looks dangerous..."
"Danger is my middle name!" Ebonykit called boldly. "Oh come on, don't be a mouse!" Grinning determinedly, she bunched her legs and jumped. "Ah!" She fell into the river. Shadowpelt waited, just staring at the silver warrior he had once been good friends with. He sighed. He missed those days.
Dustkit huffed, sitting down. Lionkit nodded, "Sorry mama." he said, nuzzling up to her. He curled up in her fur. He frowned. His mother's scent of different... kind of sour. Inwardly, he shrugged. She had probably just eaten something. Dustkit scowled at his brother and curled up by himself.
Troutfur's ears shot up. He had heard Ebonykit's scream. Leaping away towards it, he saw Shadowkit by the gorge. "Shadowkit!! What's going on?" he asked his daughter. Weakly, as if it took all of her energy to do so, she licked Lionkit's forehead, then laid it back down. She felt so fatigued.
"Ebonykit fell in the river!" Shadowkit cried, looking at Troutfur, then the river. Lionkit imediately became aware that something was wrong. "Mama! Are you okay?" He asked, his tiny voice cracking with fright.
Dustkit lifted his head. His ears drooped. "What's wrong?" He asked timidly.
Troutfur's heart skipped a beat. "Oh no." He muttered, then leaped into the river. His large semi webbed paws churned the water as he eyed the surface for his daughter.
"Yeah... I'm fine." She murmured. She suddenly remembered: Ebonykit and Shadowkit! "I-I'll be back," she said to her kits, rising to her paws. Her legs quivered, but she fought. They could be getting into any kind of trouble now. She padded out of the camp entrance; her vision was blurred. She was so dizzy, she didn't even realize she was going towards the Thunderpath instead of Fourtrees... up until...
"Mommy! A kitty!"
Ebonykit tumbled under the waves of the water. Which way was up or down? Her lungs unable to wait anymore for air, she gasped, getting a mouthful of river water. she coughed and wheezed as her head appeared above the surface. "Help!" she tried to cry, but it was quieted and more like a gasp. She then disappeared under the water again.
Lionkit leaped after her, and Dustkit hurried after him. "We're coming too!" he yelped. They padded out of the bushes after their mother and heard the voice. Both kits froze mid-step.
Troutfur spotted her head before it went under and dove after her. He opened his mouth to grab her scruff and felt her tail brush against his teeth. He clamped his jaws down on it, and began to swim toward the bank.
