Chapter Text
Nightwing POV.
Nightwing rushed through the bracken entrance to the Batclan camp, sprinting up the rocky slope that led to the forest. He was followed by Batstar and Jaybird. Bounding through the forest with the speed of warriors. Ducking and leaping through thick foliage. Paws pounding on the leaf-strewn floor. Jaybird and Redpaw had reported Deathclan scent on Batclan territory and rushed back from the Deathclan border to alert Batstar. Nightwing could not think of a worse time for Deathclan to start their tricks. They had just experienced the worst bout of whitecough that any of the senior warriors had seen. Half of the clan had been wiped out. Including kits, warriors and elders. The rest of the clan were on high alert. Well aware of the clan's current fragility.
Their clan leader had gathered a patrol to investigate the potential border invasion and ordered Redpaw to guard the camp. The patrol were now on their way to the border, eager to protect their territory.
The three warriors surged through the forest. Their sleek muscular bodies moving with strength and precision. As they approached the border Nightwing scented the air. Immediately, he caught the scent of Deathclan. Close and fresh. He wrinkled his nose at the rotten stench. In his mind, the scent had always smelt like crowfood. Ever since he was a kitten. His ear twitched as a subtle rustling came from a bramble bush. He could smell that the Deathclan scent was strong there. He signalled for Batstar and Jaybird to follow his lead, stalking towards the bush.
"Intruder! Show yourself!" He yowled, his hackles raised. A body jerked from within the bramble bush. The three warriors, ready for anything, didn't expect Lilymist from Deathclan to slither out of the bush holding a tiny black kit by the scruff. Shock and confusion muddled his thoughts. What was the leader of Deathclan's daughter doing in their territory? Especially, with what looked like a newborn kit.
"Lilymist, what are you doing on our territory?" Batstar demanded, approaching the Deathclan queen. Lilymist placed the kit gently on the forest floor, making sure to place him on a patch of moss. She lifted her head to look directly at Batstar, her nose practically in the clouds.
"Hello, Beloved," Lilymist hissed, her voice like venom.
"Beloved?" He and Jaybird meowed in shock, looking between the two cats. Nightwing knew they must have seen each other during gatherings, but the way the two looked at each other suggested something more. A longing shielded with hurt.
"Lilymist, what are you doing here?" Batstar mewed, sounding like the leader he was. His eyes moved from Lilymist to the tiny scrap of fluff on the ground. Nightwing saw Batstar's eyes grow soft. His leader could never resist the sight of a kit. You could mistake him for a queen.
"You speak as if we never shared that night those many moons ago," Lilymist mewed coldly. There was a sadness in the way she spoke, in the way she moved. It became obvious when she gazed down at her slumbering kit. Batstar's body turned to stone, his wide eyes centred on the tiny kitten at his paws.
"Is this..?" Batstar's voice was weak, a slight tremble in his words.
"Yes, he is yours," Lilymist replied. "His name is Batkit."
The Batclan cats were silent for a moment, letting the shock run its course. Nightwing and Jaybird exchanged concerned glances. However, Nightwing could see the seething anger within Jaybird that threatened to take over the concern. Nightwing didn't want to be angry at his leader, but this was a betrayal. It went against everything their clan stood for. Not to mention the warrior code. Deathclan were villains. They killed without cause or mercy. Throwing kits into battles as if they were senior warriors. How could Batstar have a kit with a cat like that?
"How old is he?" Jaybird demanded, throwing a glare at Batstar. Lilymist's eyes landed on Jaybird. The queen surveyed him regally like Jaybird was a lowly mouse.
"Two moons," she said finally. Nightwing knew it had to have been recently due to the size of the kit and the lingering roundness of Lilymist's belly.
"And you didn't tell us until now?" Jaybird hissed, ears pinned back to his head.
"I had no other choice!" Lilymist hissed back, the fur on her spine standing on end. "You don't understand!" The queen bared her teeth.
"Lilymist, please," Batstar interjected. Nightwing could hear the care in his leader's voice. It was like he was talking to his kin. How long had they been seeing each other? He could see the years of love behind Lilymist's eyes. How could this have been going on without them noticing? "Let us understand," Batstar said.
"My father will get him killed!" Lilymist yowled, tail whipping side to side. "I need my precious kit to survive and he won't if he stays in Deathclan!" Nightwing heart drops, suddenly understanding what Lilymist was asking of them.
"You want us to take him?" Nightwing asked.
"I need you to, he needs you to!" Nightwing looked down at the tiny kit that hadn't even opened his eyes yet. He squirmed weakly in his little bed of moss, not able to hold his little head up. Nightwing had to stop himself from approaching, cautious of Lilymist's reaction. Despite, the fact that Lilymist was giving the little scrap of fur up, he knew not to get in between a queen and her kit. However, a fondness wormed its way into him at the sight of the tiny tom. He was anxious to get the kit to camp. It wasn't safe at the border. He took a couple of hesitant steps forward. Lilymist hissed at his approach causing him to arch his back defensively. "Make no mistake, I am entrusting my kit to you, Batstar." Lilymist hissed, glaring at Nightwing. "Do not raise him to be soft."
"What are you implying!" Jaybird hissed, baring his fangs at the bossy she-cat.
"Jaybird, stand down!" Batstar ordered, his features a stony visage. Their leader stood his ground. Standing tall and confident. He turned to Lilymist and said, "If we are to take this kit as our own, he will be raised as Batclan." Lilymist regarded Batstar silently as he took in his statement. She looked satisfied.
"Train him as a warrior, his destiny does not lie in medicine cat duties," Lilymist said disdainfully.
"His destiny will be clear to me in time," Batstar said. Lilymist huffed, rolling her jade eyes. A smile crept onto her face, love clear on her features.
"Why is he sleeping so soundly?" Nightwing asked warily, knowing the reputation Deathclan has build.
"I can smell sleeping herbs on him," Batstar answered.
"Well smelt, If only you were a Deathclan cat," she said wistfully. There was a sadness in her voice, mourning what could have been. By the look on Batstar's face, he wishes the same to some extent. Nightwing felt as if he were intruding and he could tell Jaybird felt similar when they shared a disgruntled glance.
"Okay, let's wrap this up before this kit freezes in the moss!" Jaybird hissed impatiently. Lilymist's eye landed on Jaybird violently. Even from where Nightwing was standing the she-cats eyes felt like a claw to the face. She then glanced down at her trembling kit. Her eyes turned sorrowful once again. She gave the kit a few gentle licks before rushing back over the border into her territory. Lilymist stopped and turned to look at Batstar and the kit one last time, and then finally, she disappeared within the forest.
"You have a lot to answer for, Batstar!" Jaybird hissed, rounding on their leader with his hackles raised. Batstar stared back regretfully, but there was still strength in his gaze. He regarded Jaybird with authority.
"I know, but you must know that my heart has always been with my clan," Batstar mewed. He sounded sincere, but Nightwing knew it took more than words for Jaybird to forgive. Nightwing understood that Batstar's actions broke the warrior code and thus betrayed the clan, however, as he stared down at the little kit mewling in the moss, he couldn't bring himself to care too much. To question or protest. They have a new little kitten. As the other two cats bickered Nightwing gently scruffed Batkit and started to make his way towards camp. He needed to get this kit safe.
Nightwing slithered through the forest like a snake, quiet and efficient. His speed only dips when Batkit let out a hearty mew. Warmth spread through Nightwing's body. He focused on the feeling of Batkit scruffed between his jaws. The weight and warmth. It had been so many moons since they had a kit running around camp. The last time was just as whitecough hit the clan. Nightwing sped up, eager to bundle their new kit in the nursery. He was relieved to hear Batstar and Jaybird coming up a little ways behind him. Knowing what was good for them, they were quiet. Bickering would not help the clan and it would certainly not help Batstar's kit.
The cats travelled through the forest in silence. Reluctantly ignoring any fresh kill scent on the way. The quicker they got to camp, the safer their new addition would be.
They were almost at camp when Nightwing noticed Batstar lingering closer to him as they padded on. His blue eyes were attached to Batkit's tiny form. He stretched his neck to sniff his new son, stumbling slightly as his paws hit a large root embedded in the ground. Nightwing purred in amusement before placing Batkit on the ground in front of Batstar.
"You wanna carry him?" Nightwing watched as Batstar stared down at his new kitten. He sniffed the kit's tiny body, then started fervently licking him. Batkit smelled like a Deathclan cat. Nightwing could imagine that it was driving Batstar insane. It was hard to ignore for Nightwing as well.
"Why are we stopping?" Jaybird asked grumpily, having not calmed down quite yet. Batstar froze. Like a spell had been broken.
"You're right, we need to get him to the nursery," Batstar said, hurriedly picking Batkit up by the scruff. The three cats continued towards camp. Nightwing was relieved to see the rocky hollow they called home, all the familiar sounds and scents a comforting presence. The cats gracefully climbed down the rocky slope and through the bracken barrier to the camp.
Immediately Blackbat, Redpaw and Eagleheart rushed towards them. Nightwing could see the questions on their tounges. However, those questions were interrupted by shock. Their eyes were glued to the tiny new addition, a new set of questions eager to be asked. Nightwing could see twitching tails and upturned fur. They must be able to smell Deathclan.
"Any injuries, Batstar," Eagleheart asked. The older cat was always the best at keeping calm in shocking situations, this time being no different. The only indication of his unease being the occasional twitch of his tail.
"No, thank you, Eagleheart," Nightwing answered on behalf of Batstar, who was on a mission to get to the nursery. The nursery was a small cave sitting opposite of the entrance to the camp. The mouth of the cave was shielded by a thick bramble bush that harboured a cat-sized slit within it. It was unfortunately not getting much use until now.
"Batstar, what in Starclan is that?" Redpaw asked as he trailed after their leader with wide cautious eyes.
"It's a kit, mouse-brain!" Jaybird mewed. Redpaw glared at his clanmate, his tail flickering moodily.
"I know it's a kit, what's it doing here?" Redpaw mewed exasperatedly as they all followed Batstar into the nursery. Their leader immediately busied himself with creating a nest for the tiny new addition. Scraping clumps of moss and bracken into place.
"We have a new clanmate," Nightwing said cheerfully as he helped Batstar create a comfortable nest for Batkit. Redpaw looked on with terribly concealed looks of shock and confusion.
"But he's Deathclan!" Redpaw exclaimed, his fur ruffling and his whiskers twisting in discontent. The scent of Deathclan was steadily spreading in the air. It was clear that the scent was making the others nervous. Nightwing wasn't too comfortable with it himself. His fur itched to scent the little kit. Instead, he settled with nosing moss around Batkit as his sire placed him in the new nest. Tucking the precious kitten in comfortably.
Now that Nightwing was up close to his new clanmate he was eager to get a good look at him. The kit was smaller than average. You could almost mistake him for a runt. His eyes were still closed from the sleeping herbs. Nightwing wondered gleefully as to what colour they'd be. He also noticed that Batkit had many scars, obviously from battle. A strange feeling arose in him. It was present when he saw Batkit dangling within the jaws of a Deathclan cat. Despite being the kit's mother, she wasn't to be trusted. As his thoughts return to Lilymist fear filled his belly. Batkit will get hungry soon.
"How are we gonna feed it?" Redpaw asked, as if he read his mind. The nursery was deathly quiet for a moment before Batstar spoke up.
"Eagleheart and I will consult Starclan, Batkit will be fed." Batstar assured, sounding as if he was trying to convince himself aswell as his clan. Nightwing watched the mice circling in Redpaw's brain. Looking confused as he was lead out of the nursery by Eagleheart, Jaybird trailing behind. Nightwing followed them out imagining Batstar would like some alone time with his kit. He glanced back to see Batstar curled protectively around Batkit. Warmth spread through Nightwing's chest and he found himself staring wistfully at them. The feeling soon turned sour as he noticed a nagging emotion raising in his throat. He couldn't get it to leave him alone. Jealousy. A strange jealousy. At least that's what it felt like, but he must be mistaken. He continued following his clanmates out of the nursery. The smell of kit must have been messing with his head.
"Urg, the smell of kit..." Jaybird groaned, shaking his wide head. So it wasn't just him, Nightwing purred in amusement. The clan would have to get used to the new addition, scent and all.
Eagleheart padded into his medicine den, mewing about traveling herbs under his breaths. He must going to mother mouth at moon high. Nightwing padded after the old tom who usually asked for Nightwing to accompany him. The tom was getting old and was not as strong as he used to be. He needed a strong young cat to help him return safely to the clan, who needed their medicine cat desperately.
A plethora of herbs washed over his senses immediately as he entered Eagleheart's medicine den. The smell bringing immediate comfort and familiarity. The den was made out of a cave which was sheltered by a blanket of hanging moss. It draped itself over a large chunk of the rocky hollow. Making moss an easy find for the medicine cat. Unlike the other clan's territories, where the resource was scarce. Nightwing nosed through the moss, prepared for his senses to be inundated with a plethora of herbs. He watched Eagleheart rush around his den. Mumblings tumbling out of his mouth like pebbles down the hollow. The old cat was gathering three bundles of traveling herbs. These herbs stave off hunger and keep cats strong during long journeys. Nightwing waited silently, not wanting to interrupt his clanmate's work. Nightwing was watching a wayward fly try to escape the den when he heard some-cat enter. He turned to advise the cat not to bother Eagleheart, but was silenced by the shock of seeing that the cat was Batstar.
"Batstar, who is watching Batkit?" Eagleheart asked after dropping a bundle of herbs on the ground, looking close to scolding their leader. Which would not be a rare occurrence. Ever since Batstar's mother and father were killed by badgers Eagleheart took over guiding their kitten to the right path. Being a part of a clan was his only salvation. Nightwing assumed this was why Batstar was so adamant about protecting clanless kittens and giving them a family. He didn't want any kitten to go without the love and protection of a clan, and this wasn't just an ideal in his head. Batstar took in all of the warriors and Redpaw in as kittens. Unsurprisingly continuing the trend with Batkit without question. However, he also knew far too well the depravity of Lilymist's father, Deathstar. Batkit would be thrust into warrior training as soon as he could open his eyes and not the customary six moons. Even sending kittens into battle was not beyond Deathstar's cruelty.
"Blackbat," Batstar said simply, his eyes filled with determination. "I must share tounges with Starclan." Eagleheart spared a look of worry mixed with understanding. It was just like Batstar to go seeking answers himself. However, it made sense. Nightwing had never experienced it himself of course, but he knew that leaders sharing tounges with Starclan was a powerful resource. "I must also ask you to stay in camp, I don't want you taking any long journeys," Batstar said kindly yet firm.
Eagleheart stared at their leader silently for a few moments, pawing the herb bundles into a neat pile. "If that is what you wish," Eagleheart said.
"It is."
"I know I am the only medicine cat left in the clan, but I must still carry out my duties," Eagleheart mewed. Batstar nodded, padding up to the old cat.
"It's only for now," Batstar assured, pressing his nose into Eagleheart's cheek with a purr. "The White cough left us weak, but we will grow strong again."
"Take Nightwing with you, at least," Eagleheart said, motioning his head towards the grey tom. Batstar's fur rippled. Nightwing purred with amusement. Batstar must have forgotten he was there. The Batclan Leader wasn't the sort of cat to show affection so openly when executing his duties as leader. Especially to his father/medicine cat. Nightwing found it funny and comforting that a cat never grows out of kitten-like behaviours. Even one's like Batstar who always wanted to keep a reputation of being stoic and unbreakable.
"What's wrong?" Nightwing said. "You look like you've seen a dog eating your prey," he joked good-naturedly. Batstar's tail flicked in mild annoyance.
"Just take your herbs and ready yourself for the journey," Batstar grouched as he bent down to grab his own bundle of herbs in his teeth. Nightwing followed suite, munching down the herbs. He grimaced from the bitter taste, still not used to it even after many journeys to mother mouth.
"Be safe," Eagleheart mewed softly, his eyes blinking affectionately at the two of them. There was a sadness lingering in his eyes. It slowly appeared as Eagleheart started to slow down. His body unable to keep up with his medicine cat duties. Eagleheart was still strong for his age, but the work of a medicine cat is alot even for a cat in its prime. Nightwing wished he could help his clanmate, but he was never good at remembering herbs.
"We will," Nightwing said cheerfully as he and Batstar exited the medicine den and padded towards the bracken entrance, up the slope and into the forest.
The two cats headed past the dark pine forest of Batclan and up towards the moors and old wheat fields of Superclan. They skirted around the Twoleg-place north of Batclan territory. Superclan sits opposite of the twoleg-place. A field owned by no cat sitting in between. To get to mother mouth they have to travel northward across the field, far enough away from both twoleg-place and the Superclan border. There's an old abandoned twoleg den that sat on the northern end of the field, a place to rest and find fresh kill.
They approached a small thunderpath that separated Batclan from the twoleg-place and what made up part of Superclan's Southern border. The two cats could see Superclan's flowing moorland from where they were standing. Superstar (lol... I know...I couldn't think of anything else) was an honorable cat, but it was best to keep away from the other clan's borders.
The thunderpath they had to cross was luckily devoid of monsters most of the time, but Batstar still demanded caustion whenever any cat had to cross it. The two darted across when it was deemed safe. The scent of stale wheat was starting to surround them, as well as crowfood from the west and Superclan scent from the east. They padded up a small dirt path, smoothed out by many moons of paw-steps. The path sat next to a tall wooden fence that led into twoleg-place. Nightwing was glad it was there, otherwise they would never travel so close to the twolegs.
They hadn't been journeying for very long when Nightwing heard a tiny squeaking noise. His ears perked and his tail twitched. Coming to a stop, he scented the air. Nothing smelt out of the ordinary. He could smell Batstar, of course, but maybe something was off. It almost smelt like Batstar was in two places. Nightwing looked to Batstar, who was continuing on as normal.
"Did you hear that?" Nightwing called. Batstar stopped and padded back over to his clanmate.
"What's wrong?" Batstar mewed in concern. Another squeak sounded causing Batstar's ears to twitch in turn.
"That sound, it almost sounds like a..." Suddenly a tiny black body surged up from the wilted wheat, a tiny high-pitched war cry sounding from it. Tiny claws poked into his pelt, barely grazing his skin. He yowled in surprise, ready to duck into a roll to throw the offending attacker off.
"Stop!" Batstar demanded, his voice booming from his muscular form. His attacker jumped from his back and Nightwing spared no time spinning around to face them. The wind was knocked from his lungs.
"Batkit!" Nightwing bleated, his eyes wide as he took in the kitten's scruffy form. His fur was standing on end, his back raised and his jaw was open in a venomous hiss.
"Father, this cat was following you!" Batkit exclaimed, skittering to hide behind Batstar's legs. Nightwing's fur bristled in shock and by the looks of it Batstar was even worse off. His ears were pulled back, tail whipping wildly and his eyes were filled with panic.
"What on Starclan are you doing here?" Batstar boomed furiously, stepping away to face the tiny kit. Batkit shrunk back, a mix of confusion and shock on his face. There was pain there too, that spoke betrayal.
As he watched the tiny trembling kit something snapped within him. It felt as if something in his brain was changing. He was overwhelmed by the urge to put a stop to the kitten's fear. To keep him happy and comfortable.
"Batstar, take it easy," Nightwing mewed, placing a paw on his leader's broad chest. "If he runs, we're crowfood!" Batstar's eyes widened, looking at Batkit's uneasy face guiltily. He heaved a tired sigh.
"I'm sorry, Batkit; but it's dangerous outside of the camp, especially for a kit!" Batstar mewed slightly less stern now, but there was still anger there.
"Mother said I needed to stay with you, father!" Batkit responded. "She said I would live with you in your clan!"
"So why did you leave the clan?" Batstar grumbled flatly, his ears twitching backward.
"I need to prove my worth within the clan!" Batkit mewed. "I will join you on this mission!" Batstar was surprised for a moment before shaking himself out of it.
"No, this is no mission for a kit!" Batstar shouted before amending, "kits like you shouldn't even be going on missions!" Batkit recoiled, his ears pinned back as his lip started quivering. Nightwing couldn't tell whether it was from sadness or anger.
"I'm being barred from missions?" Batkit cried in outrage. "What did I even do wrong?" Nightwing lay his tail across Batstar's scarred muzzle, stopping his rant from forming.
"All kits are barred from warrior duties, buddy," Nightwing explained kindly. "Batclan operates much differently from Deathclan." Batkit was silent for a few moments as confusion cemented itself onto his face. He slowly glared up at Nightwing.
"How do you train your warriors?"
"Kits become apprentices when they turn 6 moons old," Nightwing said cheerfully.
"That's so much time wasted!" Batkit exclaimed. Nightwing shook his lean head with a smile, ignoring Batstar's grumbling complaints.
"I disagree, being a kit is the most important part of a cats life!" Nightwing proclaimed.
"How so?" Batkit said.
"A good kithood helps a cat grow to be an honorable warrior," Nightwing said. "With a good heart!"
"A good heart?"
"Yes," Batstar interjected sternly. "A warrior must fight not only with their claws, but with their heart aswell." Batkit scrunched up his nose in annoyance and in what Nightwing guessed was confusion.
"How do you kill somecat with your heart?" Batkit asked grumpily. Batstar sighed and shook his head, causing Batkit's fur to stand on end. Nightwing could tell the kit desperately cared about what his father was saying. He just wanted to understand. To follow in his father's pawsteps. Nightwing's heart ached for him. It's going to be a difficult path ahead.
"Get back to the camp, Batkit," Batstar ordered. Batkit started.
"I can be of use, I promise!" Batkit pleaded, his ears pinned back almost laying flat on his head. Nightwing could only imagine what those foxheart Deathclan cats were putting into this kittens head. Anger pulsed in his bones for the poor kit.
"Your worth is not decided by what you can do for this clan, Batkit!" Batstar exclaimed. Batkit froze. Nightwing could picture the mice running circles in the kit's head. It was as if they were speaking a different language.
"We can't let him go back to camp on his own," Nightwing said.
"We're not taking him to mother mouth," Batstar said. Nightwing sighed.
"He'll just run from camp again if we go back, besides we're running out of time to make it back to camp before dark," Nightwing said, giving Batstar no room to argue. Batstar grumbled under his breath and started to continue northward towards mother mouth. Nightwing purred and motioned for Batkit to follow them.
The two cats walked on either side of Batkit as they headed through the old wheat fields. The kit was trying his hardest to keep up with their long strides. It was a little amusing seeing his tiny legs going so fast, but also troubling. He breathed in fast puffs and even tripped over his own clumsy feet a few times. Nightwing could guess that Batkit would be resistant to assistance. It was like having a senior warrior inside the body of a kit. All the ferocity and pride of a Deathclan warrior.
"Batkit, let me carry you," Batstar demanded impatiently, stopping in his tracks. Nightwing winced, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at his leader. It's almost like he's never had to deal with a stubborn kit, even though he's raised a paw full.
"What? Why?" Batkit hissed, his fur spiking. His tiny body fluffing out, making him look like a dandelion. Batstar huffed grumpily.
"You are slowi-" Nightwing quickly silenced Batstar with his tail, a sheepish apology given through a glance.
"You'll be able to achieve a better view from Batstar's back, you'll see the enemy coming," Nightwing mewed. He knew what worked on a kit. He had helped raise his silblings from kitten-hood. Batkit was no different. No matter how much Deathstar tried to claw the kit out of him.
Batkit's eyes narrowed in what Nightwing assumed was suspicion. The kit's stance tense. Then he closed his eyes, raising his nose in the air.
"Ah, yes," he mewed; trotting over to Batstar. "I suppose I am the only one for the job." Nightwing purred in amusement, throwing a pleased look at Batstar; who just shook his head with his own mirthful mew.
Batstar lowered himself towards the dry peat and waited as Batkit scrambled onto his back. As they continued, Nightwing could tell Batkit was taking his job very seriously. His eyes scoured the Superclan borderline like a hunter stalking it's prey. The determination and precision of a senior warrior shining brightly in his eyes. Nightwing purred in amusement. It surprised him, the endearment he felt. It scared him slightly aswell. He wasn't sure why. He loved all his siblings and he had gotten used to suddenly having a new addition. Though, admittedly, none of them used to be Deathclan.
They had been going for a short while when Batkit's firm mew sounded.
"Batstar, enemy cats approaching our border!" Batstar's wide head turned towards the border as the two warriors came to a stand still. Nightwing stifled a purr of amusement at Batkit. The kit's midnight fur was standing completely on end. He looked like a moss ball. A very grumpy moss ball.
Nightwing's mind was brought back to the subject at hand when Batstar let out a light hiss. Which caused Batkit to let out one of his own.
"Do you want me to gut these prey theives?" Batkit hissed, his back curved and tail whipping wildly. Batstar sighed.
"No!" He hushed, a hint of embarrassment in his mew. Nightwing followed Batstar as he approached the border. He could already scent the new arrivals and knew they were of no threat. It was Superstar accompanied by a patrol of Superclan warriors. The Leaders greeted eachother with a respectful nod. Nightwing knew that the two have moons and moons of history. A friendship built on saving eachother's fur. They seemed at ease as they met on opposite sides of the border.
The warriors, however, were alert and ready for anything. Despite their leader's friendship they were still a rival clan. Nightwing took note of each warrior, taking in their scent. There was a she-cat called Lotusleaf and a tom called Coolbreeze.
"Hello, Batstar!" Superstar mewed cheerily. "And who is this?" He purred when Batkit started to climb Batstar's head, his tiny paws braced on his father's forehead.
"I am Batkit, son of the mighty Batstar, I am going to be the fiercest warrior in Batclan!" The kit hissed, stepping on Batstar's ears in the process. The warriors all shared an amused smirk, remembering the days of kittenhood. Except Batstar who was trying to shake Batkit off of his ears.
"What a lovely kit, Batstar," Superstar mewed. "I didn't know you had taken a mate." There was an awkwardness there that Nightwing couldn't place. It's as if Superstar suddenly couldn't look at Batstar.
"I haven't..." Batstar responded. The superclan cats eyes widened, glancing at eachother in confusion. Batkit just grumbled, seemingly upset that no-one was reveling in his strength.
"Well... Lotusleaf just had her kit a moon ago, his name is Superkit, a similar age to your little one by the looks of him," Superstar said cheerily, glancing over at his mate proudly.
"This is the first time I'm leaving the camp since kitting, really needed to stretch my paws," Lotusleaf mewed. She looked at peace, leaning into the wind of the moors like it was an old friend she hadn't seen in moons. Batstar seemed to soften at their words, a purr raised in his throat.
"Congratulations, old friend," Batstar mewed fondly. "And you too, Lotusleaf. May Starclan be with you." The Superclan cats nodded and took their leave. Superstar blinked his eyes at his old friend before following his warriors.
"You have friends in other clans, father?" Batkit questioned, sounding almost scared. Nightwing's tail twitched.
"I do, friendship is important between the clans, even if others don't see it that way," Batstar mewed. Batkit settled back down on Batstar's back as they continued on their way, looking down at his paws.
"Grandfather punishes cats who become too close with the enemy," Batkit muttered under his breath as if he was revealing some deep long kept secret. Nightwing kept silent, but aware of his surroundings. Ready if anything threatened the Batclan cats. They were almost to mother mouth. The ground becoming more rocky than those of the fields. There was a giant red twoleg nest not far from them, but there are no twolegs living in it.
"I'm aware of Deathstar's methods and I believe they are not the way of Starclan or the warrior code," Batstar mewed. Batkit looked confused. Like his little world was being shaken.
"How do you know?" The question was soft, open but conflicted.
"Because my grandfather was there when the code was founded and my father never let me forget a word of it," Batstar mewed fiercely. "I also know that Deathstar keeps the sacred principles of the warrior code from his clanmates!" Batstar hissed, growing more and more heated. Batkit shrank, his ears pulled back.
"Batstar, calm down!" Nightwing implored. Batstar shook his head, shocked at his outburst.
"I apologise, Batkit," Batstar mewed. "It's good to ask these questions and I'm glad that you are." He assured. Batkit still looked wary, like he was waiting for a punishment. However, the wariness vanished as they approached mother mouth. The kit looked up at the gaping maw of the cave in wonder. Grass and rocky slopes let up to the entrance. By the looks of the sky they were right on time. The sun had set and the moon was creeping onto the horizon. Silverpelt was shining brightly, their warrior ancestors must be active. A perfect time to visit the moonstone.
"This is where we part, Batkit," Batstar mewed. Nightwing scruffed the tiny kit and lifted him onto a patch of moss outside mother mouth. Batkit tutted.
"I could have gotten off myself!" He hissed. Nightwing smiled and gave the kitten a wink.
"But with a little help you didn't have to," Nightwing replied. Batkit stared at him as if he had grown another set of ears. Nightwing chuckled, raking his tounge over the kit's forehead. Which was met with a glare and a hiss.
"Behave you two," Batstar ordered. Batkit straightened.
"Yes, Batstar!" The kit mewed obediently, throwing a glare at Nightwing when Batstar turned and entered mother mouth. Nightwing laughed, stumbling joyfully on his paws. This kit was too much fun. His tiny furious face trying to be taken seriously, but he was just too adorable. Nightwing wondered what his own kitten would be like. He had pondered it before, but for some reason he couldn't conjure an image. It seemed easier now.
"How much did your mother teach you about clan life?" Nightwing asked. Bakit took a second to think, scrunching up his face and tilting his head.
"Batstar is our leader and I must be the strongest warrior in the clan," he mewed. Not much then.
"I'll help you learn all the different roles in the clans," Nightwing mewed. Batkit looked confused, but nodded regardless.
The two cats sat together and mewed on about anything and everything. Batkit was particularly interested in Silverpelt, his green eyes glowing in it's light.
"...every single star is one of our ancestors." The kit stared up at them his eyes widening in amazement. He looked to Nightwing when he stopped talking, motioning him to carry on. Nightwing chuckled and continued.
"The moon's light helps our medicine cats communicate with them." Batkit's eyes shot towards the moon his ears perked as if he was trying to hear it. "It's pretty rare for a non-medicine cat to talk to Starclan though," Nightwing explained. Batkit's tail dropped, falling silently on the moss he was sitting on. Nightwing's heart clenched. He couldn't stand the look of disappointment on the kit's face.
"We must return," Batstar's voice suddenly sounded. The black cat's face was determined as he spared no time in scruffing Batkit and helping him climb on his back. "Let's go." The cats padded on. Nightwing could tell Batkit was starting to struggle. The kit's eyes were slipping shut at times and Nightwing could even hear his belly rumbling. Nightwing knew Batstar could hear it aswell from the way their leader was speeding up.
"What did you do in there?" Batkit asked sleepily.
"I talked with Starclan in my dreams," Batstar responded. Batkit yawned.
"I want to dream with Starclan," Batkit mewed as he settled down comfortably on Batstar's back.
"Sweet dreams, little one," Batstar purred, slowing down to let Nightwing scruff the slumbering kitten, whose backside was already sliding off of Batstar's back.
The two continued quietly and, thankfully, without much interruption until they found themselves back at the thunderpath. The sky had turned a flaming gold colour as the sun threatened the horizon. They took turns in carrying Batkit who had awoken a couple of times to tell Batstar that he was hungry. Batstar just ignored the kit and sped up.
"What are we going to do, Batstar!" Nightwing hissed, confused by his leader's indifference to the kit's suffering.
"Come," Batstar mewed around his kit's scruff. He quickly padded towards twoleg-place. Nightwing froze, watching in disbelief as his leader walked between two twoleg nests. Batstar stopped and looked back at Nightwing, his eyes watching him expectantly.
"You're not giving him to the twolegs, are you?" Nightwing asked gravely, his voice pleading. Batstar looked startled by the accusation. He placed Batkit gently on the ground.
"Of course not, now come!" Batstar ordered before picking up Batkit and continuing on his way. Nightwing begrudgingly followed Batstar into the belly of the beast. His fur standing on end at every little sound. The smell of twolegs was revoltingly strong here and he could even smell the faint scent of dog.
Batstar lead them to a wooden fence that was attached to a twoleg nest. The two cats jumped over the fence with their hearts in their throats. They walked with their bellies brushing the ground, eyes alert for any threat. Suddenly Batstar started walking briskly towards a tiny red twoleg nest. It had two metal bowls sitting in front of it. One filled with water and the other filled with old waterlogged twoleg food. Batstar set Batkit on the ground, staring down at the food in sorrowful confusion.
"This can't be what Starclan meant, Batkit can't eat this, he needs milk!" Batstar hissed, curling his broad paws around Batkit's slumbering form.
"Did Starclan tell you to come here?" Nightwing asked, looking down at the kitten. He prayed to every star in the sky that the kitten would be okay. He could hear the kitten's stomach growling as fiercely as a Lionclan warrior.
"Yes, but there was another thing, 'where stars shine away from the sky'," Batstar mewed thoughtfully. Their eyes scanned the ground for any fallen stars or shiny objects. "My father spoke those words, he would never lead me astray," Batstar hissed. Nightwing started, leaders weren't allowed to give details of what they experience in their dreams with Starclan. His heart started thumping against his ribs. Batstar had spoken with his father? What if his own mother and father were waiting in Starclan for him to become leader? He didn't really want to be. He didn't want his adopted father to die, and Batstar was the best leader they could ever have. There was no way he could lead like him. Fair, honest, and bloodthirsty when he needed to be. However, if there was a chance he could speak to his parents again...
"What are you doing here?" Yowled a voice before a black and white kittypet leaped down from the fence, landing in front of them. The two clan cats jumped into battle stances, their fur spiking, ready for a fight. It was a she-cat, a queen even. She was beautiful, with long fluffy fur and bright green eyes. Around her neck was a collar covered with small shiny rocks. A gasp sounded from beside him. Nightwing glanced over at Batstar. His face bore a look of shock.
"The star..." Batstar whispered under his breath. Nightwing's body shuddered. Batkit was saved!
"Get away!" The she-cat screeched, a clawed paw swiping at them. She was guarding the tiny twoleg nest. Spitting and hissing at them if they got too close. Nightwing could just about see inside and there was way too much blood and too little movement for a normal kitting. Nightwing felt his pelt grow cold. His chest erupting in an ache that felt like it had been there forever. There was unimaginable pain that he could suddenly see in this young queen's eyes.
"Please, wait!" Batstar pleaded. The she-cat turned on him, her eyes burning with urgency. "We have a kit, he needs milk, please," Batstar mewed. The she-cat glanced down at the kitten, her eyes dulling.
"Well, I haven't stopped bleeding so, I guess I've killed another kit," she said, her voice broken. Her body was trembling. Nightwing only now noticed, but there was alot of blood covering her back legs. Nightwing's heart leapt into his throat, he looked over at Batstar in panic. His leader looked serious, but calm. He didn't even flinch.
"We have a medicine cat, he can help you. You will not die this day!" Batstar implored. The she-cat looked down at the ground, she looked tired.
"What is your name?" Nightwing asked after a few beats of silence.
"Selina," she said.
"Where are your humans, Selina?" Nightwing asked.
"Gone," the queen replied simply. "You're clan cats, aren't you?" She asked. The clan cats nodded. "You can help me?"
"I will do everything in my power to do so," Batstar mewed. Nightwing's eyes widened, Batstar was usually distrustful of kittypets. Maybe he felt pity for the injured she-cat.
"Alright..." Selina relented, turning back to her kittens and giving each of them a loving lick.
The clan cats made their way back to camp, careful of their precious cargo. Batstar hovered close to Selina. Helping her navigate around obstacles and encouraging her when she winced in pain. As they entered their territory Nightwing could scent Jaybird and Redpaw close by. He could hear them calling for Batkit. The sour smell of panic surrounding the area.
"Batkit is with us!" Nightwing called into the forest.
"Nightwing?" Jaybird called, running over to him with Redpaw in tow. "That little brat snuck out!" Jaybird hissed, looking ready to claw the kit's fur off.
"Not now, we have a bigger problem, go tell Eagleheart to get the medicine den ready!" Nightwing ordered. Jaybird looked shocked, but spared no time in running off towards camp. Redpaw fell instep with them, trying to subtly get a glance at Selina.
"Who is that?" Redpaw asked. "She smells like a kittypet."
"It doesn't matter, she needs our help," Batstar mewed firmly.
When the cats made it to camp Eagleheart was waiting for them at the entrance. Batstar immediately handed the kit to Blackbat.
"Make sure he doesn't escape again," Batstar mewed, sounding a bit harsh. Blackbat nodded, her head drooping guilty. Nightwing went over to her and gave her cheek a comforting lick, watching as Eagleheart, Batstar and Selina entered the medicine den.
"Shouldn't we go in and make sure she don't try anything," Jaybird asked. Nightwing shook his head.
"She's gonna feed Batkit, mousebrain," Redpaw mewed, which won him a hiss in return. Nightwing chuckled as his brothers.
"Starclan answered Batstar's plead for help," Nightwing explained, turning to Batkit and Blackbat. "We should get him into the nursery."
It felt like they had been waiting moons for an update on the she-cat. Jaybird and Redpaw had gone to continue their duties, while Nightwing and Blackbat stayed with Batkit in the nursery. The kit was up and about now. Less energetic than before, but he seemed alright. Blackbat was grooming the kit from head to toe, a purr rumbling in her throat. Nightwing pawed at the bedding in the nursery, making sure it was dry and comfortable for Selina. He grabbed the moss Redpaw dropped at the entrance and built a new nest just for her. His ears twitched as he heard Batstar's voice approaching the nursery. He motioned Blackbat to get ready and she plopped Batkit into the new nest.
"Hey, I was comfy," the kit complained groggily. Nightwing chuckled and made way for Selina and Batstar to enter. The she-cat entered slowly, hobbling on shaky legs. She froze when her eyes met the nest.
"Is this for me?" She asked, sounding fragile.
"Of course," Nightwing replied kindly. Selina waddled over to the nest, settling down gently next to Batkit. The kit in question looked up at her in bewilderment, trying to inch away from her.
"Who are you?" The kit complained.
"This is Selina, treat her kindly, she agreed to feed you," Batstar ordered sternly. The kit settled, though he still didn't look pleased. "Let's give them some space," he said to his clanmates. As Nightwing left the nursery he threw an encouraging smiled to Batkit, who looked a little nervous. He couldn't imagine another cat stepping in for his mother. Hopefully, in time, everything will fall into place.