Laurelstar's Oath

Chapter One: Not Like It Seems

*I imagine death so much it feels more like a memory...*

“Where are you, Sprucekit?”

Laurelkit looked around at her surroundings, smiling amusedly. A refreshing breeze gently ruffled her fur, causing the kitten to purr with delight. Rays of sunshine filtered through the leafy trees, creating mirages of luminescent light on the forest floor. Opening her jaws, the kitten inhaled the fresh cool air of the lush forest. Tasting a familiar scent, she smirked, knowing she found her target. She crouched, ducking her head low in the grass. Right in front of her stood her brother, Sprucekit, as he hid, oblivious, behind a pine tree.

“Gotcha!” Laurelkit giggled, pouncing on the other chocolate-furred tom.

Sprucekit yelped loudly and spun around to face his sister. “Hey!” he exclaimed in surprise. He leaped on the dark-grey she-kitten and nipped on her flank.

The two kittens began to play-fight with one another, tumbling carelessly in the ferns. Sprucekit pawed at Laurelkit’s soft belly, who let out a small hiss. Flipping themselves over, Laurelkit pinned Sprucekit down on the forest floor and leaned into his defeated face, grinning gleefully. “It’s unfair!” Sprucekit complained unhappily, his olive-green eyes flashing with mock-anger. “You snuck behind me!”

“Well, too bad. It’s my turn to hide now!” she squealed teasingly. With that, Laurelkit leapt off her brother and raced through the forest, not even bothering to turn back to hear Sprucekit’s response.

Soft blades of grass crumpled underneath Laurelkit’s small paws, but the slate-furred kitten didn’t seem to notice. She explored the peaceful forest with great interest and listened to its soothing noises. The pleasant chirping of birds and rustling of crisp leaves echoed through the trees. Laurelkit lifted her head, admiring the vast nature surrounding her. Bright sunlight bathed the forest with a warm light as her frost-blue eyes glowed with awe. She sniffed for prey, crouching low on the forest floor on her haunches. Suddenly, the deliciously wild scent of mouse filled the kit’s senses. As Laurelkit stalked stealthily into a clearing, her eyes caught sight of a small figure near the roots of large pine. Before the small shecat could decide what it was, a high-pitched shriek broke the silence.

*There is no beat, no melody...*

Laurelkit pricked her petite ears, her dark grey fur raised with alarm. Something wasn’t right. “Sprucekit! Where are you?” she called frantically, “Are you hurt?” Glancing back up at the sky, the she-kitten hoped in vain that her fears would be vanquished by the soft glow of sunlight. Instead, she found herself staring in horror at a somber sky, polluted with smoky-grey puffs of foul smoke. The forest surrounding her dissolved into a world of destruction. Laurelkit blinked in shock as the grass around her was coated with thick clumps of ash; the once towering pine trees gave a mighty groan and crashed into the blackened forest floor. The kit let out a frightened yelp and spun around, anxiety spreading from the fuzzy tips of her black ears to the very end of her striped tail. Wailing in desperation, Laurelkit looked around wildly, aching to find a way to disappear from devastated forest. Please, please let this be a dream, she thought, shutting her eyes tightly.

The stench of burning fumes interrupted the little kitten’s thinking as it erupted in her nostrils, overwhelming her senses. Laurelkit coughed, her corners of her eyes excreting a thick yellow pus as she squinted in the darkness. Suddenly a faint light illuminated the dark forest. Forcing herself to stand, the kit wobbled towards the insignificant glow; a tiny flash of hope stirring in her belly. Could it be dawn already? Laurelkit realized in terror that she was greatly mistaken as the air grew feverishly warm. A strange, choking mist seeped through the branches. Stepping back instinctively, the kit bared her tiny fangs, her once-bright eyes turned to slits. The brightness intensified and before Laurelkit could blink, golden-orange fire spread rapidly throughout the withered trees.

The forest now gleamed with a blazing-amber glow. Clouds of smoke churned in the dim night sky. Flames licked hungrily at the dry grass, burning dangerously close to Laurelkit’s paws. I need to get out of here, she thought fearfully. Daring not to glance back at the wildfire, she sprinted as fast as her legs could carry her. The heat was so intense, Laurelkit couldn’t risk taking a gulp from the polluted air. The smoke made every breath painful for her small lungs. It was too much for the poor kitten to handle. The grey cat came across her first obstacle: a fallen trunk. It was already smoldering, and without trying to think, she leapt. Digging her claws in the tough bark, she hauled herself over the large tree. Sharp pain lanced her hind legs as her paws touched the dry soil, causing her to wince. Frantic thoughts swirled in Laurelkit’s mind.

*I should have never left Sprucekit. What have I done?*

*It’s all my fault.*

*What if he’s already dead?*

A blood-curdling scream abruptly ended her thinking. As she swiveled around, her icy-blue eyes widened in horror as she saw her own brother, slumped, looking broken against a collapsed oak tree. “Sprucekit!” she shrieked. She could scent the burning smell of his singed fur. “You need to *get out of there*!”

Sprucekit’s eyes darted around until he caught sight of his sister. Patches of his fur were missing and his paw pads were blistering. Several cuts in his brown pelt dripped blood on the soil. Despite this, a small smile grew on his face. “Laurelkit…” he breathed. His olive eyes softened for just a moment, then clouded with fear. “I’m going to die, aren’t I?” he whispered.

Laurelkit rushed to his side, uncaring of the flaming heat licking at her fur. “N-no, you won’t. I’ll make sure of it,” replied Laurelkit softly. She forced a smile. “You’ll be alright.”

*Teach me how to say goodbye...*

“Remember when I ate those deathberries? Mother almost killed me.”

She chuckled lightly. “I know, I know, shh. Save your strength.” Laurelkit let out a shaky breath. The roar of crackling flames echoed through the burning forest.

Sprucekit closed his eyes and sighed sadly. He was struggling to survive, Laurelkit could tell, as his flanks heaved. He choked against the poisonous fumes and shivered, despite the heat. He opened his eyes weakly. “That… that fire was over-elm..ing,” he snickered feebly. His laugh turned into a gasp for breath, and began coughing uncontrollably. “I..I’m oak-y.”

Tears formed in the corners of Laurelkit’s eyes. “I won’t know what to do without you!” The smoke was so obscure that she had to squint to see her brother’s dying face. Nudging Sprucekit gently, the she-kitten licked his coarse fur affectionately. “Stay alive for me, please…”

The brown tom’s breathing became shallower. “Don’t be so dramatic. I know you’ll be able to fend for yourself, Laurelkit,” he said quietly. “Just… look at me one last time.” It took a huge effort for him to lift his head, but he continued to wear a hopeful expression. “Please?”

The siblings shared eye contact for a long moment, aquamarine irises meeting emerald ones. “I suppose I’ll be off to StarClan, now,” he chuckled weakly. “Promise me you’ll make me proud. I know you’ll be a great cat.” Exhaling smoothly for the first time, Sprucekit sank back into the dry grass. His orbs faded into a dull-green color as his blank eyes stared at the dark, smoky sky.

Sprucekit was gone.

Now tears fell freely from Laurelkit’s eyes. She forced her head into his dark pelt, racking with sobs. Drops of salty water soaked his dry fur as the little kitten shook with grief.

But she knew she couldn’t stay forever, otherwise she too would die in the paws of the flames. Licking her brother’s fur once, Laurelkit struggled to stand on her burnt paws. She gazed at his limp body one last time, affection and love surging through her tiny body. As Laurelkit raced away from the burning forest, a single thought bloomed in her mind.

*I promise.*

**~ Cats & Places Introduced in Chapter One ~**

* Laurelkit
* SprucekitGo to Sprucekit
* The Forest Fire
1/3
Laurelkit: A dark-grey Maine Coon/Bengal mix shecat

Sprucekit: A caramel-brown Maine Coon/Bengal mix tom

The Forest Fire: A once tranquil forest demolished by harsh flames.

Chapter Two: Dreams

Laurelkit panted with fatigue, her small flanks rapidly heaving. She was exhausted. Her paw pads were blistered and raw and her throat dry and coarse. She was in desperate need of water. To add on to her stack of problems, her brother had died the previous day in the forest fire. The little kitten had fled the wildfire for hours; now she hoped she was safe in this peaceful woodland. She observed her surroundings warily. A beautiful full moon glowed brightly in the night sky and the forest echoed with the soft chirps of robins and sparrows.

Laurelkit inhaled the air, hoping to scent a nearby water source. She sniffed the fresh tang of salmon, and her stomach growled in response. The kitten never realized how hungry she was. Following the scent, her striped tail swayed excitedly.

It wasn’t long until she heard the soft bubbling of a stream. Padding on the smooth pebbles of the shore, Laurelkit gazed at the crystalline water. Her eyes caught sight of the sleek bodies of pink fish swimming near the banks of the stream. She eagerly began lapping up gulps of cool water, feeling a soothing sensation in her burned throat. After she drank her fill, Laurelkit dipped her head in the rushing water. She closed her eyes peacefully, enjoying the refreshing water soak into her singed fur. Throwing her head back into the surface, water droplets soared into the air, splattering onto her pelt. She felt significantly better.

Laurelkit decided to rest, as her eyelids flitted sleepily. She settled near a birch tree near the shore of the stream and curled up on the damp soil. She closed her tired eyes, waiting for StarClan to grant her sleep.

**\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\***

*“Come on, wake up! I wanna play!”*

*Laurelkit mumbled in her sleep as her brother pounced on her impatiently.*

*“Let your sister rest,” purred a long-haired grey shecat. The Maine Coon nuzzled Sprucekit, gently nudging him closer to her soft belly. “It’s time for you to nurse, anyways.”*

*Sprucekit squirmed, grumbling in annoyance. But he obeyed the queen and soon his head was nestled in her belly.*

*“What’s with all the commotion, Aspenheart?” A large tawny Bengal with a white underbelly stepped into the nursery, his sky-blue eyes glimmering with amusement. “Are the kits making a fuss again?”*

*Aspenheart purred and lifted her head to fondly lick the tom’s muzzle. “Shh, Oakfang. Laurelkit’s asleep and Sprucekit’s nursing. He didn’t want to at first, but he’s all right now.”*

*Oakfang chuckled and nuzzled his two kits. “They’ll be wonderful warriors some day, I’m sure. Strong like their deputy father,” He proudly puffed out his chest and sat down next to his mate.*

*At last Laurelkit blinked awake, mewling. Opening her small jaws, she yawned sleepily. The kitten inhaled the warm, milky scent of her mother and crawled towards her soft belly.*

*“Good morning, young one,” Aspenheart mewed lovingly. “After you and your brother finish, how about you both go outside and play?”*

*Sprucekit leapt up immediately and bounced around the mossy ground. “Yes, please!” The tom weaved between his father’s front legs excitedly and plopped in between them.*

*Oakfang laughed, a deep rumbling echoing in his throat. “How about we wait outside for Laurelkit to finish?” Before giving his son a chance to reply, the Bengal nudged Sprucekit out of the nursery.*

*Letting out a small giggle, Aspenheart snorted. “Toms.” She gently poked her nursing daughter. “Are you almost done? Your father and brother are waiting.”*

*Standing up, Laurelkit stretched her small limbs. “Yup!” The kitten licked her mother’s nose quickly. “I’ll see you later, Mom!” She raced out of the nursery, soft moss crumbling under her paws.*

*“Don’t go too far out of camp!” Aspenheart called.*

*As she twitched her ear in response, the dark-grey kitten dashed towards Oakfang and Sprucekit. “So what are we doing today?” she asked breathlessly. She turned towards her brother, whose olive-green eyes glowed with jest. He leaped onto her playfully and Laurelkit squealed with mock-anger.*

*“That’s enough,” Oakfang scolded, pushing the kits away from each other. “Birchflower wanted me to go on border patrol with her and Smokewhisker, so you both better not burn down the camp while I’m gone,” the Bengal tom purred.*

*“Alright, Dad!” the two kits replied obediently.*

*“Stay in camp, young ones.” Oakfang nuzzled each of his kits affectionately before padding off to a pretty tortoiseshell shecat and a grey tom with a black chest and face.*

*The two siblings watched as the three cats strolled out of camp. Before they were out of sight, a pale sandy tom prodded towards the small kits.*

*“Hello, kits. Running off, are you?” the tom inquired, his amber eyes twinkling.*

*“We just watched the border patrol leave, Stagleap,” Laurelkit replied.*

*Stagleap blinked. “Well, don’t venture too far out of camp. I have an uncomfortable feeling tingling my fur.” The long-legged tom shivered. “Something seems wrong. Be careful.”*

*“We won’t, Stagleap!”*

*The tom nodded with approval and padded towards the warrior den, his thin tail lashing.*

*Sprucekit turned to his sister, mischief sparkling in his eyes. “I have an idea!”*

*“Well, what is it?” Laurelkit asked her brother amusedly.*

*“I’m a big rogue! Rawr!” The small tom pounced on his sister, slapping her pelt. “I’ll steal all your prey and kits!”*

*Laurelkit rolled off him and giggled. “I’m a WindClan warrior defending my camp! Eat dung, kittypet!” The slate kitten clawed at his flank and hissed in mock-anger.*

*Sprucekit snickered and raced past the apprentice den and into the thick bushes. “Catch me if you can then, mouse-brain!” His petite body wriggled under the greenery and vanished.*

*“Wait for me!” Grinning, the kitten began to chase after her brother, leaving the camp and into the woodlands-*

Suddenly, the WindClan camp dissolved into a moonlit forest. Laurelkit, baffled, found herself alone. The shecat stood on her rested paw pads, admiring her surroundings. Bright flowers swayed in the soft breeze and the moonlight turned the grass a silvery white. The sky was illuminated with thousands of stars and splashed with dark colors of blue and purple. Glittering water gushed through polished rocks, plunging into a crystal-clear pool. Laurelkit’s sleek pelt turned silver in the gentle moonlight. The kitten blinked in confusion. Was she dreaming this entire time?

“Wh-where am I?” she murmured to herself, baffled. Stepping forward, Laurelkit yelped as a thick wall of fur blocked her way. Leaping back instinctively, she lifted her head up to observe the mysterious feline.

A pale sandy tom looked down on her, smiling warmly. “Hello.”

“Stagleap!” she gasped in surprise, “Why are you here?”

Stagleap sighed sadly. “I now hunt in the ranks of StarClan. I didn’t survive the wildfire, along with a few other cats.” His eyes narrowed with seriousness. “But that isn’t important. I interrupted your dream for a reason.” He raised his head as silvery silhouettes of felines leaped from the indigo night sky and gracefully landed on the forest floor. The shadows morphed into cats of different shapes and sizes, but all were beaming at the small Laurelkit.

A sleek Maine Coon padded forward. “My dear Laurelkit,” the grey feline purred, “it’s so great to see you here.”

“Mom!” Laurelkit rushed towards Aspenheart, mewling loudly. She rubbed against her mother’s thick fur. She smelled of the sweet blossoms of newleaf.

Laurelkit stepped back abruptly, coming to a realization. The kitten gazed at her mother’s frosted paws and starry pelt, looking crestfallen. “You… you died?”

Aspenheart gazed at her with soft chartreuse eyes. “Yes, dear one. Your father is still alive, however. He is serving the Clan well, like a true deputy should.” The queen tucked her tail under her hind legs in sadness. “I died in the nursery.”

“Is…. is Sprucekit here?” Laurelkit whispered. She longed to see her fallen brother.

“You are not ready to see him yet,” Aspenheart replied quietly. “But we have come to you for an important cause.”

Stagleap stepped forward, the soft breeze ruffling his short fur. “Yes. Listen carefully, young one. We’ll have to return soon.”

The two cats stared at the grey kitten, their shining eyes filled with wisdom and grace. “As the tides rise and the lightning strikes, the frost will rule the Fauna,” they spoke in unison.

Laurelkit blinked in bewilderment. “Is… is this a prophecy? May I hear it again?” But before her questions were answered, Stagleap and Aspenheart padded back to the group of shimmering cats, leaving luminous paw prints in the path.

“Wait! I don’t know what it means! Come back, Mom! Stagleap!”

Turning her head around, Aspenheart said nothing, but cast her daughter a look of longing and love. Then all the cats vanished in a glittering light, isolating Laurelkit.

**~ Cats & Places Introduced in Chapter Two ~**

* Aspenheart
* Oakfang
* Birchflower
* Smokewhisker
* Stagleap
* WindClan Camp
1/6
Aspenheart: A beautiful grey Maine Coon queen with chartreuse-green eyes (Warrior of WindClan)

Oakfang: A tawny Bengal with sky-blue eyes (Deputy of WindClan)

Birchflower: A pretty mottled tortoiseshell shecat (Warrior of WindClan)

Smokewhisker: A smoky-grey Maine Coon tom (Warrior of WindClan)

Stagleap: A long-legged sandy tabby with amber eyes (Warrior of WindClan)

WindClan Camp: Peaceful, grassy hills that leads to a lush forest.

Chapter Three: New Encounters

Laurelkit stared at the blades of grass gently swaying in the breeze, her mind wandering aimlessly. What had that dream last night been about? What did Stagleap and her mother say to her mean? “As the tides rise and the lightning strikes, the frost will rule the Fauna,” she murmured to herself. After a few moments of deep thought, the kit sighed. “Oh, Sprucekit…” she meowed sadly. “I wish you were here with me again. You could of helped me figure this out.”

Suddenly a loud growl echoed close to her. Laurelkit yelped with surprise and jumped. Her fur bristling, the kitten bared her small teeth and stayed close to the birch tree.
Another growl continued, but this time, Laurelkit realized, it came from the belly. She still didn’t eat after escaping the flaming forest. No, she thought to herself, shivering. I’m not going to think about that anymore.

The slate-grey feline padded to the stream-bed and sat on the smooth stones. Her frost-blue eyes were transfixed on a lazy salmon basking on a stone. Her thin tail lashed in excitement, imagining what a tasty meal it would soon become. She watched quietly, making sure her shadow didn’t fall on the water. The fish didn’t move a muscle. Unable to wait any longer, Laurelkit quickly plunged her paw in the water and flipped the salmon out of the water.

The salmon wriggled wildly as it was flung into the air. Laurelkit held her breath in excitement, waiting for it to fall on the shore in front of her paws.

But it didn’t.

The fish fell back into the stream with an undignified splash and rapidly swam away to another rock, where it hoped to resume its sunbathing in peace.

A soft chuckle resonated behind her. Laurelkit grumbled irritably, and looked down at her pitiful belly. “Don’t mock me,” she mumbled in annoyance. “I know you’re hungry, so I’m trying to get you some food.” She forced herself to stare at the water once more.

But to her great surprise, the reflection of a pretty cloudy-grey cat appeared in the water next to her own small slate-grey one. Laurelkit whipped around to face the mysterious feline. Her angry frost-blue irises met shining, amused periwinkle ones. Her expression of rage faltered for a moment.

The feline laughed heartedly at the kit’s failure. “You could have caught that salmon if you didn’t hesitate at the last moment.” Her thin striped tail lashed amusedly.

Laurelkit continued to glare at the she-cat with an unwavering gaze. “Who are you?” she demanded.

“The question is, who are *you*?” the cat replied calmly. “You seem quite young to be here all alone.”

Laurelkit huffed. “Well, I’m not that young. I’m the age of an apprenti-”

“I saw you trying to catch that salmon as I was patrolling the area.”

“Patrolling?”

The grey tabby nodded. “Correct. And you, are in my Clan’s territory.”

The kitten jumped back suddenly. “I-I’m sorry!” she stammered. “I’ll go out of this forest right away.” She started to pad away when the feline’s voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Wait! I know you’re hungry,” she called. Laurelkit turned her head around, listening.

“I can teach you how to catch a salmon properly,” the feline offered. Interested, Laurelkit padded back towards the cat. The tabby watched quietly as another salmon weaved through the weeds near the shore. Hiding her reflection from the water’s surface, she darted her paw into the water and scooped the fish powerfully out of the water. Laurelkit watched in awe as the feline flawlessly slashed at the salmon’s pink scales with a long claw. As its sleek body lay limp on the stones, the alluring she-cat flashed Laurelkit a prideful smile. “And that’s how it’s done. Want to share?”

**\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\***

Laurelkit lay by the birch tree, her belly pleasantly full. “Thank you for the meal,” she said gratefully. The kit turned towards the other female cat, who was contentedly nibbling a fish bone under the shade of the tall tree.

“You’re quite welcome.” she replied, “though I was never told of your name.”

The small she-kit fidgeted slightly. “It’s Laurelkit.”

“Oh?” The cloud-grey tabby twitched her ear in interest. “So you’re in a Clan too?”

“I was in a Clan,” Laurelkit corrected, her spirits sinking. However, the other feline didn’t seem to notice this and continued. “What happened?”

“I lost my brother and mother to a forest fire,” Her voice faltered. “Please, I don’t want to talk about it anymore…”

It was the other cat’s turn to look embarrassed. “I-I’m sorry for your loss, Laurelkit.”

Laurelkit shook her head sadly. “It’s alright, you didn’t know.”

The feline looked at Laurelkit’s figure, impressed. “You’re so young, yet you’ve been through so much.” She leapt gracefully onto her paws, her blue-violet irises flashing. “Would you like to join my Clan? I bet my leader would gladly take you in.”

Laurelkit beamed. “I would love to!”

“Awesome. Follow me.” The feline padded away into the thick woodlands, and the little kit hurried to catch up to her. As they traveled, Laurelkit admired the scenery around her. The forest was even more breathtaking in daylight. The pleasant chirping of birds and rustling of crisp leaves echoed through the trees. Bright sunlight bathed the forest with a warm light. A stray leaf landed gently on Laurelkit’s nose, causing her to giggle lightly. “Your Clan has a nice forest.”

The short-haired cat turned towards her, puffing out her chest. “We pride ourselves in our territory,” she replied proudly.

Laurelkit cocked her head to one side in sudden curiosity. “But can I ask you a question?”

“Obviously, you’ve just done so,” the feline grinned. “You may ask me one more thing, however.”

“What’s your name? I forgot to ask for your name.”

The feline blinked for a brief second, then cast Laurelkit a warm smile.

“Riptide.”

**~ Cats & Places Introduced in Chapter Three ~**

* Riptide
1/1

Riptide: An alluring cloudy-grey American Shorthair with periwinkle eyes