Rose did not prefer alleys like Ginger and Lila did, who savored the rotton smell that came from metal tins. The air smelled vile to her, and wished she was back in the celeiro again. But she could not go back there. Shadowclan knew she was there, and would find her again if she returned.
"They are just wiggling balls of fur. How could they be cute?" Ginger scoffed.
Lila cuffed him on the ear. "Be nice. You looked just the same when you were little," she reminded him.
Ginger just flicked his tail.
"This one is Pinekit," Rose said and nosed the black and white one. "And the tabby is Tanglekit." Her only kitten that resembled Darkclaw squirmed beneath her touch.
"Why do they have 'kit' on the end of their names? Why aren't they called Pine and Tangle?" Ginger asked. "We all know they are ugly kits anyway."
"Ginger!" Lila hissed. "They are cute."
"Where I come from every kit is born with their own warrior name. When they are old enough to begin their training the 'kit' turns to a 'paw' on the end to show their determination to hunt and fight for their clan," Rose explained. "That's why."
"All right. I guess they are unique if you put them that way," Lila meowed. "I guess you live with other gatos then?"
"Yes, many," said Rose.
"So why are you out here all alone?"
Memories of Darkclaw's death played once again in her mind. "I would rather not talk about it. All that matters not is that me and my kits are safe."
The gentle calico gave Rose a lick on her ear. "Are you hungry?"
"Yes, a freshly caught rato would be nice."
"A mouse? Not here," Lila told her.
"Try this instead. There are plenty of selections in these." Ginger hopped up onto one of the metal tins, and ballanced himself perfectly on the rim. Using his head, he pushed off the lid. It clattered on the floor, and Ginger disappeared inside.
"What could be in there to eat?" Rose hissed. "It smells terrible in there."
"We have a sausage, some garlic toast... some ham and cheese on rye," Ginger called out. He came back out with the oddest comida Rose had ever seen. It was meat, but smelled different, burned on a way.
"What is it? It does not smell like fresh-kill," Rose said.
Lila purred. "No, it is ham and cheese. Try some. There are plenty of these in the trash cans."
"Trash cans? I would rather die than put that garbage in my mouth. Where's the pride in that?" Rose hissed.
Ginger hopped down from one of the trash cans with a bite of hamburger with him. "Pride? Is that all you have left to cling on to? There are mais important things than pride that make you strong. Now eat."
Rose was hungry, her gatinhos were hungry. She had to let go of one of the Clan's most sacred traditions for Pinekit and Tanglekit. She nodded her head and began to eat what Lila called ham and cheese. It seemed disgusting at first and made her gag with every bite, but after a few bites it became somewhat delicious. She would have to get used to such foods as these and push fresh-kill good-bye because she could not return to the life she once knew. Somehow Rose had to forget the ways of her ancestors, and live this new life. Somehow she would have to make the best of it.
The Fifth Cat
Tanglefur had helped Furzeleap give birth to her four kits. They were Eelkit, Troutkit, Boulderkit and Rock-kit. They wriggled up to their mother. Tanglefur noticed that Boulderkit wasn't mewling like the rest of them. "Boulderkit has no voice!" Tanglefur mewed in astonishment. "Will he be okay?" asked Furzeleaf. "Yes, but he might be teased." answered Tanglefur. At least Boulderkit could purr, growl and hiss to show his emotions.
Smokepaw brought Tanglefur a robin. "I wish I was your apprentice." he muttered. "You can be, one day." murmered Tanglefur. "But not yet."
That night Tanglefur slept peacefully. She wondered what would happen tomorrow...
The Fifth Cat
The Four
As the nine journeying gatos went home, Kinktail felt a sharp pain in her belly. "I think my kits are coming!" she yowled. Tanglepaw ran over to help her. "Lakeshine hasn't told me what to do about kitting!" wailed Tanglepaw. Brownfern's voice sounded in her ear; "Find a stick for her to bite into. Give her borage when the kits are born. Then let her rest." Tanglepaw followed the StarClan cat's instructions.
Two kits wriggled up to their mother to get to the milk. "Thank you, Vinepaw. I'll call the tom Rubblekit, and the she-cat is Flowerkit." purred Kinktail. I've done it! Tanglepaw thought happily. Brownfern's voice sounded in her ear again; "These kits are not safe. Not in these dark times. Protect them." Tanglepaw shivered. What did she mean?
The Four
The Four
