Crookedstar’s Promise

“I’m no kittypet!” Crookedkit growled.

“Who’s been feeding you then?” Beetlenose challenged.

Crookedkit lifted his chin. “I’ve been hunting for myself.”

“Really?” Hailstar padded toward him, broad shoulders specked with dew from the morning mist. “Not bad for a kit not yet out of the nursery.” His voice betrayed surprise.

Crookedkit warily searched the RiverClan leader’s gaze, relieved to see warmth brimming in his amber eyes.

“You’ve had everyone very worried,” Hailstar growled. “But it’s good to have you home.”

Rippleclaw padded into camp. “Are you going to take him back that easily?” he muttered.

Tanglewhisker snorted. “Of course he is! Crookedkit’s one of us.”

Birdsong leaned against her mate. “That’s right. We are warriors, not rogues,” she rasped. “We don’t turn on our own Clanmates!”

Cedarpelt slid from the dirtplace tunnel. “Is he still our Clanmate?” His brown-striped tail snaked behind him and he narrowed his gaze.

Shellheart’s hackles lifted. “Of course he is!”

“Where has he been?” Beetlepaw called.

“He smells like heather.” Lakeshine sniffed. “Perhaps he was seeing what life was like in another Clan.”

Crookedkit glanced at Fallowtail. Had she reported that she’d scented a RiverClan cat on WindClan territory? She was staring at her paws.

“I’d never join another Clan.” Crookedkit puffed out his chest. “I’m RiverClan.”

Hailstar padded around him, his gaze sweeping the Clan. “He was born in RiverClan and that’s where he belongs.”

Cedarpelt exchanged a look with Rippleclaw. “How can we trust him not to leave anytime life gets tough?” he challenged Hailstar.

“Yeah!” Beetlepaw scowled. “While he’s been away getting fat, some of us have been busy training.”

“I’ll start my training whenever you like!” Crookedkit looked hopefully up at Hailstar.

Before the RiverClan leader could answer, Brambleberry hurried from the medicine den. She stopped beside Crookedkit and sniffed along his flank. “Are you okay?” she asked anxiously. “You look okay.”

“I’m fine,” Crookedkit told her.

A purr rumbled in her throat. “Thank StarClan you’re home safely.”

Hailstar narrowed his eyes. “Where have you been?”

“I went looking for the Moonstone,” Crookedkit told him.

“The Moonstone!” Shellheart gasped. “That’s so far away!”

Paw steps scuffed the clearing behind them. “He was always too adventurous for his own good.” Rainflower’s mew made Crookedkit shiver. He turned and faced his mother, trying to read her expression. Her tail-tip was flicking. Was she pleased to see him or sorry he’d come back? Her eyes reflected his gaze, giving nothing away.

Crookedkit turned back to Hailstar. “I went to ask StarClan if it was my destiny to be a kit forever.”

Hailstar narrowed his amber eyes. “And what did StarClan say?”

“I never reached the Moonstone,” Crookedkit confessed. “But I found my answer.” He raised his chin. “My destiny is to be a RiverClan warrior no matter how long I have to wait.”

Brambleberry frowned. “How did you find your answer if you didn’t reach the Moonstone?” she asked. “Did StarClan visit you?”

Crookedkit hesitated. Should he tell Hailstar about Mapleshade? But he had disobeyed her when she told him to return to RiverClan. He shook his head. “I helped a loner save her kits and I realized I should be helping my Clan.” He turned back to Hailstar. “I’m sorry I ran away. It was dumb and I won’t ever run away again. I want to be the best warrior in RiverClan.”

Hailstar’s eyes flashed. “Better than Shellheart?”

Crookedkit glanced at his father. Shellheart’s gaze didn’t waver. “One day.”

The RiverClan leader dipped his head. “Good. RiverClan will always need strong warriors.”

“Welcome back, Crookedkit!” Petalpaw rushed to congratulate him. Echomist, Birdsong, and Tanglewhisker weaved around him, purring. Crookedkit breathed in their warmth.

“Can I welcome back my kit?” Rainflower was waiting behind Birdsong. The elder scuttled out of the way. “Welcome home.” The pale gray she-cat touched her muzzle lightly to Crookedkit’s head. “I’m glad you’re safe.”

Crookedkit swallowed. “Th-thank you.” His gaze reached for hers but she’d turned and was padding toward the sedge entrance tunnel.

“Can I join your patrol?” she called to Rippleclaw.

“Of course.” Rippleclaw signaled to Echomist and Mudfur with his tail. “We should be checking the borders by now.” He flashed an accusing look at Crookedkit.

“I can’t believe you went all the way to the Moonstone by yourself,” Petalpaw purred.

“Not all the way,” Crookedkit corrected.

“I bet you didn’t even make it to WindClan territory,” Beetlepaw scoffed.

Volepaw plucked at the ground. “How far did you get?”

Rippleclaw paused at the entrance. “Petalpaw, Volepaw, come with us. Mudfur wanted to assess your hunting today. We might as well do it now.”

Ottersplash crossed the clearing and nosed Beetlepaw. “Come on,” she meowed. “We’re practicing hunting in the beech copse. The earlier we get there the more prey there’ll be.”

“Can Oakpaw come, too?” Beetlepaw’s eyes flashed. “I always learn more when there’s someone to compete with.”