Chapter 3

    Hollykit finished eating her mouse and looked for Snowkit. She spotted her talking with Jayfeather just outside the nursery. Then she watched Jayfeather leave towards Brambleclaw.
      Pity washed through Hollykit as she noticed him not really fixing his eyes on anything. She's always felt bad for the blind cat. She felt even worse for her father, because he's had to live seeing his brother like that his whole life.
      Hollykit turned her attention back to Snowkit. Snowkit seemed to be in deep thoughts, and she didn't want to disturb her so she looked around for Firekit. When she couldn't see him anywhere, she padded over to Snowkit instead.
      "Hi, Snowkit!" Snowkit looked up at her call.
      "Oh, hi Hollykit. Did you eat yet?" Hollykit watched her as she got to her paws and stretched out her back.
      "Yes, I ate with Firekit. Do you know where he is, anyway?"

     Hollykit waited as Snowkit thought. "I think I saw him leave to the dirtplace tunnel. You want to go check?" Snowkit asked, as she turned her ice-blue eyes toward Hollykit.
      "Okay." Hollykit followed Snowkit and when they got there, Hollykit was shocked. Firekit was just about to leave and venture out into the forest. "Firekit! What are you doing?" she said.
     "I heard some of the warriors talking about trouble with Windclan. I thought I'd go there and show those Windclan furballs what great warriors Thunderclan has," Firekit said. Then he added, "Wanna come?"
     Hollykit looked over at Snowkit to see what her reaction was. She looked appalled. "But Firekit,I don't think that's such a good idea," she said.
      "Yes Firekit, isn't that against the warrior code?"
      Firekit shrugged. "Even if it is, so what?" Now it was Hollykit's turn to be appalled. She looked at her brother up and down.
      "Is something wrong with you?"
      Firekit sighed. "Are you coming or not? I want to get out of camp whether you are or not."
      Hollykit looked at Snowkit. Snowkit looked unsure for a moment, then murmured, "I suppose we should. To make sure Firekit stays safe."
      "Are you sure, Snowkit?" Hollykit asked.
      Snowkit nodded. "We have to go if our brother is going."
      "Alright, Firekit. You win. We'll come," Hollykit sighed.
      Hollykit shot a wary glance at Snowkit as Firekit raced away. Then she went after him.
      A little farther up ahead, Hollykit saw Firekit stop suddenly and crouch behind a holly bush. As she got nearer to him, she heard voices and realized she had to hide too, so she went and crouched behind him. Hollykit prayed to Starclan that Snowkit would hide in time, too.
      Luckily, she did. Hollykit thanked Starclan that they hadn't been caught yet as the voices faded away and the pawsteps got fainter.
      The three of them started off again. But Firekit was slower this time. They walked around a bit, but then             Hollykit scented the same holly bush that they had hidden behind when they heard the voices. "Uh, Firekit? Do you know where Windclan is?"
      He snorted. "Of course not. I've only been out as much as you have!" Hollykit checked over her shoulder on Snowkit. Her sister looked frightened. Hollykit ran her tail down her flank to comfort her.
Snowkit and Hollykit followed Firekit a little more until they found a small tunnel. Instantly, Hollykit had a feeling that she'd seen this before, and had a thought of herself in one of those, and the tunnel collapsing, trapping her.
Hollykit blinked. Firekit was trying to go inside it. "Firekit! Don't go inside it!"
      "Why not?" he asked.
      "Just please don't," Hollykit begged.
      "Oh, fine. I don't know why, but you obviously have something against this tunnel."
      Hollykit suddenly picked up a strange scent. She wheeled around, and fear turned her blood to ice. A huge black and white animal was lumbering towards them. Beside her, Snowkit was trembling with fear, and on her other side, Firekit looked scared but excited that he would get a fight.
      Snowkit darted into the nearby bushes. Hollykit was tempted to run, too, but she knew Firekit wouldn't. She had to stay to save her sister and her brother.
      "Firekit! Please don't try to fight this creature!" Hollykit screeched.
      Firekit let out a soft growl. "Why not?" was all he said before he threw himself at the creature.
      It batted him away easily and Hollykit's heart pounded as Firekit fell to the ground. Her fear turned to horror as the creature turned to Firekit and lifted one of its massive paws. She screeched again, "Get out of the way!" But Firekit didn't move. His eyes were clouded with both horror and fear. As the creature was closer to killing him, he closed his eyes tightly.
       But before the creature could swing its massive paw down on him, Hollykit saw Brackenfur leap onto its back and scratch its head. Then Dustpelt attacked it on its belly and veered the creature away from Firekit. She saw Smokepaw race towards him and nose him to his paws.
      "Get them back to camp!" Brackenfur yelled to his apprentice. "Dustpelt and I will deal with the badger!"
      Smokepaw nodded quickly and looked around. "Where's Snowkit?"
      "I'm over here," Snowkit said with a trembling voice as she slid out of the bush.
      "Good, you're all here. We must go back to camp quickly!" he added with more urgency in his voice.
      Hollykit hurried over to Snowkit. "Come on." Snowkit only nodded quietly.
       Both of them went to Smokepaw, who was standing next to Firekit. "Are you okay?" Firekit's fur was standing straight up, but Hollykit relaxed when she saw him nod. "Then let's go, now!" He ran alongside Firekit, and Hollykit and Snowkit followed behind. The screeches from the badger were getting softer as they raced back to camp.
     When they were well away from the badger, they slowed down to a steady trot. Hollykit went up to Firekit and stayed beside him, pelts brushing. Smokepaw went beside Snowkit.
     "What were you doing, leaving camp like that?" Hollykit heard him say.
      "I-we-" Snowkit broke off as Smokepaw continued.
      "Do you know how worried everyone was back at camp? They had more than ticks in their fur when they couldn't find you!"
      Hollykit stole a glance at Snowkit, who was walking with her head bent down, as she endured Smokepaw's scolding silently.
       Smokepaw spoke with her a little more, but Hollykit couldn't hear what he said. Instead, she turned her attention to Firekit, whose eyes were clouded. "Are you hurt?" she asked softly. He shook his head. "Say something, then!" Hollykit wanted nothing more than to hear her brother's voice so she could know he really was okay.
      Firekit turned his green gaze to look at Hollykit. She was shocked at how miserable he sounded. "It was my fault. I'm the one who brought both of you out into the forest. It was my fault we almost died!" he wailed.
Hollykit didn't know how to respond to that. Luckily, she didn't have to, because they reached camp. Smokepaw padded ahead of them to the entrance. He glanced back. "I hope you three have a good excuse for this," he growled.
Snowkit padded up beside her. "Is he okay?" she asked.
      "Yes, he's fine. But... are you? You looked scared out of your fur back there!"
      "I know, I'm sorry for leaving you two out there alone. I-I should have stayed beside you if you were in danger." Snowkit looked so sorry, that Hollykit felt really bad for her. But she couldn't say anything, because just then, as they padded into the clearing, Firestar came up to them.
      "Well?" he asked. His tone softened a bit when he saw Firekit's and Snowkit's state. "Firekit, go to the medicine den and wait for Jayfeather to come back. And Snowkit, go wait in the nursery."
      Why am I the one who has to talk to Firestar? He's being unfair! "Well Hollykit? I'm sure you have a good reason for you three leaving camp." Before Hollykit could answer, Firekit turned around.
      "It's my fault, Firestar. I was my idea and they came with me because they wanted to make sure I was safe," he spoke with his head bent down in respect. Then Hollykit watched him pad quietly to the medicine den.
      "Well, Hollykit? Is that true?" Fiestar asked once he left.
      "Yes," she mumbled.
      Firestar sighed. "I suppose I'll have to stop pretending to be mad at you sometime." Hollykit looked up at him in surprise. "You're young kits. I can't blame you for wanting to get out of camp. Although I don't think Lionblaze and Cinderheart think the same as I do." Firestar paused. "Do you know if Firekit is really hurt?"
      Hollykit shook her head."No, I'm pretty sure he's fine."
      "Go get him from the medicine den and bring him to the nursery."
      "Are you going to punish us?" Hollykit dared to ask. As much as she didn't want to be punished, it wasn't right if they got away from it.
      "Yes. The three of you cannot leave the nursery at all. If you want to eat, then ask Daisy or Ferncloud to get you some fresh-kill."
      "Yes, Firestar." Hollykit dipped her head and then ran off to the medicine den.