The large tomcat slipped into the nursery with a greeting flick of his tail, smiling as soon as he spotted the little black kit playing with a moss all inside. He loved kits, and Coalkit had a lot of spirit, he hoped to befriend the little one. Maybe he'd even get a chance to mentor the young Tom. "Hey there little scrapper, what are you up to?"
When Coalkit woke late this morning, he discovered that his mom was gone. He scampered out of the nursery and looked around. Fringetail called him back in and explained that Bubblewhisker was out with Applefall. Coalkit pouted, asking Fringetail if he could go out to find them, but he already knew he couldn’t go.
It’s not fair, Coalkit thought. Why can’t I leave yet? I’ve gotten plenty bigger. I can catch a seagull I bet. He romped around the nursery and huffed, filled with defiance and irritation, though he was probably just cranky from staying up late.
Fringetail pulled a moss ball from behind her flank and tossed it towards Coalkit. It worked, as he immediately became distracted and pounced on the moss. He laughed as they batted the moss ball to each other.
Suddenly a black and white tom peered inside. ”Hey there little scrapper, what are you up to?”
Coalkit bounded up to the tom. “Hi Bonestrike! I’m just playin’ with moss ‘cause Bubblewhisker isn’t here. I’m sooo bored though. I wanted to go tear some prey to shreds but I can’t yet but I’m pretty sure I can ‘cause I’m already big ‘n strong like a warrior.” He demonstrated his overflowing prowess by ripping the moss ball into two large chunks.
