BreezeClan

I sat away from the camp center as I always did.  The shade of the bushes that served as the camp border covered my small frame and I liked to think that it helped my black coat blend in and hide me away.  I had woken early and cats only just started to come out of the dens.  It was easy to tell who was on good terms with each other and who was not.  Cats looked and acted different around different cats and although they may not speak it, I could tell who they disliked.  For most of my clan mates I was on that list of cats they disliked.  I was too distant, too quiet, I was unnerving to them.  It didn't matter to me, I didn't need act a special way to please others.  I already had one friend, that was enough.

Just as that thought crossed my mind I spotted a small orange and white kit make his way out of the nursery.  He glanced around before trotting over to my corner.  He was several moons younger than me but yet he was already near my size.  It was to be expected, I was abnormally small and he was abnormally large.

"Good morning Spottedkit." I greeted softly.

"Hello." He said happily.  Spottedkit purred softly and laid down beside me, curling his paws underneath him and wrapping his tail around his body.  His long fur was a mess, my mother had never allowed me to leave the den in such a state.  How dare his mother ignore him purely based off of his appearance, it sickened me.  Spottedkit had two different colored eyes, but that wasn't the issue.  It was the fact that they were crossed, stuck looking at his nose permanently and giving him an odd appearance. Spottedkit didn't protest when I started to groom him, straightening out his fur.  Something his mother should have done.

"Whoa look at how big that bird is! I bet it could pick Magpiepaw right up and fly away with him easy!"

Although my gaze did not turn away from Spottedkit, one of my ears turned toward the familiar voice of my brother, Ringpaw, when I heard my name.  I only sighed softly and ignored him.  I knew Ringpaw just wanted a reaction and I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of getting one.  There probably wasn't even a bird, he just wanted an excuse to make a comment about me.  I moved back slightly when Spottedkit stood up.  I could tell that anger was boiling in him and I placed a paw in front of him, silently pleading with him to not interact with Ringpaw.

Spottedkit's movement towards Ringpaw was enough though and he grinned widely at the younger cat.  I didn't look at my brother but out of the corner of my eye I could see the grey tabby had started coming closer to the two of us and my fur bristled somewhat.

"I heard there is going to be announcement about you." He said, looking down at Spottedkit.  He had to stand tall to get the appearance that he was larger than Spottedkit.  It wouldn't be long until he couldn't do that anymore.

"Why? I am not old enough to be an apprentice yet."  Spottedkit's head tilted somewhat in confusion.  Ringpaw laughed and rolled his eyes.

"Obviously.  They wouldn't let a brute like you to train early, you have no self control," I could see Spottedkit's body tense and his claws unleashed and dug into the ground.  I leaned into him slightly and placed my tail on his back, hoping he would sit down.  Although he complied it was clear he was still on edge.  Ringpaw paused for a moment, looking amused by Spottedkit's reaction, but quickly continued on.

"Which means that you're in trouble.  Why else would Stripestar hold a meeting about you?" He finished.

"But I haven't done anything!  There is nothing wrong with me either!"

"Really? Have you looked in a puddle recently?"

"That's enough Ringpaw." I muttered, still looking away from him.

"Oh! The mute finally speaks!" He said in mock surprise.  I didn't know what else to say or how I could defend Spottedkit but I was saved from a call from the middle of the camp.

"Let all cats old enough to run the moor gather around the Tall Rock for a clan meeting!" Stripestar's words were loud and demanding of attention.  The light grey tabby stood on top of the rock near the middle of camp and his stern expression stared down at his clan.  Something about him always made me uneasy but I could never quite put my paw on the exact reason.  Perhaps it was bias because my father had a hatred toward him.

"Told ya." Ringpaw said before turning his back on us and heading to the meeting.  Spottedkit wasn't old enough to attend meetings and I had to leave him behind but I had a sinking feeling he would be included anyway.  Ringpaw had lied before to frighten me or Spottedkit but I had a feeling this wasn't one of his lies.  It only took a few moments before everyone was out and sitting before Stripestar.  I disliked meetings, all the cats around me made me feel trapped.

"Spottedkit," As the first word came out of Stripestar's mouth my heart sank.  What was going on?  I looked over to where I had left Spottedkit.  He hesitated for a moment then slowly made his way over to sit in front of the Tall Rock.  He looked stiff and uncomfortable.

"Spirits of StarClan, you know every cat by name. I ask you now to take away the name from the cat you see before you, for it no longer stands for what he is. By my authority as Clan leader, and with the approval of our warrior ancestors, I give this cat a new name. From this moment on he will be known as Crosskit." As Stripestar spoke those words I stiffened in shock.  How could anyone approve of such a name?  It was an insult, it was cruel!  How could a leader, someone who is meant to care for his clan mates, willingly hurt one of them.

There was murmuring and conversation around me but I blocked it all out.  My eyes were set on Spottedkit who momentarily looked shocked but now was staring down Stripestar.  His claws dug into the ground as he looked upon his leader with nothing short of pure hatred.  It was so clear I swear I could see the fire burning within him as it was with fueled by rage and hate. 

As the rest of the clan dispersed Spottedkit stayed planted where he was, his gaze only moved from Stripestar when he left the rock.  He now glared down at the dirt in front of him.  I slowly walked forward to him, somewhat fearful of the anger radiating off of him.

"Spottedkit?" I said softly.

"That isn't my name anymore." He mutters as he looks up at me.

"Surely you didn't expect me to use that name." I say and I put on a somewhat forced smile.  His expression softened and Spottedkit placed his head on my chest, his face pointing downwards.  He breathed in and out deeply as he calmed himself.

"They're gonna make my warrior name Crosseyes." He muttered.

"We'll think of something better." I assured him.

This cruelty won't go unpunished.  A cat who would let something like this go on within in clan is corrupted.  Maybe it was just my young illogical mind cursing Stripestar but I am not one to let things go and eventually this grudge would be that cat's undoing.