Secretly, we took Bandit and Smoke to the base of the waterfall. The cave we found a while back was still dry and intact, so we decided to leave the kits there. Jay said, "I'll come and feed you when I get the chance. If you're able to hunt by yourselves, please avoid any other cats at all costs."
Bandit and Smoke nodded, and we left them in the cave to rest. I lied down with my kits and fell asleep.
The next day, Quinn and Lu visited me while Jay was gone. Lu said, "Jay hasn't checked in with his paw problem today, and he was supposed to come to me today." I fell asleep early, so I didn't know what happened. Then Quinn asked, "Is there something wrong with Jay?" I was about to snap at them, but they were just worried about him.
I said, "I'm not sure, but he has been doing extra hunting for me lately." That was true. He would hunt for the others and then instantly go back out to get something for me. Lu sighed and said, "Alright. When he comes back I'll claw his ears off!" She walked off, and Quinn walked out after her. I sighed in relief, and I groomed my kits.
Bell mewed loudly in complaint, but I purred at her response. She reminded me of Ash, but just a little whinier. Then I heard a familiar voice say, "Hey! Can you come out?" I stood up, shook my head, and walked out. Ace was sitting in front of my den with a curious, yet hostile look. I flattened my ears and said, "It's been a while since we talked, you know."
He ignored my statement and said, "You're hiding two Night kits, aren't you? Where are they?" I growled at him and said, "THIS is what you say to me after not speaking to me for almost a year!? I'm not hiding anything, now get away from me you brute!" I tried to walk back inside my den, but Ace grabbed my tail and dragged me back, making me hiss and bite his hand.
He still held on to my tail and said, "Where are they!?" A group of cats were peaking out of their dens and watched the commotion. Some cats started badmouthing Ace, and Jay came back into camp with a couple of squirrels in his jaws with a very hostile gaze. Quinn and Lu rushed out and Jay shouted, "What's going on here!?"
Ace said, "It's none of your b-" Lu said, "How gross! Despicable! Holding your own brother down just because you're stronger!" Jay unsheathed his claws, and Quinn was ready to fight as well, but dad shouted, "Shut up! Can't a cat get a nap? What's going on here?" Ace said, "Father! Birch is hiding Night kits I know it!"
Then mom came out, and said, "Ace. Let go of Birch's tail." "But mo-" "Let go of your brother!" Ace reluctantly let go of my tail, and I ran into my den. Jay, Lu, and Quinn came inside and sat near me. I said, "He's changed. He's evil." Lu said, "He shouldn't have been chosen as the prince. His leadership will cause us to go into war again."
Quinn said, "You're starting to sound like the elders, Lu." She growled at him, and Jay said, "What if... we ran away?" Silence filled the den. It lasted for a while until Quinn said, "You do know that King Jet and King Rudy are alive, right? We can't leave yet..." Then Lu said, "He's got a point. For once." Jay said, "As soon as Ace becomes King, we're leaving."
There was another long silence. Slowly, Lu and Quinn agreed to the plan, and they left the den. Jay said, "I promise that I'll protect you and our kits." From how he said it, it made me think that he was thinking about this for a while now.