OlmKit’s Story || part one

Instructions

“It’s not fair.” OlmKit whispered as they stared at the ground. “Why can’t she just…understand.” ———————— The morning prior ———————— OlmKit walked up to their mother nervously. Today would be the last day anyone called them a she-cat. They cleared their throat once they were closer to their mother. “M-Mother…?” They asked timidly. “I want to tell you something.” Their mother, FlyingSparrow, turned to look at them. “Of course, what do you need to say?” “Well…..I don’t wanna be called a she anymore. My pronouns are they/them.” OlmKit whispered, nervous. FlyingSparrow’s expression turned serious. “Are they now,” she said. “You know, that’s not something cats know from kithood. Nobody is comfortable with themselves as they grow up.” “This isn’t just about not liking the way I look, like my siblings!” OlmKit hissed. “I genuinely feel this way!” “Why, because you feel like you have to?” FlyingSparrow retorted. OlmKit gasped. “How dare you?!” They growled. Trying to stay calm, they inhaled, then exhaled. “You know what? It doesn’t matter what you think. Only I know how I feel inside. If you can’t respect that, then fine.” They stalked away. “You know,” MossyBramble said as he settled down beside his mother. “OlmKit’s smarter than you think. They’re extremely mature for their age.” “Quiet!” FlyingSparrow hissed. “Don’t refer to my kit that way!” “OlmKit’s going to be an apprentice soon. They can make their own choices.” MossyBramble said. FlyingSparrow turned away. “I’m worried about her.” “Them.” MossyBramble corrected. “But I am too. But not for the reason you are. I want them to grow up in a safe environment, where no cat will judge them for who they are. But if their own mother does….FlyingSparrow, my sibling deserves to be happy. Don’t you want that for them?” FlyingSparrow hesitated, then said. “I’m sorry if you think of me negatively, MossyBramble. But I won’t change my ways for a misguided kit.” ———————— Evening ———————— OlmKit watched the dust on the ground spin and settle repeatedly. They heard footsteps approach, and turned around to see their brother, MossyBramble. OlmKit looked up at MossyBramble, tears in their eyes. “Y-you’re siding with FlyingSparrow aren’t you?” They whispered. “Actually…..I’m going to side with my awesome sibling.” He smiled. More tears filled OlmKit’s eyes, but none of them tears of sadness. Instead, joy filled OlmKit like they had never felt before. ————————— A moon later ————————— “…You will now be known as OlmPaw. Your mentor will be FinWater.” OlmPaw happily touched noses with FinWater as they welcomed the tabby Tom as their mentor. They glanced at FlyingSparrow, looking for even a hint of pride, but her eyes were focused on LarchPaw and BranchPaw, OlmPaw’s siblings. “Meeting dismissed.” The leader, HazelStar, called. As the crowd dispersed, OlmPaw and FinWater sought out MossyBramble. “Congratulations!” MossyBramble said when they found him. “Thanks!” OlmPaw said. “I just wish FlyingSparrow shared your pride of me.” MossyBramble shook his head. “Don’t think about FlyingSparrow. You don’t need her.” He glared to his side, where FlyingSparrow was grooming herself, and OlmPaw guessed from MossyBramble’s expression that she had seen their brother’s gesture. “So,” OlmPaw started. “Where to first?” “Unfortunately before we can do anything fun, we’ll have to go over clan borders. “Aw,” OlmPaw murmured. “Don’t worry!” FinWater said. “After it’s over, we can do fun stuff.” That made things a bit better, so the two left camp. Near the ShadowClan border, FinWater stopped and sniffed the air. “Here comes a ShadowClan patrol.” He said quietly. “Be careful, They’re not so friendly with RiverClan right now.” As the cats approached, the leading one called out; “You there! RiverClan cat! Why are you inside our territory?” “I think there’s a mistake,” FinWater growled. “I’m on my own territory.” OlmPaw studied the cats in the patrol. The one taking to FinWater was a dark Gray Tom, the cat behind him was a pure white Tom, and next to the white one was a brown apprentice-aged she-cat who couldn’t be more than a moon older than OlmPaw. Noticing OlmPaw, the apprentice angled her ears toward a place farther toward the lake. OlmPaw was confused at first, but picked up her hint after a moment. When the two reached the sand, the brown apprentice spoke. “Hi, I’m DuskPaw.” “I’m OlmPaw.” OlmPaw said. “OlmPaw? Now there’s an unfamiliar name.” OlmPaw turned a bit red, embarrassed. “It’s not my fault,” they murmured. “It’s not a bad thing.” DuskPaw said. “I like it.” “Thanks.” OlmPaw smiled. “You seem nice.” “Thanks! So do you.” DuskPaw replied. Suddenly her eyes widened. “Our mentors. They’re going to wonder what happened to us.” She paused again. (Cont)