"So what are their names?" Lila asked when the three got back to the alley where they lived.
Rose did not prefer alleys like Ginger and Lila did, who savored the rotton smell that came from metal tins. The air smelled vile to her, and wished she was back in the खलिहान again. But she could not go back there. Shadowclan knew she was there, and would find her again if she returned.
"They are just wiggling balls of fur. How could they be cute?" Ginger scoffed.
Lila cuffed him on the ear. "Be nice. आप looked just the same when आप were little," she reminded him.
Ginger just flicked his tail.
"This one is Pinekit," Rose कहा and nosed the black and white one. "And the tabby is Tanglekit." Her only kitten that resembled Darkclaw squirmed beneath her touch.
"Why do they have 'kit' on the end of their names? Why aren't they called Pine and Tangle?" Ginger asked. "We all know they are ugly kits anyway."
"Ginger!" Lila hissed. "They are cute."
"Where I come from every kit is born with their own warrior name. When they are old enough to begin their training the 'kit' turns to a 'paw' on the end to दिखाना their determination to hunt and fight for their clan," Rose explained. "That's why."
"All right. I guess they are unique if आप put them that way," Lila meowed. "I guess आप live with other बिल्ली then?"
"Yes, many," कहा Rose.
"So why are आप out here all alone?"
Memories of Darkclaw's death played once again in her mind. "I would rather not talk about it. All that matters not is that me and my kits are safe."
The gentle calico gave Rose a lick on her ear. "Are आप hungry?"
"Yes, a freshly caught माउस would be nice."
"A mouse? Not here," Lila told her.
"Try this instead. There are plenty of selections in these." Ginger hopped up onto one of the metal tins, and ballanced himself perfectly on the rim. Using his head, he pushed off the lid. It clattered on the floor, and Ginger disappeared inside.
"What could be in there to eat?" Rose hissed. "It smells terrible in there."
"We have a sausage, some garlic toast... some ham and cheese on rye," Ginger called out. He came back out with the oddest खाना Rose had ever seen. It was meat, but smelled different, burned on a way.
"What is it? It does not smell like fresh-kill," Rose said.
Lila purred. "No, it is ham and cheese. Try some. There are plenty of these in the trash cans."
"Trash cans? I would rather die than put that garbage in my mouth. Where's the pride in that?" Rose hissed.
Ginger hopped down from one of the trash cans with a bite of hamburger with him. "Pride? Is that all आप have left to cling on to? There are और important things than pride that make आप strong. Now eat."
Rose was hungry, her बिल्ली के बच्चे were hungry. She had to let go of one of the Clan's most sacred traditions for Pinekit and Tanglekit. She nodded her head and began to eat what Lila called ham and cheese. It seemed disgusting at first and made her gag with every bite, but after a few bites it became somewhat delicious. She would have to get used to such foods as these and push fresh-kill good-bye because she could not return to the life she once knew. Somehow Rose had to forget the ways of her ancestors, and live this new life. Somehow she would have to make the best of it.