Another challenge for the Warriors Challenge forum! XD

Short-temper

I was always told my short-temper would be the death of me but I never actually took it seriously. Many of the cats who told me this were just trying to cheer me up. It's ironic though. My short-temper was the death of me.

I trotted happily into the ThornClan camp carrying a couple of mice in my mouth. It was the first time in a couple of moons I had felt this happy. I immediately went to greet my mate, Silvershade. "How are you?" I asked.

"Filled with joy," Silvershade purred. "Darkwing, I'm having kits!"

"You are!" I purred. "We're having kits!" Something then made Silvershade glance away. "Hey, what's the matter?"

"Nothing," Silvershade sighed. "Everything's just fine." I licked Silvershade's cheek.

"I have to go," I admitted. "I'll be back later." I hurried of to continue my duties now much happier then I was in the first place.

"Congratulations Silvershade and you Darkwing," Firetail, the medicine cat, mewed. "You have two healthy tom kits."

"They're so beautiful," I murmured as I stared down at my two new kits. One was a silver tom like Silvershade, the other was a ginger tom which was funny as neither myself or Silvershade have any ginger cats in our close family. Suddenly, Flameheart, a young warrior pushed his way forwards.

"I believe Firetail, you should be congratulating myself and Silvershade," Flameheart growled.

"Flameheart," Silvershade hissed. "You promised." It all started to make sense now. The ginger tom was ginger from his real father, Flameheart. Silvershade had glanced away when she told me she was having kits because they weren't mine. I was well known for my short temper and I could feel it reaching out of my pelt. I stormed out the den but I had enough time to tell Flameheart the words I needed him to know.

"You'll pay for this."

I sat outside the camp and waited. I was waiting for my chance of revenge. I often saw Flameheart go on a solo hunt around this time off day and I wasn't wrong. It wasn't long before Flameheart was trotting out of camp happily, unknown of what was waiting for him in the bushes. I followed Flameheart slowly making sure he didn't smell, see or hear me. I was waiting for the right chance and it soon came along. We were on the CliffClan border. I leapt out of the bushes taking my opponent by surprise. We rolled around in the dirt. My anger was still inside me and I was finally letting it all out. I raked my claws down Flameheart's pelt as much as I could. We were both yelling insults at each other. I can still remember Flameheart's last word.

"Sorry."

Suddenly my anger disappeared leaving guilt in its place. "Darkwing, you'd better have a really good explanation for this," Snowstar growled. I hadn't noticed Snowstar at all. Many questions spilled into my head. Did she follow me? Did she see all of it? "Well, do you?"

"I… no," I stared down at my paws.

"A fight, I could handle," Snowstar mewed. "I know your bad temper can mess with your mind sometimes. But murder. I'm sorry Darkwing but for the safety of my Clan I cannot have a murder amongst the Clan." Murderer. "Darkwing, ThornClan is banishing you from our Clan. I will notify my Clan and if we find you on ThornClan territory again you will end up how Flameheart is now. Understood?"

"Yes Snowstar," I murmured. I turned and padded off leaving my entire life behind me, knowing I would never be able to forget Flameheart's last word: sorry.

I realise earlier I said my short-temper was the death of me. In actual fact it was the death of my warrior soul.

Well, that felt good. I have no idea why all my challenge entries are so tragic. It's just how they turn out.