Wow I can't believe my story got this far already! But don't worry, I'm still planning even more chapters! Thanks to everyone for reviewing and reading this!
I don't own Warriors. That belongs to Erin Hunter.
Warriors: Scorched in the Heart
Ch. 10 - Begin Anew!
Time passed as ThunderClan reeled from the fire that had swept through their camp. There was a Gathering, and it was announced by Nightstar that Cinderfur had died of Greencough recently. Blackfoot was ShadowClan's new deputy. When it was Bluestar's turn, she reported even more awful news. "I want every Clan to know that Whitestorm's patrol has scented a dog. Be on the lookout for any suspicions."
Rebuilding ThunderClan took some time to do. Tigerclaw felt that he was busier than ever as deputy. Cats kept asking him to help figure out how to get camp back together. Plus, going out and checking that moss and the river were giving enough water was tiring after a few days. Not to mention hunting for extra prey to keep up their energies. Removing dead bark and bushes took a bit of time too. Luckily, Bluestar helped him as well, as did his other clanmates.
Bluestar guided a group of warriors on how to pack the brambles in tight, while more cats alternated between fixing the nursery and warrior's den. Fireheart, Darkstripe, Mousefur, and Brightpaw were working on a wall. Swiftpaw, Cinderpelt, Thornclaw, and Brackenfur were fixing the other side. All were discussing different battle training.
"So what do you think of my Lightning Strike? Should I try attacking from a different angle next time?" After Brightpaw asked this, Mousefur told her to make sure she was moving to as much optimal blind spots a cat could have, using her maximum effort to get the most speed. "Make sure to do that during your next battle training session."
Tigerclaw, Brackenfur, Whitestorm, and Frostfur were finishing up the nursey den. Then Ashpaw, Fernpaw, and Swiftpaw went inside and started making the nests comfortable. Then Speckletail, Snowkit, Willowpelt, Sootkit, Sorrelkit, and Rainkit went inside. The two queens made sure to thank the apprentices for the feathers they found.
Later during sun-high warriors and apprentices were training in The Sandy Hollow. It was nice because Bluestar was watching with interest. Some of the kits were nearby also. There were those who were paying attention to Cinderpelt-who was demonstrating how to crouch-and those watching the training session. Bramblekit, Stormkit, and Snowkit were paying attention. Featherkit and Rainkit were practicing their crouches. Both were having to lower their haunches more.
Ashpaw was up against Cloudpaw. The fluffy coat that Cloudpaw had did nothing to slow him down. Ducking, he came up behind the other apprentice's back and slashed at the young tom's legs. Falling to the sandy floor, Ashpaw used his weight to spin himself on his back, while he lashed out a forepaw. Grunting, when his chest was hit, the white-furred cat tackled his opponent and pinned him down with all his strength. Darkstripe then halted the fight.
"Now what do you think they did well?" Fireheart looked around at the apprentices, waiting for an answer. Darkstripe was pleased when Swiftpaw answered that the key was to keep their opponent unbalanced.
Walking up to the dark tabby tom, Graystripe added that it was important to keep the other cat unaware of their next move. Then in one swipe he knocked the tabby's legs out from underneath him. "You're such a mouse-brain!" But Darkstripe's cry was drowned out by laughter from the other cats. Even Bluestar was laughing, which was a shock to some of the kittens, but made the older cats glad.
Thornclaw and Longtail stepped forward into the middle of the clearing to practice next. Fur arching with anticipation, both rushed at each other. Their claws were sheathed yet their blows were still serious enough to leave some sting. Rearing up on his hind legs, Longtail aimed for his head, when the golden tabby flung himself away.
The pale tom got close enough to pummel Thornclaw's stomach with his paws. There was surprise as the warrior used his own strength against the other. Grunting, Longtail was pinned. Thornclaw smiled at him, before helping his clanmate up.
Bluestar chose one of the apprentices to spar with. Fernpaw looked nervous, for this was her leader she was going up against. Getting into crouching position, the young she-cat glanced to the left, making sure the older cat saw her. Bunching up her muscles, she swerved right, seeing Bluestar's shock reflecting in ice-blue eyes. Grinning, the apprentice turned to face her only to end up on her side in the sand. Bluestar's eyes twinkled with a challenge, and Fernpaw got up only to have to dodge the large body coming at her.
As the practicing went on, Tigerclaw looked over to Snowkit, to see the small cat squealing happily underneath Bramblekit's paws. Padding over, the dark tabby watched as two hind paws pushed the little tabby off. Surprised, the deputy watched as the sturdy kit pounced at his son.
Reaching the two, Tigerclaw ran his tail over Snowkit's back, gently as not to frighten him too much. For he knew that Speckletail's kit was deaf. Not that that ever stopped the young kitten from joining in, whether it be practicing hunting moves or battle practice. Even just being by the rest of ThunderClan helped. It was nice, since nobody treated Snowkit any differently and made sure he felt just as accepted as any other ThunderClan cat.
Glancing to his side, the tabby saw Brackenfur and Stormkit come and sit next to him. Tigerclaw dropped into a crouch, making sure Snowkit was seeing him. The kit tilted his head, before copying the warrior. This made the tabby and the golden tom share a look. Holding out his forepaw, Brackenfur unsheathed his claws, and watched the white kitten do the same. Stormkit then swiped the air, Snowkit following his example.
"That's it! See? As long as we show him, he can fight as well as any cat!" Stormkit said this with such conviction, that Tigerclaw felt a rush of pride and certainty that Snowkit would do so. He was a smart cat, with quick reflexes.
Later when Tigerclaw was sharing tongues with Bluestar and Whitestorm, he discussed what happened with Snowkit. They were all in agreement. When it came time, the golden warrior would mentor the young cat.
More cats were sharing tongues and eating. Prey was slowly coming back to their territory. Ravenfeather and Goldenflower were sharing a mouse, while watching Dustpelt and Fernpaw eat a finch. The kits were near Brindleface and Mousefur, while the two told stories. Snowkit was watching animatedly, lighting up with excitement whenever he would see the others feel the same way.
Making his way to his favorite cat, the tabby noticed the flame colored warrior catching the last few rays of sunset. Curling around Fireheart's body, Tigerclaw let out a peaceful sigh. His mate's heartbeat thumping in his ear made him feel relaxed.
He heard the story the two she-cats were telling and he groaned. "Oh no." He knew Fireheart was laughing, for his belly shook with enough force to rattle the tabby's head. Hearing the kits squealing while rolling on the forest floor was nice though. Tigerclaw purred.
"And then he went around camp trying to keep the dog fur up in the air!" After Brindleface said this, Featherkit was wide eyed and put her paw on Bramblekit's head, leaning in focused. "Whitestorm followed, he loved playing with Tigerclaw. The two of them were always running around causing mischief!" The queen had amusement in her eyes when she looked over and saw the deputy's head buried in his mate's belly fur. Looking back at the kits, she noticed they were all crowded together whispering to themselves, looking the two warriors laying together.
Meanwhile, Brindleface and Darkstripe had joined the toms, settling down beside them. The four struck up a conversation. "So Brindleface, how are Fernpaw and Ashpaw doing?" As Fireheart asked this, he saw the she-cat's eyes brighten a little. "Both are doing wonderful, thank you for asking Fireheart. Fernpaw showed skill in her battle with Bluestar, Ashpaw following along with no troubles."
The orange-furred cat was glad that ThunderClan mothers had strong bonds with their kits. Not to leave out the fathers, and their bonds as well. After only a short while with Bramblekit, Fireheart had already loved him. Now, he couldn't imagine his life without the young kitten.
Suddenly, the warrior felt a loss of heat. Glancing back behind him, he saw Tigerclaw scratching his ear trying to get the itch to go away. He was growling, "Mangy fleas." Right after, the warrior let out a satisfied sigh before setting his paw down.
Then Darkstripe asked how the other apprentices were doing. Tigerclaw said they were doing well too. Cloudpaw was coming along very nicely, shaping up to become a fine warrior in the future. Brightpaw was doing better on her battle skills. Swiftpaw was becoming much faster, thus catching more prey.
Darkstripe was just about to ask another question, when he was attacked from behind. All four cats were then surrounded by a mass of tiny little bodies. "Get him Stormkit!" Tigerclaw could tell this was Bramblekit, because the little furball was right on top of the large tabby's head, smooshing his ears and face downwards. The little gray tom was batting at Darkstripe's flank, the young tabby cheering him on.
"Watch me, watch me!" Featherkit pounced at Brindleface's tail, grasping it in her paws. "Haha! Got you!" Snowkit did the same, only with Fireheart instead. Green eyes gleamed as they stared at the white tom. Before the older cat flopped on his other side, grabbing the little furball and taking him too, hearing squeals of delight on the way down. "No fair!"
Tigerclaw then felt more bodies on him besides his son. Tasting the air he could tell it was Sootkit, Rainkit, and Sorrelkit. Two of them pushed on his belly, the deputy falling lightly on his side. The large tabby shifted so his paws were in the air, then when all four kittens were close, dragged them into his stomach. Amber eyes shone with happiness, looking at them trying to get away, yet still mewing with joy.
Out of breath, the kittens went to bed when the moon rose high into the sky. Fireheart was drifting in and out of sleep, his mate watching him fondly. Tigerclaw was sleepy also, but then he saw a blue-silver pelt in the moonlight. Getting up, he followed his leader when she beckoned him with her tail.
"Make sure Swiftpaw and Brightpaw are ready in the morning. They're going to have a warrior assessment. I've already told Longtail and Whitestorm, so I'll be waiting in the forest for you all." Tigerclaw nodded after she spoke. Going back to sleep, the tabby knew the apprentices would do well.
"Now remember, you will hunt near the Owl Tree. Your mentors will watch to see how you preform. Use all the knowledge they've passed onto you about hunting. Good luck." Amber and blue eyes both gleamed with eagerness at their leader's words to them. Bluestar then sat down and proceeded to wait with Tigerclaw.
The young black and white tom raced off first, followed closely by the ginger she-cat. Both headed straight to the tree. Brightpaw did a swift jump, digging her claws into the bark. Seeing her friend do the same, she paused and called out. "Bet you I'll catch prey first!" Hearing a huffed "No you won't!" received a laugh.
Spotting a sparrow, the white-ginger cat ran on the branch she had landed on. Brightpaw knew the animal didn't notice her. Swiftpaw spotted a starling sitting in a nest and made his way over. Both sprung at their prey, giving no chance for escape. Longtail and Whitestorm looked glad the younger cats had found prey that quickly.
After Brightpaw caught a dove and thrush she headed over to her mentor. Swiftpaw did the same, having caught a finch and squirrel. Both the white-furred tom and the brown tabby smiled at each other. Then all four headed back to the two waiting cats.