Disclaimer: Warrior's isn't mine.
Chapter 36
Featherstep ran her tongue over Shadowthorn's soft ears, smoothing his fur down. She could feel the rough twisted skin beneath it, the long scars snaking over his skin. Shadowthorn purred though, obviously enjoying the feel of her tongue. His muscles relaxed, his purring grew louder.
Featherstep looked over when a ball of moss landed next to them.
Shadowthorn looked over, and rolled it towards Owl and Dusk, who were chasing it. "Stop throwing moss at me Falconheart, I'm not an apprentice anymore, I don't have to collect it!"
Featherstep laughed, hiding it by burying her muzzle in Shadowthorn's fur.
Dusk and Owl batted the moss ball back to Falconheart, their father greeted them with gentle nuzzles. Featherstep blinked, Dusk and Owl had taken to their father, following him around when he organized patrols, trying to play with him whenever possible, they'd taken to Clan life well.
Featherstep's gaze moved to Ciara, who sat near her mate and kits, watching them. Her eyes were gentle; Honeynose had accepted her fellow queen and helped her adjust to the Clan and their life style.
Ripple though, that one hadn't adjusted. Featherstep groomed Shadowthorn, her eyes lingering on the tom who sat by himself, a frustrated look on his face as he watched his siblings play. Falconheart crouched down, letting his kits crawl on him, Featherstep had seen that joyful look before, when Falconheart had been training them, and they were successful. It was the same look only stronger, deeper. She felt a slight pang; she'd never seen a cat in The Pride look like that. One of the few memories she had of her mother was her watching her like that.
"You know it would be nice to have kits." She murmured to Shadowthorn, glancing over at them.
He twisted to look at her, his green eyes wide with shock. Featherstep paused, had she been wrong, was he not interested in having kits?
Shadowthorn blinked, his muzzle curling up slightly, "Stop knowing my thoughts." He teased softly, "It would be nice, wonderful even."
Featherstep nuzzle him, he returned the gesture, pulling back slightly. His green eyes grew cloudy, and shook his head.
"My mother died kitting me." He commented, looking beyond Featherstep. "Do you remember Ash? She was the one who took me in."
Featherstep nodded, "I know, I remember. You told me before."
Shadowthorn turned his head; Featherstep followed his gaze to see Icepaw, who was treating one of Blackstone's wounds. She glanced at them, and smiled.
"But having a medicine cat is… well it's different. It's better that way, it's reassuring."
Featherstep rested her head against his shoulder and he licked her cheek. "Now, here, I would love to have kits, in the safety of the Clan."
A loud yelp made her head snap up, and Shadowthorn twisted around to look across camp, in time for Branchkit to squeal as Ripple kicked backward.
"What happened?" Honeynose emerged from the nursery, her eyes wide.
"Ripple kicked me!" Branchkit scrambled to his paws, looking hurt, his brown pelt getting lighter in the sunlight.
Ripple growled, "he pounced on my tail!" he stalked forward, the sunlight shone on his pelt, bringing out his silver stripes, they were still faint, they did look like ripples on water.
"I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt you." Ciara meowed, stepping forward, "Apologize."
Branchkit shook his fur off, "I'm okay."
"You apologize too, you know Ripple doesn't want to play." Honeynose shoved her son forward with one paw.
"Sorry." Branchkit mumbled, scuffling one paw. Featherstep watched the kits; Branchkit was about two moons older, and seemed to tower over Ripple. Ripple huffed, muttering something under his breath.
Featherstep glanced at Ciara and Falconheart, the deputy stepped forward, "Ripple, he just wanted to play."
"Well I don't." Ripple snapped, glaring up at Falconheart, Featherstep looked down at Shadowthorn's fur. Ripple's bitterness was something she recognized; she'd seen it in many Pride cats, even Shadowthorn. Ripple sent a glare at Branchkit, stalking past his father and siblings towards the camp entrance.
A dappled orange and black paw came down on Ripple's tail, stopping him from leaving.
Sorrelflower gave him a long look; Featherstep knew she was fond of Honeynose's kits.
"You're a kit, you can't leave camp." The tortoiseshell warrior informed him, releasing him to shove him back towards camp.
A terrible sound, an indignant wail and roar ripped out of Ripple, Featherstep's own throat hurt hearing the sound. Ripple stalked towards the nursery, tail lashing until he reached the shadowed den, which hid him, the sunlight no longer bringing out his silver stripes.
Featherstep flinched, glancing at Falconheart, the warrior's face revealed nothing, but the lack of reaction was a sign he was disturbed.
Ciara sighed, glancing after her son. "Storm rubbed off on him, a lot unfortunately."
Falconheart squared his shoulders, and smiled gently at her, "Well then, the Clan will have to rub off on him too."
Yes, Ripple has anger management problems. If you'd grown up with Storm as your role model, wouldn't you?