Finally finished this one. Had a little bit of a writers block in the beginning. Anyhow, enjoy it and don't forget to review. The next theme will be a bit interesting. Exploit. Hmmm...
Father
Tawnypaw was shaking with excitement. She was going to be a warrior! But then again, how can any cat deny me from what I did. Memories came flooding back to her. She remembered everything clearly.
They were on patrol when she spotted Swiftpelt from Winclan sneaking in the bushes. It was she who quietly alerted Stormpelt. Since tension was high between Windclan and Thunderclan, she was sent to bring some backup in case a fight happens. She remembered that she ran like the wind. By the time she reached camp, she was ready to collapse. She remembered the feeling of anxiety in the air when she broke the news to her clanmates.
What happened next immediately made her sober. She recalled how devastated she was when they arrived on the battlefield only to see that only half of the patrol was still on their feet. For a moment, she felt triumphant when she saw how outnumbered the Windclan cats were. Then, everything went wrong. One of the Windclan cats took her father by surprise. He pounced on him, savagely clawing at Bramblestripe's neck. Just thinking about that moment made her heart lurch. Tawnypaw had run over to her father. Everything else was a blur, the only thing that existed was her father. But she was wrong. Time seemed to slow as Bramblestripe mouthed the words, "I am not your father."
She did not want to believe it. She was in such a shock that she did not even notice that Windclan had won and chased away the intruders. Bramblestripe died shortly afterward, leaving Tawnypaw alone in the world. She was devastated. Part of her was very sad that he died while the other part of her was angry at Bramblestripe because he pretended to be her father.
"Tawnypaw, are you going to lie there the whole day?"
She lifted her head to see Icepaw looking at her questioningly.
"I'm gonna get up soon." she mumbled, all her excitement gone.
"Come on, Tawnypaw," Icepaw whined, "You're not really gonna be so sad the entire day are you?"
Seeing Tawnypaw's expression, Icepaw tried another method.
"Your dad must be proud of you, he is probably looking down at you right now."
The remark only made her mood worst. It's not her fault that she dosen't know that Bramblestripe is not my dad. I am probably the only one in the clan who knows. Why else have no one told me.
Then a thought struck her. If Bramblestripe's not my father, who is? What if I'm not from Thunderclan.
She have heard many stories about half clan cats being chased out of their own territory just because they did not belong. What if I'm not even clan born. She could feel the panic starting to well up in her chest. What if I'm a rogue!
She slumped even more into her nest just from the sheer possibility of the thought. Meanwhile, Icepaw looked on, oblivious to Tawnypaw's thoughts.
"If you aren't getting up, I'm going to tell Owlfeather." she threatened.
"Don't call him. I'm getting up." she said as she struggled to her paws.
Still mulling over her thoughts, she walked into sunshine.
"How are you feeling?"
Tawnypaw turned around to see Whiteheart behind her, looking at her questioningly.
"Too be honest, I'm not feeling that well."
Whiteheart touched her shoulder with his tail sympathetically.
"Relax, your dad is not gone," He said, his voice full of wisdom, "He is just up there, in Silverpelt. What he really wants is for you to carry on and not grieve for him forever. One day you'll be able to see him again."
That's not the point! Bramblestipe is not my dad! She wanted to scream, but what she really said was, "I guess you're right, there's no sense in spending the rest of my life grieving."
"I knew you are smart enough to move on."
Whiteheart gave her one last look before padding away.
"You know, Whiteheart is not wrong."
Tawnypaw had forgotten that Icepaw was still there.
"Yeah, I know." Tawnypaw's expression betrayed her words.
"You know, why don't we go hunting to cheer you up. The clan can't have you all dull and gloomy for your warrior ceremony."
"Sure," Tawnypaw answered half halfheartedly.
Hunting did cheer Tawnypaw. Going through the familiar motions of stalking and pouncing on prey made her forget that the whole thing even happened. Talking with Icepaw also helped. It reminded her that even though her dad is no longer with her, most of the things are still going to be the same.
"Hey Tawnypaw!" Icepaw called.
"What is it?"
"Do you want to have a competition?"
"What do you mean?"
"A hunting competition."
"Sure," Tawnypaw said playfully, "let's meet back here at sundown."
"Let's go!" Icepaw yowled as she race into the trees.
Tawnypaw took her time. She knew that no matter how hard she tried, she could never beat Icepaw.
Icepaw prided herself as the best hunter in the entire clan. Even the warriors have trouble catching as much prey as her.
A rustle in the bushes alerted her. She crouched down into stalking position as slowly moved towards the sound. She concentrated hard on keeping her tail straight and off the ground. She did not want her tail to brush against anything and alert her prey. She wanted this hunt to go perfect. At least when Icepaw comes back with five shrews, she will have this squirrel or whatever it is to show her. A she neared her prey she heard footsteps. It sounded too heavy to be a mouse or squirrel. Her heart nearly stopped. Could it be Windclan again? Then she heard her 'prey' talk.
"Hi, Whiteheart."
"Greetings Rowanstar."
Tawnypaw let out the breath she have been holding. It was just Rowanstar and Whiteheart.
"Rowanstar, why do you want to see me?"
"I want to ask you something." Rowanstar said hesitantly, "I need an advice from my friend."
Something told Tawnypaw that this was a private conversation, not meant for her ears. Part of her wants to carry on hunting and leave then alone but curiosity overwhelmed her and she decided to stay.
"What don't you ask your deputy?" Whiteheart asked.
"I already told you," Rowanstar answered irritably, "I need advice from a friend."
"Well I'm all ears."
"Okay, but first I need to keep this a secret, especially from Tawnypaw."
That comment really sparked Tawnypaw's interest. What's so important that they can't tell the clan? And why keep it from me?
"Sure," Whiteheart said with a sigh, "I'm used to all your secrets,"
I didn't know that they were such close friends. Tawnypaw thought.
"Are you sure you want to hear this?"
"Oh spit it out already," Whiteheart said, annoyed, "I don't have all day."
"It's about Tawnypaw." Rowanstar finally said.
"Oh, her."
"Do you still remember what I told you."
"Of course I do," Whiteheart snapped
"Well... I'm wondering if I should.."
"Tell her who is her father?" Whiteheart said
They know who is my father! I can finally find out who it is. Excitement flooded Tawnypaw as she leaned in closer to listen.
"How did you know?" Rowanstar asked, shocked
"It's obvious with the way you are acting."
"Well... what do you think?"
"I really don't know." Whiteheart said hesitantly, "Bramblestripe was such a good father to her. I do not want Tawnypaw to think that her entire life is a lie."
"That's what I was thinking too, but I just wanted to check with you."
The excitement she felt earlier was replaced by the feeling of rage. They are just going to let me believe this lie. Do they really believe that I would not find out? Well I'll show them!
Fueled with rage and adrenaline, Tawnypaw leaped to her paws and charged into the clearing. Ignoring the stunned expressions on both tom's face, she pounced on Rowanstar, pinning him to the ground.
"What do you think you're doing?" Whiteheart cried
"Finding out what you should have told me moons ago!" she hissed
Turning to face Rowanstar, she unsheathed her claws, digging into his shoulder.
"Who is my father!" she demanded
Despite wincing from her claws, he managed to keep a calm demeanor.
"Are you sure you want to know?" he said calmly, "It might be best if you just walked away and forget this entire encounter."
Seething with rage, she dug her claws further into his shoulder. "Just tell me!"
"Your father is Dust."
She stared at him for a moment, not comprehending what he just said.
"My father is a rogue?" she managed to choke out.
"No, your father is Bramblestripe." Rowanstar said gently.
"He was the one who raised you and brought you up to be who you are today."
Tawnypaw sheathed her claws and stepped off of Rowanstar.
Rowanstar got up and comforted her with a touch of his tail. "Bramblestripe is your real father. He loved you as much as he would have loved his own son."
Tawnypaw looked up as the sun started to set. "I guess you are right," she muttered.
"Now let's get you back to camp for your warrior ceremony."
"Wait," Tawnypaw said, "Can I make a request?."
"Sure," Rowanstar replied.
"Can my warrior name be Tawnystripe?"
"Of course you can."