I'm back :) Be grateful, for this is one of the rare times I post something new with school going strong XD As always, onto review replies.
FeatherKit - I am so happy to hear that! :D Thank you for taking some time out of your life and just read this. I appreciate it XD
Well, here you go. Chapter 10 of StormClan's Journey.
Speckwind's POV:
Entering the warm and comfy nursery, Speckwind nervously glanced around at her surroundings to get a better feel for the change in environment. Since she was the only queen, especially when Breezeblossom just returned to her duties as a warrior, the nursery was pretty empty and quiet without the sounds of rambunctious, young kits.
Padding over to the one nest that was nestled in the corner of the den, Speckwind settled into it, tucking her white forepaws under her. Staring across the compact cave, Speckwind gazed at the wall across from her, dark-brown eyes blank as thoughts whirled in the she-cat's head.
I'm a queen now.. Expecting his kits... I should be happy, yet why am I not? Sighing, Speckwind rested her head on her paws, the tip of her black tail twitching ever so slightly. Pricking her ears, the queen focused on the commotion that was going on outside in the camp clearing.
Voices, soft and low murmurs, drifted over to the she-cat. Frowning, Speckwind huffed slightly and resumed gazing at the wall of the nursery. Just then, a grey head popped into the head, warm moss-green eyes blinking at Speckwind. "I just heard the news from Fernripple, so I thought I would come to see how you were doing with the change of scenery," purred Ashtail, padding in the den.
Speckwind purred back, her dark gaze flashing toward her friend. "Does the whole Clan know?" At this, Ashtail huffed before replying, "Of course they know. Gossip runs free like a mouse begging to be caught."
Speckwind rolled her eyes before lapsing into a thoughtful silence. Noticing, Ashtail headed over to her friend, settling down beside the white she-cat. "What's wrong?" "Oh, just thinking," Speckwind answered distantly.
The grey she-cat tilted her head slightly but didn't answer. Gazing at her Clanmate silently, Ashtail flicked her tail at a scrap piece of moss that had fallen away from Speckwind's nest.
"I don't know about this, Ashtail," Speckwind said suddenly, breaking the silence. "About what?" Ashtail asked, flicking her ear faintly.
"This, me expecting kits, becoming a mother... I just don't know if I can do this, Ashtail. I mean, I'm not the motherly type."
"Ah, so that's what bothering you," the grey warrior murmured quietly before raising her voice to address Speckwind's statement. "Every she-cat thinks that they're not the motherly type, but when the time comes, they actually make a pretty good mother, even with all of their doubts. It's a matter of experience, Speckwind. Before, you didn't have this situation, but now, you do."
Lapsing into silence once more, Speckwind started to ponder on what her Clanmate had just said. "Anyways, I'm actually a bit curious on who the father is," Ashtail pointed out calmly, glancing at the white she-cat. The said she-cat flicked her ear at the hidden question, but inside, mentally, she had frozen.
"I prefer to not talk about that," Speckwind murmured quietly. Frowning, Ashtail nodded slightly with a quiet "I understand." A soft rustling noise made Speckwind look up to see that Ashtail had risen to her paws. "Well, I have to go, I'm on the sunhigh border patrol." Speckwind nodded in acknowledgement. "See you soon, Speckwind," Ashtail smiled before she padded out of the nursery.
The expecting queen muttered a soft "See you" as the grey she-cat's tail whipped out of her line of sight.
With a deep sorrowful sigh, Speckwind settled into her nest, wrapping her tail around her paws. The tip of her black tail gently resting on her nose as she closed her eyes, prepared for any type of dreams that should come. Dreams involving him.
Unknown POV:
Walking quietly around the lush forest, the mysterious cat paused once in a while to check the distance between what he called his cave and the location of where he is now.
Smiling satisfactorily, the cat continued along its path, not knowing of what was waiting for him. Careful not to make any sound, he stepped lightly between the forest debris and paused once more, his ears twitching ever so faintly.
So, there's another cat here, hm? He thought with interest as the sound of snapping twigs and the rustling of leaves reached his keen ears. Backtracking, the dark brown cat reached the base of the oak tree. Not wanting to be discovered and to waste precious time, he skillfully turned around and started climbing, the glint of sharp claws winking in the sunlight.
As he reached a respectable height between him and the forest floor below, the tom settled down into the thick canopy of leaves that cast shadows over his pelt with only the faint glimmer of amber eyes staring, watching, waiting for the other cat to appear.
In a timespan of only a few minutes did the tom catch a rustling of bushes that blocked a pathway. Breath catching a little in the back of his throat, the tom discerned a flash of a dark brown pelt from the rest of the surrounding tree trunks.
Interested, he continued watching as the other visitor stepped into the sunlight, its pelt having a slight gleam to it. Shuffling quietly further into the canopy of leaves, the tom kept his amber gaze fixated on the cat below. It was a she-cat by the looks of it.
Intrigued by the sudden appearance, the dark brown tom ran plans over in his head how he should present himself. If I make that decision, that is.. He was always prepared for the worst, always coming up with a backup plan if his initial plan had failed. That was what he was doing now: coming up with backup plans if his formal "greeting" went awry.
Glancing down on the she-cat below him, he wasn't surprised when he found that the she-cat was almost out of his range and line of sight. Running through his plan in his head while bunching up his hind-legs, the tom nodded to himself before leaping out of the branch. Landing softly on the grass, he turned to face the surprised she-cat.
"Salutations," he greeted her, smiling pleasantly.
"Who are you?" she asked him warily, eyeing him up and down.
"It matters not who I am, but rather, who are you?" he replied, keeping his smile.
"I'm a Clan cat," the she-cat replied curtly, narrowing her icy green eyes faintly. "I presume you to be a rogue?"
He hummed for a brief moment, then objected to her claim, "No. I consider myself to be a loner. Much more quieter and peaceful than a rogue kind of life, I might add."
"Uh huh.." she replied suspiciously, her tail flicking from side to side.
He chuckled quietly before bringing himself to ask, "So, you still haven't told me who you are yet."
"As a matter of fact, I did. I told you I was a Clan cat, what else do you need to know?" she snapped, her voice becoming barbed and scathing with hr growing resentment of him.
"Now, now. No need to get angry," he tried to placate her.
In response to his attempt to calm her down, she scoffed and became silent, merely glaring at him with her piercing gaze.
"Would you mind if I asked you to tell me your name?" the tom continued pleasantly, ignoring her glare.
"How about you tell me yours?"
He dipped his head slightly, "Alright then. The name's Bleed."
Yay, new character. Who do you think is the she-cat? I know, stupid question o3o But I just wanna hear what you guys think. (And Springflower, do not answer this because you already know who XD). Also, happy birthday, Spring! :D