Brambleberry's Path

Chapter 17:

Brambleberry felt something bump against his leg and looked down to see Fernpaw staring up at him with wide hazel eyes. He growled with annoyance down at the brown apprentice and padded after Hawkwing, trying to catch up to the brown warrior. They were trekking towards the gathering, and he wanted to make sure that Darkheart didn't sit by her.

Brightface was padding beside Icewing and the two were having a small conversation. Icewing wrapped his tail around Brightface's and the she-cat purred, butting her head against his playfully. Hawkwing shook her head at the two and padded on. Brambleberry caught up to her and they matched pawstep for pawstep.

"How do you think the other clans are holding up?" He asked, trying to make small conversation. She blinked and seemed to be in thought before she looked up at him.

"I don't know. Sandclan might have a hard time, since it is leaf-fall and their prey will be scarce come leaf-bare." She mewed. "So will Treeclan and Cloudclan." She mewed, flicking her tail. Brambleberry flexed his claws at the mention of Sandclan and he opened his mouth to say something, but they had arrived to the gathering. Hawkwing immediately left his side and darted over towards Darkheart.

He sighed and padded over to his mother to start talking to her. He saw Blacktalon's pelt pass by and turned his head to see his father's ice blue eyes staring at him. He let out a low growl when the tom beckoned him over and reluctantly stood and traveled over towards the grey tabby.

"Brambleberry." He mewed.

"Blacktalon." Brambleberry responded, staring at him with narrowed amber eyes. Blacktalon looked away from him and stared at something that Brambleberry wasn't particularly focused on.

"I've noticed your particular... Interest in a certain she-cat." He mewed, his ears flicking as his eyes stared at something. Brambleberry froze and his fur started to stand on end. He turned his head to stare at the cat his father was staring at and felt his blood run cold.

Hawkwing.

He whipped around and glared at his father, who was staring at the brown she-cat with interest.

"Why do you need to know?!" He hissed. Blacktalon looked at him and his ice blue eyes widened.

"Can a father not take interest in his son's feelings towards others?" He asked. Brambleberry looked off to the side at Hawkwing.

"Not you." He grumbled. Blacktalon's ears pricked up at this comment and glared at his son menacingly.

"I understand you and your mother are still bitter about the way I treated you and your brother when you were kits. I'm just trying to fix it." He hissed. Brambleberry stared at him disbelievingly.

"I don't believe you." He mewed before he turned away from Blacktalon and started off towards his mother.

"Well then, I won't give you any helpful advice on how to get Hawkwing to like you back." He mewed. Brambleberry froze and turned to his father with narrowed eyes.

"Why do you want to help me?" He asked, padding back over to the grey tabby. Blacktalon looked satisfied before he flicked his ear and rolled his eyes.

"Like I said, I want to fix the broken relationships with my family." He mewed. Brambleberry sighed and stared over at Hawkwing before turning back to Blacktalon.

"Alright, what do I have to do?" He asked. Blacktalon looked over at Hawkwing as she laughed at something Darkheart said.

"Well, judging how most she-cats act towards toms that are generally nice, I would advise you to be kinder to her. Treat her well, and certainly she'll consider taking you as her mate." Blacktalon advised, flicking his tail at his son. Brambleberry nodded his head and took one pawstep towards Hawkwing, but Wetstar's yowl silenced all the cats, and Brambleberry sat down with an annoyed sigh.

There always seemed to be something that got in his way, no matter what.