Brambleberry's Path

Chapter 39:

Fernfeather was crouched by the lake and stared down into the water with a concentrated face. Beside him there was a trout that he had caught only moments ago. He flicked his tail and waited, watching the clear water for another fish. He heard an ear-splitting screech and bolted upright, ice blue eyes wide as he realized it sounded like Hawkwing. He whipped around and grabbed the trout he caught and started towards the camp, excitement and worry clawing in his stomach.

'She must be giving birth to the kits!' He thought. He couldn't wait to see his kits. They were going to be perfect, he just knew it. Right as he took one step away from the lake he stopped when Brambleberry loomed in front of him, blocking his way to camp.

"Where do you think you're going?!" Brambleberry snarled at Fernfeather. He dropped the fish from his mouth and glared at the large dark tabby with exasperation.

"Brambleberry, I don't have the time to quarrel with you. Hawkwing needs me." He mewed before he took a step towards the tabby tom. His amber eyes flashed dangerously and a twisted smile curled his lips up.

"No she doesn't. She won't need you once I'm through with you." He growled before he launched himself at the unsuspecting black and white speckled tom. He could barely let out an alarmed utter from his lips before he was pinned with Brambleberry's claws digging into his throat. Black dots stared to appear in his vision and he stared up at Brambleberry with disbelief.

"Have fun watching your kits grow up from Starclan." He hissed down at Fernfeather, who's eyes widened. With one swipe Fernfeather's eyes widened and he opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Brambleberry got off of the black and white tom before he licked the blood from his claws. He shoved the body into the lake and washed his paws in the river and took the trout Fernfeather caught. He washed it in the lake and made sure that it carried his scent when he got to camp. He dropped it in the fresh-kill pile and padded towards the nursery.

As he stepped into the warm den he spotted the familiar brown she-cat with her tail curled over four bundles of fur that nuzzled against her belly. Her emerald eyes were shining with warmth and love as she stared down at them. Brambleberry stood, staring at the brown queen and her kits in awe.

They might not be my kits, but that doesn't matter, he thought to himself as he purred and looked up at Hawkwing. Birdsong was crouched by her and looked up at Hawkwing.

"What're you going to name them?" She asked. Hawkwing blinked and looked up at the medicine cat.

"I'm going to wait for Fernfeather." She mewed. Suddenly Blazecloud burst into the nursery and glanced at Brambleberry before he stared at Hawkwing and his expression turned dark.

"Hawkwing..." He mewed as he stepped closer to her nest. She stared up at him with confusion.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" She asked. Blazecloud looked over at Birdsong and stared down at Hakwing with sad emerald eyes.

"Fernfeather... Fernfeather is dead." He mewed. Hawkwing stared at him with shock for a while before she let out a wail of grief. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she sobbed, burying her head into her tail. Almost instantly, as if her kits knew what had happened, they all started a chorus of wails. Blazecloud looked away and curled his tail over his paws. He padded out of the nursery and was followed by Brambleberry. As he stopped and turned around he saw the large dark tabby pass him and grew confused at his words.

"Take this as a warning. If you get too close, you'll have the same fate." He mewed casually before padding away. Blazecloud stared after him and blinked. What did Brambleberry mean by that? As the dark tabby tom curled up into his nest, he let out a content purr.

Everything was finally falling into place.