Oakheart's Promise - A Warriors AU

Chapter 22

Mapleshade leaped, easily pinning Oakheart and slashing him with her claws. Before she could do much damage, he threw her off, rolling onto his stomach and standing. He spun around quickly and faced his opponent.

"You've learned a lot," Mapleshade grinned, crouching in preparation to attack, "but not enough!" She leaped, soaring across the dark clearing and landing on Oakheart's shoulders. The tom was stunned, struggling to get the massive she-cat away from him. He saw claws reaching for his muzzle, about to scrape at his eyes.

Suddenly, Oakheart awoke in his nest. He felt blood oozing out of the open wounds on his back. It didn't hurt much, but most of his irritation was due to Mapleshade's attack strategy. She tried to go for my eyes! What kind of an honorable warrior does that?

I better go to Brambleberry to get these fixed. He hated the idea of lying to her, but he couldn't tell her about Mapleshade. Only he and Crookedjaw knew, and they had both agreed it would be best to keep it a secret from the Clan.

The wounds in Oakheart's back stung as he walked through the dark clearing. The sun would be rising soon, but a thick layer of clouds rolled in. They were dark and menacing, potentially bringing snow. Leaf-bare had been difficult, especially with the river beginning to freeze over. However, the water in the gorge moved fast and washed away some of the ice, bringing any surviving prey downstream towards Sunningrocks.

Oakheart entered the medicine den. "Brambleberry?"

A soft, sweet voice answered from the darkness of the den. "Do you need something, Oakheart?" The black and white she-cat asked.

"Yes," he replied. He sat still, allowing the medicine cat to observe his injuries.

"How did you get these?" Brambleberry tilted her head curiously.

Oakheart stuttered, thinking of an excuse. "There was a thorn in my nest," he lied.

Brambleberry narrowed her eyes in suspicion but kept quiet. She grabbed some herbs from the pile behind her and began to place them on Oakheart's back. While she was applying them, she smiled, "You've become a great warrior."

"Thanks," Oakheart returned the kind expression. However, he felt slightly frustrated the more he thought about her words. She's more interested in my progress as a warrior than Rainflower is.

"Leave those on until sunhigh," Brambleberry instructed, cutting into his thoughts. "I'm sure Shellheart will want you on the dawn patrol."

Oakheart nodded gratefully, leaving the den. He was relieved that Brambleberry hadn't questioned how a thorn could cause such large injuries.

As Oakheart entered the clearing, he was immediately met by the sight of Crookedjaw and Rainflower in front of him. Why does he suddenly look so happy with her? The reddish tom almost felt angry at his mother. She could learn to care for him so quickly. Why can she barely look at me?

Just as Brambleberry had suspected, Rainflower began, "We've been told to patrol the WindClan border. We're gathering a few cats to come with us."

Oakheart nodded in agreement. "I'll wait here." As he finished, the two walked away, circling the camp a few times. They soon returned with two other warriors, Ottersplash and Petaldust, Beetlenose's sister. The tortoiseshell she-cat greeted Oakheart before gesturing towards the entrance of the camp.

Crookedjaw led the way, with Oakheart close behind him. Petaldust and Ottersplash followed, Rainflower at the back of the group. Together, they left the camp, following a path of crushed reeds towards the WindClan border. The leaf-bare wind battered them, but they surrounded one another to keep warm.

Soon, Oakheart's paws began to grow cold. The patrol was near the WindClan border now, with the gorge up ahead. The young tom spotted a blackbird hopping by, far enough away from the gaping ravine to be safely hunted.

It's leaf-bare, Oakheart reasoned to himself, and we need more prey than ever. I need to warm up my paws anyways. Crouching down, he watched the small bird as it pecked at the frozen ground. While some of the recent snow had melted, a thin layer of frost still remained over the dead grass. It kept the creature distracted as it attempted to dig into the frozen vegetation.

"Oakheart," a terse voice beside the reddish tom muttered. He turned to see it was Rainflower who had spoken. She continued, "You're holding up the patrol. Let's go."

But Oakheart insisted, "It's only getting colder. We need to catch prey while it's still around." He tried to keep his voice down, making sure not to alert the blackbird that was still oblivious to his presence.

Rainflower glanced at the leafless bushes behind her. "Crookedjaw is leading a patrol," she snarled. "You shouldn't be wasting time while he's trying to guide us."

Attempting to ignore Rainflower, Oakheart crept forward. His paws skittered on the icy ground, but he used his tail to balance himself. The gray she-cat beside him warned, "The prey is too close to the gorge, it's dangerous anyways."

Suddenly, Oakheart heard a voice whisper in his ear. "You're doing well," the voice complimented. "You're putting your Clan first. They need that prey. Catch it!"

Mapleshade! The tom recalled the promise he had made to her. I'll be the leader of RiverClan. This is my chance to prove that I'll put the Clan first! However, before he could catch the bird, Rainflower shouted, "Are you trying to put myself and your brother in danger by hunting so close to the gorge?" With that, the bird lifted its head. It noticed the arguing cats and spread its wings, flying away.

"Rainflower!" Oakheart growled. Why had the she-cat ruined his chance at catching prey? He was furious. I could have proven my dedication to Mapleshade! "All you think about is yourself and Crookedjaw! You should learn to put the Clan first!" Lowering his head, he shoved his mother back.

However, as Oakheart lifted his gaze, he saw Rainflower's paws skitter across the thin ice. She slid, struggling to stay still as she edged towards the gorge. "Mother!" Crookedjaw yelped as he shot out from behind the bushes. But it was already too late. Rainflower had disappeared over the edge of the gorge, tumbling into the freezing water that rushed far below.