Oakheart's Promise - A Warriors AU

Chapter 35

"You're expecting kits?" Oakheart yowled, shocked. He felt happiness swell within him, but it was quickly shoved away. We're from different Clans. How will we do this? "I'll join ThunderClan," he suggested without hesitation. "We'll raise them together, and you can still be deputy."

But Bluefur only turned away, gazing sadly at the stone beneath her paws. "No," she whispered, "I know you want to be deputy, too." Raising her voice, she added, "I can't take that away from you!"

Oakheart lowered his head and moved closer to Bluefur, curling his tail around her in an attempt to comfort her. However, the she-cat didn't move. She only sighed and continued to avoid meeting his gaze. The shade that already covered the stone only seemed to grow darker, suffocating any hope that the kits may grow up with both parents.

"I'll raise the kits," Bluefur decided. Before Oakheart could object, she continued, "Then, when they're a moon old, I'll bring them to you and tell the Clan that they died."

"Can't you just be deputy without giving away the kits?" Oakheart pleaded. I want these kits to live the best lives possible.

Bluefur replied, "No. By the time they're out of the nursery, the current deputy will die and Thistleclaw will take over." Squeezing her eyes shut, she whimpered, "That isn't an option."

"Well," Oakheart began, "there are two problems with your plan. First, what will you say if someone asks you who the father is?"

After thinking for a moment, Bluefur answered, "Do you remember when I told you about my friend, Thrushpelt? I know I can trust him. I'll get his permission, and I'll tell the Clan that he's the father."

But Oakheart continued, "That's only the first problem. How will you get them out of camp and pretend they were killed?"

"Maybe I don't need to pretend they died," the blue-gray warrior suggested. "I'll sneak them away at night, and in the morning, I'll simply tell the Clan that they went missing." She blinked, tears beginning to form in her eyes. "I'll have to make sure I don't get attached to them," her voice cracked.

Oakheart felt his own eyes tearing up as well. He leaned closer to Bluefur. "No mother should have to choose between her Clan and her kits," he mumbled. The breeze chilled his pelt, and he hoped Bluefur wasn't feeling just as cold. However, the cold grew stronger as the she-cat backed up. The reddish tom tilted his head in confusion. "What's wrong?"

"I just..." Bluefur's voice trailed off, as if she was reluctant to answer. With a deep breath, she continued, "Maybe you should take a mate in RiverClan to raise the kits with. I want what's best for you and the kits."

Oakheart shook his head. "What's best for me? I wouldn't want a different mate. You're the only cat I could love in that way." With his words, any grief he still felt for Graypool faded away. He had to be present in his life instead of wishing for something else, both for his mate and his future kits. He had loved Graypool, but she was with StarClan now.

"Thank you," was Bluefur's only response. She hung her head sadly, but her eyes held tiny sparks of hope. With that, she turned away and stood to her paws. Hesitating, she began to walk off towards the forest. "I'll see you when the kits are born," she concluded dully. She seemed to drag her paws along as she left.

The reddish tom watched her with a gaze that couldn't be broken. The silence was louder than warriors yowling in battle, and his paws were heavier than the stone he stood on. His ears lowered, and he was unable to lift them. All he could hear were Bluefur's slow, lumbering pawsteps, echoing with sadness as they faded further away.

An emptiness that Oakheart hadn't felt since Shellheart's death returned to him. The sun was rising, and he knew he had to return to the camp. And yet, all he could bear to do was stand and watch helplessly as Bluefur vanished into the undergrowth. I've always wanted kits, but I never wanted it to be like this.

At least I'll get to raise them, Oakheart thought optimistically, but he was still upset at the idea. I may get to raise them, but Bluefur won't. She's their kin just as much as I am.

"I only want Bluefur and our kits to be happy," Oakheart whispered, not completely sure who he was speaking to. He dug his claws into the ground, frustrated. Loudly, he added, "Why is it that so difficult?" Now, he knew exactly who his words were directed at.

"Mapleshade!" He yowled into the rising sun, hoping that she could hear him. "You've ruined my life up to this point! I may have fallen into your trap, but you were the one who set it!" With one last yell, he demanded, "Stay away from me and my kin!"