Warriors™️ FanFic #1: CrescentSwirl's Pride

Moon 4

Moon 4

The moss bounced up and down with every strike of his paws, awaking their mother. MoonKit had woken up bright and early, his sleeping spot closer to the entrance which allowed bright sunlight to pour into the nursery. There were other kittens for him to play with, and he knew that the queens had little babies in their belly that he could play with someday, as his mother had assured him. AuraKit and CicadaKit, the newest additions to the den, were asleep with their mother, however— unfortunately for KestrelFace, that left her as his preferred playmate, along with his sister OwlKit. Drowsily moving her tail as he tried to pummel and pin it, the queen yawned a deep sigh and mumbled a few words to her hyperactive kit, inducing a giggle from him and a supportive smile from her. MoonKit gave his pelt a good shake before prancing out of the nursery, tail following him high in the air as he made his way into the camp's main clearing.

The warriors towered over him, although there weren't many in the clearing at the time. As a result, he was able to dance around the clearing as freely as a butterfly, pausing at one spot to see one sight before moving on to view the next sweet flower. He saw the leader's den, the medicine den, and the narrow exit to camp before he spotted none other than his beautiful cousin and future mentor!

Filled to the brim with joy, he teetered on his spindly little legs formulating an attack plan before sneaking carefully around camp and behind her. Without any notice, he lunged at PaintedPearl, crashing into her back with a little battle call!

The frown on her muzzle transformed into a smile when she noticed it was none other than MoonKit. She was grooming herself, her succulent locks of brown fur never perfect enough. A beautiful cat like her had to keep clean more so than the other cats, but a little break could be taken to humor the most special kitten in the world to her.

"I'm awake!" he squealed, stretching his legs and laying before her belly up, hoping for some rubs. "Let's play!"

"I don't appreciate the shrill tone, MoonKit." a voice rasped. Confused, he blinked and sat back up.

"What?" MoonKit asked, just a tad shameful.

"Ignore them." PaintedPearl muttered, frowning at the ground. She beckoned him with his tail to walk forward, closer to the fresh-kill pile. He noticed his mother walking towards them as well. Perhaps it was time for a meal!

The way his mother then responded, it was like his mind was read. "MoonKit, your older sister brought a little mouse back!"

Play could wait, he had a stomach to fill.

"Yay! Let's go!"

He didn't notice the dirty look PaintedPearl gave the elder as KestrelFace grabbed him by his scruff and dragged him off to the nursery. The apprentices had returned from their dawn patrols by then, and they were sharing a meal right at the camp center. He only properly recognized OrangePaw, who must have joined the other apprentices after hunting for her mother and younger siblings.

"Worm!" GrayPaw called out, his siblings mocking his wriggling. He was embarrassed, sure, but that didn't mean that all of his pride left his body.

"Ma! He called me a worm!" MoonKit whined, flailing a paw. The trio laughed. PaintedPearl hissed, unsheathing her claws. The whole incident clearly agitated her, and it showed in her tail. Obviously the cocky apprentices weren't scared by her delicate eyelashes and petite frame, but her rank above them was just enough for them to take a hint and be quiet.

"Ignore them."  his cousin said firmly, and KestrelFace nodded in agreement while airlifting him back to her nest in the nursery. There, OwlKit was playing clan with RoseKit, and he decided to join the fun game.