Turtleheart's Path

Chapter 27

Turtleheart lifted her head, it was dark out and the camp was empty except for Graytooth and her kits and Haresprint. They were in the clearing talking quietly. Turtleheart cleaned her three kit's pelts and looked around. There was a vole laying in the den, it was still warm. She guessed Haresprint had caught it special for her. She ate the vole and purred as her kits began to stir. She looked up to see Lionoak staring into the den. Her muscles tensed and her claws slid out. "Excuse me?" She glared. Lionoak's eyes remained on the kits, he didnt speak as he leapt at them. Turtleheart's instincts kicked in, she sprang to her paws and kicked Lionoak in the muzzle with her hind legs, standing on her front paws. She hurried her kits into the moss to keep them warm before screeching in anger. She tore her claws into the tom's pelt and ripped his belly. Lionoak scowled and flipped them over, biting her throat. Her back legs ripped his belly more before his weight became no more. Haresprint had him pinned with claws in his ear and on his throat. "Let's keep him here, for Bramblestar." Graytooth growled, she flicked her tail and brought her kits into the nursery. "Are you okay? Your throat has a scratch, is it bad?" She asked. "No, just a flesh wound." She replied, feeling the scratch with a paw. Her eyes flew open as she heard a cry from her kit. "It's okay! I'm here!" She mewed and laid next to them. "You became a mother fast, I am proud." Graytooth smiled and pushed her four kits into a nest. Graytooth sighed and laid down next to the kits. "They should be apprenticed soon, they'll be six moons in the morning. I'm ready to go back to my duties." She yawned and fell asleep. Turtleheart cleaned her kits, her adrenaline finally fading. Her muscles relaxed and she fell asleep.
"Gather around!" Bramblestar's yowl sounded. Turtleheart lifted her head, it was just barely dawn as she saw Graytooth leave the den followed by her kits. Turtleheart moved to listen to the meeting, seeing Birdnose sitting in the clearing with the rest of the warriors and Sheepfur. In the night the tom must have begged his forgiveness. "I have many announcements. But first, an exile must be done." Her mother announced. Turtleheart watched as Haresprint and Whiteclaw shoved Lionoak forwards. Hate filled her body as the tom staggered up and looked up at their mother. "Lionoak attacked his own sister and her kits last night while we were at the gathering. Therefore, trespassing as an outsider and attempting to murder his kin he shall be exiled. If you ever step paw here again, you'll be killed on sight." She said, her voice not wavering as she exiled her own kit. Lionoak padded from camp, not speaking as he climbed the slope and didnt look back. "Now, the better part of the day!" She looked down at the four kits in front of her.
Rabbitpaw, Ratpaw, Dovepaw and Littlepaw cleared the nursery, telling her who their mentors were. Rabbitpaw's was Haresprint. Ratpaw's was Birdnose. Dovepaw's was Redcall. Littlepaw's was Waspear. She yawned and fell asleep as the four apprentices left the den. She felt Ivykit snuggle closer to her before she fell asleep.