Shadow Over The Forest : A Warrior Cats AU

Chapter 2

: Unfinished Business :

“Watch me!” Goldenkit squeaked.
Redkit pushed his sister out of the way. “No watch me!”
Brindlekit watched her siblings with a confused look on her face.
“I can watch both of you.” Ashfur purred with amusement.
Redkit and Goldenkit looked baffled by this concept.
Brindlekit looked up. “Dad, why am I named Brindlekit?”
Ashfur felt a sharp pang of grief. “Well, you're named after my mother Brindleface.” he explained.
Goldenkit pushed Brindlekit out of the way. “What about me?!”
“Apologize to your sister first.” Ashfur eyed her.
Goldenkit turned to Brindlekit. “Sorry Brindlekit.”
Ashfur nodded approvingly. “Alright, you're named after Brambleclaw’s mother Goldenflower.”
Redkit tilted his head. “And me?”
“You’re named after my father Redtail.”

AN: They aren't littermates in this AU. Don't worry.

Ashfur had never met his father. But Brindleface talked about him a lot.
Vixensky padded into the nursery, Ashfur was expecting something bad had happened, but then he saw Vixensky’s expression.
They looked ecstatic.
“What happened?” Ashfur asked.
Vixensky almost jumped happily. “Thornclaw and Spiderleg got together!” then they lowered their voice. “While we were on patrol I backed up, I suspected what was happening so I gave them some privacy. And after Thornclaw asked the question and Spiderleg accepted I actually squealed.” they started laughing. “Then they looked at me weird.”
Ashfur twitched his whiskers in amusement. “Well I can imagine.”
It's about time they got together! They are practically inseparable. Ashfur was distracted from his thoughts as Vixensky continued speaking. “And now Thornclaw is making Spiderleg spend time with his kits.”
I expected that. Ashfur remarked silently.
“Boring. The old cats are talking about old cat things.” Redkit scoffed.
Brindlekit and Goldenkit rushed out of the nursery alongside Redkit.
Vixensky laughed. “Well, they're off to bother Brambleclaw again.”
Ashfur nodded, unsurprised Vixensky knew what they were doing. He knew more about Vixensky than any other cat. And more than any other cat probably should.
Vixensky padded out of the nursery, Ashfur followed them.
“Do it.” Vixensky told him.
Are you crazy? No. Ashfur retorted.
Vixensky walked away from him. “Come on. You need to do it. You know that you were the problem. Apologize to her.” they insisted.
Ashfur sighed. If I do this will you tell me what you saw?
Vixensky didn't respond for a long time.
You don't have to-
Vixensky cut him off. “Yes. I'll tell you. When I find the words.”
Alright. Ashfur walked over to Ferncloud, acting like he hadn't basically been talking to himself.
“Hi Ashfur.” Ferncloud greeted him.
Ashfur nodded. “Hey.”
Ferncloud let out a purr. “Did you hear Thornclaw and Spiderleg got together?” she asked.
Ashfur figured this was selective news. Considering what certain cats would say. “Yeah, Vixensky told me.”
Ferncloud nodded. “Alright, why are you really over here?”
Ashfur took a breath. “Have you seen Squirrelflight?” he asked.
Ferncloud looked like she was debating answering. Ashfur couldn't blame her. She had every right to be suspicious.
Ferncloud finally responded. “She’s on a patrol. She'll probably be back in a few minutes.”
Ashfur nodded.

He waited beside Ferncloud for Squirrelflight to return.
“I’m watching you. You better not mess this up. Wait- that was so mean! I'm so sorry!” Vixensky sounded like they were on the verge of breaking down.
It's fine, I know what you meant. Ashfur assured them.
Vixensky didn't respond.
Ashfur looked up as the patrol returned. He took a breath. This had better be worth it.
He walked over to Squirrelflight. The one cat around his height. “Hey, Squirrelflight. . . Can I talk to you for a moment?” he felt completely out of place.
Squirrelflight eyed him coldly. “Why?”
“I-I. . . Well. . .” Ashfur stammered.
“‘I want to apologize’ it's that simple.” Vixensky sighed.
“I. . . Want. . . To apologize. . .” Ashfur forced out.
“Nice.”
Squirrelflight looked suspicious. “Really? Do you expect me to believe that?”
“No. . . I don't. . . But I'm sorry. So there. Do what you will with that.” Ashfur walked away.

An:
The parenting at the beginning was so fun to write
I HAVE ALWAYS HEAD CANNONED REDTAIL AS THE FATHER. THEY AREN'T LITTERMATES IN THIS AU.
Ashfur referencing how short I made him, again.