"The cats going to the gathering with me will be Spiderpelt, Sandstream, Reedtail, Mantispaw, and Dustthroat. I'm leaving Lakefrost in charge." Troutstar's yowl came from the top of the highledge.
Mantispaw's heart leapt. She got to be chosen for the gathering! Dashing over to Spiderpelt, Mantispaw grinned widely. "Isn't this exciting?! We get to go to the gathering together!" She mewed.
Spiderpelt gave an amused purr. "That's right. You've never been to a gathering, have you?"
Mantispaw shook her head. "No!" She waved her tail in excitement. "I can't wait to meet so many new friends! Ooh, what if I'm able to see my mom?! This is going to be so fun!" She trotted in circles around Spiderpelt, kicking up clouds of dust.
"Right, your mom is from Duneclan, I forgot." Spiderpelt murmured. "I'm sure she'll be happy to see you. We'd better get going though, the sun is close to setting."
Mantispaw was grinning so much when she ran to the nursery to tell Foxcloud. "Mom!" She yowled like a kit. "I'm going to the gathering! What if I see Heathertail?! Wouldn't that be amazing?"
Foxcloud purred. "You've got a lot of energy." She said while grooming Poppykit's head. "Don't get ahead of yourself, okay? Besides, I already think Rainpaw is a little jealous..." She pointed out, gesturing across the camp to see Rainpaw pacing back and forth, giving the two of them a steely glare.
Mantispaw frowned. "Ooh." She mewed. "I must have hurt her feelings...because I got chosen for the gathering and she didn't, huh..." She said sadly. Looking back at the kits and her mother, Mantispaw lifted her chin. "I guess I should go apologize. Wish me luck!" She grinned, and trotted over to Rainpaw.
Rainpaw stopped pacing and looked up at Mantispaw, not saying a word. Having grown significantly over the past couple of seasons, Mantispaw now looked slightly down to her, as she was very tall and slightly lanky.
"What do you want?" Rainpaw said, staring at him. Her blue eyes were like chips of ice, sending a cold shiver down Mantispaw's spine. Mantispaw gulped. "Uh-uhm..."
"I came here to apologize. You know, about the whole gathering thing...and-and not having talked to you at all recently. So, I'm sorry." Mantispaw said quietly, her tail curling around her paws neatly, gritting her teeth in wait of a response.
Rainpaw scowled and blinked at her, making Mantispaw become even more nervous. "Uhm! I caught you a squirrel today, uh- and i was- wondering if you would share it with me...?" She said in a desperate attempt for Rainpaw's approval. Silence.
"I don't need your pity." Rainpaw finally said, glaring up at her.
"Get lost, brother. And don't come back."
Mantispaw felt a sharp pain in her chest as Rainpaw walked away. "What- no, Rainpaw!" She called out, clutching her chest with one paw. Something felt wrong, she could tell.
Spiderpelt trotted up to her. "I suppose they can't all be helped..." She murmured, watching Rainpaw trudge away towards the fresh-kill pile and pick up a finch. "...Mantispaw?" She turned. "Wh-Mantispaw, what's wrong?!" She said, panic flooding her face as she say Mantispaw grabbing her chest, her eyes squeezed shut, breath heaving.
Mantispaw turned to her with wide eyes. "I...don't know-... g-get Dustthroat." She coughed. "P-Please..."
YOU ARE READING
Warriors: Outcast of Winter (ongoing)
ФанфикMantiskit wishes he could be as cool as Lakefrost, the clan deputy. He'd love to grow up and become leader, being the first leader that ruled Hailclan at such a young age. Then, all of his daydreaming comes to a stop when he discovers that Hailclan...
