Odds And Ends (random book)

A Promise Kept, For Now

October 9, 2015
WattyWarriors
Watty Warriors one-shot entry

"Write a one-shot using characters from our fanfiction, Curse of the Clans!"

Result - lost

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"I bet I can find prey faster than you," shouted a brown tabby as he leaped from his spot on top of a rock and bounded into some tall grass, soon leaving his friend behind him.

"Wha- hey, Hawkpaw. You'll scare it all away running like that!" Tigerpaw immediately ran off after his friend, carefully leaping across patches of weeds and rocks.

Both were soon out of sight, leaving a golden-brown she-cat behind them. She continued to walk across the green moorland, a pleasant breeze flowing throughout. The she-cat took the time to shake some of the grass from her fur and plan her next move.

He's as strong as ever, she thought to herself, setting her sights on the top of a short hill. Just like you wanted him to be... do you remember those days? When it used to be you, me, and Ivystorm.

We made a great team. We really did... I shouldn't be asking if you remember. Of course you do. In fact, I should apologize, I guess. For making you remember such a pleasant time in our lives that you're no longer with us to share... wait. That came out wrong, too. I'm sorry again. It's just that I see so much of you in him. I believe no other cat could have given birth to such a cat but you.

That's why I was so surprised when you died. I remember that calm night, when the moor was covered in shadows from the clouds above. The moon was nowhere in sight. But that didn't matter. All that mattered to me and Ivystorm was that you were finally kitting. I think we were just as excited about it as you... well, as excited as you could be, since you were delusional half the time.

'Sunheart, settle down' Ivystorm said. 'I'm just so excited' I responded. And it was true. I don't think I ever get so jumpy at anything except for a kitting. Watching new life come into this world, it always makes me glad to see cats of all clans blessed by such a miracle. And I was really eager to watch one of my best friends go through it. I truly was.

The breeze began to pick up slightly as Sunheart made it to the top of the small hill, overlooking most of the moor in front of her. She attempted to spot the two apprentices who had taken off for prey.

The first one came through, Tigerpaw. I remember one time when you said if you ever had kits, you wouldn't name any of them Tiger. Forgive me, but I don't think I remember why. Maybe it was because that real dangerous cat from long ago shared the name... but I guess it's not important now.

I looked into his tightly shut eyes for you. I knew you couldn't. You told me to tell you if he was okay, and that she didn't feel good. Ivystorm mocked you, saying though all your toughness as a warrior, that 'a little bit of kitting would bring you down.' I told you he was just fine. Maybe a little small, but I knew you wouldn't care. You would love him, just as we all would.

Then I saw the blood... none of us were ready for that. You kept saying 'Tigerkit.' We told you not to speak. We tried to see what was wrong; it was all supposed to be so simple. You just kept repeating his name, 'Tigerkit, protect.'

The second kit came out. But she did not move. And neither did you after that. You kept mumbling, 'Tigerkit, protect.' Ivystorm screamed at you to stay awake. She got right into your face and screamed with all her being. She seemed so brave that day.

All I could do was sit there and watch you bleed. Watching kit after kit. The she-cat, then another, then a tom, and a she-cat, all born still. Ivystorm was busy trying to wake you up. I tried removing the birth material from them. It didn't work. I tried nudging them, cleaning them, nothing.