Swiftfire's Promise

Chapter 14

Sorrelheart

1 day.

1 day until the battle like no other.

Swiftfire tore at the mouse at his paws, angrily crushing bones beneath his teeth.

He couldn't get his mind off of two things. His leader and his mate. If Brightwillow even loved him anymore.

Swiftfire shook his head and licked blood off of his lips. He had to prepare for battle, like the rest of his clan, not go chasing after the cat he loved.

The camp was filled with cats battling against each other, preparing for the battle the next day.

Swiftfire looked at the leaders den, he had been meaning to talk to Lionstar, who hadn't come out of his den since the burial... That Swiftfire missed.

He grabbed a thin-wiry rabbit, hunting in Leaf-bare was hard, and began to make his way to the leaders den, casting a sideways glance at the nursery were Brightwillow had stayed since she and Swiftfire.... Fought.

But before he got to the spacious den, Sorrelheart came running out, her tail drooping and ears lowered.

"Sorrelheart? What's wrong?" He growled, glancing at the leaders den which suddenly seemed very scary.

"Swiftfire, perfect. Lionstar wants to see you," Sorrelheart said, bitterness tinging her meow.

"Wha-" Swiftfire began to meow but the deputy shouldered passed him and all Swiftfire could do was stare in confusion back at her.

He trotted to the leaders den, the rabbit hanging limply from his mouth. He flinched as he entered the den, which surprising smelled of illness.

Swiftfire ran to Lionstar, who was waiting patiently, and dropped the soft brown creature in his mouth at the leaders feet.

"I-I brought you a rabbit Lionstar," he said, nudging the creature.

Lionstar looked terrible. In less than one day his fur had grown tangled and matted.

Lionstar slowly looked Swiftfire up and down and the ginger and white tabby tom could feel his back fur bristling slightly.

Swiftfire shifted on his feet, "umm. Er... What was it you called me in here for?" The tom asked.

For a few heartbeats neither cat said anything. Then, Lionstar spoke.

"How old are your siblings?" He said.

Swiftfire blinked, Lionstar's voice sounded just terrible. It was scratchy and hoarse, but it was distant, making Swiftfire wonder if the golden leader had even heard him.

"Umm... I don't know, Dustkit, Fernkit, Hollykit, and Larchkit have to be about 5 moons now," Swiftfire replied, suddenly realizing that they probably had to be apprenticed soon.

"I want you make them apprentices." Lionstar replied bluntly, showing no emotion in his mangled voice.

"But Lionstar, shouldn't Sorrelheart be the one to do that?" Swiftfire meowed, surprised.

Lionstar hissed, his ears folding back as he suddenly sprang to his feet. "I don't if I can even trust Sorrelheart! She denied my wishes for Dewtail's kits to become apprentices, maybe she wants less competition when she turns on us!"

Swiftfire backed up, watching Lionstar's eye twitch and his tail lash out angrily.

"S-Sorrelheart is a g-good deputy L-Lionstar." Swiftfire stuttered.