Warriors: An Enemy's Victory #1, Fanfiction

Chapter 10

"Cloudtail, until Fireheart is well again you shall be my deputy." Thistlestar stared down at the cats. Blackstar had chosen Rowanclaw as his deputy, while Leopardstar chose Mistyfoot. Tallstar had yet to pick his deputy but Thistlestar knew he would make the right decision.

It had been three dawns since the battle, and twolegs have already taken up more land. The fresh kill pile was pitifully small, and he could see the clans had thinned. They had lost Dawncloud, Reedwhisker, Larchkit, and Hollykit to the battle, but to make matters worse, whitecough was traveling through the forest.

"We must discuss what will happen over the next half moon. I want Cloudtail to take Crowpaw, Leopardstar, And Tawnypelt to the pine forest to hunt and scout for rogues. I would like Tallstar to pick some strong windclan cats to hunt on the moor while Mistyfoot picks who to take hunting near the river." He yowled to the clans. With a brief nod, Tallstar picked Onewhisker, Mudclaw, and Gorseclaw to hunt with him while the patrol he had put together set off for the river.

Thistlestar flinched away when he saw Fireheart limp to the fresh-kill pile take a scrawny mouse for himself and a sparrow. Probably for Ferncloud. He told himself, then leaped down the highrock to meet Hawkkit and Mothkit.

"Hello, my kits. Look how much you've grown, Hawkkit! And Mothkit, Mudfur has told me nothing but good news about your help." He purred, nuzzling his kits. As he heard the leaves rustle on the camp entrance, he turned to see Gingerpaw, Tinypaw, and Spottedpaw. Gingerpaw had a limp, holding his fore paw in the air.

"There's a thorn in my paw!" He complained to Runningnose. littlecloud was watching from a distance as the old tom pulled the thorn out. Soon, the apprentices' mentors walked through the door. Rowanclaw called for Spottedpaw. The calico she-cat was grooming herself in the sunniest part of camp beside the elders when his voice made her jump. She sprinted to him quickly, a tuft of fur sticking straight up.

"You look like a pine cone with that new style!" Gingerpaw let out a mrrow of laughter before his sister batted at his ear.

"It's not funny!" She slicked her paw over her fur, embarrassment waving off her. Tinypaw was crouched beside the fresh-kill pile, chowing down heavily on a shrew. Thistlestar's heart swelled with warmth as he saw the apprentices. He had remembered when they were first kitted, when they first stepped out, and when he had brought them back to the nursery when his father broke the warrior code.

"Thistlestar?" He spun around to see Mothkit and Hawkkit. Mousedung! I missed what they said! He wanted to claw his own muzzle in annoyance.

"Yes, kits?" He purred, sitting to face them. He could see the anxiousness in Mothkit's eyes, and his gaze darkened with worry. Was something wrong?

"Uh, I wanted to know if it was alright if i became Mudfur's apprentice when we reach six moons.. I don't want to be a warrior. I couldn't ever harm any cat on purpose." Mothkit breathed finally, relief soaring through him. He thought something bad had truly happened, but this was wonderful news.

"Of course you can. You'd make a wonderful medicine cat, Eaglewing said so before he passed." He touched noses with his kit, pleased to see the joy in her eyes.

"So your fine with me going with him to Riverclan?" She purred, bouncing excitedly. Thistlestar froze. His tail drooped as he realized why she had been nervous to tell him; In order to become Mudfur's apprentice she would have leave with him to Riverclan. He suppressed his grief, wanting to let his kit choose her own path.

"Of course," He lied, then carried on after touching his nose to hers, "If you want to become his apprentice i support you going to Riverclan." He watched his kit scamper towards the medicine den with love in his eyes. He would miss her very much, but he couldn't be angry with her wanting to follow her dream.