Warriors: Empire's End ~Book 5 Series 3~

Chapter 4

Silvershy's POV:

"Watch me goooo!" Pearlkit squeaked as she clambered onto the dead monster's paw, letting out small grunts as she clawed her way onto the top of the round, black object.

Silvershy sat nearby, grooming her silver tabby fur while keeping a close eye on her kits. The three of them were practising their climbing already. Even at only a half moon old they were so strong. Silvershy was so proud. Maybe it was the harsh environment they had to live in, or that they were simply blessed that way. Maybe Tyler's blood made them stronger. Pearlkit and Duskkit had already shown signs of their winged father's genes. They would make fine warriors one day.

A few rogues from Java's group watched the kits with mild amusement. A scrawny and battle-scarred old she cat lounged on the top of the monster, her gaze following Silvershy's kits curiously.

Silvershy smiled slightly, letting her freshly-groomed tail curl around her paws. After spending over a moon with her son's group, she was comfortable and happy with the rogues' company. It was like being in a Clan again.

She rarely thought of Spectrum anymore. Silvershy was strong enough to survive without the Promethean, with her family around her. However, it didn't stop her from feeling sharp pangs of longing as she stared at the distant forest at night, wondering where her friend had gone. Were they ever going to meet again? Silvershy knew the answer was likely a no. It made her sad to think about it, but it was the truth.

Ebony approached from behind, catching her mother by surprise. "Oh, hello." Silvershy smiled at her duaghter, turning to face her.

The black she cat nodded at Silvershy in greeting. "Are you ready to start joining our hunts? You must pull your own weight around here. The healer will watch over your kits for you."

"I know, I know." Silvershy sighed, hanging her head. "But I can't leave them yet, they're still so young..."

"It's tradition here that we separate the kits from their mothers as soon as they are out of the nest. It's beneficial for their growth into valuable members of our society."

"They're not even weaned yet." Silvershy muttered, glancing back at her three kits to see them playing a game of Chase underneath the dead monster. "I can't leave them yet. Give me another quarter moon at least."

Ebony shook her black-furred head. "Sorry, Java is putting his paw down. Start separating now or lose them entirely."

Silvershy's tail lashed in anger. "That's not fair! They're my-"

"H-Hey Ebony?" A grey tabby rogue padded towards them, his yellow gaze hovering over the black she cat. "Java wants you to join his hunt."

"What? Why?" The black she cat grumbled, turning to the grey tom. "Can't you see I'm busy?"

Silvershy watched as the rogue shuffled his paws in shame. "I know, but Java-"

"Whatever." Ebony stormed away from them, her tail lashing. "I'll go teach my brother a lesson in manners."

Silvershy's whiskers twitched in amusement as she turned her green gaze to the grey tom, who was still standing awkwardly nearby. "You like her?"

The rogue jumped, his fur bristling. "W-What? No.." He shook his head, a slight hint of fear in his yellow eyes. "I'm sorry."

"Why apologise? I don't mind." Silvershy mewed. "Though I think Ebony will have something else to say about it, but you know her better than I do, and she's my daughter.. Has she had any mates in the past?"

"None." He shook his head, still nervous. "She would never like me anyway, I'm nothing special. No one can get to her heart, why would I?"

Silvershy frowned. "What's your name?"

"Speck, why?"

"She needs to know how you feel about her." The silver she cat responded.

"N-no she doesn't." Speck's eyes widened. "You don't understand, I've barely been a member for more than a few moons, no one trusts me yet. Ebony would never accept me-"

"Oh hush." Silvershy replied, grinning slightly. "If I don't tell her, promise me you will. Soon."

The grey tabby shrugged hopelessly. "You know I could get kicked out for this."

"A risk worth taking." The silver warrior decided, her ears pricking as Duskkit and Pearlkit started squealing for help. Silvershy sighed and turned away to tend to her crying kits. "Duty calls. Have fun talking with Ebony."

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