Patchpelt's Secret (Warriors)

Prologue

Rain poured down from the ever gray skies, creating a thick palette of mud down below. The camp of Rainclan was always muddy and wet, due to their territory mainly covering the marshes. So a storm like this was of no concern to the creatures that existed here. Fish were settled in their calm homes under the water, voles were tucked away in their little homes. Squirrels and birds roasted in their place on the willow trees that speckled the territory. The ground underneath them was almost always wet, covered with the strong scent of mud. Reeds sprouted among the water's edge. Their waxy stalks dancing as the strong winds of the storm blew. In the midst of this wet territory, was a large circle of reeds and vines. Fashioned perfectly to create what appeared to be a wall. This was the heart of the Rainclan territory. Inside was a fallen tree, of which was used to make the home of the medicine cat. Other dens expanded their way across the camp, making the day life to be busy. A dark wind swept across this stormy night, stirring forth the wrath of nature itself. It only seemed fitting for this night to be of which brings forth dark secrets, hidden away from the reality of the clan. That only encouraged death to seek out an innocent kit only a half moon old.

Through this thundering storm, the reeds of the camp shuffled as a lean, dark amber tabby she-cat revealed herself to the open camp. Her pelt was ruffled, bent and stinking up in every which way as if she was just in a fight. From her mouth dangled a tiny kit, fluffy and black as night itself. Although this was frosted by white in almost every corner. Though the kit was small, her voice was loud. It squealed, mewed and wriggled inside the enraged she-cat's mouth. This, despite the desperation in the mew, only drove her foreword. Swiftly behind her another cat emerged.  A long haired black tom, chasing after her.
The she-cat only lengthened her stride, attempting to stay far out of reach. The mud on the ever softening earth slowed her down just enough for him to catch up."Amberclaw listen to me!" He growled, an almost desperate tone hinting in his voice.

This only caused the she-cat to whip herself around. Amber law's emerald green eyes burned as she stared at him. Without lowering her head in the slightest, she dropped the kit in her mouth.
"I warned you Ravenfeather," she lashed her tail bitterly, gazing at the spooked tom. "If you couldn't find some other queen to take Cinderkit, the I was going to get rid of her myself!"
"She's your kit! Our kit!" Ravenfeather challenged "it's no other queen's responsibility to take care of her!"

"Foolish tom!" She growled, pressing her paw against the black and white kit who let out a pitiful wail. "You think I was kidding? I want nothing to do with this kit, I'm not a queen...I'm a warrior! And a warrior must be free of ties such as this. How will I hunt or battle when the time comes?"

Ravenfeather pinned his ears back and lashed his tail, growing more cross. "I will not have it! It's fine that you want to be a warrior, but taking an innocent kit's life is not the way!" He growled. Stepping forward, he forced Amberclaw back and off of Cinderkit. As tenderly as he could manage, he pulled her to him. Lifting his gaze towards the striped she-cat, his mouth opened to speak. "I-"

Ravenfeather was suddenly cut off by a slash to the face. Amberclaw arched her back and growled. "It's too late! She's dying tonight!" Without shedding another word, the lean she-cat lunged forward, jaws open and claws extended. Yet much to her surprise, Amberclaw was interrupted by a heavy blow to the head. The startled queen shook her head and fell back several paces. Seeing Ravenfeather this mad was intimidating. Even for a cat like her.

"This kit will not die tonight!" The black tom hissed bitterly, standing over his helpless daughter. "And have you any opposition, you may speak to me." He lashed his tail. Amberclaw looked ready to leap on him however, she suddenly backed off. Much to Ravenfeather's surprise, she lowered her head and with a bitter expression, disappeared into the warrior's den. He sighed and lowered his gaze to the kit who was now desperately clinging to his leg. Two other warriors padded up alongside the black tom and dipped their heads.

"Thank you...Gorsewhisker, Reedtail."

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