Dustfur's origin

Chapter 13

Yowls of agony rang through the camp, and Dustfur lifted his head and blinked. He stepped out of the den and saw Emberstripe standing with Flowerkit, Nightkit, and Applekit near the nursery. Maybe she'll listen to me now.

"What's going on?" He walked up to the beautiful she-cat.

"Hawkfire's kitting," she said blankly. She was obviously still upset, to Dustfur's discouragement.

"Emberstripe please listen-" he tried to say, but she turned away.

"Come on kits, let's get you something to eat," she tail flicking her tail towards the fresh kill pile. He sat down and watched her go, the feeling of disappointment raw inside of him. Why doesn't she listen to me? If I don't apologise, she might go with Smokeheart! He realised this, and shot up. He would have to find a way to say how sorry be was. And maybe, if he had the courage, tell her how much he loved her. He sighed and continued on with his day.

That night, he went outside camp looking for Emberstripe. He saw her leave camp a little while ago, and he was hoping to find her. He treaded lightly through the frosty bitten forest, following her scent. He was lead to the Ancient Oak, where she was curled up.

"Emberstripe?" Dustfur's mew broke the silence. He looked over on one of the branches and saw she was curled up, sleeping.

"Embers- oh. You're asleep. Ok. I'm sorry then, I'll go back to camp," he turned and started to head back into the trees, discouraged.

"Wait, Dustfur," Emberstripe called. He stopped, his heart lifting, and he quickly clawed his way up the oak. "I'm sorry for not listening to you before. I should have, but I was mad," she said softly.

"No, you shouldn't apologise, since this was all my fault. I'm the one that assumed you wanted to be a kittypet, and I got mad and I was hurt that I thought you left me and..." He trailed off and looked away, giving his chest fur a few embarrassed licks. He was about to say "and I thought you didn't like me", but he choked on his words. Why can't I just tell her?

"I was mad, too, because I thought you knew me well enough not to know I would never be a kittypet," she looked down. Her ginger triangles gleaned on her face, and he wanted to lick them affectionately.

"Does this mean you forgive me?" He looked at her, his heart swelling.

"Yes," she said, licking his ear. He purred loudly, and rested his mussle on her shoulder. His heart began to race, and he was surprised she didn't hear it thumping. Tell her now!

"I was so sad that you didn't talk to me. And I was so scared when you went missing," he breathed. To him disappointment, his breathe caught in his throat just as he was about to tell Emberstripe how he felt for her. He hissed in his mind at his cowardness that he didn't understand.

"We'll, I'm fine now, and those rogues are gone," she said. They stayed their most of the night, looking up at the stars and talking, and headed back to camp. Dustfur tried to work up the courage to confess, but it never came. When they went back to camp, side by side, Oakpelt was on watch now, and when he saw them walking side by side, his brother purred.

"It took you long enough to make up, you mouse-brains," he laughed. Dustfur hit him lightly on the ear, embarrassed, and they walked into the warriors den, this time not sleeping far apart. Dustfur held back another purr as Emberstripe smiled at him one last time before curling up and covering her nose with her tail. He quickly have her a lick and did the same, but he couldn't stop thinking about how he couldn't tell her. He knew he was nervous, but not being able to tell her made him just a bit angry. He would tell her one day, though. One day.

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The next day, he woke up and stretched in the pale sunlight. He stepped out of the warriors den and blinked. He headed over to the fresh kill pile, when he stopped, overhearing a conversation. He looked around and saw Hawkfire and Cherrystrike whispering near the nursery.

"I think Emberstripe'll be joining the nursery soon," Cherrystrike murmured. Hawkfire sat up.

"Smokeheart?" The golden she-cat asked quietly. They both looked, and he followed their gaze to find Emberstripe and Smokeheart talking.

"I think so. Look how close they are," the ginger she-cat replied softly. Hawkfire gave her fur a lick.

"I wouldn't be surprised," she said. Cherrystrike nodded, and Dustfur's breath caught in his throat. Her and Smokeheart having kits? The throat made him scared and sad. I know I love her. But does she love me, or him? He shook his head and picked up a Thrush, heading over to Oakpelt.

"Wanna share?" He said through the feathers. His brother nodded and he sat down. He was silent as he took a bite from the prey, deep in thought. After some moments, Oakpelt huffed.

"Alright, what's wrong?" He said, taking a bite from the thrush. Dustfur looked up.

"Nothing's wrong," he said, absentminded. Oakpelt rolled his eyes.

"Quit lying," he said. Dustfur sighed. "It's about her and Smokeheart, isn't it,"

He nodded, and Oakpelt shook his head. "He may like her, but she won't know you like her until you tell her. She has to know sometime, Dustfur,"

"Oh please, she won't like me," He mumbled, taking a bite. Oakpelt flicked his ear.

"Don't say that! If she didn't like you, would you two even be best friends?" He said, chewing. Dustfur closed his eyes.

"To tell you the truth, I did try telling her, but my words caught in my throat," he said, then clawed the dirt. "I hate not being able to tell her,"

He laid down in the grass, frustrated. Oakpelt grunted.

"I'm just saying, I bet one day it will just pop out," he said, looking at him.

Dustfur said nothing, just stood up and shook out his fur. He stretched again, when Dawnpaw raced into camp, her eyes wide and terrified.

"The rogues! They're here!" She yowled. Warriors stood up, and the rogues flooded into the camp.

One russet tom lunged for him, but Dustfur leapt out of the way, clawing the rogue's side. He hissed and turned, rearing up, claws unsheathed. He met his attack and they clawed at eat other, hissing and spitting. He knocked him down and raked his hind claws down the rogue's stomach, making him screech in agony. He pushed him off and ran away. Dustfur stood there, panting, until another rogue slammed into him, pinning him. It was a dappled she-cat, and she dealt blows on his head. She squirmed away and ran around her, clamping his jaws on her tail. She yowled in pain and turned, but he didn't let go. She clawed his flank, and he let go. She fell, but jumped up again and onto his back, here she began clawing his mussel.

Suddenly, another rogue ran forward and began raking his legs making him weak. He tried to shake the she-cat off, but her claws dug into his pelt. He screeched and feel under her weight. She then began raking her hind claws down his belly, feeling flesh blood welt up from her scratches. He twisted, but she held fats. She clamped her jaws around his neck, the other rogue now biting his tail, and he yowled in agony.

No!" Emberstripe appeared, roaring, lunging at the two cats. She fought them. Just like the others, they retreated, leaving a trail of blood in their wake. Dustfur groaned and Dappledleaf hurried over to check him. The edges of his vision were going black. He heard Dappledleaf order something, but his hearing was muffled. All of his body was burning with pain, and he didn't move. He felt two cats carry him to the den, and he was carefully placed into one of the nests. He ears voices, but everything was fuzzy, and he felt so weak. He twitched his tail and closed his eyes. Where's Emberstripe? I want her here.

"We have to move him to the medicine den, quickly!" She snapped,  and Emberstripe and Smokeheart lifted him and placed him in one of the nests.