Warriors Fanfiction: Super Edition-Owlflight's Path

Chapter Twenty-Six

Owlflight twined her tail with Rowanoak's, a delighted purr rumbling through her chest as the two new mates walked back to camp. Rowanoak looked down slightly, his green gaze bright and happy.

"Are you happy, Owlflight?" He asked with a husky whisper, and the brown she cat blinked up, her soft green gaze shining with love.

"I'm happier than I've been in moons," she mrowed earnestly, meaning every word. The silver-ginger tom's responding purr was a deep rumble of contentment in his chest, almost lost for words. He suddenly pulled away, his eyes full of challenge and playfulness.

"Let's go explore somewhere new!" He meowed suddenly.

"What?" His mate asked with a laugh in her voice. Rowanoak seemed excited.

"Yeah, yeah, c'mon Bunny! There's lots to explore around here," he persuaded, drawling out his words lazily. Owlflight's lips quirked with amusement.

"Alright, then," she said with a light tone, "Where shall we go?" Her eyes sparkled with warmth and amusement at her mate's sudden change of pace. He grinned.

"Follow me," he licked her nose quickly before spinning off at a run. Owlflight laughed loudly and caught up quickly, which he had anticipated.

The two young cats ran through the woods freely, their laughs and pawsteps echoing through a small area, sending squirrels back to the trees. As they ran, they nearly stepped on a grazing squirrel. Owlflight let out a startled shriek when the squirrel squeaked at them, but Rowanoak hardly bat an eye, leaping up into the tree right after it and disappearing with it into the canopy.

Owlflight flicked her tail nervously as her mate disappeared out of sight, suddenly aware of the cool shadows around her. "Rowanoak?" She called with trepidation, and let out a small yelp when the squirrel dropped suddenly before her, now fresh-kill. She looked up to see Rowanoak smiling down at her from among the leaves.

"Nice catch, huh?" He asked with a sleek grin, a hint of pride in his mew. Owlflight looked down at the squirrel, and up again.

"That was actually great!" She said with an excited trill, her eyes glowing up at him in admiration. "Will you teach me?"

"Of course, I'll teach you and the rest of our campmates," he promised, "But I'm a bit hungry and a bit cold, and that squirrel is warm. Let's eat, eh?" He asked with a sheepish grin. Owlflight laughed loudly.

"I'm actually getting hungry too," she purred, but as her mate slunk down, she tackled him. "But I'm not cold," she snuggled into him, "I can keep us both warm," she whispered with a heavy, loving purr. Her mate gazed up at her in awe and love, stretching his neck to lick her cheek. He gently rolled from under her embrace and the couple began to share his prey.

•••

Owlflight let out a strangled sob at the memory, lurching awake from her dream. Rowanoak...

It had been two moons since they declared their love for one another.. two moons and three days and—

"Owlflight?" A soft, worried voice carried into the dim den, "Are..." A sigh, "Nevermind, um.. Icepool is here, she wanted to see you." Owlflight sighed.

"I.. I don't want to see anyone," she replied, her voice wavering a bit. Buzzardwing appeared next to her, licking her friend's damp cheek of tears.

"But Owlflight.. she's here to help wish Rowanoak a safe journey to StarClan before he's—" She stopped abruptly as the trembling she cat let out another strangled sob. "Owlflight, you can't not be there for the end of the vigil, you'll be more upset later that you chose to miss it." Buzzardwing said softly. Owlflight looked up with a glossy gaze.

"I'm upset n-now," she whispered, "Oh Buzzardwing... I feel broken." She cried. The white she cat drooped with sadness for her dear friend.

"Just.. just come say goodbye," she blinked solemnly, finally getting a shaking Owlflight out of her den and into the camp clearing. Cats grouped around, their voices hushed whispers as they spotted Owlflight pad out beside a gentle and coaxing Buzzardwing, seeming so much smaller than usual. Icepool looked up solemnly through eyes older than what she was.

"I say these words before the spirits of my ancestors and beneath the light of Silverpelt," Icepool began solemnly, "So that you may light Rowanoak's path to join your ranks. This noble cat saved the lives of those much younger than he and will be honored as any true Clan cat among our starry ancestors."

The white she cat leaned to press her nose to the unmoving tom's ear. "May StarClan light your path, and may yo—"

"Wait," Owlflight croaked weakly, scrambling to her paws and making her way to Icepool, her eyes barely looking down at the body of her mate. "May I please?" She whispered. Icepool dipped her head, stepping back. Owlflight took a steadying breath, and stiffly turned to face her mate, stifling a sob at the dried blood near his muzzle.

"M-May StarClan light your p-path," She said through gritted teeth and uneven breaths, "M-may you find swift climbing, warm prey, and shelter among the leaves in StarClan." Her legs shook as she fell forward, collapsing over him, body shaking with tears that would no longer fall.

She remained there long after the elders took the body away to be buried.