Emberstep's Journey [Warrior Cats]

Chapter 14: Terrible Timing

🐾Emberstep🐾

I pad slowly behind Hornet, my stomach swollen with kits. We've been travelling for so long, my fear gets worse everyday that I'll give birth outside of my Clan. My stomach has also been slowing us down. The sun is slowly sinking in the sky and I knew Wasp would soon suggest stopping for the night.

Throughout our journey Wasp has become increasingly careful and worried about me. He's started asking how I'm feeling as we're journeying and if I need to rest. Hornet is more subtle about her worrying. But all of it is slowing us down. And I'm aware I need to think about my kits before myself. And it just starts a cycle of guilt inside me.

The sky is getting darker and Wasp notices. "I think we should stop for the night, find a safe place to sleep." Hornet nods and I don't argue as I'm overcome with exhaustion. Wasp goes searching for a safe place to rest while Hornet stays with me.

"How are you feeling?" Hornet asks me, brushing my flank with her tail. "Tired and a little hungry."

"Don't worry I'll go hunting after Wasp finds a suitable den." I nod and rest my head against her shoulder. She licks my head and we wait patiently for Wasp's return. The brush rustles and he bounds into view. "I found a clear space under a hawthorne bush, this way." We get up and follow the grey and white tom.

He leads us to the hawthorne bush and I sink to the ground and rest my head on my paws. Hornet goes hunting and Wasp stays with me. "You okay?" He asks laying beside me.

"I'm fine, furbrain, stop worrying so much. I'll tell you if something is wrong." He purrs and bumps my shoulder with his head. I've grown very close to Hornet and Wasp, their great friends and very caring. "Wasp, after...after I get back home, what will you and your sister do?"

He looks at me thinking. "I don't know, I guess we'd go back home or at least return to Tawny. It was nice seeing everyone." I feel a pang in my chest at the thought of him and Hornet leaving. "I'll miss you both when your gone," I whisper, leaning my head against his shoulder.

He nuzzles my cheek with his nose. "We'll miss you too, Emberstep." I close my eyes as he presses his flank against mine. Sharing a moment of silence as we think about what the future might hold. I hear rustling and open my eyes to see Hornet slip from the brush. She's holding a rabbit and two starlings in her jaws.

She comes over to us and sets the rabbit in front of me and a starling in front of Wasp. "What have you guys been chatting about?" She asks after setting her starling in the grass and laying down. "Emberstep, was asking about what we'll do after we get her back home. I told her we'd probably return to ours or at least stay with Tawny and everyone else."

Hornet nods but I see she too want's to distance that day. We begin eating as the sun starts to disappear. After we finish we bury the remains. I sleep under the hawthorne with Hornet and Wasp. I curl up with them on either side of me, keeping me warm. This entire time with everything they've done, they've always kept me in mind.

I thank StarClan to have met them outside that twoleg nest. I wouldn't have made it this far without them. I close my eyes and drift off to sleep.

•Wasp•

"Wasp! Wasp! WAKE UP! I jolt awake to the sound of my sister's panicked voice. "What's happening?!" I hear yowling and look to see Emberstep convulsing on the grass. Hornet near her haunches.

"The kits are coming!" My sister shouts and my eyes widen. "What do we do?!" I ask as Emberstep let's out a pained yowl. "I need you to go find me a thick, sturdy stick." I nod and race from the bush and look around wildly.

I see a thick yet short stick, I snatch it up and rush back to Emberstep and Hornet. I slip under and set the stick down. Hornet snatches it up and presents it to Emberstep. "Here, bite down on this when you feel pain."