Warriors: A New Beginning #1: The Beginning

Epilogue

"And... Thorntail, you can take Briarblaze, Featherdapple, and Bushtail on a hunting patrol." Wavepelt finished sending out the patrols.

Thorntail nodded and set off.

It had been a couple of moons since Wavepelt had been made deputy. Of course, it was hard at first to get used to the new duties, but now she was used to them.

"Doing anything special?" Scarletpelt asked. She had recently joined the elders along Sandypelt, Whiteheart, and Splotchpelt.

"I think I'm going to go see Speckledfur's kits," Wavepelt mused.

Scarletpelt purred. "They're adorable, aren't they?" Her mood had softened since she had retired.

Wavepelt nodded and waved her tail before padding over to the nursery.

Speckledfur was lofted in her nest. Her moon-old kits, Flowerkit and Vinekit, were suckling. Flowerkit was a brown and white tortoiseshell, and Vinekit was a mottled dark brown tom.

"They're amazing," Speckledfur murmured.

"I hope my kits will be as perfect as them," Wheatwing commented. Her flanks were very swollen and she wobbled every time she took a step forward.

"Hey, Wavepelt, could you do me a favour?" she then asked.

"Uh... sure," Wavepelt mewed. "What is it?"

"I want to go for a walk in the forest." Wheatwing's eyes were bright.

"With you so close to kitting?" Wavepelt's eyes widened. "You should be staying in the nursery.

"But it's stuffy in here." Wheatwing sighed. "Oh well, I guess I should have known you would refuse." She sighed again and dramatically flopped into her nest.

Wavepelt exchanged an amused glance with Speckledfur.

"Fine," she agreed. "But another warrior should come besides me."

"Ashheart." Wheatwing's reply was quick. Wavepelt wasn't surprised. The two she-cats had been spending a lot of time together.

Another friendship that had sprouted was Bushtail and Ashheart. Bushtail seemed to have gotten over his broken heart and now was trying again. Ashheart felt the same way for him.

"Okay," Wavepelt decided. "The three of us can go."

Wheatwing leapt to her paws and swayed a little.

"Careful," Speckledfur warned.

"I will," Wheatwing promised. "Let's go, Wavepelt!" She brushed past her sister and walked into the clearing. Wavepelt quickly said good-bye to Speckledfur before following Wheatwing.

The yellow tabby was already talking to Ashheart.

"Okay, I'll come!" the light grey she-cat agreed enthusiastically.

"Let's go, then." Wheatwing took the lead, eagerly crossing the gorse tunnel. She tasted the air as soon as she was in the forest.

"I forgot what the forest smelled like!" she breathed.

"Don't forget, we're only here for a short walk," Wavepelt said, nudging her sister.

"Yeah..." Wheatwing was looking around as she walked. "It's just amazing in newleaf.

"I agree," Ashheart commented, beside the two littermates. "Do you remember when you took me out into the forest for the first time, Wavepelt?"

Wavepelt nodded. "You had a wild apprenticeship."