Warriors fanfiction: Tawnypaw's Choice (REVIVED)

Chapter 2

(reference: Rising Storm pg 174)

The late afternoon sunlight leaked between the leaves and twigs making up the roof of the nursery. Willowpelt's kits had grown, and now they were tumbling around their mother, mewing and squeaking as they played. Tawnykit sat near her own mother, watching the younger kits in amusement. Me and Bramblekit must have done that too when we were-

"Got you!"

Tawnykit let out a startled squeak as her brother pounced on her tail with sheathed claws. "Hey!" She spun.

He purred in amusement, his amber eyes gleaming. "You've always got your head in the clouds, don't you?"

She bristled and purred playfully. "Oh yeah?" She crouched and wiggled her haunches, ready to pounce on Bramblekit.

"Kits, settle down!" Goldenflower urged softly. "You've been jumping around like squirrels all afternoon."

With a twinge of disappointment, Tawnykit sat down, abandoning her attack on Bramblekit. "Sorry, Goldenflower."

As her mother licked her head, Bramblekit looked up at her. "I'm thirsty," He complained. "Can we get something to drink?"

Goldenflower raised her head and peered outside the nursery. Tawnykit followed her gaze and saw many cats in the clearing sharing tongues. "It shouldn't be long before a warrior brings us some water," She told them. "Be patient."

Sure enough, a few moments later, a cat entered the nursery, and Tawnykit started at the sight of the familiar flame pelted warrior. Fireheart! He was carrying a bundle of soaked moss in his jaws. The clan deputy himself!

He stepped closer and dipped his head as he placed the moss between the two queens, and Willowpelt purred gratefully. "Thanks, Fireheart."

"There'll be more after supper," He promised. As she and Goldenflower began to drink from the moss, Bramblekit hesitantly stepped toward Fireheart, staring up at him. Tawnykit pricked her ears and straightened. Would he say something to them?

But the clan deputy seemed to take no notice of them, instead keeping his green eyes fixed on the queens. "Brindleface is going to lead the other elders to the river once the sun has set and the woods are clear of twolegs."

Goldenflower raised her head from the moss, licking her lips. "It's been a while since some of them have been out in the forest after dark."

As Fireheart responded, Tawnykit felt her paws itch with excitement at the thought of going into the forest. It was beginning to feel like the world was no more than the ThunderClan camp.

"I'm looking forward to taking these three out into the forest for the first time." Willowpelt's meow broke Tawnykit from her thoughts, and she saw the pale gray queen licking Sorrelkit. Fireheart's attention was now focused on her.

"They look like they'll make fine warriors," Fireheart meowed as he watched Willowpelt's kits play. 

Tawnykit felt a twinge of envy. Lucky! Imagine getting a compliment like that from the clan deputy! 

Fireheart's eyes suddenly grew distant, and he blinked, dipping his head to the queens before turning away. Before he left, he paused, his gaze flicking to Bramblekit and Tawnykit.

Bramblekit's ears perked a little, and Tawnykit's pelt prickled under Fireheart's gaze. Is he going to say we'll make fine warriors too?

But to Tawnykit's disappointment, the warrior only mumbled a quick goodbye before slipping out of the nursery. It was quiet for a moment, then Bramblekit turned to her, his amber eyes clouded. "I-I guess he had things to do."