Warriors fanfiction: Tawnypaw's Choice (REVIVED)

Chapter 4

(reference: A Dangerous Path pg 42)

"Fireheart was so brave." Bramblekit was meowing as he batted a ball of moss to Tawnykit. "You should have seen him!"

She flicked her ear in amusement before she bounced forward to meet the ball. It had been a moon since the fire, and every cat was busy rebuilding the camp. The dens had been destroyed. While Runningwind and Mousefur were finishing the nursery walls, Tawnykit, Bramblekit, and Snowkit were playing in the clearing. Speckletail and Goldenflower were settled outside the nursery, speaking quietly together. Not far from them, Willowpelt was watching her kits play beside her. 

Ever since the fire, Bramblekit hadn't been able to stop boasting about how Fireheart had saved his life. Though Tawnykit was grateful to the deputy for saving him and glad that her brother admired him so much, she was getting tired of hearing the same story over and over.

Snowkit was sitting with his head turned, watching the cats in the camp curiously. His head tilted.

"Hey, Snowkit!" With a flick of her paw, she sent the moss ball flying at him. It bounced off his head and he jumped, swinging his head toward her in surprise.

Bramblekit watched him in disbelief. "Gee Snowkit, you've really got your head in the clouds."

The white kit blinked at him, then hesitantly mumbled. "Err... Sorry...?" He sounded uncertain of his response.

"It's okay, Snowkit." Tawnykit responded, holding back her irritation. Snowkit was... different. But he never did anyone any harm. She wondered if he lacked social skills because Speckletail was so overprotective of him and stayed by his side almost constantly. Goldenflower says to be nice to others, even if they're different.

Snowkit sniffed the ball of moss before lightly batting it toward Bramblekit.

"Darkstripe, you and Dustpelt are in charge of rebuilding the warriors den."

The ball flew past Bramblekit as his attention snapped to the other side of the camp. "Look, there he is!"

Tawnykit followed his gaze and saw Fireheart in the center of the camp. The clan deputy was speaking to the two warriors, while others stood by waiting for directions. 

Darkstripe narrowed his eyes. "What about our apprentices? Surely they need their training?" Ashpaw and Fernpaw were standing by their mentors, looking at Fireheart curiously.

"Of course they do." Fireheart's tail twitched irritably, but he remained calm. "But the dens need to be fixed up. Especially when Tigerstar is in charge of ShadowClan." He nodded to the apprentices. "Ashpaw and Fernpaw can help you."

The dark striped warrior was quiet for a moment, then dipped his head. "Very well, Fireheart." There was an edge to his tone, but he said no more. With a flick of his tail to Fernpaw, the four cats headed for the warriors den not far from the kits.

"Me and Fernpaw will get started." Darkstripe told Dustpelt. "You and Ashpaw can go into the forest and start gathering sticks and branches."

The younger warrior nodded, and he and his apprentice turned away. As Darkstripe and Fernpaw began surveying the remains of the den, Tawnykit looked away and saw that Bramblekit was still watching Fireheart, his amber eyes shining with admiration.

"You should have seen him," Bramblekit meowed to she and Snowkit eagerly. "He climbed up the tree and leaped through the flames, like this!" He pounced forward dramatically, his tail sticking straight up in the air. Tawnykit rolled her eyes and looked beside her. Snowkit looked less than impressed with his story.

"I thought I was a goner!" Bramblekit went on, puffing out his chest. "I was holding on, but my claws were slipping. Fireheart grabbed me, and then carried me to safety! He raced through the flames. He's the greatest warrior in the forest!"