The Forgotten Tribe {Warriors Fanfiction}

Chapter 8

Moonpaw blinked open his eyes. Sunlight poured in through the entrance to the medicine cat den, which caused his tired muscles to ache to run outside. He stood up, sniffing the air. Troutfang's scent was still faint, as if he were still there. The elder had just passed on a moon ago, taken by greencough.

Leafbare was coming to an end, and frosts covered the camp as warriors and apprentices woke. Mottledfur and Poppyblossom were sharing tongues, and Nightpaw, Robinpaw, Finchheart, and Applebelly were all leaving for a patrol. Moonpaw sighed and searched the air for the scent of Littlenose. 

She should be gathering comfrey. Moonpaw thought as he picked through the fresh kill pile. He grasped a large finch in his jaws and carried it to the nursery.

"Tawnyblossom?" He called as he entered. The tiny mewls of kits filled his ears, and he couldn't help but smile.

Gorsekit, Brackenkit, and Dewkit were all a moon old already. They were strong and surviving well, which sent relief flooding through Moonpaw's mind.

"Moonpaw, thank you." Tawnyblossom smiled and took the finch from Moonpaw. "The kits were wishing to see you again."

Moonpaw tilted his head, and looked at the kits. "Hello, little ones."

Dewkit curled up tighter into a ball. "We're not little!"

"We'll be the best warriors in ThunderClan." Brackenkit chirped, looking up at Moonpaw with big amber eyes.

Gorsekit grinned and wrapped herself around Dewkit.

Moonpaw smiled. "Well, not for long you won't be. You'll all make fine warriors."

Tawnyblossom purred as Moonpaw turned to leave. He padded out of the den, feeling light, and sat down to wait for Littlenose to return.

In time, she did, with a mouthful of fresh-smelling herbs. She quickly carried them to the den and shook herself off.

"Another gathering soon." She observed, staring up at the sky. 

Moonpaw nodded. "RiverClan was really hostile the last time. You think they'll threaten us again?"

"Most likely." Littlenose replied, watching all the other clan cats move around. "The patrol should return soon."

Moonpaw stared at the nursery. "It's been forever since this clan's had kits." He muttered, licking his paws.

Littlenose nodded. "We're short on apprentices, and Robinpaw is already on his way to becoming a warrior."

Moonpaw sighed and looked at the camp entrance, where Nightpaw and Robinpaw were both already rushing in. The patrol was returning.

"Tawnyblossom's kitting is a sign." Littlenose said flatly as she too stared at the returning patrol. 

Moonpaw lifted his gaze from Finchheart to look at his mentor. "Huh?" 

"New apprentices means the clan is growing. RiverClan's attack was against StarClan." Littlenose licked her chest quickly before standing up. "StarClan would never have let us thrive this well so far if they wanted RiverClan to attack us."

Moonpaw nodded slowly and stood up. "Robinpaw seems to be complaining. I bet it's a thorn, I'll get him checked up."

Littlenose sighed and turned away, trotting towards her den, probably to rest after spending the sunrise searching for comfrey.

"Ow!" Robinpaw squealed as Moonpaw removed the thorn from the apprentice's pad.

"You're welcome." Moonpaw muttered as he got up to check on the kits again.