WARRIORS : Calling Darkness [Book 1] Swept Away

Chapter 8

Orange-yellow leaves spiraled down from the treetops. The sky was a soft baby blue, no cloud to block out the warm sun. Though the wind blew, making the air light with a slight chill.
A small black and white she-cat nipped the stems of an odd looking leaf, and bundled them up in a pile. Patchwish's eyes shone with delight. "Thank goodness we found these nettles," she waved her tail, glancing at the she-cat beside her. "Being leaf-fall, I wanted to pick everything on our territory to preserve it for leaf-bare."
Firefeather nodded, blue eyes shinning in agreement. "With new kits on the way and an elder to take care of," she flicked a ginger ear. "You'll need all the herbs you can find."
Tigerpaw plucked gently at a stem, and piled the small spiny leaves in a pile beside her. Patchwish, the ThunderClan medicine cat, had needed help with picking the last herbs left on the territory. Firefeather had volunteered; she had said it was important to help the medicine cat because they took care of the Clan.
Tigerpaw couldn't agree more with her mentor; she had deep respect for Patchwish. She spoke with their ancestors, and had healing abilities only achievable by the most skilled cats.
Though Tigerpaw held great respect for the position, she wanted to be out exploring. She wanted to go on adventures with her Clanmates at her side. As Tigerpaw plucked at the faded green leaves, she thought about what her mother and father had said.
Her parents wanted her to find a mate and have kits, but Tigerpaw had other intentions for her life. She could hardly bare the idea of being a queen, what with waiting around in the nursery and watching kits.
She wanted more with her life. Tigerpaw swished her tail stubbornly. She would tell Speckleblotch and Ravenflower. If they really knew what was best for me, they would be proud of who I am.

Tigerpaw pushed through the thorn tunnel, brambles catching her long brown fur. The juicy bundle of nettles in her jaws pricked her. Patchwish and Firefeather padded towards the medicine cat den. Firefeather stopped and dropped her bundle, turning towards Tigerpaw.
"I'll take your bundle from here," Firefeather insisted. "Go give the queens some prey and then you can eat."
Tigerpaw dropped the nettles, swishing her tail in gratitude. "Thanks, Firefeather."
Tigerpaw turned and bounded towards the prey pile, looking down at the heap of fresh-kill and licking her lips. She carefully picked up a squirrel and a vole in her jaws.
She made her way across the clearing towards the nursery, but before she was even halfway, she stopped in her tracks.
Speckleblotch was in conversation with Ravenflower. Tigerpaw flicked an ear; this was the perfect chance for her to talk with her parents about her future. She had been an apprentice for four moons; she wanted to straighten things out with her parents before she became a warrior.
       Tigerpaw trotted over to the two warriors, stopping to drop her prey at her paws. Speckleblotch was in deep conversation with his mate, and didn't seem to notice his daughter. Ravenflower's amber eyes left her mate and landed on Tigerpaw. She touched Speckleblotch gently with her gray-and-brown- speckled tail.
       The pale tabby tom spun around, gazing down at his daughter. His amber eyes sparkled. "You only have two more moons before you become a warrior, and then take a mate afterwards."
       Speckleblotch waved his tail, white-patched pelt rippling with pride. "I'll leave you to discuss the matter with your mother."
       Tigerpaw felt her mouth gape open, lost for words. She didn't want to take a mate. Ravenflower pressed her white pelt close to Tigerpaw, and surveyed the camp around them.
       "So many handsome toms to choose from," Ravenflower mewed excitedly.
        Tigerpaw snorted with laughter at her mother's hysterical excitement. "There's only one," she stated flatly.
       Ravenflower pulled away, waving her tail. "Well, Redpaw is handsome, and so good at hunting."
        Tigerpaw scrunched her nose, revolted at the thought of taking a mate. She wanted to explore and go on adventures. Tigerpaw could do that with her Clanmates at her side, but not a mate. They would only argue and fuss over her; she was strong and could take care of herself.
       Tigerpaw opened her mouth to explain her plans to her mother, but was cut off by an excited yowl. "The kits are coming!" A white she-cat with sparkling blue eyes stood in the middle of the clearing.
       Smallolive rushed over to his mate, gray pelt spiking with worry. "We need to get you to the nursery, Frostdaisy," Smallolive fussed. "I'll get you some fresh bedding and—"
       Frostdaisy shook her head. "Not me," she said softly. "Goldenlight's kits are coming."
       Tigerpaw pricked her ears, brown pelt fluffing out as a slight drizzle started to come down from the gray sky. She glanced up. Please, StarClan, keep Goldenlight and her kits safe.