35Sorry for not updating in so long, I have been tied up with school and my other story. I plan on adding at least two chapters before Monday, though, so let's cross our fingers!
Note: This chapter and the next couple chapters will be spoilers from Code of the Clans.
Disclaimer: I do not own warriors
Can't Bring Myself to Care
I rubbed my head against Ryewhisker's side, my purr sounding loud in the silent forest.
"Bee-brain. I'll race you to the hawthorn if you race me across the river!" I challenged, crouching down on the ground and creeping around Ryewhisker.
"No way!" Ryewhisker yelped, backing away from me. "You can't tell me it's natural to get your fur wet! I tried it once, don't you remember?" I laughed at Ryewhisker; remember the day I had tried to teach him how to swim.
"You fell off the stepping-stone," I reminded him, twitching my tail in excitement. "Hard a proper way to start swimming."
"Do you think our kits will be able to run fast and swim?" He asked, somewhat hesitantly, and touching my flank with his tail. My eyes flew open with shock. How had he known? The shock was replaced with guilt.
"How did you know?" I asked softly, "I was going to tell you, I promise, but I wasn't how you'd feel." I ducked my head, watching my paws. "I thought you might want them to be WindClan cats."
"They will be WindClan kits and RiverClan kits! They will be ours, and that's all that matters! Do your Clan-mates know?" Ryewhisker said, frustration creeping into his voice. But his eyes were shining as they watched me. Always watching me.
[x]
I crept from the warriors den, yawning hugely. The kits were already tumbling around the tiny river behind the nursery. I bounded over to them.
"Make sure you paddle your paws like this," I meowed, demonstrating with my paws.
"Thanks, Cloudberry!" My favorite she-cat purred, looking up at me with shining eyes. She was from the youngest litter in RiverClan, hardly four moons. I had hoped to mentor her but now since I was expecting kits I knew that was not to be.
"Hurry up, Cloudberry; you're on the dawn patrol!" Hawkfur yowled, glaring at me.
"Coming, Hawkfur!" I called back, flicking the tiny she-cat good-bye before bounding over the tom.
"About time!" Hawkfur snarled, spinning around and leading the patrol away.
[x]
The flurry of battle caught up with me. I hardly heard Stonetail of WindClan yowl for his Clan to retread. Serves them right, attacking us! Guilt clawed at my belly. I looked around for Ryewhisker. I hadn't seen his since the beginning of the battle and had been trying to avoid him. I was even fighting half-heartedly. The thought of injuring my mates' friends killed me.
A weight landed on my and we tussled on the ground furiously. I froze, my thick fur pressed up against the warriors face when I realized who it was. Ryewhisker looked up, our shocked eyes connected. Ryewhisker looked like he was about to say something when his eyes flew wider with pain. I felt weight on my back. Claws sinking into the back of my neck.
"No!" My mate yowled, lunging at the cat that had attacked me. I recognized broad shouldered Hawkfur just before they disappeared into the reeds. A gray RiverClan she-cat said something but to me it just sounded like a garble of sounds.
"You think I'm going to let our kits be harmed by my own Clan-mates?" Ryewhisker growled, looking back at me with concern in his eyes.
"Kits?" Hawkfur said, his amber eyes wide with disbelief. Then his claws extended, sinking into the ground.
"Cloudberry, look out!" I shrieked, trying to struggle to my paws. My exhaustion was to great. The broad shouldered cat leapt at Ryewhisker, causing Ryewhisker to collapsed. His eyes were closed. Blood pooled out around him.
"Oh Ryewhisker, what have you done?" I whispered. It felt like my heart was ripped out.
[x]
I lay in the nursery, depression heavy in my heart. Kits tumbled around me. Trying to get them to play with them. I didn't see them. Ryewhisker's death had sucked the life out of me. I didn't want to eat. Sleep. Nothing. All I could do was lay on the moss and stare dully at the sparkling pebbles.
I heard the few cats in the clearing whispering. They thought I couldn't hear them. See their furtive looks. I did. I heard them talk about my strength. About how I wouldn't have the strength to give birth to the kits. Perhaps they were right. I couldn't bring myself to care.
"Shush, kits. Go play in the clearing. Cloudberry is tired." I heard a queen murmur. I couldn't bring myself to recognize her voice, my misery swelled around me. I felt a shape curl at my side. It was Pebblekit, my favorite kit. Her silver spotted fur was pressed against my own dull, thick gray fur. Her bright blue eyes were locked on my blue eyes. Concern. Wonder. Worry. I couldn't bring myself to care. I had lost my love. My mate. My will to live. I couldn't bring myself to care.