Warriors: Shadows of Blood (COMPLETE)

Prologue

"Great Starclan, Rainheart! Stay still for a moment!"

The gray tabby tom paused, though his paws longed to continue pacing. He fixed his yellow eyes on his sister who sat with her mate, eyes gleaming with amusement.

"I can't help it," Rainheart meowed, his heart pounding rapidly. "I'm so nervous, but excited!" He paused and turned to the nursery, poking his head in. "Hawkfeather, how is-"

"For StarClan's sake, Rainheart, keep your fur on!" Came the medicine cat's response. "You act like she's the first cat ever to kit!"

Rainheart huffed out a sigh and backed out of the den, sitting down. A moment later Hawkfeather's apprentice, Dewstorm, poked his spotted head out of the den. "Don't mind Hawkfeather," He meowed to Rainheart apologetically. "He gets cranky when he's focused. Poppywing is going to be fine."

"I know, but-"

"Bloomfire, why don't you talk to your brother?" Dewstorm purred. "If he doesn't get his mind on something else soon and stop pacing, I'm afraid his paws are going to fall off!"

Bloomfire's eyes gleamed. "Of course." She waved her tail as Dewstorm disappeared back into the den. "Rainheart, come here."

Rainheart reluctantly turned and sat by his sister. He cast a glance over his shoulder at the nursery as Poppywing let out a soft yowl.

"What has you so worried?" The orange she-cat prompted. "I've never seen you like this."

Rainheart hesitated. "I'm just worried about Poppywing," He admitted. "What if something goes wrong? Will the kits like me?"

"Rainheart-"

"Do you think I'll be a good father?" He asked anxiously.

Bloomfire's eyes softened. "Of course you will," She promised. "You're a bit young to be having kits though, aren't you?" She teased.

Rainheart let out an amused purr. "Well, you will be too," He curled his tail. "Every cat in ShadowClan has noticed you and Flameheart."

Bloomfire's eyes widened, and Flameheart gave his ginger chest a few embarrassed licks. "Oh, well," She purred. "Maybe."

Another yowl sounded from the nursery.

Rainheart's ears perked up at a delightful thought. "If you hurry up, maybe our kits will play together, and train together!"

Bloomfire and Flameheart exchanged an affectionate glance, and she wrapped her tail around her mate. "Maybe," She purred.

Suddenly, a yowl far louder than the previous ones rung out from the nursery, followed by a cry.

Rainheart spun around, bristling. "Poppywing?"

"Dewstorm, get some cobwebs!" Panic edged Hawkfeather's voice. "Hurry!"

Rainheart shot over to the den, poking his head in as Dewstorm rapidly clawed up a wad of cobwebs. "What's going on?"

"Rainheart, get out!" Hawkfeather ordered. He was crouched by Poppywing, sniffing her and pawing her red-brown belly. "Now!"

"Why?" His heart sprinted as he struggled to see his mate behind the medicine cat's tabby body. "Is she okay?"

No one answered him. Dewstorm, who was usually gentler than any cat, shouldered Rainheart out of the den. "Stay out of our way!" He urged, his eyes lit with alarm. "We need room to work. We'll save her."

"Save her?" Rainheart exclaimed, his head spinning. "Save her? What's wrong? Poppywing!"

He tried to push into the den, but Dewstorm shoved him back. "Please, stay out of the way!"