Crookedstar’s Promise

Crookedstar sat up and stretched. “We’ll send out extra patrols just in case.” He glanced at the fresh-kill pile, wondering whether to offer another carp to Willowbreeze. She was always hungry these days.

Fallowtail got to her paws and stretched. “I’m sleepy.” She nodded to Birdsong. “Are you ready for your nest?” Fallowtail had moved to the elders’ den last leaf-bare, after Tanglewhisker had died. She’d been feeling her age for moons, and keeping Birdsong company had been a good reason to give up her den to Mallowtail and Dawnbright.

Birdsong shook her head. “I had a long sleep this afternoon,” she rasped. “I’ll just lie here a little longer and listen to the warriors boast.”

“We don’t boast!” Dawnbright puffed as Fallowtail headed up the slope.

Loudbelly purred. “Doesn’t telling us you caught three fish in three dives count as boasting?”

“It was true!” Dawnbright sniffed.

Crookedstar licked a paw. “I suppose you never boast, Loudbelly.” He wiped his muzzle clean.

Frogleap’s whiskers twitched. “He collects a reed for every warrior he’s fought and weaves it into his nest!”

“I have to keep count,” Loudbelly meowed. “We’ve won so many battles these past moons, it’s hard to remember them all.”

Crookedstar began to wash his ears. He loved to listen as his Clan shared tongues, proud of his strong, loyal warriors. No other Clan had dared threaten their borders since newleaf. And they’d taken back Sunningrocks. Sunstar’s mission to the RiverClan camp had only given ThunderClan the rocks for a few moons.

“Crookedstar?” Willowbreeze called softly to him. She was on her paws, beckoning him away from the clearing.

“What is it?” He followed her toward the entrance.

“I thought you might want to go for a walk.” Her amber eyes glowed in the fading light. “There’s something I need to tell you, away from prying ears.”

Crookedstar tipped his head on one side. His mate was definitely acting a little strange. “Are you all right?”

“Of course.” She flicked his ear with the tip of her tail as she ducked out of camp. The stones on the shore were still warm from the sun as they wandered downriver.

“So?” Crookedstar glanced at her expectantly. “What is it that can’t be said in camp?”

“I’m going to have kits.”

Crookedstar halted, his heart pounding with delight. “Really?”

Willowbreeze purred. “Really.”

“When?”

“About three moons.”

“How many?”

She snorted with amusement. “I don’t know!”

“You should move to the nursery at once.” Crookedstar wasn’t taking any chances. Too many RiverClan queens had lost their kits.

“Don’t be silly,” Willowbreeze argued. “I can carry on with patrols for ages yet.”

“Then don’t catch anything heavier than a minnow.”

She looked at him, the tip of her tail twitching impatiently.

“Okay!” Crookedstar realized he was fussing over fish-brained details. Willowbreeze was having his kits! He pressed his muzzle against hers. Happiness sparkled beneath his pelt. “I have to tell Oakheart!” he meowed. “I have to tell everyone.” He charged away, skidding to a stop as he hit the grassy path. “It’s okay, isn’t it?” he asked, looking back. “If I tell everyone?”

Willowbreeze nodded.

Crookedstar raced into camp. “Willowbreeze is expecting kits!”

“Congratulations!” Owlfur was on his paws at once.

Oakheart stopped washing. “At last!” He trotted across the clearing and weaved around Crookedstar.

Softwing nodded. “It’s about time.”

“Did someone say kits?” Fallowtail ducked out of the elders’ den, ear pricked.

Birdsong’s whiskers twitched. “Willowbreeze is expecting.”

Fallowtail hurried stiffly down the slope. “I hope she’ll be moving to the nursery,” she mewed, sounding fretful. “Where is she?” She scanned the camp as Willowbreeze padded through the entrance. “Come and rest, dear.” Fallowtail hurried over to her and guided her beneath the willow.

Shimmerpelt sniffed. “Stop fussing. She’ll be fine.”

Crookedstar nodded to Timberfur. “I want her taken off border patrols.”

Willowbreeze bristled. “You’ll do no such thing,” she told Timberfur. She looked at Brambleberry. “I don’t have to lie around like a helpless kit, do I?”

Brambleberry shook her head. “Of course not.” She glanced at Crookedstar. “But let him fuss a little. It’s not every day a warrior hears that he’s going to be a father.”

“I’m not fussing!” Crookedstar puffed out his chest. Above him, the sky was darkening. It was getting late. “Perhaps you should be resting though, Willowbreeze. I’ll see you to your nest.”

Willowbreeze purred as he nudged her toward their den in the roots of the willow. “Aren’t you going to sleep, too?” she meowed as he began to nose his way out through the moss.

“Later,” he replied. “I’m too excited to sleep.” He padded into the clearing.

His Clanmates were heading for their dens. Cedarpelt nodded to him as he passed. “Congratulations, Crookedstar.”