I Know You Will Protect Me

I sighed as I padded calmly through the sunlit forest, a calm breeze swept past me and lightly ruffled my dark fur. I looked ahead to see the tightly woven brambles that made up the entrance to the camp.

“hello brindle!” clovershade, a light beige she-cat, called out a I walked into camp. “where are you off to with such a good attitude?” brindle asked, “I’m going on a patrol with just me icepaw and mallowswipe! I can’t wait to be with mallowswipe when we’re basically alone!” clovershade was so exited it was almost annoying, but in the meantime it was cute. ‘well I should get to the nursery and check on ashenberry!’ I thought to myself as I padded towards the woven dome of thorns.

“hello brindle! how are you?” ashenberrry, a yellow beige shecat with a swollen belly, asked me. “I’m good. and how are you darling? have you felt the kits move at all?” I asked her worriedly. it was her first litter and she was bound to be stressed and concered.

I looked after all the queens in the nursery of shadowclan, I was a permanent queen so I lived in the nursery with whoever else was there. “I’m fine brindle, you don’t need to worry! me and the kits are fine! milkflower even checked on me this morning after you left.” the small queen replied calmly.

I laid down in the soft moss chunks and feathers that made up the nursery nests, it was so hot out this time of year that all I could do was sleep and get water for ashenberry. I closed my eyes and let myself drift away and into a deep slumber. when I opened my eyes again I could see the light of the moon and stars shining through the woven brambles. ‘I wonder how late it is?’ I thought to myself, quietly getting up and gracefully weaving in between queens and sticks, careful not to make a sound.

once I got out of the nursery and into the clearing I looked up at the beautiful night sky. the stars twinkled, the moon glowed, yet I felt a warmth inside me, a comforting feeling. I continued to walk out of camp, as I had decided to go get some water while it was cool. as I approached the lake shore I could smell the scent of water and freshness. ‘what a beautiful sight!’ I thought to myself as I looked out on the vast shimmering lake. the moon reflecting perfectly on the clear, rippling, water.

I bent my head down to drink, chills running through me as my tongue hit the ice cold water. ‘If only the weather was closer to the temperature of this lake’ I thought, dreading the fact that the following day would be like living in a blazing fire. I went to lay down by a tree, soaking up the moonlight and relaxing in the peaceful night.

‘wow!’ I thought as I saw a blazing streak of light shoot across the sky, lighting the sky up with beautiful colors. I yawned as I saw the sun peaking out from behind a mountain in the distance, ‘I should probably head back to camp now’ I thought, getting up and heading towards camp. “where were you?” milkflower, a cream colored she cat who was also a medicine cat, asked me on my way into camp. “I just went for an early walk, and where are you going?” I asked. “I’m just going out to pick some herbs before it gets to hot!” she replied.

I walked into the clearing and saw the clan was starting to gather near the high rock. murmurs whirled around the group of cats as the leader stood on the high rock, ‘what’s going on?’ I thought to myself as everyone started to silence. “there have been signs of foxes nested near our camp.” he called out and voices broke through the silence and you could smell the stench of fear and panic filling the air.

I went back to the nursery to tell ashenberry what had happened. “what’s going on? why was there a clan meeting?” ashenberry asked worriedly. “well, it’s nothing to worry about, but, there have been signs of foxes in the woods near the camp.” I replied, knowing that she would be terrified. “I know you’ll protect me.” she answered calmly, “that’s all you're going to say?” I replied shocked. “I mean of course I’m worried and scared out of my mind. but I know you will protect me.” the gentle queen answered once again.

‘worried about ashenberry, she has been very emotional lately and I feel like she’s not letting her true feelings out.’ I thought while I looked at the beautiful cream tabby that lay before me, I slowly walked up to her and shyly licked her ear before going to my own nest.

“foxes! foxes are attacking! everyone prepare for battle” the deputy screamed as she ran into camp. “what’s happening? brindle! I’m so scared! m-my kits!” she cried out to me, tears streaming down her face. “don’t worry! I will protect you!” I said, letting her rest her head on my shoulder. “no matter the cost.” I muttered, as a single tear fell from my eye.

“brindle! are you ok?” ashenberry asked me as I walked in limping after defending the nursery entrance.  “I should go get milkflower!” she exclaimed, “no! not while there is a gang of foxes attacking!” I replied, taking a deep breath and I continued, “no. there is no way I am going to let you risk your life for me. that’s my job.” I finished with a smile.

“watch out!” ashenberry screamed at me, but before I could think, I felt teeth pierce my shoulder and could sense my loss of blood. but I had to protect her, I had to! I got up and ran around to bite its tail. the large orange, black, and white creature winced in pain before whipping around to attack me again.

‘I can not let her die! I can’t! and I won’t! even if it’s at the cost of my life!’ I thought before I clawed at it’s bright orange haunches, turning them bright red. it yowled before biting my neck. “ahhh!” I cried out, I felt faint but I wasn’t dead yet so I got up, wincing at the pain. “brindle! n-no! please brindle!” ashenberry berry called out. “I can’t lose you!” she yelled.

I slid under the fox, raking its belly with my hind legs. I heard ashenberry cheering for me with encouraging words. but just as I thought I was about to end the creature it swiped its huge paw on my ribs, throwing me across the den. and I saw it heading towards ashenberry. ‘no’. I ran up to it, but it heard me and was ready.

“brindle!” I heard her call out as the fox threw me down and ripped my shoulder open. I cried out in agony and pain as I fell to the ground. I blacked out from loss of blood, and too much of it. but I was not dead, and I could hear ashenberry talking to me, and milkflower as well.

“you saved me, thank you.” ashenberry takes to my still body. “you should be proud of yourself for finishing off that fox by yourself!” milkflower responded. “could we have a moment alone please?” ashenberry asked, “of course darling” the medicine cat replied gently. “take as much time as you need!” she called out as she walked out of the den.

“my kits are born, and it’s been a few days since the attack. no one died, some others have injuries though. I named the she-cat after you, brindle. and I wanted to tell you something.” I heard her pause, “I love you.” she said, ‘what?’ I thought to myself, I wished I could wake up and tell her I felt the same. but I couldn’t wake up, I was still in a black out.