Warriors: Rosetail's Promise

P R O L O G U E

    Water glistened on the rocks. The rain had recently stopped and it was dawn. This territory was familiar to the traveler, she had tread it so long ago. But that time, she was alone. Now…
    “Are we there yet?” Ah, the quintessential travel question. Even Twoleg kits would ask it, in their language, of course, the traveler thought.
    “Obviously not, Violet. Do you see a clearing? Do you smell a border?” The young cat had been a pain in the tail for the last five moons. Makes sense, considering her age is also five moons.
    Violet shrunk at the traveler’s harsh words. “You really don’t need to be so rude. She’s just a kit.” That was Crescent, the traveler’s mate.
    “Yeah, and so is Amber, but she doesn’t complain about every thorn in her pad and every rock on the path,” the traveler retorted. The name brought the owner’s attention toward the traveler, but she said nothing and just continued walking far ahead of everyone, as if she knew the way.
    “Amber can barely squeak,” Crescent said. At the same time, Violet yowled to the same effect, “That’s not fair!”
    “And what about me?” the third kit said quietly from behind the four of them.
    “You have nothing to worry about, Azure,” Crescent said, whipping his tail in front of the traveler to keep her quiet.
    “Except maybe falling behind,” Violet said with a purr of amusement.
    “I’m sorry I’m smaller than all of you!” Azure said, his pelt bristling. Amber was about his size, but neither kit bothered to mention that.
    “Listen, we all need to work well together! We don’t have any other cats to rely on,” Crescent said, walking between the pair of kits to break up the fight that almost started. Yet, the traveler thought as an appendix to the tom’s words.
    “That sounds like hard work,” Violet complained.
    “Yeah, especially with her,” Azure said, clearly in reference to Violet.
    “What I meant to say is, don’t fight,” Crescent said deliberately. Both kits went silent after that. Amber stifled a laugh at the situation, but Crescent didn’t seem to hear that.
    The traveler stayed silent, thinking of what would happen once they reach their destination.
    Let’s see...Graywolf...and Nettlewhisker...and that prick Cherrydart. Ahhh, Cherrydart.
    Amber suddenly stopped at the crest of a hill. Her hearing was the sharpest, she might have heard something. The rest of the group made their way to the top to investigate.
    “I don’t see or hear anything,” the traveler noted. “Amber, are you playing games with us?” She gave a look to the traveler that almost screamed fear. No games, then.
    “What is it?” Azure said. The traveler then realized something.
    They were already here. Well, a lake could fit between the family and the destination, but it was within sight.
    Welcome back to SunClan, Rosestar. Where have you been the last four seasons?
    You wish that it would go like that, the traveler thought. I promised Cherrydart she would regret the day I came back. And regret it she will.