The sky was clear and a bright blue. The soft yellow grass on the moorland was still and all was silent. Not a breeze stirred the grass; not a cloud blanketed the sky. It was leaf-fall.
"The kits are coming!"
Roseblossom jerked awake. The sound of Brackencatch's yowl made her spring up in alarm. Thoughts raced through her mind. How can Oliveclaw deliver her kits safely without a full medicine cat? Even though Firepool trained Moonpaw in his dreams, the young tom still had plenty to learn.
Brackencatch was pacing frantically outside the gorse bush, tabby fur spiked. Roseblossom had never seen him quite this worried before. She stifled a giggle, and padded up to him.
"Calm down, Brackencatch," Roseblossom purred. "You'll wake the whole of ThunderClan."
Brackencatch turned to her, green eyes wild with panic. "How can the kits be born now? Moonpaw hasn't finished his training."
Roseblossom glanced around for the orange and white tom, not wanting to share her worry. She caught sight of the small tom, he was carrying a leaf bundle and trotting quickly over to the nursery where they stood.
Warriors were starting to stir and mill around in curiosity and excitement. Moonpaw pushed under the gorse bush, beckoning with his tail for Brackencatch to join him. Roseblossom waited patiently outside.
Roseblossom scanned the camp. Fawntail and Duskspots sat outside their den, sharing tongues. Sandstar sat beside the two elders. Jaggedswirl sat with Addertuft, sharing conversation. Crystalflame and Snowleap sat beside the fresh-kill pile, sharing a rabbit between them.
Swoopbite sat in a group with Kestrelbush and Acornhollow. Roseblossom looked around curiously for Velvetmask. When she spotted the pale ginger she-cat she was surprised. She sat with Roseblossom's brother, Puddlestone. Puddlestone's white tail brushed Velvetmask's tail ever to slightly. Roseblossom shook her head, finding something else to focus on.
Ambernight sat a few tail-lengths away, and started towards Roseblossom. The brown tom's white paws glistened in the sunlight, and his amber eyes sparkled.
Roseblossom flashed him a smile.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~
       Roseblossom padded beside a group of her Clanmates. They were heading out for a training session. Sandstar had order a couple of battle training sessions a day, even for warriors. Roseblossom didn't have to guess why, the whole of WindClan knew. Sandstar and his deputy, Jaggedswirl would often talk quietly together.
         WindClan was sure their leader was planning an attack, what with all the battle training and preparation, it was only a matter of time the black tom launched one.
As the group of cats walked on, Roseblossom thought of the kits Oliveclaw had brought into the Clan. She had had two lovely kits; one tom and one she-kit. The tom was black with his father's green eyes, named Branchkit after how small he was. The she-kit was black with a tabby tail like her mother's pelt. The little she-kit was named Friskkit, and she had grown to be very playful. They had been born almost half a moon ago.
Roseblossom stopped, realizing they had made it to a flat stretch of peaty earth to train on. Crystalflame had led the battle training party and had brought Roseblossom, Puddlestone, and the two Clan elders, Fawntail and Duskspots. They had insisted on training and going back to warrior duties.
Duskspots had argued with her mate, Sandstar, when he almost refused. "I will fight beside you and my Clan," she had stated.
Fawntail, who had been Clan leader before Sandstar, had also insisted. "I might be too old to lead this Clan, but I'm not too old to fight beside it."
Roseblossom's attention was snapped back as Crystalflame beckoned Puddlestone forwards. "You first," she said. "Try to attack as if I'm an enemy warrior."
Roseblossom joined the elders to sit and watch her brother. Puddlestone started to circle Crystalflame. Crystalflame reared up, and, with claws sheathed, brought down her paws on Puddlestone's back. As Puddlestone rolled, he brought the russet she-cat to the ground with him.
As Puddlestone wrestled, he landed a blow on Crystalflame's shoulder. Crystalflame struggled free of her Clanmate's grip. She turned quickly, and darted at Puddlestone.
Crystalflame aimed a blow to the white tom's legs, but he reared up and batted her away. Crystalflame lunged, aiming for Puddlestone's exposed belly. The white tom fell backwards. Crystalflame sat down, panting. Puddlestone got to his paws and shook out his fur.
"Well done," Crystalflame grunted. Puddlestone puffed his chest out with pride at the senior warrior's praise. "Who's next?" The russet tabby asked. "Roseblossom, show me some defensive moves."
Although Roseblossom wasn't excited about the battle training, she was grateful Crystalflame only wanted her to practice defensive moves today. She gave a grateful glance toward the russet warrior, who nodded in response. Hopefully defensive moves will be all I need in the upcoming battle.