I do NOT own Warriors, just the characters and plot! Enjoy!

  Paws thrummed steadily against the forest ground. Light filtered through the treetops, illuminating the ground below. Movement was limited, besides the two figures running through the forest.

  The tortoiseshell tom ran determinedly through the forest, stopping ever so often only to check on the kit that was clamped tightly in his jaws. Though his pain was immense, he wouldn't stop running.

  "Scorchwind!"

  The muffled call of another cat sounded behind him. He skidded to a halt, almost losing his balance. When he stopped, he gently set the kit from his jaws onto the ground, and began examining it. Once he knew she was okay, he turned to the cat that had called his name.

  "What's wrong? Is it-"

  The she-cat that was running steadily behind the tortoiseshell tom came to a more graceful stop next to him. She too had a small kit in her jaws, which she set down next to his sister. The tom-kit's white fur shone in the sunlight, contrasting the black marks on his back. He was similar to his sister, who had pure white fur, though she had a black mark over her right eye, along with a black front paw.

  "It's you." The she-cat mewed harshly, shaking out her light brown and white pelt. "You have to stop. All this running isn't good for you." She finished, gesturing with her tail to the tom's side, which was bearing a gash given from claws of another.

  The tom, Scorchwind, gave her a grateful look. "I know you're worried, but the kit's safety is of utmost importance." His voice cracked at the end, and his eyes narrowed in obvious pain.

  The she-cat quickly leaped to Scorchwind's side, nuzzling his cheek as soon as she got to him. "I'm worried too," She murmured to her mate, love weaving through her words. "But I'm also worried about you, so you need to get to-"

  The she-cat was interrupted by a sound around her. Out of the brush jumped out three cats; all of them had glaring or evil looks on their faces. The three cats began circling Scorchwind and his mate, eyeing the trail of blood that was on the ground.

  The she-cat instinctively turned to her kits, curling around them while glaring at the approaching cats.

  "Poor little Scorchwind," A gray tabby she-cat began. "Always been so brave...and now look where it's gotten you." She meowed in amusement, eyeing the claw marks on the side of Scorchwind's body.

  He growled in reply. "Stay away from us. You're the ones who need to rethink the choices you've made."

  The tabby narrowed her eyes. Suddenly they flashed with interest. "You know, I'm sure Fallingstar would love it if you came back so soon.."

  Scorchwind growled once more before gathering enough strength to leap at the tabby. Caught off guard, Scorchwind was able to pin the tabby down. He leaned close to her face and growled. "Not a chance, Briartail. Now, get out of here and stay away from my family!" He hissed, not releasing his hold on the gray she-cat.

  The tabby, Briartail, narrowed her eyes, but Scorchwind could still see the malice flooding their green depths. "Speaking of family-" Those were the only words Scorchwind needed to hear before he let go of the tabby and turned back to his mate and kits, who were being circled by the other two cats.

  Dread filled Scorchwind's mind as he stared at his mate, who glared menacingly at the other cats who were walking around her. The dread was replaced with outrage as he bounded towards a black and white tom, ramming into him and knocking him off his feet. He turned back to the other cat, who was a golden-brown tom; he examined him for a moment. This cat seemed smaller than the others-obviously an apprentice. 

  Scorchwind growled. "Get out of here," He mewed through clenched teeth, partially out of anger and partially for his pain. The young tom stared at him uncertainly. "Now!" With that the tom backed off, turned on his heel, and fled into the forest.

  Once the tom was out of sight, Scorchwind turned back to his mate. She was curled around their kits; the tom looked drowsy, but the she-kit seemed awake and slightly confused. Scorchwind frowned, sadness seizing him. This may be the last time I'll see you again.

  "Time to finish this!" Scorchwind turned at the sound of Briartail's voice. She and the tom were standing side by side, their eyes both glaring into the tortoiseshell's pelt. 

  Before anyone could react, a loud, strong yowl rang out, and a black figure leaped into the clearing, followed by five others. Scorchwind stared in surprise as they surrounded the two invaders. He noticed a dark brown tabby figure approach his mate. 

  "Are you or the kits hurt?" She spoke softly, her mew almost carried away by the breeze.

  "Briartail," The black tom approached the she-cat, who's ears were flat to her head as she growled. "I think you've caused enough trouble. Now, I think you know your options." He spoke, his voice full of authority. Though he stood tall and calm in front of the she-cat, any cat could see the rage burning in his amber eyes.

  Briartail seemed to shrink under the tom's powerful gaze. "I get it," She scoffed. "Let's get out of here." She and her black and white Clanmate turned and bounded off in the direction the golden apprentice had moments ago.

  The strong black tom had turned to Scorchwind, trying to tell him something, but the tortoiseshell couldn't hear him. He was crouching now, the pain in his side becoming too immense for him to handle. His breath started coming out in shallow pants, and not a heartbeat later, he collapsed.

  "Scorchwind!" The black tom crouched down to sniff the tom's pelt. His head shot to the right. "Smallpelt!"

  Scorchwind heard steady pawsteps, and a second later he felt a nose sniffing at his side. Paws gently pressed against his side, but he was drifting in and out of consciousness, so he wasn't paying much attention. He wanted to let go; fall into his final sleep, but something stopped him. Someone.

  Blinking open his eyes, Scorchwind spoke. "Bring them to me, please.." His words came out as a rasp. The dark brown tabby, Smallpelt, nodded and opened her mouth. Scorchwind felt his eyes close, but open a second later when a muzzle touched his.

  A beautiful set of illuminating green eyes stared down at Scorchwind, causing him to rasp, "Take care of them."

  The she-cat shook her head. "You're going to as well. They can't grow up without you." She lay next to him.

  Speaking of which, two small bodies moved around next to Scorchwind's mate's body. The white tom-kit snuggled close to his mother, while the she-kit sniffed around. 

  "Be sure and..tell them stories if they can't sleep." He murmured; his voice caused his mate's head to shoot up, staring at him with saddened eyes. "Have them practice hunting crouches everyday.." Scorchwind's eyes drooped. "And tell them I love them."

  "We didn't even get to name them.." His mate choked out. 

  Let's do it then. Scorchwind thought, knowing this would be the last thing he could do for his kits. He opened his eyes, surprised to see his mate licking the tom-kit's fur. "Stormkit." He stated firmly. "I knew that the moment I saw the fire in your eyes."

  He turned to the she-kit, who was staring around in wonder. A raspy, broken purr sounded in Scorchwind's throat as he gazed at his second-born for the last time. "I know you'll do great things..Quietkit." When her name was said, the kit looked to her father as though she already knew her name. He let his gaze drift onto his mate's fur. "Goodbye, my love."

  Scorchwind slowly closed his eyes, letting go of his final breath as a goodbye to his Clan.

  His mate took notice, and buried her nose into her mate's fur. "I'll miss you."

  The cats in the clearing watched as the scene unfolded; grief hung in the air as the cats let their tails droop and their ears fall. Nobody spoke, allowing the only noise to be the wind gently blowing the trees.

  Finally, the black tom spoke once more. "We must return home. The Clan must hear the news." He turned to Smallpelt, who gave a curt nod.

  The dark brown tabby made her way over to the white and brown she-cat. "We need to get the kits back to camp," She spoke gently yet solemnly. "It's not safe for them here."

  The she-cat nodded, slowly rising to her paws. She gave her mate one last glance before turning away, too overtaken by grief to look at him any longer. She was about to pick up the tom-kit, when something caught her eye. A small bundle of white fur stumbling over to her father's lifeless body.

  Quietkit snuggled into her father's fur, seeming to be unaware of his death. A small trail of blood trickled onto Quietkit, seeping into her snowy fur. The she-cat stared at her daughter in horror for a moment before leaning forward to grab her by her scruff. As she was lifted in the air, Quietkit let out a small squeak of defiance, as though she wanted to stay by her father's side.

  Her mother set her down next to her paws and began licking her fur clean. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you." She murmured to herself, thinking of the events of the day. "But I will never let anything happen to them." Her voice held a hint of venom, matching her slight growl.

        "On StarClan's name I will protect them."