Yay! I'm doing my first challenge. This challenge is from Frecklesong forum; Torrentclan. Hope you like it!

Why Mama?

I ran, tripping over my own paws. I could see her, just ahead of me, her long silver tail snaking around a tree. I pushed myself faster, my heartbeat pounding.

"Wait for me!" I called. She glanced back, and I caught a brief glimpse of her face. Long rivers of tears poured from her eyes, dripping off her whiskers. Why did she cry? When Daddy woke up, he would help her. Daddy always knew what to do. I could feel myself tire, but I pushed on determinedly.

Suddenly, the ground began to slope downward. I slipped, tumbling head over heels until 'Splash!' I fell into a giant puddle. I sneezed and shook water from my ears. Looking down, I came face to face with a wide eyed calico kit. I squealed and jumped back. I looked at the kit again. Water dripped off her short coat, and a pair of curious light green eyes stared back at her.

My body shook with giggles and I realized it was only my reflection. Rolling around in the water I reached the end of the puddle. Was it bigger that before? With mounting alarm, I noticed the puddle was growing. I quickly backed up until I was on dry ground, shaking out my fur crossly. Where was it coming from?

Then I remembered my mother. She would be so proud of me, I figured. I puffed out my chest and began to follow the tiny trickle that was feeding the puddle. I could just picture her and Dad sitting together as I told them of my discovery. Our brave little kit. She would say, leaning her head on Finchstar's shoulder. I smirked as I planned how I would look down at my paws, shuffling them modestly. It was nothing. I would reply, eyes wide. The least I could do for my clan.

I was jolted from my thoughts by a plaintive wail shattering the air. Mother! She was in trouble! I started running towards the sound. Cresting the rise, I came into a small clearing. Turtledove sat hunched over in the center, letting out another wail. I unsheathed my claws, looking around for the danger. I found none. Puzzled, I padded over to her. Tears rushed down her face, pooling around her and then running down the hill.

"Mama?" I said cautiously. She whirled around, claws slicing my ear. I felt hot, sticky blood drip down my face. Mother's eyes filled with horror and let out a wave of fresh tears when she saw what she had done. She drew me close, begging my forgiveness.

"Why are you sad?" I asked. She didn't answer, instead stoking my back with her tail. We sat like that for a long time.

She finally broke the silence. "Bravekit, when you older one day you will find that special tomcat. You will love each other so much. So much that you would die to be with them." I sat quietly, waiting for her to continue. "i just wanted you to know, I will always love you, and watch over you. You may not see me, but I will be there." Her eyes misted over. Shaking herself briskly, she stood. "Let's get back to camp."

I padded after her. Almost there, I thought. yawning, I stumbled into Mother, blinking sleepily. She carried me the rest of the way to the nursery. I sighed in contentment, falling asleep to my mother's rumbling purr.

...

I woke up shivering. Turtledove's nest was cold. I walked out of the nursery, rubbing my eyes. More alert now, I nodded to Gingerpaw on the was to the freshkill pile. Eaglepaw, the other apprentice, was there also, coming away with a squirrel. I chose a vole for myself and on second thought snatched two mice by the tails. I was in the mood for one of Halfear's stories.

Gingerpaw's head whipped around. I strained my ears until I heard thumping pawsteps, rapidly approaching camp. Alderclaw broke through the thorn barrier, Doestep close behind tail dragging. Gingerpaw looked at me in pity and grief. The prey fell from my mouth as I stared in horror at the limp silver bundle on Doestep's back. I whimpered.

Why Mama?