A diluted tortoiseshell she cat swiftly darted through the undergrowth. A mouse crawled warily out of its hole. As soon as it turned, she quickly pounced and bit into its throat. It died almost instantly, and the tortoiseshell had some fresh kill for her clan. She bounded back to her camp through the thorn bushes and towards the queen's den.
"Specklefall?" She whispered.
"Yes, Juniper spots?" Replied a small voice.
"I brought some fresh kill especially for you. I know you'll be expecting your kits soon."
"Thank you. How are the other settlers doing?"
"Oh, they're well. It isn't quite leafbare yet. Fire cone is a strong cat. Blossoming flowers has a thick coat, so she won't be too cold."
"Good. I need to know how the clan is doing while I am in the nursery. Now I suggest you tell Ivystar what her apprentice has been up to these days."
"Oh. I will Specklefall! I'll go tell her..."
Three days had passed since Brindlepaw had been punished. She was a very large cat, and strong as well. Sometimes Juniper spots wished she wasn't such a coward. She knew she'd never be a warrior, but she made a good settler according to her friend Specklefall. Hollyblaze bounded through the thorns into the camp.
"Brindle-paw is g-gone!"
"What happened?" Shouted Brindlefang, the very cat who Brindlepaw was named after.
"I-I w-was hunt-ing w-with h-her a-a-and she- she- fell o-off into th-the river!"
"No!" Yowled the medicine cat apprentice, Spottedpaw. She was tearing up at the news of her friend.
"Sh-she di-dnt d-die! Sh-she w-washed away! Sh-she was o-o-okay!"
"But why wouldn't she come back?" Mewed Redpool, the deputy.
"I-I wish I kn-new!"
Juniper spots felt guiltier than ever. Was it because she told Ivystar what she had done? It wasn't that terrible. All Brindlepaw had wanted to do was help her Clanmates...