I originally started writing this five years ago... I took a huge break from writing but somehow I stumbled back onto this website and I remember how much I loved the plot of this story and I'd like to give it another go. So, here I am again, I've re-written my original chapters and I'm diving back into the world of Warriors. Please let me know what you think of this chapter, I'd love to hear your reviews and if I'm still capable of writing!
Hope you enjoy :) - TCW
Beetlewhisker greatly enjoyed greenleaf. The warm temperatures offset the cold of the winds on the moor, turning the cold claws of the breeze to gentle and sweet. He loved the way the usually thorn-sharp talons became the blunt edge of a claw, running softly through the short strands of his black pelt. On the days where the winds played merrily with the dancing golden grasses of BreezeClan territory, Beetlewhisker loved to sprint across the moors and feel the grass tickling his long legs as the breeze on his skin.
He hadn't done it since becoming deputy, though. There was simply too much to be done to have time to play. At times, he missed it; particularly in mornings where the pale light of dawn soaked the hills and the winds blew almost absent mindedly over the grass, meandering their way to and from the lake. Beetlewhisker felt blessed to call these beautiful lands his home.
"Beetlewhisker, did you smell that?" Briarcloud mewed, shaking the black tom from his daydreams. He blinked his green eyes a few times before resting his gaze on the brown and white she-cat. He had always thought she was rather pretty; maybe it was her slender, feminine frame, or possibly her striking amber eyes.
"I didn't, sorry," Beetlewhisker mewed in reply, "I had my head in the clouds for a second there. What did you smell? Did anyone else catch it?"
He looked at Daisypaw and Mudpaw. They also looked blankly – they were probably gossiping as usual. Beetlewhisker parted his jaw for a second, about to tell them off for not paying attention, before realising he had just been doing the exact same thing. With a frustrated hiss he dropped his gaze to the ground, scolding himself for being a bad example for the younger cats.
"It smelt like death, it's coming from by the lake," Briarcloud responded quietly, tail twitching nervously. She had cast her gaze to the east where the great lake was situated, nestled at the foothills of the moor.
Beetlewhisker nodded slowly, analysing the situation. Whatever was causing the scent, he would have to check and report it to Heatherstar as soon as they got back. The black tom flicked his tail, beckoning the rest of the patrol to follow him as he set off in the direction of the lake shore. He set a trotting gait, enjoying the warm green-leaf sun on his back, but with urgency to investigate tugging in his paws. There was no birdsong today. Either that, or it had just not found its way to the moors yet. It was nice anyway – calming, soothing, just the rustle-thud of four cats loping across the grasses, the soft sigh of their breath.
As they came to the crest of the hill, Beetlewhisker caught a glance of the lake. Playful claws skimmed the water's surface, causing it to lap at the muddy shore. After a brief pause to admire the view, the tom picked a route through the fronds of tall grass on to the lower land. A breeze danced through the short hairs of Beetlewhisker's pelt, carrying a rancid smell that made his black nose wrinkle in disgust. Briarcloud had been right.
"What is that!" exclaimed Daisypaw, her eyes wide and ears pinned against her small head.
"Hush!" Beetlewhisker replied quietly but with a meaningful stare in his eyes, "We don't know whats out there, so keep your wits about you and for StarClan's sake, please be quiet!"
Dasiypaw's head drooped under the deputy's glare. Good, he thought, atleast she learned something today other than to daydream on duty.
"Look," Mudpaw whispered. Beetlewhisker followed the flick of the brown tom's tail, tracing round the edges of the lake, to where a grey shape lay. His heart pounded in his chest. Aspenfur had been missing for two days now – and whoever was laying at the water's edge was most certainly a cat.
"Mudpaw, Daisypaw, go back to camp at once. Tell Heatherstar to send two more warriors to the lake and make it quick. There isn't time for questions – go!" Beetlewhisker ordered. Immediately the two apprentices scampered back up the hill, and he waited until Mudpaw's brown tail disappeared into the tall grasses before turning to Briarcloud.
"You think it's Aspenfur, don't you?" she mewed, her voice shaky. "That's why you sent Dasiypaw back – it'd be hard for anyone to see their mother..."
She trailed off, but she didn't need to continue any further. Beetlewhisker gave a slow and solemn nod. Aspenfur had been one of his closest friends during his apprenticeship – she was kind and gentle, but a strong warrior. The two cats approached the limp body, gazing sadly at her tangled gey pelt and distant green eyes. There was no sign of any pawprints, or anything which could help them find what had caused such a sweet cat to begin a premature journey to StarClan – they were left with nothing.