Right after the Dark Forest Battle.
Onestar and Whitetail stared blankly around the Windclan camp. Well, what was left of it anyway. The Nursery, a large bramble bush, had been torn apart and parts of it were everywhere. The Elder's den, an abandoned badger set, had been caved in by someone, sadly one elder, Webfoot had not got away in time and had suffocated, one limp gray paw poking out of the dirt. There were multiple blood stains all across the ground. Some looked far fresher than others. The fresh-kill pile had been trampled over, squashed mice, rabbits and birds bleeding on to the ground. The medicine cat den, a crevice between boulders looked like the only untouched area of the camp, no scraps of fur or blood stains covering the cracks.
"Those dark-forest flea pelts must have been too busy battling to see it." Whitetail murmured to him, following his gaze. "Oh Onestar, what has happened to our Clan?"
"I… Don't know." Onestar admitted, lowering his head sadly. "At least the battle seems to be over now."
He lifted his large ears, hearing paw steps approach the camp. He scented them first. The young cat Whiskernose, who only got his name the previous day, pushed his way back into camp, limping heavily, alongside Kestrelflight and Barkface. The starry brown medicine cat waved his tail at Onestar but kept walking, his mouth clamped shut with herbs. Kestrelflight stopped beside his leader.
"Are either of you hurt badly?" he asked. Onestar shook his head, ignoring the gash in his neck. Whitetail shook her head too. The white she-cat had only a few scratch marks along her large flank. Though her belly was bloated with the weight of kits.
"Atleast let me put some cobwebs on your wound Onestar… I know you lost a life. I felt it in the middle of battle." He mewed lowering his voice at the last few words, and narrowing his eyes at his leader. Whitetail gasped, and stared at Onestar.
"Is that true?" she whispered.
"Yes. It's true. " He reluctantly mewed. "Only three left." He added silently. Kestrelflight stared into his amber eyes, clearly having the same thought.
Whiskernose lay outside the medicine cat den, and now Onestar could see how badly he was hurt. The light brown tom's belly fur was stained dark red, as a long gash stretched from his front leg and to his neck. Onestar shuddered at the sight, once his brain registered what he was looking at. Kestrelflight glanced over his shoulder.
"I'll be right back. I'll send Barkface out to see to you. He said he wasn't going back to Starclan until he knows all the warriors are safe."
Onestar dipped his head gratefully, and sat down on his haunches as Kestrelflight padded away. Whitetail started grooming him, with short, harsh licks, her ears flat to her small head.
"Ow, could you be a little gentler Whitetail?" He grumbled, Whitetail looked up, her hazel eyes flashing with anger.
"Why didn't you tell me you lost a life?" she hissed, lashing her tail.
"I'm sorry… I didn't want to worry you. I was going to tell you once my warriors had all come back." He mewed, licking her head. "I have a job for you though, I need you to look for the queens, elders and apprentices, to tell them it's safe to head back to the Clan."
"What about our warriors?" she asked.
"They'll be on their way back soon, I'm sure." He assured her. He knew Whitetail was worried about their daughter – Heathertail. "Once Ashfoot is back we'll send out a patrol to do the hunting."
Whitetail gave him a long, worried look. It seemed to say "What if Ashfoot doesn't come back?" He forced himself to look away. Whitetail sighed and got to her paws, before licking his ear and padding away across the moorland. Onestar looked up, the sun had started to set, and soon it would be too dark to send out patrols. He shook the thought away as Kestrelflight approached him, unevenly staggering on three paws, one outstretched holding the thin shiny strands of cobwebs. He spat out some marigold on to the ground as he sat down a mouse length away from his leader.
"Alright, hold still." Kestrelflight mewed, carefully patting the cobweb into place along the gash. He then bent down and picked up the marigold leaves, and crushed them so their juices trickled out. He patted his paws on the juice that had dribbled down his white chin, before putting those paws on to the wound. Onestar hissed and turned his head away.
"Oh come on Onestar, you're telling me even the leader hisses like a grumpy kit at a poultice being applied?" Kestrelflight mewed, keeping his voice a joking tone. Onestar heard a tired amused purr come from Whiskernose.
"It never gets better having a poultice applied." Onestar retorted, turning his head back to look at his medicine cat. Barkface squeezed out of the medicine cat den, and began applying cobwebs to Whiskernose's wound. Onestar got up and approached the Tallrock. He glanced back at his medicine cats, hard at work trying to stop Whiskernose bleeding out.
"I'm going to stay watch atop of here. In case I see any wounded Clan mates."
"Good idea." Barkface called, as Kestrelflight waved his speckled tail, indicating he had heard.
Onestar dug his claws in, and slowly pulled himself up to the top of the rock, his claws scraping along the hard surface, making a harsh noise. He settled down upon the top, sitting on the moss that was growing up there. He slowly stared around, carefully analysing his territory with amber eyes. Allowing he cool air the gently massage his face. He looked south, and could see a group of five cats limping back to camp. He let out a purr, recognizing his daughter Heathertail among them. The others looked like the elder Tornear, carrying Hailkit. Applepaw and Featherpaw were walking together, it looked like Applepaw had twisted her front paw and was unable to put weight on it. Finchkit was being carried back by his mother, Larksong, who was leading the patrol of cats back to camp.
"Some of our Clan mates are back!" He called out, Barkface glanced behind him, making sure they weren't Dark Forest cats before quickly running towards the patrol, taking Hailkit from Tornear. The elder looked happy to see his old friend again. Onestar purred at him.
"It's good to see you still standing, old friend."
"Likewise." Tornear bowed his head to him, before looking serious. "I saw some other cats in the distance, on the way back here. They were at the lake I think."
"I'll head that way then. Watch over the camp." Onestar mewed, and turned to race up the slope towards the lake. One at the top he got on his back paws and continued to look around his darkening territory. He glanced towards the lake, and could only just see at the large entrance of the tunnels, where boulders and rocks were. It appeared like cats were still fighting. One was lay near the entrance, appearing motionless. While three cats were fighting one. Quickly Onestar raced down the rocky moorland and ran out of the Clan, determined to stop any cats that posed a danger to his clan. Ignoring the calls of his clan mates as he leapt over Whiskernose and up the steep grassy hillside that led to the lake.
As he got closer, he could clearly see the cat lay down, was not dead. But was trapped in place as a rock had fallen and crushed their paw. The other three cats who were fighting seemed to be trying to drive the cat on his own away from the wounded cat.
"Stop! Stop fighting!" Onestar bellowed, slowing down as he approached the battle. Stopping in surprise at what he saw.
Ashfoot was the cat trapped under the rock. Even from here Onestar could see the bone sticking out of her trapped leg as she wriggled to get free. His gaze travelled to the other cats, the one cat on his own had been pinned down by Crowfeather, Weaselfur and Harespring.
"Let me go, you fox-hearts!" the black tom cat snarled, Onestar blinked, realizing it was Breezepelt. His amber eyes glowing with disgust as he stared at his father. "You have the wrong cat!"
"Wrong cat? Wrong cat?" Crowfeather hissed, digging his claws in to his sons pelt, making him hiss. "Then tell me why my mother was screeching 'Breezepelt why did you do this?!' The black cat just rolled his eyes insolently and looked away. Crowfeather let out a furious snarl.
"What's going on here?" He snapped, looking at Ashfoot. The skinny gray cat stared at him, her blue eyes dull, her adrenaline that kept her going slowly running out.
"A-at the start of the battle, Breezepelt ran up to me, he told me… That Larksong had retreated in to the tunnels with hers kits, but Dark Forest cats followed her in there. So I ran in there, when I couldn't find any trace of her or the enemy, I tried to leave…"
"Yes?" Onestar asked, approaching his worried deputy, and looking at the rock that had her pinned. It looked like it had been pushed…
"I got to the entrance, and stood tasting the air.. I heard rumbling above me. I looked up to see the rock fall. I tried to jump away, twisting my body… But my paw got stuck. When I tried to get free, I saw Brokentail and Breezepelt staring down at me… They ran off and left me here to die."
"That is a heap of fox-dung and you know it!" Breezepelt snarled, trying to heave himself up unsuccessfully. "Brokentail told me to do it! You just never liked me! None of you did!" Harespring lashed out with his powerful back legs, and kicked the black tom in the back of the head, shutting him up.
"So you've been stuck here all this time?" Onestar asked, devastated.
"Tallstar and Morningflower saw me trapped, they tried to get me free. But even Starclan didn't have the power to move this… They left me here, promising to come back once the battle was over to help but…" Ashfoot turned her head and glared at Breezepelt.
"But then this… dark forest traitor came back. I thought he was going to apologise, maybe even set me free. I'd have forgiven him. But instead he told me Brokentail was dead, and he was here to finish the job. 'Tying up loose ends.' That's when Harespring and his patrol caught up to him and attacked."
Onestar turned and glared at the black tom. He stalked forward, stiff legged with fury. "You three, escort him back to camp and have him dig out the Elders den, then keep him in there until I get back. Breezepelt, you'll be lucky if I don't slice your throat open myself when I'm finished with you." Breezepelt just laughed as he was forced to his paws and escorted back to camp.
"You won't do that Onestar! It's too Dark-forest for you."
"Oh just shut up with your hedgehog pricklyness you insolent furball" Harespring spat out, and raked his claws down the skinny toms spine. Breezepelt snarled, but didn't turn around as the two younger cats forced him forward. Crowfeather trailed behind, before pausing momentarily, and glanced at his mother, looking like he was in great pain.
"I'm sorry." Was all he said, before he caught up to his patrol and shoved Breezepelt forward with his head.
Onestar turned back to his deputy, and tried to push the rock off of her. Ashfoot let out a shrill pain-filled cry as she tried to pull her leg away. Onestar had to give up, dropping back to all fours.
"I can't do this alone, Ashfoot I'm so, so sorry. I have to go and get some help. I'm not strong enough." He let out a sigh, and closed his eyes. Only to smell a very familiar scent surround him.
"Giving up already? Tsk, tsk Onestar. If I had been leader I wouldn't of given up so easy." Onestar spun around, staring at Mudclaw. The skinny brown tom drew his lips back in to a intimidating smile. "Good to see you." He purred. "Tallstar, Morningflower and Deadfoot are on their way to help. I just wish I wasn't seeing you over such a dire reason."
"D-do you know who else from my clan has died?" Onestar asked, looking worried.
"Yes. Leaftail, Tawnykit, Sedgewhisker and Swallowtail have all joined Starclan." Mudclaw murmured, looking grim. "I'm sorry." The skinny brown tom turned his head, as he saw the twinkle of stars just over the hillside. "Ah here they are at last."
Tallstar was in the lead of his patrol, the skinny black and white tom looked moons younger than he had been when he had died. There was a spring in his step as he walked. Deadfoot was close behind, looking very worried for his former mate's safety, never slowing in stride. Morningcloud was at the rear, the tortoiseshell she-cat was glancing around, making sure no more cats were around to attack. Onestar dipped his head respectfully at his fallen comrades.
"We'll do the formalities later." Deadfoot mewed, running past Onestar and licking Ashfoot affectionately. "First we need to get you free my dear." The skinny black tom put his front paws against the rock. "A little help toms? Morningflower, you get ready to help pull her paw free." Morningflower nodded and got in place next to Ashfoot, gently grabbing her stuck leg with her teeth.
"Weady." She mumbled through a mouthful of fur. Tallstar, Mudclaw and Onestar all put their fore paws on the rock.
"Alright, on three. One… Two… Three!" Tallstar shouted, shoving himself harshly against the rock. The other toms followed, and after a few seconds Onestar felt the rock move slightly.
"Keep pushing!" Onestar called, digging his back paws in to the grass, and stretching hard. The rock moved again, a little further this time. Ashfoot let out a cry as she yanked her front leg – and then she was free! After panting triumphantly, it seemd Ashfoot's adrenaline finally ran out, and she sank to the floor.
Morningflower pulled her front paw far away from the rock, before grabbing Ashfoot's scruff and dragging her away. Once a few tail lengths away, the toms let go of the rock, letting it drop forward, and fall down into the entrance. Blocking it.
"She'll be okay, we'll carry her back to camp." Deadfoot assured Onestar, licking his mate lovingly, before moving himself undereath her. Morningcloud helped shove the limp she-cat onto Deadfoot's muscular back. "You go find your former clan mates bodies and other injured clan mates, we'll stay until you're back."
"Alright, but be careful around Breezepelt. Make sure he doesn't escape from the elders den."
"Understood." Deadfoot mewed, and with Ashfoot secure, she slowly started to limp back to camp, with Tallstar and Morningflower side by side. Mudclaw hesitated, like he wanted to speak to Onestar. But simply turned and followed the other Starclan cats.
Onestar continued to run across the soft meadow, following the scents of the battle deeper and deeper in to the territory. In the distance he could see four lifeless bodies, being dragged along by several other clan mates and Starclan cats. He could make out the dark figure of Nightcloud, dragging Leaftail's dark brown body along. She stopped once she smelt him approaching.
"Onestar! The battle is over!" She called. Raising her head with pride.
"I know… I know." He replied, stopping in front of his clan and Starclan cats. He could see Quickpaw and Morningcloud helping carry the deceased back to camp. Alongside his alive clan mates, Owlwhisker, Gorsetail, Crouchfoot and Boulderfur. They all looked relieved to see their leader alive and well. Onestar gazed at the lifeless bodies, and saw they were Weaselfur, Leaftail, Sedgewhisker and Swallowtail. All loyal warriors the clan would miss terribly.
He hesitated, he knew he had to inform his warriors what had happened, but he knew it wouldn't be easy with Breezepelt's mother stood right there.
"Tallstar, Deadfoot, Morningflower and Mudclaw have carried Ashfoot back to camp. No, no don't worry! She is alive. Though her front paw will probably be removed by Kestrelflight. The bones were sticking out painfully… She was left to die… By Breezepelt." He heard the warriors gasp as he closed his eyes. Trying to ignore Nightcloud's horrified expression. Except what came out of her mouth wasn't what he expected.
"My son would never do that! Do you have any proof he would betray his Clan?!" She snarled, unsheathing her claws.
"Yes actually. Ashfoot witnessed Breezepelt and Brokentail crush her foot with the rock. Harespring, Crowfeather and Weaselfur all saw Breezepelt return and try to finish her off."
"N-no… You must be lying to me!" she shrieked furiously. "My son is a good tom! I know he is! I-"
"I'm not here to argue with you Nightcloud, I'm here to give you the facts. Now if you excuse me, I have to carry my clan mates back with my warriors. I'd like you to help. We'll deal with this once we're back."
Onestar bent down and grabbed Leaftail's scruff, and continued to drag the dark tom along. Nightcloud glared at Onestar, before grabbing Leaftail's legs and helping carry him back. Though Onestar couldn't ignore the disgusted look from her dark green eyes all the time.
Onestar didn't stop until his fallen clan mates were lay in the Clan, allowing warriors to sit vigil for them. All his clan mates seemed to have returned,some with more wounds than others. But most seemed to be patched up. He stared around. Barkface seemed to have returned to Starclan, as Kestrelflight was working alone. With Tallstar, Morningflower, Deadfoot and the rest saying their final goodbyes before they leave. Nightcloud walked up to Mudclaw, looking sorrowful but glad to see him.
"Mudclaw, I can't believe I can see you again." She breathed, looking star struck. Mudclaw dipped his head to her formally.
"I missed you too." He replied curtly, his gaze looking past her at Crowfeather. Nightcloud blinked, looking hurt.
"I-I missed you a lot. I only- I only took Crowfeather as a mate because you weren't here to give me the wonderful kits you promised!" she blurted out, wanting his attention.
"Nightcloud…" He murmured, looking sorry for her. But before he could finish his thought, Tallstar lay his tail across his shoulder.
"Come, we must return to Starclan now."
"Ah…" He turned back to Nightcloud and blinked at her. "I'll see you one day. We'll walk along the stars together. Okay?"
"No! Please stay!" She begged, but Mudclaw turned and padded away, slowly fading as he left for afterlife again. Nightcloud stood, staring after him, her tail between her legs. She turned to look around, to see Crowfeather glaring at her.
"Just to have kits?" He hissed, looking furious.
"Well I-I didn't mean it like that. I swear I did lov-"
"I don't care." Crowfeather snapped, stalking past her and heading to the elders den. Nightcloud just hung her head and sat down where she was.
"Crowfeather, Harespring." Onestar called, the two toms looked up. "Go and bring Breezepelt out. We'll judge his actions now."
"...After the battle, Breezepelt returned to try and finish his crime off. But was caught by our patrol."
Breezepelt stared at Onestar, a look of contempt on his face. As Onestar explained to the Clan the crimes he had committed during the battle. As The small brown tabby walked he had a hard time ignoring the amber eyes that followed the small tabbies every move, before stopping in front of the black tom, their noses close to touching.
"After everything you've done, do you have anything that could possibly justify your actions?" Onestar hissed to him. Breezepelt just blinked slowly, before clearing his throat.
"Yes. I do Oldstar." He began, ignoring the gasps from his clan mates.
"Ever since I was born you all excluded me, ignored me, pushed me aside. For what? Was it due to looking after the weak over the strong? Because I was the son to the traitor who ran away from his duties as a Windclan warrior? Then after that I learned not only my father was a traitor, but a filthy half-clan breeder too?! I joined the Dark Forest to prove myself. That I am strong. Stronger than him, stronger than you all! The only cat who's never ignored me or left me out is… My mother, Nightcloud." He mewed solemnly, not taking his eyes off of Onestar.
"That is the biggest amount of fox-dung I've ever heard!" Onestar snarled, lashing his tail furiously. "Breezepelt, who would take you on walks with Heathertail around camp as kits when Crowfeather was gone? That's right. Me. Also. If I didn't care about you, then why would of I have made your mentor my mate?"
Breezepelt didn't respond, he just rolled his eyes before he stared at his mother, sat next to Daisyfield. Nightcloud got up, and quickly defended her kit.
"Breezepelt has had a hard upbringing though!" She argued. "Harder than most! With Crowfeather never around, ignoring him, I had to always teach him right from wrong, to teach him about what it meant to be a true warrior." Ignoring the outraged Crowfeather's shouts of "I was never around because you hated me!" from the other side of the camp.
Onestar nodded looking understanding and thoughtful, before asking. "So it's your fault?"
"I… What?" Nightcloud asked, looking baffled. Cautiously Daisyfield shifted away from her, sensing things were about to get out of hand.
"Well, you said you are the one who taught him everything, right and wrong. So I'm asking again – is it your fault or his fault?"
"… Uh…" Nightcloud stood and stared blankly, before Onestar turned back to Breezepelt.
"Also Breezepelt what was that you said? 'Looking after the weak over the strong'? Do you have no respect for the elders? The cats who served this clan loyally their whole lives?" he heard a loud "Ahem" from the crowd. "Tornear, your thoughts on the matter."
Tornear stepped forward, looking sorrowful. "Breezepelt, when you were a young kit, I remember myself and Webfoot telling you stories. You were such a good kit, brave, confident and yes outspoken too - but loyal. But now? You are just cocky, arrogant and a traitor. If it were up to me, Onestar. The punishment for attempted murder on clan mates? Would be death."
Onestar dipped his head. "Thank you for your input, Tornear." The wiry elder sat back down, looking tired. "Does any other cat have anything to add to this?" Nervously Sunstrike made her way through the ring of cats, her pelt bristling with anxiety. "Yes Sunstrike?"
"Ah… I was also in the Dark Forest." She mewed, ignoring the looks of disgust Tornear and Lizardpaw gave her. "I swear to Starclan, I only thought they wanted to teach us fighting skills. But while I was only a trainee, I never got far because I couldn't bare to do the things they told me to very well. But Breezepelt? Breezepelt rose up through the ranks. He was always by Brokentail's or Thistleclaw's side. Fighting tooth and claw, splattering blood where he went never once relenting…" she broke off, shuddering. "Antpelt was killed by his wounds in the Dark Forest, and Breezepelt vowed he would always stick by… What happened…" she broke off, staring at the ground, swallowing hard. "When the battle started, Breezepelt tried to attack a Windclan warrior, but I didn't see who…" she sat back down at the ground, her pelt bristling as she recalled the events.
"Alright, thank you Sunstrike… But you won't be let off for training in the Dark Forest, but for now…" he turned back to Breezepelt. "So now we have multiple reports of you harming clan mates, what is there to do with you…" He sat down to think, ignoring the horrified face and smatterings of Nightcloud's as he thought.
"Breezepelt! Your punishment will be a swift death. May Starclan have mercy on your restless spirit."
"No! Please! You can't kill my only tom kit! My kit!" Nightcloud shrieked, rushing forward to attack Onestar, only for Emberfoot to grab her and drag her backwards. "No, let go of me! Please Emberfoot he's my- Fine!" she snarled suddenly, turning around and scratching his muzzle viscously. Splattering his blood on the already stained ground. Emberfoot howled in pain and fell backwards, pawing at their muzzle. Harespring quickly got up and bowled her over, and pinned her down so her paws were forced down by the stronger toms own paws.
Onestar turned his attention back to Breezepelt, unsheathing his claws. "Weaselfur, Furzepelt…" he gestured to the black tom with his tail, both cats quickly padded forward and held him down, pushing his muzzle into the grass. Onestar reared up on his hind legs, claws outstretched, ready to strike a painful blow, blood roaring in his ears-
"Father you can't kill him!" Heathertails panicked screech rang out, as she shoved her way to the front of the crowd. Onestar dropped back to all fours and stared at her.
"Why in Starclan's name not?" he asked. Breezepelt let out a groan, and raised his head, opening one amber eye to look at her.
"Don't tell him…" He breathed, but she ignored him.
"I'm expecting his kits!" she shouted. The whole Clan stood in silence, glancing at one another, Onestar flickered his gaze to her stomach. Her stomach was slightly bigger than usual… He glared at Breezepelt with a look of pure hatred and back to her.
"Please, do anything else, rip his tail off. Neuter him, anything! Just… No more blood needs to be spilled." Heathertail whispered, staring at Breezepelt a moment longer, before turning her back on him, and sitting down. "I can't watch this." Onestar heard her choke out. Sighing he turned to Breezepelt.
"Since my daughter has convinced me to spare you… Your new punishment is exile."
"What?!" Nightcloud screeched, trying in vain to wriggle free. Harespring glanced at Onestar, who just sighed and gestured to let her go. Reluctantly the tom toms did so, and she ran forward. She skidded to a halt in front of him and tried to stare him down.
"If you exile my son I will leave too!" she snarled. Onestar didn't blink, not even a twitch of his ear in response. He just looked expectantly at her.
"Then go." He finally mewed, when Nightcloud just stared in shock, he turned to face Kestrelflight. Clearly that had not been the answer she expected "Give these two travelling herbs." Kestrelflight nodded and quickly shot past him. Onestar looked back at the two black cats. "Then a patrol of cats will escort you off of the edge of our territory. If we ever catch either of you in Windclan again. We will not hesitate to kill you." She turned his small head towards his Clan. "Does anyone object to this punishment?" no one responded, though Heathertail lowered her head sadly. "No one? Hmm. Crowfeather? Anything you wish to say to your mate and son?"
Crowfeather came forward, but stood a good distance from his mate and kit.
"Nightcloud, you may not believe this, but I did love you at one point. You were not like Lea- you were brash and you were confident. You knew what you wanted in life. I loved you too Breezepelt. I was just… Scared of losing you two. That's why I've pushed you both away." The usually scratchy tom looked heart broken, ignoring Breezepelt's hiss of disbelief before continuing. "I wanted nothing more but to love you, but I couldn't allow myself to grow close to you. I saw myself in you, a scratchy, bad tempered cat who thought he knew it all. I regret not being there, and ignoring you, and pushing you away." he swallowed, before his blue eyes became steely.
"But according to you Nightcloud I was only your mate so you could have kits. That is what you said! Don't you try and talk over me. I heard you say it! " He sighed, before turning away. "I should have been a better mate and father. I know this." With that he slowly walked away. Kestrelflight came back, and spat a bundle of herbs down and separated them in to two minisule piles.
"That's all we can spare." He muttered when Onestar looked at him questioningly. Finally the guards let go of Breezepelt so he could sit up and eat his herb bundle. Once finished Onestar called out names of the escort patrol.
"Boulderfur, Crouchfoot, Harespring, Sunstrike, Daisyfield and Gorsetail" he called out to his least wounded warriors. "You will escort Breezepelt and Nightcloud to the Thunderpath. Make sure they cross before returning." The cats nodded and formed a ring around the two cats as they escorted them away.
"Theres two more things I must do before I can finally rest." He muttered to himself. He crossed through the camp and to the medicine cat den, nodding at a tired Whiskernose as he passed by. He peered inside. Ashfoot was lay down, writhing in pain from her paw. Onestar stared at it. The paw was barely connected and the bone seemed to be shattered.
"It's rude to stare." Ashfoot called out when she spotted Onestar, he let out a tired purr and padded inside to sit with her.
"He's going to remove it isn't he?" Onestar asked quietly.
"Yes. It's no big deal though." Ashfoot responded, trying not to look like it bothered her. But Onestar had known her for many moons.
"You're worried" he mewed quietly, gently petting her good paw.
"Of course I am! My grand kit smashes my paw open, then tries to kill me. Now I'm going to have to limp on three legs, why wouldn't I be worried?" she snapped. Onestar leant back, shocked at the usually calm she-cats outburst.
"Sorry… But how can I be a good deputy with only three paws? I won't be able to patrol… Or hunt." She groaned, covering her head with her good front paw. Onestar's expression softened.
"You've been my deputy for many, many moons. If you have to retire, then we'll deal with that when we get there. We're a team remember? You, me and Whitetail." he purred licking her head. Ashfoot nodded, not looking convinced. "Besides, your mate only had three good paws, and he was deputy!"
"That's a bit different, he was born with his problem, and learnt to cope with it…" Ashfoot just sighed. Kestrelflight's voice rang through the back of the den.
"Onestar you best leave for now, I need to uh… Remove it. Unless you want to help?"
"Uh, no. No! I'm sure you'll do a good job without me!" He replied, quickly getting to his paws and padding away, waving his tail in farewell as he left. Once he stood outside, he looked around. The moon was slowly starting to rise. Larksong was stood with her two kits, Finchkit and Hailkit, looking miserable. He approached her, calling out "Need any help?" to the worrying mother.
"Mama I want to sleep now." Finchkit mewed, stretching his jaws in a huge yawn. Followed by Hailkit.
"Yes, yes. Uh Onestar where should we sleep? The Nursery has seen better days." She mewed, looking desperate.
"I'm sure Tornear wouldn't mind sharing the repaired elders den with you, would you Tornear?" he called out to the old elder, who was sat sitting vigil. He didn't turn around, he just called back:
"She can sleep in there on her own tonight. We have a vigil to sit."
"Oh fox dung he's right." Onestar sighed and nodded at her. Larksong didn't look too convinced.
"You're sure it's safe?" she asked.
"It's very safe." Crowfeather mewed, padding up to join the conversation. "We put some sturdy branches into the ceiling to hold the dirt up."
"Oh! Well thank you Crowfeather." She purred, nudging her kits along. "Hear that kits? We have a nest!"
"Yay!" Finchkit mewed, while Hailkit just sat there, staring past Crowfeather. "Uh… there's a black she-cat stood over there" he mewed, instantly Onestar and Crowfeather whipped around, claws unsheathed, only to see… Nothing. Onestar forced his fur to lie flat.
"Hailkit, I'm sure you saw a cat's shadow. Don't scare us like that again!" Onestar mewed, trying to keep the panic out of his voice. "I thought Nightcloud somehow got back."
"But I… She had big green eyes." Hailkit mewed, looking confused. Shaking his head, Hailkit got up and followed his mother into the elders den.
The two cats glanced at each other.
"Kits. Am I right?" Onestar mewed, twitching his whiskers. But Crowfeather didn't react, he just stared at the same spot Hailkit had stared at, before bowing his head low to the ground, as if grieving.
"Yeah… Kit's." was all he responded with, before walking over to Tornear and sitting vigil with him. Onestar stumbled over to Whitetail, who was sat by Heathertail, both mourning the loss of so many of their clan mates. Onestar closed his eyes, and sat near Weaselfur's lifeless ginger body. He exhaled loudly.
"It's going to be a long night."