Disclaimer: I don't own Warrior Cats!

Title: Resilience

Summary: With a harsh Leaf-bare on the horizon, the Clans are in a bad way. Petalkit is growing up under the stern gaze of her father, Ravenfur, when suddenly everything changes. Stuck in RiverClan until WindClan can produce enough catmint- something no Clan has in these temperatures- she does what any kit would do. She adapts.

Chapter Title: Swimming Lessons

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I-really-hope-not- Poor Graystar indeed! I know we haven't delved much into her character (this is only chapter, like, nine) but she's one of my favorite leaders so far!

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Lionkit and Sedgekit seemed very excited to teach Petalkit all the kit-games in RiverClan, showing her how they leapt up at the cattails and pretended to hunt fish with the few leaves piled around the camp, but Petalkit hadn't really played a lot of games before coming here and certainly wasn't interested in trying new ones now. They seemed content to let her watch from where she laid in the clearing, shaded by a tree, and, when the patrols returned, they didn't hold it against her when she went back into the nursery and refused to leave. They even included her while sharing tongues, Lionkit getting that itchy spot between Petalkit's shoulder blades. As far as hostage situations go, this could be much worse. I just hope everyone knows I'm safe.

Her sleep schedule had returned to normal by the next day, and she cracked open her eyes before anyone else did. Petalkit glanced around, taking in all the sleeping cats around her. She felt a bit too big for the nest, but that was probably because she was nearing six moons. Petalkit yawned, stretched, and went to sit at the entrance of the den. The sun was just starting to rise. It's not WindClan, but this place is pretty, I guess.

It didn't take long for a warrior to appear in the clearing and notice her. The brown she-cat confidently padded over, tiny ears perked. "You should be asleep," she meowed. Of all the greetings she could've used, Petalkit thought that was pretty bland.

"I'm used to being up this early," she whispered, shrinking back a little. If she told her to return to Littlepelt's nest, it was probably in her best interest to listen. "Ravenfur- my father, I mean- he always wanted me to watch him assign patrols. It's a habit."

Her eyes softened, if only a little, but her stern demeanor didn't melt a moment. "I can understand that. You can watch. But only if you stay in the den until Littlepelt wakes up."

I wasn't planning on leaving. Petalkit dipped her head. "I will."

The warrior left her, then, trusting in her word. Petalkit watched with mixed parts admiration and surprise as the brown she-cat stuck her head into the warriors' den and shouted, "UP! All of you, up! StarClan put you in this Clan to do more than just sleep! And don't make me come get you again, Hawktail!"

The first warrior out- a gray and white tom- was Hawktail, or so Petalkit assumed by the nasty look her shot her. Other warriors filed out after; Petalkit spotted Dawnbelly almost instantly, but he didn't so much as glance at her. The only ones she knew by name, save for the warriors who'd taken her and the guard Fluffywing had introduced, Tallblaze, was Carpjaw, thanks to his distended maw.

"I see someone already managed to irritate Volespring," Tallblaze sighed. "Thanks to whoever that was."

"You should know better by now," Hawktail returned. "Volespring doesn't know how not to be irritated."

"She has to sleep sometime," Carpjaw pointed out sensibly, but he was purring.

"StarClan is testing me," Volespring growled at them, "and I'm about to fail."

She must be the deputy, Petalkit thought, watching them gather around her. She felt a bit rabbit-brained for not realizing earlier, when she was the first warrior out, but it was hard to connect the she-cat with the only other deputy she knew- her father. I guess every Clan has a different way of going about leading. She jumped as a solid weight settled down next to her; she hadn't heard Littlepelt coming. She immediately scolded herself. I should've seen her. She's bright white, for heather's sake.

"I see you've met Volespring," she meowed. "In a distant way, at least."

"Is she always like this?"

"Always. Ever since she came out of her mother's belly." Littlepelt chuckled, her eyes fond. "It's an honor to be her Clanmate."

"I dunno, mom." Sedgekit poked his head between them. "She's kinda scary."

"Any smart warrior would be intimidated by her, yes." Petalkit glanced at Littlepelt, but she said no more, watching the deputy work. She really respects her.

"Dawnbelly, Fluffywing, I want you two as far away from the camp as possible. The last thing we need is to start a scuffle. I'm taking you on a border patrol." Volespring confidently nodded to them, then moved on. "Tallblaze, Sandstream, Hawktail, Cloudwillow, I want all of you hunting."

Almost everyone is hunting. Volespring must be like Heathertuft, then.

"Uh, 'spring?" Cherryfur awkwardly stepped forward. "You skipped me."

"I didn't," Volespring told her crisply, then gestured with her tail for the cats to disperse. She followed Dawnbelly and Fluffywing to the entrance without further instruction, trusting in the warrior to know what she meant.

The calico she-cat glanced around the quickly emptying camp, then sighed. "I do believe I've been left to rot."

"I wouldn't know how that feels at all, love." Petalkit stared in surprise as Blackstorm marched over to her, having just returned to the dirtplace. The queen was of normal size for RiverClan, or so she gathered, but the gray-and-calico only came up to Cherryfur's chin. She'd hardly spoken since Petalkit arrived, hiding away in her nest, but now she stood her ground, claws digging into the ground.

"Ah," Cherryfur said. "Right. I'm going to die now."

"Don't even joke about that!" she hissed. "Do you know how worried I was? You just up and left, Cherryfur. That's not like you. I was ready for them to find you dead somewhere, drowned or run over or attacked!"

She stared at her paws. "I'm sorry."

Blackstorm wasn't done. "And what do I find when you get back? Were you held up doing your warrior duties? No! You were off stealing a kit! You broke her mother's heart; you broke Petalkit's heart; you broke my heart." She stepping back, ears flat against her head. "Cherryfur, how am I supposed to trust you around our kits now?"

Cherryfur flinched and hung her head.

Petalkit looked at Littlepelt. "Are they mates?"

The queen was frowning. "They were before all of this. I don't know where they stand now. Come'on, kits." She lightly shoved Sedgekit's shoulder, standing up. "Let's give them privacy."

Neither Cherryfur nor Blackstorm spoke as they left the nursery. Petalkit stuck close to Littlepelt's side, away from the she-cat who had taken her to this place against her will. Lionkit and Sedgekit followed close behind, looking thoroughly chastised despite not doing anything. "Where are we going?" She asked once they passed.

"To the stream," she meowed. "We're going swimming."

Petalkit's eyes grew wide. "I don't have to go in, do I?" What kind of cat willingly goes into water, anyhow? It's not right.

"No, Petalkit. You can sit with me if you like." A white tail teasingly flicked the underside of Petalkit's chin.

She had never been outside of the RiverClan camp. At least, not without teeth in her scruff. There was bushes and trees everywhere, and while it wasn't as packed as ThunderClan she still felt restricted. Cats are supposed to be free. That's the whole point of being warriors. The ground was wet and covered with leaves, forcing her to shake her paws as they went. No one else seemed to notice. I'm probably overreacting. I'll bet WindClan territory gets this soggy after every storm too.

Lionkit and Sedgekit ran ahead, and by the time Petalkit and Littlepelt made it to the stream they were playing in the shallows, flicking water at each other with glee. Petalkit made sure to sit near the queen to avoid looking like she might make a break for it. I miss the wind, but the water is soothing, in a way. It's steady, too, unlike the breeze.

"Come on, Petalkit!" Sedgekit cried, splashing water in her general direction. "It's a lot of fun once you get the hang of it!"

Petalkit hesitated. She really didn't want to go in there and get her pelt all wet and gritty, but it seemed like a bad idea not to. If I'm going to be staying here, I should learn how to swim. Besides; what if I see a chance to escape, but I can't do it without swimming? I can't lose that chance. "I'll try."

The WindClan kit carefully edged closer to the bank, reassuring herself that Littlepelt was watching. She won't let me drown. Petalkit dipped a single white paw into the water and found it chilly. She jumped back, flicking away the clinging drops, then approached once again. Should I just jump in, or is it better to ease in? I've never had to do this before.

Her unspoken question was answered by Lionkit, who wrapped his front paws around her shoulders and dunked Petalkit into the deeper water. The cold cut through her pelt with ease as she flailed, gritting her teeth to keep her air in. Stretch your paws out, it's probably like digging. That's something every WindClan cat knows how to do. Petalkit touched bottom and pushed up with her back paws, vaguely swishing her paws in hopes it would help. The black and white kit broke the surface with a yowl, ears flat against her head, teeth bared. Sedgekit yipped and moved away.

"Lionkit!" Littlepelt was at the edge of the stream, looking shocked and worried. "That is not how a proper RiverClan cat behaves!"

The white tom was sheepish. "Sorry, mom. I was trying to help her in."

"You could have drowned her," the queen huffed, bending down to lift him out by his scruff. "Once you're ready to help Petalkit properly you can go in."

"I'm not hurt, Littlepelt, honest," Petalkit meowed as she tried to work her paws. Swimming was even more complicated than she'd thought it to be. Having long fur in all this would be horrid. "He didn't mean it."

"I'm glad you're not hurt, dear, but that doesn't make Lionkit's actions okay." Littlepelt reached out a white paw to move some white fur out of Lionkit's eyes. "He can handle some time out of the water."

Deep down, she wished the kit would come back. His accidental disregard hadn't been something she enjoyed, but the more cats around her right now, the better. The last thing Petalkit wanted was to drown. Sedgekit corrected her movements and the way she held her tail, and soon she began to do what she felt was a lukewarm attempt at swimming. "This is really tiring."

"You're doing a great job, Petalkit," Littlepelt urged her from the shore. "Keep practicing and you'll get the hang of it in no time."

Something slimy brushed against her foot, and she jumped. "There's something in here!"

"I got it!" Sedgekit dived under without hesitation, splashing Petalkit's face. The brown and black tom came up with a limp green plant clutched nonchalantly in his jaws. "It's just a bit of seaweed, see?"

The sight and smell of the seaweed made Petalkit feel a bit ill. I touched that. "I don't think I want to swim anymore."

"Come on out, dear," Littlepelt meowed, making a come-hither movement with her paw. "I won't force you to."

Petalkit awkwardly waded over to the shore and pulled herself out, grumbling at how heavy her pelt felt. She'd gotten soaked before, once- during a rainstorm- but this felt different. Sedgekit and Lionkit didn't seem nearly as affected by it, laughing and joking with each other. I guess that's just what happens when you spend so much time swimming. You turn into fish-cats.

Littlepelt chuckled at the disgusted grimace on her face, pulling her closer. She rasped her tongue across her pelt with brisk strokes, pausing to spit out some dirt here and there. Petalkit purred a little, closing her eyes. She'd missed sharing tongues. Memories began to crop up, unbidden. Beekit falling into that puddle after Deerkit tripped. Coming back to the nursery covered in scraps of borage. Wolfkit's white fur never managed to keep clean, and she'd always have a stick or something stuck in it. I can practically smell the camp- the heather and herbs and rabbits... wait. She opened her eyes. I'm not imaging that, am I?

The queen stood up, fur bristling, which only cemented her suspicion. Her voice was calm. "Kits, get behind me."

Petalkit wriggled out from under her tongue. Suddenly, the stream didn't really matter anymore. They came to get me! I'm going home! She'd never been more thankful in her life to see Ravenfur's all black pelt as he pushed open the bracken, tail and chin high. There was that no-nonsense look on his face again, though it softened when he saw her. "Petalkit?"

"Ravenfur!" she squealed, sprinting over to him. The WindClan kit rubbed against his side with little trills of happiness. Her chest felt full. Take me back. I'll never complain about your assignments again. I'll wait in the sun and be a better watcher to Wolfkit and Deerkit and I'll help Birdleap as much as I can and not feel mad when he doesn't ask for my help in turn. I just want to see everyone again.

"Shh shh shh," he murmured, licking her ears. He didn't seem so against open affection now. "I'm here, darling. Did they hurt you?"

Petalkit shook her head, pressing her chin to his arm as she met her father's eyes. "Not at all. Littlepelt taught me how to swim!"

Ravenfur winced as if the idea physically pained him, keeping a paw protectively on her back. "Well, once things are settled and we get you home, maybe you can show your brothers how."

"Ravenfur," said Beetlestar, sharp and admonishing, as she came through the trees. "By my side. This is business."

The deputy nodded and re-joined the leader, keeping Petalkit next to him. Beetlestar has brought a small patrol- Maplewing and Stagclaw, two of the more respected warriors in WindClan, and even Brackenheart, whom Petalkit was under the impression had come along so he could reassure Lichenfang of her health when they returned. They all greeted and nosed her, checking for injuries, while Beetlestar politely nodded to Littlepelt, who was still holding her kits close. "Good morning."

The lithe white she-cat regarded Beetlestar with caution. "Good morning."

"We're here to see Graystar," she meowed calmly. "Would you escort us?"

Littlepelt hesitated, then nodded. She took the lead from Beetlestar without another word, the rest of the patrol following. Though they didn't speak, she felt safer than she had since coming to RiverClan with her Clanmates all around her. She could just barely make out Lionkit and Sedgekit from between the other warriors' legs, tails drooping as they crept close to the ground. They're scared. She felt a little ashamed of her own happiness, but didn't let it damper her spirits. We'll still see each other at Gatherings. And it's not like Beetlestar would attack the camp.

Blackstorm and Cherryfur has taken to awkwardly guarding the camp when they arrived, avoiding eye contact, but the moment the smell of WindClan drifted into their nostrils they sprung into action; Blackstorm rushed to the kits, pushing Cherryfur pointedly towards Graystar's den. The calico she-cat didn't argue, leaping up the stones with grace.

"I've got them," Littlepelt hissed when Blackstorm got to close, pushing Sedgekit and Lionkit into the camp. "Go find Volespring."

Beetlestar nodded politely to the heavily pregnant queen as she trotted a fast as she could into the swampland, gesturing for her patrol to sit and wait. Ravenfur pulled Petalkit close with his tail, glaring at the queen as she guided her kits into the nursery. "This'll all be over soon, darling. I promise."

It didn't take long for Cherryfur to return with Graystar, jumping down and to the side. The she-cat's long fur looked hastily groomed, and her eyes were slightly glazed with sleep. Even so, she came to meet Beetlestar with dignity, dipping her head.

"Bit late for a leader to be sleeping," Beetlestar commented.

"I went to the Moonpool to ask StarClan for advice," she said, then yawned. "They were, as always, obscure."

A quiet, awkward purr rumbled in the WindClan leader's throat before fading out. "I believe that's the one thing we both can agree upon."

Graystar stretched, straightened, and finally surveyed the patrol. Her eyes hardened when she fell upon their youngest mentor. "Petalkit, go to Littlepelt. Now."

Petalkit hesitated, unsure of who to follow, but Beetlestar stood and blocked her from view. "Petalkit is a WindClan kit."

"The key word here isn't WindClan," Graystar returned, just as calmly. "Petalkit is a kit, and should therefore be kept safe. Are you going to ignore the warrior code for the sake of your pride, Beetlestar?"

The fur along Ravenfur's spine rose. His claws slid out. "If you think I'm letting my daughter-"

"I see you're as stubborn as ever, Ravenfur," greeted Volespring as she pushed through the barrier. "Sorry I'm late for the fight."

"You're fairly early, actually," Graystar murmured, surprised. "You were closer than I expected."

"Fluffywing fell in a rabbit hole." The deputy confidently joined the RiverClan leader at the base of the rocks. Petalkit watched the yellow tom quietly gimp over to the medicine den accompanied by Dawnbelly, who seemed more than happy to leave the limelight. Some poppy seeds and rest and he'll be fine. "I wasn't expecting them so early. Well, to be honest, I wasn't expecting them today at all."

"You took my daughter-" Ravenfur started, but Beetlestar waved her tail for silence.

"Petalkit is coming with us," she stated. "She belongs in WindClan."

"She does," Graystar agreed. "And once we have what we need, she can go home."

"You can't be serious!" Brackenheart burst out, then fell silent with a shameful flick of the tail. Petalkit regarded him with warmth.

The white and brown she-cat didn't seem surprised at the leader's refusal, taking a calculated step forward. "We all will mourn Stonebird, Graystar. He was an honorable warrior, and he's deserved every moon he's had in the elder's den. But if StarClan has decided to call his name, there's nothing we can do."

"Everything," said Graystar. "There's everything we can do."

A deafening silence swept the clearing. Petalkit didn't know who was more impressive- Graystar, with her thick long pelt, solid shoulders, and no-nonsense attitude, or Beetlestar, thin, lithe, made of muscle, and responding to that attitude without hesitation.

"I'm not here for a fight, Graystar."

"If there's even a smidge of catmint in your territory, Beetlestar, I want it."

"There is none."

"Then Petalkit is staying until there is."

Ravenfur's spine bristled. Petalkit's heart sank as the two leaders sized each other up. More of the Clan had heard the news; Cloudwillow and Hawktail watched curiously from the entrance of the camp, while Swiftmist guarded the nursery with Littlepelt. The last thing she wanted was for them to fight.

"Think about this logically, Graystar," Beetlestar pressed. "You'll only have one more mouth to feed during Leaf-bare."

Graystar shook her head. "My Clan has decided. Petalkit will stay."

"Do you always let your Clan do the judging for you?"

"Do you always do the judging for your Clan?" Volespring hissed. Graystar didn't silence her. "Petalkit, get in the nursery. They're leaving."

Petalkit longed to refuse, but violence would only injure her Clanmates. There's no way Beetlestar's little patrol can beat all of RiverClan. She quietly pulled away from her father and tried to ignore his questioning meow, jogging across the clearing. Littlepelt reached out to pull her in by her scruff. Petalkit found herself pressed against the comforting weight of her belly.

"Tell her mother and brothers," Graystar added remorsefully, "that I'm sorry."

Author's Note: Normal leaders- if an old cat is sick let StarClan take them without a fight, there's nothing we can do, the herbs should be saved. Graystar- that's mouse-dung this whole thing is mouse-dung that's a scam screw StarClan here's 95 reasons why.

-Mandaree1