Chapter 8!
Newleaf slowly faded into Greenleaf. The work on the new camp was going smoothly. Redpaw was a quick learner in the ways of a medicine cat. The remaining three apprentices were getting far in their training and Lionclaw knew it was almost time for them to become warriors. Lionclaw sat by the fresh-kill pile, eating a vole. Deerfoot was watching Leafkit and Whiskerkit who were play wrestling by the nursery. "It's almost time for them to become apprentices. Who should I give them to?" He looked around camp. Quietheart and Riverstream were the only cats in camp at the moment. "Maybe one of them? Hmmm…"
"Ummm Lionclaw?" Redpaw sat down next to him, "Don't you think we need to start collecting catmint?"
Lionclaw smiled. In a way Redpaw was like Duskpaw. Always worrying if there was enough herbs. However Lionclaw did agree that it was time to collect some catmint. "I agree," he said, "Go get Riverstream and Quietheart. It will be better if we have warriors with us."
Redpaw nodded and raced over to the two she-cats. Lionclaw got to his paws and went to the entrance of the Cedarclan camp. Redpaw ran over with Riverstream and Quietheart. "Are we heading to the Twoleg nest?" asked Riverstream.
"That is the best place to find catmint," spoke Lionclaw, Come on." The four cats raced out of camp and headed towards the border. Lionclaw lifted his tail, signaling that they were close to the Thunderpath. On the other side of the Thunderpath was a Twoleg nest.
Riverstream listened for a second before saying, "I don't hear a monster. Let's go."
The four cats hurried over the Thunderpath. Wooden stakes surrounded the Twoleg nest. Lionclaw leaped on top of the posts and went to the other side. He winced as the sharp grass touched his paws. A second later the three she-cats were by his side. Lionclaw shot a cautious glance to the Twoleg nest. He hoped one would not come out while they were there.
"Look," whispered Quietheart, flicking her tail to a cat peeking out from behind a bush a couple paw steps away.
"It's a kittypet by the way she smells," commented Riverstream.
"Don't eat me," cried the cat from behind the bush.
"We won't eat you," said Lionclaw gently, "Come on out."
A chubby gray she-cat came out from behind the bush. Her gray fur was shiny and clean. Her legs were shaking. She was obviously scared by the four wild cats. "What do you want?" she whispered.
"We just came here for some cat mint," said Redpaw gently, "Can you help us find some…what's your name?"
"Queenie," whispered the she-cat, "And if I show you, will you leave?"
"We will," promised Lionclaw.
Queenie walked slowly towards the Twoleg nest, to some small plant growing next to it. "H..Here it is…now can you go?"
Lionclaw went over, "Yup. This is it. Redpaw? Can you remember this smell?"
Redpaw sniffed it, "I think I can Lionclaw." She grabbed the sweet smelling plant in her jaw and ripped it out of the earth. Riverstream and Quietheart also picked up catmint as well.
Lionclaw turned to the gray she-cat and dipped his head, "Thank you for your help." He turned to the warriors and his apprentice, "Let's go. It's getting late." The four cats jumped over the wooden stakes and raced towards the Thuderpath. They paused for a second to check for monsters before beginning to cross. When they were in the middle of the Thunderpath, Lionclaw was filled with dread. The ground was vibrating under his paws. He looked to the left and saw a monster approaching at an alarming fast speed.
"Run!" he yowled, racing to the other side. However he heard something he never wanted to hear. The sound of crunching bones. Lionclaw whirled around and saw the monster roar away, but what it left behind devastated the tom. "No," he whispered, his body numb.
"Queitheart!" cried Riverstream, running onto the Thunderpath. She grabbed the limp tortoise shell by the scruff and dragged her off the Thunderpath. Lionclaw and Redpaw ran over but Lionclaw knew it was too late. The former Rowanclan warrior had left to Starclan.
"Our first loss," whispered Redpaw, trying not to cry, "Why?"
Riverstream tried to comfort the apprentice while trying to hold back her own tears. Lionclaw couldn't move. He didn't know what to do.
"What's going on?" Sandclaw, Runningtail and Fernpaw ran out of the forest, "We heard…" Sandclaw's eyes widen.
"Quietheart," whispered Fernpaw.
Lionclaw took a deep breath, trying to get his emotions under control, "Runningtail. Sandclaw. Can you two carry Quietheart's body back to camp?"
The two toms numbly picked up the body as Lionclaw lead the way back to Cedarclan camp.