Chapter 11: A Friend's secret
The following day it and snowed. There was a thin layer of white covering the ground as Spottedleaf awoke. She climbed out of her log and was very grateful that Yellowfang made this hut for her, because she will be covered with snow. She looks in Yellowfang's den and sees the old has already gotten up. Just behind the stone she hears her mumbling some words. She walks over to where she was and sees her mixing some berries in a small mud cast circle.
"Well…good morning there young one. Nice to see that you are up.." Yellowfang looks up from her task.
Spottedleaf chuckles, "You know I'm not all that young, I have a few moons under my way."
"Well…compare to me, you are still very young." Yellowfang sneers.
"What are you making." Spottedleaf dismisses the old cat's comment.
"Some medicine for whitecoaugh. Leaf bare is coming. And need to be prepared." Yellowfang stated.
"Need a hand?" Spottedleaf asks.
"That depends….how are you feeling today?" Yellowfang asks.
"Quit well actually. I am regaining most of my strength back." Spottedleaf announces.
Yellowfang stops her task and goes over to her. "Let me examine you."
It took Yellowfang a few minutes to examine her patient. Then she sighs, "Well….I see that you are improving….but I still want you in camp. Your wound around your neck still needs a few moons to heal. It should be good by the first heavy snowfall. By then I need all the help I can get with gathering medical supplies."
Spottedleaf nods, "Can I at least help with making the medicine?"
Yellowfang nods, "Of course you can. The supplies are over there…Start mixing those barriers in with this rosemary."
Not long that Spottedleaf started mixing the medical supplies she heard a cat enter the den. Yellowfang heard it too, as she drops what she is doing and goes to the clearing. "What on earth happen to you! You think that it's a wise idea to go for swim?"
Spottedleaf goes over to where Yellowfang is as sees her nephew drench. Graystripe was shivering as Yellowfang dashes away to fetch some medical supplies for him. Spottedleaf goes to him and smiles, "I'm not going to even ask."
"Ju…just…don't tell….Will…Willowpelt." Graystripe chattered.
Spottedleaf gave him a nod and took her body to press against his, to keep him warm a bit, as he waited for Yellowfang. "You know…you remind a lot like Redtail. Always getting into trouble."
"Your not ma…mad?" Graystripe looks at his aunt.
Spottedleaf smiles, "No…I'm not. You take after your uncle."
Just then Yellowfang returns as she gives him feverfew and lavender. "There this should hold ya for the night. You better stay in Camp tomorrow. Don't want this chill to turn into something worse okay?" Graystripe nods and ate the herbs then goes off to the warriors den. Spottedleaf goes back to help Yellowfang out with the medicines.
Several days has pasted since Fireheart and Graystripe have been mentoring their first apprentices. Each day Yellowfang has been restocking her medical supplies as she allows Spottedleaf to travel with her. Spottedleaf has been improving as her body slowly heals from her near death attack by Clawface. Yellowfang has been helping Spottedleaf with her herbs and has been working on the young she-cat to fully regain her strength. In the past several days, Yellowfang has been treating a lot of her clan mates with sneezes and coughs. Yellowfang knows she needs more medical supplies but can't leave the camp because of the sick patients she has. One afternoon she goes and finds Spottedleaf mixing berries for medicines.
Yellowfang looks at her asks she quickly approaches, "Spottedleaf…can I asks you to do me a favor?"
Spottedleaf stops what she was doing and turns her attention on the old she-cat, "Sure…what do…"
Yellowfang has no time to waste as she cuts to the chase, "I need to travel near Moonstones."
"Why what for?" Spottedleaf asks.
"I need to go to Moonstones to get a special kind of herb. I fear that some of the ThunderClan warriors are coming down with whitecough. I need to get a special herb that grows near Moonstones. I need to leave as soon as possible. I will be back by in a few days." Yellowfang goes to the cubby of travel herbs and scuffs down the herbs as she makes quickly pads out.
Spottedleaf turns to her, "So what's the favor?"
"I need you to look after anyone who is coming down with chills treat them with lavender feverfew until I get back. You know where the herbs are if you run out of them." She looks at Spottedleaf, "I trust you Spottedleaf….I know I ordered you not to leave the camp, but this is urgent. If need to be, You can bring a trusted warrior to go with you on a medical run. But I got to go, now before sunsets. You can do this young one, you are born to be a medicine cat." Yellowfang smiles, "I have faith in you kid." Yellowfang gives her a quick lick as she dashes to the camp entrance.
Spottedleaf watches as Yellowfang disappears from the entrance. She was on her own. Spottedleaf stayed out in the open as Bluestar approaches, "She will be back shortly. I ordered her to go."
Spottedleaf looks to her leader, "Why….so far no one that I've seen has been coming down with nothing serious."
"Can't take too many chances. I need everyone of my warriors to be strong. I have a great sense that ShadowClan and RiverClan are prepared to set a war." Bluestar advices. She turns as she sees Fireheart and Runningwind leave the camp with their apprentices, "I need everyone to be ready when the time comes. Especially the young apprentices. That's why I sent Yellowfang out on a medical emergency." Bluestar looks into Spottedleaf's eyes, "Are you ready to get back to your position as a medicine cat?"
Spottedleaf nods, "I'm ready."
"How do you feel with your strength….you lost a lot of blood." Bluestar asks.
"It's coming along…Yellowfang has been helping me." Spottedleaf adds.
"That's good to hear. I will need you both through leaf-bare." Bluestar stated as she makes her way out to join the patrol. Spottedleaf was in her den mixing berries…she has seen a few cats and giving them what Yellowfang instructed. However she was running very low. She knows she has to go out and make a medical trip. She was just on her way out when she ran into her nephew, "Graystripe? You feeling okay."
Graystripe nods as he looks to the exit. "I'm fine….I am just going to go train with my apprentice."
Spottedleaf looks to him with suspicious eyes. "Your apprentice is with Fireheart and Runningwind today…besides…I specifically remembered Yellowfang told you to stay in camp. This is not the time to get yourself worse with infections Graystripe."
"I know…but I can't just sit in the camp and do noting….I need to contribute somehow…I'll go and bring back some fresh kill." Graystripe bolts without another word.
Spottedleaf wanted to go and track him down, but she has a duty. Her nephew has been acting strange for some days now. He seemed anxious about something and he seems to be hiding something. She is then called to her den as her brother Dappletail comes and finds her, "Spottedleaf! Spottedleaf!"
Spottedleaf turns her attention to one of the elders, "Hurry…Swiftpaw I think is getting worse!"
Spottedleaf goes to the wear Speckletail was keeping him warm. Spottedleaf was soon by her and was examining him. She looks at the old queen, "Take him to my den."
"Is it whitecough?" Speckletail asks.
"No…not yet. It's just a chill. But need to give him something, before it turns into something worse. " Spottedleaf leds them into her den. She spent most of the morning trying to help the young apprentice. When she was through she heads out. By the time it took her to eat real fast Mousefur has caught the sickness. Spottedleaf treated her as well and sent her to the warriors den.
It was near sundown, as the night grew colder. Spottedleaf shivered as she helps the apprentice to his den, "Keep these berries close to you young one. When you feel the cough getting worse, suck on this slowly. It will help with it alright?"
Swiftpaw looks at his mentor as he goes out on a patrol, "What about my warrior training? Will I be able to attend tomorrow?"
Spottedleaf looks at the him with sympathic eyes, "We shall see. Come to my den first thing in the morning. If your symptoms get worse over the night, which it could, then I will tell Longtail personally to keep you in. Okay?"
Swiftpaw looks down upon his paws as he felt a pang of disappointment, Spottedleaf puts her tail under his chin and smiles at him, "You are not disappointing Bluestar or your Clan if you miss a day or two of training.."
"That's not it. It's just….I will be letting my father down." Swiftpaw meows.
Spottedleaf sighs….she knows Tigerclaw will be furious. "Look…your father will not look at you as a failure. In fact it will be better to keep you in camp if you worse then get you even sicker."
Swiftpaw smiles at her and then lets out a small sneeze. She nudges him inside to keep warm. Then she retreats to her own den. She soon spots Fireheart as he returns with the evening patrol. She smiles at him as he approaches. She looks up at him, "You need anything Fireheart?"
Fireheart wanted to tell her about his suspension of his best friend but was afraid to compromise everything with their love affair. Spottedleaf tilts her head to have him to follow her. When he didn't she softly replies, "It's alright."
"Are you sure…what about Yellowfang?" He asks.
"She's out on a journey and will be out for several days…it is just me." Spottedleaf stated. "Come on I will see what you have." Fireheart had a confuse look on his face and Spottedleaf lets him in. Once inside she answers his questioning look, "I did that so know one can suspect our relationship."
"Oh….good thinking.." Fireheart smiles. Spottedleaf leads him behind the stone hedge so that no one can see them. She stares at him and there in that moment they share a tenderize kiss. It felt like many moons ago that they had this moment, of being in each other's embraces. She felt Fireheart kissing her deeper and she just lost all her ability to breath. He moves down and nuzzles her scar from Clawface and she felt the warmth of his fiery pelt press against hers. There was this heat of fire in her soul that Fireheart stirred that night. A flame that Spottedleaf had never felt before. She pulls out of his embrace as he looks at her, "What?"
Spottedleaf looks at him, "Nothing….just…This is all new to me."
Fireheart goes to her and puts his head near hers. "This is all new to me too….but I feel this is meant to be." He breathe in her beautiful sent as he felt her purring. "Can I share tongues with you now?"
Spottedleaf smiles as she nods. And for the first time she allows him to groom her. It felt so nice to share this moment with him. And occasionally they would make out. After several minutes Fireheart shares one of his greatest worries that he fears for his best friend, "Spottedleaf….I think something is deeply troubling Graystripe."
Spottedleaf pauses in licking his shoulders, "Why do you say that?"
"He has been acting distant. When I wake up, he is gone and no where to be seen in camp. But as I return from hunting, training or even patrol, I see him settling down or already asleep. Something is up with him and I want to know what." Fireheart confesses. Fireheart looks at her, "I shouldn't be discussing this with you….you are his aunt."
"No….it's fine…you are my nephew's best friend." She smiles. "And I think you are right."
Fireheart looks at her as he sees the worry in his lover's eyes, "Why….did you see him go?"
"Yeah…when I was going to make a run out for medical supplies. I saw him leaving the territory. I questioned him about his whereabouts, but he wouldn't tell me. I told him he needs to stay in camp but he told me he needs to go out hunting. Saying it's his duty to the Clan. " Spottedleaf confesses.
"Funny….he told me that he has to stay in camp because he feels his cold is getting worse." Fireheart looks at her.
"Do you think he is hiding something from us?" Spottedleaf asks.
Fireheart got up and strolls over to a rock. Spottedleaf follows him as she leans her body near his. "What is it?"
"I have a suspension that he is. He hasn't been the same since he fell into…" Fireheart was going to blab out the words that the ventured into RiverClan territory again. "Into the water."
"Fireheart what really happened when Graystripe came into the den all soak in wet." Spottedleaf asks.
There was no sense in lying to her. She will find out the truth sooner or later, "Can you promise to keep this to yourself."
"Depends on what this is all about." Spottedleaf stated.
Fireheart sighs, "That day when Graystripe and I took our apprentices to teach them how to hunt near the river, Graystripe fell through some thin ice as he got swept into RiverClan territory. Then a RiverClan she-cat came in to save him. Her name is Silverstream. If it wasn't for her, Graystripe would have been deed."
Spottedleaf didn't say anything then she looks at him with anger in her eyes, "You two are not allowed in RiverClan…what were you two thinking…"
"I know…Spottedleaf…I know….." Fireheart looks already beaten as Spottedleaf settles down. Fireheart doesn't need her anger, only love right now.
She came to him as she nuzzles his cheek.. "I'm sorry…"
"No…you're right….I should.." Fireheart was going to protest, but Spottedleaf silences him with her tail on his lips.
"You need support from me not be harped at. Did any other RiverClan seen you two in the territory?" Spottedleaf asks.
"No…just Silverstream." Fireheart told her.
Spottedleaf nods, "Okay."
"Okay what? You are not going to tell Willowpelt are you?" Fireheart asks.
"No….I should…but won't…I made a promise to you….I'll keep it quiet…besides it's not my place to tell." Spottedleaf stated. She looks at him, "You should probably head back to your den. People will suspect that you are fallen ill or something."
She was going to go into her old nest when Fireheart pulls her back towards him. Then he softly whispers to her, "When can we do this again…share tongues and well.."
"Another time. Just not now. I'll let you know. Now go…" Spottedleaf nudges him as he turns he leaves her a blissful kiss that left Spottedleaf feeling helpless. Then he turns and heads out to join the rest of his warriors for a nights rest.
…
The following morning as promise Swiftpaw returns at her den. Spottedleaf plopped him up on the examining stone as she inspects him, "Just as I thought. You need to stay in and rest. Go back and get some sleep. I'll come by later and get you some feverfew to knock down that fever alright."
Swiftpaw nods as he did what Spottedleaf told him to. Longtail came by and spoke to her as she leads Swiftpaw back to his den, "What do you mean he can't train today? He is fine."
"Take a look around you Longtail. I have several cases of cats coming down with this illness. It's better for him to rest and get well before matters gets worst. Go in and rest Swiftpaw."
Longtail looks at her, "What am I suppose to do now? Attend the pity party? I need to train him or in case you haven't notice our enemies will come here and attack!"
Spottedleaf rears on him, "Well….Longtail, it seems that your apprentice will get even sicker if he goes out and continues to train. And when then enemy does attack he will be dead as a mouse. So unless you don't want to kill your apprentice I suggest you do as I say and let him fight this chill off. You're a warrior now. Go and do something that is productive to help make sure this Clan stays well defended."
Longtail's eyes narrowed as he let out a hiss at the medicine cat. Then he went out of the camp entrance to go hunting. Spottedleaf rolls her eyes at him. She never did liked him. Not even when he was an apprentice. Even though he is her nephew, she still dislikes him. Spottedleaf went to the fresh kill pile and took a small bird to eat before she heads out to find more herbs. She just started eating when she sees Fireheart heading out with Runningwind with his apprentice Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw.
A few minutes later and Spottedleaf was out of camp. This is the first time she had been out of camp ever since her near death experience with Clawface. Spottedleaf had no time to waste, she has a task to do, and that was to get feverfew and lavender. She found some feverfew quite easy, but lavender was a bit harder to find. In leaf-bare it is nearly impossible to find lavender. But Featherwhisker taught her all the tricks she needs to know to find some. It was nearly sunhigh as she found some near the old owl tree. But this is barely enough to help a ill cat. Spottedleaf sighs as she knows she has to go to the medicine cat cave where she keeps back ups of herbs in cases of emergency. She was hoping to find a better patch of lavender, but she assumes that Yellowfang already been here.
It was nearly sunhigh as she was just crossing the old Owl tree when she sense someone close. Spottedleaf's tail begins to bristle. I'm not going to let this bastard kill me AGAIN! Spottedleaf dashes to a bush, to hide herself. She senses rain coming. A flash back memory came to her, as she shakes her head to clear it. No! It's not going to be like last time. I can do this. Remember what my brother taught me…Spottedleaf dug her claws in the dirt as she gets ready to pounce on her intruder. She balances on her hunches. She can see a siluttoe of a tom cat. Her eyes narrowed on him.
Spottedleaf closed her eyes, and prayed to StarClan. She counted to three. On three she flung into the air and landed square on the tom cat. Her claws dug into his flesh as he let out a howl. The cat flung her off and Spottedleaf landed with a heap. The cat reared up on her and pinned her to the ground. Spottedleaf was in trouble. She scramble the earth trying to regain to push him off, but he was too strong for her. Then a familiar scent filled her nostrils. She looks more closely at him, and realized It was Fireheart. "Fireheart?"
The tom stepped off her and looks at her suspiciously, then it came to him as he came to her, "Spottedleaf….I'm sorry, I didn't mean to….I thought….Are you all right?"
Spottedleaf purrs at him, "I'm fine."
"You scared me." Fireheart admitted as he nuzzles her.
"I thought you were an intruder. So I had to do something." Spottedleaf eyes him. "What are you doing out here anyways? I thought you are training your apprentice."
Fireheart didn't want to lie to her so he told her the truth, "Finding what Graystripe is up to. I was following his sent, until you attacked me."
"Following his scent?" Spottedleaf asks.
"Yeah…I think it's leading to RiverClan. That's why I left training. Graystripe has been acting odd, and I have to find out why he is leaving camp and abandoning his apprentice." Fireheart admitted.
"Do you think he is betraying the Clan?" Spottedleaf asks.
"I don't know….that's why I have to find out. Can you cover for me at camp?" Fireheart pleas with her.
"Fireheart…..I can't lie for you, and him." Spottedleaf stated. But the look in his eyes saying he is going to find out the truth no matter what. Spottedleaf sighs as she responds to him, "Alright…" Then as Fireheart walks away she walks beside him, "But I'm going with you."
"What? No….I don't need you to be in the middle of this.." Fireheart stops.
"I'm already in the middle of this Fireheart! He is my nephew! And I want to find out why the hell he is betraying everyone at Camp!" Spottedleaf had an angry flash in her amber eyes. Fireheart knows there is no stopping her, so he let her come follow him.
Fireheart spotted his best friend heading toward Sunningrocks. He and Spottedleaf hid in the under brush as the spied on Graystripe. Spottedleaf had a chill running through her vanes. This was were my brother was killed by Oakheart. Spottedleaf pushes the thought away as she smelt RiverClan warriors. Her fur started to raise as Fireheart puts his paw on hers to keep her from giving them away.
A heart beat past and soon a sliver RiverClan she-cat came to the waters edge and swam across the river. Spottedleaf eyes her nephew and looks at Fireheart. Then back at the she-cat as Graystripe and her nuzzle near the waters edge. She saw the anger in Fireheart's eyes as he zeroed in on his best friend. Spottedleaf closes her eyes, as she knows the truth. Her sister's son, has fallen in love with a RiverClan warrior. Her eyes fix on Fireheart as he pushes his way through the underbrush.
"Graystripe!" Fireheart hissed. His appearance must have startled the two lovers because they were both taken by surprise. She saw the she-cat's ears flatted as Graystripe steps between her and Fireheart.
"You followed me!" Graystripe looked up at Fireheart.
"What are you doing? Don't you know how dangerous this is?" Fireheart stated.
Silverstream spoke up, "It's okay. There won't be another patrol here till after sunset."
"You can be sure of that, can you? As you know all your Clan's movements!" Fireheart growled.
"Actually I do. My father is Crookedstar, the leader of RiverClan." Silverstream commented.
Fireheart still not convince as he gaze into Silverstream's beautiful eyes, "I don't believe you."
Spottedleaf steps out of the hiding place, "She's telling the truth Fireheart. She is the daughter of the RiverClan leader."
Spottedleaf came up to stand beside Fireheart. Graystripe did not meet her gaze. She then looks at Silverstream. "You better get back to your Clan. It is dangerous to be out here, especially with everything that happened a few moons ago."
Silverstream nods to the medicine cat. Then she nuzzles Graystripe a goodbye before she swam back to her side of the river. Then Graystripe avoided both his aunt and Fireheart. Once they were all back in the dense forest again Fireheart looks down at him, "You must stop seeing her."
"I can't," Graystripe replays.
Spottedleaf looks at her nephew, "Fireheart is right Graystripe, you are not only putting yourself at risk, but also everyone else. What will happen if her father ever catches her with you? She is the daughter of the RiverClan leader. What were you thinking!"
"Not to mention that RiverClan is completely hostile to ThunderClan at the moment. You heard Leopardfur after Whiteclaw died. You know you were there! Plus also it is against the Warrior Code!" Fireheart hissed.
Graystripe stopped in his tracks and gaze at his best friend. Then anger shot through his eyes, "You don't know Silverstream, and there is no need to remind me about Whiteclaw. Do you think it's easy for me knowing that I'm responsible for the death of one of Silverstream's clan mates?" Graystripe looked at his aunt as he stated his next phrase, "Well that is pretty hypocritical of you Fireheart! I'm not the only warrior in ThunderClan who is going against the Warriors Code!"
Spottedleaf froze as she looks at her nephew, then at Fireheart. Fireheart turns to gaze at him. "What are you talking about?"
"You and my aunt Spottedleaf having a secret love affair. You don't think I notice? How you look at her or when you look at him. I didn't give any beef about your love for each other, so how dare you do it to me!" Graystripe growls. "Besides, Silverstream understands that it was an accident. That the gorge was no place for a battle. Any cat could have fallen there!"
Fireheart looks at him and he felt his muscles tensing. Spottedleaf steppes in before a cat fight broke out. "Enough! I won't tolerate a fight within my own clan!"
Fireheart paces from side to side as Graystripe licks Silverstream's scent off him before returning to camp. Spottedleaf looks at him, "Graystripe, it's one thing to love a cat from our own clan, but you got to think of the outcome of this. There is a reason why, that code is written. It is not only dangerous to you and her, but what happens if you guys mate and have kits? What will happen to them. They will be divided by their loyalty. Not to mention if there is a war that broke out between RiverClan and ThunderClan, the kits will be confuse about all this."
Fireheart stops pacing and looks at him, "Plus, what will happen if a RiverClan patrol catches you?"
"Silverstream won't let that happen." Graystripe stated as he continues to wash himself.
"For StarClan's sake, aren't you even a bit worried?" Fireheart burst own of anger.
"You two don't get it do you? StarClan must have plan this. Look, Silverstream wants to see m, even after what happened to Whiteclaw. We share the same thoughts. It's like we are born into the same Clan. I don't judge your love affair for each other. You have my blessing to be mates." Graystripe looks at his best friend. Then to his aunt, "I know you have sacrificed a lot over the years Spottedleaf. And I'm happy for you that you found love in my best friend. I don't think you should punish yourself because you are a medicine cat." Graystripe pauses as he carries on, "I'm going to keep on seeing her. She is the love of my life."
