Sunlight shot into Flamepaw's eyes as she weakly opened them, squinting at the morning sun. Slowly, her eyes became adjusted to the bright light, and she glanced around, seeing that Barkpaw was still curled up beside her, sound asleep. She smiled and licked his ear, glad to have him beside her. He twitched a little but remained sleeping.
She then turned her gaze to where Mothwing had fallen asleep the night before, but she was surprised to see the calico she-cat had vanished. Her heart pounding, Flamepaw immediately stood up, stirring Barkpaw accidentally.
"Huh? Is it morning?" Barkpaw muttered.
Flamepaw ignored him, glancing around for Mothwing. The she-cat's scent was still fresh, though Flamepaw wondered where she could've gone. Had she decided that this mission was too dangerous for them and decided to ditch them? Did she believe the mission was too dangerous? Worried thoughts jumped around in Flamepaw's head.
"You okay?" Barkpaw asked, letting out a large yawn. He stretched and slowly rose to his feet, turning to face her.
"I don't see Mothwing," Flamepaw told him in a panicked manner.
"Relax. She's probably out stretching her legs," Barkpaw assured her. "I'm a bit sore from last night too."
"But what if she's done exactly what Goldstar did?!" Flamepaw exclaimed, turning away to face Barkpaw. "What if she's run off to and left us alone? What if she doesn't care about RiverClan anymore? Why does every cat ditch us?!"
Barkpaw was silent for a moment then glanced past Flamepaw's shoulder.
"Um," was all he replied.
"What?!" Flamepaw exclaimed, furious to see him acting so calm.
Barkpaw slowly pointed his tail to behind Flamepaw's shoulder, and she spun around to find Mothwing staring oddly at the two of them, a couple of mice held in her jaws.
"Um, how much did you hear?" Flamepaw asked, suddenly embarassed. She shrunk down, suddenly frightened of what Mothwing's response would be.
"I heard enough. I was just out getting us some breakfast," the medicine cat reassured her. "I never planned on running off by the way."
"I'm sorry. It's been difficult," Flamepaw confessed.
"No offense taken, Flamepaw. I probably should've waited until one of you woke before I went off. Anyway, there's a stream not too far from here where we can get a drink, and then, we'll be on our way," Mothwing explained.
"How soon until we arrive?" Barkpaw wondered.
The she-cat shrugged. "Hopefully by this evening."
"Is the scent still strong?" Flamepaw asked curiously.
"I can still definitely detect it," Mothwing said. "But eat up, both of you." She tossed the two mice toward them, and Flamepaw frowned.
"What about your breakfast, Mothwing?" she asked.
"I already ate. Sorry, but I couldn't wait. I was starving!" she exclaimed, laying down on the sun bathed rocks. "But those mice are fresh and waiting to be eaten."
"Share a mouse?" Barkpaw suggested.
Flamepaw nodded, and together, they ate their breakfast. She was used to eating just half a mouse for breakfast and sharing one with Barkpaw, but she was incredibly hungry today for
some reason, probably from the long hike before, and she managed to wolf down the entire second mouse all by herself.
"Bulking up?" Barkpaw wondered.
"Ha-ha," Flamepaw teased. "I'm starving, that's all."
"We did a lot of walking yesterday," Mothwing pointed out. "Plus, you two are still growing warriors. If you need some more food, Barkpaw, let me know."
"I'm good for now," Barkpaw assured her.
"Then, let's head off!" Mothwing decided.
Together, they left the cluster of rocks they had sheltered under for the night and followed Mothwing toward a quaint stream that flowed through some trees. Flamepaw was thrilled to see running water, and she drank away happily, wishing she could submerge her entire body in the water and swim around for a bit. Unfortunately, she had a mission to finish, and all she managed to do was get her paws a bit wet. Still, she missed swimming in RiverClan.
In a few minutes they had left the stream and were continuing on their way, Mothwing leading the way as she followed Korosu and Tigerstripe's scents. As they came closer and closer,
Flamepaw felt her paws tingle with anticipation, and her heartbeat sped up with every corner they turned. Perhaps they'd be able to assist RiverClan today. Maybe it wasn't the end.
Flamepaw imagined seeing all the cats she had missed. She hoped her parents were alive and well, as well as her old friends. She wondered if Dusktail would be thrilled to see her and would be impressed by how much she'd grown and how much she learned.
Barkpaw seemed to notice she was deep in thought because he turned to her and stared at her oddly.
"What are you thinking about?" he wondered.
She smiled weakly. "Just about other RiverClan cats. I was wondering if Dusktail would be proud of me."
"I'm sure he would," Barkpaw purred. "I wonder if Rosepettle would think the same of me."
"Of course she would. When we see her, you'll have to show her all the new battle moves you've learned," Flamepaw told him.
Barkpaw nodded, grinning. "I can't wait to tell everyone about the wolves and dogs and that fox! There will be some great stories to share!"
"I know!" Flamepaw exclaimed, squealing slightly.
Mothwing still led the way, however, she remained deathly silent, not partaking in the conversation. Something told Flamepaw that Mothwing did not possess the same optimistic attitude as the two apprentices.
They continued on their way, the sun gradually moving across the sky. They stopped a few times for a snack, but often they were on their feet, racing against the moving sun and following the scent to try to find RiverClan by the end of the day.
It was a long day as they padded through the forest, and Flamepaw grew more and more impatient with each step she took. She just wanted to see RiverClan already, fight off some
SwampClan warriors, and head home. She wondered if perhaps she was being a bit too optimistic though.
As the day moved into late afternoon, Mothwing paused by some bushes for a moment. Flamepaw and Barkpaw also halted, wondering why the calico had stopped in her tracks. She sniffed the air and glanced around.
"Something the matter?" Flamepaw asked.
"I'm getting mixed signals," Mothwing explained. "I recognize this part of the forest now, and normally, SwampClan, including the camp would be to the right," she said, pointing her tail to some tall, leafy bushes.
"Well, let's go!" Barkpaw insisted.
"But Korosu and Tigerstripe's scent goes in the opposite direction, away from camp," Mothwing explained.
"We should just head to the camp," Flamepaw suggested.
"But Korosu and Tigerstripe have been completely correct in their path," Mothwing sighed. "It-it doesn't feel right to head to the SwampClan camp. I know you don't trust her, Flamepaw, but I think what Korosu said is right. If they truly are engaging in battle, they won't be at the camp. Therefore, I think our best bet is to follow their scent and see where it leads."
"Really? You're going to trust that mouse-brained she-cat?!" Flamepaw exclaimed angrily, her fur standing on end.
"It just feels like the right way to go," Mothwing confessed.
"I'm going to the camp!" Flamepaw announced, heading the other way.
"Wait, Flamepaw!" Barkpaw called, stopping her with his tail. "Let's head the other way for a little bit to see where it goes. If we don't find anything, we'll head the other way and go to SwampClan."
Flamepaw growled a little in response.
"We're wasting time," she muttered.
"But if RiverClan truly is in battle, this might be the right way, and therefore it'd be quicker," Mothwing told her. "Plus, I'm willing to bet there are still some cats in camp even if there is a battle going on. It may be safer to go the other way. We could be caught in the clan."
Flamepaw sighed, knowing Mothwing was right. As much as she didn't want to follow Korosu, she knew it was the only way.
"Fine. Let's head in the opposite direction," she agreed.
Soon enough, they were turning away from the camp and following Korosu's scent once again. They followed it for about an hour until they came up a large hill. The sun was beginning to set slightly up ahead, and Flamepaw grew worried, wondering if perhaps going to camp was the best bet.
Then, they emerged through some bushes and found themselves at the top of a hill, giving them a full view of the clearing below. Flamepaw was about to insist they turn back when she gasped, glancing down below.
The clearing was full of cats, armies of them, all battling each other. While one side consisted of cats Flamepaw could not make out, she turned to the other side to find another large clan. And in that large clan, she could immediately spot Goldstar's golden pelt and the pelts of the other RiverClan warriors. The whole clan seemed to be engaged in battle.
"Found them," was all Mothwing managed to say.