Chapter 26

It seemed as if StarClan was not going to go easy on us in these leafbare moons. Smokewing and Cloudfeather caught greencough as well, and Earthstone's whitecough progressed into greencough. Coalpaw and Mudstripe were as stressed as they could get, although I brought them both prey whenever I could to keep their strength up. I could only imagine what would happen to the Clan if they caught it.

"Are they any better?" I asked from the entrance of the den.

"Worse, if anything," Coalpaw growled. "And the catmint is running low. All lovely! Lovely weather," Coalpaw nodded his head at the swiftly falling snow, "lovely mood," he curled his lip, "and everyone in lovely health!" he gestured at the mass of sick and coughing cats.

I cringed, my blue eyes dulling in slight hurt at his harsh words. I didn't even have anything to say in response. Finally I found something to at least ease the tense silence. "Where's Mudstripe?"

"Out looking for catmint and a warm place for the sick cats. We can only afford a leaf per cat right now, and it's more crowded than a rabbit's den in breeding season."

"'Scuse me, Frostleaf." Mudstripe shouldered past me, facing Coalpaw.

I watched, wanting to see what this was about. Good news? Bad news? I wanted to find out. And he didn't shoo me off, so I supposed it was fine to listen.

"I've found a place. Inland a bit, in a dip in the ground by the base of a hill. A nice, sheltered clearing in a grove of trees. Barely any snow there, though we'll need to make nests and clear a bit of the debris away," Mudstripe meowed.

"Sounds fine, but what about the catmint?" Coalpaw pressed, more concerned about the herb than clearing the cats out.

"None in sight. I looked by the river, in the clearing, by both borders, along the lake, and inland as much as I could before my paws started to grow numb. RiverClan is absolutely void of it, save for that patch you had growing by the greenleaf twolegplace. That's all dead, though, and won't be ready again until newleaf."

"Fox dung! All of RiverClan will be dead by then!" Coalpaw lashed his tail angrily.

Mudstripe flicked his ear and put his tail on Coalpaw's back. "Calm, Coalpaw. There may still be hope somewhere. If things get too bad, we can always ask the other Clans."

"I doubt they'll be willing to part with a single stalk." Coalpaw took a deep breath and slowed his lashing to slight flicks. "It's leafbare, every medicine cat needs their stock to last until the snow melts and new herbs can be gathered."

"Kindness can be found in places most don't check," the elderly medicine cat assured.

"Most don't check the jaws of a wary and unstable fox."

Mudstripe sighed, seeing his reason not able to penetrate my brother. "Just keep calm and with a little push and patience things will sort themselves out. Frostpaw, can you fetch Amberbreeze? I'd like you two to help bring the sick cats to the clearing."

"On it." I walked over to the warriors' den and peeked in, looking for Amberbreeze. But I found only a few other warriors, huddled together and sleeping or chatting.

"Is Amberbreeze here?" I asked, looking around.

"She's with Silverheart building up a nest in the nursery," responded Bassfang.

"Oh?" I meowed, my eyes widening. "Well thanks, then."

I left and walked into the nursery, seeing Amberbreeze and Silverheart adding moss to a nest. "Amberbreeze, Mudstripe wants us to go help bring the cats to the quarantined spot."

She looked up at me and twitched her whiskers. "I'd love to help, Frostleaf, but as of today I'm officially off warrior duties. I'm going to be a mother! I'm going to announce it at the Clan meeting, which should be starting soon."

I smiled, feeling happy for her, but I still needed someone to help me. "That's great, Amberbreeze. But I really need help."

"I can help!" Silverheart chimed in. "You can handle this last bit of moss, right?"

Amberbreeze nodded.

"Great! Let's go, Frostleaf."

We exited the nursery, and heard Sparkstar call a quick meeting.

"Too many cats have caught greencough. It is too dangerous to have the sick cats in camp, so they are being moved to a spot far from camp. When you are out, please avoid the clearing in the grove of trees at the base of the hill. Also, we have another announcement to make. I believe it would be best if she would announce it herself."

Amberbreeze walked up onto the Earthmound, smiling. "Today I moved into the nursery, and yes, for what other reason? I'm expecting Splashspots' kits!"

The cats in the crowd meowed their congratulations, and Sparkstar dismissed the meeting.

We then met up with Mudstripe and ushered the cats through the snow and to the clearing. A few nests already lay there, enough for the current cats. A few warriors were making more back in the camp, preparing for more cats. I frowned, the thought not leaving my head. How many more cats would get sick? How many would die? Why now, StarClan? Why now?

A/N: Leafbare is going to be tough for RiverClan! Will the greencough ever be cured? You'll have to read to find out! Thanks for reading!