Chapter 34

Ravenflight's paws were itching to get on the move as she watched more and more cats join the medicine cat's den. The sickness had spread, reaching out to Lilypaw and Robinkit. Whitewing and Daisy were worried sick about their kits, but Jayfeather refused to let anyone visit the sick patients. Ravenflight was worried that he would get the sickness as well. Despite everything she'd learned from Cinderheart, she still viewed Jayfeather as a medicine cat and her former mentor.

He may not be what I thought he was, but at least he is something, she thought with a lash of her tail. I won't turn him down and let him die like Leafpool did.

Her ears flattened at the thought. Would Leafpool have told the Clan if she had lived? The light brown tabby had known what Jayfeather and Cinderheart did in the past. If Leafpool knew, how many other cats were aware of Ravenflight and Stripecloud's parentage? It was now obvious to Ravenflight where her sister had received her blue eyes. . .she was certain other cats would notice as well.

"Jayfeather, do you have any catmint you can use for Lilypaw?" Daisy's voice reached Ravenflight's ears as she paced near the nursery. The medicine cat was checking on Dovekit and Ivykit, who seemed perfectly fine aside from wanting to know where their brother was taken.

"I have no catmint left," he rasped. "Their fate rests with StarClan now."

Daisy's eyes widened with terror when she realized how desperate Jayfeather really was. "But. . .what about the other sick patients?" she demanded. "They all need something—ThunderClan is already low in numbers because of this!"

"I'm sorry Daisy. . .You'll just have to be patient now." Without waiting for her reply Jayfeather turned around, only to face Ravenflight.

"What if I went out to look for more catmint?" she asked. She couldn't sit around and do nothing while her Clanmates suffered. The last thing she wanted was to watch any other cats die while she survived. "I could leave the forest and see if there's any around Twolegplace."

"You don't even know what Twolegplace is like," Jayfeather hissed. His ears flattened when he realized that she was right. "Very well," he muttered. "But I want you to take Ashpaw and Lionblaze with you. Lionblaze knows what the area is like, and he can fight off any rogues or loners that might threaten you."

Ravenflight wanted to argue that the Clan needed Lionblaze more. With WindClan pressing at their borders constantly there was no telling when the next battle would happen. Eventually she decided it was best not to argue. Jayfeather was right in mentioning she would need more than one cat to help her out. She had never seen Twolegplace or knew what it was like. When she murmured in agreement, Jayfeather called out Ashpaw while she searched for Lionblaze. She was more surprised to see Lionblaze with Icecloud than he was to see her.

"Jayfeather wants to see you," she explained when his eyes narrowed. Once the two of them were met by Jayfeather and Ashpaw, the medicine cat explained what they were going to do. Firestar had agreed with Jayfeather that it was a good idea. Though he would be losing two warriors for a while, at least he would in turn have more catmint for the greencough.

"Don't talk to any kittypets unless they know where the catmint is," Jayfeather told them as they left the hollow. Ashpaw was reluctant to leave his sister's side, but Jayfeather had refused to let him back into his den. "If you're not back in four days I'll assume the worse."

That was all he could say before he was called by Poppyfrost. With a dip of his head Jayfeather turned and disappeared into the thorn tunnel entrance, leaving them behind.

"Who's mousebrained idea is this anyways?" Lionblaze muttered as they trekked through the snow-covered forest.

"Ravenflight told Jayfeather that she's willing to look for catmint beyond Clan boundaries," Ashpaw whispered. They were nearing ShadowClan's side of the border. Ravenflight's ears pricked forward in alarm as she looked for signs of enemy warriors. . .or Cedarleg. She had not seen the creamy gray warrior for some time now, and was beginning to worry that something had happened to him.

She gazed up at the trees that had survived the fire so many moons ago. Charred branches could be seen throughout the carnage where leaves would have grown. The sharp scent of burning wood still hung in the air, making her nose wrinkle in disgust. The forest was showing signs of recovery though. She could see patches of leaves that had begun to sprout from the tips of the branches growing in the deeper part of ShadowClan territory. Those leaves had been killed by frost, but at least they were making an effort to grow back.

"We need to be careful out here," Lionblaze muttered. "If a ShadowClan patrol catches us there's no telling what will happen."

Despite his sense of worry, they passed no signs of ShadowClan patrols. She remembered where the camp was located and wondered if it had been fully repaired yet. A large branch had fallen over the camp's entrance, blocking out Snowbird's only option. The white she-cat had died in the fire, and Ravenflight was constantly reminded of her death.

They soon reached the edge of what looked like trees that were torn in half. Ravenflight's ears flattened when she saw pieces of splinters sticking from the ends of the bark. If a kit decided to explore it's territory there was no telling what sort of damage it would bring back. Beyond the half-trees was a large Twoleg nest. A thick looking barrier stood in their way as Lionblaze tried to take the lead.

"How are we supposed to get through this?" he demanded as he tried to shove his way through.

"I'm not sure," Ravenflight murmured. She eyed something that looked oddly familiar. A distinctive scent wafted through the air, sending thrills of excitement through her. "Catmint!" she cried. "There's a hole patch of it growing near the edge." She pointed towards a patch of ground that wasn't covered by snow.

"Can you reach it?" Ashpaw asked. Gingerly he tried to reach out with a tiny paw, but it was no use. The barrier was too strong for them to get through, and even Lionblaze couldn't climb it.

A screech suddenly sounded from within the barrier. Blood roared in Ravenflight's ears when she saw that Ashpaw and Lionblaze's hackles were raised in horror. Her eyes widened when she saw something large emerge from the Twoleg nest's entrance. A fierce light suddenly swept over the barrier and onto the three cats watching in terror.

"Run!" Lionblaze's warning cry was doubled by another voice that Ravenflight barely heard. She felt frustration boil within her when paws clamped around her scruff. She screeched in fury and spat fought as best as she could, but the paws were too strong.

Where are they taking me? Panic stabbed at her heart as darkness engulfed her. She found it was useless to scratch or kick at her opponents. They were much too large for that. Instead she found herself relaxing in the comfort of darkness, despite the obvious danger that threatened to overwhelm her.