Disclaimer: I don't own the Warriors series!

Title: Resilience

Summary: With a harsh Leaf-bare on the horizon, the Clans are in a bad way. Petalkit is growing up under the stern gaze of her father, Ravenfur, when suddenly everything changes. Stuck in RiverClan until WindClan can produce enough catmint- something no Clan has in these temperatures- she does what any kit would do. She adapts.

Chapter Title: Ready as I'll Ever be

...

Lulurocks01- I'm honored to have made a story so enthralling! =)

...

"How does it feel?" Graystar prompted on the way back. "Being an older sister."

"It hasn't sunk in yet, I don't think," Petalpaw meowed, pulling her back paw out of a deep spot she'd accidentally stepped in. "I mean, I technically already was an older sister- Beepaw is younger than me by birth order- but this is completely different." She thought back to Finchkit and Owlkit, still tiny little balls of fur. They probably hadn't even opened their eyes yet. Something protective surged in her chest. "I'll keep them safe."

Graystar didn't reply to that directly. "I've been meaning to get you alone for a good half a moon now, actually."

"All due respect, that's not something anyone wants to hear from a leader."

"Oh, it's nothing like that." She bumped the apprentice's shoulder pleasantly. "I was curious of your future plans, is all."

"Future?"

"Do you intend to go back to WindClan?"

Petalpaw boggled at her. Hadn't she been listening at all? "Of course I am! Do! Whichever one is the right way of saying that!"

Graystar nodded. She didn't look very surprised. "I will only say this once, Petalpaw, but it will last as long as your good morals do," she said. "A place will always be open to you in my Clan. You're a good fit here. But if you're fleeing from your own wrongdoings, don't think we'll horde you away from consequences."

"Never, ma'am," she promised, head spinning. "I'll keep your words close to my heart."

"Good. They're not the kind for repeating." She picked up the pace, and Petalpaw got the feeling she was embarrassed. "We shouldn't mosey our way back. Volespring'll send a search patrol for us if we're not back soon."

Petalpaw let her thoughts drift over the border as they walked. She was starting to really regret not rousing Beepaw and Stripepaw. She hoped they didn't think she was avoiding them. We'll be together again soon. The medicine cat found the concept a bit daunting. It felt like she hardly knew anyone in WindClan- not like she knew the cats of RiverClan. There was no doubt in her mind that they would forever be suspicious of her for that, wondering if she was secreting knowledge over the border.

I'm a medicine cat. My duty is to injured cats, and not to any Clan. She lifted her chin, trying to look more confident. If they can't respect that, then I'm not the problem here.

To her surprise, Graystar stopped dead in her tracks, causing Petalpaw to bump into her hindquarters. The gray molly's ears swiveled back, then forward, searching for sounds. It was practically silent. "Sniff the air," she murmured.

Petalpaw opened her jaws. Almost immediately, the coppery smell of blood washed over her tongue, making her gag. It was light, but unmistakable. "Oh no."

"Keep close to me," Graystar advised. Petalpaw nodded.

Together, the two cats sprinted across the snow, kicking up tiny flurries behind them. Despite Petalpaw being naturally swift, Graystar took the lead with a fierce grip and refused to let go, her claws leaving deep gouges in the ground. "Cats of RiverClan!" she called. "Do you hear me?"

The yowling that answered her was loud and strong, but something didn't sound right about it to Petalpaw. Like it was missing someone.

"Graystar! Graystar!" Fluffywing yelped, bursting through the bushes. "The camp was attacked by a badger!"

Graystar's fur fluffed out as she regarded the warrior. "How many injuries?"

"Plenty, but nothing too serious."

"Deaths?"

He lowered his head. "Swiftmist, ma'am."

Shock pulsed through Petalpaw. Swiftmist? But she was an elder! Why was she fighting something as dangerous as a badger?

The feeble wall of half-dead reeds that had once kept out the breeze was destroyed. What few repairs had been made were almost completely wiped out, leaving RiverClan as desolate as ever. Blood speckled the snow. In the very center lay Swiftmist, her face contorted with agony and her pelt more red than brown. Stonebird's head was pressed against the dip between her shoulders. This must be like Featherpaw to him.

Volespring gimped up to them. Her good ear was torn, but she didn't seem to register the pain, eyes flashing with anger. "Let me lead a patrol, Graystar," she demanded. "Let me find the miserable badger who did this and rip their guts out!"

"No," Graystar meowed firmly. "Not a patrol. We're going to have to go bigger."

"Graystar?" asked Petalpaw, uncertain.

The leader ran across the camp, hopping onto her old stone with great purpose. "RiverClan!" she cried. "This Leaf-bare has taken so much from us. First came the sickness, ripping Littlepelt from us and weakening our elders. Then came Lion's Storm, which almost cost us Lionpaw, and made us scramble not to starve in unknown territory. But that is the way of the wild, and the harsh claw it can slice with. To be a Clan cat is to accept such troubles." She shook her head at herself. "But badgers are where I draw the line! These monsters have stolen Poppykit and Swiftmist from us, and retribution is at paw."

Carpjaw took a step forward. "What do you suggest, Graystar?"

"They will know the agony of our claws," Graystar replied. "We will track down their lair and make them regret entering RiverClan territory. Who will come with me?"

Volespring answered first. "I will, Graystar!"

Lionpaw stood on wobbly paws. "Swiftmist was such a nice cat. She didn't deserve to die anymore than Poppykit did."

"If he's going, so am I," Sedgepaw meowed.

"My paws are tied," Hawktail added, wrapping his tail around Lionpaw. "I have to go with my boys."

"I'm in," Carpjaw said after a pause. "Son?"

Sandstream shook his head and stood back. He patted the ground with one paw, signaling he would stay behind and protect the camp.

Blackstorm slowly stood up. "Count me in. If I can avenge Poppykit... Well, I think that'll help me a bit."

Cherryfur came up on her side. "I'll come too. Sandstream can watch the kits."

"I'll help Sandstream," Cloudwillow volunteered, visibly intimidated by the growing crowd. "I mean, it's just bad taste to leave one warrior to take care of the entire camp anyway."

Petalpaw didn't respond verbally, instead coming to sit beside Lionpaw and Sedgepaw. The trio shared a wary look. None of us are exactly masters of self-defense. We've been too busy hunting and surviving to practice all that much. Still. She couldn't bare the thought of sitting around and waiting for others to return bloodied from battle. Not when it was against the creatures who had killed Poppykit before Lion's Storm, and had now ripped such a kind elder from them.

"Graystar!" Whitestripe yelled, having just come out of the medicine den, making the whole group jump and scatter. "While I understand your rage, perhaps you should leave the warmongering for after the vigil of the elder who gave her life for us all?"

Her ears fell, shoulders dipping. "You're absolutely right. I'm sorry."

"It's alright, friends," Stonebird rumbled, having not moved. Petalpaw could only imagine the crick in his back. "She'd appreciate this just as much as she would a standard vigil."

Author's Note: I may or may not have been listening/watching the MAP the entire time I wrote this. It was perfect background music for this lol. I was in a Petalpaw mood, so have a super quick update from the last chapter.

-Mandaree1