Chapter 52

"Thank StarClan, you believed me, Jaysong! I just have this feeling like... like something really bad is going to happen to Brownpaw if we aren't fast enough." Dovepaw panted, racing beside Jaysong. The golden brown deputy was impressed by Dovepaw's speed, knowing how hard it was sometimes for an apprentice to keep up with a warrior. Especially since Dovepaw was still a pretty new apprentice. Jaysong was about to ask Dovepaw what Honeyfern had looked like in her dream- just to know she wasn't running for nothing- but Hazeltail, Lionblaze, and Bumblethroat came crashing through the ferns, pieces of prey in all three of their jaws.

"Jaysong! Dovepaw! What are you two doing out here so late? I don't want you to be too tired for training." Lionblaze- Dovepaw's mentor- meowed sternly, his amber eyes flashing. Dovepaw was Lionblaze's first apprentice so the golden warrior wanted to train her really well. Before Jaysong or Dovepaw could answer Lionblaze, Bumblethroat pushed forward until he was standing in front of the new arrivals. Sneering, Bumblethroat growled, "You don't think we can do a patrol, do you Jaysong?" The golden brown deputy was alarmed that Bumblethroat was being so rude to her in front of the other cats. Normally Bumblethroat kept his insults in the shadows.

"Don't be such an annoying furball, Bumblethroat, where is Brownpaw?" Jaysong was surprised that Dovepaw was being so rude to a warrior, but then remembered that the gray apprentice was convinced that Brownpaw was in trouble. Hazeltail blinked in surprise at Dovepaw's question and explained, "Brownpaw went chasing after a squirrel a couple heartbeats before you showed up. He should be back any moment if it is he you want to talk to." Dovepaw's eyes grew round in alarm; was this part of her dream? Suddenly Dovepaw took off and Jaysong raced after her. Jaysong could barely hear Hazeltail yowl, "Where are you going?"

Jaysong continued to race forward, breathing hard, but her panting was cut off by a loud shriek of pain. Dovepaw gave a loud gasp and ran even faster, making Jaysong work hard to follow. Dovepaw pushed through some ferns and gave another loud gasp. Jaysong leaped forward so she was right beside Dovepaw and saw what had made the gray apprentice gasp. Brownpaw was caught in two fox traps: one clamped onto his scruff and the other tight around his tail. Dovepaw raced forward so she was at Brownpaw's flank and began digging for the stake that kept the fox trap in the ground while Jaysong did the one that was clamped around his scruff.

Jaysong dragged the fox trap away from Brownpaw's scruff and listened to his slow breathing. At least that meant Brownpaw was going to survive. Suddenly Dovepaw gave a low gasp, making all hopes of Brownpaw's survival melt away from Jaysong's mind. Darting over to the gray apprentice's side, Jaysong saw what had made Dovepaw gasp. Brownpaw's tail was held together by a couple hairs and blood was trickling out of it. Not knowing what else to do, Jaysong turned to Dovepaw and ordered, "Get Berrynose now! And if you can, find Leafpool or Applefrost. If you run into Hazeltail and her patrol again get them to come here!" Jaysong watched Dovepaw sprint away and then turned to Brownpaw, whispering, "You are going to be okay. I promise." Jaysong just hoped this was a promise she could keep.

*

"Is he going to be alright?" Brackenspot demanded, her tail lashing. Jaysong was part of the large group huddled outside of Leafpool's den. After Jaysong- with the help of Hazeltail- dragged Brownpaw back to camp, Dovepaw had alerted the whole Clan to the white apprentice's injuries. Now Jaysong, Bumblethroat, Brackenspot, Spiderleg, Berrynose, Hazeltail, Lionblaze, and Stripepool were crowding around Leafpool and Applefrost. Brownpaw's littermates- Heavypaw and Moonpaw- and fellow apprentices- Featherpaw, Dovepaw, Ivypaw, Avalanchepaw, Airpaw, and Bluepaw- were waiting in the center of the clearing.

"He'll be fine, if you all get out of my den right now," Leafpool growled, but Jaysong could tell that the medicine cat was worried about Brownpaw's tail. Bumblethroat dipped his head- he was always respectful to Leafpool- and padded out of the medicine cat's den, flanked by Brackenspot, Berrynose, and Lionblaze. Hazeltail gave one last look at Brownpaw before following her clanmates out of the den. Spiderleg looked at Stripepool, but his mate shook her head. In a gentle voice that was odd for him, Spiderleg pressed, "Stripepool, Heavypaw and Moonpaw are probably worried about Brownpaw. I was never one with words so you should comfort them. Leafpool will tell us if Brownpaw changes condition at all." Leafpool nodded and Stripepool sighed, padding towards her other kits.

Before it was her turn to leave, Jaysong whispered, "Brownpaw will be okay, right Leafpool?" The medicine cat turned to look at Jaysong, sadness glinting in her amber eyes. "I don't know, Jaysong. I just don't know."

Jaysong padded out of Leafpool's den, her gray eyes sadly watching Clan life go on despite Brownpaw's injuries. Firestar was talking to Blossomwhisker, Squirrelflight, and Foxfang. Blossomwhisker nodded and led the other two warriors out of the camp. Sandstorm, Ashgaze, and Cloudtail were talking over by the freshkill pile while Sorreltail, Rushleaf, and Thornclaw were in their own group. Brambleheart and Brightheart were padding into the warriors' den while Turtleclaw was padding out. Icestorm was sharing tongues with Millie while Rosestripe devoured a squirrel near them. As Jaysong glanced around her camp, she realized what Brownpaw would be missing if he died.

Brownpaw would never be a mentor, Jaysong thought as she watched Mousewhisker pad over to Moonpaw. As Lionblaze padded over to Icestorm and Millie, Jaysong added, Nor will he learn the hardest lesson that not all battles are fought with tooth and claw. Some are fought with the heart. As Icestorm stalked away from Lionblaze, Jaysong realized how much her clanmates took for granted. They could all end up like Brownpaw one day.