Rusty and Barley padded out of the barn, alerted to the presence of cats by Yellowfang's challenging yowl, and were met by Russetfur, Littlecloud, Cederpaw, and Rowanpaw, coming back from their trip to Highstones.
"It's good to see you in good health," Rusty mewed, nodding to them, before peering closely at Russetfur. "You've changed," he mewed slowly, sitting back, tilting his head. "And not just from the sickness." His gaze darted over the other three ShadowClan cats and he blinked in surprise. "Russet...star, correct?"
The newly-appointed leader of ShadowClan nodded, her dark green eyes bright. Rusty bowed his head and she shook her head. "You don't need to bow to me, Rusty. I heard you were instrumental in clearing the clan's sickness with your herbs."
Rusty glanced at Littlecloud, who ducked his head, and snorted softly. "It was the least I could do in your time of need." He frowned. "But I thought Cinderfur was Nightstar's deputy. Shouldn't they be leader?"
Littlecloud slumped, whiskers drooping. "He had to abandon the position as the sickness got worse, but he's mostly recovered, and gladly turned the position over to Oakfur before we left to visit Highstones. He's enjoying the retired life at the moment."
Rusty winced. "Sorry, I meant no disrespect."
Russetstar flicked her tail dismissively. "It's alright," she mewed. "He and Nightstar were what we needed after Brokenstar died, even if Nightstar never got his lives. He bought us time to get back on our paws, and we will be stronger for it."
Rusty gazed at her for a moment before nodding. "So what are you going to do now?"
Russetstar kneaded the ground with her paws. "With your permission, I'd like to hunt, so that I can give my clan some much-needed food." Her expression turned pained for a moment. "The sickness has also taken its toll on our prey."
Rusty glanced at Barley and Yellowfang, who were watching the proceedings silently. Yellowfang's fur was rippling as she shifted from paw to paw, while Barley had taken to swiping a paw over his ear. Rusty looked back at Russetstar, nodding at the field behind them.
"You should be able to catch enough prey back there to feed your clan." He looked at Littlecloud. "How's your herb store? I can probably spare some if you need it."
Littlecloud blinked gratefully at him, and Russetstar nodded. "Littlecloud, you can stay here and get what herbs you need. Apprentices, with me." She turned with a flick of her tail and the trio of cats vanished into the long grass.
Tigerclaw and Raventhroat patrolled along the eastern ThunderClan border, stopping every so often to mark their territory.
Raventhroat could feel Tigerclaw staring at him and glanced back at him. "What is it?" the young warrior meowed.
Tigerclaw's ears flicked forward as he shrugged. "Just wondering why you became a warrior, given your nature." His amber eyes gleamed. "You're not much use in a fight, your hunting skills are barely above that of an apprentice, and I don't think I've seen you talk with a molly since you got your warrior name."
"I talk with Sandstorm, Fireleap, and plenty of others in the clan, and at gatherings," Raventhroat mewed defensively.
"Romantically, I mean," Tigerclaw mewed bluntly. "Are you not planning on having kits?"
Raventhroat looked away, ears twitching. "Haven't given it much thought," he mewed. "I'm just happy to help my clan with my meager skills."
Tigerclaw sighed, shaking his head. "I wasn't trying to imply that you're useless to the clan. Everyone contributes something to the clan, in some way, shape, or form, and as someone that wants ThunderClan to be the best it can be, I want every cat in it to be better than they think they can be." His eyes narrowed. "I know you can do better, and if you need more training, I'll be happy to help you."
"I'll keep that in mind should I ever think about it," Raventhroat mewed, before sniffing the air curiously, before turning his head northwest. "ShadowClan cats, returning home. Looks like they're coming back from Highstones."
Tigerclaw's tail lashed from side to side. "I guess that means Nightstar died and if I remember correctly, that'd make Cinderfur the new leader. Unless the sickness took him as well, given his age."
"I guess we'll know at the next Gathering," Raventhroat mewed. "Providing there's enough ShadowClan cats to make the trip. And if anyone would be willing to hear them speak, or if they'll be too busy running the other way."
Tigerclaw snorted. "They're a resilient lot, that's for sure. Every crisis that's knocked them down, they get back to their paws to snarl in its face. It's quite admirable."
"And you'd wish some of that stubbornness would rub off on me, I'm guessing?"
Tigerclaw's whiskers twitched in amusement. "It'd likely do you a world of good, yes." His mew turned thoughtful. "Why don't you consider becoming a medicine cat? The way Spottedleaf's been staring off into space, and considering Fireleap's at that age where mollies consider having kits, it may do the clan some good to have a tom that wouldn't have to worry about things like that, especially if you're not the romantic type."
"I can barely tell ivy from sumac or poppy from deathberry. I don't think it'd be wise putting the safety of the clan in my paws," came the dry reply. "I've trained enough with you as an apprentice for you to pick up on the fact I don't retain knowledge well, as evidenced by my poor fighting and hunting skills."
Tigerclaw conceded the point. "The least you could do for the clan is to refine what you do know," he mewed, staring off into ShadowClan territory, before he turned and started heading back towards camp. "Doesn't seem like there's anything out here, so we might as well head back and report to Bluestar. At the very least, she'll be eager to learn about the fact ShadowClan has a new leader at its helm."
Raventhroat nodded and padded after the dark warrior.
