Chapter 31

BushClan/Icepaw

The barrier rattled and shuddered while Icepaw tended to the sick and kept hidden. She felt useless, she could fight, but would her skills be too rusty? With a flick of her tail, she knew she was pushing her limits. A blind cat could be as helpful as a fish out of water. The yowling and snarling outside of the camp sounded closer and closer. Foxes yelping as thorns sliced through their noses and pads. Cutting through their gums with relative ease as, at last, the barrier gave way with the snapping of twigs. Panicked yowls sounded beyond the barrier as foxes stormed the clearing, filling the air with hostility and their stench.

With strange cries to one another, they split apart and attacked the dens with the strongest fear-scents. At least that was what Icepaw originally thought. Within an instant a loud squeal sounded as paws scrabbled at her den's entrance. Her fur fluffed up in alarm as she whirled around to strike. Something rustled behind her, worried that it was Bubblekit she gave an order.

"Stay back! I can handle this!" It was a lie, but she hoped it would be as true as she wanted to believe.

"I..." came the rasped mew, "Will give us a chance..."

Horror filled Icepaw as she realized who it truly was. "Tangletooth, it is an order-"

He cut her off. "Run and don't look back."

Icepaw froze, feeling cold to the bone. He was hallucinating from the fever. She opened her jaws to try and stop him, moving even slightly, but it was too late. He was staggering out of his nest and picking up speed. He shouldered past her, shoving her nearly on top of Bubblekit who was cowering in his nest. The words seemed to shrivel up like fallen leaves inside her throat. With a rasping yowl of challenge, Tangletooth attacked the fox.

The surprised yelp was only a heartbeat, but in the next came the scream of pain from Tangletooth. Fury built up inside her, she was going to defend Bubblekit with her life. That was a promise of a warrior. Medicine cat or not, she was a warrior at heart. The scuffling continued to build up outside the den. Large paws digging out clumps of brambles and gorse with bleeding paws. The moment she could smell the rank stench of the fox's breath she darted forward as fast as a snake and slashed her claws upon their nose.

They let out a howl of pain and rage as a massive paw was shoved down the entrance of the den. She jumped back instinctively, using her whiskers to feel the air currents as she hissed and spat wordlessly. The fox lunged forward, slamming it's shoulders into the dens entrance, paws scrabbling around it to try and make it bigger and wider. Without mercy, she slashed wildly, slapping a powerful strike across it's pointed muzzle.

"Icepaw, aim higher!" Bubblekit called out.

Taking the advice, she reached higher up with her next strike and a deafening shriek exploded out of the fox. It backed out, yelping and screeching in pain. The scent of blood filled the medicine den. She wasn't sure what she had sliced, but she had the distinct feeling she had gotten it in the eyes. She panted, trying to calm herself down as the sounds of the foxes seemed to grow further and further away. They were either winning the fight or the foxes were feasting.

Soon enough, silence filled the clearing outside her den. Blood and the stench of foxes filled the air. She didn't dare leave the den, keeping close to the entrance as she sat vigil with all of her senses. Bubblekit was quiet, probably feeling proud of himself for being able to help her in battle. In an instant an eerie call sounded outside of the den, it sounded cat-like before she realized she could understand what it was saying.

"Come out, come out, little kitty." It drawled. "Mate no-see now and you will pay for it."

"Icepaw don't leave the den!" Snarled Poppyclaw, sounding as though he was between the den and the strange cat-talking creature.

"Move it, blood-cat." The creature snarled, "Or you will be next."

"Poppyclaw, you were supposed to stay with the elders." Icepaw whispered, her legs trembling in shock. "Why are you away from them?"

A wild snarling cry sounded as Poppyclaw attacked. "I will not let this flea-pelt touch a whisker on my apprentice or my cats! Now stay put and protect Bubblekit!"

Icepaw dared to go towards the entrance, only to be pushed back by a snout. She swatted at it bravely, slicing into the muzzle. The fox whined softly, before it too mewled strangely. "No fight. Stay here."

She wasn't sure why the fox was speaking to her like this, let alone why she was not allowed to fight either. The sounds of a battling fox and cat continued, before another joined in. Quickly, a guttural cry escaped the fox under attack. More cats poured in, attacking relentlessly as the sounds of the heavier paw-steps retreated. The foxes were running away, even the one closest to her was escaping. All except the one swarmed with cats biting and clawing.

Just as swiftly as it had started, it was over. In one moment, the night was peaceful and seeming to be nothing more than any other night. The next, flesh was being torn into and cats wailing as they went on the attack. Paws batting at the thick furred foxes and teeth chomping down on whatever they could reach. Jaws snapping, claws digging into the earth and clawing up soil. After all of that, it was over and a bleeding fox was let go to limp out of the demolished camp.

Icepaw left the medicine den as quickly as she could, searching the cats nearest to her for injuries. Dividing them between who was bleeding the most and who was bleeding the least. All the while, her heart was pounding. Her mind focused on one thing as she checked each cat. Where was her brother and sister? Were they okay? Were they even alive? Her anxiety began to grip at her heart as she played the part of a calm and stable medicine cat.

In only a moment, she found her siblings, battered, bruised, bleeding, but they were alive and that was all that mattered to her. Taking a deep breath, she continued her check ups. Soothed, she got to work on handling the worst of the worst. Patching up Rat and Stone who had fought like they were LionClan themselves. The more she worked, the more she realized Tangletooth was not part of either side. She flicked her tail nervously as she continued to work.

"Where is Tangletooth?" Morningstar suddenly asked while she was tending to his wounds.

"He left the den and a fox got him." Icepaw whispered, "I don't think he knew what was really happening due to the fever."

"He's dead and left us without a deputy." he murmured darkly.

"On the contrary," Icepaw muttered, applying a salve of herbs to an injured shoulder. "Blackdapple can become a deputy. She has been doing an excellent job since the sickness took hold."

"She is a queen, she can't afford to take her eyes off of her kits." Morningstar growled, his tail thumping against the ground.

The white apprentice sighed softly. "Perhaps, but she has been doing it for the past moon. She seems to be far more capable then you give her credit for."

"I need time to think." he replied hollowly.

"Think of whatever you must, StarClan can only advise. In the end, it's up to you to put faith in your mate or let some other cat do it."

Silence met her words, leaving her to wonder if he had nodded without thinking of her blindness. Unbothered, she moved on to her next patient, hardly registering the thrumming of paws coming through the torn barrier until they halted close by her. Her whiskers quivering as she raised her head in challenge. The scents were unfamiliar, making her nostrils flare as she parted her jaws. In an instant a familiar one bathed her scent glands.

"Hawksight." Poppyclaw spoke up from somewhere behind her. "Who are these cats with you?"

"Ant and Nettle." Hawksight replied, panting.

"We need help." One of the cats replied, they sounded young, possibly hardly six moons old, it was hard for Icepaw to tell exactly. "Our brother, Willow, is bleeding badly."

"Take me to him." Icepaw ordered, getting to her paws.

"They're rogues, loners, or worse: FearClan-cats." Foxgaze growled, "I wouldn't bother helping them."

"Well unlike you, borders do not apply to a medicine cat." Icepaw snapped over her shoulder, before giving an order to her mentor. "Get the herbs needed for this, I'll try to go stop the bleeding."

"I put moss and leaves on the wound to try and stop it." Hawksight fretted, "I don't think it will ever stop."

"Doesn't mean it won't hurt to try and save his life." Icepaw told her, walking towards her. "Take me to where he is, I will help the best I can."

"I couldn't save their mother, so please... save him." Hawksight begged as she began to lead the way.

Icepaw swiftly followed, ignoring the cries of her clan-mates as she stretched her neck, her whiskers filling in her mental map as though she could see it as clearly as when she was a kit. The gorse and bramble barrier was strewn around, pricking their pads as they went. She would have her paws full of thorns to remove, but she pressed on. Leaves brushed over her pelt, torn and crumpled fern scent bathed her sensitive nose. She knew they were passing the threshold of the barrier, where the stench of foxes and the tang of blood hung in the air.

Swallowing dryly, she followed to the scent of fresh blood and young tom. In a heartbeat's time a vision appeared before her of a young silver tom sitting among StarClan with amber eyes glistening in regret. When she snapped out of it, she went to work, pressing on a new layer of moss and leaves. Using the frosty snow to clean the wound as she worked. Her paws numb as she pressed and pressed. Soon, Hawksight joined her with another fresh batch and they took turns.

Paw-steps picked their way through the foliage and the familiar and warm scent of Poppyclaw reached her. With a nod, she let him take over as she made a poultice to fend off infection and prepared cobweb with dried oak leaves to keep it covered. Once she finished, she brought the oak leaf over with one paw dragging it gently. With gentle movements, she wiped the mixture onto the wound and placed the oak leaf on top. Poppyclaw brought the cobweb over and firmly spread it over the leaf and the young tom's fur.

"Will he be okay?" One of the younger she-cats asked.

Icepaw twitched her whiskers. "As long as the medicine is replaced by morning and evening, he should recover and live."

"We don't use plants though." Another squeaked.

Poppyclaw lashed his tail. "I will bring some to the Twoleg Bridge. Hawksight can take it and use it."

"We will do our best to not let it go to waste." The first she-cat promised.

"Good, by mid-newleaf the herbs would have grown back." Poppyclaw pointed out, "Have you seen herbs like these in FearClan territory Hawksight?"

"I have, but they were destroyed by frost and FearClan-cats." she mewed softly.

"Well, do what you can to get more. I will do what I can here." Poppyclaw told her.

Icepaw nodded, "I'll make sure he sends some over. No matter what the others say, you came to help and I am grateful. It could have been much worse without a surprise attack."

"Perhaps, but we did it for the cats we lost. The rest of FearClan were scared of the foxes and of death." The medicine cat murmured.

"They are known as fearless, but now we know they are scared of foxes of all things!" Poppyclaw grumbled. "Some fearsome cats they turned out to be."

"We will leave now, to let your Clan lick their wounds." Hawksight murmured, "Once again, thank you for all your help."

"And thank you for helping us." Icepaw mewed back, "Take these to help redress his wound, only apply it to the one we put it on. The others will scar over, but this big one is the one that was loosing the most blood and is the deepest. So focus on it as much as you can."

"We will." Hawksight promised, taking the herbs and wrapping them delicately. "Come, we must return to FearClan. As much as I don't want to, I know we must."

"Are we even suppose to move him?"

Icepaw nodded. "As long as you move him carefully. One of you can carry the leaf wrap and the other can help Hawksight carry him. Just take plenty of breaks and if he stirs, just let him know that you were successful and on your way home."

"We will." One of the she-cats whispered.

"And we thought you were bad cats!" The other chirped, "You're rather nice for traitors."

Poppyclaw ushered them away. "Go on and get out of here."

"Wait, we will come with you." Rat offered, looking to Stone. "We can help make sure those herbs get used."

"Only if Jasmine comes along."

"Then take him with you." Poppyclaw mewed softly.

"He's your mate we couldn't dare to." Rat tried to reason.

"He's your Advisor, he can talk sense to those FearClan-cats." Poppyclaw meowed, although he had grown more and more quiet.

Icepaw could only imagine what was happening. The soft scuffs of paw-steps told her a lot as it was. The softest brush of fur against fur. Clearly, Jasmine was unwilling to leave his mate after finding him all over again, but knew better then to argue with the logic presented to them.

At last, the tom spoke warmly to his mate. "I will return to you as soon as I can. For now, I will look after them. You look after the injured and sick."

"I'm counting on you to keep your words." Poppyclaw breathed, nudging him away. "Now go on, help them the best you can. That is all I can ask for."

With mews of farewell, the three cats followed the FearClan-cats to an unknown future. Not even Icepaw was sure that StarClan knew if Jasmine would return. Regardless, she turned and went back to her duties, knowing that the missing may never be found. If they were found, there was a chance it would only be bones, bits of fur, or even just the stench of crow-food left behind.

At long last, she could smell the awakening world of sunlight. Dawn was coming and with it, the last of leafbare that would soon change into the warmer weather of newleaf. Just as the leafbare in her heart and mind had settled into a newleaf several sunrises ago, the world, too, was settling into a new season of life. She could only hope that there would be a moment of peace just long enough for BushClan and FearClan to recover from the foxes. For she feared the worst to happen if tensions rose too soon.

Author Note:

I took a small hiatus after finishing chapter 30, so I jumped back into this as soon as I could to attempt to finish this story. I got a little ambitious in how long I wanted it, but I will see if I can wind it down even a little.

Other then that, thank you all for reading and have a great day/night. - NightSky