Chapter Nine

Oakstar sat there blinking for several moments. He then stumbled to his paws. Beetail was at his side immediately, pressing against his side to help keep his balance. He began to whisper to Oakstar in a soothing tone, before calling out to Ravenwing.

Ravenwing dropped what he was doing, and hurried to Oakstar's side at once. "Lay back down," he ordered.

Oakstar nodded, still in a daze. He lowered himself back onto the ground, wincing as he did so. Ravenwing began to look over him, meowing something as he poked and prodded the leader.

As all this was going on, Mapleshade limped towards the apprentice's den as fast as she could. Bursting into the den, she saw that Birchface was fast asleep exactly where she had left him. Although she felt bad for waking him, she had promised to do so as soon as Oakstar woke up. "Birchface," she hissed, nudging his shoulder.

Birchface lifted his head. Mapleshade didn't have to say another word as he bolted from the den, ready to see his father.

Mapleshade followed after him. Although her body was screaming at her to get some rest, she couldn't bring herself to sleep yet. She was still worried about Birchface and Oakstar. If she tried to sleep now, nothing would come of it. She would toss and turn, her mind tormenting her unless she put her worries to rest.

Birchface now stood beside his father. He was speaking to Oakstar in a low, yet excited, tone. Mapleshade could only guess he was telling his father how glad he was that he was alive. Yet, Oakstar didn't respond. He stared down at the ground, occasionally grimacing as Ravenwing attended to him.

"I saw her in StarClan," Oakstar finally meowed. "Your mother."

Birchface frowned. "I know."

"She died trying to save me, and yet it was all for nothing."

"It wasn't for nothing," Birchface argued, although Mapleshade could tell he didn't completely believe what he was saying. Oakstar had still lost a life.

Oakstar flicked an ear. "It was," he insisted. "I lost three lives."

"Three?" This time it was Ravenwing who spoke up. The fur on the back of his neck began to bristle in alarm as if he didn't believe what he had heard. "You can't be serious!"

"I'm afraid so," Oakstar sighed. "One from the fall, the others for each of my broken bones."

Ravenwing lashed his tail. He opened his mouth, ready to curse StarClan, but he thought against it. Clamping his jaw shut, the medicine cat continued to tend to Oakstar. Every so often he would chime in to add to something Birchface had said, but other than that he was silent.

When he had finished, he nudged Oakstar to his paws. Together, he and Birchface led the ThunderClan leader into his den.

Mapleshade was about ready to head back to her nest to try and sleep when Ravenwing appeared.

"Is he going to be alright?" she wondered again for the third time that night.

"Yes. But you won't be if you keep lingering around here. Go to sleep," Ravenwing ordered.

Mapleshade flicked her tail, annoyed at his tone, but she did not argue with him.

Inside the apprentice's den, Dawnpaw was already curled up in her nest, fast asleep. Mapleshade realized she must have come to lay down right after she had woken up Birchface. Either that or she was so tired she hadn't even noticed her there to begin with.

Mapleshade circled her nest a couple of times and then laid down.

"I hate this time of year," Seedpelt grumbled, shaking mud from his paws.

It had been two moons since the battle, and leafbare was coming to a close. The snow had melted, leaving the forest floor wet and muddy. Despite this, it was still too early for the prey to return, or the undergrowth to start sprouting. This caused ThunderClan's territory to look like a muddy, dead patch of forest.

"You'll miss this weather come greenleaf," Deerdapple meowed, pausing to sniff the air. She then frowned, not finding a single scent.

"I know that's right," Whitefoot added in agreement.

Mapleshade nodded. She had only been a kit during the last greenleaf, but she could remember how warm it had gotten. It was unbearable, almost. She was thankful that come that time this year she would have the protection of the trees to shade her.

"I can't smell anything," Dawnpaw, now Dawnfeather, sighed.

Mapleshade let out a slight purr as she recalled her sister's warrior ceremony. It had taken place a few days after the battle. Since Oakstar hadn't been well enough, Beetail had carried out the ceremony. Mapleshade had watched joyously, being the first to call out her sister's new name. From there, they had sat vigil together, out of Mapleshade's offering.

"I can't smell anything either," Mapleshade meowed. "Just mud and wet leaves."

"Maybe we should try hunting by the river?" Whitefoot suggested.

"Good idea. We might be able to find some prey hanging around Sunningrocks," Deerdapple said.

Mapleshade swallowed. She hadn't gone near the river since before the battle. She had been avoiding it in case any of RiverClan's warriors were hanging about. She wasn't ready to run into them again. She was angry at them for what they had done.

And based on reports of the last two Gatherings, RiverClan was just as furious.

Although they were too proud to let on the extent of Darkstar's injuries, it was clear the RiverClan leader had lost a life. According to those who had attended the last few Gatherings (Mapleshade had declined to go) Darkstar seemed more wary than usual.

Despite this, she had tried to pass off her attack on ThunderClan as a success, bragging about Dovesong's death as she spoke.

That hadn't gone over well.

The next morning, a skirmish at the border led by Birchface had occurred. The fight got broken up by a passing patrol before any cat could get injured, but the damage was already done.

Mapleshade eyed Birchface now. He was at the front of the group, his back turned towards her as he walked through the forest.

He was so much different now.

Mapleshade sighed. She had tried to tell herself that Birchface was grieving and that he would get over it soon. But as time went on, he only seemed to grow angrier and angrier. He was much quieter, too.

Whenever Mapleshade (or any cat, really) spoke to him, he was very curt in his responses, as if he didn't care what they had to say. It had hurt her, as she had always considered Birchface to be one of her closest friends. Now he seemed to be nothing more than a stranger.

Up ahead, Mapleshade could see the river. The sun reflected off the water, causing it to glimmer as it floated by. A group of ducks walked along the opposite shore. They took flight once the ThunderClan warriors appeared.

Mapleshade watched them fly away, slightly resentful of them. Their lives were so simple. They didn't have to worry about anything.

She sighed and turned her attention back to her Clanmates. Seedpelt and Deerdapple were heading towards Sunningrocks in search of prey. She considered following them but decided against it. Too many cats in one area would scare any available prey away.

She decided to walk along the shore, thinking she would be able to find something there, like a little mouse stopping to take a drink or even a frog.

Mapleshade shuddered.

It wasn't common for ThunderClan to eat frogs, but prey was prey.

As she continued down the shoreline, she could hear Seedpelt and Deerdapple meowing excitedly as they managed to catch something. Vole, it sounded like. Two of them, to be exact.

The further Mapleshade walked, the more frustrated she was beginning to feel. Where was all the prey? Surely a little snowmelt wasn't enough to chase it all away. Yet, as she tasted the air, she was met with the stale scent of mud and water.

She considered turning around and heading back to her Clanmates, suggesting they try hunting elsewhere. Perhaps the voles Seedpelt and Deerdapple had caught would be all the river had to offer.

She then froze. The scent of wood pigeon filled her nostrils. She tasted the air again to make sure her senses weren't playing tricks on her. Yes, it was fresh. And close by, too.

Mapleshade looked around. She finally spotted the bird perched on a low-hanging branch, preening itself. And by the look of it, it was plump too. It would make for an excellent meal if she was able to catch it.

Mapleshade pressed herself to the ground, wincing as her belly fur brushed against the mud. She began to slink forward, her eyes locked on the bird. It had no idea she was there.

Mapleshade took another step forward, when -!

She let out a yelp as her leg sank shoulder-deep into some mud.

Mapleshade let out a string of curses as she tried to pull herself free. She had been so caught up in trying to catch the bird that she hadn't even noticed how muddy the ground under paw had gotten.

As she tried to free herself, Mapleshade could feel her other legs begin to slide forward into the mud. She continued to wriggle, hoping to escape, but she only found herself getting pulled deeper and deeper. The pigeon was long forgotten about.

"Stop!"

Mapleshade looked up, her eyes narrowing as Applepaw came into view. Great. Of all cats to run into her while she was stuck in this embarrassing predicament, it had to be him.

She looked him over. He had grown larger since she had seen him last, his muscles rippling under his sleek brown coat. She guessed he was fully grown now.

"What are you doing here?" Mapleshade hissed, squirming some more.

"Stop moving," Applepaw ordered. "You'll only sink deeper."

Mapleshade froze. Her heart was beating rapidly at this point. She stared at Applepaw, wondering what it was exactly he planned on doing. If he even planned to do anything at all. Perhaps he had come to laugh at her as she was swallowed by the mud, suffocating to death. She wouldn't put that past someone like him, especially after what his Clan had done months prior. All RiverClan cats were the same as far as Mapleshade was concerned.

"I don't need your help," Mapleshade snapped.

"Really? Because to me, it looks like you're about to be swallowed up by quicksand."

Quicksand? Was that what this weird mud was? It didn't matter right now. She just needed to get free. She began to squirm some more, only to give up a couple of seconds later. Applepaw was right. She was sinking deeper.

"Alright, fine. Just hurry up and get me out of here," Mapleshade told him.

Applepaw was already one step ahead of her. He grabbed a large stick that laid nearby and held it out to her.

Mapleshade bit down on the stick, while Applepaw held the other. He took a step back, tugging on the stick.

At first, nothing happened.

Mapleshade began to grow more panicked. What if she never escaped? She wondered how long it would take to die like this. Would it be as quick as drowning in water, or would it be long and drawn out?

Finally, she felt her limbs being pulled free of the mud. She collapsed onto solid ground, panting heavily. "Thank you," she meowed, her pelt pricking with embarrassment.

She waited, expecting him to start laughing at her for being such an idiot. But he never did. Instead, he gave her a gentle look, as though he was glad she was okay.

"You're welcome," he meowed.

"Well, I think I should be on my way." Mapleshade gave the fur on her chest a nervous lick, scrunching her face up as her tongue was met with the taste of mud. Great. She was covered!

"I haven't seen you at the last couple of Gatherings. How come?" Applepaw wondered, ignoring what she had just said.

Mapleshade let out a breath. "I just didn't want to go, alright? Now, if you'll excuse me-"

"I heard you go by Mapleshade now. That's a nice name. It suits you. I wanted to tell you that at the Gathering, but you weren't there. I'm Appledusk now, by the way."

She glared at him. Was he deaf or something? She had already stated twice that she needed to go, while he had continued to babble on. She opened her mouth, ready to tell him off when the sound of paw steps sounded from behind her.

Mapleshade spun around, ready to stop whoever was approaching. She opened her mouth to let out a warning, but quickly closed it.

Birchface stood before her, inches from the quicksand. He looked past Mapleshade, to where Appledusk stood, his eyes narrowing into a glare. "What's going on here?" Birchface finally questioned, diverting his attention to Mapleshade.

She ducked her head, embarrassed. "I wasn't paying attention, and I fell into some quicksand."

"What is he doing here?" Birchface was glaring at Appledusk again.

"I rescued her," Appledusk meowed calmly. "You're welcome."

"Next time leave ThunderClan's matters to ThunderClan," Birchface growled, the fur along his spine bristling.

"So you want me to leave her to die next time? Great idea. I'm sure you would have been so much more appreciative had I done that." Appledusk rolled his eyes.

"Why are you even on our territory to begin with?" Birchface demanded, unsheathing his claws.

Mapleshade let out a groan. Was Birchface really going to pick a fight right now? She scurried around the quicksand, coming to stand beside her Clanmate. She tried to urge Birchface to take a step back, but he pushed her away, his eyes still locked on Appledusk.

"Actually, this is RiverClan's territory. You passed the scent marker a few fox-lengths back," Appledusk said.

Birchface turned to glare at Mapleshade this time. She shrank back, ears flattened against her head. She had been so caught up with the hunt that she hadn't even realized she had crossed the border. It also didn't help that the scent markers were stale, but that would explain why Appledusk had been so close by.

"What is wrong with you?" Birchface demanded. "How could you be so careless?"

Mapleshade straightened up. Was he really going to scold her for a simple mistake? It wasn't as though she had intentionally crossed the border! Besides, he too had crossed the border.

"Don't worry. I know it was an accident. I wasn't planning on saying anything," Appledusk promised.

"I wasn't talking to you," Birchface snapped.

Appledusk barred his teeth. For a moment, Mapleshade thought he was going to attack Birchface, but Appledusk stood still. He flashed Mapleshade a sympathetic stare and fled back from where he had come.

Once they were alone, Birchface grabbed Mapleshade by the scruff and began hauling her through the forest. Mapleshade twisted, wrenching herself free from his grasp, tufts of her fur flying as she did so.

"Don't you ever grab me like that again!" she shouted, her claws out. She didn't care if Birchface was her Clanmate. He wasn't going to touch her again like that and get away with it.

"You need to pay more attention to where you're going next time," Birchface hissed, ignoring her. "Even kits know not to cross the border."

"It was an accident!" she shrieked, growing angrier and angrier by the second.

By now, the rest of their patrol had gathered around them. They looked back and forth between Birchface and Mapleshade, confused.

"What's going on?" Deerdapple finally asked, taking a step forward.

"And to make matters worse, you didn't even catch anything!" Birchface continued to yell, completely ignoring Deerdapple's presence.

"Why are you acting like such a fox-heart?" Mapleshade spat.

"Because you should know better!"

"Stop it," Seedpelt warned, taking a step between the two warriors. "I'm sure there's no need to argue. Now, take a deep breath, and someone explain what's going on."

"I accidentally crossed the border with RiverClan, and fell into some quicksand," Mapleshade explained. "It's not a big deal."

"It is a big deal!" Birchface argued. "You know what RiverClan did to my mother. The last thing we need is to give them another excuse to attack us."

"Birchface, calm down," Whitefoot told him. "It was an accident. Darkstar isn't going to send her warriors after us just because Mapleshade accidentally walked a few tail-lengths over the border. You're getting yourself worked up for nothing."

Mapleshade shot Whitefoot a thankful look, glad that her Clanmates were seemingly on her side.

Birchface stood there, tail lashing. He glared at Mapleshade one last time, before disappearing into the forest.

Mapleshade watched him leave, her heart twisting. Why was Birchface acting like this? She had allowed herself to believe that Birchface was only grieving and that he would get over it soon. But this was far beyond grief. He was being a downright fox-heart. And he only seemed to be getting worse as time went on. Will he ever be the Birchface I once knew? She thought. Or is he gone forever?

"Come, let's get you washed up," Whitefoot meowed, nudging Mapleshade towards the river.

Mapleshade hesitated at the edge of the water. She had never gone swimming before. She lifted one paw, placing it into the water. She recoiled as soon as the icy water hit her skin.

"The sooner you wash it off, the better," Deerdapple called. "Otherwise the mud will stick to your fur, and you'll never be able to get it out."

Mapleshade sighed. Let me get this over with quickly, she thought. She leaped forward, submerging her entire body in the water. She let out a yelp and turned back towards the shore, but Whitefoot stopped her.

Dawnfeather and Deerdapple climbed into the water and swam over to Mapleshade. They began to rub their paws against her pelt, washing the mud away. As they worked, Mapleshade stood there, shivering. How did RiverClan cats stand this? It was unbearable!

"We're almost done," Dawnfeather meowed, scrubbing the mud off Mapleshade's chest.

"And don't pay any attention to Birchface. He's just grouchy," Deerdapple added.

Mapleshade let out a sigh. That was easier said than done. "Thanks," she mumbled, trying not to shiver.

Finally, the she-cats had finished cleaning Mapleshade off. She clambered out of the water, hissing as the cool air touched her pelt. It made her feel even colder than she already felt. She shook water droplets from her fur and began to follow her Clanmates home.

Oh, Birchface. Why must you be like this? ;_;

Here is the next installment! I hope everyone enjoyed reading this. And thank you to whales0ng for leaving a review. I really appreciate it. Reviews help me out, as they let me know what people are thinking of the story.

Thank you for reading/reviewing/favoriting/and following. Until next time!