It was just after sunhigh when Swiftcloud and her patrol returned back to Grassclan's camp. Their jaws were full of prey from a successful hunt; their catches plumper than they'd been in moons. Each cat took their turn depositing their contribution to the fresh-kill pile. Then with a few mews of farewell they separated, ready to share tongues with family and friends around the clearing. Swiftcloud decided that she wanted to take the prized shrew she had caught to the elder's den. She made it about a quarter of the way to the gorse bush before stopping, a pang of sadness squeezing her heart. There weren't any elders around to feed anymore. They'd all died during the height of Leafbare. Like so many others in the clan.
Unsure of what to do, Swiftcloud instead decided to claim the shrew for herself, padding over to lounge in the shade of the warrior's den. She'd be dining alone today, both of her mates busy with their own duties at the moment. Swiftcloud dropped the prey at her paws, laying down before it with her head bowed. She whispered a silent prayer to Starclan then began tucking into her meal. Her stomach growled in appreciation, thankful to be filled after so long. The juicy meat of the shrew was just what she needed after that long walk through the meadow. Swiftcloud let out a satisfied purr once her meal was nothing more than fur and bone. She began to groom herself, continually trying to relax and forget about the upsetting events from earlier in the day. The hunt had helped her immensely with her stiffness and pain. But the activity could not quell the upset that had singed her heart when Whitestar had rejected her evidence. Swiftcloud understood why Whitestar would make the decision that she had. But it hadn't made the rejection any easier to bare. Swiftcloud decided that after relaxing for a little while more, she'd try and present her case to Dewstone instead. Perhaps she would receive a better result that way. Even though Snowfrost was Dewstone's aunt, Swiftcloud doubted the Code Keeper would allow her kinship with the guilty medicine cat to cloud her judgement. She was a very logical minded molly. She'd surely choose to believe evidence over her knowledge of her aunt's behavior and personality.
As Swiftcloud lounged, soaking in the beauty of the day, something odd caught her attention. The scent of a familiar yet highly unwelcomed patrol made its way into into nose. Alarmed, she let out a yowl, jumping up and racing to the bramble tunnel. Swiftcloud was the first alert, and the first cat whoever may be coming would get to see.
At her call, her clanmates began to gather around. Guards pushed their way to the front of the crowd, holding their heads high and puffing out their chests. Nosy apprentices weaved past awaiting warriors. Ashwhisker shooed the other camp-bound queens and kits into the nursery while he blocked the entrance, ready to defend his denmates without question. The last of the clan to present themself was Whitestar, who gracefully slipped past her cats to stand beside Swiftcloud.
"Do you smell that?" Swiftcloud asked her leader. "It smells like... the river?" There was something else entangled between the scents of the approaching Treeclan patrol and the boggy musk of the river as well. It was bitter, and too recognizable for Swiftcloud's liking. Her ears folded back against her head, her legs beginning to tremble. Something was terribly wrong. Before she even saw what it was, Swiftcloud already knew what sight was about to behold her.
Finally the visiting cats showed themselves, crawling through the bramble tunnel one by one. The first to appear was Cardinaltail, Treeclan's Code Keeper. His mostly white fur prickled with anxiety as he skulked past Swiftcloud to stand at Whitestar's side and turn. Whitestar gave the harmless tom a look which bore unspoken questions. Cardinaltail simply directed her towards his companions with a glance as they came into view.
The next cat to appear from the brambles was Embersong, Scarletpaw's mother. The dilute calico entered the clearing backwards, clearly dragging something along with her. She did not divert from her task, though her eyes did wander onto the enemy clan surrounding her. The fur on the back of her neck rose at the sight, her attention snapping back onto what she held in her jaws.
The third cat to enter the clearing did not do so by their own accord. The sopping wet body of a sleek silver tabby was hauled into the open with quite a bit of effort. The whole of Grassclan seemed to tense at the sight. Sharp gasps rose from the crowd and cats began to bristle, wide eyed with distraught. Swiftcloud too found herself in such a state as she recognized who this drenched cat was. Jaybird. Her body hung limply in the jaws of the Treeclan warriors who dragged her into the camp. Her eyes were shut tight, jaws parted as if in a silent cry for help. The scent of the river and death swirled around her in a thick musky cloud that made some cats in the front lines look as though they were ready to vomit. As more of the clan caught on to what had become of the beautiful queen, whines and wails of sorrow began to break the silence.
"Jaybird!" Cricketsong's wail came out the loudest of all. The light brown tabby queen shoved past her clanmates, practically bowling one of her daughters out of the way to make it to her best friend's side. The final Treeclan warrior to enter the camp, Smokecloud, gently placed Jaybird's back end on the ground as Cricketsong raced over. He took a pace back to stand beside Swiftcloud, looking on with soft, sympathetic eyes. Swiftcloud looked back at him, blinking a silent thank you before returning her sights onto the still form of the deceased queen.
With Jaybird returned, Grassclan began to file in to inspect and grieve around her soaking wet body. Dewstone, Rabbitstorm, Frostfeather, and Mistyleaf were allowed to push their way to the front. The littermates immediately brought themselves to cling to Cricketsong's side, burying their noses into their mother's flank. Dewstone posted herself by Jaybird's head, pressing their foreheads together to create a loving yet mournful pose. Cricketsong pushed her muzzle into Mistyleaf's fluffy neck fur, muffling her loud, harsh sobs. Swiftcloud abandoned her place by the brambles to flank Mistyleaf's other side, pressing her smaller body against her mate's comfortingly. Goldensong came to join her, putting herself beside her apprentice and Cricketsong. She purred softly in an attempt to soothe the grieving cats around her. Frostfeather started to groom Jaybird as if she were doing nothing more than sharing tongues; though the grief stricken look on her face was unmistakable. Quailbelly managed to squeeze between her and her brother to assist, the mates' cheeks pressed together supportively.
Rabbitstorm nuzzled fiercely against Jaybird's belly, trying to rouse the stiff bodied queen from her permanent slumber. If one strained they could hear him muttering to her, begging her to wake up; her kits needed her, the clan needed her.
"Mama, please!" Rabbitstorm blubbered, pushing himself deeper into the molly's belly. His large fluffy body shook violently as he too began to wail with great sorrow. The sounds of his crying summoned Snowfrost from the throng of cats around them. Swiftcloud noticed Snowfrost winced slightly at the sight of her dead sister, before her attention diverted completely onto Rabbitstorm. The lynx point molly curled her body around Rabbitstorm, her tongue gently rasping over his ear. She whispered to him, softly, soothingly. Yet Rabbitstorm hardly noticed her presence.
Swiftcloud growled at the display. How could Snowfrost choose to give her attention to Rabbitstorm in this moment when her sister was laying dead in front of her? She wasn't even crying. Swiftcloud knew medicine cats were used to occurrences such as injury and death. But even Goldensong wept when her mother had passed. Snowfrost didn't show even the slightest signs of mourning. Others might've believed she was maintaining composure for the sake of her kin. But Swiftcloud knew better. She recalled Jaybird arguing with her sister in the morning. Could it be possible that Snowfrost drowned Jaybird? She wondered. Swiftcloud was aware that the medicine cat was not beyond killing without reason. But her method was passive. Was Snowfrost really capable of something so violent, especially against her own littermate? Swiftcloud couldn't be sure. And though she'd like to jump to that conclusion--especially to give Jaybird's spirit closure--there could be better explanations for Jaybird dying in the river's currents. She could have slipped while hunting along the riverbank. Or a vengeful Treeclan warrior could have snuck into the territory to teach Grassclan a lesson. There was no way to be sure. Swiftcloud shook her head a little, dismissing her turbulent thoughts for the time being.
"Wait- Who's going to care for the kits?" Mistyleaf piped out of nowhere, glancing from her deceased mother over to the nursery. After a short period of silence, Rabbitstorm perked up.
"I'll take care of them," he volunteered, voice cracking. "I wanted to be a queen before, when Heatherwing was alive and expecting... I'd still like to. Besides, it's what Jaybird would want. She'd be happiest if kin looked out for them. And... We've lost both of our mothers... the kits will need more support now than ever before."
"I'll help raise them too," Tabitha offered, making her way closer to Jaybird's corpse.
Rabbitstorm's focus fell upon Whitestar, seeking her approval. Whitestar nodded in agreement without hesitation.
"So be it," she declared, wrapping her plumed tail neatly around her paws as she sat down. Her head turned to give Cardinaltail her attention. "What happened to her?"
Cardinaltail cleared his throat, tail-tip swaying slightly. "One of our warriors spotted Jaybird washed up on the creek shore," he began, eyes darkened.
Rabbitstorm's head jerk upward at the sound of the tom's voice. His ears tilted forward, showing his eagerness to listen in on the conversation. Swiftcloud wondered if it was such a good idea for him to find out, but maybe hearing would help bring closure in a way. And she couldn't deny that she was curious too.
"She was already dead when they found her. I believe she may have fallen into the river on your territory and was carried downstream into ours."
"Fallen into the river?" Whitestar echoed. "How could she have done such a thing? Jaybird was always such a careful cat. She would not have drawn so close to the water's edge that she could have slipped."
"Actually," Snowfrost raised her voice. "I did see Jaybird when I was out gathering herbs earlier. She was at the riverbank on the outskirts of the Forest Patch, having a drink. It could be entirely possible that she slipped..." The lynx point molly hung her head at the statement.
Whispers traveled between Swiftcloud's clanmates, accusations and guesses of the cause of Jaybird's demise being passed around like prey. Swiftcloud dipped her head to give Jaybird a few licks on the shoulder. Her heart now pounded with emotion. Tears flowed down the white and black patched molly's cheeks. Her eyes lay low, examining the silver tabby queen. As she looked, a small white something caught the young molly's attention. She perked up, bringing her nose down to inspect it. There was something trapped between Jaybird's claws. Swiftcloud peeled the she-cat's front toes apart, revealing a small white chunk of fur stuck between them. Swiftcloud let out a small gasp, earning Rabbitstorm's attention beside her. The fluffy tom leaned in to take a look at what Swiftcloud found. A low, deep growl rose from Rabbitstorm's throat, his eyes narrowing to icy slits which eerily resembled Snowfrost's. A shiver ran down Swiftcloud's spine and she had to resist the urge to jolt.
In a flash, Rabbitstorm sprang away from Jaybird's side. He let out a mighty yowl, unsheathing his claws as he bowled Cardinaltail over. The mostly white and ginger tom let out a shriek of surprise, collapsing under the almost equally massive tom's weight. He wriggled in the younger cat's grasp, trying to slip away as Rabbitstorm pummeled him. Alarm sparked between Embersong and Smokecloud, their instincts making them leap into action. Embersong landed on Rabbitstorm's back while Smokecloud reached for Cardinaltail's scruff to drag him from the frey. Rabbitstorm twisted to reach the offending molly, pulling tufts of fur from her pelt as he swiped his claws at her wildly. Gingerstrike launched himself out of the crowd into the brawl, lending his claws as he batted at Smokecloud who yowled out in shock. Rabbitstorm seemed to blink up at him thankfully, the pair teaming up to attack the enemy warriors.
"Fox-hearts! Murderers!" Rabbitstorm spat, long fur fluffed to double his size, a paw raising to deliver another blow.
"Enough!" Whitestar demanded, jumping into the scuffle if only to put the fighting cats in their place. The pretty siamese she-cat smacked Gingerstrike away, then forced Rabbitstorm onto his side where she held him down. She growled down at him, tail lashing, before turning her head to address the Treeclan cats.
"Back away, please," she requested her voice never losing its calmness. Her focus then turned back to Gingerstrike and Rabbitstorm. Disappointment shone strong in her expression, making the warriors lower their heads in shame.
"You two, away to your den, and do not emerge until I allow you to." Whitestar's tone turned serious, but sounded as if she were chiding her own kits moreso than scolding two full grown warriors. Gingerstrike and Rabbitstorm exchanged a glance, turning tail to tuck themselves away as demanded. Satisfied with their departure, Whitestar walked herself over to Swiftcloud's side. Swiftcloud remained crouched, feeling a little intimidated by the leader's eyes which now rested upon her. Though she figured Whitestar was not here to chide her as well. Instead, Swiftcloud decided to show her the discovery, which could have been the cause of Rabbitstorm's sudden outburst. Whitestar's eyes widened as she got a glimpse of the fur in Jaybird's claws. Once again, the Grassclan leader's attention was given back to the Treeclan cats. The three cats in question were battered and prickly, remaining poised for another fight. Whitestar marched over to them.
"Why is there fur between Jaybird's claws?" She challenged. "If she had simply fallen into the river, she would have mud in her pawpads. Not fur. Especially not white fur." The slightest hint of agitation was twisted within Whitestar's tone, her tail-tip twitching a bit. The Treeclan warriors seemed to stiffen more, exchanging glances.
"H..how dare your cats attack our Code Keeper!" Embersong hissed, tail lashing violently. A good chunk of her cheek fur had been ripped out, and it seemed a small drop of blood was trickling down her chin. Worry was clouding her eyes, and perhaps something else. Was that guilt? Fear? Did Embersong know something?
Whitestar took another step towards them. "Do not change the subject," She growled. "Answer my question."
Embersong gave no response. Instead she whipped around, gently headbutting Cardinaltail. Cardinaltail got the message, turning and crawling out of camp without question.
"Treeclan has done nothing wrong. Blazestar will hear about this!" Embersong threatened, following the tom out. Smokecloud shook his head slowly, remaining stationary.
"We will investigate the matter further, Whitestar. We are just happy to return Jaybird home. Now..goodbye." With that the smokey grey tom slipped through the bramble tunnel to pursue his clanmates. At his departure, the clan erupted into discussion. Swiftcloud had to hold herself back from joining in while she collected her thoughts. For now, she listened in on the conversations around her.
"What odd behavior," Tigerfang commented a foxlength away, licking a paw then running it over his ear.
"Do you think Treeclan could have done this?" Pollenpaw asked her mentor, voice shaky.
"I wouldn't put it past those tree-lickers," growled Snailear, tail lashing. "It isn't the first time a cat of ours has ended up dead on Treeclan territory recently."
"Then why are we letting them get away?!" hissed Nectarpaw who's short tabby and white fur was bristling.
"Because Rabbitstorm and Gingerstrike did enough damage to them already," Cowpatch chimed in calmly. He brought himself to his daughter's side. "And we have no evidence that one of their clan is guilty."
"But Jaybird was found dead on Treeclan territory. And Swiftcloud found fur between her claws," Slugsnout pointed out.
"That sounds like just cause to retaliate, in my opinion." Ladybugbite nodded, smoothing down her shoulder fur.
"Yeah, and they could have killed Jaybird to get revenge on us for taking so much of the Forest Patch," Pollenpaw theorized.
"Treeclan would be petty enough to hold onto a grudge like that...Especially with that flea-brained Blazestar at the helm," croaked Ashwhisker.
"If that's the case, then they took things too far. Jaybird did not need to die." That was Sheeptail's loud meow; his voice cracked slightly with grief.
"Poor, sweet Jaybird." Cricketsong moved to sit by the other queen's head. Dewstone stood to give the queen some space. "I will miss you greatly. No other cat could hold a conversation quite like you could." The light brown tabby's mew drew the attention of her clanmates around her. It seemed collectively they had realized now was a time of mourning. They could become riled up about Treeclan later. Moving as one unit, the clan came to settle around Jaybird's body. Swiftcloud lifted her head to look upon the grieving faces around her. She had never seen so many cats mourning another for so long.
She recalled when Poppycloud had died. There had been a similar vigil held for her, though it seemed mostly young cats had stayed by her side most of the night. Another cat quickly entered Swiftcloud's thoughts. Ambereye. The amber she-cat's vigil had only managed to keep those who were close to her there throughout her final night with the clan. Most others had only paused to leave parting words before leaving to go about their business. Swiftcloud's mind then shifted to Waspwing. His vigil had been of few attendance. Every cat had come to say goodbye, but most had only done so briefly with the exception of his kin and Bumblethroat. Butterflytail's last day with the clan had been similar.
Perhaps it had something to do with the impact the cats had on one another. Those who were popular received more attention in their passing. With this theory in mind, Swiftcloud figured this meant that Jaybird had been well loved. And for good reason, too.
All the queens had managed to make it past the rest of the clan now, settling at the sides of Jaybird and her kits. Collectively, they groomed Jaybird dry as they whispered prayers of safe travels to Starclan. Other clanmates joined them in this prayer. Eventually some began to get up and leave, heading to their dens to rest up for the next hunt or patrol. Others who hadn't the chance to see Jaybird before got to do so now that the crowd had thinned. The apprentices all curled around Jaybird's stiff body; Cricketsong's litter kept close to one another as the sisters cried for their lost ex-denmate while Pansypaw helped groom Jaybird. Whitestar fetched Rabbitstorm and Gingerstrike so they could return and mourn once more before taking herself to her den. Lightpaw and Thornpaw came out of the apprentice's den not long after, joining Cinderkit and Bunnykit who had just been summoned from their den to say goodbye. Jaybird's youngest litter nudged and mewled at their mother, asking the surrounding Grassclan cats why the queen would not get up. Quailbelly stood, sweeping her tail around them to guide them towards Frostfeather. Together the two she-cats did their best to explain the situation, and to teach the kits about death.
Swiftcloud found herself getting up to leave the vigil, heart too heavy to hang around and grieve any longer. Thoughts swarmed in her head like angry bees as she took one final look at the lost she-cat, Jaybird. This shouldn't have happened... She thought, turning tail to stalk away. Swiftcloud hadn't realized how much the loss of the queen would affect her. But rather than sad, now she found herself full of rage. She shouldn't be out here anymore among her clanmates. If another cat should say something about Treeclan again, she doubted she could bite back her tongue this time. Treeclan had to pay for this, but would do so in due time. It was Whitestar's call, what they would do. For now, Swiftcloud would sleep off her anger. She slipped into the warrior's den, curling up in her nest with a heavy sigh. A few heartbeats after settling, a warmth pressed into her side. Swiftcloud lifted her head to see Shadowfang laying beside her now, eyes clouded with grief. Swiftcloud rasped her tongue against his forehead soothingly while he returned the gesture, grooming her scarred shoulder. Swiftcloud shuffled in their nest a little more to become more comfortable, tucking her nose beneath Shadowfang's chin. Soon, sleep blanketed over them.