Luckily, it wasn't too far of a walk to get back to where the rest of the Clan was temporarily camped. Sagestar was sure that even the wounded cats would have no problem getting to their new home.
When they got back, Sagestar noticed Willow sitting alone, separated from the JuniperClan cats. A pang of guilt struck her - she had all but abandoned her sister as she dove into her new role as leader of the Clan.
"Cougarstrike, tell the Clan about the new camp and have everyone get ready to go. I think we should head out tomorrow."
Cougarstrike nodded, a scowl on his face. Sagestar wondered if he thought they should go sooner, but decided she didn't care.
"Maybe you should put together a hunting patrol, too," Sagestar added. "I've got some things to check on."
Cougarstrike's scowl didn't lift, but he didn't argue, either. He simply stalked off to the center of the makeshift camp.
Sagestar sighed. She had hoped, with his confrontation with Lizardclaw earlier, that Cougarstrike would be more of an ally now. He seemed to still have just as much disdain for her as before, though.
Behind her, she heard Cougarstrike telling the Clan about the new camp location that they had chosen. Ignoring him, she made her way to where her sister sat alone, settling down at her side.
"Are you ok? I'm sorry... I didn't mean to leave you here all alone."
"I'm fine," Willow sniffed. Had she been crying? "I just... I miss our home, and Mama. I don't... I never wanted to be a warrior, like you did. I don't belong here, Sage. I'm not a Clan cat. And everyone here knows it. I should just go."
"What? Go?" Sagestar blinked incredulously. "Go where? Willow, we need to stick together. You're all the family I have. I need you here with me."
"Nobody wants me here," Willow said, her voice so low it was barely audible. "They're saying I'll just be a burden to the Clan."
Sagestar's ears flattened. "Who told you that?" she growled. She didn't know how, but she was going to shred whoever had spoken to her sister that way.
Willow shook her head. "They didn't say it to me, I just heard them talking. I'm not sure who it was specifically... none of them talk to me, except Thistletail. But he only talks to me about my kits, and he's busy with all the cats that got hurt escaping the fire."
Sagestar gently licked her sister's cheek. "Hang in there. We've both got an uphill battle before we're really accepted here. I may be leader, but the Clan certainly hasn't accepted me either. We need each other."
"Okay." Willow gave her sister a little smile. "Thanks, Sage... er, Sagestar, I mean."
"Sage is fine," Sagestar purred. "Do you want a warrior name? That might help you fit in as part of the Clan a little better."
"I don't know, maybe," said Willow. "But not now. Maybe once we're settled in at the new camp."
"Sounds good," Sagestar agreed, getting to her paws. "I'm going to check in with Thistletail. Why don't you go visit with Robinfrost? Maybe she can introduce you to some of the other cats or something."
"Okay. Thanks again, Sage." Willow got to her feet too, and made her way to where Robinfrost and Quietstorm were sitting with a few other cats.
Sagestar watched as her sister was enthusiastically greeted by Robinfrost. She felt a wave of gratitude for the friendly she-cat. At least she had one cat in the Clan that she could count as a friend.
She found Thistletail tending to a small black cat. She looked incredibly old, and so thin that Sagestar could see her spine jutting out all along her back. She seemed to have burnt her paw pads, and was complaining loudly.
"Careful, you old badger!" she growled. "That stings!" Her voice was gravelly and deep for a she-cat.
Chickadeepaw appeared beside the medicine cat, carrying a bundle of herbs. She placed the herbs on the ground before facing the patient.
"Oh, you're fine, Littlefang," she said gently. "Why don't you tell me one of your stories while I put some more herbs on your paws?"
"I don't see what good it will do," Littlefang growled. "But go ahead if it makes you feel better."
With a smile, Chickadeepaw took over the care of the old she-cat.
"Thistletail, can I talk to you?" Sagestar asked.
The medicine cat, assured that Littlefang was now well taken care of, nodded and followed her a short distance off.
"How is everyone?" Sagestar asked. "Are there many that are badly injured?"
Thistletail shook his shaggy head. "No, thank StarClan. There are a few cuts and minor burns, but for the most part, those of us who survived managed to escape unscathed."
"That's good."
"Yes," agreed Thistletail. "Only a few need much care, which is fortunate. I lost my entire stores of herbs with the fire. I'm worried about what may happen if sickness comes during leafbare."
"I hadn't thought of that," Sagestar admitted. "Is there anything we can do? Should we send out cats to collect herbs?"
"I've already sent out a group of apprentices, along with Lizardclaw. It won't be enough, but it will be something at least."
Sagestar nodded. "Who did you send?"
"Swanpaw, Elkpaw, and Nightpaw."
"Um... I know Elkpaw, but who are the others? Is that all of the apprentices, or are there more?"
Thistletail nodded. "Those three, plus Chickadeepaw. She stayed to help me tend to the wounded. Swanpaw, the one with the yellow-gold face, is Lizardclaw's own apprentice. Elkpaw, as you know, is Robinfrost's sister and the apprentice of your deputy. Nightpaw is the only tom of the group. His mentor is Bearspeckle. Chickadeepaw lost her mentor to the fire."
Sagestar repeated the names of the cats in her head, trying to remember them. "Bearspeckle... I don't think I know that cat. Who are they?"
Thistletail nodded toward a big, rust-colored she-cat with a squarish face, who was lounging in a patch of sunshine.
Sagestar sighed. There were just so many cats in the Clan that she didn't know.
"Can you tell me all of the warriors' names?" she asked.
"Well, you know Cougarstrike,Robinfrost, and Quietstorm already," Thistletail began. "You've also met Lizardclaw and Emberglow. There's also Bearspeckle, Honeyshard, Mothflight, Lavenderhaze, Puddletuft, Pepperstep, Dandelionleap, and Mossbelly."
"Okay... thanks." There was no way she was going to remember all of those names, let alone guess which cat was which.
Thistletail chuckled. "Don't worry, you'll learn all about every one of these cats. Their names, their stories, their needs... just give yourself some time and get to know them."
Sagestar nodded. "Okay, thanks. Do I dare ask how many elders there are?"
Thistletail hung his head. "Only two who survived the fire," he said softly. "Littlefang and Dewpelt. No queens or kits."
Sagestar felt a wave of sadness wash over her. So much had been lost. She hoped that a new home would help the Clan find a way to move forward and start again.
Thanks for reading! Please shoot me a review if you're enjoying the story or have some constructive feedback. Do you want me to update on a regular schedule? Is there a part of the story or JuniperClan lore that's confusing? I'll try to respond to every review I get! - Spaghetti
