Disclaimer: I do NOT own Warriors. It belongs to Erin Hunter.
'Thoughts' Dreams Memories
After Patchpelt's death, Bluestar had stayed in her den, pacing. Patchpelt was dead and it looked like ShadowClan was planning something, but she had no idea what. The blue/gray molly sat down with a huff, her ears flat. In a few days, it would be the Gathering, perhaps then some light would be shed on what was going on in the forest.
As she mulled over her thoughts, Darkstripe called to her and she let him in, watching him bow his head. "Bluestar, I have been thinking about what you said, and perhaps we need to patrol more towards ShadowClan, to make sure that they know we are not going to take anything they throw at us lightly. I suggest taking a patrol now. With myself, Tigerclaw, and Longtail."
Bluestar narrowed her eyes at the selection yet only twitched her tail. "You're truly going to take a chance taking one of them with you?" she sneered, her displeasure clear.
Darkstripe had to bite back a growl and forced his fur to lie flat. "He is a loyal warrior, Bluestar. I trust that none will not hurt us and and in time we will need their strength. I am taking Tigerclaw on patrol, now I have to get going."
As the dark furred tom left her den, Bluestar got to her paws with a grimace and thought to head to the medicine cat den. She needed to check on something. However as she was going to see Spottedleaf, she found her speaking to Willowpelt, Lionheart, and Ravenpaw near the camp entrance. The four were speaking in low tones and Spottedleaf was gesturing a lot with her tail. The two warriors and the apprentice then nodded to her and while Willowpelt looked sullen, she followed Lionheart and Ravenpaw out of the camp before Spottedleaf turned to make her way towards Firepaw, who was taking care of Yellowfang.
The same actions, the same nods and Firepaw said something to to Yellowfang that Bluestar couldn't hear before the healer left them and looked to be headed for her den.
"Spottedleaf," Bluestar called out, her tail twitching as the healer stopped in her tracks and seemed to be considering running off before turning to face her leader.
"Bluestar," the smaller molly answered, keeping her face clear of emotion as she dipped her head to the leader. Bluestar tilted her head, wondering if Spottedleaf was being coy but decided to not comment on it, it was not important at the time.
"I just wanted to know what you were doing talking to those other cats, Lionheart, Willowpelt, Ravenpaw, Firepaw and the prisoner, Yellowfang. Seems like you are doing a lot of running around lately."
Spottedleaf turned her head slightly away from Bluestar to watch Speckletail, the eldest nursery queen and Lionheart's mother watch over a few of the kits as they played. She continued to keep her gaze on them even as she spoke to Bluestar.
"I'm just making sure that everyone is okay, especially after the death of Patchpelt, it's my job to make sure every cat in well in mind as well as body. With ShadowClan looking to be a threat, that is more important now more than ever."
Bluestar grunted at that, it was not something that she could refute before something still didn't sit right with her. Letting out a small sigh, the leader felt it was best to just let Spottedleaf do whatever she wanted. "Just make sure it doesn't interfere with your other duties."
"Yes, Bluestar." Spottedleaf replied while dipping her head. She gave the leader a few seconds before starting to head back to her den, a small sigh escaping her muzzle.
XxXX
Firepaw had stayed by Yellowfang's side as Spottedleaf spoke to them and the context of that conversation made her keenly aware of the predicament they all were in. The young demon grumbled softly, laying down on her belly as she turned her gaze to the clouds, noting inwardly that she had been doing that a lot lately.
Yellowfang shifted in her nest, her gaze remaining on the Clan as they went about their duties, her ears were relaxed and Firepaw couldn't really tell what she was thinking until the older molly opened her muzzle to speak.
"Your medicine cat is playing a dangerous game, you know. Taking warriors out to hunt for the meat we demons need. With the way your leader is acting, it certainly is risky business. Whoever she decides to take could get caught. It could very well end badly for you."
Firepaw transferred her gaze from the clouds to the older molly, shifting her paws. "That may be, but we have to eat soon. I'm not sure how long it's been since the rest of them had proper meat, but I can tell, if it goes on for too much longer, Bluestar will see just how much of monsters we all can really be. Personally, I don't think that would be such a day idea, but then, it's only the rebel apprentice who babbles." she added while putting her head on her paws and closing her eyes.
Yellowfang snorted at this, a small smirk on her face as she waved her tail back and forth. "You are right in that regard, it's only wrong that you have to sneak around, in ShadowClan, to do such things are seen as stupid. If you are hungry, you eat. And no one is allowed to stop you."
"Too bad I didn't end up in ShadowClan." Firepaw deadpanned, still having her eyes closed however, she rolled over on her back.
The pair fell into an easy silence, there was no need for talking. Since being told to take care of her, Firepaw found the presence of the older demon somehow comforting, to the point where she even told Yellowfang that she was thinking of leaving the Clan.
"Leaving the Clan? And where would you go? How will you survive? It's much different living on your own after having support like this at first. It can be done, but aren't you afraid of losing something if you do?" the older demon said, giving Firepaw a certain look.
"I know, but I managed to scrape by on my own before, I can do it again. I'm older now and stronger. I'll at least move far from ThunderClan. I may hate it here, but there are some that I did not wish to hurt."
Yellowfang narrowed her eyes and looked to see Sandpaw coming up to them but stayed quiet on that front. Instead, she merely smirked. "You say you hate it here, but by your own words, there is someone that you want to protect. That is why you are moving from here."
Before she could say anything to defend herself, she then felt her whisker brush against something and by scent noticed Sandpaw standing next to her.
"You look like you could use some company, you look...upset." the paler molly muttered, settling next to Firepaw and looking a little skittish. "Firepaw, listen. About what you said, about changing your mind before the next full moon. It's only a few days away and I don't know..."
"So you won't be able to convince me then? Is that what you are saying?" Firepaw cut her off, opening her eyes to stare at Sandpaw. The older molly couldn't keep her gaze and dropped her head, her tail curling tight around her.
"I...I don't want you to leave...please. These last few weeks, you've been such a comfort to me." Even this close, Firepaw had to strain to hear to hear those words but the smaller demon only blinked before rolling to her paws and began walking away.
"There's still some time left, you had better think of something." Firepaw once more cut in, looking like the whole thing didn't bother her, but Yellowfang saw how Firepaw's eyes lingered on Sandpaw's tense face and smiled, moving to groom herself. Ah, to be a young cat again!
XxXx
Later that day, Lionheart and Ravenpaw came back to the camp, the warrior sat by the entrance while Ravenpaw was sent off to look for Spottedleaf. When she was found, the pair then rounded up Sandpaw, Speckletail, and Goldenflower. Lionheart told them that Willowpelt was waiting for them and that they had to be quick.
With Ravenpaw and Lionheart to show the way, the group was lead rather close to Twolegplace. There as the forest trees had thinned away to almost nothing, Willowpelt stood crouching next to a small pile of three dead cats. Most of the group stiffened as Spottedleaf broke away from the group and began to place one cat in front of a group of three.
"What are you doing, does Bluestar know of anything of this?" Speckletail asked her son, her tail lashing back and forth. Lionheart lowered his gaze and tried to stall for time by using his claws to slice open the meat.
"If we don't eat soon, we'll go insane. It's better to sneak around to do this and than risk attacking our Clan. Besides, it's not like Bluestar cares whether we live or die. I'm sure she wouldn't care where we went so long as she didn't have to deal with us for a while." Willowpelt hissed, staring into Speckletail's eyes.
"We need to be strong in case the worst happens. Mother, I can hear your heartbeat, please eat. Spottedleaf, when you think we will be able to get Tigerclaw, Firepaw, Graypaw and Yellowfang here?" Lionheart cut in gently, gently nuzzling Speckletail in an effort to soothe her. It seemed to work, but only a little.
Spottedleaf was sharing one of the slain cats with Sandpaw and Ravenpaw but looked up at Lionheart's words and tilted her head to think. "They could probably last until the day after tomorrow, but I wouldn't want to go any further than that. Despite everything, it was a risk taking everyone out like this, next time we'll try for smaller groups."
"Sounds good. As soon as you're done eating, we'll head back, okay?" Lionheart told the group, to which they all nodded.
Sandpaw was looking down at her "meal" she made managed to eat enough to fill her belly and was surprised by just how hungry she was! She closed her eyes tight against it, her claws digging into ground. Was this truly okay, what they all were doing? She opened her eyes when she felt someone press their muzzle into her fur, it was Ravenpaw.
The black cat moved away and looked at her with understanding in his eyes. "It's okay, you know. To feel bad, but this is how we must live, the only way to truly survive. Don't worry, it's gets easier."
"Is that what this is?" Sandpaw asked, looking at the eaten corpse and though she couldn't explain why, she couldn't help nibbling at the small amount of flesh still there. "I can't help but feel that this is going to end badly for me. I mean, I just found out that I am at least partly demon, I've gone for so long thinking I was normal but now..."
"Being a demon isn't something that not normal, it's a part of who you are." Ravenpaw said, settling close to her again. "For me, and the rest of us, it's just who we are."
Sandpaw looked over at the black cat, taking in his words. "Just...who we are. Thanks, Ravenpaw." She said at last, giving the tom a small, grateful lick on the cheek.
Eventually the group had finished eating and had to head back. Spottedleaf had went on ahead to gather herbs and the entire group went hunting, all in the service of having an excuse ready in case they were questioned.
But luckily for all of them, Darkstripe, who had finished his patrol, was the only one who said anything to them about it and nodded to them as he passed. Though he did go up to Lionheart and dip his head to the slightly older warrior.
"Whatever you decide to do, I'll support you. I just want you to know that." the deputy then walked off, making sure to take a bit of prey that one of the demons hunted themselves. Lionheart watched him and smirked a bit to himself.
"Well, it's good to know where one stands, and I'm surprised yet happy that it's with us."
