Chapter 8: Growing Concerns

"Ridiculous," Firepaw hissed.

"It's not so bad Firepaw."

"If anyone here thinks I'm going to be nice about taking care of that walking bag of fleas and matted fur, then you didn't listen to the stories from the kingdom," he said flatly.

"Well you can't yell at Bluestar," Graypaw snorted.

"I'm not," Firepaw agreed. "I'm not going to speak to her unless spoken to."

"That's… petty," Sandpaw said slowly.

Firepaw shrugged, "I didn't do anything but tell Darkstripe to mind his rank and she got mad at me. I'm fine to be petty. I've had enough of this- what do you all think of ShadowClan in WindClan territory?"

His fellow apprentices exchanged glances. Firepaw had been in a foul mood since his duty had been announced. It had been long enough for the sun to make it almost fully down the sky and as he'd declared, he'd spoken not a single word for Bluestar. The only response she'd earned was a stiff nod and him swifty leaving her presence. Bluestar seemed taken aback by Firepaw's strong reaction to him caring for the ShadowClan cat. He'd sat through her assessment of his hunting skills with nods and a blank face until she was done. Then he'd simply nodded and stalked over to the apprentice's stump to chew angrily on the squirrel that he caught.

Deciding not to antagonize the already irritated Firepaw anymore, Graypaw tactfully took the change in topic.

"How bad was it Ravenpaw?"

"Awful," said Ravenpaw, ears flattening. "Everything reeked of ShadowClan. We couldn't smell WindClan anywhere. Even when we got to the camp."

"If they really chased out WindClan they could be coming here next," Firepaw mused. "The only thing separating us from them is the Deer Trail."

"Raggedstar is going to have a lot to answer for," Graypaw noted. "You can't just chase off another clan and face no consequences."

"If it's true, may the Souls punish them," Sandpaw muttered. "It's been a tough cycle but no other clan has needed to push out another just to survive."

"They'll get what they deserve," Graypaw scoffed. "ShadowClan cats don't even know how to hunt on the moor- may Slysoul deprive them of prey."

"Larkwing is worried," Ravenpaw said. "Raggedstar is shifty and aggressive sometimes but not aggressive enough to chase another clan out. He's focused on making ShadowClan stronger."

"Raggedstar may not be the source but he's the leader," Graypaw said stubbornly. "He has to know what his warriors are doing."

"...unless he was overthrown," Firepaw said slowly.

His fellow apprentices leveled him with expressions of shock.

"Who would overthrow their own leader!" demanded Dustpaw. "That- that's snakely."

"If ShadowClan was unsatisfied by Raggedstar, it stands to reason that he was overthrown."

"But leaders have nine lives granted by StarClan under Moonsoul's blessing," Graypaw argued.

"Well, what's nine lives to an entire clan of cats," Sandpaw said uneasily.

They exchanged worried expressions.

"Souls be with us," muttered Ravenpaw. "If ShadowClan actually pushed their leader out, who's in charge? Brokentail was his son so they must've chased him out too."

"Maybe that's why Brightflower was in ThunderClan territory," Dustpaw reasoned. "If she tried to defend her leader and the others disagreed, then she must've run away."

"Why run?" Firepaw asked. "She'd still be a valued member of ShadowClan right? The monarchs here are."

"ShadowClan executes cats that disobey their leader," Ravenpaw said grimly. "If Raggedstar lost, any cats loyal to him would've been deemed traitors and would either have to repent or be executed for treason."

"Flames," muttered Firepaw. "We better be on guard then- who knows how many other loyalists are wandering through our territory."

"I am not looking forward to the patrols," Graypaw groaned. "You know Bluestar's going to extend them."

"Look on the bright side, if ShadowClan does attack and we push them back, we'll be made warriors for sure," Dustpaw purred. He nudged Sandpaw, "Wouldn't it be cool? To kick ShadowClan's tail and then become warriors!"

"...Dad would love that," she said fondly. "I think I'd like to become a warrior like that."

Firepaw opened his mouth to comfort her when a loud yowl rang across the clearing. He groaned and shot an annoyed glare across in that direction.

"You better go feed the bone bag," Dustpaw teased.

"How the blaze is she still hungry?" Firepaw demand. "I gave her an entire rabbit."

"She must be starving- you did say she tried to eat you," Graypaw pointed out.

Firepaw groaned, "Fine."

"Don't worry so much Firepaw- if she looks like she'll eat you, I'll sneak up behind her and wack her with a stiff rabbit."

Firepaw instantly burst into laughter shaking his head with a pleased smile. He got to his paws stretching leisurely as she shrieked at him. He grabbed a robin from the fresh kill pile and moved as slowly as he could while still making progress. Brightflower's nest was placed in a good spot. It didn't make sense to place the only prisoner they had in the Prisoner's Camp- especially with no prison guards- so instead she was in view of the warriors' and elder's dens. If she tried anything, every fully trained warrior could come rushing to end her.

Unfortunately, it also gave her something to prove and an audience to prove it to.

Ignoring Longtail's jeers, Firepaw sat down a tail length away from her. He kept the robin just out of reach as he began grooming his chest. He dragged his paws across his face, yawning dismissively.

"I'm not feeding you until you stop yelling at me," he said bluntly.

"This is humiliating," she snarled. "I may not be a ShadowClan cat anymore but I have my pride- I will not allow myself to be fussed over by a farm belly."

"I really don't care," Firepaw said flatly. "If you're going to yowl at me like a kit who's been grounded, you can go to bed without a meal like one."

He ducked his head to pick up the robin when she cried out, "Wait! Your leader said you had to!"

"And if I don't then what?" Firepaw asked, rolling his eyes. "Cleaning the dirt-tunnel is more appealing than listening to a screaming, spiteful lump of matted fur whining about who my parents are."

She stared at him in shock, eyes wide flicking between him and the robin at his paws.

"Well?" he asked.

"I- where'd you get a spine farm kitty?"

"Sal ki hisuka xi," Firepaw responded. "Do you want the robin or not?"

"...I do."

Firepaw tossed the robin to her. The second it landed, Brightflower devoured it like it'd fly away or he'd take it from her. He took her distraction to sniff at her bitten leg. Spottedleaf had wrapped the worst of it in cobwebs and a foul smelling poultice but he couldn't imagine it felt good. He shook his head and wandered towards Spottedleaf's den.

"Spottedleaf?" he called out glancing around for her. Spottedleaf slipped into her den from the gap that led to the medic clearing. She sent him a tired smile.

"Did you need something Firepaw?"

"Do you have anything for Brightflower? That leg probably hurts."

Spottedleaf tilted her head at him, then smiled nodding, she began searching the various gatherings of leaves and seeds set upon the rocky shelves, "It's nice that you care about others- even when they've attacked you."

Firepaw ducked his head sheepishly, "Yeah well, she better not get used to it. I'm getting tired of 'farm kitty' this and 'farm belly' that."

Spottedleaf slowed to a halt, seeming to process something, "...Firepaw, what is the right word?"

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"What's the right thing to call you? I'm a clan cat- a ThunderClanner. And you're…?"

"Oh," Firepaw blinked in surprise, then smiled a little. Spottedleaf was the first cat to ask. "Orayesuka- sun born. And we'd call you guys Aidasuka, clan born."

"Okay!" she said with a smile. The medic grabbed a tiny pouch that smelled like it was made from deer skin. "Inside are some poppy seeds- give her a few of those to ease the pain. You can either leave the pouch with her or bring it back- Orayasuka."

Firepaw nodded his understanding and nudged her leg, "Thanks dun isina."

"What does that mean?" she called after him.

Firepaw paused at the entrance to her den, "Older sister."

Firepaw walked with a bounce in his step, pride and joy spread through him like a fire at the look of joy that temporarily overwhelmed the sadness in her gaze.

"Here."

"Thanks ki- Firepaw."

Firepaw rolled his eyes fondly. Brightflower still insisted on insulting him- less cruelly now- but she'd quickly adapted to not insulting him when he was bringing food. A bit of a compromise really- she kept from calling him kitty and he wouldn't call her a matted furred corpse. He prodded her nest frowning at the dampness left behind from the morning dew.

"We should move your nest," he mused aloud. "All this water can't be good for your creaky old bones."

"I'm not old," she snapped as Firepaw began shifting the nest towards an overhang near the nursery. He wasn't too worried about the kits- if Brightflower tried anything the monarchs and sitters would shred her to bits. In a way, placing her nearer to the nursery was better for security. He chuckled at the kits scampering about tackling each other in their game.

"Feel my claws Stormstar!" squeaked a tiny molly as she promptly tackled another kit.

"Oh no!" her target wailed. "ThunderClan is too fierce! Retreat RiverClan!"

'RiverClan' scrambled away back towards the nursery. One of them, a little brown tabby tripped and went tumbling head over tail into Brightflower who yelped and hissed at them.

"Watch it!" she snarled.

The little tom squeaked in fright and darted for Firepaw. He ducked his head grabbing the little tom and carried him the rest of the way to the nursery. She set him down earning a relieved look from his mother, Frostfur. The white furred molly glared furiously at Brightflower taking her son into the nursery slipping from sight.

"Those kits are getting restless," he remarked, returning to Brightflower. "They're about old enough to start shadowing apprentices."

"Just keep them away from me," Brightflower mumbled.

Firepaw tilted his head, "Bluestar said you had kits right?"

"...not anymore Firepaw," she sighed. "ShadowClan has not been a good place for kits."

Firepaw frowned at her sad expression. There was a story there, a painful one in her eyes. Whatever ShadowClan was up to must be far worse than anything they thought. He pressed his cheek to her shoulder- she'd been annoying, grouchy, irritating and an all around pain in the tail these past few sunrises but Firepaw had never seen her so sad before. Maybe the days were catching up to her. She leaned back into his touch, sighing softly.

"...thank you Firepaw," she murmured. "I- could you ask Spottedleaf for mouse bile? These fleas are killing me."

Firepaw rubbed her cheek one last time and trotted to Spottedleaf's den. The molly was focused on two piles of near identical looking seeds before pushing one pile into a small hole layered with a thin stretch of deer skin.

"Inedayeyi Spottedleaf," he called in greeting.

"Inedeyi," she stumbled back.

"Close- inedayeyi," he encouraged.

Since their talk about his heritage, Spottedleaf had decided that as his older sister, she had to know what he was saying and he was more than happy to teach her. Slowly, she was getting better with her pronunciation and remembering what phrases to use as she talked with Firepaw.

"Inedayeyi," she recited.

"Right!" Firepaw purred. "I'm here for mouse bile."

"Ah, the fleas finally showing themselves?" she said, shaking her head. Spottedleaf slipped through the crack into the medic clearing and returned with another small leather bag (this one smelled of boar) and placed it at his feet. Firepaw wrinkled his nose as the odor wafted from the lump of moss inside it. "Remember, you only need to dab them to kill the fleas. Place the moss back in the pouch when you're done and wash your paws in a stream not with your tongue. Many young apprentices have regretted trying to clean themselves the quick way after using mouse bile."

"Of course," Firepaw purred, "Thanks isina- inedayeyi."

"Inedayeyi Firepaw!"

He grabbed the strap of the bag and carefully trotted over to the Brightflower who seemed to be eating a few of the little seeds he'd brought her before. He felt a twinge of concern and made a mental note to talk to Spottedleaf about Brightflower possibly using more seeds than she needed or the seeds not being strong enough. He didn't say anything to her though, merely sitting by her side and starting to search her pelt for fleas. It was a tedious task with how dense and tangled her fur was and so he made the effort try to undo some of the knots with his claws. He doubted it made too much of a difference but aruhsio was on the way and if she was still being held prisoner, her nest would be very cold.

Firepaw tilted his head- if aruhsio came before the ShadowClan situation was dealt with, Bluestar would probably have her moved to the prisoner's camp. If only so she'd have a nest that was safe from the cold- but it would also mean she'd be more or less alone for long periods of time while she waits for Firepaw to bring her food and new bedding. It'd be harder to get herbs too…

"I think that was the last one," Brightflower interrupted his thoughts. "Thank you kitty- go on and do whatever it is you apprentices do now."

He sent her a smile and returned the vile moss to its pouch, "Have a good rest."

He'd just come back out from Spttedleaf's den and was veering towards the gorse tunnel when he was flagged down by Lionheart.

"Where are you off to Firepaw?"

"Just finished Brightflower's fleas."

"Ah, so the nearest body of water then. I'll let you go but please try to find one or two larger catches for the stache."

"The stash?"

"Bluestar refuses to let us be run from our home- she and Larkwing agree that we should prepare for a possible siege where we'd need to spend all of our time in the camp defending the vulnerable from raids."

"Oh," said Firepaw, that made sense and was part of why they'd had underground farms back home. Ahasra was better at the war stuff than he was. "Okay I'll bring back whatever I can carry."

Lionheart nodded and let him dart out.

It didn't take him long to find a shallow stream that he slid right into. He let it flow over his paws and splashed a few places on his chest where it'd dripped. He was just stepping out when Ravenpaw and Graypaw appeared on the ridge over him.

"Uh…" Ravenpaw said.

"I always thought he looked like a RiverClan cat," Graypaw said. "Look at those spots- clearly they're from Slysoul herself."

Firepaw laughed at Graypaw's dramatic statement, "I'm not RiverClan- I was cleaning Brightflower's fleas."

"Oh mousebile," Graypaw grimaced and Ravenpaw gagged a bit in the background. "Did you get told not to come back without prey?"

"Not in those words," said Firepaw with a chuckle.

"Wanna help us then?"

"And these are?"

"...dock leaves?"

"Correct! Well done Firepaw!"

Graypaw, Ravenpaw and Firepaw had had a successful hunt- his second in just four sunrises leading to teasing that Firepaw would end up the clan's best hunter beating Sandpaw. It seemed that Graypaw's words had held true- whatever ShadowClan was doing in WindClan, it wasn't catching rabbits because they all seemed to have fled into ThunderClan territory. He'd caught two of them having to carry one draped over his back and the other in his mouth. Though they'd been given permission to rest, Firepaw figured he'd get his basic medicine lessons done.

Spottedleaf was very patient with him and his struggle with some of the more similar looking herbs. She didn't seem to mind how long it took him to remember the difference between a few of them telling him he'd done well regardless. She put the long, rounded green leaves back onto the shelf.

"Last one," she said encouragingly. "You gave these to Brightflower- do you remember what they are?"

Firepaw hesitated, struggling as he drew upon the memory of her explanation from the start of the lesson.

"...poppy seeds?"

"Perfect!" Spottedleaf said with a purr. "Remember what they're for?"

"Dulling pain or putting a cat to sleep," he recited.

"Well done Firepaw- you'd make a good medic."

He smiled before a hot feeling flooded his body as if he'd fallen asleep in the sun. His muscles locked up and he found himself unable to move. He blinked furiously and out of the corner of his eye he saw a tail. Released from the sudden petrification, he turned fully. Cats made of shadow raced through the camp tackling others. His eyes darted about the. A distraught scream rang through the air and he startled. Reaching, reaching-

He blinked and an intently staring Spottedleaf stood before him. His legs felt shaky and he collapsed, dry heaving for a moment. The blazing feeling running through his veins began to cool- when the nausea wore off, his body returned to normal and he panted.

"...that was a vision."

He glanced up at a delighted looking Spottedleaf.

"That was a vision- you're a prophet!"

"I- wha?" he said dazed.

"A Prophet," Spottedleaf repeated eagerly. "A cat naturally attuned to the Souls who send them signs!"

Firepaw blinked, "Ashara's fangs- this kind of thing usually only happens to crown heirs."

"We have to tell Bluestar," Spottedleaf said absently. "It-"

"No!" Firepaw said in a panic. "Don't cats with visions have to become medics?"

"Usually," she said. "You don't want to be?"

"...no," he admitted. "Spending time with you is fun and learning herbs is cool but I tried to be a healer once. I don't have the stomach for it."

Spottedleaf looked a bit disappointed but she nodded all the same, "Alright. I'll keep it to myself- you should get some rest. Visions are exhausting."

Firepaw sighed in relief, darting forward on shaky paws to press his face into her coat.

"Thanks Spottedleaf, do you want to know about it?"

She shook her head, "It's always better to think it through yourself first and then later, when you've had time, we can talk about it together."

He nodded tiredly and staggered from her den yawning, ignoring the amused looks from the few remaining cats in the clearing. He slipped into the den, quickly scampering over to his nest between Graypaw and Ravenpaw who were already completely asleep. He flopped down, pressing into Graypaw's thicker, warmer coat and drifted off to sleep.