Chapter 15: Silence from Starclan
Beaverclaw shifted uncomfortably as she ate her starling. The medicine cat's are going to meet Starclan tonight, and Starclan would tell them what the right thing was to do. If they said remaking the code is right, then the rebellion would fall apart. But if they said it wasn't right then the rebellion would win without shedding blood. But if they said nothing, she was sure that everything would continue as planned. Stripewing came up to her, "You're on my hunting patrol, so hurry up with that leftover starling," Beaverclaw glared at her. "I've got a few mouthfuls left so give me two fish leaps," mewed Beaverclaw annoyed. "Two leaps that's it," Stripewing mewed as she bounded away to wait near the camp entrance. Beaverclaw finished the starling and padded to the entrance. Robinfeather, Ravenpaw and Stripewing were waiting at the entrance for her. "Todays me, Nightpaws and Strompaws assessment after we do a patrol!" squealed Ravenpaw. Beaverclaw smiles, "Good luck," Ravenpaw nodded and sighed, "I just wish Sparrowpaw were here, then he could become a Riverclan warrior beside us," Robinfeather nodded in agreement. "That tom shouldn't have left us, no matter the reason. We're a clan and clanmates look out for each other," mewed Stripewing. Beaverclaw thought 'If only she knew what I did to him'. "The prey won't catch themselves," mewed Robinfeather. "Aw, right let's go," The group padded into the forest, leaving paw prints behind in the snow. "Where are we headed?" asked Ravenpaw, with bounce in her step. "Should we stay near camp and fish? That'd be the best way to catch nice and fat prey for the clan," stated Beaverclaw. Stripewing glanced at her and mewed, "Reedwhisker told me that we should hunt near the Shadowclan border, so that we don't deplete the river of fish before the colder moons," Beaverclaw sighed, "I guess I see the sense in that," Her navy blue eyes shimmered with disappointment.
"Don't be disappointed, you'll get plenty of chances to fish in the river," comforted Robinfeather. 'If she knew the truth, she'd understand my disappointment. I nearly killed Sparrowpaw at the Shadowclan border. If we split up, I'm going as far away from there as possible,' thought Beaverclaw as her companions walked a bit ahead. Ravenpaw dropped into a crouch, she slid forward, her eyes trained on some prey. Beaverclaw followed her gaze and saw a scrawny vole nibbling grass underneath a patch of bramble. Ravenpaw got close, but a dry branch cracked underneath the weight of her hind left paw. "Mouse dung!" Ravenpaw curses as she follows her prey.
Beaverclaw walked up to the patch of bramble. "Ravenpaw, you okay?" The black she-cat walks out of the bramble patch, no vole in her jaws. She hanged her head, "No. I lost a easy catch," Robinfeather's navy blue eyes showed sympathy, "You did your best. You shouldn't compare yourself to Sparrowpaw…" "But if Sparrowpaw were here, he would've caught it right then and there without a mistake!" interrupted Ravenpaw, sadness in her mew. Robinfeather put her paw on her muzzle, shaking her head and sighing. Stripwing tried to comfort Ravenpaw, "Sparrowpaw's strength is hunting, you need to find yours. Are you better at fighting, or hunting for prey, or doing border patrols where you look for any dangers that threaten the clan. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. So we shouldn't compare ourselves with other cat's talent's. Understand?" Ravenpaw shook her head, sadness still in her gaze. Beaverclaw snorted, "Say's the cat that compares toms," Robinfeather agreed, "Yea, who knew Stripewing stopped mooning over different toms at a time," Stripewing stepped back and flattened her ears in embarrassment. "I...i..i" Amusement growing in her sky blue eyes, Ravenpaw mewed, "They were just teasing you. Lighten up,"
Stripewing flattened her ears in embarrassment. "I knew that'' she mewed sheepishly. Silence filled the forest, until Beaverclaw spoke up, "Let's get on with the hunt," Every cat agreed, they padded through the forest scenting the air for prey. Beaverclaw stopped as she looked at a mouse, scraping up the snow for a bite to eat. She crouched and waved her tail to warn the others. Robinfeather noticed and signaled the others with her tail to stop in their tracks. Beaverclaw moved forward, trying to mimic a snake, the mouse didn't pay attention as it is busy looking for food. When the mouse finally noticed something was off , it was too late. Beaverclaw had already pounced on the mouse. She swiftly killed it before it could squeak in surprise.
Ravenpaw mewed, "Great catch, just wish I could've got something too," Stripwing meowed, "You're not the only one who hasn't caught any prey yet," Robinfeather nodded. Beaverclaw dug a hole and placed the mouse inside it. She buried it and moved towards the others. Shadowclan scent hit her nostrils and she realized they were close to the border.
"Guy's, we should go back a little. Shadowclan scent is everywhere, and I don't want to run into a patrol," Beaverclaw mewed. She noticed the others were still walking to the border. She ran in front of them and hissed, "Did you not hear what I said? Shadowclan scent is everywhere. We need to leave before a Shadowclan patrol accuses us of crossing the border," "Why should we, we can scent the Riverclan scent marks just as strong as Shadowclan's," argued Robinfeather. Beaverclaw shook her head, "It's fresh Shadowclan scent, which means a patrol just came by here. We should go before we get into a dispute with them," Ravenpaw looked at Robinfeather then at Beaverclaw, uncertain on which side to choose. Stripewing glared at Beaverclaw, "If Shadowclan thinks we're going to cross that border then they're mistaken. We have plenty of prey here. We have no need for their prey," Beaverclaw sighed, "I'm going to hunt away from the border, you two can do what you like," She bounded off and Ravepaw went with her. "Beaverclaw?" "What," snapped Beaverclaw. Ravenpaw winced and mewed, "I think you were right about not hunting that close to Shadowclan's border. Clan's are usually more hostile in leaf-bare from what I've heard. If we hunt that close I think you're right that Shadowclan would accuse us of stealing prey," Beaverclaw relaxed. It was nice to know that someone agreed with her.
A twig snapped in the distance and Beaverclaw raised her hackles ready for a fight. Ravenpaw followed her lead. A white tom came out of bushes, his amber eyes showed relief when he landed them on Beaverclaw. "I thought I might find you here, but who's the apprentice?" asked the white tom. Beaverclaw growled, "What do you think you're doing on our territory?" The tom slashed his tail, "I have a message for your leader, I've already told Skyclan, and Shadowclan about it…" Ravenpaw interrupted him, "How do we know we can trust you?" The tom replied, "You can stay here if you think I'm leading a enemy patrol straight to your camp apprentice, and Beaverclaw you can lead me to your camp," Ravenpaw protested, "You're not going to do it? Are you?" Beaverclaw mewed, "Alright, I'll take you to camp, Ravenpaw get Robinfeather and Stripewing to help you see if this tom has any friends hiding in the bushes," Ravenpaw looked at Beaverclaw disappointed and hurried off to find Robinfeather and Stripewing.
"Blizzardsnow, I believe you came to talk to me?" asked Beaverclaw to the white tom, once she was sure Ravenpaw couldn't hear their conversation. Blizzardsnow mewed, "No, Squrrielstar sent me to tell all the clans that Bramblestar is dead, but I believe he did not die by an accident, rather I believe some cat murdered him. I saw the body.." he shuddered, "it was horrible. His body was entangled in vines, dried blood clumped his fur, he had a huge gash on his neck, and his eyes were open and glazed with fear. Me, Ivypool and Squrrielstar gave him a proper burial. Ivypool is the new deputy of Thunderclan. I wanted to tell you all this because I want you to contact Sparrowpaw and see if he has any ideas on who could've killed him this way. I've already told Duskspirit about it. If any cat can find out who murdered him, it's those two," Beaverclaw looked at him, shock pulsing through her veins. "I know it's hard to believe, but me, Ivypool and Squrrielstar all saw him this way. I think the murder is some cat who is a part of the rebellion. After all…" Beaverclaw interrupted, "Afterall he is the cat who suggested changing the warrior code,' Blizzardsnow nodded. Beaverclaw shook her head, trying to get rid of the curiosity bubbling inside of her. "Blizzardsnow, I shall take you camp, you can tell Mistystar the news about Bramblestar's death," Blizzardsnow nodded and the two walked silently side by side.
Beaverclaw thought, 'Bramblestar died, he was a good leader. But a soft one like Firestar. Believing that talking can help solve problems. Yeah right. If that were the case we wouldn't have so many border battles. The clans could've talked it out. But the only way to make another clan listen is brute force. Which is why there are so many border battles between the clans. Especially with Shadowclan'.
She stopped at the stream, "Want to watch me cross the stepping stones, or are you confident in your own abilities?" Blizzardsnow thought carefully for a moment, and mewed, "I think I would rather watch a pro do it first," Beaverclaw nodded. She leaped onto the first rock, she bunched her haunches to leap to the next rock. As she did so, she saw a patrol coming out of the entrance. Beaverclaw hurriedly leaped onto the other rocks. Thankfully she did not slip into the oncoming river water. She quickly told the patrol about why Blizzardsnow was here, then she motioned for him to jump onto the rocks. Blizzardsnow jumped onto the rock, he then awkwardly got himself ready to jump onto the second one. Once he was sure he balanced himself right he leaped onto the third rock. He almost slipped off, but regained his balance. He finished crossing the stepping stones with ease after that incident. "That was thrilling! I look forward to doing it again after I tell Mistystar my message," His eyes sparkled with excitement. Beverclaw rolled her eyes and led him into camp.
As soon as Blizzardsnow entered, cat's began to murmur and whisper among themselves at why he has come here. She motioned him to stay outside in the clearing, while she went to get Mistystar. The bramble fronds tickled her face as she brushed past them. "Mistystar, are you there?" asked Beaverclaw, worry in her tone. "Yes, I am Beaverclaw, come in," She walked into the short tunnel and blinked as she saw the massive hole inside the highrock, Mistystar is sitting in her mossy nest. She beckoned Beaverclaw with her tail. "Mistystar, Blizzardsnow has come with a message for you," Mistystar flicked her ears, "Tell him he can come into my den and tell me," Beverclaw nodded and walked out of the den. Blizzardsnow is crowded by a group of cats. He was trying to be polite to them. Beaverclaw wiggled her way through and told him, "Mistystar will see you in her den," Blizzardsnow turned to the others, "Mistystar will tell you what I have said to her," He then padded into the den, and the other cat's sighed. "I wish he would tell us what his message is," mewed Nightpaw. Strompaw argued, "We would've heard from Mistystar after he told us. What's the point of him telling us when Mistystar's going to tell us anyway," Nightpaw glared, but said nothing.
Beverclaw gasped 'Oh no, I forgot about my mouse! I hope Ravenpaw remembers it,' she thought with dismay. She headed to the prey pile. The pile has scarce pickings. She chose a fat carp from the pile. Beaverclaw bit into the fleshy carp, realizing how hungry she was.
She was about to take another bite of it, when Mistystar's yowl rang across the clearing. She looked up and saw Blizzardsnow at the foot of the rock. "All cats that can swim gather round the highrock for a clan meeting!" Cat's gathered around the high rock to listen to what Mistystar has to say. "Blizzardsnow has brought grave news, Bramblestar is dead!" Gasps came from the clan gathered around highrock. They started to talk amongst themselves. Mistystar raised her tail for silence and the cat's murmurings faded. "Squirrelflight is now Squirrelstar!" Cat's nodded their approval at Squirrelflight being the new leader of Thunderclan. Mistystar continued, "And Ivypool is the new deputy," Some cat's nodded their approval and others seemed to shake their heads in disappointment. "That is all, this clan meeting is adjourned," Blizzardsnow weaved his way through the crowd and sat down beside her.
Blizzardsnow suddenly mewed, "Now I've got to go to Windclan," Beaverclaw argued, "You should stay here for the night. You've walked almost all day to tell three clans that Bramblestar is dead. Rest. The sun is going to go down in a few fox paces anyway. Better to walk there when it's light out then when it's dark outside," Blizzardsnow tipped his head in thought. "I suppose you're right, Mistystar told me the same thing. So, I guess I'm staying here for the night," Beaverclaw mewed, "Good, after you've eaten I'll get one of the apprentices to…" She never finished her sentence. "All cat's that can swim gather around the highrock. I had forgotten in all the commotion about this special day for three of Riverclans apprentices," Nightpaw and Stormpaw walked close to highrock.
Beaverclaw noticed that Ravenpaw still wasn't here with her mentor Robinfeather. Fear wormed in her belly as Mistystar called Nightpaw to the highrock. "Softfeather, has your apprentice passed his warrior assessment?" Softfeather shouted, "Yes he has Mistystar," Mistystar nodded, " Then by the power of our warrior ancestors I commend you this apprentice, he has trained to understand your noble code. Do you want to protect the code and your clanmates with your life?" she asked Nightpaw. He replied, "I do," "Then by the power of our warrior ancestors I give you the name Nightwing. Starclan honors your wisdom and skill and we welcome you as a full member of Riverclan," Nightwing purred and sat down near his mentor, Softfeather.
Stormpaw became Stormcloud and Ravenpaw came through the entrance of the clearing just as Mistystar started yowling her name. "Robinfeather, has your apprentice done well in her warrior assessment?" Mistystar asked. Ravenpaw looked for her mentor's approval, Robinfeather replied, "She has valuable skills, which will further develop as she becomes the warrior she is meant to be," Ravenpaw eyes glimmered with excitement as Mistystar continued the ceremony, "Then by the power of our warrior ancestors, I give you your warrior name Ravenheart. Starclan honors your optimism and thoughtfulness and we welcome you as a full member of Riverclan!" Beaverclaw and the clan yowled, "Ravenheart! Nightwing! Stormcloud! Nightwing! Stormcloud! Ravenheart!" The yowling died down after a few heartbeats.
"Now there are no apprentices. The young warriors will still take part in helping care for the clan, until more kits are ready to become apprentices," Stormcloud muttered, "Great, I thought it would be over," Beaverclaw watched as he went to go to his vigil with his littermates. Pride warmed her pelt, she had helped train these young warriors and now they were going to be an even more powerful asset to Riverclan. Beaverclaw finished her carp and licked her whiskers. "I'll fetch you some moss for your nest," She stood up and fluffed her fur, the cold wind brushed past her.
She walked out of camp and hopped on the stepping stones. There was no way she was going to swim when it was this late at night. She sniffed the air for the scent of moss, not wanting to get it at the usual moss place. She quickly found a little moss place near the stream. She collected it and hoped over the stepping stones. Beaverclaw walked straight to the elders' den, finding Bramblethorn and Grayfur chatting with Blizzardsnow. The white tom seemed to be enjoying himself. She made the nest with her nimble paws, making sure it was perfect. She let Blizzardsnow know that the nest is ready for him. "Thanks," Blizzardsnow purred.
She saw Mothwing, a yellow tabby and Willowshine a dark gray tabby heading to the entrance. 'They must be leaving for the half moon gathering,' she thought as she walked into the warriors den. She noticed that Stormcloud was fast asleep, and the other two littermates were whispering to each other. Beaverclaw went into her nest, curling up. She soon drifted into a troubled sleep.
Suddenly a yowl broke through her sleep. Beaverclaw jerked awake, startled by the yowl. Other cat's got out of their nest groaning and moaning. She got up out of her warm and nest and reluctantly followed the others to the clearing. Mistystar is sitting on the highrock and dawn light dimly lighted the clearing. Mistystar yowled once every cat gathered around the highrock, "The medicine cats have received no answer concerning whether we should go forward with this new code, or keep the old one. Starclan must think that this is our decision and ours alone. Which means we will be continuing with the new code," Every cat, except a few, yowled their agreement. Beaverclaw shuddered, 'This means the rebellion will go as planned and cat's will die because of it'. She noticed Blizzardsnow head out of the entrance.
Beaverclaw wondered, 'Does Sparrowpaw know about the rebellion? Even if he doesn't Blizzardsnow wants me to talk to him. He probably won't want to see me after what I did to him.' Stripewing padded up to her, "I can't believe Starclan is giving us the silent treatment. I mean, hello Starclan, we're about to do something that will change everything. Don't you at least want to stop us or encouragingly move us forward. No! We have to figure out everything for ourselves," Bevearclaw mewed, "Well maybe they're tired of us always expecting them to move us forward, and want us to grow a backbone," Stripewing snorted, "Yea right. I bet the moonpool was frozen when they went, and the medicine cat's made it look like Starclan is being silent," Beaverclaw sighed, she wanted to agree with Stripewing but after going to the moonpool herself to get direction Starclan told her to sort things out for herself. So she believed that Starclan told the same thing to the medicine cat's.
Beaverclaw noticed Stripewing staring at her expecting a agreeing comment. "I don't think so, otherwise Mistystar would've said that the moonpool was frozen in her report to us," argued Beaverclaw. Stripewing opened her jaw to argue, but closed it. Beaverclaw guessed she saw the sense in her argument for why the moonpool couldn't be frozen. She fluffed up her pelt against the chilly wind, making way for the nursery. As she entered the warm, milk scent den, Spottedpelt mewed, "You here to see the kit's?" Beaverclaw nodded. Two kit's lay in the mossy nest beside Spottedpelt. A black, orange and white kit she-kit and a gray and a tawny kit with white on her face and chest. "What are their names?" asked Beaverclaw. "The black, white and orange kit is named Dreamkit and the tawny one is named Owlkit," Beaverclaw asked, stunned, "Why the name Dreamkit? Owlkit I can understand, but Dreamkit?" "I named her Dreamkit because she's always muttering something in her sleep, and I figured that she might have dreams that medicine cat's had and will have. Hence the name Dreamkit," Beaverclaw nodded in agreement, although she was only confused more. 'You don't name your kit after mumblings in his or her sleep. Otherwise they would have had to change Firestar's name to Dreamstar because he was always twitching in his sleep. Or so I've been told.'
Beaverclaw purred, "Well they're beautiful kit's. I'm sorry I couldn't have seen them sooner. I was busy with apprentice training and then warrior duties. Horsewing would be proud," Immediately she regretted saying that, as Spottedpelt's eyes shimmered with sadness at the mention of her dead mate. "It's fine Beaverclaw, I understand. I was an apprentice before, so I know what it's like," Beaverclaw purred, relieved that Stripewing's old mentor understood why she didn't come three moons ago. In three more moons they would be apprenticed. Beaverclaw wished she could mentor one of them, but Mistystar might think she was still an inexperienced warrior by then, and apprentice them to one of the older warriors instead. She didn't mind however she was no way ready to become a leader, especially since her emotions controlled her sometimes and that they were often confusing most of the time.
She really hated that about herself, letting her emotions get the better of her when she should be in control of them. Especially since it led to Sparrowpaw leaving Riverclan for good. Which was not what she wanted, but she didn't want him dead either. That was just her rage mewing instead of her. "Well then, I'll leave you with the kit's, have you eaten?" Spottedpelt nodded, "Nightwing gave me some mice earlier," Beaverclaw mewed, "Bye then," Spottedpelt waved her tail in goodbye. Beaverclaw shivered as she touched her paws to the snow covered ground.
She noticed Stripewing bounding up to her in excitement. She cocked her head as Stripewing mewed, "Softfeather and Squirreltail are having kit's again! Isn't that great news?" She flicked her ears in agreement as Stripepaw rambled on how great kit's and toms are. She caught her name being mewed by Reedwhisker. "I gotta go. Bye Stripewing," Her friend watched her go, sadness emitting off her in small waves. Reedwhisker saw her padding to him, "Beaverclaw," he purred, "Just the cat I was looking for. I want you to go back to the Shadowclan border with Troutfin, Tigerstripe and…." A wail of grief came from the elders den. She recognized that wail, Grayfur came out of the den with Bramblethorn's scruff in his teeth. "Mother!" cried Horsewing's mother, Pebblefall, a black and grey she-cat. She looked not like her mother at all. Beaverclaw remembered that Pebblefall's father died battling a badger that wandered onto Riverclan's territory before she was born. Bramblethorn always had sadness in her mew when talking about it.
Greif choked her as she saw Bramblethorn's dead body being smeared with lavender, the medicine cat's Mothwing and Willowshine added it to disguise the scent of death. She could still smell it faintly as she touched her nose into Bramblethorns fur. Grayfur padded up beside her and sat down. 'He must be feeling terrible. Sparrowpaw leaves the clan because of me and Bramblethorn is now dead, because of old age, or whitecough or greencough. Probably old age as the medicine cat's didn't announce that whitecough or greencough is in camp.' Still it pained her to know her favorite elder passed away before she could say goodbye. Tears threatened to burst from her dark blue eyes, but she forced them to stay in. She could not show weakness in front of her clanmates. They thought she was brave and strong. True, she was brave and strong in battle with their natural enemies, but emotionally she is not. Yet.
She pricked her ears to the sound of pawsteps coming to her left side, Beaverclaw jerked her head up. Stripewing had come. She thought idly, 'She doesn't know Bramblethorn that well.' Then she remembered that all cat's could share tongues with her, but only the ones closest to her would her final night before she descended into Starclan. 'Starclan,' she thought bitterly, 'How long are they going to keep silent about the rebellion. I suppose though that since they didn't say anything about which path to choose, they'll watch while cat's could die unnecessary deaths. Even though I want the code to stay the same, I don't want unnecessary bloodshed between the Clans.' "But you were willing to kill Sparrowpaw over letting cat's that attacked your camp go free" whispered a voice in her head. 'That was different!' she yowled in her head at the voice. The voice replied, "Whatever you say, Beaverclaw," Beaverclaw fluffed up her fur, annoyed that the voice didn't expect her reply and besides she thought, 'I am remorseful that I tried to do that to him. I want to get better control of my emotions, and besides, I was hoping that we could avoid battle, and get an answer from Starclan. But no! We have to decide for ourselves which path to take!'
She heard Mistystar mew to the cat's gathered around Bramblethorn, "I know Bramblethorns death is hard to take in, but I need to start the traditional ceremony before she gets buried into the dark earth. So I will start in a few rabbit hops. I hope you will be ready to say goodbye when that time is up," Beaverclaw twitched her ears in frustration, 'We aren't even sitting vigil no more!' Stripewing noticed her anger and meowed, "Beaverclaw it's sunrise. Mistystar only said that because she doesn't want Spottedpelt's kit's to see a dead body all day and to disprect Bramblethorn while doing so," Beaverclaw nodded sadly, "I only wish I get to say goodbye for a little bit longer," Grayfur was about to open his mouth to agree when Mistystar yowled, "Bramblethorn lived a long and good fulfilling life. She had many hardships to face as any other elder,but she braved through them. She was a good mate to Blacksky's and Pebblefall's father Crowtail. May she find swift running, prey to eat and shelter where she sleeps," She then whispered to Nightwing and Stormcloud, she didn't catch what was mewed between them.
Her limbs felt a little stiff after being in a crouched position for a few fish leaps. Beaverclaw stretched them and padded over to where Reedwhisker is organizing the patrols. "Beverclaw, you remember what I told you earlier before I was interrupted," he mewed, waving his slick tail. "You told me to check out the Shadowclan border, and with the same cat's as yesterday," Reedwhisker cocked his head in confusion, but nodded in agreement and flicked his tail to signal that the conversation was done.
She'd seen Robinfeather somewhere in camp, but couldn't remember where. She padded up to Ravenheart who was mewing something to Nightwing. "It's awful that Bramblethorn died. Especially since she helped Grayfur with the loss of Sparrowpaw," Nightwing replied to Ravenheart's comment. Beaverclaw flattened her ears at the mention of his name, but made them go up as she worked up the courage to talk to Ravenheart. "Ravenheart, have you seen Robinfeather? Reedwhisker wants to check the Shadowclan border again," Ravenheart's blue eyes showed concern, "Is he sure he wants you to go to the Shadowclan border so soon after Bramblethorn's death?" She inwardly sighed, 'He already wanted me to check the Shadowclan border before Bramblethorn died,' thought Beaverclaw. "He already asked me to check the border before we all heard the wail of grief that came earlier," Beaverclaw mewed bitterly. In truth she just wanted to stay by Bramblethorn's side until moon high or the next day. Cause that's how vigils are supposed to go, but Mistystar wanted her buried as soon as possible for the welfare of the kits.
Nightwing's mew broke through her thoughts, "I can get some cat else to check the border and I can go hunting with Beaverclaw," "Nightwing, you don't have to do that, Reedwhisker asked me to do it!" protested Beverclaw. "Beverclaw it's fine, besides hunting will help better than checking borders. There might be a skirmish," he replied, his sky blue eyes showing his firmness in his decision. Beaverclaw meekly nodded, knowing she couldn't change the tom's mind, seeing his firmness shine through his eyes. Ravenheart broke through the uncomfortable moment of silence, "Nightwing you can take her out right now, while I go and round up Robinfeather and some cat to check the Shadowclan border," She bounded off before Nightwing could reply. He twitched his ear in frustration, then looked into Beaverclaw's eyes. "Are you ready to hunt some prey?" Nightwing asked, trying to be cheery. She nodded, eager to let her frustrations and emotions out on some prey.
Nightwing led her out of camp, they waded through the chilly water. Beaverclaw shivered, the water soaked her belly fur, and eventually soaked her whole body as she and Nightwing swam to the other side of the river. When Beaverclaw reached the bank she shook out her fur, letting the droplets of water hit the frost covered stones. She pricked her ears as they walked through the forest, listening for any sign of prey. Nightwing stopped suddenly and crouched as he moved forward. She opened her mouth and the faintest scent of mouse hit her scent glands. Beaverclaw watched as Nightwing carefully moved forward, stopping for a few fish leaps. She guessed it was because the mouse looked around sensing danger. Nightwing leaped like a fish, he landed on the ground with a loud thud, his claws raked at the mouse. With the mouse dazed he gave it a swift killing bite. "Nice job Nightwing. That mouse didn't know what hit it!" she purred. Nightwing gave an embarrassed glance and mumbled with the mouse in his jaws and shifted his paws, "Any cat could've done it,"
Beaverclaw cocked her, "Yes but you did it here and now. Don't underestimate your value, you caught a mouse that any cat could've caught, but they weren't here to do it. You caught it, you should be proud," Nightwing flattened his ears in embarrassment, "Sorry, it's just.." "Sparrowpaw is not here, You're just like your sister comparing yourself to him. You shouldn't, yes Sparrowpaw is great at hunting in greenleaf. But you don't know how he hunt's in leaf-bare. Also you have your own strengths that Sparrowpaw doesn't have. Like I said earlier, don't underestimate your value. Every cat is good at something, you just have to find it and be proud of it. Stop comparing yourself to him. You are not Sparrowpaw and Sparrowpaw isn't you," ranted Beaverclaw. She had already gone through this with Ravenheart, so she took what Stripewing said to the young black she-cat and told it to Nightwing in her own words.
Nightwing looked extremely embarrassed. He had dropped his mouse in front of him, his jaws clamped shut like he was about to mew something, and his ears were flattened even more. His eyes shimmered with embarrassment and a hint of admiration. 'Great,' she thought, 'now I made him speechless.' Beaverclaw mewed, "Come on, we have a hungry clan to feed. Let's bury this mouse and see if we can scent more dryland prey. If not, lets fish at the river till sunhigh, that should give the clan plenty of prey for early leaf-bare," Nightwing nodded still stunned into silence at Beaverclaw's rant. She headed to the right of where Nightwing caught the mouse heading to the Windclan border. Surely a rabbit would be cold enough to come into the forest to look for warmth. She kept her ears pricked and stopped a couple of times to smell the air.
Snow and ice was the only she could smell for a while. Her hopes were dashed when she smelled Windclan a few fox lengths in the border. Nightwing smelled it to and immediately got into a defensive crouch, his hackles ready to leap on the Windclan intruders. Harestar ran into them bowling them over. Beaverclaw started to growl at him, noticing Harestar's eyes showed panic, in fact, Harestar's whole body was in panic mode as he scrambled to get up. Unfortunately Nightwing pinned him down before he could escape. She stood up and shook the snow off of her fur, while Nightwing still growled at the Windclan leader. "What are you doing…" A vixen appeared where Harestar had appeared moments ago, its snarling interrupted Nightwings question. Beverclaw raced underneath the fox, turned onto her back and unsheathed her claws. She batted at the vixen underbelly while Nightwing tried to get a blow at the vixen's face.
Harestar sat on the snow covered ground, a wound to his belly bleeding and turning the snow to crimson. The vixen fox jumped back while Beverclaw got back on her paws. A sharp pain grasped her back where her soft belly had been exposed earlier. She tried to claw at the vixen's muzzle, but to no avail. "Beaverclaw," Nightwing yowled as he saw what happened. He ran to the side of the vixen and leaped onto her back. Beaverclaw couldn't see what he was doing to the vixens back, but the pain in her back went away as she fell on her paws onto the snowy ground. She looked up to see that the vixen was now trying to get Nightwing off of her back. Suddenly she threw him off and ran towards the horse place on Windclan territory. Beaverclaw walked, her left forepaw limping from the hard fall to where Harestar lay.
She mewed, "Let's get Harestar back to camp, where his medicine cat's can keep an eye on him," Nightwing was about to protest but a glare from her made him agree. She grabbed Harestar by the scruff and with Nightwings help loaded him onto Nightwing's back. Harestar is still breathing and the belly wound stopped bleeding a little way into Windclan territory. Her back still hurt from the fox bite, but she pushed forward to Windclan camp. A sentry on a rock spotted them and warned their clanmates of their coming. The sentry then meeted them halfway to the rock. The sentry is a pale ginger tom with dark ginger stripes and dark brown eyes. "Harestar!" the sentry exclaimed in disbelief. "Where did you find him?" Nightwing mewed in response, "He ran into us with a vixen fox chasing him. We battled it while he rested from a belly wound that we think the vixen caused. He is unconscious but still breathing and the bleeding has stopped," The sentry nodded but his gaze held a smidge of disbelief to Nightwings answer.
"You can come and see our medicine cat," the sentry mewed. Beaverclaw and Nightwing followed him into Windclan camp. The sentry led them to the medicine cat den. The entrance to it was a crack of a grey rock. Vines dangled in front of it and tickled her nose as she pushed her way through. She saw the grayish brown with white patches that kinda looked like kestrel feather's sitting near a pile of herbs, same with a flame colored she-cat. Though she did not know their names. The grayish brown tom with white patches introduced himself, "My name is Kestrelflight and this is my apprentice Flamepaw," The flame coloured she cat mewed, "Kestralflight will look at Harestar's injury while looking at one yours." Nightwing stated, " Do Beaverclaw's first," Flamepaw assed Beaverclaw her amber eyes showing concern.
"I am concerned with the fox bite on your back, I will put some herbs on it. But I want you to stay here, I don't think the fox broke your spine since you can still walk, but I am worried about it becoming infected. You should stay in Windclan camp till my mentor tells you the danger is low enough for you to go.," Beverclaw squirmed, she didn't want to wait in Windclan camp just because the bite on her back might become infected.
Nightwing mewed, "Couldn't she come to Riverclan and have Mothwing and Willowshine check on her?" Hope flashed in her chest, she had to stay in Riverclan to make sure that the rebellion continued on it's path. She is, afterall, the leader of the rebellion in Riverclan. Flamepaw answered seriously, "No, she might get her back infected by a thorn scratching her back in the entrance to your camp. The river, if she swims, could clean it out but it might not because there might be drifting dirt that could lodge into the wound and make it infected. It is best that she stay here. Where infection is at a low risk for her fox bite," She turned around and gathered some herbs from the cleft of the rock. She chewed it into a pulp and spread it on her wounds. It stung at first but then it soothed her aching back.
