Mapleshade pressed herself against the two-leg fence, trying to contain any fear scent. Her ears pricked as she heard the heavy sound of running paw against gravel. "Are you sure you saw Mapleshade?", came Deerapple's voice, one of her former clanmates. The high-pitched bright voice of Nettlepaw replied, "I sure of it. I saw ginger and white tail.".
The sun crept forever closer to the horizon, sunset quickly approving. She was a young and healthy warrior, still, in her prime, the journey to the Barn should have been quick. But Appledusk's vague directions to it hadn't proved useful at all. Now having to rely on her family's trail scent alone. At least she knew they had made it past the Thunderclan border without much trouble. Patrolling around the twoleg place had never been that good anyway. But despite that, here she was, being hunted down like helpless prey.
Deerdapple spoke again, "Does that mean the kits could be around here?". You wished. Mapleshade listened in carefully, holding her breath. A low rumble came from beyond the safety of fence, as a cat was growling to themselves, "Do you really think Oakstar did the right thing in exiling them? Frecklewish mentioned a flood almost drowned them the same night. That must be an omen of Starclan's disapproval.".
It felt like a mountain of boulders had collapsed on top of her. Out of every Thunderclan warrior, she could've encountered, it had to be him. Her traitorous mentor who supported her exile within a heartbeat. How could their moons of training together be so meaningless to him? Bloomheart was a father and mate himself, he should have understood! But of course, he didn't, she thought cynically. She'd been too naive to admit it, but the moment she got pregnant with half-clan kits, she had a hidden fear of her former mentor. Bloomheart was always amongst those foxhearted Clan purists.
A quiet rustling came from the other side of the wooden sheet, as Deerdapple teared up grass from under her paws. "Leave those poor kits alone, Bloomheart. They've already been exiled, there's nothing left to do.", Deerdapple huffed. Mapleshade imagined the two Thunderclan warriors circling each other, tails spiking as tension grew.
"I just being wary - They're free to do whatever they like beyond our borders. Oakstar told them to leave one time - How can we be sure that's enough? ", Bloomheart argued, "Those Half-Clan kits are being raised by Appledusk, the same cat who killed my daughter, Flowerpaw. How can we guarantee our kits safety with those revengeful rogues around?"
Despite how much Mapleshade wanted to spring out and shout at Bloomheart, she used the squabbling to slip away. Mapleshade looked around at the small garden that surrounded her. Mouse-dang! She'd trapped herself. The whole patch of bright grass was closed-in by fences or red walls. The only way out was the way she came in, scaling the fence. She dug her claws deep into the bark, bending her back legs, preparing to leap. She licked her lips nervously, she had made this quick.
"Enough!", came Deerdapple's voice once more, "Oakstar only wants the kits in exile but nothing else. If you lay a claw on them, you will be reported.", the she-cat sternly warned. Mapleshade laid a single paw onto the fence, each heartbeat dragging on painfully slowly. From the other side of the fence the quarrel continued with Bloomheart rudely snorting, "You do that. I don't care. Let's just back to findi-". Mapleshade saw their shocked faces as she came into view ontop of the fence. The whole thing shook under her weight.
Instinctively, Nettlepaw scaled the fence to be at Mapleshade's level, his voice shaky, "What are you doing her-". Before he could finish, Mapleshade raked her claws hard across his jaw, sending him tumbling through the air. He landed awkwardly on his ground, groaning with pain. Even if he was an apprentice, he wouldn't stand in the way of the Queen and her kits. While Deerdappled rushed to Nettlepaw's side, while Bloomheart focused on Mapleshade, "That's my son, you foxheart!".
Twisting her whole body round, she sprinted down the fence ledge at full pelt. A hate-filled yowl came from Bloomheart as Mapleshade made it further away. While Bloomheart had the strength of a banger, Mapleshade had the climbing of a squirrel. Using her bushy tail to balance herself as she ran across the fence. It was as easy as running across a thick tree branch. The trees of Thunderclan quickly become long wielding fields of Twolegs farms as she neared the border. Ignoring, several dumbfounded kittypets watching her, as they lazed around in their gardens. Just a bit further. Then from the corner of her amber eye, came a fast-moving pale grey shape, darting along side her from the bottom of the fence. A tom with thick tabby markings and strong build. Bloomheart. His face was strewed up with a raw determination as he recklessly charged after her. His breathing heavily as he struggled to keep up.
Using his own body as a log, the long-legged tom slammed into the fence with his flank. The whole fence violently trembled, making her lose her footing. She grabbed the sides with her claws as her back legs and tail dangled over the edge. Bloomheart sprang up, his teeth digging into her back leg. She cried out in pain. Both cats were spent tumbling down, hissing and spitting, right into a thick patch of stings nettles. She flailed out as she felt sharp pain all over her body as the nettles stung her from all directions. She was surrounded by sharp needle-like leaves, like nature itself was against her. Roots and stems tangled around her as she desperately tried to climb out. Completely ignoring the pain; Bloomheart tore through the nettle bush, relentlessly driving himself forward, his eyes blazing as he picked his way over to Mapleshade. She swiped the leaves out of her face, giving her room to breathe. Gathering the energy, she the gripped the earth, heaving herself forward. She gasped as she broke out from the nettle bush, rolling into the open air. Still covered in nettles that clung to her shredded fur.
However, this worked to Bloomheart's advantage. She'd caused the branches of the bush to split like a torn ear, giving him a perfect way out. He quickly broke free and leapt high into the air, landing on top of Mapleshade. "I know you too well Mapleshade - I thought exile wouldn't be enough and here you are, attacking an apprentice! My son no less. ", Bloomheart spat as he clawed as her pelt. The ginger queen raised her paws to her face, protecting her most vulnerable areas.
Flipping her onto her back, Bloomheart pressed his claws into her neck, "I'm not letting you hurt anyone else so this is how it's going to work: Every time I catch your family trespassing, you'll leave with a permeant injury. So if you continue coming, sooner or later, you'll have too many injuries to survive. So this warning better sink in quickly."
Refusing to listen further, Mapleshade kicked out at full force. With Bloomheart knock over, she attacked a second time, blindly slashing out. Then she heard a sharp hiss of distress as her back paw meet flesh and bone. Twisting her head around, she saw Bloomheart flailing on the grass-covered ground, clawing at his own eyes. Three long claw marks ran across his muzzle, right up to his left eye. Mapleshade stared at him. The wounded eye was badly swallowed like rolling dark green hills at night. It oozed with streams of thick blood. "I-I-I...", the tom scattered, panic overwhelming him, "I can't- I can't see! I can't see out of my left eye!", he yelled out in terror.
Calming himself down with steady inhales, Bloomheart plunged his paw into a nearby dock patch, snapping a leaf off its stem. He pressed it against his bleeding eye in a vain attempt to save it. Even if Bloomheart had better herb knowledge than most warriors, it was pointless. Though Mapleshade couldn't stay to watch him try, as Nettlepaw and Deerdapple were catching up.
Hurrying to her paws, she began dashing towards the Twoleg farms again, leaving the shivering cat behind her. "Coward! Get back here and answer for what you've done.", Bloomheart shouted. Glancing back, Mapleshade noticed he'd pressed a dock leaf into his bleeding eye. Even if he had better herb knowledge then most warriors, she doubted
As Mapleshade ran, she felt a wave of anger move through her. If she didn't have a family to look out for, she'd be more then happy to prove him wrong. One day, she'd show that fox-heart that she was no coward.
She placed her nose to the rough gravel path again. This was where Appledusk's trail scent ended. Her ears pricked as she looked up the tall red two-leg nest. This must be it. This must the Barn.
It was as tall as a pine. The walls were made from strange smooth flat bark, like nothing you would find in a forest. She padded to the side of the Barn, trying to find a way inside. How did they get in? "Appledusk?", she called out to the Riverclan tom. Several moments passed, until eventually she spotted a cream head poke out from a well-hidden hole, next to a pile of logs. "I'm here!", he responded, running over to greet her. His eyes narrowing as he approved, "It's almost sunset, what happened with you?", he asked. Seeing that Mapleshade's fur was matted and covered in stinging nettles. "Nothing.", she lied, not wanting to make a situation out of it, "Just got stuck in a nettle bush on my way here.".
"Minnowbrain.", Appledusk muttered. Just before she could cuff him over the ear, she stiffened up as he began to pluck out the leaves from her fur. She quickly knocked him away with a kick, leaves still in his mouth, "I'm can do it myself. I'm not a kit.", she insisted. Appledusk spat the nettles out, all getting caught in a gentle breeze, scattering them. "Suit yourself.", he mewed. They both walked towards the entrance to the den, Mapleshade taking the lead as they neared. She ducked inside, eager to see her kits again.
Inside, all over the place, the same thing, mountains of dried yellow grass. Faint tapping sounds as tiny feet scurried across the bark floor, in the dark depths of the Barn. This place was plateful of prey. "Larchkit, Petalkit, I'm back!", she yelled out, knowing Patchkit was too sick to respond. Her voice echoing in the cave-like space.
"We're here!", came her mother's voice, causing Mapleshade's eyes to widen. Since when did Tulipfur get here? She rushed over, tracing the sound back to the left far corner of the Barn. She found Tulipfur laying out on the golden straw, Patchkit settled in her front of paws and Larchkit and Petalkit bouncing up and down on her flank. As Mapleshade came into their view, Larchkit and Petalkit immediately ran over. "Mother's back!", Petalkit yelled out in excitement. They torched noses as they reunited. Larchkit stepped back, puffing, "Why did you have to leave us with Appledusk? We don't like him!", the kit complained.
"He's your father, Larchkit. I'm sorry but you're just going to have to get used to him.", trying to explain to her son. Mapleshade's whiskers could sense Appledusk lingering in the far side of the Barn, hearing everything they were saying. He was keeping his distance as Tulipfur kept an eye on him. Clearly, she'd kept her word and talked with the cat that had broken her daughter's heart.
Mapleshade sat down, letting Larchkit and Petalkit to finally feed. She glanced down worriedly at Patchkit. He didn't seem any worse at least, still lying stiffly, breathing heavy. She turned her head up towards her mother, "It's good to see you but- How did you get here so quickly?", confused how her elderly mother beat her to the Barn. "Well it was easy; I went back to camp, said I needed some time to clear my head after what happened you, no one questioned it and went straight here.", Tulipfur briefly explained, speeding through the story. "I could ask you, 'why were you so slow'?", Mapleshade's mother carried on, "But looking at the state of your pelt, it's obvious.".
Mapleshade grumbled. Did everyone have to point out her messy coat? After Petalkit and Larchkit finished, she settled down beside the cream and grey elder. "How is he?", she asked. Tulipfur shrugged while shaking her head, "It's mixed. One heartbeat he'll be boiling, the next, frozen solid. He's not getting any worse but you need to get him treated as soon as possible.".
Mapleshade began tearing at the golden grass under her paws, "I see.", she mewed. She rose to her paws again, "We might as well get going now then".
She called out to Larchkit and Petalkit, who were throwing up heaps of hay, trying to grab each individual blade. As the brother and sister came over, she began to give them clear intrusions, "Me and Appledusk are going to get Patchkit treated. So while we're gone, be sure to be nice to Tulipfur.".
Petalkit lowered her head in sadness, "You're going already?". She nodded. The brown kit jumped into her mother face, "Why? You just got here!", she complained.
Mapleshade licked Petalkit's check, trying to calm her down, "I know, I know. Things have been quite hectic these past few days, so I've had a lot to soft out. But everything will settle down again soon, I promise.". Petalkit just stayed wordless.
"Now, don't go outside, do as you're told and go to sleep on time, we'll be back before sunrise.", she mewed. Larchkit's ears flatten, annoyed at all the new rules being set. Mapleshade turned Tulipfur for the last time, "Thank you for doing this.", truthful gratefulness in her mew. Her mother just nodded, "Don't worry about us. Just focus on getting my Grandson cured.".
Mapleshade leaned down, gently taking Patchkit by the scruff, heaving him off his paws. He was limp and floppy, making him heavier than usual. "See you!", Larchkit called out as his mother walked away. She'd just hoped they'd make it back before sunrise, which was a big ask, as Highstones was a long way away. She found the dozing tom leaning on a small heap of yellow strew as bright as the sun. He snapped out of his sleepy state with Mapleshade approach. "We're going already?", Appledusk questioned, confused. Mapleshade nodded, not in the mood for conversion. They had a lot of travelling to do. Her mate reluctantly followed her across the Barn. "Are you sure we should be leaving so early? Shouldn't we rest a bit? What about the food? You hadn't eaten anything since dawn.", he pointed out.
Her voice was muffled, talking while still carrying Patchkit, "Don't worry about me.", she ordered, "Worry about Patchkit. The sooner we catch up with Ravenwing, the sooner he'll be cured.".
Dusk had now settled over the landscape, purple and light blue clouds swirling above. The tall pointed rocks being bathed in the fading light, being given a black tint. Her legs ached and hunger clawed at her stomach but she pressed on. Adrenaline pumping through her veins. This was an encounter she'd been waiting for. Appledusk trailed on behind her, heavy panting. Thunderclan territory was now nothing but a few rows of trees in the far distance. Patchkit tightened up into a ball, struggling against the harsh winds that blow against the rocky plains of the Highstones.
The group scrambled up a steep cliffside, shreds of grey stone trickling down with every slip. The earth here was darker, muddier and rougher than the ground in Thunderclan. The bare rocky surface of Highstones was dotted with patches of scrawny heather. For land blessed by Starclan, it was surprisingly barren. Only the toughest of plants could live here.
Mapleshade leapt another crack in the smooth boulders they were climbing over. The highest point they could reach, giving a clear view of the whole area. They landed with a jolt, making Patchkit groan. She heard a loud thud as Appledusk land clumsily next to her. A Riverclan cat up here was as good as a Windclan cat in water. She peered over the edge, the land rolling down into a sloop before going into a valley, the cliff walls touching the sky on both sides. She placed down Patchkit for the moment, trying to get her bearings. She'd been an apprentice since she last came here. Trying to track down a small black tom in this vast, quickly darkening landscape was almost impossible. Like trying to find a single star among the endless waves of glowing orbs in Starclan. Any scent left by Ravenwing would have been swept away by the raging fierce winds. Appledusk watched in silence as she gathered her thoughts. Trying to track him down would be a waste of time.
All they needed to do, was wait in a place where they knew Ravenwing would have to pass through. Mothermouth was the obvious one but all the medicine cat would pass through there. The chances of getting spotted by an unwanted cat were too high. Yet again, she knew he would have to pass through Windclan territory to get here.
Mapleshade turned to the Windclan border, tail swishing. She stared hard at the large open pale green fields of Windclan, covered with heather and shifting grasses. "Let's head down towards the Windclan border.", she told Appledusk, picking up Patchkit again and leaping down from rock to rock. He groaned for a bit before hurrying after her. She edged across a long stretching fallen stone like a branch, leading towards another ledge. Appledusk decided another root, using nearby boulders like the stepping stone back in Riverclan, jumping across them with little effort. As they entered the bottom of the valley, the ground began to sprouted thorn bushes and small ancient, almost rotting, alder trees. Small glances of movements could be seen, as rabbits hopped among crevasses of the valley.
The sight of prey made her mouth water but she forced down the urge to hunt. No. Patchkit came first.
Mapleshade lead Appledusk to a flat stone ledge, covered with wiry heathered that twisted and grew around itself. The small platform gave them a good view of the grey slope that lined with a wide Thunderpath, with loud shining Monsters speeding under them. Laying down next to the heather and pressing Patchkit against her belly. She tried her best to warm him against the chilling night air. Appledusk reminded alert, standing tall on the flat stone as he took up the role of a lookout. She closed her eyes, "Soon.", she muttered into Patchkit's ear. To her surprise, Patchkit stirred, opening his eyes to slits, clearly struggling. He smiled at his mother, "I'm fine...", he mewed quietly. Appledusk's ears pricked, "Is he talking?", he exclaimed excitedly. "Get back to looking for Ravenwing!", she snapped. He obeyed, sniffing at the air. She curled protectively around her son.
By the time she'd opened her eyes again, the whole sky was a mockery dark blue. The horizon was skimmed with silverlight, as the tip of the moon edged into view. A sudden unnerved scent came over Appledusk, as he strung from his sitting position. "I see him!", he growled, "He's just crossed the Thunderpath.". At those words, Mapleshade immediately scrambled to her paws, heart pounding. "Let's go.", she spoke sharply, grabbing Patchkit and dashing down the jagged brown rocks. Sure enough, she could make out a solid black object moving up the northern part of the cliffside. Nothing but a thin shadow in these vast mountains. Thudnerclan scent lingered on the rippling breeze. That mouse-heart was going to pay for everything he'd done!
They advanced on him, like helpless prey. She leapt and scripted through the jagged rock field like one of the rabbits that lived here, not letting anything get in her way.
Getting closer, she could see the Medicine cat in more detail. His strolled up the slope side at a steady pace, his expression calm and muscles relaxed. The mouse-brained fool was still completely ignorant to the cats silently stroking him in the night. It wasn't until Appledusk came within several fox-lengths of the Ravenwing, did his shady blue eyes finally meet her flaring amber eyes. Ravenwing staggered back several paces, his tail bushing up in fear, "M-Mapleshade- Appledusk?", he staggered.
Appledusk sprang forward as Ravenwing tried making a ran for it. Using his weight, he slammed Ravenwing onto the hard stone ground, the air being forced from the black tom's lungs. Mapleshade placed down Patchkit onto a piece of dried heather. She felt something strange and new as she circled the pinned Ravenwing. He began begging, "Look, whatever you're planning on doing with me, it's not worth it. It'll just put your family in dan-". He immediately stopped as Mapleshade placed her long claws against his throat. "Now, listen carefully if you don't want your throat sliced opened.", she threatened. Ravenwing gulped and Appledusk's ear twitched.
Just then Appledusk raised his tail for silence, before opening his mouth to taste the air. His eyes peered down the sloping grey land. Mapleshade followed his line of sight and she spotted it. The faint outline of two cats dashing across the Thunderpath. The blazing eyes of a Monster speeding past them, illuminated the two cats; a young black and white she-cat and grey tom with splashes of black - The Riverclan medicine cats, Echopaw and Driftfur.
Mapleshade hissed to herself in irritation. Of course, Riverclan needed to cross Windclan territory to get to Highstones as well. The cover of darkness could only do so much, they could easily be spotted out in the open if the Riverclan cats came any closer. "We can't stay here.", Mapleshade mewed quickly, picking up Patchkit again. Appledusk grabbed Ravenwing by his neck fur, forcing him to his paws. Then the cream tom knocked Ravenwing several paces with his flank, getting him to move. The two cats rounded up their prisoner, heading to a more sheltered area.
They lead him to an isolated rock hollow, surrounded by jagged peaks. Where no other cat could spot them. Dim weeds and moss grew among the cracks that climbed the walls and floor. The only way in and out, was the small gap between two large round boulders. Now it was only him and them, trapped with nowhere to hide.
Ravenwing padded into the centre of the hollow, the fur running against his spine bristling. His pale underbelly tightening up in fear. Appledusk side-stepped, so his back was against the hole, blocking off any possible escape routes. Mapleshade's lips drew back to show gleaming thorn-like teeth, snarling. Ravenwing lowered to the floor, whimpering. "What do you want from me?", the tom uttered in a quite yet tense voice. Mapleshade shifted around her body, using her tail to point out Patchkit leaning up against her front paws, "Something's wrong with Patchkit and you're going to fit it.", she instructed simply. "What?", Ravenwing asked, eyes widening.
"Check him!", Appledusk snapped angrily from the back of the hollow. The medicine cat slowly and nervously edged forward, his blue eyes constantly flickering up at Mapleshade, as if she going to bite his head off. Which she meant if he pushed it. Hesitantly, she allowed Ravenwing to get near her kit, his small pink nose poking through Patchkit's hot sticky fur. Ravenwing sat up, thoughtful.
"Well-", Mapleshade quickly getting impatient, "What's wrong with him?".
Ravenwing sadly shook his head, "It's not like any illness I've come across before. Has Patchkit experienced any extreme temperature changes recently?". Mapleshade's heart sank. It must have been when he fell into the freezing river. This was her fault! "Yes.", having to force herself to admit, "When he fell into the river, he was under there was a good amount of time.".
Ravenwing looked up into night sky, grey clouds only letting the brightest of stars shine through. He mouthed several random herb names to himself, trying to figure out what to do. "I can try and use Feverfew to bring his temperature down.", he suggested, clearly doubtful of his own words.
"Where do you find it?!", Mapleshade demanded, standing up. Ravenwing jumped back in shock, "There's a stream running into Windclan territory.", he explained, "there might be some there but I'll have- to...", trailing off his words, not wanting to say it. Mapleshade narrowed her eyes. She didn't want to let him leave but if it was necessary to treat Patchkit, then so be it.
"Fine.", she puffed, turning to Appledusk, "Go with him. And if he tries anything, scar him. I'll stay and look after Patchkit.".
Appledusk agreed, moving aside so the entrance to the hollow was clear. "Come on.", he spoke harshly. Ravenwing did as he was told, padded over to the entrance, still slightly lowered to the ground. "Be quick!", she added as Ravenwing crouched down and slipped into the gloom of the short tunnel. As soon as Ravenwing's and Appledusk's tail tips disappeared round the corner, Mapleshade tacked her paws under, trying to get comfortable on the bare rock. Covering Patchkit with her tail. The moon had now raised high into the sky, giving the landscape a silver outline. Her tortoiseshell pelt almost glowing in the silverlight. Without Appledusk and Ravenwing there, an uneasy silence and stillness had came over the hollow. As if the world was holding its breath.
Then a swirling breeze disturbing the bushes that lined the top of the hollow. Making whispering like noises as if the valley itself was trying to talk, calling out to her. She began to wonder how long it would be, until the Moonstone was hit by the moon's beam of light, bringing it to life as it glimmered with endless reflections of bright stars. Had all the other Medicine cats gathered in carven yet? Would they go looking for Ravenwing?
Then, as if it was destined to happen, her concerns were answered. Her ears pricked, as she heard the muffled voices of a passing conversion, coming from somewhere above her. Riverclan scent hangs in the air. However, it wasn't Appledusk's. Mapleshade rose to her paws, pressing herself and Patchkit against the far stone wall, continuing to listen carefully. The voices slowly become clearer as they neared, words beginning to string together like a spider's web. She could even be picked up the scraping of rock as they walked over it. A she-cat was talking, a young one, "-He's definitely in the area. Let's just search a bit longer, please.". It must have been Echopaw, Riverclan's medicine cat apprentice. Mapleshade only faintly recognized the young apprentice's voice from gatherings. A gruff voice sounded as an elderly tom began scolding Echopaw, "We're wasting time! The Moonstone will light up soon.".
Echopaw and Driftfur. Did they spot her and Appledusk leading Ravenwing away? They couldn't have. They'd been all the way back at the Thunderpath. The overpowering acidy scent of the Thunderpath would have blocked out any Thunderclan or Riverclan scent that had the chance of drifting down there. But that didn't matter anyway. They were dangerously close to finding her hiding spot.
The conversion casually continued, "But we can't let another Medicine cat miss the sharing of tongues with Starclan.", Echopaw complained. Mapleshade could pick up Driftfur's growing frustration with his apprentice, "It's Ravenwing's responsibility to get to the Moonstone on time, not ours. We shouldn't butt in with Thunderclan business anyway.". Yes, turn around and leave me and my family alone.
"Hey wait- Can I look in this one spot and if he's not there, we'll go.", Echopaw asked, awfully close. Panic began to surge through Mapleshade. She wasn't talking about the hollow entrance was she? "Fine quickly, but if you don't find anything, we are going.", Driftfur snorted. Why was he agreeing to this? She left Patchkit against the wall and leapt towards the entrance. She crouched down next to the tunnel and waiting. Her tailing began uncontrollably lashing, feeling ridiculously threatened by an apprentice of all cats. A grey nose was twitching in the murky gloom of tunnel as a cat moved through it. Suddenly a black and white head poked out, looking around the clearing.
Not giving Echopaw time to react, Mapleshade grabbed the apprentice's head with a single paw, slamming it onto the floor. "Hel-", Echopaw started but Mapleshade increased the pressure, driving her head into the ground even harder, sealing her jaw shut. Only being able to make quiet groaning noises. Mapleshade leaned forward, hissing into the she-cat's ear, making her warning loud and clear, "You saw nothing. Repeat it. You saw nothing.". She allowed the apprentice's jaw to loosen, her breathing was rapid as fear gripped her. But the apprentice kept a steady head, "I saw nothing...", she muttered, baring her fangs.
Mapleshade nodded, "That's right, you will tell no cat about this. Not even Driftfur. Now get out of here.", she spat, annoyed that Echopaw had the nerve to bare her teeth at her. Slowly, she unsheltered her claws from Echopaw's fur, letting her go. She began shuffling back, her fur pressed against the two boulders. Echopaw kept eye contact with the growling rouge as she disappeared into the blackness.
Mapleshade sighed with relief, sagging down into the floor. Patchkit was awake, having watched the whole scene, confused. Driftfur's words came from the other side of the high rocks, "Well, find anything?", he mewed, an edge of mockery in his voice. Echopaw staggered, "Ur- Nope, nothing. You were right.", she lied. Mapleshade grinned to herself. The apprentice was wise for her age. Wise enough to know that her threats weren't a bluff. "Told you, now let's get going.", Driftfur spoke. Their paw steps soon fading away into the night. Her and Patchkit were safe.
It wouldn't be a while longer until Ravenwing and Appledusk finally returned. The black tom seemed less on edge, then he was when he left. What Mapleshade didn't like. Ravenwing held a bunch of small white flowers between his teeth. Hopefully, that would be the herb that would sort out this mess. He laid the Feverfew on the ground, pushing it towards her with his paw.
"Here.", he meowed calmly, "Get Patchkit to eat this. In one go if you can.".
Gently, she shook Patchkit, trying to get him to sit up. Grudgingly, he managed to pull himself up on shaky legs. Mapleshade showed him the small white flowers, "See these? These are going to make you better, all you need to do is swallow them.".
Patchkit stared down at the herb blankly for a long time until eventually nodding. She held the herb up to his mouth as he nibbled at the edge of the petals. "No, Patchkit.", she explained, "You need to try and eat it whole. Without chewing.". The kit groaned, leaning over again and taking the whole plant into his teeth. He was hesitant to swallow. "Come on.", she encouraged, "Just do it and get it over with.". With another pause, Patchkit tipped his head up, trying to force the herb down. However, he quickly began choking, bringing it back up again. "Maybe you should let me try.", Ravenwing suggested, moving towards them. "No!", Mapleshade growled, making him keep his distance with a warning slash, "I'll do this.".
She placed her paw against his chin, making his head point upwards, allowing the herb to finally be swallowed. Patchkit collapsed to the floor, coughing. A worried father watched from the back, "Is he ok?".
Ravenwing shrugged at Appledusk, "Don't worry, most kits find it hard to take tough herbs like Feverfew.".
The herb began to work quickly, Patchkit was now able to stand without her support and his breathing turned from raspy and hot to more steady and even. Mapleshade stepped away, giving her son some space, "How do you feel now?". Patchkit coughed a few more times, "Better at least.", he smiled, his voice still a little weak. Thank Starclan. She looked up to the stars gleaming down at them, imagining the shining warriors of Starclan looking down upon them. Not choosing Patchkit to be among their ranks tonight, allowing mercy for once.
"All this wasn't necessary, you know.", Ravenwing muttered behind. Her shot round to stare at him, tail lashing. "Do go on.", she challenged while growling. She expected him to back off but instead, he held his head up proudly, preparing to speak his mind. Why wasn't he scared of her? Her stomach curled around itself, as she grew irritated. A full argument broke out between the two cats;
"If you'd just told me that Patchkit was sick, I would have happily gotten the Feverfew.", he pointed out, "Threatening me wasn't necessary.". Mapleshade felt outraged. What nonsense! "Oh please!", she shouted, "There was no way you would have helped Patchkit willingly.". The fur on the back of her neck spiked up like the jagged rocks of Highstones. Patchkit ducked under a nearby thorn bush, peeking out as his mother raged on. While Appledusk whispered annoyed words under his breath, Mapleshade couldn't catch.
"All the kits in Thunderclan are like kin to me, of course, I would have helped him.", Ravenwing countered, "Despite what you think, I do care about him.". The black tom still managed to show no signs of aggression, while Mapleshade scrapped her claws against the grey surface under her paws. "If you really cared-", she muttered, "you wouldn't of gonna us exiled.".
"That wasn't my decision and you know it! As Medicine cat, it's my duty to tell my leader the truth. I didn't expect Oakstar to go as far as to kick out innocent kits.", he argued.
"It still is your fault!", her throat being worn down by all the shouting, "Because of you, my kits will live as rogues, because of you, my kits won't ever have a future.".
Suddenly Ravenwing snapped, going into a full out rant, "Stop trying to put to the blame on other cats! When you know, it's your own fault! I wasn't the one who betrayed their clan and took another a mate from the enemy. I wasn't the one of lied to their own clanmates, used a dead cat's name for your own selfish gain and broke the hearts of Frecklewish and Oakstar. I don't agree with Oakstar exiling your kits, but I certainly agree with him in exiling yo-".
Mapleshade howled in rage, leaping forward, taking Ravenwing off his paws. She tore at his neck with her fangs, spending black shreds of fur everywhere. Ravenwing thrashed under her paws, yelling out in pain. "Mapleshade stop!", came her mate's voice, but the words were blocked out by the icy solid wall that now covered her mind, quickly fading away as if nothing had been said in the first place. Weakly, Ravenwing tried kicking out at her underbelly with his hide legs as a last effort, but his claws failed to draw blood. She felt numb at that moment. Like she wasn't in control anymore, her body just moved and she just said things, without wanting to.
Mapleshade spat in his face, showing her disgust for him. "Pathetic really.", she hissed, leaning over to meet his eyes clouding in terror, "Only 2 moons alone and you're already leaving Medicine cat role behind. I hope Oatspeckle is watching right now and seeing the truth about you, that you never deserved to call yourself a Medicine cat!". She didn't know why she was bothering to say anymore to him. He was an about to die and it was more than this pitiful lump of fur deserved.
The Medicine Cat spluttered and choked, writhing around on the floor as his neck oozed with streams of red. She just watched him for a heartbeat. Like a helpless rabbit about to become fresh-kill. Until finally ending his suffering with a clean slash to the throat. Her claws run with blood, as Ravenwing let out one final gasp before going limp, dead.
Appledusk just stared at that lifeless body of Ravenwing, speechless. Mapleshade stepped over the blood-stained Ravenwing, padding over to the bush Patchkit was hiding in. He'd seen the whole thing. Patchkit was surrounded by spiky branches of the thorn bush, facing away from her. The kit was completely traumatized, crunched on the floor, shelving and whimpering. He violently flinched and uttering, "No.", as his mother grasped him by the back of the neck, raising off his paws, into the air. Turning around, she saw Appledusk standing over the body, fur on end and ears flattened. "Why did you have to do that?", his face disappearing into blackness as a large cloud passed over the moon, blocking out its silverlight.
Mapleshade ignored him, heading over to the hollow entrance with Patchkit. Appledusk didn't stop, "Ravenwing did what we asked! He cured Patchkit. How could you kill a Medicine cat? Are you sick in the head?". She halted. Looking round to face the tom, "Don't pretend like you've never killed before. We're Clan Cats, it's just a harsh part of our lives.".
Appledusk flicked his tail over the body, slowly shaking his head, "Not like this.", he muttered, "Clan cats do it with honour, in battles, to defend our clanmates and territories. But this- this is just in cold blood, for pity revenge. This isn't what warriors do, it's what rogues do.", he hissed, his white fangs gleaming as the starlight reflected off of it. "That's cute.", Mapleshade mocked, heading back.