Chapter 1: Running

A patrol of cats pushed through the tall grass as the sun started to rise into the sky, turning it gold. Birds sung nearby and a brown she-cat with a black stripe down her tail pointed it toward the sound. The warriors behind her spread out and waited for her command. The brown she-cat flicked her tail and the WindClan warriors jumped blindly into the grass, hoping to snag the bird. Squawks sounded and the lead cat watched the flock fly away.

A tom padded over to her out of the grass. "Sorry Runningbird," he meowed. "We weren't quick enough."

The she-cat closed her eyes, trying to not let her frustration control her.

"It's fine, Dustblaze. We'll just have to report to Swallowstar that we were unsuccessful the first time," the deputy reassured the cat.

Runningbird kinked her tail over her body and her warriors followed. A dark gray she-cat ran up to the brown-eyed deputy and purred.

"Hello Runningbird, how are you?" she asked.

The WindClan cat purred as she looked at her apprentice. "I'm doing good, Crouchpaw. Quiet now, I scent something."

The apprentice scented it to and the picture of the animal came into her mind. Rabbits. Another warrior ran past her and Runningbird saw a flash of dark gray fur and she recognized her brother, Graybird. She made the patrol stop when her brother came back with the rabbit.

"Okay," the she-cat meowed. "Crouchpaw and Dustblaze, go near RiverClan's territory and try to scent some more rabbits. Graybird and Beeflower, go near SolarClan territory and see if you can find wrens."

The four cats nodded at Runningbird's order and padded away.

Runningbird sighed then slowly walked towards WindClan's camp.

She purred as the warm sun shone on her and sat down. Then she heard a rustling nearby and got into a crouch. Putting one paw in front of the other, she stalked closer to whatever was in the grass. Suddenly, she got pinned down. Shaking her head, Runningbird looked up at the cat who held her down.

It was a tom with brown eyes, gray fur and tabby stripes on his pelt. They both giggled. "Hello Jumpingpelt," the she-cat greeted. The gray tabby got off and purred, "hello Runningbird. Did I surprise you?"

The brown deputy purred also as she got to her paws. "Yes, you did. I thought you were rabbit. You're lucky I didn't shred you to mouse dust."

Jumpingpelt gave her a nuzzle and the she-cat licked her chest fur, trying to not let her feelings take control of her.

"How are you?"

The tabby nodded his head in response. Just as Runningbird got up, Jumpingpelt retreated into the grass and came back with a rabbit, then dropped it at her paws. She looked at the prey, then at the tom. "What is this for?"

"I caught it for you," her friend answered, his skin getting hot under his fur. The brown deputy purred her thanks, gave him a lick on his shoulder, then started padding back to camp. Jumpingpelt glared at his paws.

Way to go birdbrain! You ruined another chance to impress the most beautiful she-cat in all the Clans!

Runningbird flopped onto the ground in the medicine den with a huff. Rabbitpaw looked at the medicine cat's first born then padded over.

"Runningbird?" she asked, "what is wrong?"

"I'm exhausted. Where's my father?" she asked, looking around the den.

"Out collecting more herbs. I may help you if you like," Rabbitpaw replied before grabbing some chamomile flowers.

She gave them to Runningbird and the brown eyed she-cat gulped them down. She nodded her thanks then left the old fox burrow. She saw her friends Hollowpool, Antfire and Ivysong by the apprentice den.

"Hello," she touched her nose to each of them and they purred. She sat down by her best friend Hollowpool and started sharing tongues with her.

"Hello Runningbird," Antfire greeted, followed by Ivysong. "How are you?"

The brown she-cat nodded her head. "I'm well-" her words were stopped by heavy coughing. Ivysong moved to help her friend and brushed her tail on the deputy's back. After Runningbird's coughing fit was done, she took in deep breaths.

By now, every cat in the Clan was gathered around the half-Clan, looking wide eyed. Graybird and Adderbird were among them, and Swallowstar had to force herself through the crowd of cats.

"Okay everyone, Runningbird is alright now. There's no need to panic," the leader meowed. The cats reluctantly returned to their duties.

The white leader turned to look at her deputy. "Runningbird, are you okay?" she asked. Hollowpool licked Runningbird's ear and the she-cat nodded. "Yes, I am. Please, forgive me for making every cat worry."

"Your death disease is sounding worse."

"I'll be fine, Swallowstar. Do not worry," Runningbird nodded her head and the leader went to the fresh-kill pile.

The brown she-cat felt burning in her chest and she closed her eyes.

StarClan, please let me find peace.