edited for spelling errors, consistancy errors, and expanding a few things.
Xxxxxx
A grasshopper jumped off of the twig and out of the reach of the kits playing by the nursery. On the other end of the camp, Flamefur and Grayfoot were talking as they kept a watchful eye on the kits. Patchpelt had left the Nursery over a moon ago once her kit, Briarkit, had been made into the apprentice Briarpaw and given the mentor Mousefang.
"This will probably be your last litter, right? Ivyfur is getting pretty old and you two have been mates for as long as I can remember." Flamefur meowed. Her stomach was slightly bulging, the orange tabby having moved to the Nursery half a moon ago with the announcement she was having Mousefur's kits. Grayfoot narrowed her eyes at the younger queen, flicking her tail in mock agitation.
"It isn't polite to speak of another's age like that, you know." Grayfoot said. Flamefur laughed, shaking her head.
"Your son Badgerpaw has been the medicine cat's apprentice for over a year now, and I can see the new gray on your and Ivyfur's muzzle you know." Flamefur said playfully. Grayfoot batted Flamefur in the shoulder, looking over the clan.
"Ivyfur said he plans to retire after his apprentice is made a warrior. I still have a few moons in me after my kits become apprentices so I will remain for a little longer." She said.
The two queens wondered and chatted as the kits played. One, a small tom broke off, hissing at his brother. Smallkit was a dark, almost black, gray tabby. His tail was white, but the stripes continued even over the stark whiteness if the fur. His pupils were slits as he hissed, dodging his brother's attempt to jump on him.
"Come on Tinykit! You can't just run from me!" Stormkit jeered. Stormkit was easily the biggest of Grayfoot's kits. Black as night with flecks as white as snowfall over his thick fur.
"Leave me alone Stormkit!" Smallkit hissed. Stormkit laughed.
"Or what? Going to run to Mama, little tiny Tinykit?" Stormkit laughed again and bunched up, launching himself at Smallkit again. Smallkit bolted, running away from his brother. He knew one place he could hide that Stormkit wouldn't dare follow, and dashed right into the apprentice's den and right over a sleeping apprentice. Quickly he curled up into their fur, lying low so Stormkit couldn't see him and ignoring his brother's harsh attempts as whispering for him and calling him a coward. After a few moments Stormkit seemingly got bored of his attempts to lure Smallkit from the den and left, not wanting to step inside.
The only apprentice currently in the den was the one Smallkit was curled up next to. Their fluffy white fur rose and fell in an uneven rhythm as the apprentice slept fitfully. Smallkit crawled a bit closer to their fur, relaxing as their scent filled his nose.
Icepaw had been den bound for two days at that point, though Smallkit wasn't sure exactly why. His mother had said she had fallen ill, but no one gave him a straight answer. Icepaw wasn't kept in the medicine cat's den, and Smallkit was pretty thankful for that as he sighed. Icepaw stirred, her red eyes cracking open slightly and gazing at him with confusion. She didn't raise her head, but blinked a few times.
"Did I sleep so long they made you an apprentice, Smallkit?" Icepaw asked, her voice sounding hoarse. Smallkit shook his head.
"Stormkit." He meowed, pushing his nose into Icepaw's fur to hide his face. He felt Icepaw purr, the vibrations soothing him. Slowly Icepaw got up, her body shivering slightly before she shook herself to fully wake up.
"Well, you can come with me to see Foxwhisker and Badgerpaw. Stormkit can't pick on you if you're escorting me." She croaked. Smallkit nodded, sticking close to her side as the two slowly walked out of the apprentice den.
There was more activity now outside, the clan fully waking up outside of hyper active kits and the morning patrol and hunting parties. Smallkit saw Ivyfur with Owlpaw, discussing something he couldn't hear, Eaglewing padding up to them and entering the conversation. At the nursery he saw Stormkit glaring at him, his yellow eyes narrowed, but otherwise choosing to play with their sisters Ravenkit and Mistkit. Stormkit made the mistake of picking on Smallkit in front of Icepaw once, and only once.
Icepaw scrunched her nose as they slipped into the medicine cat's den, the pungent smell of herbs overpowering any other scent. Badgerpaw was yawning in a corner, checking stock while Foxwhisker was tending to Sootpelt. Icepaw nodded to the warrior and senior medicine cat as the russet tom applied covwebs to Sootpelt's front leg. It didn't look like a nasty injury, but Icepaw knew looks could be deceiving and Badgerpaw stressed to her that bloodloss isn't the only killer from an injury.
"What's with Smallkit? He sick to or is he 'escorting' you again?" Foxwhisker rasped, not looking up from Sootpelt's leg. Icepaw nodded her head.
"Escorting. I feel a lot better today, but my throat still hurts." She croaked. Foxwhisker chuckled, his body shaking with the effort as he nodded at his work.
"Don't mess with the covwebs, come back if it starts to itch or leaking something yellow. Itherwise you're fine, get out." Foxwhisker rasped ag Sootpelt. The gray tom nodded sheepishly to Foxwhisker and then Icepaw and Smallkit before slipping out of the den. Foxwhisker nodded to her so Icepaw sat before him, Smallkit staying at her side.
"Sounds like your throat is dried out. Badgerpaw! Honey!" Foxwhisker yowled, startling Badgerpaw into action before turning back to Icepaw and ordering her to open her mouth.
Having Foxwhisker's paw wrench her mouth furthur open was uncomfortable, but Icepaw kept herself from groaning to keep a brave face infront of Smallkit. Badgerpaw came up with the honey and Icepaw slowly licked it, feeling it cling to the inside of her throat and working wonders. She just wished it had a taste.
"Your fever is gone, and your eyes aren't as clouded as before. One last day clan bound and I'd say you are fit to resume training." Foxwhisker nodded his assessment. Smallkit flicked an ear.
"What was wrong with you?" He asked.
"Just sick. Nothing bad." Icepaw meowed back, her voice sounding much better. Foxwhisker harumphed and padded off, leaving Badgerpaw to finish up.
"Not whitecough or greencough thabkfully, just something light that needed a few days rest and sleep. Don't over exert yourself today, and like Foxwhisker said try not to leave the camp and tomorrow you cane resume your training." Badgerpaw meowed, licking the top of Icepaw's head. Smallkit felt something bubble in his chest, annoyed at Badgerpaw's gesture but bit his tongue. Icepaw nodded.
"Let's go get something to eat Smallkit." Icepaw meowed, leading the way out while Smallkit obediently followed. The rest of the clan was now fully up, and Smallkit sat with Icepaw as she ate and two cats padded up to them. One was Eaglewing, her pale brown tabby fur looking even paler in the morning light, and the other was Pebblepaw.
"What was Foxwhisker's verdict?" Eaglewing meowed as she approached, giving Smallkit a curious glance.
"Stay in the camp for one more day, then tomorrow I'm good." Icepaw meowed, Eaglewing nodded.
"Can't argue with a medicine cat. I'm heading out on a hunting party, so I won't be back till later. Make sure to do as Foxwhisker instructed." And with that the senior warrior padded off to join a group forming at the clan enterance. Pebblepaw settled down near Icepaw, giving Smallkit a respectful nod.
"You missed Owlpaw tangling in his own paws trying to learn a leap attack yesterday." Pebblepaw meowed, earning a wide eyed look from Icepaw who started groaning.
"And I missed it? Really? Did he make the noise again?" Icepaw asked. Smallki tilted his head at them.
"The noise?" He asked. Icepaw nodded her head vigorously while Pebblepaw gave a short nod.
"He did! It sounds like he is trying to yowl and mimic a toad at the same time. Wide open mouth and everything! I couldn't help but laugh though Porcupinepelt got pretty mad at me for that..." Pebblepaw looked away sheepishly. Icepaw laughed, her tail flicking across Pebblepaw's flank.
"Sorry, if I hadn't been sick with that stomach bug I could have been there to get in trouble to!" she meowed. Grayfoot called to Smallkit from the nursery, and the kit seemed apprehensive about returning to his mother and siblings. Icepaw nudged him reassuringly.
"Don't worry! You'll be an apprentice before you know it and then Stormkit can't pick on you anymore, and if he does I'll be there even more to help!" She whispered to him. Smallkit looked up at her then slowly nodded, bounding over to his mother and being joined by his two sisters Ravenkit and Mistkit. Stormkit was sitting behind Grayfoot, glaring at Icepaw warily.
"He still hasn't gotten over you yelling at him that day, has he?" Pebblepaw murmured. Icepaw felt her chest heat up and she licked at her chest.
"Well, what was I supposed to do? Grayfoot doesn't keep him or Mistkit from picking on Smallkit, and I couldn't just sit there and stay silent while Stormkit kept him from eating." She mewed. Pebbpepaw chuckled, flicking her tail across Icepaw's flank.
"I would have done the same thing! Oh, looks like the hunting patrol is ba...ck...?" Pebblepaw trailed off as a group of cats slipped into the clan.
The group was being led by Batear, the deputy of Sun Clan. The brown tabby tom always struck Icepaw as odd due to being the size of an apprentice with unusually large ears that were currently twitching in worry as he broke from the group and went straight for Bearstar by the leader's den. There was a bloody notch in his right ear and Icepaw could see he was limping from a cut on one of his legs.
The rest of the group was more than just a hunting patrol. Ivyfur and Patchpelt approached the patrol, now being held together by Honeypelt. The yellow tabby had an open gash on his shoulder and was leaning up against Dawnheart for support. Adderclaw was behind the group, having Snowtail's help to drag a pale gray cat into the camp. Behind them, slowly and nursing a torn foot, was Stormclaw as he dragged in a white cat that Icepaw felt looked familiar.
Bearstar ran to the group, cats now gathering as Foxwhisker and Badgerpaw were called and came quickly with herbs and cobwebs, quickly treating the injuries of the cats. With a look from Pebblepaw, the two apprentices circled the group to the stunned Owlpaw. Icepaw nudged him, Owlpaw looking over at her with bright and confused eyes.
"We found this cat in the river, near our border with Mist Clan and Hill Clan along with another cat. When we were trying to fish them out we were approached by a Hill Clan patrol that immediately went on the attack!" Icepaw heard Honeypelt wheeze. Eaglewing circled the group until she could get to Honeypelt, nuzzling the side of his head in worry. Honeypelt returned the gesture as Badgerpaw looked at his gash and tended to it as best he could. Icepaw looked at the white cat, not entirely sure what was so familiar at them. The white cat was breathing, but lightly, the white fur of their neck and chest stained red though there were already cobwebs being used to cover the gash on their neck. Bearstar went to them and sniffed slightly.
"We had managed to get this cat out and further up the bank and were trying to get the second cat when the patrol came. One of the cats started yowling, saying it was Rabbitwhisker and Whitepaw, their medicine cats, and just started attacking us. They had more in number than us, so we had no choice but to flee!" Adderclaw meowed to Bearstar. Icepaw felt Owlpaw's fur bristle beside her as she took another look at the white cat and realized it was, indeed, Whitepaw from Hill Clan. She never interacted with him, but she remembered him slightly from the previous Gathering.
"So why bring Whitepaw here? Why not send him back to his clan?" Bearstar asked carefully, keeping a slight distance from the cats. Batear padded up, his ear twitching nervously and the notch finally clotted so it wasn't openly bleeding anymore.
"The patrol did leave Whitepaw there. We weren't given time to talk to them so we took off. We ran into Stormclaw and Dawnheart on a hunting patrol. I asked them to go back and keep an eye on the border, to make sure they got their clan mates and didn't cross the border." Batear explained. Bearstar glanced at him then turned to Stormclaw, not voicing the obvious question.
"I sent Adderclaw ahead to tell Batear. When I got to the border, Whitepaw was still laying on the bank and Rabbitwhisker was gone. The patrol was gone but I did see two Hill Clan cats." He started, his voice deep and slightly airy from lack of breath. Icepaw felt a pang in her chest and slowly approached him, nuzzling up against his side in worry. Stormclaw glanced down a her and wrapped his tail around to lay around her but turned back to Bearstar.
"I recognized them, Flamepaw and Substripe. Dawnfur was telling Flamepaw to help her drag Whitepaw back into the river." The clan was stunned to silence, Stormclaw shaking his head, "At that point I told Adderclaw to go ahead of me and warn Batear that two Hill Clan cats were trying to kill their medicine cat's apprentice. After they dragged him to the river bank they left him there in the hopes I guess that the current would take him. I fished him out and brought him here." He finished. Icepaw nuzzled against him, and Stormclaw gave her a small reassurance as cats began talking amongst themselves. Theories started to rise up and the talk became more heated before Foxwhisker called out, his voice rasping but strong.
"We met only two nights ago during the new moon. On that night, Whitepaw earned his full clan name, Whitecloud." Foxwhisker rasped. Attention was on him as the clan took in what he said.
"During that meeting we discussed many things. Sickness, the health of our clans. Rabbitwhisker had shared with us some doubts," He paused for a moment to catch his breath, coughing slightly. Badgerpaw stepped foreward.
"Rabbitwhisker worried that the sickness was driving his clan to desperation," Badgerpaw cut in, nodding to Foxwhisker," That their hunger and desperation would drive some of the cats to do something drastic."
A hush fell on the clan as the cats took it in.
"Hill Clan does not have to numbers to take on another clan. Rabbitwhisker told us they had to many deaths to the point that the clan was prioritizing birthing new kits and quickly training apprentices over anything else. However, Rabbitwhisker theorized something that he felt could give Hill Clan the edge they needed." Badgerpaw paused, looking around to judge the mood of the cats before sighing and looking to Bearstar and Batear.
"Rabbitwhisker... theorized a member of his own clan might attempt to kill another cat of his clan and stage it to look like it was another clan's fault, then ask another clan for help in trying to incite a battle between three clans, two against one. The reason for this is to gain more territory and more numbers, to overtake the 'offending' clan for more numbers and more territory in order to feed their clan." Badgerpaw finished. The hush lasted only for a short while before panicked chatter rose up. Who would Hill Clan get to side with them? When would they attempted an attack? Bearstar yowled, gaining every cat's attention before leaping up to the ledge and looking over her clan. Icepaw pressed into Stormclaw, worried. She could see Patchpelt and Grayfoot shoving the kits back into the nursery, their fur bristled and ears low. Glancing over, Icepaw saw Badgerpaw tend to Whitecloud, looking at the wound on the cat's neck and applying what he could. If it was true and someone attacked Rabbitwhisker and Whitecloud, it was probable that Hill Clan didn't have a medicine cat at the moment. The death of a warrior or apprentice was one thing, but Icepaw didn't doubt that another clan would help Hill Clan if they claimed that their medicine cats were killed.
"This turn of events is hard to believe, and in all honesty I am finding it difficult as well. However, Whitepa-Whitecloud laying there and what has been said makes to much sense. We must prepare for a fight, and even if Hill Clan lacks numbers we can't hope to face only Hill Clan. Rain Clan is to far for us to try and gain help from, but our southern border with Mist Clan may bare some help. I am assigning a patrol to go with me to Mist Clan territory and speak with Rainstar. With any luck, when Hill Clan strikes we will have Mist Clan on our side. Until then, I want every cat prepared. Foxwhisker, Badgerpaw, tend to the injured and ensure they are ready for battle. Ivyfur, Porcupinepelt, I want the two of you to join me." With that Bearstar jumped down, nodding to Batear before padding off, Ivyfur and Porcupinepelt following after.
Badgerpaw and Foxwhisker were quick, cobwebs and herbs applied where needed. Batear padded up to Stormclaw and Icepaw, his amber eyes narrowed in pain but otherwise clear.
"Make sure to rest properly, and be prepared at a moment's notice. No telling when Hill Clan will attack and we need to be prepared." He meowed. Stormclaw nodded, flicking an ear.
"How are you feeling? With you and Honeypelt hurt, this will be a hard fight." He meowed. Batear nodded slowly.
"I'll be fine, Honeypelt got the worst of it trying to get that Hill Clan warrior off Sootpelt. I just..." Batear trailed off, looking at the gray cat on the ground. Their breathing was labored as Foxwhisker attended to them, Badgerpaw coming up to inspect the gash than ran from their right eye all the way to their chest.
"It is difficult to see a clan mate suffer. Icepaw, were you cleared to resume training today?" Batear suddenly turned, looking Icepaw in the eyes. Icepaw felt her father tense beside her, a leg shifting so he could physically hold her.
"I was told it could resume tomorrow." She said. Batear nodded, but his eyes looked remorseful.
"Rest up. If Hill Clan attacks today, you will likely need to participate regardless." He meowed. Stormclaw hissed at him.
"She is sick! You can't send her into battle sick! You'd be sending her off to die!" Stormclaw's hiss was hushed, but his bared teeth and bristled fur made it obvious to some nearby cats that he was upset, Icepaw saw a few close by warriors glancing over slightly and Snowtail turning an ear to their conversation. Icepaw shook her head.
"It's ok, Dad. If Hill Clan attacks, I'll be ready."
"By Star Clan's-! No you will not be! Batear you are a mousebrained fool if you think-"
"If Hill Clan sides with Rain Clan and attacks us we will need every abled bodied cat to defend them. We welcomed you into this clan with the stipulation you'd be loyal to us. If your loyalties lie elsewhere..." Batear trailed off, his cold eyes falling on Icepaw as he spoke and his claws slowly digging into the ground. Icepaw felt her fur bristle as her chest ran cold and heard Stormclaw gnash his teeth before slowly nodding.
"I understand." Was all Stormclaw said, but his eyes were bright with rage. Icepaw glared at Batear, though the deputy didn't look at her and simply turned and padded off.
"I'll be fine Dad, honest..." Icepaw mewed in what she hoped was reassurance. Stormclaw didn't look at her, his heated glare following the small deputy as he went to the group of warriors and touched foreheads with Patchpelt. Brairpaw approached warily saying something Icepaw couldn't hear before nuzzling his mother and father. Icepaw shifted and leaned full against Stormclaw.
"I'll be fine..." She murmured. Finally, Stormclaw leaned down and licked the top of her head before resting his chin on the top of her head.
Cats moving around them to prepare eventually made the two move, Stormclaw going to join a group of warriors as they talked battle strategy and Icepaw went to join the other apprentices near the apprentice's den. By now, with the help of the ablebodied, Foxwhisker and Badgerpaw had managed to get the injured into the medicine cat's den to be tended to.
Owlpaw was kneading the ground, his claws up and churning the soil.
"Why now of all times though? Hill Clan can't possibly think it they will win do they?" Owlpaw mewed. Pebblepaw shook her head, her blue eyes narrowed with worry.
"Under normal circumstances I don't think so, but if they can get Rain Clan on their side..." She taped off, looking around. A warrior was padding up to them, their pale yellow coat looking disheveled from running around so much. Adderclaw nodded to the two apprentices.
"The other warriors are discussing battle strategy and how to best prepare for the upcoming fight with Rain Clan and Hill Clan." She mewed. Pebblepaw nodded to her, laying her tail over Adderclaw's.
"Do you really think Honeystar will side with Hill Clan?" Icepaw asked. Owlpaw mewed in agreement but Adderclaw shook her head, her eyes narrowed in concern.
"Without a doubt. Hill Clan has an entire patrol that will claim we killed their medicine cats, and by the look of it they will have a body to 'prove it'. Hopefully Bearstar can speak with Rainstar before news can get to them as well and we can get their help. Otherwise, I don't like our chances." Adderclaw meowed, glancing at Pebblepaw when the apprentice leaned against her.
"Is Rain Clan so big that it could really turn the tide?" Owlpaw asked nervously. Adderclaw nodded.
"Right now I think Rain Clan is the largest of the four clans, or at least that is what I heard Wolfshade guess at. They have a pretty good hunting ground and it lacks the twoleg paths ours have so they don't usually have to worry about them. To be honest, two clans against one doesn't sound like a good idea but if Rain Clan really does have such a large pool of warriors right now then we will need Mist Clan to be on our side." Adderclaw said. Icepaw looked around her clan, her chest tight.
The warriors were discussing, their voices carrying over but she couldn't quite make out what they were saying. Flamefur and Grayfoot were at the nursery, studying the bramble and having Mousefang help them fix whatever they could. Stormkit, Mistkit, and Ravenkit were loudly meowing their excitement as they ran around the queens. Icepaw saw Smallkit laying low bear the nursery, occasionally looking to her or his father Ivyfur with anxiety filled eyes. Icepaw hoped if there was a fight it wouldn't reach the camp.
"Rainstar will help us. I'm sure she will." Icepaw meowed. She felt Owlpaw lean against her, his tail wrapping around her's for comfort. Adderclaw and Pebbleplaw didn't comment, but the four sat in uneasy silence until the warriors called them over. Owlpaw walked side by side with Icepaw, his fur brushing against her own as they walked. It made Icepaw realize she was larger than he was now, a thought that made her both sad and worried.
"I'm excited to fight for Sun Clan, but..." Owlpaw trailed off, his voice low as they walked so only she could hear, "But I'm also terrified. You know?"
"Yeah, it's fun to think about, to fantasize going into a battle for the honor of your clan. It's entirely different to actually look what could be your death in the face." Icepaw murmured. Owlpaw stopped, looking at her wide eyed.
"You don't think... you don't think we'll die... do you?" His voice was painfully tight with fear. Icepaw thought back to Batear, the way he looked at her and her father.
"We face death every day, Owlpaw. A random branch could fall and snap our spines, we could encounter a badger or fox that is just a bit stronger than us, we could get sick from greencough or whitecough and not recover, or fall into a river and get swept away. Even a hawk or eagle or owl could swoop us up, never to be heard from again, or a deputy or leader could order us into a fight we have no hope of winning, in the hopes of giving others a chance to win or flee. A patrol from another clan, a group of rogues or loners that don't honor our borders, even another cat in our clan could kill us out of rage or jealousy. I can't say for certain we will die in this fight, but every time I step out of the clan there is a chance I won't come back. I won't live in fear of that, I won't go into this fight thinking it is going to be my last. Will we die? I don't know, but I do know this," Icepaw turned fully, her whiskers touching his as she stared directly into his wide scared eyes.
"I am a cat of Sun Clan. I will defend my clan with every part of my being, with every beat of my heart and every breath in my chest. I will fight with fang and claw, and even if I am barely able to stand and all my blood stains the floor I will keep fighting. I am a cat of Sun Clan, and I don't like the though of going into this fight either. I know there are cats in Hill Clan and Mist Clan that won't want to fight either, but I will defend my clan and my home." Icepaw meowed. Owlpaw was frozen in place and from behind her Icepaw could hear a warrior call out to them to get over already. Slowly, Owlpaw nodded, his eyes still showing fear but more determined.
"F-For Sun Clan." He mewed, his voice still tight, but more sure of himself. Icepaw nodded and the two padded over to the warriors, going beside Pebblepaw and Adderclaw.
"We have a few warriors that can't fight, and we can't be sure of any strategy until Bearstar gets back, but we need a plan of action until then." Batear started. The small tom looking around the group, his pupils narrowing slightly at Icepaw and Stormclaw, but otherwise not showing any signs of what had happened before showing up.
"First, we need to stay unified. I don't want any cat leaving the camp until Bearstar returns. If you must leave to make dirt, take another with you. We don't know when Hill Clan will show up and I don't want to take any chances until we know if Mist Clan will aid us." Batear called out. There was a murmur of agreement, Snowtail next to Batear speaking up suddenly.
"If Hill Clan does launch an attack now, what should we do? If it is just them we should be fine, but if they have Rain Clan on their side..." She trailed off. Icepaw saw her father nod in agreement.
"We will have sentries, posted around the camp. They will sound the alarm in case of an attack. If it does come we will split into two groups: Those that stay and fight to cause a diversion, and those that will help the queens take the kits and escape." Batear meowed. There was an indignant yowl, Wolfshade padding over from the elder's den.
"You would run? Have the entire clan flee like the coward you have always been Batear?" Wolfshade rasped. Batear flattened his ears, openly glaring at the elder.
"And what would you have us do, if faced with such an impossible number Wolfshade? Fight to every last cat until there are only kits left? If Hill Clan even spares the kits? If Hill Clan bands together with Rain Clan, please tell me how you intend for us to survive such an onslaught if Mist Clan does not intend to help us." Batear meowed, his voice even and cold. Some of the warriors looked from Wolfshade to Batear.
"Perhaps you think differently, Batear, but I am old. I have lost my mate, I have lost two of my three kits. If Hill Clan and Rain Clan come to our clan, I refuse to run with my tail between my legs. If they come I will fight each and every one of them, even if it costs me my life. At least then I can join our ancestors in Star Clan with honor and pride. When you die, will you be able to say the same?" Wolfshade's voice was low, but his eyes were on Batear. The deputy didn't back down.
"You have only your own life to be concerned with, I have the lives of our clan mates. If you want to be part of a suicidal attack then by all means but I refuse to allow the entirety of my clan to be sacrificed if they can be saved to fight another day." Batear said. Wolfshade bristled.
"Pah! The way you speak as if you were leader! 'Your' Clan! You aren't the leader of Sun Clan, you have no right to make this call!"
"Bearstar made me Deputy!"
"Only because you are her kit!" Wolfshade snarled at him. Icepaw shuffled nervously, seeing others do the same. Batear's eyes are cold, glaring at Wolfshade.
"My bloodline means nothing, I earned my place." Batear hissed. There was a murmur in the warriors, Icepaw shuffling in her spot nervously. She looked over at Stormclaw, her father's eyes on Batear, before she felt Pebblepaw shuffle closer to her and Owlpaw slipping up beside her, calming her.
"Don't fool yourself, the only reason you were chosen was because the previous deputy Blacktail died from badgers and Porcupinepelt hadn't finished training Mousefang yet. Why else is Porcupinepelt with Bearstar instead of you?" Came a voice from the warriors, Icepaw glancing over and seeing it was Flamefur.
Batear flattened his ears again, looking around at the other warriors.
"Bearstar left to speak with Rainstar, of course she would leave her deputy to ensure the safety of her clan! Any Leader would do the same!" He hissed. Icepaw saw Eaglewing shake her head.
"Maybe so, but in a time like this a Leader would be far more important to keep and organize the clan. Any Leader would have instead sent their deputy to the other clan to ask for aid, not go themselves. Was that not what Honeystar did when it was discovered what Cave Clan had done? There is a reason she went herself and left you where it was safe." Eaglewing meowed calmly. There was another murmur, Batear looked even smaller than he did before.
"A proper deputy doesn't threaten their clanmates either." meowed Snowtail. There were curious glances at her and Icepaw saw a strike of fear in Batear's eyes.
"What do you mean?" Wolfshade asked. All eyes were on Snowtail and Batear now, thought Icepaw glanced over at Stormclaw. Her father's eyes were unreadable, but she saw his claws digging into the ground.
"The threat was clear to my ears and eyes. Batear, when Icepaw and Stormclaw told you that our medicine cats had decreed Icepaw was to stay in the clan for the day, what did you tell them?" Snowtail asked, her voice almost innocent sounding.
Batear didn't respond. Eaglewind bristled, Dawnheart openly baring her teeth at Batear.
"What did you do, Batear? If you've forgotten, I am sure I can find the marks on the ground where you made the non-so-subtle threat to Stormclaw."
"Batear, what is she talking about?" Eaglewing hissed. There was hissing, cats demanding to know. Batear kept his eyes on the ground.
"Batear, you said a group of cats would have to stay and fight Hill Clan and Rain Clan if they came to buy the rest of the cats time to flee. Tell me, were you going to assign cats for this, or demand some to stay?" Stormclaw hissed. There was a hush, the cats staring at their deputy.
"Would you have made Stormclaw and Icepaw stay?" Wolfshade hissed. Batear didn't say but after a few moments, there was a small movement. His head nodded.
Snowtail was on him immediately, raking her claws along his back. Within moments Patchpelt joinedthe fray, clawing at Snowtail to pullthe dark she-cat off her mate. When Badgerpaw and Foxwhisker came out, shouting at them to stop and demanding someone stop them. Stormclaw padded over to Icepaw, sitting behind her as Eaglewing and Mousefang pulled Snowtail off of Batear and Patchpelt away from Snowtail. The black she-cat spat at him and kicking some dirt on him before padding over to Icepaw and sitting beside Owlpaw, glancing at Icepaw warmly before glaring at Batear and Patchpelt. There were a few scratches in her fur, but Patchpelt was never a particularly powerful warrior.
Icepaw slowly shifted back, feeling Stormclaw behind her as Pebblepaw and Owlpaw pushed into her and glared at their deputy.
"What is going on?! Of all times to attack your deputy!" Foxwhisker rasped. There was a moment of silence before Snowtail spoke up.
"Batear was demanding we leave a group of cats to sacrifice their lives for us to flee. He wanted us to abandoned our home and when he learned Icepaw wasn't ready to take part in such a fight and Stormclaw wouldn't allow her to take part due to her health, Batear threatened Icepaw to force it. He was planning to have Icepaw and Stormclaw stay to fight Hill Clan on their own while we fled for our lives." Her voice was colder than ice. Foxwhisker looked around and then back to Batear.
"You would willingly send an apprentice and their father to their deaths? Why? Icepaw and Stormclaw are no different than any other warrior of Sun Clan, why pick them out of the clan to try and get killed?" Badgerpaw asked incrediously. Batear shakily got to his paws, his body covered in cuts and his brown fur slightly stained with blood.
"Same as us? They are Cave Clan cats! Cannibals and forsaken by Star Clan! This whole ordeal is likely their fault!" Batear spat. There were murmurs from the crowd, Icepaw looking up at her father in confusion. She knew her father wasn't originally from Sun Clan, but she thought that she herself was...
"I will speak to Bearstar about this when she returns. Batear, I would recommend joining me in the medicine cat's den for now. Everyone else, get some rest and set up some sentries. We need to be ready for when Bearstar returns." Foxwhisker rasped.
"But what if Hill Clan and Rain Clan show up?" Mousefang asked, his voice tinged in panic. Foxwhisker shook his head.
"Are you bird brained? It will take time for them to reach the Rain Clan camp and convince Honeystar. If they plan to launch an attack it isn't going to be today. Now go!" The elder medicine cat yowled, startling every cat there. Batear hung low, trying to get close to Foxwhisker only for the medicine cat to snap at him so the deputy walked behind him, Patchpelt slinking in beside him. Badgerpaw looked over at Icepaw before following his mentor.
Snowtail reached down, licking the top of Icepaw's head as the cats dispersed, going to where they felt they needed to go. To shocked from what had happened, Icepaw just silently followed as Pebblepaw, Owlpaw, Stormclaw, and Snowtail led her towards the apprentice's den and laid with her, Snowtail grooming her and the others laying in silence with her until she came back to her senses.
Bearstar returned before sundown, panting slightly. There were two cats with her that Icepaw recognized as Applepelt and Snowfoot. Eaglewing and Mousefang immediately ran up to them, after a few moments Bearstar being pulled aside by Eaglewing. She could see Bearstar's fur bristle but then go smooth, nodding to Eaglewing and then leaping up to her platform, calling a clan meeting.
Icepaw tried to get up but Snowtail used a paw to keep her in place, their group staying at the apprentice's den. They weren't so far from the ledge and could hear Bearstar clearly.
Once the clan was gathered, Icepaw saw Applepelt look around then up at Bearstar.
"Is your deputy ill? Where is Batear?" He asked. Bearstar shook her head.
"He was injured in an un-affiliated dispute and is resting in the medicine cat's den. It is not a need for concern." Bearstar meowed. Applepelt seemed content with that and sat beside Snowfoot as Bearstar looked around her clanmates.
"Today, we learned that Hill Clan has lost its medicine cats, and for reasons we cannot guess as of yet they have decided to blame us for this. As we have reason to believe that they will band together with Rain Clan to attack us, we have gone to Mist Clan to ask for aid in the event of an attack. Rainstar has agreed to aid us and has sent two of her warriors with me now." Bearstar meowed, flicking her tail to Snowfoot and Applepelt.
"Two cats? To help us against two clans?" Icepaw heard Mousefang yowl. Applepelt shook his head.
"Snowfoot is the fasted in our clan, and we have a patrol group stationed near the border between our clans. If Hill Clan has banded together with Rain Clan to invade over a false charge, then Snowfoot will go and retrieve this patrol and then head to the clan to retrieve the rest of our clan to aid you." Applepelt called out. There was a murmur from the clan, but no open protests.
"Applepelt has come to confirm that Whitecloud is alive and in our care, afterwords he will return to Mist Clan to report to Rainstar. Snowfoot will stay the night and then tomorrow we will confirm if Hill Clan intends to invade." Bearstar called out. There was a murmur, and then nods. Bearstar nodded and disbanded the meeting, the cats beginning to go back to their posts. Bearstar nodded to Applepelt and led the bright orange tom to the medicine cat's den, slipping inside and being followed by the deputy of Mist Clan.
Owlpaw curled up next to Icepaw, purring softly as Porcupincepelt padded up, nodding to the group.
"I overheard Eaglewing. I'm... sorry I wasn't here to stop that." The tom meowed. Stormclaw shook his head.
"I expected some cats would still hold a grudge against me for what Crowstar had Cave Clan do. I was just surprised he held Icepaw accountable to." Stormclaw meowed. There was a question Icepaw wanted to ask, but at the moment she couldn't find her voice. Pebblepaw licked behind her ear, grooming some fur she had a hard time reaching on her own.
"Still.. Bearstar is ruffled by this as well." Porcupinepelt said.
"Will she demote Batear?" Snowtail asked. Porcupinepelt hesitated then shook his head.
"I'm... not sure. To be honest, right now it would be very difficult to change deputies. Right now, my guess is that she will focus on the upcoming battle, and then she will deal with Batear. Hopefully." Porcupinepelt moewed.
"Batear is her kit, she won't punish him." Snowtail hissed. Stormclaw shook his head.
"The clan is against Batear. After this battle, Bearstar will have to demote him or punish him in some other way. The clan won't stand for it otherwise." Stormclaw said. Icepaw laid her head down on Pebblepaw's back, the she-cat wrapped around her and Owlpaw so the three were in a sort of circle.
She felt her mind drift off to sleep as the warriors continued to talk. By the time Applepelt left, she had fully drifted off. Her dreams were filled with cats hissing and bats screeching.
Xxx
Reviews are appreciated.
My work is getting pretty busy, so finding time to write is getting... hectic.
I also belatedly realized that Hill Clan has about... 3 male cats that can actually father kits at this time. Fuck.