This is a continuation of the previous chapter (Dandelionpaw's). How does Juniperpaw handle Dandelionpaw's tragedy?
Juniperpaw burst into camp behind Ivypool. He heard his sister yowl in pain from the medicine den and bounded across the clearing. Dovewing paced outside of the medicine den.
She looked up when we walked up, her eyes wild. He could barely hear Leafpool's soft mews inside the den. He caught glimpses of Jayfeather running from one side of the den to the other and back again, herbs in his jaws.
"How is she?" Juniperpaw choked out.
Dovewing looked at him grimly, her green eyes dark with fear and anxiety. "I don't know." she murmured.
Juniperpaw's blood boiled in anger. It's all that Shadowclan cat's fault. He thought. When I get my claws on that apprentice, she'll wish she'd never touched my sister! He hissed.
He turned around and bounded out of the camp. His fur bristled against the wind as he pelted through the forest, scattering prey and stirring falling leaves. He had to get away from the camp. Away from his injured sister. He ran to the edge of the territory, the sour scent of Shadowclan clinging to the air near the border.
He came to a halt just before the border, skidding on the leaves. He was breathing hard. He shook his head and looked around. He walked along the border, marking it until he came to the half-bridge over the lake.
He walked out onto the flat surface, the boards creaking under his weight as he came closer to the edge. He sat down one board from the edge and looked out on the ripples of the lake. It was so peaceful out here.
His tail hung over the edge, hovering over the still water. The calm waves reminded him just how dangerous it was beneath the surface. Flametail had easily been sucked down into the lake.
Juniperpaw wondered what it was like to drown. Was it peaceful and calm? Or was it rough and terrifying? Would the water cradle him and take him away from this cruel world, or would it only make things worse for his clan?
His thoughts were interrupted by the creaking of boards behind him. He sniffed the air and recognized his mentor's scent.
"I just want to be alone right now, Ivypool." he said, trying to keep his voice steady. He kept staring at the smooth water as the silver-and-white tabby she-cat sat down next to him silently.
"I know you feel like running right now," Ivypool said softly. "But your sister needs you right now."
Juniperpaw looked into her pleading dark blue eyes. He felt her tail-tip rest on his. He sighed and stood up. "Okay." he took a deep breath and followed his mentor back to camp in silence.
When they walked in, a group of cats had gathered near the medicine den entrance. Among them was his parents, Squirrelflight and Bramblestar, his littermates, Alderpaw and Sparkpaw, Sandstorm, Dovewing, Bumblestripe, and Daisy. Daisy and Sandstorm sat next to Squirrelflight, whispering comforting words to her. Bramblestar paced closest to the den, anxious for the results. Alderpaw and Sparkpaw sat with Dovewing, talking about what had happened on the border, Bumblestripe stroking her back with his tail in silent comfort.
Ivypool walked up to Bramblestar, Juniperpaw at her side. His father straightened when he saw him. "Where have you been?!" his amber eyes glowed in fear rather than anger.
"The half-bridge." Juniperpaw said looking at his paws.
Bramblestar nuzzled his son. "I was worried sick." He pulled away and looked into Juniperpaw's bright green eyes. "Don't you ever scare me like that again." Bramblestar said firmly.
Leafpool walked out of the medicine den and was shocked to find so many cats in the clearing. She walked to Bramblestar, who was now joined by a nervous Squirrelflight.
"She's stable right now. She's lost a lot of blood and she'll stay with me for a couple days, and I'm sorry, but I can't save her sight in her injured eye." she hung her hung.
"Thank you for trying. I know you're doing everything you can." Squirrelflight pressed her flank against her sister. Bramblestar stared inside the den. "Can I see her?"
Leafpool hesitated. "Yes, but she's asleep right now. I fed her some poppy seeds so that she wouldn't feel anything." Bramblestar nodded and padded into the den while Squirrelflight stayed outside with Leafpool, talking is quick, hushed tones.
Juniperpaw trotted into the medicine den, the scent of herbs wrapping around him and the stench of blood lingered in the air. Jayfeather sat next to Dandelionpaw, who had half her face covered in blood-soaked cobwebs, cleaning her stained fur.
Bramblestar laid down next to her daughter and curled his tail around her. "Stay strong, my daughter. I'm right here. You're going to be okay." The leader joined Jayfeather in cleaning Dandelionpaw's ruffled, blood-stained pelt.
Juniperpaw didn't feel the tears until one fell onto his paw. He felt drop after drop fall onto the sandy floor of the den. His paws felt numb and he collapsed next to his littermate, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Please wake up, Dandelionpaw. Please. Don't leave me." He wailed into his sister's pelt.
He laid there crying, his entire body numb, until his weariness overtook him and he fell asleep.
His dreams were haunted by the Shadowclan cats that attacked them. Dandelionpaw's wails filling the forest. The trail of blood through the forest. The apprentice that'd done this to his sister. She'd looked back before retreating to her territory. For a second he thought he saw something. Was it regret? Sympathy? Sorrow? No. Not a Shadowclan cat. Juniperpaw swore to himself that he would avenge his sister. That apprentice would pay for her actions, one way or another.
The cats that attacked them are Dawnpelt, Yarrowpaw, Spikefur, and Needlepaw. Next chapter: NEEDLEPAW
How will Juniperpaw react to his sister's attack? What will he do?
