Chapter Fourteen


Snow crunched softly under the pawsteps of a ValleyClan patrol. Thunderstar led the little group himself. Their aim was to check on the two-legs' progress. Hopping along on the frozen ground behind him were Runningwind, Glenberry, and Hollowfoot. They turned a bend just behind a thick oak tree to see the ruins where trees had once been rooted.

No two-legs were around, inside or outside of the great, shining beasts. In fact, most of the things were gone. Only one or two small orange-pelted ones rested along the edge of the rivets made by the big things' paws. The full-grown trees that had been pulled up were laid parallel to each other and partially stacked beside one of the orange beasts. A handful of half-grown uprooted sprouts tottered with the wind as it blew. A dust of snow still blanketed the tree trunks and the monsters. The patrol was about to leave, satisfied, when the cry of a strange cat drew their attention.

"You!" a tom called. Thunderstar glanced around, but could not see anyone. Then, from behind a snow drift, a dark colored tom emerged. As he got closer, his pelt was obviously a very dark brown color rather than black. He had wide pale eyes with slivers for pupils. His head was broad but his body was fairly slim with bright, sleek fur. He stopped before the patrol, shifting his weight on his paws nervously. He wreaked of fear scent.

"Can we help you?" Hollowfoot said diplomatically.

"Yes. Well-do you know anything about kitting?" he asked, his voice shaking.

"We know a cat who specializes in healing." Thunderstar replied. The cat became visibly relieved.

"Are they near? My mate needs assistance desperately." he meowed.

"I can send someone to go fetch her." Thunderstar conceded. "Hollowfoot, fetch Rivertail. She should be on patrol with Gorgeclaw and Rabbitleap. We'll wait here for you." his son dipped his head and left at a steady run.

"How long will he take?" the tom queried nervously.

"Er.. it shouldn't take that long. I heard they wanted to hunt near the border this morning." Glenberry piped in encouragingly. The tom didn't seem to take it that way.

"What's your name?" Runningwillow meowed.

"Mulberry." he replied curtly.

"And what is your mate's?" he added.

"Freesia." he meowed.

"Is your home very far?" Thunderstar said.

The tom glanced around. "Not very far. Straight that way, away from the black river the uprights are making."

"Black river?" Glenberry cocked her head, confused.

"Yes, the upright carriers need them to get places. You've never seen them before?" Mulberry explained, his fear scent dissipating slowly.

Thunderstar stifled a purr of pride towards his warriors as he replied. "Our territory is mostly surrounded by the cliff. Most two-legs don't travel that far and most warriors only leave the territory a pawful of times in their life."

"I can't blame them. I've never left my nest alone, before. But Freesia needed help.." he searched the treeline behind their heads as he remembered what he was waiting for.

"Why can't your two-legs help her?" Glenberry asked cautiously.

"It's hard to explain.. My uprights keep cats for their looks and for the kits they can produce. They care for us and in exchange we take the mates they offer us and surrender our kits when they are old enough. Freesia is not owned by an upright, and I never should have met her, but I found a hole in my nest a few moons ago. It was my first time outside without my uprights. I wanted to explore the forest behind the nest, and Freesia was hunting there.. Anyways, my uprights cannot find out about my mate."

A rustling behind them prevented anyone from consoling or further distracting the worrying tom. Hollowfoot approached with the ginger she-cat close behind.

"We need to leave, now." Rivertail meowed commandingly. Thunderstar nodded.

"Glenberry, Hollowfoot, Runningwillow, return to camp and tell Ravinefall where we're going. Hopefully we will return before sundown but if we don't, she'll have to lead the evening patrol and assign cats to the dawn patrol."

They dipped their heads and left for camp.

"Lead the way." Rivertail meowed.


Mulberry led them quickly through the trees, arriving at his mate's den sooner than they'd thought. At first they were confused as he stopped in front of a fox hole, still wreaking with the canid's stench. Thunderstar realized it was a clever choice, deterring other predators and hiding the enticing scent of a vulnerable mother and her blind, deaf young. They didn't hesitate and stepped inside, one after another.

"M-mulberry?" a quivering voice asked in the dim space. The dark tom brushed past the Clan cats and pressed against the she-cat, their silhouettes becoming one.

"I'm here, and I've brought cats to help you." he murmured in a warm, comforting voice.

"A-are you sure we can trust them?" she whispered fearfully.

"If they wanted to hurt us, they would've done it already." he purred softly.

"My name is Rivertail. I'm here to help you, Freesia. I've helped many queens during their kittings and I'd like to help you, too." the medicine cat's generally harsh voice was coated in sweet, soothing honey.

"Alright.." the queen consented, the last bit of her word spiked with sudden pain.

Acting fast, Rivertail squatted beside the queen. Thunderstar stood back near the entrance. Mulberry's fear scent began to rise, again. The leader brushed his nose against the kitty-pet's flank, drawing him out of the fox hole.

"What is it? My mate is having my kits in there." he hissed annoyedly. Thunderstar blinked sympathetically.

"I've awaited three litters in my life, and crowding around your queen while the medicine cat tries to tend to her will only cause more problems. It's best if you wait out here and ask StarClan for the best."

"You're right, I suppose.." the tom admitted grudgingly.

"Wait, you believe in StarClan?" Thunderstar meowed. Mulberry flicked his tail.

"Is that so strange? My mother taught me about them when I was young. I've never talked much with the other cats in my nest, I don't know what they believe."

"What is your mother's name?" Thunderstar asked urgently, a flash of remembrance crossing his mind.

"Why is that-"

"Thunderstar!" Rivertail's voice called from inside. Without another thought about their conversation, the bicolor tom slipped inside and stopped behind the medicine cat. She turned and set a warm wet lump at his paws.

"You've done this enough times, right?" she meowed, a slight hint of humor in her strained voice. He had. He bent his head and started vigorously licking the sodden scrap. He couldn't feel it's heart beating or it's breath, not a single sign of life. As the warmth started to leave the tiny body, he knew his efforts were for not. Rivertail took a deep breath, ready to call Mulberry in, too, when Thunderstar flicked her side with his tail.

"This kit wasn't meant to be with us." he whispered as quietly as he could, the quiet in the den making it hard to keep it from the laboring queen.

"Oh.. alright, put him at the far side of the den. No need for the poor body to be torn up by his hungry littermates." Thunderstar felt a sick pang in his stomach from her harsh words. He did as he was told, taking only a second to reflect on the tiny, stiffening body, so much like one he had seen before.

He barely turned back towards the she-cats when another newborn bundle was thrust towards him. This one was already weakly squirming and he had no problem getting it to utter it's first cry. He lifted it almost daintily and laid it beside its mother. In the lowering light he could barely make out the dark and light patches. A tiny tortoiseshell she-kit. Rivertail set a similar kit beside her and sat back.

"Congratulations on your two beautiful daughters." she purred. "Mulberry!" she yowled harshly over her shoulder.

The new father dashed in, smothering his mate in affectionate licks and face-rubs. He stopped suddenly and stared down at the tiny kits. His eyes strained until they hurt, but he saw them clearly enough that he broke into a deep, reverberating purr. As he was satisfactorily distracted, Rivertail gave Thunderstar a look. He knew what she wanted and stood, lifting up the tiny body in his jaws and carrying it outside.

The ground was still cold and covered in snow, but he refused to just cover the tiny scrap with snow. His claws were dull and bruised at the base when he was done, the sun fully set behind him, but he was able to set the unlucky little thing in a proper resting spot. Looking down at the miniature ginger cat, just like his mother, Thunderstar sent a silent prayer to StarClan.

Please take this kit into your ranks and protect him as well as one of your own. He is of a strong kin, fit to be warriors themselves.

Without waiting for his paws to freeze, he replaced the soil over the small body and returned to the repurposed fox den. Rivertail was still inside, laying down with her paws underneath her. Mulberry was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is Mulberry?" Thunderstar asked. Rivertail looked up.

"He had to leave. His two-legs were calling him… We're not sure if he will be able to return." she stated flatly. He looked towards Freesia in the dark, but she said nothing.

"Will you be able to care for them on your own?" he asked gently.

"I've taken care of myself when I was wounded, before. This can't be much harder." she replied sharply. He heard her shifting farther away from him only for her kits to mewl in complaint.

"We can leave whenever you wish, Thunderstar." Rivertail mewed. He paused thoughtfully before he spoke up one last time.

"You and your kits are always welcome in ValleyClan. We would be happy to shelter you for as long as you need, and if you ever wanted to leave, you would be welcome to. May StarClan bring luck to you and your litter." he dipped his head and without another word, the leader and medicine cat trekked back to camp in silence.


The night after Thunderstar punished Duskpaw, Asterpaw had a terrible nightmare. In the morning, she couldn't remember, anymore, if she was chasing someone or being chased, and she didn't care. She was just glad it was over. She blamed it on eat too much right before going to her nest. She had an early hunting patrol with Gorgeclaw and Rivertail, but Hollowfoot had called the medicine cat away before she'd caught anything. Asterpaw had been eager to suggest just returning to camp, hoping to find Duckwing and talk to him. Unfortunately for her, Gorgeclaw had chosen that day to become a responsible grown cat, and refused to simply give up.

He acted a little overbearing, critiquing her crouch and methods even when they were almost perfect. Asterpaw didn't entirely mind, though, as she knew she could always improve and she was helping him, too, so that he'd be ready to have an apprentice soon. They returned to camp not long after sun-high with a hearty catch of prey for Leaf-bare. Asterpaw wanted to show Redpaw how well she had done, but she wasn't in camp. She must be on a patrol of her own. Duckwing came to mind, again. She asked Gorgeclaw if he need her for anything else that day, and thankfully he let her relax for the time being. She scolded herself for not training more, and told herself she'd get some battle practice in tomorrow even if she had to go to the practice clearing by herself.

She turned towards the warriors' den and poked her head in. She was glad to get her paws out of the cold snow and onto the soft, dry moss. The bright white pelt she was looking for was curled up in the back alone. She slipped inside, walking towards him and sitting a respectable distance away before speaking up to wake him.

"Duckwing." she meowed. The young warrior twitched slightly, stirring. She sat patiently, wrapping her tail around her paws, as he woke up.

"Asterpaw..? What is it?" he asked sleepily. His jaw stretched in a long yawn, his pink tongue curling above his teeth.

"I wanted to talk to you.. about Duskpaw?" she asked as perkily as possible. His face instantly became still, his ears turning away almost angrily.

"I have nothing to say." he said, staring eerily over her head; not that he could help it. "I've already said more than enough."

"But clearly there's something more-"

"I said, there is nothing to be said. Drop it, Asterpaw. It's none of your business." he interrupted, a slight hiss tainting his voice. Asterpaw shrunk down slightly, scared that the always friendly and understanding young tom would be so harsh to his friend.

"I just want to help. Please, Duckwing." she said softly, hopefully.

"There's nothing you can do. You're just an apprentice, Asterpaw, you should be worrying about your duties, not this big cat stuff."

"Duskpaw was an apprentice. You seemed to think she could deal some pretty serious 'big cat stuff'." Asterpaw retorted, the fur on her tail and spine rising. Duckwing's fur instantly did the same and his lips pulled back in a snarl. She knew someone outside could hear him, now.

"Don't you dare say a word about Duskpaw! You're too mouse-brained to have a clue what she's been dealing with, you fox scat!" he growled fiercely. He was kneading his claws into the mossy ground, as if he'd like to use them on her. Asterpaw suddenly got very scared and hastily left, backing quickly out of the den. She kicked up snow as she stopped outside, causing Ravinefall to approach with the gentlest demeanor the strong she-cat could display.

"Asterpaw? What was that just now, with Duckwing?" she asked calmly. She softly put her tail out in front of the apprentice, stopping her in her slow, ambling path.

"I was just being nosy.. It was my fault, really." she murmured in a daze.

"What were you asking about?" Ravinefall said.

"Nothing important, silly things that weren't my business. I promise I won't do it again, especially if it makes some cat that mad at me." she replied, truly apologetic.

"Asterpaw, no one should be that upset about a nosy 'paw poking about. Although you shouldn't go placing yourself in other cat's business, a responsible warrior should be able to calmly keep their business to themself. I'll inform Thunderstar that Duckwing has been acting immaturely and that you need some training in respect. I believe Redpaw is back in camp, now. Why don't you go calm down with her?"

"Alright.. Thank you, Ravinefall." she meowed, slightly in awe.

"It is my duty." the deputy replied simply.

Mistified, Asterpaw turned and stepped into the apprentices' den. Redpaw and Flamepaw had just gotten there a moment before, still standing in her way. She bumped into her sister's rear and she stumbled a moment.

"Oh!-Asterpaw. I'm glad you're in camp, too." Redpaw purred in surprise.

She nodded. "I caught a lot of prey this morning and then Duckwing growled at me." she replied matter-of-factly. Redpaw pricked her ears.

"What? Why?" Flamepaw spat out before her sister could.

"It was stupid, and mostly my fault. I don't really want to talk about it." she muttered unhappily.

"Well.. I'm sorry." Redpaw sighed, pressing her pelt against Asterpaw's momentarily.

"He's just being moody. He's probably just nervous, you know how expecting fathers are." Redpaw snickered playfully.

"Who's having his kits?" Flamepaw asked, bewildered. "You don't think.."

"I know." Redpaw scoffed. "I was stalking a blue jay, but a patrol scared it away. I hid and as they passed by, I heard Gullydawn say she heard from Brindleflame that Duskpaw was having kits. And we all know the only tom she's ever had eyes for.."

Asterpaw stared at her, a bit shocked. "And I thought I was the secret stealer of us two." she huffed.

"We're young. Things can change." Redpaw shrugged. "Hey, Flamepaw, want to practice our new battle techniques?" she said, turning to the tom.

"Oh, sure. Um, Asterpaw..? Would you like to join us?" he offered awkwardly.

She shook her head. "No I'm still kinda shaky from.. I think I'm just going to groom my fur and relax in here for awhile." she dismissed him politely.

"Alright. Hope you feel better." I mewed kindly. Redpaw left without a word and he quickly followed. She heard an occasional play growl or 'oof' as they went over their new moves accompanied by the constant crunching of snow. She did as she had said, eventually falling asleep in the dry, wind-blocking den. She woke up long enough to eat, but dozed off again right after. Feeling guilty being so lazy during the harshest season, she volunteered to go on the dawn patrol the next day.


A/N


Tada~! Wolfsplash is back from the dead. I apologize so so so many times for slacking so hardcore and leaving you guys in the dust. But I'm back in the groove and finally inspired, again, to write this and so pumped to toy with all of your emotions. I'm not sure when the next chapter will be up, but hopefully in a week or two. I'll try to establish a schedule, again; maybe two chapters every three weeks, this time. I hope you liked this chapter and may StarClan light your path.