Disclaimer: All original cats belong to Erin Hunter. This plot however is my own idea. Please read and review.
Shadowpaw padded down the steep slope and into the camp with his head low and tail dragging. It didn't seem like they were gone for too long but the sun was already beginning to set. He heard his mentor pad off to Jayfeather's den after being persuaded by his mate to have his wounds checked out. Shadowpaw decided that he would ask Rowanpaw what Jayfeather said later.
He noticed Reedpaw hurrying over to Emberpaw, a light brown tabby she-cat with bright blue eyes. He figured they were merely talking about the day's events.
He glanced around camp and noticed that Silverstorm was talking with Brambleclaw and Firestar. The leader was an old tom now but the fiery determination and the protectiveness for his clan never seemed to age. His mate was already in the elder's den along with two other clanmates.
The oldest one, Mousefur, looked so brittle that Shadowpaw thought she would fall apart if a leaf fell on her.; but then she spoke and each word always felt like daggers. He didn't know how his brother and Jayfeather dealt with her on the daily basis. Jayfeather's tolerance was almost as bad as hers.
Shadowpaw sighed as both the clan deputy and leader padded towards him. "Yes?" he asked weakly. He really didn't want to be scolded.
"Shadowpaw," Firestar started. "Why did you follow the fox's scent when you knew it meant trouble?"
"Uh, I didn't know it was a fox. We smelled it earlier but Thornclaw and Silverstorm didn't say what it was."
"Firestar, it was stale. We didn't think the fox was still in pour territory." Silverstorm defended.
Firestar silenced her with a flick of his tail. "You mentors should have explained what the scent was but you should know not to follow strange scents. Your mentor is you mentor for a reason. They will help you know what you can and cannot do."
Shadowpaw reluctantly listened to the leader's lecture. He slid his claws in and out in the dirt, hoping that the old tom would be silenced soon enough.
"Now I want you to clean the moss in the elder's den and help Rowanpaw check the elders for ticks." Firestar ended. Then he nodded to both Shadowpaw and Silverstorm before padding back over to Brambleclaw.
Shadowpaw grumbled something before getting a glare from Silverstorm. He shrugged slightly then hurried over to the elders den.
The den was pretty much empty save a sleeping Mousefur. He grumbled something then got to work on changing the moss bedding for the other two cats. After that was done he braced himself to wake up the old elder. He prodded her side lightly, hoping that would wake her; nothing though. He prodded her again, this time a little harder. She still didn't stir. Shadowpaw let out a mrrow. But nothing he did woke the old she-cat up. He bolted out of the den and into Jayfeather's den, slamming right into the blind medicine cat. Jayfeather let out an oomph then turned to stare at Shadowpaw.
"What do you want Shadowpaw?" he growled.
"There's something wrong with Mousefur!" Shadowpaw squeaked.
His brother pushed forward with widened eyes. "Where is she?" his voice was calm but the fear was unavoidable in his gaze.
"I-in the elder's den. In her nest." Shadowpaw followed his littermate as both medicine cats rushed out of the den.
Winded, all three cats paused by Mousefur's nest. Jayfeather stood by as Rowanpaw checked on her. After a few moments he turned to his brother and shook his head.
"We'd better tell Firestar. He will want to know first." Jayfeather said solemnly. He turned his sightless gaze to Mousefur's body. "May starclan light your path, Mousefur, may you find good hunting, swift running and shelter when you sleep."
Rowanpaw nodded and hurried out of the den. "Perhaps you should go rest Shadowpaw." Jayfeather sighed before padding back into his own den.
Shadowpaw stifled a yawn and hurried into the apprentice's den. Reedpaw and Emberpaw were already in there. They both looked up as he entered the small den.
"What's wrong?" Reedpaw asked.
Shadowpaw grunted and lied down at the far side of the den. "Nothing. I just had a bad day."
"The fox thing?" Emberpaw purred lightly. She found it to be very amusing.
Shadowpaw shook his head. "Not just that…"
"Then what?" Reedpaw grunted.
"Mousefur is dead." Shadowpaw finally said.