Very calm chapter if I have to say not really any action at all, but still alright because like of course every chapter in this story, it is important! Haha :) Here we are! Thanks for all the good reviews! I keep forgetting the 'w' in Rosewater… so it keeps turning out Roseater… XD
There's a picture of Rosewater on my profile page too, check it out!
Here are some phrases from Warrior's that really stick in my mind… Tigerclaw's most epic lines:
"Keep your eyes open Fireheart, keep your ears pricked, keep looking behind you, because one day I'll be there, and then you'll be crowfood!"
What do you think Rosewater's most epic moment has been? Rushfall's? Stonefang's? Lionfire's? Etcetera?
REVIEW ANSWERS!
The Freak of Nature: Hey there! Haha, I'm a lazy butt too, there's a bunch of stories that I've read and haven't reviewed on! Thanks for your compliments! Enjoy this next chapter!
ScourgeXScarlet: Huh might have to read that book sometime! :)
Starbomb: Well how Heatherflower and Bloomkit died was: Heatherflower took Bloomkit out and the deputy killed her by accident, thinking she was the rabbit. Heatherflower then attacked him and he defended himself, ending up killing her. Thanks for the compliments! I really appreciate it :)
Stuck in a Mirror; Alright! Thanks for your input :)
Frostbliss: Haha, well here's your next chapter so don't let your magic death rainbow kill me! :O! Thanks for reviewing and for all the compliments :) Awesome name by the way!
Stormfeather: Hehe, hitting Adderstar with a thistle. Thanks!
WildCroconaw: Hey there! Thanks for the compliments! :)
On We GO!
Chapter 29: Forgiveness
Rosewater galloped through the long grass that blew swiftly in the green-leaf wind. How long awaited green-leaf had been, Rosewater savored the warmth on her fur, even in the thick of the night, the full moon hanging freely in the cloudless sky. Rosewater drew in a slow breath. She felt extra warmth from Stonefang beside her. How good it was to have him by her side, forever.
It was Gathering tonight, Rosewater and Snowpaw had been chosen. In all truth, Rosewater hadn't taken Snowpaw out much. Somehow she managed to keep making up excuses for somebody else to take her. Rosewater could feel her apprentice's growing hatred for her. She couldn't blame her. What an awful mentor she'd been.
Snowpaw was racing alongside Leafpaw, them playfully batting eachother. Rosewater couldn't help but purr with amusement as she watched them running around with eachother.
"See? You don't hate her." Stonefang's warm breath was in her ear.
Rosewater cast him a puzzled look and released a sigh. "You still don't understand… do you?" she asked, her tail drooping.
Stonefang rubbed his muzzle against hers. "I try Rosewater, and I'll always try." He promised.
Rosewater looked at him gratefully. Her gaze suddenly flickered ahead as she saw Oakstar's tail swish as signal for them to cross the log onto the Island. She slid out her claws and padded onto it carefully. She pricked her claws into the soggy wood and made her way across it quickly.
She looked back to see Stonefang close behind her, Lionfire coming up. She noticed the way his eyes were flickering around nervously, though as if searching for something. Larchwing. Rosewater figured. Doesn't he know that she isn't here? She's probably in the nursery with his kits.
She kept watching as her Clanmates crossed the log. She let out a sigh as she saw Leafpaw and Snowpaw chasing eachother across. She held her breath at how fast they ran. Leafpaw was in the lead, laughing back at her friend, she made it across in a few swift strides. Snowpaw followed after her more slowly, her green eyes laughing with pleasure. Rosewater found herself looking at her apprentice's paws.
Step, step step…. There it was. Slip. With a squeal of surprise, Snowpaw paw scrabbled the log uselessly. She was going too fast to stop herself. With a huge splash she fell into the lake. It didn't take Stonefang's words to let Rosewater know what to do next. Swift as lightning, Rosewater pushed off the wet ground. She bulleted forward, not hesitating to dive into the water. She ignored the shout from Hailwhisker as she was submerged under the blue water.
The water was cold; it bit as her skin harshly. She had to propel herself to remain underwater, holding in a big breath of air with the knowledge that she couldn't breathe in water. It took her own encouragement for her to open her blue eyes. The water was murky, very murky, but luckily, Snowpaw's white pelt stuck out like a burr in it. The apprentice was struggling in the water; her eyes wide and open as she attempted to paw her way back up uselessly.
Rosewater pushed herself through the water towards her apprentice. Snowpaw however didn't notice her and continued to thrash around wildly. Rosewater avoided the flailing limbs of the young cat and swam above her. She suddenly dived down and opened her jaws, a risky move. She snatched the apprentice in her jaws and propelled upward. She could feel the breath in her dying out from the extra effort it took to drag Snowpaw along with her. But after what seemed like forever, she saw the moon's light shining through the water.
She collapsed onto the dry land with a gasp, nudging Snowpaw's now motionless body further upward. She heard Firestripe yowl of surprise at his adoptive kit. The ginger tom was crouched by her side, Iceblossom and Petalwind close by. Cats from more Clans began to gather around.
"Saved by a swimming ThunderClan cat? That's not possible!" She heard a spat come from the black tom, Rockthorn, who also happened to be Larchwing's brother.
Rosewater dragged herself further onto land. "Rosewater!" She looked up to see the gray shadow of Stonefang looming over her, cleaning her fur in raspy licks. "Are you alright?" he asked.
"Of course I'm alright!" Rosewater coughed, hacking up only a spit of water. She shakily rose to her paws, her long fur clinging to her closely. She shivered, longing for the warmth of the wind once more. She made her way over to Snowpaw and crouched beside her. "Is she alright?" she asked hastily.
Petalwind looked at her. "Yes, she'll be fine. Just a bit shaken right now."
Rosewater looked down at her shaky apprentice. The white she-cat looked up to meet her mentor's eyes. "T-thank you." She whimpered. Rosewater couldn't help but smile as she padded away. Maybe she wasn't completely hated. She felt Stonefang's pelt push up against hers once again.
"You look cold." He meowed worriedly.
Rosewater purred in amusement. "I'm fine." She meowed.
She looked up as she heard a yowl coming from the leaders who all watched the cats skeptically. Rosewater shook her fur once more and sat down to watch. Her eyes flickered to the dark gray pelt of Boulderstorm standing in the leader's place. He's RiverClan's deputy. What right does he have to speak for them now? She wondered. He spoke first.
"Cats of all Clans, I bring devastating news." He began. Rosewater knew what was coming. "Unfortunately, Streamstar lost his last life and has gone to the resting place of StarClan." He dipped his head and the Clans were respectively quiet for a moment. "I am now Boulderstar." He meowed.
He didn't mention how Streamstar died. Rosewater noted silently, chanting 'Boulderstar' along with the other cats.
"I have picked Jaythorn as my deputy." He announced, wavering his tail below him to where the gray and white tabby sat proudly. "Other than that, RiverClan is well." He meowed dryly. He flickered his tail to Adderstar, who returned with a hard, cold look in his eyes.
Rosewater felt her heart twist when she saw what he had become. Now that she knew that he used to be a good cat from viewing his past, it broke her heart. Where's the Adderstorm that he used to be? The one who loved all?
"WindClan is thriving." Adderstar yowled. "We welcome one new apprentice, Thornpaw." He meowed.
"Thornpaw! Thornpaw!" Rosewater chanted. She cast a glance at Snowpaw. She had no idea that the tabby sitting across from her was her sister. She felt her heart twist again at that, how oblivious Snowpaw was to it, calling out her sister's name with her friends as though she were any cat.
"All is fine in ShadowClan." Clawstar broke in curtly, his tabby fur blowing back gently.
When do the Clans not announce that they are fine? Is rivalry too much to put in our real needs and thoughts? Rosewater wondered, her fur bristling.
Oakstar was next. "ThunderClan is doing very well, we have four new apprentices, welcome Snowpaw, Redpaw, Leafpaw, and Ravenpaw." He announced, smiling. Rosewater looked back to her apprentice who ducked her head beside Redpaw and Leafpaw. Leafpaw was smiling slightly, Ravenpaw looked rather shy of it, but Redpaw held his head high in pride.
"How is she?"Rosewater froze at her brother's familiar voice. She looked at Stonefang to see if he noticed it but he kept calling out the apprentices' names. Rosewater's eyes fixated on Lionfire speaking lowly with a RiverClan she-cat, a ginger tabby. She crept closer.
"She's doing well. Her kits could come any day now." The she-cat answered quickly.
The light in Lionfire's eyes died. "I wish I could see them." He murmured.
"You will soon enough." The RiverClan cat promised. Rosewater slipped out of where she was hiding, padding out to her brother.
"Lionfire." She meowed, turning to the she-cat. "Who's this?"
The she-cat's eyes narrowed. "It's alright." Lionfire blurted. "She knows." He paused. "Rosewater, this is Larchwing's sister; Twistwind." He explained briefly. "Twistwind this is my sister." He meowed. Twistwind only nodded to Rosewater quickly before padding away.
Rosewater turned to her brother. "You need to be more silent about this stuff." She meowed quietly and urgently.
Lionfire's fur fluffed out. "Sorry." He meowed. "But I had to see how she was doing! Her kits are expected soon! My kits are expected soon!" he defended himself, fur bristling.
Rosewater sighed. "Just watch yourself… okay?" she meowed, giving him a harsh glare.
"I will Rosewater, don't worry, I won't let anyone else know." Lionfire mewed.
Rosewater nodded. "Good." She meowed. She turned away from him and whisked away towards Shinedove who was watching them wide-eyed. How much as she seen? Rosewater wondered as she approached her. "Hey Shinedove."
"Hi…" Shinedove meowed vaguely. "What's going on with Lionfire?" she asked.
"Hm?" Rosewater cocked her head for a moment. "Oh, nothing… he's fine." She reassured the silver tabby quickly.
Shinedove stared after her for a moment. "Alright…" she murmured.
"ThunderClan! To me!" Rosewater's head popped up at Oakstar's voice. "Guess we'd better get going." She meowed. Shinedove only nodded. Rosewater turned around and followed after her leader.
The dark cream she-cat wearily opened her icy blue eyes to look up into the roof of green tendrils hanging about and thick branches overhead. With a sigh, Rosewater pushed herself up and looked towards the exit. Sunlight blared inside lazily. Rosewater padded over and squeezed herself out.
"Rosewater!" She lifted her head at her name being called and looked up to meet the fiery blue eyes of Stormwhisper. "Why don't you and Snowpaw go out hunting together?" the deputy asked with a cock of her head.
"Oh! Um…" Rosewater shuffled her paws nervously. She had to get out of this somehow. "Actually, I just told Stonefang I'd go hunting with him." She excused herself lightly.
Stormwhisper didn't blink. "Stonefang's out on dawn patrol." She meowed with a hint of an edge to her voice.
"Oh! Did I say Stonefang? I meant-
"Rosewater, would you please just take Snowpaw out?"
Rosewater sighed, she knew she was defeated. "Alright Stormwhisper." She murmured. "I will." She meowed. She turned off to the apprentice den and poked her head inside tentively to see the white bundle of fur piled up in a corner, slowly rising and falling as she breathed.
Rosewater padded inside. She hadn't been here in awhile. She walked up to Snowpaw and prodded her gently. "Snowpaw…. Snowpaw wake up." When the small she-cat opened her eyes Rosewater felt powerful memories stab her in remembrance of her mother.
Snowpaw rolled around to face her mentor, blinking sleep from her bright green eyes. "Oh! Hi Rosewater." She squeaked cheerfully as she pushed herself up. "What are we doing today?" she asked.
"Hunting." Rosewater bit back a snarl as she exited the den, the bouncy Snowpaw tailing behind her.
"Oh! Great! Where are we going to? Sky Oak? WindClan border? Where!"
"I was thinking the old two-leg place." Rosewater answered blankly. Snowpaw tilted her head at her but didn't say anymore. Rosewater led the way out of camp until it was just her and Snowpaw out in the forest. She turned towards the old two-leg nest before turning to her apprentice.
Snowpaw was prancing among the leaves, her eyes glossy and laughing. Did she always act like every day was her best? Did she have nothing to worry about? How Rosewater wished she could just be like that. She heaved a sigh as they reached the nest. Snowpaw turned to look at her, her green eyes sparkling at her tail twitching as if expecting something.
Oh, that's right. She was expecting something. Rosewater still hadn't gotten a hang of this 'mentor' thing. "Well… uh Snowpaw what did you smell?" she asked, trying to put on her best fake smile.
Rosewater watched as Snowpaw tipped her nose up into the air. Rosewater sniffed the air lightly herself. There was the older more faded scent of a mouse. She tilted her head slightly and looked up to see a bluebird perched on a branch silently. She cast another glance at Snowpaw who seemed to be pondering hard.
"There's a… a mouse." Snowpaw meowed.
Rosewater nodded. "Good. Where at?" she questioned.
"There's a scent just at my paws. It's fresher more towards the Two-leg nest though; I'm guessing it's hiding in all the cracks there." Snowpaw meowed.
Very good. Rosewater thought, but didn't speak the compliments. "Good." She meowed curtly. "Why don't you go investigate." She ordered. Snowpaw nodded and strode off valiantly. The white apprentice disappeared beyond the tall grass. Rosewater kept her ears prick and could still hear Snowpaw's fur bristling against the foliage. Needs to be quieter.
But it soon was silenced until the sudden squeal of the mouse sounded. Soon Snowpaw emerged through the brush with the dead mouse hanging limp in her jaws. A good kill. Rosewater observed. Cleanly done, not many marks… Snowpaw could be a hunter yet. Feeling inspired by her apprentice's performance, Rosewater purred. "Very well done. Now I want to show a new hunting technique."
"For what?" Snowpaw asked with a cock of her head.
"For birds." Rosewater replied with a smile. "Watch me." She meowed. She flicked her tail to the bird and then raced over to the tree, gathering the momentum, she silently ran up it, her claws easily slipping in and out of the bark. She pulled herself up to the branch that the bird sat on. It was now singing freely, unaware that danger lurked near. Rosewater crept forward. Then, suddenly, she lashed out a paw, her claw snagged the wing and the bird squawked in terror. Rosewater smiled as she hooked it and gave it the death bite.
"That was great!" Rosewater nearly jumped at her apprentice's enthusiastic voice.
"Thanks," Rosewater grumbled as she scored down the tree. She padded over to place it with Snowpaw's prey. Snowpaw suddenly froze. Rosewater could smell the fear scent radiating off of her apprentice. "What is it?" she asked quickly. She tried to smell the air but her mouth was covered in blood which masked all the other scents.
When she felt teeth enclose around her neck, Rosewater knew what it was. She froze. Fox. Fox. Fox. Fox. Rosewater gave a cry of terror as she felt herself being flung up into the air. She felt blood spraying from her neck and fogging her vision. She tried to catch herself as she fell onto the ground and fortunately landed squarely on the ground. She whipped around dizzily and tried to find Snowpaw among the chaos. Where was her apprentice?
She could now smell the horrible breath of the fox in her face. She hissed and clawed at it, shrinking back. The fox just snapped at her again.
Rosewater felt another mark of teeth over her face and the saliva of the fox mixed with her own blood. She felt her vision darken and she crumpled to the ground. She found herself thinking of Snowpaw and Morningfeather again and one thing came to mind.
Forgiveness.