Alright! Sorry this took so long! I've been really busy… and sort of came to a writer's block with this chapter… not sure if it's over yet either… Just so you know I'm horrible at finishing stories, but I'm promise you guys that I'll finish this one! Anyways… My birthday's on the 30th! AND it's Spring Break! Hooray! Sorry if this chapter sucks, I need to get back into the rhythm again…
ScourgeXScarlet: Heh those are pretty good words to describe Snowpaw! Hope you like this chapter! Sorry for the long wait!
Starbomb: Yep yep yep! :) Thank you! Here we go again!
Galefire: Don't worry, you're fine not reviewing :) Speaking of which you'd better update your stories soon! I'm like dying here! :) Thank you so much for all your support!
Stunningfire: I think I'll have Lionfire's POV coming up here shortly! Thanks for the compliments, here we are!
Hi10000000: Goodness, did I get all the zeros there? :) Haha. And yeah, maybe ShadowClan was their aspiration
DahliaStarr: Hey there! Here's your next chapter! Thanks for the compliments! :)\
Chapter 31: Never Clear
Rosewater blinked her eyes open wearily. Her head still ached, ached like crazy and she could feel the moisture pressed against her fur. She gave it an irritating shake. She looked around to find herself in the medicine cat den. StarClan, she hated it in here, hated the way that the den scented, hated the way she was treated like a kit. To make it worse, Snowpaw hadn't been found yet.
Stonefang and Firestripe had come back empty-pawed, alone and deflated. Rosewater gave a cry of defeat. She missed her apprentice. Oh StarClan… where is she? She wondered desperately, gazing outside of the den with longing.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!" Rosewater snapped her head to where Oakstar stood on the Highledge. She realized that he was a rather old cat now; his eyes didn't hold the same gleam they used to.
With a sigh, she heaved herself out of the medicine cat den and walked towards the group of gathering cats. She felt a tongue rasp over her ear and look up to find herself gazing into the loving eyes of Stonefang. "Good morning Rosewater." He meowed.
Rosewater nodded to him in response and sat beside him. "What are we gathered for?" she asked.
Stonefang flicked his tail where Firestripe and Featherfoot sat brimming with pride, Featherfoot leaning over and licking fiercely. Rosewater caught a glimpse of the silver pelt beneath her who didn't protest. She felt a stab at her heart. It was Silverkit's apprentice ceremony. And Snowpaw wasn't here to see it.
"It's alright Rosewater." For once, Rosewater didn't protest at Stonefang's sappy comfort. He wrapped his tail around her and Rosewater allowed herself to succumb to it. What happened to the headstrong cat she used to be? She'd never know. She looked over at the kit now who was sitting straight up, a huge grin on her face.
"We gather here to celebrate something cherished in all Clans." Oakstar began the traditional words, his green eyes sparking dimly. "I name a kit an apprentice. Silverkit, please come forward." He called; Rosewater watched his eyes narrow as they fixed on the kit.
Silverkit wriggled free of her mother's grasp. Rosewater could feel embarrassment waving off of her. The kit gracefully raced forward and towards Oakstar, bursting with excitement and struggling to sit still. Featherfoot however, looked after her sadly.
"Silverkit, upon this sunrise you reach the age of six moons. It is time for you to be apprenticed." Oakstar continued, looking down at the little kit. "Silverkit, from this moment on, you shall be known as Silverpaw." He looked up. "Flamewind, you received great teaching from Leafsparrow. You will mentor Silverpaw."
Flamewind looked up in surprise as he padded over to touch noses with his new apprentice. Rosewater cast a glance at Dawnpool to see her friend bursting with pride and excitement. Silverpaw's green eyes were bright and her fur shining.
"Silverpaw! Silverpaw! Silverpaw!" The Clan chanted loudly. Oakstar swiped his tail to signify the end of the Clan meeting. Rosewater looked over as Dawnpool bounded over to Flamewind to congratulate him.
Pain snapped like fire inside of Rosewater's head. Her blue eyes squinted at the sudden fire. "Rosewater…. Are you okay?" She heard Stonefang's voice dimly.
"I'm fine." She answered quickly. She staggered back over to the medicine cat den. She felt the pain growing. Why did that fox have to get to her? Then she would be able to help go look for her apprentice. Then at least she'd be helpful. "I just… excuse me for a moment."
She staggered away from Stonefang, aware of his worried gaze burning after her. She made her way to the medicine cat den to find it empty. With a sigh, she collapsed into her nest that had been made in there temporarily. At least she hoped it was temporary. She took a sigh and shut her eyes close hard.
Darkness succumbed her immediately. It blackened over her like a mask. No! No! Rosewater struggled with a blast of sharp breaths.
"It's all right young one."
Rosewater let out a shaky breath at Leopardheart's voice.
"It's just me."
Light streamed into Rosewater. She felt grass poking around her and flashed open her eyes. She looked up. She was on the moor. Starlight sparkled down on her fur. She blinked her eyes to meet the steady amber gaze of Leopardheart. Something in Rosewater tensed.
"Snowpaw…" she murmured.
Hurt sparked in the she-cat's eyes. "I… I had no idea she'd run." Leopardheart murmured, shuffling her paws.
Rosewater felt a stab of pity inside of her. She had never seen Leopardheart act so weak and vulnerable. "It's alright… I'm sure we'll find her." She meowed encouragingly
"I know you'll find her." A new voice filled the air and Rosewater turned to see a starlit tabby she-cat padding towards her, Snowpaw's sister Thornpaw.
"Are you so sure?" Rosewater asked, flicking her tail.
"I'm positive." Thornpaw meowed, her eyes hard. "Trust me, Rosewater. Right now, she's in good hands." She meowed.
Rosewater nodded. "But how am I to find her? Where do I start to even look? Her scent is well covered; I'd never be able to follow it."
"We'll guide you." Leopardheart meowed.
"But I'm not even well enough to leave camp." Rosewater felt a whine rising in her mew. No! I need to be strong here! Leopardheart leaned forward to press her muzzle against Rosewater's forehead comfortingly.
"It's alright. Don't worry."
"But…" Rosewater's voice faltered.
"Don't worry," Leopardheart soothed again. "Just follow the wind."
"Follow the wind?" Rosewater echoed. Knowing StarClan and their prophecies, following the wind could mean follow WindClan… would they want me to turn evil and twisted like Adderstar? Rosewater couldn't help but think.
Leopardheart gave her one last smile and everything faded to black.
Rosewater suddenly could feel warmth on her pelt and the fresh sharp tang of herbs in her nose. She was back. "Rosewater!" she opened her blue eyes quickly to the surprised voice of Petalwind. She found the medicine cat apprentice staring at her in surprise.
"Great StarClan! I thought we'd lost you there for awhile." Petalwind blew out a rush of air in relief.
"You thought I died?" Rosewater repeated, blinking. She didn't feel that much in pain, just a little light-headed.
"You lost an awful amount of blood Rosewater." Petalwind shuddered. "Honest, it was scary."
Rosewater purred with amusement. "Can I go now? I need to find my apprentice." She prompted, remembering Leopardheart and Thornpaw.
Petalwind's eyes grew huge in astonishment. "Go find Snowpaw? Of course not! You're hardly well enough to stand up!"
"Really Petalwind… I feel fine." Rosewater assured her.
"I won't have it!" The she-cat snapped in response. "You're staying right here strictly under our watch. I won't let you out of our sight, it's simply too dangerous." Petalwind meowed sternly.
Rosewater rolled her eyes. Petalwind was overreacting. She was fine. "Please Petalwind; Snowpaw could be in real danger out there by herself!"
Petalwind tensed. "You think I don't know that Rosewater? Poor Firestripe's been searching for her every chance he gets." She meowed quickly in return.
"There's no trace of her? Anywhere?" Rosewater cried.
"I'm no warrior, but I know that she headed near the abandoned two-leg nest." Petalwind informed her gently.
"How can you tell that?"
"All the catmint growing there, trampled! Honestly, you think that she'd steer clear of it!" Petalwind sighed in exasperation, turning away from Rosewater to work at some poultice.
"How are you sure it's her?" Rosewater prompted.
"I found a strand of her fur. Nobody else in ThunderClan has white fur, and I'm positive it wasn't an intruder." Petalwind meowed.
"Speak for yourself." Rosewater scoffed, glaring at the she-cat. "You have white fur yourself!" Petalwind looked down at her fur as if in surprise to find herself white, dappled with large brown patches.
"I'd know if it were me." Petalwind defended herself quickly. "And I'll admit, there are a few cats in ThunderClan that have a few white furs, but not as much of white fur as I saw there." She meowed, turning back to face Rosewater.
"How much white fur was there? Any cat can dump off a few fur here and there."
"If a cat with only partial white fur shed so much white fur, they'd surely have a bare spot there." Petalwind countered. "Do you see any cats in ThunderClan with bare spots? No."
"Do you ever check?" Rosewater couldn't help but feel her whiskers twitch with amusement.
"No!" Petalwind gasped. "But I should know. I am their medicine cat after all, I would notice if something abnormal like that happened."
Rosewater sighed. "I guess you're right… but Snowpaw does have very short fur." She meowed quizzically.
"I know," Petalwind meowed. "Which is the only thing that throws me off. But if you were to inspect, I'd go there first." She said.
Rosewater nodded in agreement. That was it. She had to get out of here. How though? I'll have to wait until night at least. I might be able to sneak out like I used to when I was a kit. Satisfied enough with her idea, Rosewater lay her head back down in between her paws to rest.
It was moonhigh. A perfect time to leave. Rosewater's blue eyes snapped open like the jaws of a fox. Petalwind and Iceblossom's nests were in the corner of the medicine cat den. She should be able to get out of here easily, but it was a matter of who guarded the exit that really would determine it.
With a sigh of unease, Rosewater slowly got to her paws. She cast a skeptical look over at the Medicine Cats. They hadn't raised an ear. Perfect. With a silent breath, Rosewater padded out of the den, her paws barely skimming the dusty ground beneath her.
She poked her head out of the den and turned her gaze towards the exit. She could make out a ginger tabby pelt before her and peered her eyes. It was Firestripe. Rosewater took in a deep breath and padded openly over to him.
She saw Firestripe's eyes widen in surprise. "Rosewater? What are you doing up?" he asked rather cautiously, his tail flicking slowly.
Rosewater took a deep breath. She didn't need to lie. "I'm going out to look for your daughter." She said steadily. She raised her head to meet her icy blue eyes to his burning amber ones. They stayed like that for a heartbeat. Rosewater could tell that Firestripe wanted to let her go, but he would be disobeying his commands then.
"Firestripe. I need to do this." She meowed.
With a sigh, the ginger tom withdrew his gaze from hers. "Fine." In a flash, his eyes barked back up to hers again. "But you must be back before sunrise." He said. "Otherwise you could get me into trouble."
How would I get Snowpaw in if I can't come back before sunrise? Rosewater thought with a sigh. "Alright Firestripe, thanks for this."
Firestripe nodded. "Find my daughter." He meowed solidly.
Rosewater nodded to him. "I will." Or I pray to StarClan that I will!
Firestripe stepped aside from the exit and nodded his head to her. Rosewater took in a deep breath and squeezed out through the brambly entrance. She was met by a patch of moonlight on the grass before her. Where would she start? What was she thinking? Going out in the dead of the night?
She had felt a little light-headed as well. No! I must find Snowpaw! She gave her head a hard shake to clear it. What was it that Leopardheart said? Follow the wind? But Petalwind said that she had gone past the Two-leg nest, I'd better start there.
Rosewater raced through the thicket. This was a night that she would originally enjoy, but she had more serious matters to attend to right now. She reached the nest quickly. Sure enough, there it was. Even with the gentle breeze, the white fur was strapped to trampled catmint.
Rosewater lowered her muzzle and opened her jaws. That was definitely Snowpaw. But also… another cat. Rosewater sniffed it in again. A tom, who seemed somehow very familiar. Oh Snowpaw, who are you with now? She wondered. Rosewater tried to track her apprentice's scent, but it disappeared after a few paces.
Follow the wind. That's what Leopardheart told me to do. Rosewater let her body stiffen. She could feel a slight night breeze buffet her fur forward ever so gently. She went in unclaimed territory then. Rosewater thought. Might as well waste no time.
She set off at a brisk pace as she came to the Clan border. I don't want anyone tracking me out. She thought. Tipping her nose to the air, Rosewater caught scent of mouse scat. Disgusting but clever. May as well do it. With a sigh, she padded over to it and crouched down to roll in it.
After she doused herself in that, she got back up to the border. Now just to follow the wind. She thought. It still blew gently away from Clan territory, so non-hesitantly, Rosewater followed. She paid attention to the slight curves and turns of direction the wind blew her fur towards.
She found herself in a meadow speckled with a few trees here and there. Why in the name of StarClan would Snowpaw go this way? She wondered as she carried on. She felt her stomach rumble. I sure am hungry… Unintentionally, she rose her muzzle to the air and opened her jaws.
There was a strong scent of mouse that waved in. But there was something off of it. The mouse was already dead. Following her nose, Rosewater was led to some yellow ferns that were crooked and hanging down. They were recently nested in. The wind blew strongly against Rosewater. Alright! I get it! I'm just taking a break!
She soon found the remains of a mouse. All the good meat had been scraped off of it, leaving it nothing more than a morsel of formerly good prey. Rosewater lowered her nose to it. Snowpaw. She sniffed and tensed. Another cat was with her.
With an irritated lash of her tail, Rosewater looked around some more. She felt so close. She padded a ways onward from the directions of the wind. She kept her jaws open for new scents, and froze when one reached her. Dog.
Rosewater's fur fluffed out and she looked warily around. She had no idea where it was coming from. It was everywhere. Why hadn't I smelt this earlier? She yowled at herself silently. I need to find out where it is. If StarClan was in her favor, it would just be a small dog, maybe sleeping.
Cautiously, Rosewater crept forward through the tall grass the wavered slightly overhead. She felt the scent growing stronger and peered ahead of the grass. There was a slight dent in it, where the grass bent down from recent resting.
With an inward sigh, Rosewater quietly walked over towards it. She poked her head through the ferns to be welcomed by a surprising scene. She saw the familiar pelt of Snowpaw. Her white fur marked with brown caked mud. A ways away from her was another curled up figure.
Rosewater recognized him in an instant. Burningheart! What in the name of StarClan is he doing here! She thought, bewildered. She could feel her eyes widen in surprise. Burningheart's eyes suddenly flashed open. His amber eyes glowed and narrowed. He knew she was here.
She saw his claws slid out and in an instant he was up on his ginger paws, facing her, his fur bristling, lips back into a snarl. "What are you doing here!" Rosewater felt her own fur fluff out. She saw immediate embarrassment take over his harsh eyes. His tail lowered and his claws went limp. "Oh! Rosewater! It's you…" his eyes dropped to the ground.
"Burningheart…" Rosewater murmured in acknowledgement. She flicked her tail. "Come with me. I need to talk to you."
Burningheart nodded quickly, slipping out past Snowpaw and to Rosewater. "Rosewater!" he said in a hushed whisper. "It's good to see you again! What are you doing here?"
Rosewater tensed. "I can ask you the same!" she hissed. "What are you doing here past Clan territories with my apprentice?" She felt anger rising in her and her long cream fur bristling.
Burningheart's amber eyes widened. "You're apprentice!" He said bewildered. "I had no idea that-
"Answer my first question." Rosewater growled. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be in WindClan? Shouldn't you be keeping an eye on Rushfall?"
Burningheart looked down. "I was banished from WindClan."
Rosewater's eyes widened in horror. "What?"
"Adderstar killed Rushfall's apprentice." Burningheart meowed, with a look back at Snowpaw. "Snowpaw's sister. I couldn't hold myself any longer, and I attacked Adderstar. He banished me on the spot."
Rosewater felt herself drawing in breath. "But… why is Snowpaw here with you then."
"I found her wandering." Burningheart meowed. "She said that her life was a lie, and I asked her about it… after she told me, I told her that I knew Thornpaw, and she thought that we should travel together… I had no idea she was your apprentice Rosewater." He murmured.
Rosewater sighed. She sniffed. "You smell like dog." She accused, her tail flickering.
Burningheart nodded. "We found some shed dog fur and rolled in it to disguise our scent." He meowed. "Sorry for throwing you off."
"It doesn't matter." Rosewater meowed. "You're coming with me."
"Me?" Burningheart's mouth gaped open in surprise. "Rosewater, I don't think that me coming to your camp is a good idea." He murmured.
"Nonsense." Rosewater frowned. "I can't let you live out her by yourself not knowing if you'll be okay or not. You're coming with."
Burningheart sighed, but Rosewater could see exhaustion lingering in his eyes. "Fine." He gave up.
"You need to tell Snowpaw." Rosewater meowed. "Something tells me she'd be more eager to hear from you than me."
Burningheart nodded. He slipped back into the ferns for a moment. Rosewater felt herself on edge. She could hear quiet murmuring from Burningheart. Then a yowl from Snowpaw though Rosewater couldn't quite make out exactly what she was saying. She was silenced from more quiet words from Burningheart. Rosewater waited, impatiently shuffling her paws.
After what felt moons, Burningheart emerged again with Snowpaw lingering behind him. Rosewater felt a spark of excitement at sight of her apprentice. Snowpaw's head was down and ears flat in shame and humility.
"Let's go." Rosewater meowed flatly.
Rosewater reached camp with Snowpaw and Burningheart when she could see a small strand of light daring to fly out from the horizon. It's not sunrise yet, we'll be okay. She thought. It had been a long walk with awkward silences. Rosewater had explained to the other cats to pretend that Snowpaw had showed up with Burningheart.
"Alright, we're here." Rosewater announced. She didn't get a response from the others, so with a sigh she poked her head through. Firestripe however, wasn't there. His shift was over. The cat sitting there was none other than Oakstar himself.
Fox-dung! With a sigh, and no shame, Rosewater slipped out. "Oakstar." She meowed.
The brown tom jumped. "Rosewater!" he whipped around, his amber eyes narrow. "What are you doing out! You know very well you were to stay in the medicine cat den!" he hissed, his tail lashing violently.
Rosewater nodded, meeting her leader's gaze. "I know." She meowed. "But I've found someone."
She stepped away from the entrance, giving room for Snowpaw to push in. The white she-cat's head was still bent down and Rosewater felt a stab of pity. Will I ever get that happy-go-lucky apprentice I used to have?
Oakstar's jaw dropped in surprise. "Snowpaw?"
"And more…"
Burningheart came in. His amber eyes widened in alarm when he saw Oakstar, and his ears lay back, flustered. "What is a WindClan cat doing here!"
Oakstar's voice raised up into a yowl. Rosewater cringed. She saw a few cats poking their heads out of their dens to watch the scene. "Oakstar! Let me explain!" Rosewater jumped in front of the ginger and white tom.
Oakstar hissed in frustration. His claws were out menacingly. "Fine!" he snapped. "Explain now! And quickly." His tail flashed.
With a sigh, Rosewater explained Burningheart's banishment, and he and Snowpaw hiding together. "He's a good cat Oakstar. You won't need to worry. I'll watch him." She promised.
"Good." Oakstar growled. "Because that's all you'll be doing for the next moon. "I want all of your patrols to be with him. Keep and eye on him. I hope that I can trust you Rosewater." With that, Oakstar whipped away to his den.
Rosewater sighed and looked at her paws.
Here she was, in a mess. Once again.
Please review! For my birthday?