Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors. Neither does Rainfire. *sniffle*

Chapter 14

"Bark-kit! Bark-kit, wake up! Please!"

Rainfire was awakened by Cloverleaf's frantic cries. He sat up slowly and stretched, then padded over to see what all the fuss was about.

Cloverleaf was anxiously nudging her tiny son. "He won't wake up," She whispered, her green eyes dark with anguish.

Rainfire looked numbly at the tiny kit lying motionless on the remembered how Leafwhisker would check for breathing by tilting her head to the other cats face to see if their breath moved her whiskers. He tilted his head.

His whiskers didn't move.

"Is he breathing?" Leafwhisker asked, coming over and seeing what he was doing.

Rainfire raised his head to meet his sister's gaze. Sadly, he shook his head.

"Cloverleaf, I'm so sorry," meowed Leafwhisker, bowing her head.

Cloverleaf let out a wail of despair. "My poor, poor Bark-kit!" Trembling, she gathered her kit in her paws and rocked him back and forth.

"I'll tell Shinestar," Rainfire mewed softly. "I'm sorry."

He padded over to his former mentor. As son of the deputy, he was the Clan leader's apprentice. He stopped in front of the silver she-cat and bowed his head respectfully. "Shinestar, I have bad news," he murmured. "Bark-kit has died."

"Oh, no, Shinestar said, looking stunned. Pulling herself together quickly, she added, "I'll have a wake immediately. I was going to lead a patrol; could you do it instead?"

"Me?" Rainfire gasped. "Erm, don't you want Tanglefur instead? I- I mean, he could probably do the job better than me..." He trailed off, his pelt tingling uncomfortably.

Shinestar let out a 'mrrow' of laughter. "Don't worry, you'll do fine. Besides, Tanglefur stepped on a sharp rock and injured his paw."

Rsainfire blinked, but his pelt tingled with excitement and his chest puffed with pride. Shinestar had chosen him to lead a patrol instead of a senior warrior like Birchclaw or Swiftstep! He considered taking Squirrelheart and Barleypaw, but Squirrelheart had been on the last patrol and Barleypaw was dozing; being the youngest apprentice, he tired out more easily. He would take Ravenpaw, of course, and... He decided on Brambletail and Dapplepaw.

Brambletail was standing near Cloverleaf, grooming. Rainfire padded over to him, using his tail to beckon Ravenpaw over. Ravenpaw promptly bounded over.

"What are we doing today, Rainfire?"

"We're going to go on a hunting patrol."

"Oh, good!" Ravenpaw's eyes gleamed happily.

They had reached Brambletail.

"Hi, Brambletail," Rainfire meowed. "Could you and Dapplepaw come on a hunting patrol?"

"Sure!" Brambletail replied. "I need the exercise. Hang on a moment, I'll fetch Dapplepaw."

The hunting patrol padded away from the camp. Rainfire tried to stay alert; he had never led a hunting patrol and he wanted it to be a success. Besides, there was only a swallow for the preypile and the clan needed more to eat. He tasted the air. Thrush! Soon, he saw the bird, pecking at the ground.

Dapplepaw streaked past him. The thrush looked up, startled, and spread its wings – but it was too late.

Dapplepaw straightened up, the thrush hanging from her jaws.

"Nice catch, Dapplepaw," complimented Brambletail. His apprentice's chest swelled with pride.

Rainfire nodded, but stopped when he saw a strange shadow flying across the ground. He looked up and let out a yowl.

"HAAAWK!"

A/N: Review, please!