-1Chapter Three
Frogkit was disappointed that he didn't become an apprentice that night so were many of the Clan but it was Willowberry who was horrible upset. The grey queen took to chasing Russetpaw if she spotted her near the nursery or Frogkit until the younger she-cat ran to the apprentices' den for safely.
Willowberry once tried to chase Russetpaw when she saw her near Gorseclaw but he simply told her, "I'm a grown warrior, Willowberry. I can handle Russetpaw without any help." Russetpaw now took to being near him when she was camp.
Its was not yet Sunhigh when Gorseclaw came back to camp with his catch from a sole hunting patrol in his mouth. As he appeared from the tunnel he spotted Frogkit talking with Leafpaw near a clump of ferns. The two cats seemed to enjoy each others' company.
Earlier he had asked Fawncoat if she could ask Snowstar to allow Frogkit to sleep inside the apprentices' den. "He's too big for nursery now, Fawncoat and with Dawnfur's new litter coming soon it will get pretty crowded inside there."
"Yes, I have noticed that Gorseclaw but Frogkit isn't an official apprentice yet." She mewed gently. "And only apprentices can sleep there."
Gorseclaw twitched his tail at her response. "He will soon, Snowstar won't let Russetpaw's outburst get in the way of making ThunderClan stronger." The two fell silent and looked to where Frogkit was gently playing with Fawncoat's three young kits.
Fawncoat watched them fondly for few more moments then turned to Gorseclaw. "I'll see what I can do Gorseclaw," she mewed. "But you better get going I think Silverstripe and Mosspelt are ready to go now."
Gorseclaw said goodbye and took off to join his friends who were waiting near the tunnel. Silverstripe looked at him, "Fawncoat special to you or something?" he teased.
"No. I was just asking about Frogkit."
"Really now?" Mosspelt added looking behind him to the queen. "Fawncoat is pretty to look at…"
"Oh shove off you two! We got to hunt for the Clan." Gorseclaw growled and plunged into the forest. His friends followed, keeping up with his fast pace.
"Oh come on, Gorseclaw. If you like her that much don't be scared to tell us." Silverstripe meowed as he ran along side him. "Be scared of her kits' father, Thundercloud."
"GREAT STARCLAN!!! I DON'T LIKE HER!!!" Gorseclaw's voice rang out, startling a flock of small birds which took wing, cawing loudly. "Look! Now you scared the prey away! Great job Gorseclaw." Mosspelt hissed.
Gorseclaw gave a sigh and padded over to the fresh-kill pile. He just placed his catch down when Whitefang came limping up. The tom was the oldest warrior in ThunderClan, his grey fur was thin and patchy with scars of battle all over it. One noticeable scar ran down the side of his face giving him a hardened and mean look. The scars were proof that Whitefang had served his Clan to his utmost.
It's time for you to join the elders. Gorseclaw observed and gave a respectful nod to the older warrior. You did your job which was protecting and defending the Clan but its over now. You need rest, Whitefang.
"Gorseclaw," Whitefang meowed harshly. "There you are, Thickfur was looking for you just now." Gorseclaw pricked his ears up. "Really? What for may I ask?"
"Thickfur wants you to join him and a patrol to attack RiverClan." The grey tom looked over the fresh-kill pile with interest. His eyes when over the prey Gorseclaw had caught. "They been crossing into our territory and stealing our prey."
"RiverClan? Why are they doing that for?" He asked confused then suddenly in a more eager voice, "Maybe their after Sunningrocks again!"
Gorseclaw remembered that many battles between RiverClan and ThunderClan were over those smooth, sun heated stones on river bank. It once did belong to RiverClan many, many moons ago when the river was larger and Sunningrocks an island which only RiverClan cats could swim too. But the water when down and became a part of the forest, ThunderClan soon claim the rocks as their own.
Whitefang nodded his head. "That might be it but the loss of prey shouldn't been a part of it." He bend down and chose out a fat water vole, one of the many which Gorseclaw had killed. "You better eat too for Thickfur said that you were leaving the minute its Sunhigh."
Gorseclaw nodded his head and watched as the grey warrior moved away to the shade of some over hanging branches. He picked out a juicy mouse and moved towards the warriors' den.
He ate with Rockfur, Stormtail and Silverstripe near the entrance then had a quick wash before Thickfur's yowl cut through the air, calling the cats who were going on the patrol. Gorseclaw hurried over with his companions. He saw that Blackbird, a slim black she-cat was coming too.
Thickfur turned to Snowstar as he came padding up, "Looks like you have enough cats, Thickfur. You'll be able to make sure that Brokenstar won't try to hunt on our land again for many moons."
He bowed his great tabby head. "Thank you. I assure you that RiverClan won't forget this in a hurry, Snowstar." The white tom nodded his head.
"May StarClan be with all of you." And with that Thickfur turned and headed to the tunnel followed by the patrol.
Gorseclaw wondered how they would get into RiverClan camp. It was surrounded by water, making it almost impossible to attack. The only way to get to it was cross the river on Stepping Stones. Yet it was dangerous. A cat could slip off one of the stones, fall into the water and be carried away by the current.
He prayed that the river was calm. Thickfur soon came to halt near Sunningrocks, looked around and waited for the rest to catch up. Once all the warriors were together he led them down to the river's bank. It was very still, so still it look as they could walk right over it.
"The river is calm enough for us to swim over." He meowed. "Let's go!"
Gorseclaw watched as Thickfur stepped into the water and started to swim across. Rockfur followed closely after him followed by Stormtail a few moments later. Blackbird soon went after him but Gorseclaw could tell she wasn't happy to get wet.
Gorseclaw gathered up his nerves and plunged into the water. To his surprise it was fairly warm, It's not all that bad. Gorseclaw thought and felt kind of sad to leave the warm water. Thickfur and the rest of the cats had made it to the opposite bank and taking into the reeds. Gorseclaw shook the water out of his fur and when to catch up with the rest.
As he was about to enter the reeds a quick movement out of the corner of his eye, sounds of dripping water and light paw steps stopped him. Gorseclaw spun around, hissing and ready to defend himself. His amber eyes widened when he recognized the cat. Its was Russetpaw.
"What are doing here?" He hissed at the water wet apprentice. Russetpaw looked down at her paws. "I…I didn't want to stay at camp. It's Willowberry again."
Gorseclaw grunted then growled. "Well you did stop Frogkit's apprentice's ceremony and Willowberry cares a lot about him even if he's not her kit."
She let out a low growl then suddenly in an almost high pleading voice wailed. "I know but Frogkit isn't one of us, Gorseclaw! He's a rogue cat! They don't care about anything but themselves!"
Gorseclaw looked around wildly. "Be silent! We're in enemy territory, Russetpaw or have you forgotten?" Russetpaw fell silent and held her head low. Despite his anger for her Gorseclaw could help but feel sorry for the young she-cat.
"Come on now," He meowed and gave her a quick lick on the ear. "We better go find the patrol for they might be needing us at this time." Russetpaw brightened a bit at his words and padded close beside him as they made their way to RiverClan's camp.
When they appeared out of the reeds, muscles tensed and ready to fight they were greeted by a sore sight. RiverClan was a mess. The once sleek, well-fed cats were nothing but skin and bones. Gorseclaw and Russetpaw hurried to the patrol who stood in the center of the camp, stunned looks on their faces.
"Stormtail!" Gorseclaw panted as he drew to the smoky black tom. "What in the name of StarClan happened here?" Stormtail opened his mouth to speak but saw Russetpaw. He frowned at her but didn't say anything to his apprentice.
"Not sure but something bad I guess." Stormtail grunted and looked back at the RiverClan cats just as Blackbird came over, "This must be why their hunting in our territory. They can't food in their own lands."
Russetpaw had moved away to met a very thin dark brown she-cat who was followed closely by two tiny kits. The kits opened their mouths and let out sad hungry mews. "The poor things…" she whispered.
Thickfur soon appeared from behind some bushes, he was followed by a painfully thin long-haired tabby tom. Gorseclaw was shocked by the Clan leader's appearance. Never in his whole life had he seen Brokenstar look so horrible.
"Welcome ThunderClan." Brokenstar rasped tiredly as he sat down before the patrol. "I wondered when you'll be coming here to avenge the prey we stole…"
"No." Thickfur cut in sharply and the RiverClan leader stared at him surprised. "You stole because you had too. Your whole Clan is almost dieing, why didn't you call a Gathering? I'm sure the rest of the other Clans would have helped you out once they heard what was wrong."
Brokenstar shook his head sadly. "I couldn't my warriors let alone me were too weak. We're using all of our remaining power to hunt for food. I was hoping to say something at the coming Gathering."
Rockfur let out a disbelief hiss. "If you did that you and your Clan would be all dead by then!" Blackbird nudged him with her shoulder sharply, stopping anymore harsh comments.
"Rockfur is right, Brokenstar." Thickfur meowed and looked around the camp. The RiverClan cats stared back at him with pleading eyes. "Your Clan needs help, Brokenstar, and we're here to help you."
Brokenstar stared at him, he looked at first like he was about to reject ThunderClan's offer of help. "You would really help us?"
"Yes," Thickfur meowed.
"And we'll help too." Blackbird added as she glanced at the RiverClan cats again.
"Then me and my Clan thanks you. None of my cats will challenge any ThunderClan warriors in our territory until we gain our strength back and able to fend ourselves." Brokenstar mewed and let out a weary sigh. Even talking seemed to weaken the Clan leader more then ever.
The dark brown she-cat with the two tiny kits then spoke up. "If you don't mind will you please take Petalkit and Moonkit back with you?" The ThunderClan cats turned to her and she looked down to the kits. "Their mother just died and there's no queens here to suckle them. They'll die without any milk."
Thickfur thought for a moment then looked to Brokenstar for permission. Brokenstar nodded his head at him. Thickfur turned back to she-cat. "Yes, we'll take the kits back to camp. We have some queens with kits there. I'm sure they'll take them in no questions asked."
Rockfur turned to Gorseclaw, "Gorseclaw why don't you take them? Your better at talking with the queens then the rest of us." Stormtail suddenly added, "Yes and Russetpaw you help him too."
Russetpaw nodded her head, not brothering to argue with her mentor while Gorseclaw walked over to the kits and she-cat. "I'm Chestnutfoot." The dark brown she-cat meowed and nudged a small pale grey and white kit to him. "This is Moonkit. My younger sister's daughter."
Gorseclaw bended down and gave Moonkit a gentle lick between the ears. The kit mewed and pressed up to him. "She'll be fine in ThunderClan, Chestnutfoot." He promised.
Russetpaw was given Petalkit who was dark grey and white and the two picked up the kits and turned to leave camp when Brokenstar called them back. They looked back to the Clan leader.
"If you see Lightheart anywhere please tell him to return to camp at once." Gorseclaw nodded his head and turned away, followed by Russetpaw headed back towards ThunderClan.
The cats of ThunderClan stared at them curiosity when they appeared from the tunnel carrying the two RiverClan kits. Snowstar who was sitting near by Sharing-tongues with Whitefang got up and walked over to them.
"What is this?" he asked as he looked down at the kits. Gorseclaw placed Moonkit down on the ground between his paws and faced his leader. "RiverClan is a mess, Snowstar. The can't find any food in their territory and are starving to death. A she-cat there asked us to take these two kits in and cared for them until they can return home."
"Thickfur and the patrol offered to help them," Russetpaw added after putting down Petalkit too. "Brokenstar gave permission for us to go into their territory."
Snowstar listened to their words and nodded his head slowly once they were done. It was then that he understood why RiverClan was hunting in ThunderClan territory. "The kits can stay." he mewed and turned to the Clan which had gathered. "Thundercloud gather some warriors and go on an hunting patrol for RiverClan." A long-haired dark smoky grey tom stepped forward and called to some cats. Mosspelt and Silverstripe along with Leafpaw hurried to his side.
They then turned and headed to the gorse tunnel. Snowstar looked to Gorseclaw and Russetpaw and flicked his tail for them to follow him. The two cats picked up the kits again and followed him to the nursery. Gorseclaw wondered why for as far as he knew there were no queens nursing kits as young as the ones him and Russetpaw carried.
The nursery was silent and dark. A scent of milk reached his nose and Gorseclaw saw that Dawnfur, the spotted tabby queen had given birth to her kits. The three kits' pale tabby fur with faint flecks of brown and grey was still damp and their eyes were sealed shut. He gently put Moonkit on the floor and let out a purr.
"Dawnfur?" Snowstar asked, "Can you handle two more? They are RiverClan kits and they needed a mother, theirs' had died."
Fawncoat who was resting nearby with her own litter looked to them. "RiverClan?" she meowed. "Why can another queen of their Clan take them in?"
Russetpaw turned to her, "RiverClan is starving to death. They got no food to fed themselves let alone a nursing queen." Petalkit wailed when he smelled Dawnfur's milk and tried to get into the nest. Dawnfur stared at him with a wondering look on her face then reached over and picked him up and placed him with her own three kits.
Petalkit purred as he happily nursed from Dawnfur. "Gorseclaw bring the other one please." She mewed and Gorseclaw picked up Moonkit and placed beside her brother. "Don't worry Snowstar, I'll care for them."
Snowstar nodded to her and Russetpaw spoke up. "The tom-kit is named Petalkit and the she-kit is Moonkit." Dawnfur nodded her head, approving the kits' names.
When Snowstar turned to leave he signalled for Gorseclaw and Russetpaw to follow. Fawncoat mewed goodbye to them as they left the nursery.
"Come with me," Snowstar ordered and led the cats to his den. Both Gorseclaw and Russetpaw wondered what was going to happen. Snowstar nestled himself on a bed of moss once they were inside. He looked to Russetpaw and Gorseclaw with a stern look on his face.
