Chapter 14

Pain coursed through Icepaw's throat when her eyes finally opened. Harsh sunlight filtered through the den, and for a moment she wondered why it was so bright. The birds were singing as a cool leaffall breeze drifted through the forest. Slowly and carefully, Icepaw realized that she wasn't in LeafClan's camp. She looked around and blinked after discovering where she had been sleeping.

Memories of yesterday's event suddenly coursed through Icepaw, sending chills down her spine. She pictured the muddy river roaring towards her, sweeping her away from everything she knew. Than Seawhisker had pulled her out of the water. A second cat had been with Seawhisker though. Icepaw still couldn't figure out who the second cat was, much as she wanted to.

"Here, you'll need this." Icepaw's fur bristled slightly when she heard a familiar voice. She looked up to see Bramblepaw standing nearby, ears flat and eyes dark with concern. He'd handed her a wad of moss that was soaked with water. It took Icepaw a few heartbeats to realize why he had given it to her.

"How long was I out?" she asked after taking a few sips. She was surprised at how raspy her voice sounded.

Bramblepaw let out a sigh of frustration before sitting down beside her. For a moment she wondered where Seawhisker had gone before guessing she was hunting.

"You were out for two days," he meowed. "You swallowed a lot of water during the flood... We didn't think you were going to make it."

For the first time Icepaw noticed the cloud of worry in Bramblepaw's eyes. She looked away and thought of all the times she had treated him so coldly. Even than Bramblepaw had returned, determined to prove that he cared about his Clanmate.

"I've caught a few mice that could feed us all," Seawhisker announced when she returned. Her eyes widened when she realized that Icepaw was awake. "I'm glad you're okay," she added in a purr.

"Thanks for... not letting me drown," Icepaw murmured with a shudder.

"You should've told me that you were afraid of water," Seawhisker meowed after giving her a mouse. "It's pretty common for Chosen cats to have fear over water."

Gee, I wonder why? Icepaw thought with a roll of her eyes. She didn't bother saying it out loud though. Instead she took the mouse and swallowed a few bites before pushing it away. Hunger wasn't on her mind at the moment. The Clan's safety came first as far as she was concerned.

"Do you know where everyone else is?" she asked warily.

"I... I don't know," Seawhisker admitted. "As far as I could tell there were no bodies when the river reseeded. My guess is they fled to higher grounds."

Icepaw's tail flicked with annoyance as she thought of how dangerous that journey would be. Not only could they come across the other Clans, but LeafClan was torn apart by the flood. For the first time she realized just how vulnerable Clan life really was. One heartbeat she could be safe and happy, and the next her life could be ripped away from her.

"We need to find them," Icepaw murmured.

"I know we do," Seawhisker sighed. "For now though you need rest." She nudged Icepaw gently, and the black and white apprentice let out a hiss of annoyance.

I don't need anyone's help! she cried out silently. She knew better than to argue now. Seawhisker seemed to sense her sudden hostility and stepped away, tail lashing.

"We could all use some rest," Seawhisker announced when Icepaw looked away.

For once Icepaw didn't bother arguing. She didn't realize how exhausted she was until she curled up between Seawhisker and Bramblepaw. Her legs were still trembling slightly as she tucked her tail over her nose. Sleep couldn't come soon enough as far as she was concerned.

. . .

Rosefall paced around the river's edge long enough to know that it was time to leave. Her ears were flat as she scanned the skies for signs of rain. Thankfully the sky was clear and dark blue as the sun began to set. The first sign of stars were beginning to emerge as StarClan woke up.

She let out a sigh before she made her way along the river's edge. The rest of the Clans were huddled in their camps, unaware of the journey she was about to make. The other cats who were supposed to help her find the Chosen kits had stayed behind in their Clans. Not that she didn't mind their lack of company. Birdsong would have been a good companion to have on a journey like this.

As if her thoughts had been read, a twig snapped from behind. She whirled around, eyes widening until she recognized the dark outline of Birdsong. The black she-cat's whiskers twitched with amusement when she noticed how tense Rosefall was.

"Am I sensing a bit of hesitation there?" she asked when her head tilted to one side.

"N-No," Rosefall stammered. "I thought you would stay behind and keep your Clanmates safe."

"Like I care about those foxhearted cowards," Birdsong scoffed with a roll of her eyes. "I'm ready to find my Brightkit."

Rosefall was thankful to have a friend like Birdsong. She cared about her kits almost as much as Rosefall did. And that would make their journey all the better. Two cats were always better than one, especially when they were as determined as Rosefall and Birdsong.

AN: Kay, so this chapter was a bit of a filler chapter. Not much happening aside from Icepaw waking up, and Rosefall leaving to find her daughter. Thanks everyone for your reviews, and please let me know what you thought of this chapter! :D