Chapter 8
Willowpaw left the den to face the invaders. She scanned the patrol, and she noticed that luckily Blackpaw wasn't there. The patrol was of Willowleaf, Lionbriar, Tigerblaze, Leopardstem, Haildust, and a warrior Willowpaw didn't recognize. The cats launched into battle.
Willowpaw saw Haildust jump on top of Brownpaw. She went running to help him, and she ducked and scratched Haildust's belly. The ginger tom screeched in pain, but didn't give up. He jumped on top of Willowpaw this time. Haildust scratched her back, and blood started running in Willowpaw's tabby fur. She aimed for Haildust's muzzle, but missed, and scratched his eye instead. Haildust suddenly started running away, and Willowpaw suddenly noticed his eye was clouded. She had blinded Haildust!
After Haildust ran away, Willowpaw saw that the warrior she didn't recognize was trying to get into the nursery. She went running and attacked the warrior, but got suddenly shocked when she heard Cloudpelt mew.
"Honeyfang, you're a traitor! You are coming here to kill your kin, remember!," she snapped, and the dark creamy cat turned to Cloudpelt.
"Cloudpelt! I decided to go to RatClan because it was the right thing to do! Wolfclaw would have wanted that!," she said, and ran away as Willowleaf told the warriors to retreat.
After the battle finished, Willowpaw went to Softpelt's den. She had to check her wounds.
"Hi Willowpaw," said the white medicine cat.
"Hi, I've got a big scratch here," she said, turning for Softpelt to check her wound.
"It's nothing serious," said Softpelt. "I'll just put marigold to stop it from getting infected and cobwebs to stop the bleeding."
When they were done, Willowpaw went to the nursery. She had to speak to Cloudpelt.
"Cloudpelt," she started. "Who's Honeyfang?"
Cloudpelt turned to Roseflower, and headed towards the camp entrance. She made a gesture as a signal for Willowpaw to follow her, and they all headed towards the forest. When they were far enough for nobody to hear them, she started talking.
"Honeyfang is my sister," she started. "Our mother, Wolfclaw, was a RatClan cat, and our father, Ripplesong, is a LakeClan cat. I was raised in RatClan, until, our mother died. She died defending her clan, in a badger attack, and she was the only cat to trust us. After her death, I felt like I wasn't trusted anymore, and went to LakeClan, to live with my father, when I suddenly discovered he and Graywillow were having kits. Those kits are Roseflower and Stormpelt."
Willowpaw felt sad. She couldn't imagine living in a different clan that Fernpaw lived.
She decided to leave Cloudpelt alone and went towards the highrock. Tigerstar was calling a Clan Meeting.
"Luckily, we won this battle, and to celebrate, I'll make new apprentices. Tawnykit, Nightkit, Dapplekit come here!," he called, and the three kits came bounding excitedly.
"Gingerfur, I have decided it is time for your first apprentice. Teach Nightpaw the wonderful skills you learned from your mentor, Smokethroat," said the LakeClan leader.
Gingerfur and Nightpaw touched noses.
"Foxclaw, I decided you will train Tawnypaw. Teach your apprentice all the skills your mentor Amberleap taught you," said Tigerstar.
Foxclaw and Tawnypaw touched noses.
"Smokethroat, you were an excellent mentor to Gingerfur and I expect you to pass on the same skills to Dapplepaw."
"Nightpaw! Tawnypaw! Dapplepaw!," cheered the clan.
"I've spoken to Rowanfur, and since he is so wounded, he'll retire to the elders' den. My new deputy will be Gingerfur," said Tigerstar.
"I'll do my very best," said Gingerfur, dipping his head towards his clan leader.
When the clan meeting ended, Willowpaw went to the medicine cat den. Softpelt was tending to Silverfur, who had a cut all along her belly, which was bleeding heavily.
"Will she live?," asked Willowpaw, nervous that her mother might die.
"I don't know," she replied.
Suddenly, Dustwing entered the medicine cat den.
"Roseflower is kitting!," he shouted.
Willowpaw suddenly felt nervous. Softpelt didn't have an apprentice to take care of Silverfur while she attended the kitting, so she would have to leave Silverfur alone.
"Willowpaw, press some cobwebs on Silverfur. I'll send Tigerstar and Fernpaw to help you," she said, as she headed towards the nursery.
After Softpelt was gone, Willowpaw saw Silverfur trying to speak.
"My dear Willowpaw. I'm so proud of you and your sister," she said, looking at Willowpaw. "But you have to admit my time has come. I'll join your sister in StarClan."
"No Silverfur, don't leave me!," said Willowpaw, but it was too late.
"Please, wake up Silverfur. We can go hunting later. Please wake up!," she said, but her mother was already dead.
Tigerstar and Fernpaw arrived to the medicine cat den and saw Silverfur's body with horror.
Willowpaw felt a pang of grief and anger pulse through her. If it wasn't for Roseflower's stupid kits, Silverfur might be alive.