Dislcaimer: I don't own Warriors, but I do own the characters created for this story. Please don't steal any of my characters intentionally.
Chapter 12
Rowanwind woke a few days later with rays of bright sunlight in his eyes. He lifted his head and blinked against the light.
"Are you feeling better?"
He twitched his ears and turned to see Thunderstripe sitting nearby. His friend purred lightly in laughter.
"Clawstar thought you needed a break today. Granitetail is taking over your duties for today. Is that okay?"
Still feeling groggy, Rowanwind stood up and stretched. He gave a wide yawn before answering. "That is beyond okay, Thunderstripe. I feel like I haven't slept in moons."
"I'm sure you aren't the only one who feels that way," Thunderstripe said. "What would you like to do today? Gingerheart and I were thinking of going out and just taking a long walk in the forest. Stormypelt can come with us once she's finished her sunhigh patrol with Thornfur and Stormpaw."
"A long walk sounds wonderful," Rowanwind replied. "As long as we get to rest along the way."
"Of course," Thunderstripe meowed. "Are you hungry? Two hunting patrols just got back. The fresh-kill pile is the fullest I've seen in it in a long time."
"Excellent. The queens, kits, and elders have all been fed already, right? And the cats under Frostflower's care?"
"You worry too much, Rowanwind. They've all been fed," Thunderstripe answered. He rose up onto his hind paws and shoved Rowanwind in the shoulder with his forepaws. "Now stop worrying and get up, you lazy furball!"
Rowanwind stumbled out of his nest. "Okay, okay! I'm up!"
The two friends padded out of the warriors den and into a brilliantly lit camp. The sun was shining down on them, unhindered by any clouds today. Rowanwind stretched again, feeling the sun warm his ginger pelt.
"Stop showing off," Thunderstripe said with a laugh.
Rowanwind hit his friend's shoulder with his tail before trotting over to the fresh-kill pile. He chose a squirrel from the pile and lay down to eat.
Gingerheart came over a few moments later with Mistmeadow and Silvermoon.
"How do you like my catch, Rowanwind?" Gingerheart asked with a flick of her whiskers.
"You should have seen her chase that squirrel," Mistmeadow said. "It didn't have a chance with Gingerheart after it!"
"Of course, she did happen to scare off the mouse I was after," Darkeye said as he and Cloverpelt came over.
"I told you I was sorry!" Gingerheart mewed loudly.
"Don't let him bother you, Gingerheart," Cloverpelt meowed, winding her tail with Darkeye's tail. "He's just trying to get you to feel guilty about something you didn't mean to do. He can be devious that way."
"Oh, yes!" Thunderstripe meowed with a huge laugh. "That's Darkeye for you!"
"What is going on over here?" Stormypelt asked as she came over with Thornfur and Stormpaw close behind her. "Is there nothing you could all be doing right now?"
"Not really," Darkeye said. "The fresh-kill pile is full...you just got back from a borer patrol. What else is there to do?"
"You could be checking to make sure our camp is still secure!"
Their heads all turned at the sound of Granitetail's voice. The tom was trotting over from where he'd been sitting chatting with Crookedfern and Meadowlark.
"We did that yesterday with the apprentices, Granitetail," Mistmeadow said.
"Then you can do it again," Granitetail said. "One of the hunting patrols chased a rabbit over the edge of the gorge earlier this morning. Now there's a huge gap in the bushes. No cat will get tricked if they can see what they're heading toward!"
"That was my fault," Silvermoon said. "I'll go take care of it."
"I'll go with you!" Mistmeadow said immediately.
Granitetail turned to Rowanwind as Silvermoon and Mistmeadow walked away. "Clawstar doesn't want you to worry about anything today, Rowanwind. To avoid any stress, it would be best if you left camp. You may want to stay away from the training area as well. Most of the mentors are going to be bringing their apprentices there for training today."
"I can see that ThunderClan is safe with you in control, Granitetail," Rowanwind said. "I know that I won't have to worry about anything with you here."
Granitetail nodded his thanks. "I need to go finish speaking with Crookedfern and Meadowlark about their border patrol tonight."
"Lucky you, Rowanwind," Darkeye said. "I'm on that border patrol with Crookedfern and Meadowlark tonight. If Granitetail is talking to them, I might have my work cut out for me tonight."
"You're young and healthy," Cloverpelt reminded him. "Crookedfern and Meadowlark are getting close to being elders. They don't have the same stamina as you do. Go easy with your complaining when you're with them tonight!" The she-cat stood up and began to head to the nursery.
"Hey, wait up!" Darkeye called, chasing after her.
"Are they together yet?" Gingerheart meowed to Thunderstripe once Darkeye and Cloverpelt were gone.
"If not, I'm sure it won't be much longer," Stormypelt said.
"The same with Silvermoon and Mistmeadow," Gingerheart added.
"What are you two she-cats gossiping about?" Rowanwind asked.
Stormypelt and Gingerheart laughed.
"Come on, Rowanwind. Today is your day off! You don't need to worry yourself over what we're gossiping about," Stormypelt said. "Are we going on a walk today or not?"
"Yes, we are," Rowanwind replied.
"Then let's go!"
"This is so peaceful," Stormypelt meowed, looking out over the lake. The sun was setting and the light cast a long line of gold across the surface of the water.
"It's difficult right now to think that we're at war," Thunderstripe said with a sigh. "Oops. Sorry, Rowanwind. I forgot. We aren't supposed to let you worry about anything today."
"I forgive you," Rowanwind said. He stretched and rolled over onto his other side. A few leaves stuck to his pelt. He stood up and shook them from his fur. "Besides, it's always best to have that thought in the back of my mind. It wouldn't be good to totally forget about reality."
"Yes," Gingerheart meowed softly. "But what exactly is reality?"
Thunderstripe looked worriedly at his mate. He touched her shoulder with his tail-tip. "What's bothering you, Gingerheart?"
"I was just wondering what my life would have been like if I had never come here," Gingerheart said with a heavy sigh.
"Why are you wondering that?" Stormypelt wanted to know.
"I was just thinking that I could have made a big difference in the world if I hadn't come here," Gingerheart continued. She looked at the three of them. "But I have to remind myself that I'm making a big difference here. If I'd never come here, and I had made a difference to the world...it would have had less meaning. Am I making any sense?"
"You're making perfect sense," Thunderstripe assured her. "Being here, you made a big difference. And you've seen the differences you've brought here. That wasn't something you could have seen otherwise."
"I'm glad that..."
Gingerheart was cut off by a sudden, loud noise that echoed through the forest. Flocks of birds flew into the air. The four ThunderClan cats were all on their feet in seconds. Their fur bristled with fear as their wide eyes scanned the forest.
"Come on!" Rowanwind shouted once his ears had finished ringing. "We have to make sure nobody is hurt!"
The four raced into the forest, heading in the direction the sound had come from. Rowanwind heard yowling suddenly. Was that one of ThunderClan's cats? Minutes later, the four of them flung themselves through some bushes and skidded to a stop to one of the most frightening scenes Rowanwind had ever seen.
Rainfur and one of her daughters, Nimblepaw, were standing beside Snowcloud's lifeless, bloody body. Standing in front of them were two, very tall Twolegs. The Twolegs had thrushes and rabbits dangling from their shoulders. It was clear that they were talking to each other because they were gesturing wildly at the cats in front of them.
"They don't know what to do," Gingerheart said. Her voice was shaking. "The one with the lighter hair wants to take Snowcloud's body. The one with the darker hair thinks they should leave. What is the use of having a dead cat?"
The one with the lighter fur on his head suddenly reached down to grab Snowcloud's body. Rainfur and Nimblepaw suddenly screeched and the Twoleg pulled his hand back.
"I told you to leave the cat alone! Those other two won't let us near it, anyway!" Gingerheart continued.
Stormypelt was staring at Gingerheart. The she-cat knew that Gingerheart had once been a Twoleg, but she had never known Gingerheart could still understand Twolegs.
"What do we do?" Thunderstripe mewed.
"Attack!" Rowanwind replied with a hiss. Without thinking, he ran at the Twolegs with a yowl.
The Twolegs turned around. Both of them began bellowing as they ran off into the forest. Gingerheart sneered at them as they disappeared.
"Rowanwind!" Rainfur screamed, her voice full of anguish. "Snowcloud!"
Rowanwind looked over Snowcloud's body. A large, oozing wound was in her side. Her face was frozen in a look of total shock. Her white fur was completely covered in blood. Rainfur's muzzle was red with it, as well. Rowanwind guessed his half-sister had nudged Snowcloud, trying to get her to respond. But it was too late for Snowcloud. He glanced around but did not see Snowcloud's spirit sitting close by. She had already passed on to StarClan.
"Rainfur, take Nimblepaw back to camp," Rowanwind ordered. "Have them send some warriors back to help take Snowcloud back to camp."
Without any questions, Rainfur and Nimblepaw headed back to camp.
Gingerheart walked over. Her fur was still bristled and her eyes wide. She looked Snowcloud's body up and down. "Poachers," she whispered.
"What?" Rowanwind turned to her.
"Poachers did this." Gingerheart shook her head. "I should have guessed! I've heard the descriptions of the injuries! I never put two and two together..."
"Gingerheart!" Rowanwind shouted, making her jump. "What are you talking about? Do you know those Twolegs?"
"No," Gingerheart whispered. "But I know what killed Snowcloud and all of the other animals found dead in the forest."
"What killed them?" Stormypelt demanded to know.
"A gun."
"What's a gun?" Thunderstripe mewed.
"A machine, created by humans. Hunters and poachers use them to kill animals. Twolegs don't have teeth and claws like we do, so they use guns," Gingerheart explained. She shook her head. "Poachers shouldn't be here. The areas around the lake are protected because people live here and vacation here."
"You're starting to not make sense, Gingerheart," Rowanwind said.
Gingerheart turned her head toward Rowanwind. Her brown eyes were full of determination. "I need to speak to Duskpaw."
"Why?" Thunderstripe stared at Gingerheart.
Gingerheart stood up. "There is only one way to stop the poachers. Someone needs to report them. And the only way I can do that is if I'm human."
"What?" Thunderstripe yelped. "You can't, Gingerheart!"
"Why not, Thunderstripe?" Gingerheart demanded, looking at her mate. "Duskpaw can make me into a human again. I can stop this from happening! It's the only way to prevent more cats from dying!"
"But...what if you don't come back?" Thunderstripe said, his voice cracking.
"Is that what you're worried about?" Gingerheart rushed to Thunderstripe and put her head under his chin. "How many times do I have to tell you? This is my home! I couldn't stay away from here for very long...I couldn't stay away from you. It would kill me."
Thunderstripe touched her cheek with his nose. "You promise you will come back? I won't let you go unless you promise."
"I promise!" Gingerheart replied immediately. She stepped back from Thunderstripe and looked at Rowanwind. "Do I have your permission?"
Rowanwind nodded. "I know that it's the only way to stop any more from dying. Good luck, Gingerheart. Try and be back as soon as possible. Don't let anyone else other than Duskpaw see you until you get back."
Gingerheart nodded back once before pressing herself to Thunderstripe again. "I love you, Thunderstripe. Don't forget that."
"I love you, too. Don't forget to come back, Gingerheart," Thunderstripe replied.
Gingerheart disappeared into the bushes just before Oakpelt, Stormypaw, Granitetail, and Blackcloud came crashing through the bushes.
"Snowcloud!" Oakpelt screamed, throwing himself down beside his mate. "Snowcloud, answer me! You can't be gone!"
"No!" Stormpaw cried out. "No! No!"
"Why did you let them come?" Rowanwind whispered to Granitetail.
"They refused to stay behind," Granitetail replied quietly.
Rowanwind sighed. "Stormypelt, please take Stormpaw back to camp. Granitetail, Blackcloud, Thunderstripe...please take Snowcloud back to camp. I need to speak to Oakpelt."
The other cats did as he asked without a word. Oakpelt and Stormpaw's sobs were the only sounds in the clearing.
Rowanwind pushed Oakpelt to his feet and continued to push him until Snowcloud and the other ThunderClan cats were gone from view.
"It's all my fault, Rowanwind!" Oakpelt screamed. His sobs had gone. Rowanwind was shocked to see the crazed look in Oakpelt's yellow eyes. "It's all my fault!"
"What is all your fault?"
"Snowcloud is dead because of me!" Oakpelt began to breath heavily. His sides heaved. "StarClan killed her to punish me! I should never have had an affair with Maplerose!"
"That is completely mouse-brained, Oakpelt!" Rowanwind said. "Your affair with Maplerose had..."
"They are punishing me because Maplerose had my kits!" Oakpelt shouted. "If I had never been more than friends with Maplerose, Snowcloud would still be here! Coldkit will never know that I'm his father! StarClan is punishing everyone I care about!"
Rowanwind heard a gasp. He turned to see Twigleaf standing nearby. The she-cat's yellow eyes were open wide as she stared at Oakpelt, who continued babbling on about StarClan punishing him. He was saying something now about Secretkit being kidnapped by DarkClan because StarClan wanted him to suffer with the knowledge.
"Twigleaf!" Rowanwind shouted.
The she-cat stared at him for a moment before turning and disappearing into the forest.
"Fox dung!" Rowanwind sneered.
He felt a dark rage grow inside him. He turned rigidly and knocked Oakpelt to his side. Oakpelt cried out and stared up at Rowanwind.
"Stop your babbling! Snowcloud is gone and it wasn't because of anything you did! StarClan has no control over what killed Snowcloud! Believe me! Gingerheart is our only hope right now. She knows how to stop what is killing cats and birds and rabbits in the territories around the lake! You just revealed to Twigleaf that you had an affair with Maplerose and that Coldkit is your son!"
A shiver ran from Oakpelt's nose to his tail-tip. "Oh, no. What have I done? Rowanwind, you must help me! I must...I must..."
"You must go back to camp and face the consequences!" Rowanwind interrupted. "The entire camp will know what you have done by the time we get back."
"Oh, no." Oakpelt said with another shiver. "I can't...I can't do it, Rowanwind! Clawstar will...he will..."
"What Clawstar will do is give you the punishment he thinks you deserve," Rowanwind hissed. "I've kept this secret for you, Oakpelt. But now that it is out, I cannot help you any longer. You may be my half-brother, but I am loyal to my leader. Whatever decision Clawstar makes, I will be behind him. Now, come on. It's better we get there before our Clanmates begin to think too many wrong things."
Oakpelt heaved himself to his feet. "You're right, Rowanwind. I couldn't ask you to help me anymore when you've already done so much for me. Thank you."
With that, the two half-brothers headed back to ThunderClan's camp.
End of Chapter Twelve