Chapter 2: New Apprentices and New Discoveries
Rougefoot was out on the Rising Sun patrol. He sniffed every bush anxiously, scenting for any intruders. He caught a weak scent of the MoonClan cat that was here the other day. He hoped the other cats wouldn't pick up on it and continued sniffing around a bramble bush. He felt a mouse's paw steps in the ground and he dropped down in the hunters crouch. He waited for the mouse to appear before he sprang. He hooked the mouse in his thorn sharp claws and slammed it onto the ground. He jumped on top of it and bit down hard on its neck. He bowed his head to thank his ancestors for the prey that would feed his Clan for times to come. He carried the mouse back to his patrol of Whitefoot and Blackwhisker.
"Good job Rougefoot," Blackwhisker meowed. "But we aren't on a hunting patrol."
"But who could pass up free prey?" Rougefoot meowed.
"Good point. Leaf bare is almost here, so good job again." Blackwhisker meowed.
"No sign of any intruders." Whitefoot meowed.
"You're right. Let's get going back." Blackwhisker meowed."
Rougefoot sighed in relief. They didn't pick up on the MoonClan cat. When they got back to the camp they gave their report and Rougefoot set down the mouse. He picked it back up and gave it to the only surviving elder, Cindertail. Cindertail waved the frail line of bones he called a tail in gratitude.
He rasped in a voice cracked with age, "Thank you young one for looking after your elders so well."
"Would you like me to chew it up a bit for you first Cindertail?" Rougefoot asked. "It tasted a bit tough carrying it back."
"Why thank you young one. How thoughtful, caring for your elders with such passion." Cindertail said. He pushed the mouse towards Rougefoot.
Rougefoot chewed up the mouse and spat out the chewed up scraps on a dock leaf for Cindertail to lick up.
"Ahh that was mighty fine. You did well young one." Cindertail praised the young warrior. He curled up into a ball and tucked his tail over his nose. He fell asleep.
Rougefoot left the elder in peace. Bloodtooth, the Clan deputy walked up to him. "Your father would like to see you." He roared in his deep voice.
Rougefoot sunk low to the ground and huddled to his father who was sitting outside his den. Rougefoot's eyes dropped to the ground as he neared his father, the Clan leader. "Snapstar…" Rougefoot said. "You called?"
"Ahh yes." Snapstar said. "I have an important mission for you. I want you to take Slashpaw and go to EarthClan. I need to see a cat called Spiderleap. Can you do that for me?"
"Isn't that breaking the code Snapstar?" Rougefoot asked.
"I thought you would be able to handle it Rougefoot. Tell them it's peaceful or something. I just need Spiderleap."
"I'll try." Rougefoot meowed.
"Thank you. Slashpaw should be with Flamestone near Moss Rock."
Rougefoot nodded and bounded off towards Moss Rock. Slashpaw and Flamestone were sniffing around it, looking for prey hiding in the cracks.
"Stay here Slashpaw; I'm going hunting out there." He lifted his nose and pointed towards the trees. He ran into his nephew. "And what are you doing here Rougefoot?" He asked.
"Father asked if I could borrow Slashpaw for a mission to EarthClan territory. May I take him?"
"Just keep him safe will ya?" Flamestone growled. He stalked off into the trees.
"A mission?" Slashpaw mewed. "This is going to be so exciting!" His hair fluffed out in all directions.
"Be aware EarthClan are the best trackers in all the land. They also hear the best. They are very dangerous so mind your manners."
"Ok!" Slashpaw mewed gleefully. He took a step forward and he fell down into a hole. He was meowing pitifully, clawing at the loose earth. "Help me Rougefoot! Help me!"
Rougefoot clawed down. The earth tasted disgusting in his mouth. He dug down further until he could grasp the young apprentice's scruff in his jaws. He tugged until Slashpaw finally broke free. The apprentice was shivering in fright and he vomited up earth onto the grass.
Rougefoot backed away in disgust until the apprentice was done.
Slashpaw still had his energy despite his early morning fright. They walked together to the EarthClan border and sat down, waiting for a patrol to pass them by.
Around Peak Sun time a patrol gave a warning call and the patrol of Cornfoot, Birdsong, and Echoflight raced to wear Slashpaw and Rougefoot were sitting comfortably.
The leader of the patrol, Cornfoot, stepped up snarling. "What are you doing so close to the EarthClan border Rougefoot and friend?"
"My name's Slashpaw!" He piped up indigently.
"Silence young one! Those older than you wish to speak." Birdsong growled.
Cornfoot glared at Rougefoot. "What do you want?"
"I wish to see Spiderleap. Snapstar wishes to speak to him for a little while." Rougefoot said calmly. His blue eyes flashed.
Cornfoot stepped forward aggressively, "As you can see Spiderleap isn't here so, no you can't see him."
Rougefoot also stepped forward and Slashpaw stood up. "We are not here to invade or anything, we just want to see Spiderleap for a few hours."
Cornfoot stepped back, "Echoflight go fetch Spiderleap."
A thin speckled gray she-cat darted off into the heart of EarthClan's forest. She reappeared a few minutes later with the largest cat Slashpaw and Rougefoot have ever seen.
He towered over all of them. His flank was scarred from fighting and he had a magnificent brown patch across his right eye. He snarled in a deep voice "Rougefoot, what does your father need?"
"I don't know Spiderleap," Rougefoot meowed, trembling. "He just wants to see you about something."
An evil grin spread across Spiderleap's face. "Ahh I will be right there." He crossed the border and headed up towards the camp. He remarkably knew the way and he pushed his way through the brambles.
Snapstar was waiting in the middle of the clearing by his den. He stood up when he saw Spiderleap shoulder through the entrance. They both had unnaturally sharp pointed teeth glowing in the harsh sunlight. There was an evil look on their faces as Snapstar led the huge cat into his den.
Rougefoot dismissed Slashpaw to go back to his nest on the other side of the camp. Slashpaw obeyed the new warrior. Rougefoot stalked up on the other side of his father's den and pressed his ear against the rock to overhear. All he heard was "Thank you," before Spiderleap walked out. Snapstar escorted him back to his territory while Rougefoot went over to Shortleg, the FireClan medicine cat.
His mother was still lying down on the soft moss by his den. "Hello Shortleg," Rougefoot meowed.
Shortleg was rummaging through a pile of strong smelling herbs. He was muttering low words to himself. He turned around and his amber eyes faced Rougefoot straight on. "Hello Rougefoot. Mind doing me a favor?" He asked.
"I don't mind at all, what do you need?" Rougefoot asked.
"I need you to go to the MoonClan border and collect some marigold, the little yellow flowers. Pull them off and the stems about one inch off the ground. Bring back as much as you can, I need some for your mother." He meowed.
"I think I can do that," Rougefoot meowed.
"Oh yes," Shortleg meowed, turning around to face Rougefoot again. "Take an apprentice with you so you can fetch more. Smokepaw would be good since you already took Slashpaw out earlier."
"I'll do that right away," Rougefoot meowed, walking towards the apprentice den.
"Thank you," Shortleg called.
Rougefoot nodded that he heard and pushed his way into the apprentice den. Slashpaw was sleeping while Smokepaw wasn't to be seen or scented.
He pushed his way out again and walked out of the camp towards the Hollow, where most of the apprentices train. Smokepaw was lying down in the middle of the Hollow, very still. Mapleheart was nowhere to be seen. Rougefoot approached with caution. 'Why isn't he moving?' Rougefoot thought. "Smokepaw?" Rougefoot called.
The apprentice made no response.
Rougefoot was growing anxious. He poked the apprentice. He felt deathly cold. He pushed him over. There was a long slash mark down his throat extending down to his abdomen. It didn't look like a cat claw scratch but he didn't know. He saw Mapleheart's injured body lying up the slope. Rougefoot rushed up to him and prodded him on his side. The senior warrior made a grunt and looked up at him. His eyes were bleeding and there were scratches all over his body.
"What happened to you!?" Rougefoot demanded.
"F… Foxes…" Mapleheart coughed. "The biggest one I've ever seen killed my apprentice… And then I tried to save him… But it was too late." He curled his head into his body.
"Hold on Mapleheart, I'll go get help."
Mapleheart groaned in pain.
Rougefoot ran as fast as he could back to the camp. He burst in panting. Two warriors, Whitefoot and Snowclaw were about to go out on a hunting patrol.
"Whoa Rougefoot. What's the hurry?" Snowclaw asked.
"Mapleheart… Smokepaw… Help…" Rougefoot panted as he ran off to Shortleg's den.
"MY KIT!" Whitefoot screeched. He reared up on his hind legs then he pounded the ground anxiously, waiting for Rougefoot to return.
Shortleg came running out a minute later following Rougefoot. Snowclaw and Whitefoot followed Shortleg up the slope and into the hollow.
Mapleheart was wheezing heavily. He did not look like he was going to make it at all.
Shortleg directed the two large warriors to their duties. "Snowclaw and Whitefoot GENTLY pick up Mapleheart and take him back to camp. Be as gentle as possible. Go around fallen trees and bramble bushes. We want him back in one piece you know. Rougefoot you take Smokepaw back to camp…"
Rougefoot obeyed sadly. He picked up the dead apprentice in his jaws and carried him back to camp where his mother, Iceshine was wailing in grief in the middle of the camp. As soon as Rougefoot walked through the entrance she ran over to her precious kit and licked him, but he did not arise.
"I'm sorry Iceshine, he's gone." Rougefoot meowed sadly.
She reared back on her hind legs and let out an earsplitting wail of grief. She returned to all fours and buried her nose into her kits torn and matted black fur. Smokepaw's brother, Slashpaw had also come out to mourn. Their father, Whitefoot was pressed beside his mate, his nose in her shoulder fur.
Rougefoot could only look on sadly. He decided to go pay a visit to Mapleheart, who was inside Shortleg's den. He stepped forward with caution, not wanting to disturb the old medicine cat from his duties. He peered into the ferns that concealed Shortleg's den. Mapleheart was lying on the ground not moving. His eyes were covered in a strong smelling poultice, along with the rest of his scratches. Shortleg noticed Rougefoot standing outside and he walked out.
"How's Mapleheart?" Rougefoot asked in a whisper. "Will he make it?"
"Mapleheart is pretty beat up. If he survives the night it's a good sign but there's still a chance he could leave with the ancestors. There's not a good chance he would make it…" Shortleg said sadly.
Rougefoot remembered that Shortleg and Mapleheart were brothers. Rougefoot wouldn't know how Shortleg would cope with his brother's death, but it wouldn't be good. He silently wished Mapleheart would hold on, for Shortleg's sake.
"I hope he'll be alright…" Rougefoot meowed.
Mapleheart let out a groan. Shortleg dashed into his den and placed his paw on Mapleheart's flank and stroked it. Mapleheart let out a sigh and fell asleep once more.
"I must go pay my respects to Smokepaw," Shortleg said. "Warn me if Mapleheart gets up or if his breathing changes or anything."
"I will," Rougefoot said, settling down beside the senior warrior.
Shortleg walked to Smokepaw and started licking the apprentice's fur, murmuring respects to him.
Rougefoot sat next to Mapleheart, taking his duty very seriously. He watched Mapleheart's flank rise and fall as he slept. He started to feel drowsy but he couldn't sleep until Shortleg got back.
Shortleg returned a few minutes later, worn and weak from his hard day of work.
"Would you like me to watch him for the night Shortleg? You need to get some rest."
"Thanks Rougefoot for you offer. But you also need your rest. I can get Squirreltrack to watch over him tonight, but thanks."
"Should I send him over?"
"Yes please and thanks again." Shortleg replied.
Rougefoot climbed up a steep slope of rock to Squirreltrack's den. The warrior was sleeping soundly in the bush. Rougefoot prodded him in the side. "Squirreltrack, Squirreltrack, wake up."
The warrior lifted his head and yawned. "What's all the hubbub about?"
"Shortleg wants you to watch over Mapleheart tonight."
"Ugh…" He groaned. "Fine, I'll see you later." Squirreltrack said. He leapt down the rock wall and over to Shortleg's den.
Rougefoot wondered how the cat was so nimble. He decided to leap down the wall. He leapt, but took a tumble and lightly sprained his paw. He didn't want to disturb Shortleg anymore so he limped over to his father's den and lay down beside it. He curled up and went to sleep.
The next morning he was feeling a lot better. He decided to pay Squirreltrack, Mapleheart, and Shortleg a visit. He walked over the Medicine Den. Squirreltrack wasn't there. Shortleg was awake, and he looked happy. Behind him Mapleheart was sitting up, but his eyes were still closed. There was a spark of hope for Rougefoot. 'Maybe Mapleheart will survive…' he thought. He sure did hope so.
Rougefoot nodded to them and walked away. He walked out of the camp and towards the MoonClan border, where he decided to fetch the marigold Shortleg asked him to get yesterday. He stalked through the undergrowth, trying not to be seen. The small yellow flowers were growing right on the border. He slinked over to a fern right beside the flowers. Rougefoot stared across the border. The cat he had let go after she invaded was there again, but this time with a huge red tom. She spotted Rougefoot and nosed for him to come out. He stepped out of the bushes carefully. They walked towards each other, about to exchange a friendly greeting.
The red tom, which was sniffing a clump of ferns for hiding prey sprang in front of her and growled at Rougefoot. She was forced back. He chuffed at her, but looked at Rougefoot. "Icechest get back. This tom may be dangerous."
"Foxclaw don't be such a worry wart," she pushed him away.
"This is Foxclaw, my brother. He worries too much about me sometimes. I'm Icechest, who might you be?"
"I'm Rougefoot," he meowed flatly.
"Rougefoot! What a lovely name!" Icechest said.
"Why are you even talking to this cat Icechest?" Foxclaw extended his claws into the loose earth. "You don't even know him."
"He let me go after he caught me chasing a squirrel for you onto his territory. He even gave me the squirrel." Iceshine meowed to her brother.
Rougefoot sat down and glared at the fire red tom. He glared back with eyes the color of sun baked sand.
"Icechest we need to go," Foxclaw growled. "We need to find prey."
"I need to go too…" Rougefoot said.
"See you around Rougefoot!" Icechest meowed happily.
Foxclaw snorted and jerked his head towards the trees deeper into the forest. She followed, but looked back at Rougefoot before charging into the trees after her brother.
Rougefoot shook his large gray head and tried to concentrate on remembering what Shortleg asked what to do. He started chewing off the marigold stems about 1 inch off the ground. Once he got as much as he could carry he set them down and began hunting. He missed 2 mice and a vole before he finally caught a huge crow. He decided to take the crow back first, then return for the marigold.
When he walked into the camp he saw Moonheart's 3 kits play-fighting. They turned around and stared in awe at the huge crow dangling from Rougefoot's mouth.
One of them squeaked, "I hope I can be as good as that one day!"
Another one meowed, "That's amazing. It's bigger than us!"
The last one, the most quiet of the 3 mewed softly, "Rougefoot's my hero."
The first one asked "What was that Shadowkit?"
"Nothing Specklekit," Shadowkit meowed.
"Did you hear what he said Pebblekit?" Specklekit asked.
"No I didn't," the second kitten, Pebblekit, meowed.
The 3 went back to play-fighting while Snapstar and Bloodtooth walked out of his den when they heard that Rougefoot had caught a crow.
"Look at that crow," Bloodtooth meowed in amazement.
Snapstar looked at his son evilly, "He did well," he meowed in a flat tone.
"That's the biggest one I've seen in years, but it doesn't beat the one that you caught when I was a kit."
"That was one huge crow." Snapstar meowed.
"Yes it was," Bloodtooth meowed.
They returned to Snapstar's den, probably to discuss Clan business.
Rougefoot set down the crow on the kill pile. He walked back into the forest, back the the MoonClan border and picked up the huge whorde of marigold leaves. He returned them to Shortleg's den, who accepted them happily. When he went back outside Cindertail summoned him over.
"That was good hunting today Rougefoot," Cindertail meowed.
"Thanks Cindertail." Rougefoot meowed.
Cindertail's eyes were distant and searching. "But there's something else I wanted to talk to you about young one. You've seemed distracted the past few days. Anything on your mind?"
"No…" Rougefoot said in a distant tone. His mind was racing with thoughts, most about the MoonClan cat named Icechest.
"Young one what is up with you? You seem so distracted all of the sudden. What happened?" Cindertail rasped.
Rougefoot settled down in front of Cindertail. He placed his paws underneath his chest. "Well… there is this one cat…"
"Yes?" Cindertail meowed.
"She's from MoonClan, but it's so weird... it's kind of like we are friends and I don't know what to do. It's kind of distracting me from my Clan duties. But I don't want to hurt her. What do I do?"
"It sounds like you like this cat." Cindertail searched Rougefoot's eyes again.
"Well I kind of do…" Rougefoot meowed. "Her name is Icechest."
"Young one it hurts… I went through the same thing you did…" Cindertail meowed.
"You have?" Rougefoot asked.
"I have never shared this story with anyone before… It's a painful story; it hurts me to talk about it." He meowed.
"You don't have to if you don't want to," Rougefoot meowed.
"I need to get it out before I pass on and go with my ancestors."
"So what happened?" Rougefoot asked.
"There is this lovely black cat from EarthClan named Hollyheart. She was my mate. We've loved each other since we were apprentices first seeing each other at the very first Meeting we went to. Well she was due with my kits and I felt torn in two… I wanted to stay loyal to my own Clan, but I couldn't leave Hollyheart. She delivered four healthy kits. They were Moonstep, the EarthClan deputy, Birdsong, an EarthClan warrior, Echoflight, another EarthClan warrior and…"
"And who?" Rougefoot asked.
"Blackwhisker…" Cindertail meowed. He held his head in shame.
"Hollyheart gave me Blackwhisker as a token of our love, so I would have a Hollyheart back in our Clan. Well I took him back and another cat you probably won't remember, Roseflight, just had her kit, but sadly it died a little while after being born. I told her I had found Blackwhisker in the forest and he needed a mother to take care of him. She was the only nursing queen at the time so she took him in and Blackwhisker to this day still thinks she was his mother."
"So Blackwhisker doesn't even think you're his father?" Rougefoot asked, saddened by Cindertail's tale.
"No, he doesn't. He doesn't know anything about his real mother or father."
"Shouldn't you tell him the truth?"
"He wouldn't believe me," Cindertail said. "After all this long while he would just think I have lost my mind."
"He should believe you… You're the Clan elder. Everyone respects you."
"He should, but I don't think he will," Cindertail meowed.
"Let's find out?" Rougefoot suggested.
"I suppose you could give it a try young one."
Blackwhisker was just returning from a patrol. Rougefoot trotted over to him. "Will you go and see Cindertail? He needs to tell you something."
"Umm… Alright," Blackwhisker meowed. He walked over to Cindertail. "What is it?" He asked gently.
Cindertail looked up at his son with sad eyes. He sat up slowly and looked straight into Blackwhisker's golden eyes as he spoke. "Roseflight was not your mother."
A line of Blackwhisker's fur rose from his spine up to his neck. "Of course she was my mother! What are you talking about!?"
"No. She wasn't Blackwhisker." Cindertail meowed coolly.
"Well if she wasn't who was!?" Blackwhisker meowed furiously.
"Hollyheart."
"WHAT!? You mean that strangly old elder from EarthClan?" Blackwhisker screeched. "I was born in another Clan!? IMPOSSIBLE! IT NEVER COULD HAVE HAPPENED!"
"Yes you were. I am your father. I should know." Cindertail meowed.
"What are you talking about? I wasn't born in EarthClan. I'm Roseflight's kit. You must be going crazy. And most of all I can't be Half-Clan..."
Cindertail turned to Rougefoot, "Told you he wouldn't believe me."
Blackwhisker was fluffed up from alarm and fury. His lips were pulled back but his eyes were dancing with terror.
Cindertail spoke to Blackwhisker. "Ask Flamestone, he knows you weren't born from Roseflight. He watched me carry you into camp. I made up a whole story that I just found you in the forest but ask Flamestone if you were born from Roseflight."
"Fine then I will." Blackwhisker meowed. He stalked off to Flamestone, who confirmed that Blackwhisker was carried into camp from Cindertail, but nursed from Roseflight.
Blackwhisker returned to Cindertail with his head down. His tail was dragging on the ground. He was ashamed he had snapped at such an elderly cat, yet alone his own father. He raised his eyes to meet Cindertail's. "Sorry for snapping at you… I guess Roseflight really wasn't my mother…"
"No harm done young one," Cindertail meowed.
"Do I have any other brothers or sisters?" Blackwhisker asked.
"Well…" Cindertail meowed. "No brothers but you have 3 sisters…"
"Who?" Blackwhisker meowed delightfully. He was curious to hear what the elder had to say. He waved his tail in glee.
"Moonstep, the EarthClan deputy, and Birdsong and Echoflight are both EarthClan warriors."
"So no one in our Clan…" Blackwhisker said dejectedly.
"No, sorry, most of them stayed with your mother in EarthClan." Cindertail said.
"But wow! The EarthClan deputy is my sister! Wow! Thanks Cindertail!" Blackwhisker meowed before walking off with his tail held high.
"It must have taken a lot of effort telling him," Rougefoot meowed to Cindertail.
"It did young one," Cindertail meowed back. "But I feel a lot better now that he knows."
"I suppose it does. Well Cindertail you should take a rest, your bones need it for the Meeting tonight." Rougefoot meowed.
"Why thank you for your concern young one. I suppose you're right. See you later." He curled his head into his body and wrapped his tail around his nose.
Rougefoot walked away from Cindertail. He wandered to Moss Rock, his favorite thinking spot. He settled down on the mossy top of the wide, flat rock. He stared into the MoonClan forest. 'Where was Icechest?' He thought. 'I hope she's at the Meeting…' He thought some more. Soon the hum of the wind through the ferns and the chirping of birds lulled him into sleep.
When he woke up it was Low Sun. It was almost time for his Clan to go to the Meeting. He tore through the forest back to camp, anxious to leave. He paced back and forth restlessly in front of the entrance, waiting for the rest of FireClan to assemble.
His friend Tinyflight took place beside him. "What's on your mind Rouge?"
"Nothing Tiny…" Rougefoot replied. He was distracted.
Tinyflight shook his head in disgust. His friend couldn't even trust him enough to tell him what was on his mind. 'No matter.' Tinyflight thought. 'It's probably something unimportant anyway.'
They said nothing more until they got to the Meeting. SunClan was already assembled and their leader, Honeystar, took her place on her rock. Her deputy, Eagleclaw was at the base of the rock sharing words with her. Snapstar took his place on the rock across from Honeystar. Bloodtooth stood at the base talking to Snapstar, just like Honeystar and Eagleclaw were doing. EarthClan were next to arrive. Fernstar took her place on the rock next to Snapstar, but their deputy, Moonstep did not sit at the base and talk to Fernstar. She instead talked to Blackwhisker, her brother that she knew nothing about. MoonClan were the last to arrive. Dogstar sat on his rock next to Fernstar and Honeystar. Rougefoot looked at the MoonClan deputy in vain. He was terrified of the large cat that he only saw once before at a Meeting when he was an apprentice. Scarface's jaw was broken and he had scars all over his body. 'More scars then Spiderleap…' Rougefoot noted. Scarface was one of the best fighters in all the Clans and no one has won a fight against him except Dogstar, who himself had driven off a dog with the help of his littermates.
Rougefoot's thoughts were interrupted when he heard a familiar voice. "Rougefoot! Rougefoot!" It was Icechest. She rubbed her cheek up against his. He returned the caress. She lightly touched the tip of his ear with her brick red nose. He lightly licked the top of her head.
Tinyflight saw the gestures. He walked up to Rougefoot. "So is this what has been on your mind Rouge?" He asked.
"What a cute cat Rougefoot!" Icechest cooed. "Is he your apprentice?"
Tinyflight snarled.
"No." Rougefoot meowed. "He's a full grown warrior and he's one of the best fighters in the Clan. He's been my best friend since kithood. His name is Tinyflight."
"It's ok," Tinyflight meowed. "Everyone thinks I'm an apprentice, no worries."
"I'm sorry Tinyflight," Icechest meowed.
"No worries." He meowed again.
Rougefoot meowed quietly into Tinyflight's ear. "Yes she's what has been on my mind."
Tinyflight gave a knowing nod and walked off. The cats in the clearing were settling down.
"The Meeting is about to start," Rougefoot whispered.
"I know," Icechest meowed quietly.
All of the leaders nodded at Snapstar to step forward and give a report.
"FireClan has experienced great hunting. Iceshine's kits were apprenticed and we welcome Slashpaw into the Clan as an apprentice. Sadly Smokepaw died of a fox attack, while one of our warriors, Mapleheart, was injured, bravely defending his apprentice. He is making a full recovery with the help of Shortleg."
Some of the cats that knew Iceshine and Mapleheart muttered among themselves. One cat from SunClan, Lightningfoot, stood up. Fernstar nodded for him to speak.
"I don't wish to interrupt but what if the fox crosses into our territory? Or someone else's?"
"Hmm... That's an interesting point you make Lightningfoot." Dogstar meowed. "Let's be on the lookout and if anything suspicious happens we'll meet up."
"Agreed." The other leaders meowed.
Snapstar stepped back and nodded at Fernstar.
"EarthClan has also experienced great hunting. The rabbits are running well and so are the mice and voles. Marshstep just had 5 kittens a few days ago and we welcome them into the Clan."
The EarthClan cats meowed with glee, and so did the cats in other Clans that were friends with Marshstep.
Fernstar stepped back and motioned for Dogstar to step forward.
The scary looking, but small black cat eyed the group with his emerald green eyes. "MoonClan has really nothing to report. Foxclaw has recovered from his illness from the help of Mashleaf, our brilliant medicine cat." He motioned his head to a brown tabby she-cat sitting with Shortleg of FireClan, Rocktail of EarthClan, and Ashpelt of SunClan, the other Clan medicine cats. She dipped her head in gratitude.
Dogstar stepped back and the remaining leader, Honeystar, stepped forward. "Morningleaf is due to bear her kits soon. They should be great arrivals to the Clan. The prey has been running fine. It has been the best Leaf Fall we have had in years."
Dogstar stepped forward. "With a warm Leaf Fall there may be a colder than normal Leaf Bare. We must be ready and prepared for anything. As of now this meeting is now over." He leapt down from the rock and assembled his Clan, getting ready to leave.
Iceshine murmured to Rougefoot, "Well I better be getting back. Meet me tomorrow at the edge of our border at High Moon."
"I'll be there." Rougefoot promised.
They brushed cheeks as they parted.
Tinyflight was sitting in front of Rougefoot looking up at him. "What is up with you Rougefoot?" He asked.
He snapped back to reality. "Hmm?"
Tinyflight shook his brown tabby head. "Never mind Rougefoot…"
"Ok then," he meowed.
They assembled behind Snapstar and ran back to the forest that they called home. It was a long day and everyone was tired. Rougefoot curled up beside his father's rock den; on the patch of moss he called a nest. He watched the other warriors go to their dens, Squirreltrack up the wall, Blackwhisker by the nursery, and others other places.
Rougefoot circled around his nest a few times. He settled down and laid his head on his paws. He stared off in the distance. Finally his eyes closed and sleep crashed over him.
He woke up to a paw prodding him. It was Rashthroat. "You're on the Peak Sun patrol. Come on Rougefoot. Wake up." He prodded harder.
"I'm up. I'm up." Rougefoot yawned. He looked up at Rashthroat with bleary eyes and yawned some more. He shook himself all over and headed towards the camp entrance, partially awake. The patrol consisted of Rashthroat, who was the leader of the patrol, Rougefoot and Snowclaw. They were to remark the EarthClan border and report any problems.
They raced through the forest towards the EarthClan border. There was an EarthClan patrol remarking their side of the border. The FireClan cats copied them and remarked their side. There seemed to be no problem or conflict so they went back to camp.
Rougefoot was still tired so he slept the rest of the day. It was about 2 hours before High Moon when he woke up. His stomach was screaming with hunger. He decided he wasn't going to take the few pieces of prey left on the kill pile. He passed Brambleleg, who was guarding the camp.
"Where are you going?" Brambleleg asked.
"Hunting, I'll be back later." Rougefoot answered.
"Suit yourself," Brambleleg snorted. He settled back down.
Rougefoot pushed through the entrance and walked towards the MoonClan border. Then he remembered what Icechest had said. He grew very energetic and he forgot about his hunger for a minute. Then it came back but he was determined to do well for Icechest. He caught a squirrel, a rabbit and two mice. He put them by the border and waited for her. A few minutes later she emerged and saw the prey sitting on the border.
"You caught all this?" She asked him.
"Yes I did," Rougefoot meowed. "Want to share?"
"Awww thanks Rougefoot." She cooed.
She sat down beside him and they tuckered into the rabbit. They also shared the squirrel and they each had a mouse. After they were done they sat on their own side of their borders talking.
"I'm stuffed. That was very delicious." She meowed. She licked her lips in satisfaction.
"Thanks, I thought it was good too." Rougefoot meowed.
"So how is it in FireClan?"
"Its average, yet boring. My father is plotting something... I just know it! But I can't ask him anything..."
"Who's your father?" She said.
"Snapstar and it's not fun. I have to be extremely respectful and I can't really do anything or ask him anything because he'll get mad at me."
"That would stink…" She meowed.
"It does…" Rougefoot meowed in reply. "So how's MoonClan?"
"Boring. All Dogstar and Scarface do is talk and all the warriors lounge around all day."
"That stinks." Rougefoot meowed.
"It does…" Icechest meowed. "So do you have any brothers or sisters?"
"Well… I had 2 sisters and a brother but they died…"
"Awww… That must be hard… You met my brother. He's such a charming cat isn't he?" She let out a mrow of laughter.
"Yup he sure is." Rougefoot meowed. He also let out a mrow of laughter.
"Yea… Sometimes I wish he would loosen up on me though… If he found out I saw you tonight I would lose my tail." Icechest meowed.
"If my father found out, or anyone I'd also be tailless. I'd run around with a little stump."
Icechest meowed in laughter.
Rougefoot saw the first few rays of sun poking over the horizon. "Well I better be getting back," he meowed.
"Me too." She meowed. "It was fun. We should do it again some time."
"Defiantly. How about 2 sunrises from now?" Rougefoot meowed.
"I'll be here at High Moon in two sunrises." Icechest meowed.
"I'll see you then." Rougefoot placed his nose in her soft red cheek fur and breathed in her sweet scent deeply.
"See you then." She meowed. She walked back into her own territory as he walked back into his.
'That was fun…' he thought.
He walked back to the camp but he remembered he had to bring something back to the Clan. He quickly caught two voles and another rabbit. He walked into the camp, tired, but proud of himself. He set the prey down on the kill pile. He walked to the nursery. Crowflight was swollen with her unborn kits. Iceshine moved back to her den for a warrior. Moonheart's kits were sleeping soundly along with their mother.
"Is everything alright Rougefoot?" Crowflight asked.
"Yes Crowflight." He answered. "I just wanted to make sure you were alright and comfortable.
"Why thank you for your concern Rougefoot. I'm fine, thanks." Crowflight meowed.
"That's well. How are your kits?"
"Annoying." She laughed. "They hurt me sometimes but they are good."
"That's good, when are they supposed to be born?"
"A few more sunrises Shortleg said. Probably in 3 or so."
"I hope they are strong and healthy. They should be. Their mother is."
"Thanks Rougefoot." Crowflight meowed. She curled up in her nest.
"Well I'll leave you alone so you can rest."
"See you later Rougefoot." She meowed.
He pushed his way out of the nursery. His paws were dragging now he was so tired. He walked over to his nest and lay down. His eyes closed and he soon fell asleep.
He slept until Rising Sun the next day. 'Only one more day until I meet Icechest again!' he thought gleefully. His father walked out of the den towards his son.
"I want you to go on the Rising Sun patrol with Mapleheart, Slashpaw, and Iceshine." He meowed deeply.
"But Mapleheart is injured…" Rougefoot meowed to his father.
"Take it easy on him, he needs the exercise. He's getting awfully jumpy being cooped up around here all day with nothing to do."
"Shouldn't Slashpaw be taken out with Flamestone?" Rougefoot asked.
"No." Snapstar meowed flatly. "My brother needs a break."
"Understood. I will alert them right away." Rougefoot meowed.
"Thank you Rougefoot, check along the MoonClan border, scents of their cats have been smelled remarkably close to our border."
Rougefoot's heart raced. It was Icechest. He said in a weak voice, "I will."
"Thank you." Snapstar said. He walked back into his den.
Rougefoot walked towards the medicine cat den, where Mapleheart was still taking shelter with his brother. He peered in. Mapleheart was slouching over. He looked bored.
"Mapleheart." Rougefoot meowed quietly so he wouldn't disturb Shortleg, who was still sleeping.
The senior warriors head shot up at Rougefoot's voice. "Rougefoot." He meowed. "What is it?"
"Your on the Rising Sun patrol, you need something to do, come with me." Rougefoot meowed.
Mapleheart stood up and shook himself all over.
Shortleg immediately sprang up and looked at Rougefoot in alarm. "The Rising Sun patrol? What are you thinking Rougefoot?"
"Snapstar's orders." Rougefoot replied.
"Absolutely not." Shortleg meowed.
"I promise we will go easy on him, we are only going and remarking the MoonClan border."
Shortleg turned to his brother. "If you feel any pain or start feeling weak or anything tell Rougefoot and he will bring you back here won't you Rougefoot?" He turned and looked at him.
"I promise." Rougefoot said.
"Stop worrying so much about me Shortleg. I'll be fine. It'll be good to exercise my legs." He stretched.
"Yes it will, just take it easy." Shortleg meowed.
"I will, I will." Mapleheart said.
"See you later Shortleg." Rougefoot meowed.
"Be safe…" Shortleg meowed so quietly it was inaudible.
They walked towards the apprentice den. Slashpaw was sleeping in his nest; he was shivering. He twitched and meowed in his sleep, and it looked like he was having a nightmare. His claws were extended and he kicked his hind legs in vain. Rougefoot lightly prodded him. Slashpaw jumped up in terror. His eyes were as round as moons and his fur was fluffed out in all directions. He calmed down when he realized it was only Rougefoot. He curled into his nest shivering and trembling all over.
"Rising Sun patrol," Rougefoot meowed.
Slashpaw got up, his legs were weak from his nightmare but he seemed to grow stronger with each step. They woke up Iceshine, who wearily walked with the other cats to the MoonClan border to remark the boundary.
"Why are the MoonClan cats coming so close to the border now? They have a huge amount of territory, they don't need any more." Mapleheart growled.
"They only have as much as we and the other Clans do," Slashpaw meowed.
"You have a point Slashpaw," Rougefoot meowed.
"But it's not like they need more territory." Mapleheart growled again. He reared up and sharpened his claws on an old pine tree.
"We have done our job, let's get back to camp." Rougefoot meowed.
Mapleheart grunted and headed back with Slashpaw and Iceshine. Rougefoot looked back at the MoonClan border in disdain, and then followed the rest of his patrol back to camp.
Mapleheart was giving the report to Snapstar while Slashpaw was over by the kill pile. He was hunched over. His frame was gaunt; he had lost a lot of weight after his brother's death. Rougefoot walked over to the hurt apprentice and began talking.
"Come on Slashpaw, bring that magpie over here and let's talk."
Slashpaw obeyed sadly, taking the magpie up in his little jaws and setting it beside Rougefoot, by a clump of brambles near the back of the camp.
"Now eat it." Rougefoot told him.
Slashpaw ate slowly and he could barely hold it down. After he had finished he thanked the ancestors and buried the bones. He turned to Rougefoot and looked at him with sad blue eyes. "You know why I'm like this don't you?"
Rougefoot answered kindly. "Yes I do. It's your brother…"
Slashpaw buried his small gray head in Rougefoot's shoulder. "I miss him Rougefoot. He was the only one I had."
Rougefoot gently leaned down to lick the small cat. "It happened to me a long time ago, I know what you're going through."
"It… did?" Slashpaw looked up at Rougefoot. He was still sad looking.
"Yes… It was a while ago, back when I myself was a kit."
"What happened?" Slashpaw was growing curious.
"Well, my mother Leafstream had just had us. I was the strongest one of us four."
"Four? What do you mean?" Slashpaw meowed.
"I had two sisters and a brother. I was the strongest one out of the four of us. We were born in Green Leaf, the best time. One of my sisters was born very sick, thus so she did not survive very long. Her name was Shimmerkit. My brother died falling into an underground spring that we did not know was there at the time. His name was Dashkit. My other sister made it to being an apprentice. There was a sprawl over a border with EarthClan and Coalpaw was killed there… It's hard Slashpaw, but you can't blame yourself. Your mother and father are terribly hurt to. You are the only one that they have left. They need you, and you need them. You should go comfort them." Rougefoot pointed his nose to Iceshine and Whitefoot, who were by their den. They both had their heads bowed.
"Thanks Rougefoot. I feel better. I'll go talk to them." Slashpaw hurried over to his mother and father. They both licked him lovingly, like a family should.
Rougefoot thought about Icechest. Tomorrow at High Moon he would get to see her again. He clawed the ground anxiously. He didn't know Whitefoot was approaching him.
Whitefoot barreled him over in a play-fight. They tossed each other around in the dirt, playing like older times. They sat up after their fight and looked at each other in the eyes.
"Thank you for cheering up my son." Whitefoot meowed. "It's very hard for him but you gave him courage. Thank you."
"You're welcome Whitefoot…" Rougefoot meowed. He looked at Slashpaw and Iceshine talking. He felt lonely.
Whitefoot noticed him. "It's only a little bit of time until you become a father of your own. It's a great reward, but it's hard. It's amazing seeing your kits grow up to be fine warriors."
"I would think… I bet it's amazing." He sounded distant.
Whitefoot looked at him with his yellow eyes. He shook his head. "Thanks again Rougefoot." He said before walking off to join his family again.
