Chapter Four
Ravandawn stood in the center of the camp. It was a new day, and a brisk chill was in the air. Branchtail and Slatefur were talking by the fresh kill pile, most likely about their new positions. She spotted Flintfleck entering the elders den, probably to check for any coughing. With a chill in the air elders and kits were vulnerable to sickness.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Frostclaw demonstrating his move to Brookdream. She nodded as he talked, through her eyes were focused on his taut muscles.
Duskshade approached her, with his tail swinging lazily. "Otterstar wants you, said it was about last night." he said before walking of.
Ravandawn shuddered, she should have known that Otterstar would have something to say about how she'd acted. "Best to get it out of the way." she thought approaching his den. The PineClan leaders den was directly under the high ledge, and protected by large stones near the front.
She pushed her way through the narrow gap at the front into the den. It was vast with Other Star's nest in one corner and a small pool of water fed by a dripping stalagmite.
Otterstar himself was sitting near the pool, staring at her. "So Ravandawn." he said calmly "I know." she said "I couldn't handle Bearheart and your mad at me." Ravandawn sat down "He started it! All he ever wants to do is fight!"
"He just wants what's best for his clan." responded Otterstar "But I didn't call you here today to argue about Bearheart." Ravandawn tilted her head as he went on "I'm down to three lives, and getting old. You may become leader sooner than you think."
Ravan this clan." Otterstar sighed "That's why I need you to do something for me. Take Bearheart hunting and make peace with him." Ravandawn opened her mouth, but Otterstar went on "It won't be easy, but just tell him it's the leader's orders." he smiled "I know you're up to it, Ravandawn. I made you deputy for a reason."
She nodded to him and left. Bearheart was standing guard at the front of the camp, completely still. She breathed in and approached him.
"Oh uh, hey Bearheart." she said. He turned to her "Yes?" he asked. "Uh, Flintfleck needed some… squirrels! Because… uh… Rabbitkit needed the uh… special… health benefits! That they have." Bearheart looked sceptical, but not totally closed. "And how does this involve me?" he asked "Otterstar said that you had a special way of catching squirrels." she said quickly "And he wanted you to show me, and report to him."
Ravandawn winced, she had no idea if Bearheart had a 'special hunting' style at all, but it was the best thing she could come up with. Bearheart still didn't look convinced, so Ravandawn added "You know, he might teach it to the whole clan if he likes it." That was Bearheart's trigger, doing something that would benefit the clan. He fell for it almost immediately "Well okay then!" he exclaimed. He led Ravandawn out of camp, chattering about squirrels all the way.
As they left Ravandawn took a deep breath and walked next to Bearheart. As they went on his talking died down, until they were in complete silence.
The patrol was heading to an oak grove were there would be plenty of the aforementioned squirrels. As the cats took in the forest, Ravandawn finally found her voice.
"I'm sorry about last night." she said "I guess I was just afraid of the clans behavior." Bearheart glanced at her "A true warrior will fight for what is best for their clan." he said. Ravandawn sighed "I know that, and you're right. I guess It thought that I didn't want to lead some cats into a situation that we didn't know anything about. Like what if he had others with him?" Bearheart's gaze softened slightly "But what if he had become familiar with the territory?" he said "I was worried about him thinking that we were weak and taking advantage of us." Ravandawn nodded "You're right." she said "I guess we both wanted what was best for the clan in our perspective." "That makes sense." said Bearheart softly. "So are we on good terms again?" questioned Ravandawn
"Of course." chuckled Bearheart "Now come on, those squirrels won't hunt themselves, and Rabbitkit needs his nutrients." Ravandawn laughed and the two walked on.
Soon they reached the squirrel area, but as they moved in Bearheart froze and sniffed the air. "What is it?" Ravandawn asked "I smell the rouge." he hissed "He's been hunting here." Ravandawn sniffed herself and caught the familiar scent." "He's close." she whispered. The cats slunk quietly into the groove. Than suddenly with a yowl the rouge sprang out of a bush and took of, a squirrel in his jaws.
Bearheat growled to Ravandawn as they raced after him "I'll stay behind him you cut him off, up ahead. Then run him back into me." "Got it." huffed Ravandawn and then branched of into the undergrowth.
She forced her way over roots, and under low branches. The scent of the rouge was beside her, still running from Bearheart. She fought on trying to overtake him.
Than with a growl Bearheart pulled forward. He was so close to the rouge now that he could grab his tail. But to the pursuing cats shock, he turned and cut through the bushes and right in front of Ravandawn. With no time to think she turned to and followed him, determined not to let him outpace her. She didn't hear anything behind her so she assumed that Bearheart had stayed behind. The two cats charged through the forest. Leaping over stones and dodging trees. Ravandawn's legs burned but she kept going.
Out of nowhere a large cliff face loomed over them. The rogue stopped running and stared at it. There was no way to climb over it or go around it. Meanwhile Ravandawn failed to slow down and crashed into him. The two cats tumbled for a while before stopping. Ravandawn slank back, her teeth barred. But instead of fleeing again, the rogue turned, bared his teeth, and launched himself on top of her.