Heyooo.
Recap: Russetpaw waits at the border between ShadowClan and RiverClan for Ratpaw. As she waits, she thinks about how her life has changed since she joined RiverClan. She thinks about a friend of hers, Grasspaw, that she used to have feelings for, who remained in ThunderClan. Ratpaw shows up, and he tells her that Minnowstar was thinking about attacking ThunderClan, but that now he didn't have to worry about facing Russetpaw in battle. She knows, however, that they probably will, and begs him not to hurt the ThunderClan cats she still cares about. Ratpaw argues with her, telling her that his Clan needs to survive, too. Things are left somewhat awkwardly as Ratpaw leaves. On her way back, Russetpaw runs into Blossomstar, who beats her and yells at her, leaving alone in the snow. Russetpaw eventually makes her way back to camp.
Chapter 18
Unanswered Prayers
[Frostpaw]
"...And what does catnip do, again?" asked Willowfall, tail wrapping around her paws as they sat in the medicine den.
"It helps cure Greencough," murmured Frostpaw, feeling distracted. "Say, Willowfall, don't you think it's time for Cedarpaw to go back to the apprentices' den?" She kept her voice low as she glanced over at the tom. He was sitting with Olivepaw, neither of them speaking.
The medicine cat blinked softly before letting out a sigh. "I'll discuss it with Briarclaw and Minnowstar," she mewed. "It's so hard to tell if he's better or not because he hasn't said a word."
"At least Minnowstar chose him for the Gathering a few days ago," Frostpaw muttered. "That's something."
Frostpaw frowned as she reminded herself about the Gathering. It had been the only thing anyone could talk about for the past few days. WindClan was gone. Blossomstar ruled over both Clans and now controlled the marshes and the moors. And quite a few ThunderClanners had joined her, as well. ThunderClan was tiny now as Bumblestar tried his best to keep things under control and prevent more cats from leaving. Surprisingly, ShadowClan hadn't seen much of RiverClan since the Gathering, but no cat could deny that something was coming.
"I heard that Minnowstar was thinking of attacking ThunderClan to get more territory," Frostpaw said quietly, ears flattened as she glanced at her mentor. "Do you know anything about that?"
Willowall frowned, blue eyes shining. "She hasn't said much about it since the Gathering," she muttered. "But I think she realizes now that if we even lay a claw on ThunderClan, then they'll collapse and fall to the ground."
"But if we don't, then won't we collapse?" Frostpaw asked quietly.
Willowfall sighed, closing her eyes. "That's the thing about Leafbare," she mewed. "Not everyone is going to make it... Especially not this time."
Frostpaw frowned, looking down before she glanced at her mentor, murmuring, "Then... Why don't we join with ThunderClan...?"
Willowfall glanced at her as she sorted through some dried herbs.
"I have a feeling that Minnowstar wouldn't like that idea."
"RiverClan is bound to attack at some point," Frostpaw murmured. "And when they do, we won't stand a chance unless we join ThunderClan."
"Even then we wouldn't stand much of a chance," sighed her mentor. "ThunderClan is tiny, now."
"But still," Frostpaw breathed. "Blossomstar said that the cats who don't join RiverClan will be dead by the end of Leafbare. She's planning something, I know it."
Willowfall frowned, but she didn't respond. She kept sorting her herbs, putting them in little piles.
"I'm going to step outside," murmured Frostpaw. Willowfall had no objections, so the apprentice turned and slipped out of the den.
It was snowing, just as it always was nowadays. It was midday, the white clouds bright, crows cawing every now and then. But other than that, it was mostly still.
She pricked her ears when she saw Minnowstar gathering a group of cats. She saw Harestep there, along with Icewhisker, Furzetail, Briarclaw, and Redwhisker. Minnowstar was talking seriously, her ears flattened as they discussed something. I wonder what that's about.
Sighing, she glanced around and blinked when she saw Ratpaw sitting by himself at the edge of the camp, right before the ground sloped up. There was a frown on his face, his amber eyes dull as he examined the Clan. His coal-colored fur was tipped with flakes of snow, as if he'd been there for a while. Frostpaw blinked in curiosity. He was usually either with Olivepaw, Snowcloud, or Furzetail, who was his mentor.
Tail flicking, she approached him. He lifted his head when he saw her, but said nothing.
"...Can I sit?" she asked.
He nodded. "Yeah."
She sat down beside him, suppressing a shiver. It was a cold day, and she wondered how he could be out here for so long without getting cold.
"Do you know what they're talking about?" Frostpaw asked quietly, watching Minnowstar talking to the group.
"Yeah," he said absently. "Minnowstar plans on brining a patrol over to ThunderClan to see if they can work something out without resorting to violence."
"That's great!" Frostpaw mewed, looking at him. "The last thing we need is more deaths after we've already had so many this Leafbare."
Ratpaw nodded, though his thoughts seemed to be elsewhere. Frostpaw noticed.
"Is something wrong?" she asked quietly, glancing at him and hoping he wouldn't think she was trying to get into his business.
He let out a long sigh, and it was a few moments before he answered.
"...A few things," he admitted under his breath, staring out in the distance.
"You can tell me, if you want," Frostpaw murmured. "If you want, that is. I don't want to pry."
He flicked an ear before turning to face her, his eyes gleaming thoughtfully.
"You've changed," he said quietly. "Ever since you became Willowfall's apprentice and you started spending less time with Snowcloud, you've changed completely."
"...Maybe not," Frostpaw said with a sigh, looking out at the camp. "Maybe it's who I've always been."
"...I like it better," Ratpaw murmured, following her gaze. "What's going on with you and Snowcloud, anyway...? She told me that you just don't have time to hang out anymore because you're always training with Willowfall."
"StarClan knows what's going on between us," muttered Frostpaw. "She won't even look at me. I'm afraid I did something wrong, but she keeps avoiding me and she won't tell me what it is." She flicked her tail and looked at him, a small smile appearing on her face. "But didn't I ask you about your problems...?"
He laughed softly, giving a small shrug. "I guess you did." His smile quickly disappeared before he glanced at her. "Well... One of them is that..." He paused, as if carefully choosing his words. "There... There's this cat that I like. That is, I... I thought I liked her. I thought I liked her a lot. I mean, no, I still do, but..." He bit his lip. "I'm... just wondering if I'm having second thoughts, or not. I can't make up my mind." He sighed. "I guess for a while I could only see the positive things about her, but I'm realizing that there's always more to someone than just the good things. I'm not sure what to do."
Frostpaw stared at him in surprise. She had no idea that he liked anyone. She quickly went through the list of possible cats... Cinderblaze? She was sort of young... Maybe Icekit? She and her brothers were scheduled to become apprentices that day, so he wasn't that much older than her...
She froze. What about Snowcloud?
It made sense, didn't it? They were friends, after all, and there really weren't many other choices.
But she swallowed, for some reason not wanting to ask if it was her sister or not.
"The only way you'll find out for sure is if you spend more time with her," Frostpaw said quietly. "You have to see who she truly is. See the side that she won't let anyone else see. Getting to know a cat takes time."
Ratpaw nodded, thinking over this.
"You're right," he mewed. "Thanks... I'll do that. She's... just been acting differently lately." He quickly shook his head. "But I won't give up on it yet. I still like her, and I don't want to let her go so soon."
Frostpaw smiled a bit, though she tried not to let her extreme curiosity show.
"Good. I hope it works out."
Ratpaw smiled.
"Is that all?" Frostpaw mewed, watching him. He flinched a bit, his claws flexing and digging into the snow. He seemed anxious.
"...No," he muttered, his voice barely audible. "I..." He sighed. "I can't tell you the details. But... I know something that I wasn't supposed to know, and I can't tell anyone. But it's hard, being the only cat who knows it. And it's something that I don't want to have to keep to myself..."
Frostpaw stared at him. It was clearly important.
"Is it about someone in ShadowClan?" she asked quietly. Ratpaw flinched again, giving Frostpaw the answer.
But he lowered his head, ears flattening a bit before he muttered, "I'm sorry, Frostpaw, I... I can't get you involved in this. It's too dangerous."
The she-cat frowned, concerned.
"No, I understand. I'm just worried about you, Ratpaw," she said quietly. She sighed, shaking her head. "Just... Whatever you do, be careful, alright?"
Ratpaw nodded slowly before he looked at her.
"You really have changed," he murmured.
Frostpaw smiled a bit. He smiled back.
. . .
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the Tallstump for a Clan meeting."
Frostpaw yawned as she stepped out of the den, Willowfall and Cedarpaw following close behind. It was evening; the clouds had cleared out, but the sun had already set long ago. Now, the oval-shaped moon hung in the sky, sending silver light scattering through the leafless trees.
Cats gathered around the Tallstump, chattering amongst themselves. They all knew what would happen- it was time for Icekit, Littlekit, and Brokenkit to become apprentices. Not only that, but most of them expected Minnowstar to tell them what she intended to do about ThunderClan. Food was growing scarcer by the day, and Willowfall had told Frostpaw that it was growing dangerous. The risk of death by starvation was growing, and it made the apprentice worried.
Minnowstar lashed her tail, and the talking ceased. As she stood atop the Tallstump, Frostpaw noticed that she could see her ribs.
"Brokenkit, Icekit, Littlekit, please step forward."
Brokenkit and Littlekit smiled at each other before stepping forward with excitement. Icekit, for some reason, seemed a bit hesitant. Her head was low and it looked as if something was wrong. Frostpaw watched her carefully, a bit concerned. From a few foxlengths away, Bluepelt watched with a tiny smile. Minnowstar let her gaze fall on them.
"Brokenkit, Icekit, Littlekit. You have all reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior names, you shall be known as Brokenpaw, Icepaw, and Littlepaw. Brokenpaw, your mentor will be Harestep. Icepaw, your mentor is Redwhisker. Littlepaw, your mentor is Cinderblaze. I hope that they will pass on everything they know to you."
Cinderblaze and Redwhisker smiled and stepped forward. Harestep took a step forward from the foot of the Tallstump and met them. Minnowstar watched them.
"Cinderblaze, Redwhisker, and Harestep. You have all received excellent training from your own mentors, and it is my wish that you pass on everything that you know to these new apprentices."
The three apprentice came forward to touch noses with their mentors as the crowd began to cheer their names.
"Icepaw!"
"Littlepaw!"
"Brokenpaw!"
Brokenpaw puffed out his chest with pride as he smiled, looking out at the Clan as they cheered for him. Littlepaw, though a bit shier, let his happiness show with a smile and a gleam in his eyes.
Icepaw stood a bit further away from them, green eyes wide as she gazed over the Clan. Her light gray fur was a bit ruffled, and Frostpaw thought she could see her legs shaking. She glanced at Willowfall with worry, but her mentor didn't seem to sense anything wrong.
"Congratulations!" called out Furzetail, with a few yowls of agreement from other cats.
That was when Icepaw took a small step back, now visibly trembling from nose to tail tip. Her eyes grew dull, and within just a few seconds, her eyelids began to droop and she suddenly collapsed in the snow.
Frostpaw immediately got to her feet, as did Willowfall, who darted forward. Cats gasped in horror and began to exclaim loudly to each other. Some began to crowd around her in concern and fear.
"Back off!" Minnowstar yelled over the crowd. "Give her some space!" Littlepaw and Brokenpaw, meanwhile, stood and stared with horror at their sister.
Frostpaw ran up to her mentor, who was now at Icepaw's side.
"She's unconscious," breathed Willowfall. "Frostpaw, help me take her to our den." The apprentice quickly nodded, feeling her heart drumming against her chest. But she couldn't let that fear control her, so she took a deep breath and helped lift Icepaw onto Willowfall's back.
"What's wrong with her?" demanded Bluepelt loudly, voice scratchy with worry. "What's wrong with my Icepaw!"
"She's going to be fine," called Willowfall quickly as she and Frostpaw made their way to the medicine den. Frostpaw could see the worry in her mentor's eyes.
Once inside, they immediately set Icepaw down in a bed of moss. Her breathing was shallow.
"What's wrong with her?" asked Frostpaw, eyes wide. "I saw her. She was trembling. What happened...?"
"She needs water," Willowfall said, reaching for a ball of moss and placing it at Frostpaw's feet. "Go get some from the pool outside." When the apprentice hesitated, Willowfall raised her voice; "Go!"
Frostpaw raced out of the den, moss in her mouth.
Not too far beyond camp, there was a small spring that formed a tiny pool of water. It was helpful because they didn't need to go all the way to the stream or to the lake every time they needed water. Soaking the moss in the water, she raced back to camp, her mind buzzing. She nearly bumped into a few cats as she darted back into the medicine den.
"Good," Willowfall murmured, taking the moss. She opened Icepaw's mouth and dripped a few drops of water in.
"Do you know what's wrong with her, yet?" Frostpaw asked quietly, frowning as she watched Icepaw. "She just became an apprentice... She has to survive..."
"She collapsed because of malnutrition," Willowfall muttered, going through some herbs. "She probably hasn't eaten in days. Her body couldn't take it and it just shut itself down."
"But she'll be alright, right?" Frostpaw pressed. "She'll eat something and then she'll be better, right?"
Willowfall paused and looked at her apprentice, frowning.
"Icepaw has always been the most feeble of her siblings," she said quietly. "In this shape, she's vulnerable for illness, which, in the middle of Leafbare, isn't incredibly unlikely."
Frostpaw stared at her mentor in disbelief.
"So you're saying she could die," she murmured, feeling intense sorrow suddenly course through her. She was so young.
"Hopefully she'll wake up soon," Willowfall sighed. "We'll keep a close watch on her. But the cold isn't going to help her. We'll get her something to eat as soon as the evening hunting patrol returns."
Frostpaw nodded stiffly before she sat down close to Icepaw. She didn't know her that well, but she remembered watching her play with her brothers when they were smaller. They'd hide and play in the snow and it would remind Frostpaw of when she and Snowcloud were kits. She would watch them the same way Furzetail had watched her. It was strange, but she felt an almost motherly connection with them; with Icepaw, especially. They even looked alike.
She let her tall all on the unconscious cat's back, muttering a silent prayer to StarClan under her breath. She hoped they would hear.
. . .
Sundown had long since passed, and night had taken hold of ShadowClan. Bitter cold, as always, gripped at the cats like claws. The cloudless sky hadn't lasted long, for the moon was once again hiding as snow quietly fell.
Inside the medicine den, Frostpaw and Willowfall exchanged a glance before the older cat slowly nodded. Sucking in a deep breath, the apprentice followed after her mentor out of the medicine den, ears flattened, head and tail hung low.
Outside, several cats were gathering around the den, even though it was now the middle of the night. Bluepelt stood with Brokenpaw and Littlepaw; the two apprentices were talking anxiously. Cedarpaw had left the den to stand with Olivepaw and Ratpaw, frowns on all of their faces. Minnowstar, Harestep, and Bramblestripe were there as well, along with Redwhisker, who had just been appointed as Icepaw's mentor. Even Snowcloud was there, an ear flicking as she sat beside Ratpaw.
A silence fell upon them as the two medicine cats appeared. They lifted their heads, eyes shining with a question they didn't dare ask.
Frostpaw couldn't look at them.
Willowfall took a step forward, and when she let her tail rest comfortingly over Frostpaw's back, the apprentice glanced up at her, somewhat surprised.
"Well?" Minnowstar finally pressed, tail twitching.
Willowfall blinked softly before closing her eyes and murmuring, "...Icepaw is dead."
Gasps of horror erupted from the gathered cats. Olivepaw, Ratpaw, and Cedarpaw had fallen silent and were staring at the medicine cats. Bramblestripe's eyes widened, her jaw dropping. Redwhisker visibly flinched in surprise. Snowcloud's ears flattened and she stared directly at Frostpaw, who avoided her gaze.
Bluepelt stood rigid, saying nothing as she stared at the medicine cats in shock. Littlepaw and Brokenpaw stood the same way before Littlepaw breathed, "Oh, StarClan, no."
That was when Bluepelt suddenly let out a long, low cry, her shoulders dropping as she began to tremble. Bramblestripe came forward to comfort her, but the other cat pulled her lips back at her before she whipped her head back towards Willowfall and Frostpaw, her blue eyes suddenly narrowed to slits.
"No," she whispered, shaking her head, now looking at the two with something like hatred. "How could you let this happen to her...!"
"We did everything we could for her," murmured Willowfall, though she said it stiffly and with some difficulty. "We-"
"Don't give me that foxdung!" snarled Bluepelt, ears flattened against her skull as she took a step forward. The others watched her in alarm as they straightened up.
"Bluepelt, stop!" growled Minnowstar, coming forward. "Willowfall and Frostpaw did their best-"
"They could have saved her," breathed Bluepelt, shaking her head again. "They could have saved my Icepaw... They let her-"
"Mom," whispered Littlepaw, rushing to his mother's side and pressing himself against her. Brokenpaw quickly followed after him. "Please..."
The she-cat turned to look at her sons, her eyes now wide and glimmering with overwhelming emotion. She clenched her eyes shut and lay her head on top of Littlepaw's, wrapping her tail around her two kits, shaking. They closed their eyes, too, saying nothing.
There was silence for a few moments as cats sadly bowed their heads. Frostpaw shut her eyes, squeezing them so tightly it hurt. It was always sat when a Clanmate died. But this time, she had actually been there. She had tried to save her, and she had failed. She didn't know how Willowfall could do this. How she could act so calm and collected when a cat died at her paws. She glanced up at her mentor. She was watching Bluepelt quietly, a frown on her face and a strange look in her eyes.
"That's it," muttered Minnowstar, eyes narrowing. Everyone looked up at her. She lashed her tail, lifting her head high. "This has gone far enough. A cat, a cat who had only just become an apprentice, has died from starvation. If we don't act, then she won't be the only one."
A few cats who had woken up from the commotion were stumbling out of their dens, wondering what was going on, only to fall to silence when they realized what had happened.
"We're leaving tomorrow at sunhigh," announced Minnowstar, eyes wild with determination.
Harestep looked at her, meowing, "Leaving where...?"
"To ThunderClan. This madness has to end."
Cats stared at in her in a mixture of surprise and curiosity, before Harestep questioned, "To try and work things out with Bumblestar...?"
"I'm tired of trying," Minnowstar growled. "We are expanding our territory tomorrow, no matter what happens. If the price that has to be paid is the lives of some ThunderClan cats, then so be it. I won't let one more of my Clanmates die this Leafbare. And that's a promise."
Everyone was silent. By now, the clearing had been filled, and every cat was looking at their leader, saying nothing.
Minnowstar lashed her tail again, saying not another word before she turned and retreated to her den.
Cats remained silent for quite a while. One by one, they went inside the medicine cat to privately mourn for Icepaw. Frostpaw sat far away, watching with an intense feeling of sorrow.
A cat sat next to her. She thought that it was Willowfall, but when she turned she saw, to a bit of her surprise, that it was her mother.
"...I'm proud of you," Furzetail whispered, looking at her daughter.
"I let her die," Frostpaw muttered, shaking her head. "Icepaw is dead because of me."
"That's not true," Furzetail said softly. "You and Willowfall did everything that you could for her. There comes a time when the life of a cat is held in the paws of StarClan, and in the paws of StarClan alone. These things happen. Nobody's perfect." She gave her daughter a small, sad smile, her blue eyes glowing fondly. "I'm proud of you, Frostpaw. I'm proud of the cat that you're becoming."
Frostpaw found that her mother's words touched her, but she was unable to express her feelings of gratitude. So she just sat there, saying nothing. A few minutes passed before Furzetail got to her paws.
"I'm going to say a few words to Icepaw," she whispered before licking her daughter's ear. "Please get some rest, soon. It's been a long day."
Frostpaw nodded absently as her mother got up and padded off. The apprentice's fur ruffled in a cold breeze, but she didn't shiver. She was scared. Scared that there would be more deaths like Icepaw's.
As the snow kept falling, all she could do was pray to StarClan that there wouldn't be. But even while she prayed, she had a feeling that they weren't going to answer.
Yeah, I know that Cedarpaw usually comes before Frostpaw, but I'm messing up the order a bit. He'll be next.
Review and get an Icepaw plushie? :')
Je vous aime.
TNT,
Pearl