The Wrong Way

As you have seen, Clancats are a part of something bigger than we are and that makes sure we're as strong as our strongest Warrior is when trouble comes. Nevertheless, come see what can happen if this part of the Messenger Code is ignored. This happened in SunClan.

SunClan Camp

Warriors' Den

Wolffang winces as a cold drop of water splashes onto his neck fur. "The den is leaking again, Whiplash," Wolffang said in low voice. Whiplash is curled up beside Wolffang and he opens one amber eye.

"Better tell Featherwind. She'll have to organize some cats to fix it before we drown in our sleep," Whiplash said. Wolffang slips out of his nest, shivering as the bead of water rolls down his back, and pushes his way into the clearing.

Autumn is slowly giving away to winter. Wolffang picks his way over to the SunClan Deputy, who is speaking quietly with Rollingstar. Her words are cut off by coughs that rack her entire body and leave her breathless. The Clan is fighting off Greencough and Featherwind has only just emerged from the Medicine Cat's den where she had been treated. Featherwind wheezes as she speaks.

"We need to send out a Hunting Patrol. The prey pile was ruined by the rain last night and the sick cats won't get better if they're weak with hunger."

"Very well, but only send out healthy cats, which means you stay here, Featherwind," Rollingstar said. Featherwind tries to protest but is cut off by a bout of coughing.

"Wolffang!" yelled Runningclaw. Wolffang changes direction and joins the Medicine Cat at his den.

"What's wrong, Runningclaw?"

"Has Featherwind organized a Hunting Patrol yet?" Runningclaw's eyes are wide with worry. "I can't help sick cats when they're so hungry. I know hunting is hard in this weather, but we have to find something to eat." Runningclaw's bones shift under his fur as he moves.

I guess that Runningclaw has been giving up his own prey to the cats trying to heal. Wolffang thought. "I think she's about to send one out."

"Good. Let's hope they come back quickly. Brightwhisker is hardly strong enough to eat the catmint." Wolffang peers past Runningclaw into the ferns where he can just make out the dark ginger fur of the sick Elder.

Brightwhisker tells good stories and is popular with the Kits in the Clan, because she lets them chase her tail, which is as thick as a fox's tail. Wolffang thought. Featherwind nods to Wolffang flicking drops of water from her feathered ears.

"Are you free to go on a Hunting Patrol?" Featherwind asked.

"Yes."

"Good. Take Whiplash with you. Try Snaketurn Rocks – there might be some prey sheltering there. You shouldn't find any snakes there at this time of year, but don't go too far into the dark caves."

Well at least Whiplash can't order me around. Wolffang thought. Wolffang squeezes back into the Warriors' den and in spite of the leaking roof, Whiplash has gone back to sleep. "Wake up! We've got to go on a patrol!" Whiplash raises his head and stares at Wolffang.

"In this weather? You must be utterly crazy! Did you tell Featherwind that the roof needs to be fixed?"

"I didn't get the chance. Come on, we're the only ones. Featherwind suggested Snaketurn Rocks." Whiplash grumbles under his breath.

"Wonderful. I either can drown in my sleep or get bitten for the sake of my Clan."

"It's not raining hard anymore." Whiplash heaves himself to his paws. They head out of the camp through the fern tunnel.

SunClan Territory

Whiplash shakes himself as water droplets drip onto his fur from the trees above while shivering madly. "It's only water being shaken from the trees," Wolffang said.

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Whiplash springs gracefully up the rocks that litter the front of the camp entrance, and reaches the top before Wolffang.

Even if the snakes have gone for the winter, this place makes me nervous. Wolffang thought. "I'm starving. We'd better catch something. I haven't found anything good in the prey pile in moons." Wolffang sniffs around picking up the scent of blackbird. He crouches low stepping paw by paw under the thorns. The black feathers are just visible through the tendrils of roots. He gathers his hindlegs behind him, wriggles to get his balance, and then he springs forward, blasting his way through the brambles and lands squarely on the blackbird. Thank HeavenClan. Wolffang thought. Wolffang spits out leaves and then he backs out of the thicket dragging his prey with him.

"Nice catch!" Whiplash is standing right behind Wolffang, making him jump. Whiplash pads forward, sniffing appreciatively, the black bird's fluffy black feathers rippling under his breath, and then he glances over his right shoulder. "This will not taste nearly as delicious once it is brought back to the camp." Wolffang shrugs his shoulders in reply.

"We should catch something else soon, and then it will be fresh."

"It won't be as fresh as it is now." Whiplash looks at the black bird again. "And we'll hunt better after a decent meal."

"But the Messenger Code says that we can't eat until Elders, Kits, and Queens have been fed." Wolffang's pelt twitches uncomfortably. Whiplash mutters under his breath.

"How will anyone know? You won't tell, will you?"

"I…I…" Wolffang said. Whiplash opens his jaws and sinks his teeth into the blackbird without taking his gaze off Wolffang. Then he chews slowly, releasing the sweet smell of fresh meat.

Whiplash and I are just as hungry as the rest of the Clan, and we need our strength in order to hunt. It makes no sense to let the Warriors starve when they have to look after everyone else. I caught this blackbird easily enough. We'll catch much more prey. Wolffang thought uneasily. Wolffang bends his head and bites into the prey. Above him, a very cold wind rattles the trees and the rocks loom gray and silent against the dark sky.

Heavy rain makes the return trip back to camp difficult; they pick their way carefully down with their prey gripped tightly in their jaws. Wolffang had been lucky with the blackbird; prey had been a lot more difficult to find after that, and so all they brought back are two mice and a touch-looking rabbit. Neither cat looks at the other as they carry their prey to the camp entrance.

Whiplash hangs back, forcing Wolffang to go first. The thorns seem to be sharper against his pelt. Wolffang pushes his way into the clearing and looks around expecting to see hungry cats waiting by the prey pile. Whiplash joins Wolffang in the empty clearing and they stand side by side with their catch in front of their paws. Before either of them can speak, a yowl rises from the reeds of Runningclaw's den.

"Mom, please! No! Don't leave me!" Dawnriver yowled.

"It's her time to join HeavenClan. Our Warrior Ancestors are waiting for her," Runningclaw soothed. Wolffang looks at Whiplash, feeling a wave of panic rise in him.

"We're too late! Brightwhisker is dead! Runningclaw said she needed to eat in order to fight the sickness, but we didn't return in time! We should have never eaten that blackbird!" Wolffang said in a hushed whisper.

"Shut up! What's the matter with you? Brightwhisker was going to die anyway. The Warriors should let the old, useless cats die if it means we will survive. The Clan depends on us now, not them," Whiplash hissed.

"But the killed her…"

"We didn't! Greencough killed her! She was old and weak. We are the important cats; we should eat primarily! Do you want to do what's best for your Clan?"

"Yes, but…"

"Then you will keep your mouth shut, right, and let your Clanmates be grateful for what was brought back? There is now one fewer mouth to feed. Why should you spoil everything by trying to blame yourself for Brightwhisker's death?"

But Brightwhisker would still be alive if we had come back sooner – if we had come back with the blackbird. Wolffang thought. Whiplash is watching Wolffang as if he can read his mind.

"You will keep quiet, won't you? After all, I can say that I saw you eat that blackbird. I will tell them what you did, how you insisted on stealing prey from the Elders Queens, and Kits, how you refused to let me bring it back to the camp," Whiplash hissed.

"There is nothing left to tell. We were sent to hunt prey, and that's exactly what we did. No Warrior could have done better," Wolffang growled. As Wolffang bends his head to pick up the rabbit and carry it to the prey pile, a warm breeze ruffles his fur and a familiar scent brushes over him. Wolffang lifts his head in sheer horror.

Brightwhisker! I'm so sorry! Wolffang thought.

"Too late, too late…" Brightwhisker said quietly.