"Good morning, Aurorastar."
The leader turned her glazed deep blue eyes to her mate, who had given her the friendly greeting. He was sitting in the clearing, eating a scrawny looking vole. Aurorastar let out a small sigh when she noticed the tips of Nightsun's ribs showing through his black pelt.
"Care to have a bite?"
Aurorastar made her way slowly over to her mate, stopping a tail length away. "I'm sorry, Nightsun, but I must decline. I can't get you sick."
Nightsun gave a brisk nod. "I understand." He lapped up his last few scraps of prey, chewing on its tough flesh.
"Nightsun, if you have better things to do then chat, then you can join Redpalm's hunting patrol!" Nightglow called from across the clearing. Redpalm stood next to her, Dragonclaw, Sunsplash, and Lightningpaw behind him.
Nightsun's eyes flashed, but he got to his paws and padded over to join the dark ginger tom. Aurorastar didn't miss the glare that was exchanged between them. Nightsun shot his mate one last glance before following the patrol out of camp.
"Icepaw, what are you doing?" Nightglow's outraged voice sounded again. She was bounding over to the white apprentice, fixing her glaring yellow eyes on the young cat. Icepaw was practicing the battle moves she had learned with Stormpaw, but now her blazing ice blue eyes met Nightglow's.
"I'm practicing battle tactics and moves with Stormpaw," Icepaw said in a matter-of-factly voice.
"Our Clan is on the brink of starvation, and you are sitting in camp playing?" Nightglow spat out the last word as if it were a curse. "Maybe you should go do something useful for a change and hunt for the Clan!"
Icepaw flattened her ears, but instead Stormpaw stepped forward to speak.
"Nightglow, it was my idea to practice battle moves. Don't punish Icepaw."
"Stay out of this, Stormpaw!" Nightglow hissed, and Stormpaw shrank back.
Aurorastar got to her paws, managing to pad over to the deputy with her head held as high as she could. "Nightglow, Icepaw is a new apprentice and should not be wearing herself out, especially during this cold season. She has been hunting for the Clan and deserves a break, especially when Brambleblaze is out on a border patrol right now." She ignored the uneasy feeling she felt when holding her gaze with the deputy.
Nightglow looked appalled for a moment, but it quickly disappeared when Aurorastar added, "maybe you could go on a hunting patrol instead."
The deputy unsheathed her claws, but quickly drew them back in when she noticed many other cats watching. "Whatever you say, leader," she sneered, turning around and disappearing behind the bramble entrance.
"Sorry," Icepaw murmured after Nightglow left. "I shouldn't have tried to pick a fight with her."
"No," Aurorastar agreed, her gaze still on the entrance. "But she shouldn't have either."
"Aurorastar, come back inside," Starwhisper meowed from across the clearing. "I don't want you to freeze."
Sighing, Aurorastar ambled her way back to the medicine cat, who was waiting for her at the entrance.
"Honestly, I wonder if you are even trying to get better," Starwhisper snorted, half to herself.
"Actually," Aurorastar started, "I was wondering if I could go take a walk."
Starwhisper looked taken aback. "Are you serious?"
"Yes," Aurorastar replied, holding back a heavy cough that she could feel in her throat. "I have been stuck in your den for a half moon, and my paws are itching to get out and move around. Maybe I can catch something for the Clan."
Starwhisper let out a defeated sigh. "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you. I want you back by the time the sun passes that tree branch." She pointed her tail at the large branch overhead. The sun was about a mouse length away from it.
That doesn't give me much time, but it's better than nothing.
"Thank you, and I will," Aurorastar rasped, sniffing in the moisture she could feel at the end of her nose.
Starwhisper eyed her warily, but moved out of the way so Aurorastar could leave.
Aurorastar gave a nod before slowly making her way over to the entrance of the camp.
"Aurorastar!" Starwhisper called. "No hunting for prey! You don't want to injure your developing kits."
"Alright," Aurorastar mewed over her shoulder, and moved one paw after the other out of camp. She flinched when the crusty, frigid snow crunched under her pads, but continued to move forward towards the lake.
Aurorastar gagged when she felt another clot of mucus in her throat, and moments later she coughed up the yellow slime.
Yuck, she thought with a growl. She gazed down at her now slightly swollen belly. I wish I didn't have this greencough as much as you do, kits.
She slowly padded onward, hoping she wouldn't get another sudden pain attack while on the walk. No one was nearby her to help if she collapsed.
Her muscles ached by the time she reached the lake, but she welcomed the feeling. She hadn't been out of camp for a half moon. She glanced at the lake, now frozen over and piled with a layer of snow. In the distance she thought she could see a RiverClan patrol by the lake's shore.
I can't stay here anymore, Aurorastar thought, staring up at the quickly-moving sun. She got to her paws and padded back in the direction back to camp.
She stopped when she broke into another terrible coughing fit, feeling her stomach cringe. Maybe this walk wasn't the greatest idea, she thought with a hint of dismay.
She continued to move forward. She lifted her gaze upward when she heard the snap of a twig, and a squirrel scuttled into her field of vision. She unsheathed her claws when she watched it slowly dance to the ground, searching for any nuts.
You cannot go hunting, Aurorastar reminded herself, remembering Starwhisper's words. Ignoring her feelings of regret, she continued to move her paws. She let out a soft hiss when her pelt got caught in a nearby bramble trend, but she was quickly able to untangle herself.
She felt nearly out of breath by the time she arrived back at camp. Birchpaw was near the entrance, waiting for her.
"There you are!" she mewed, and Aurorastar didn't miss the relief in her voice. "I'm here to help you back to the den."
"Thanks, Birchpaw, but I can get there on my own."
"I'm just following Starwhisper's word," the medicine cat apprentice said simply. "And it's Birchleaf now. I got my full name last night."
Aurorastar remembered that last night had been the half moon. "Congratulations, Birchleaf!" she mewed, though Birchleaf's name came out in more of a cough.
Birchleaf swelled with pride before guiding Aurorastar back to the medicine cat den. However, a commotion sounded at the entrance before Aurorastar walked inside, causing her to whip around.
Silvertail shot into the camp. His black tabby fur was bristled out in alarm. "Has anyone seen Rainpaw?" he managed to gasp out.
"No, I thought she went out hunting," replied Cherryflight, who was standing near the frightened Silvertail.
"Yes, but now I can't find her!" Silvertail almost screeched. "She's missing!"
A/N: The chapter isn't over, it continues underneath this note. However, in the second part of this chapter, in will be in the point of view of Eclipsewing, Aurorastar's sister. This is only temporary, and I am not sure if I will have any other chapters in her POV. Anyway, here is the second part:
Eclipsewing starred at Silvertail in shock. Rainpaw is missing? What if she is hurt?
"When was the last time you saw her?" Aurorastar asked Silvertail. Eclipsewing turned her head towards her sister's ragged voice, a wave of sympathy washing over her when she saw how frail Aurorastar looked. She was standing at the entrance to Starwhisper's den with Birchleaf.
"Not too long ago, but she has been gone for a significant amount of time," Silvertail mumbled. He paused for a moment, as if deep in thought. "In fact, she should have been back at the time when you left for your walk, Aurorastar."
The leader's eyes flashed under the glazed layer that now covered her eyes. Eclipsewing narrowed her golden eyes. Don't tell me Aurorastar has something to do with Rainpaw's disappearance. She suddenly shook her head. You shouldn't doubt your leader, she scolded herself. Aurorastar is a great cat and would never harm Rainpaw.
"I can lead a search party," Eclipsewing suggested, flattening her ears when every cat in the clearing fixed their eyes on her. Eclipsewing didn't like a lot of attention.
"No, Aurorastar, let me lead a patrol out there," Bluefire meowed. The blue-gray tom stood nearby Eclipsewing, and he quickly flashed his blazing amber eyes at her.
Eclipsewing was taken aback. Bluefire has been acting rather odd lately. She guessed Aurorastar felt the same way, for she saw her sister narrow her eyes. "I appreciate the gesture, Bluefire, but I need you to stay here to help dig another prey-hole for storing more prey with Leopardsun and Tigerlilly. Eclipsewing can lead a search party."
Bluefire let out a growl, though it was so soft only Eclipsewing heard it. The tom gave a reluctant nod and joined Leopardsun, who also seemed to have an outraged look on her face.
This cold season must be stirring up a lot of tension, Eclipsewing guessed. Sighing, she ruffled out her fur and looked around the clearing. "Silvertail, you can come with me. Cherryflight, you too." She gazed around once more. "And Lionstrike and Stormpaw."
Stormpaw rushed over, looking terrified for her missing sister. Lionstrike followed closely behind her, his blue eyes narrowed and fixed on Eclipsewing.
"Are we ready?" Cherryflight asked. Her dark brown and white fur was fluffed out, whether from the cold or anxiety, Eclipsewing couldn't tell.
"Wait," Aurorastar called, her voice quickly followed by a harsh cough. "Eclipsewing, can I see you for a moment?"
Eclipsewing bounded over. "What is it?"
"If you... happen to see Nightglow out there, let me know," Aurorastar murmured, not meeting her sister's gaze.
"What? What does that mean?" Eclipsewing was startled by Aurorastar's words.
"Eclipsewing, just-" Aurorastar broke into another terrible fit of coughing, causing Starwhisper to join them.
"Aurorastar, you need to come inside now. That walk was not a good idea." Starwhisper gave Eclipsewing a nod before leading the SunClan leader inside.
Bewildered, Eclipsewing rushed back over to her patrol. "Let's go," she meowed, and raced out of camp.
"Silvertail, where was Rainpaw supposed to be hunting?" Eclipsewing heard Cherryflight ask behind her.
"Near the Sky Birch, but I already looked there," Silvertail replied.
"We will check again anyway," Eclipsewing meowed over her shoulder before making a sharp turn. She opened her mouth to taste the air, but she couldn't detect any fresh scents, let alone Rainpaw's.
She stopped when they reached the Sky Birch. It was an enormous birch tree that was well-known for its great height.
"Everyone, split up," Eclipsewing ordered, and the patrol scattered around the area.
"Eclipsewing!" Stormpaw cried out only after a few moments of searching. The dark gray apprentice was starring at the ground in horror.
Eclipsewing darted over. Dear StarClan, please let Rainpaw be okay. When she looked to see what Stormpaw was starring at, she suddenly wished she hadn't offered to lead a search party.
A large splatter of blood covered the snowy ground, still seeping into the white substance hungrily. In the middle of the blood lay a tuft of light gray fur.
"Rainpaw," Eclipsewing whispered, recognizing the fur. She bent down to sniff at the blood, trying not to recoil. "This must have happened recently," she told her patrol, who was now gathered behind her.
A sudden yowl sounded nearby. "Hey!"
Eclipsewing whipped around. Nightglow was racing towards them with wide, yellow eyes.
If you happen to see Nightglow out there, let me know, Aurorastar's words rang in Eclipsewing's mind.
Why did Aurorastar think Nightglow would be here? And why was she correct?
"It's Rainpaw! Come quickly!" the deputy called, quickly darting around when the patrol began to follow her.
Nightglow didn't lead them very far. She stopped when they reached a small pine tree. And at the bottom of the low, frosty branches lay a light gray heap of fur.
"Rainpaw!" Silvertail yowled, and raced ahead.
Eclipsewing stopped at Silvertail's side. Rainpaw's fur was ragged and bloody, and she seemed to barely be breathing.
"But that's not all," Nightglow growled. Eclipsewing turned to face the deputy cautiously. Nightglow held a tuft of fur in her mouth, and placed it at Eclipsewing's paws. "I found this next to Rainpaw."
Eclipsewing sniffed the fur, suddenly stiffening in horror. No! It can't be!
The scent on the fur undeniably belonged to Aurorastar.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter! :D Let me know how you thought of the two cats' point of view in this story. If you were wondering, I switched to Eclipsewing's point of view because there was some important content there that obviously could not be told at Aurorastar's point of view. Anyway, hope you liked it!
Question: Who is turning out to be some characters that you like? What about characters that you don't like? Are there any cats you wish you could see more of in the story? Please leave a review to let me know! :)
Thanks for reading!
~Lunar