Predicting the Future

by Flame in the Darkness

After the flood that almost destroyed the Clans, peace reigns among the four Clans at the lake. However, Bramblestar is faced with a new dilemma, one that involves every single cat involved with the Clans, including the Tribes. Bramblestar and the other leaders must unite all cats, or face the wrath of the Dark Forest once and for all.

23. Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Leafstar's POV

Leafstar woke to the sound of her own coughing. She opened her eyes and pricked her ears. She could hear her own Clanmates coughing as well. There was a greencough outbreak in the Clan, and Frecklewish was doing her best to contain it.

Leafstar sighed. Her faithful deputy, Sharpclaw, had died a quarter-moon ago. She'd appointed Waspwhisker in his place. Her thoughts were interrupted by a hacking cough from the elder's den.

Leafstar stood up warily. She had to be careful. She was on her last life, and she couldn't lose it now. Not when the Clan was vulnerable and the apprentices were acting up. Leafstar lay down and replayed important events that had happened to the Clan many moons ago.

She remembered Egg's warrior ceremony. He'd still chosen to keep his name like that, despite the other warriors' names. Birdpaw, Honeypaw, and Sandypaw, Clovertail's kits, had become Birdcloud, Honeystream, and Sandywind. Clovertail had looked proud, and Patchfoot was congratulating his kits.

Leafstar remembered her own kits. They were now warriors, with the names Firecloud, Stormmask, and Harryfur. Leafstar's heart was swelling with pride when she'd named her kits, and Billystorm had seemed to approve as well.

She pushed on ahead into her own thoughts. Cherrytail and Sharpclaw's kits were wonderful and feisty, all four of them. They, of course, were warriors. Wildfoot, Tumblefang, Runningspots, and Goldendust. They were still mourning Sharpclaw's death.

Then there were Plumwillow's kits. She had four kits, and they were apprentices now. Badgerpaw, Talonpaw, Foxpaw, and Gingerpaw were all fast learning apprentices, almost ready to become warriors.

Four new rogues had come to join her Clan: Icicle, Cream, Rocky and Copper. They'd all agreed to new names except for Rocky: Icicletail, Creamfrost, and Copperpelt. Copperpelt was currently taking care of her and Icicletail's kits: Lavenderkit, Peanutkit, and Dustykit. Rocky was a current SkyClan elder.

Leafstar then thought about the greencough epidemic. Echosong was the first to die. She had worked herself to the limit, trying to treat all the sick cats. Then, Sparrowpelt had died in his sleep. Sharpclaw, her faithful deputy, was the last cat to die so far.

"Leafstar?" Frecklewish asked. "May I come in?"

"Come in," Leafstar said weakly.

Frecklewish padded in, carrying a bundle of herbs. She'd become a full time medicine cat, sadly parting from her housefolk after Echosong passed away, "Here's some catmint. Are you feeling alright?"

"I guess," Leafstar mewed, looking at the herbs.

"I don't know what we're going to do," Frecklewish said sadly. "I hope some miracle happens soon."

"So do I," Leafstar agreed.