Chapter 34

Squirrelflight's POV

The thorns swished at the camp entrance as the dawn hunting patrol came back. The warm sun soaked into Squirrelflight's pelt. She was dozing near the warriors den. Everything was in line since Bramblestar left. Nothing more than a fox that accidentally strayed into the border. Amberwing and Blossomfall had easily chased it away.

Squirrelflight got up and padded toward the patrol. "How is hunting?" Squirrelflight asked Thornclaw, the leader of the patrol.

"The prey is running well," Thornclaw answered as he swung his head toward the patrol. Three shrews, a blackbird, and a thrush dangled from the cats' mouths.

"Good" Squirrelflight said. We will sleep well fed tonight, she thought.

Then suddenly the entrance opened up and the leader of the dawn border patrol came. Rosepetal came through with three WindClan warriors: Featherfoot, Hootpelt, and the acting leader Harespring.

"We are here to see Squirrelflight. Privately," Harespring mewed.

"I am here. What do you want?" Squirrelflight asked politely, but firm. Harespring signaled Squirrelflight to the leader's den. Squirrelflight nodded and led him to the leader's den. "Go back to the patrol and tell them everything is being handled," Squirrelflight said to Rosepetal.

When they reached the den they sat down. "Don't stray too far from the leader's den," Harespring instructed his patrol.

Squirrelflight and Harespring settled down on the cold stone floor. "I wanted to talk to you about the apprentices. Their mentors keep complaining about their behavior. They say that they're acting funny. I think that all the deputies should come to the Island the next quarter-moon to talk about how to help control the apprentices," Harespring mewed.

Squirrelflight thought about this for a moment. As much as she would like to discuss the apprentices, the thought of leaving the Clan while Bramblestar was away made her nervous, "Have you talked to any of the other deputies?" she inquired, keeping her tone neutral, not wanting to sound wary or accusing.

"No, you're the first I've come to," Harespring responded, matching Squirrelflight's tone, "Though I do intend to visit the others after this, so would you care to accompany me and hear their opinions on the matter?" Apparently her tone hadn't kept her thoughts as secret as she had hoped.

Squirrelflight sighed, "I'm just worried about leaving the camp alone, if I attend the meeting. What if someone ambushes us?"

Harespring nodded, deep in thought at her words, "I understand, but who would attack you? You should accompany me right now to see if the others agree to meet, and as long as they do, we should have no problem."

"But in accompanying you now, I would be leaving the camp." Squirrelflight pointed out.

"True," Harespring mewed, shaking his head at her ignorance of the obvious flaw, before adding, "What if you had two of your warriors accompany me? They could hear what the others have to say and you would never even have to leave camp."

"Perfect, I can have two cats ready to go with you in a moment," Squirrelflight said, standing up, "And I'll send a patrol to your camp tomorrow to give you my answer."

"I'll tell my patrols to expect them."

The two deputies exited the den, and Harespring signaled to Featherfoot and Hootpelt to come follow him.

Squirrelflight scanned the hollow, and her gaze fell on Brackenfur, "Brackenfur, I want you to pick one other warrior and listen to what the other deputies have to say about Harespring's suggestion."

Brackenfur nodded and headed towards the warriors den. Heartbeats later, he emerged with Birchfall at his side.

"Great. Now you two can accompany Harespring to the meeting, and tell me what goes on."

Brackenfur and Birchfall nodded, and followed Harespring's patrol out of camp.

Squirrelflight sighed. 'How in StarClan does Bramblestar do this?' she thought.

She decided to go and check on Briarlight. She made her way over to the medicine cat den, where Briarlight was helping Leafpool sort herbs.

"Hi, Leafpool," Squirrelflight purred, greeting her sister, "and hello, Briarlight. Where's Jayfeather?"

"He went out to collect more horsetail," Leafpool replied, organizing some leaves. "Briarlight is such a great help around camp. Without her, ThunderClan wouldn't feel the same."

Briarlight glowed with pride as she heard Leafpool's words. "Well, it's not that big of a deal."

"It's wonderful that you're helping so much," Squirrelflight said, complimenting her. "You're one of the most hard working warriors I know."

"Have you heard about Cinderheart and Lilyheart?" Leafpool whispered, eyes sparkling.

"No… what is it?" Squirrelflight asked, curious.

Leafpool leaned in towards her. "They're both expecting kits!"

"What?!" Squirrelflight exclaimed. "I know Cinderheart's mate is Lionblaze, but Lilyheart?"

"Lilyheart and Snowpelt seem to be getting along nicely," Leafpool remarked, whiskers twitching amusedly. "Cinderheart should be moving to the nursery soon, but I'll give her a few more days of warrior duties. You know what it feels like to not be able to help out."

Squirrelflight remembered the days when she was in the nursery; everyone was bringing her prey, fixing her nest, and she felt useless around her campmates.

"That's a good idea," Squirrelflight said. "We'll have more warriors for the Clan now. That's wonderful! Snowpelt will be ecstatic. I wish Lionblaze could be here for Cinderheart."

Suddenly, Squirrelflight heard someone shout. "Help! A Twoleg has taken Jayfeather!"

Squirrelflight whirled around and charged out of the medicine cat den, finding Berrynose panting in the hollow's clearing.

"Where was Jayfeather taken from?" Squirrelflight asked, her head whirling.

"I scented him near the abandoned Twoleg nest. Some Twoleg must've gone there, saw Jayfeather, and taken him," Berrynose replied.

"Quickly, where is the rest of your patrol?" Squirrelflight asked.

"They're near the Twoleg den, searching for him," Berrynose replied.

"Lead me there."