Chapter 39

Squirrelflight's POV

"His scent leads to here," said Berrynose as he was leading Squirrelflight to the abandoned Twoleg nest where Jayfeather disappeared. Berrynose was standing at trampled spot on the grass. "A Twoleg scent seems to be mixed with his. It seems like he was taken by them."

"Why would the Twolegs come this way?" Molewhisker asked. "Isn't this supposed to be an abandoned Twoleg nest?"

"I don't know, but that's not the point right now," Squirrelflight said. "We need to find Jayfeather. Berrynose, gather the rest of your patrol. We're heading back to camp right now."

Squirrelflight waited as Berrynose called out to the rest of the patrol to return to camp, then raced back to camp, the patrol right behind her.

"What would Firestar do? What would Bramblestar do?" she muttered under her breath, trying to come up with a solution to rescue Jayfeather. "I should go and address the Clan first, then talk to Leafpool about what I can do. I can't let Jayfeather get into any danger."

Squirrelflight entered the ThunderClan camp and raced towards the Highledge. She paused, looking at all the cats of the camp. They had already started to gather around the Highledge when they noticed her up there.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge to hear what I have to say," Squirrelflight announced.

All the cats that weren't gathered at the Highledge were quickly making their way over to where Squirrelflight was standing. Squirrelflight noticed that Brackenfur and Birchfall were already back; she'd have to talk to them later about what Harespring said.

"Today, Jayfeather was out collecting herbs, and has appeared to be taken by a Twoleg near the abandoned Twoleg nest," she said.

The Clan murmured, concerned for their missing medicine cat. Squirrelflight glanced at Leafpool, and she appeared calm, despite the bad news.

"I want all cats to remain alert for any Twolegs from now on," Squirrelflight continued. "Patrols must now have at least five cats. No cat will leave camp unaccompanied. Apprentices will train together. Berrynose, I want you to gather your patrol, and go find Jayfeather, whatever it takes. If any cat stops you, tell them that this is an important mission."

Berrynose nodded and started to gather his patrol together for a rescue mission. Leafpool raced to her den to give them traveling herbs. Squirrelflight glanced at them briefly before refocusing her gaze onto the rest of the Clan.

"Stay away from the Old Thunderpath as well," Squirrelflight said. "The Twolegs might be using it again, and we don't want any other cats taken."

Squirrelflight jumped off of the Highledge, concluding the announcement. The cats started to head back to their respective tasks as Squirrelflight headed towards the medicine cat den.

"Leafpool?" Squirrelflight asked, entering the den.

"I'm right here," Leafpool replied, entering the den behind her. "Is there anything you need?"

"What do I do?" Squirrelflight asked, trying not to be desperate. "I can't just stand here and not help. I want to go rescue Jayfeather, but I do not want to leave the camp unguarded."

"Jayfeather's fate lies in StarClan's paws now, Squirrelflight," Leafpool said. "We must trust that they will help return him safely. For now, you must focus on the Clan while Bramblestar is gone."

Squirrelflight nodded, comforted by her sister's words, "Thank you, Leafpool. It's so hard to be a leader. I don't know how Bramblestar does it."

"With time, things will get easier, and you will know how to handle everything," Leafpool said. "It was like that for me."

"Then StarClan help us all," Squirrelflight replied as she exited the medicine cat den.

"StarClan help us all," Leafpool echoed.

Squirrelflight looked around the hollow, and spotted Brackenfur eating near the warriors den. Staring at his mouse, Squirrelflight's stomach rumbled. She grabbed a sparrow from the fresh-kill pile and sat next to Brackenfur.

"So, how did the meeting with Harespring and the other Clans go?" Squirrelflight asked.

"We all met at the Island," Brackenfur said. "Harespring had gathered all the other deputies and led them there. He was talking about how his apprentices were all out of control, and ways we could get them back under control. We all talked, and Reedwhisker suggested that the medicine cats should go to the Moonpool and consult with StarClan first, and every cat agreed with that."

"Thank you, Brackenfur," Squirrelflight said, finishing off her sparrow.

"Anytime," Brackenfur replied as he went back to eating his mouse.

"If we don't get Jayfeather back, he won't be able to be there with Leafpool," Squirrelflight muttered under her breath.

She headed back towards the clearing, where the other warriors were waiting patiently for her. Squirrelflight started to organize which warrior would go into which group in her head before she made her formal assignments. She stopped, gazed at the cats, then spoke.

"I know that Jayfeather is missing, but now, more than ever, we must keep a watchful eye on our borders, watching for Twolegs, and keep the Clan well fed and alert," she said. "Fernsplash, you will lead a patrol along the ShadowClan border with Ivypool, Whitewing, Bumblestripe, and Sorrelpelt. Cherryfall, lead a patrol along the WindClan border with Brackenfur, Stormcloud, Dewfur, and Mousewhisker."

As the border patrols gathered together and left camp, Squirrelflight finished organizing the hunting patrols, and put herself in Snowpelt's hunting patrol. As she followed Snowpelt outside, she couldn't help but wonder: This is exactly like what happened to Graystripe. I hope it doesn't take moons for the patrol to return with him, safe and sound. I don't want anything bad to happen to him. StarClan, keep him safe.