Chapter 30
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THE WAIT IS OVER! The laptop has arrived and I couldn't be happier! Story updates should be happening more often from now on!
I was impressed at how well the Clan cats had managed to fix up the house. It almost looked hospitable now. However, it was still pretty creepy. The shattered windows and curling paint added to the effect of an abandoned house. However, I was able to stand it. After all, it was for the good of the Clan.
"I don't like it here," I heard Cloudtail mutter. "Too much like a Twoleg nest..."
"That's because it is one, featherbrain," Dustpelt coughed. "i don't like it either, but it's the best way to save lives at this point."
Cloudtail shrugged and moved over to find a nest. I glanced over at the wall, where the chest with the gun had been. It was bare now, a white spot where it had once been.
Firestar managed to get on top of one of the beams. "Alright, listen up. i know that a lot of you are uncomfortable being here, and I am too. But we'll just have to make due until we can get some catmint, and cure ourselves. Don't be afraid- there's nothing to be afraid of."
Some of the cats around the floor still held traces of discomfort in their eyes, but in the ned everyone was happy. I grumbled angrily. I wasn't supposed to be here- I should be back helping the rest of the Clan. Who knew what could happen with so many warriors absent!
LIONBLAZE
I prowled through the bushes, looking for a mouse. I knew that we had to keep the rest of the Clan healthy and fit if Firestar's plan were to work. Spiderleg already had to go to the Twoleg nest, and we weren't about to let anyone else follow him.
Suddenly my ears twitched. I heard a tiny scuffling sound in the bushes beside me. Mouse. I licked my lips. I prowled towards the mouse, slowly but surely, until I was close enough to pounce. I leaped through the air with a snarl. The mouse noticed, but I was too quick. I slammed the small creature down into the dust and killed it with a bite to the neck.
I gazed out through the forest with my catch in my mouth. Although I couldn't see it, I knew that the Twoleg nest was out there. The sick cats would need all the prey they could get.
Well, I thought to myself, One down, a bunch to go.
I returned to camp with spirits high. I was laden with fresh-kill: Three mice, two birds, and a shrew. Brambleclaw bounded up to meet me.
"Well done, Lionblaze," he congratulated me. "I'm glad to have you hunting with us."
I nodded, my mouth to full of fresh-kill to answer. Brambleclaw leaned over.
"If you start to feel sick, though... Make sure you stay fit." And with that, my father bounded away.
I knew what Brambelclaw meant. The Clan couldn't afford any missing cats, now more than ever. His father was relying on him to help keep the Clan strong. I didn't know what I would do if I got sick.
I spotted Jaypaw walking in through the thorn tunnel. I raced up to him, eager to hear the news.
"None," he said flatly, "There wasn't any catmint anywhere."
My heart sank. If we couldn't find any catmint, how were we supposed to help the sick cats?
"There has to be some spot you overlooked, some patches of herbs you missed-"
"No," Jaypaw sighed. "The only clump I could find was destroyed during the battle."
I gazed at him in shock. The catmint was destroyed? During the battle? Did some cat do it on purpose?
"Who could have done something so cruel?" I asked. "They knew winter was coming up- they must be planning another attack. And with half the Clan missing..."
"I don't think so," Jaypaw answered. "WindClan and RiverClan might have been against us in the battle, but I don;t think they would have resorted to such barbaric tactics. I think it was an accident."
I glared at him. "And if it wasn't?"
jaypaw was silent for a few moments. Then he turned his head up, as though he were looking at the stars.
"We need to find some catmint."
HOLLYLEAF
I stared up into the moonlight. I was thinking about Jaggedscar and the rest of the sick cats.
What if there isn't enough catmint for all of them? What if some of them...
No. I couldn't bring myself to even think about it. There was no way any of the cats could die- they were needed too much. And Jaggedscar was part of the prophecy...
Jaggedscar. Not only was he a part of the prophecy, he was a part of me. For some reason, I was drawn to him. We were similar, and I found comfort in him. I was always worried about my destiny, and the way he seemed so sure about his made me think of him as a stone wall- an impenetrable barrier. And now, he was brought to his knees by sickness.
Why him? I wondered. Why couldn't it be me?
Suddenly there was a rustling in the bushes. I got up and turned around. But when I saw who it was, I froze in shock.
"What- What are you doing here?"