Chapter 34
HOWSITGOINBROS
I'm going to star an update schedule. A new chapter will be coming out every week until the story ends. After wards, there will be a cooldown time, maybe a month. Probably less. Then, the next segment of the story will begin, encompassing books 1-3 of the Omen of the Stars. The last part will go from boks 4-5, and then it'll all be over. So sad.
I trudged up the trail to where Jaypaw was waiting. I found him sitting under a tree, looking lost in thought. Suddenly, hiw head whipped around, and I could tell that he had smelled the catmint.
"Here," I said, tossing the generous amount of catmint in his direction. The smell had been making me light headed for a while. If I ever saw another catmint plant again, it would be too soon.
"Thanks," Jaypaw leaned forward to grasp the stalks. "This feels like more than enough. Did you have any trouble getting it?"
I hesitated for a second, but let it pass. "No, nothing big. I got out okay." I decided not to tell Jaypaw about the unkown WindClan warrior who had nearly spotted me. He didn't need to know.
"Good," Jaypaw responded. "Now, I need to get this back to camp. And you should get back to the Twoleg nest before anyone sees you out. I don't want you to get any worse."
I nodded, before heaving out a large cough. Jaypaw was right. Even if the plague was nearly over, I was still sick, and I shouldn't have been out for even this long. The other cats in the house were probably wondering where I was now.
I managed to get inside without being seen, thank StarClan. I was moving towards my nest when a sudden rapid patetr of paws behind me caught my attention.
I whirled around to face whoever it was, surprised to see Thornclaw staring down at me.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"It's Firestar," Thornclaw gasped. "He's dying."
"What?" I gasped, and then pushed past Thornclaw into the room where everyone had gathered. I looked around and saw all of the sick cats, even Millie in the corner. In the doorway, Lionblaze stood, watching over with sadness and fear in his eyes.
In the middle of the crowd was Firestar himself, lying on his side. I could see his face, and it was full of fear and helplessness, thought there was some calm too. I remembered that this was not the first time Firestar had died, but it didn't make it any less terrifying.
"No," I whispered. The others were compeletely silent, save for a few gasps and chokes from Firestar. I watched helplessly as he gave one last heave, then lay still.
It seemed like an eternity that Firestar didn't breathe. It was probably only a few seconds. Suddenly his eyes flew open, and he gave another rasping cough. I looked into his eyes- clear.
"I'm... I'm okay," Firestar managed to cough out. I could see that the sickness had left him.
"You should go," Brightheart meowed, voicing my own worries. "You're not sick anymore. You need to get beack to the Clan."
Firestar looked back at Brightheart. "I'm staying," he meowed, "until everyone else is gone."
I couldn't help but admire Firestar's determination. He was willing to stay in this crowded house, even if he was healthy? That was a mark of a true leader, and I couldn't help but feeling a rush of determination from deep within me.
"Are... Are you sure?" I asked tentatively, knowing the answer before the words left my mouth.
Firestar looked into my eyes. "Absolutely."
JAYPAW
I rushed back into camp as fast as my legs would allow me to. The catmint in my jaws was just a fraction of what Jaggedscar had brought back. the rest was stashed in an old hollow, easily distinguished by the scent. Howver, just to be careful, I left Brackenfur behind to guard it. I had found his patrol scouting the borders and told him the good news.
I ran as fast as I could down the thorn tunnel and shot into camp.
"Jaypaw, what are you doing?" I turned around and saw Lionblaze.
"Wait," he said. "Is... Is that catmint?"
I nodded, not wanting to drop any of the precious herb on the ground.
Lionblaze looked ready to burst with joy. "I'll go get Leafpool. I knew this wouldn't last long!" He bounded away towards the medicine den. I sat down and sighed in relief. However, I was worried that Leafpool would ask me where I got the catmint. I didn't know what to say.
"Jaypaw!" I turned as I heard Leafpool's voice calling me. She was bounding out of the medicine den. "Is it true? Did you find catmint?"
"More than enough to treat the whole Clan," I answered proudly.
"Thank StarClan," Leafpool breathed. "I was beginning to think we might never find any catmint."
Thankfully, it seemed like Leafpool was too enthralled about the catmint to ask where I got it, but somewhere inside me, i felt like something very wrong would come of the stolen herb.