Chapter 34

"Rising Waters."

4/22/17 - 4/23/17

~ Nightsong ~

The rain refuses to stop, and goes on until the next morning with dark clouds overhead. Goldflame moved into the nursery expecting Whitefur's kits three days ago. The golden warrior has mixed emotions about her unborn kits.

She's happy to have a piece of Whitefur, but the fact that Whitefur didn't know she was expecting before he died and won't be here to raise them, that's what has Goldflame so sullen.

Early into November, Featherwing, Littlefalcon, Lionfang and Snowpelt were patrolling near ShadowClan territory when Patchflower, Dewpelt, Swiftstrike and Lichenfall.

Patchflower immediately notices Snowpelt in the back.

"Well, if it isn't the Rabbit Defender?" She jeers.

Snowpelt's fur heats up with the mocking smiles, except for Swiftstrike, who looked entirely bored with the same joke. Featherwing squints at Patchflower.

"I'm sorry. I thought you were a warrior instead of an apprentice. I guess your second apprenticeship didn't teach you anything."

Lichenfall and Dewpelt turn the snickers on Patchflower as she becomes angered. Swiftstrike coughs and smiles in Featherwing's direction.

"If there's nothing left to discuss, we should be going." Featherwing signals for her patrol to turn and leave. Returning to camp, Snowpelt steers clear of Thistlefang as he looks from talking to Hawkfeather and Maplecloud to watch her pick prey from the pile and sit by herself, Thistlefang tore his gaze from her.

Featherwing doesn't know what happened between them. Up until now, Featherwing and Berryheart expected Thistlefang to immediately ask Snowpelt to become his mate a few days after she became a warrior.

But something happened last moon that changed.

Did Snowpelt reject him? Or did she meet another tom?

Featherwing immediately decides not to get involved with Snowpelt's business.

Nightsong ignores her soaking wet fur as she drops a wet squirrel in the pile.

"This is the worst!" She hissed. Ivyheart drops her vole.

"Nobody said this would be easy." Ivyheart told her daughter. She inspects Nightsong more closely.

"You look tired… Why don't you go sleep?"

"Darkstar wouldn't allow that." Nightsong protests.

"If you're dead on your paws he would." Ivyheart said.

Nightsong knew there was no arguing with Ivyheart. The black she-cat sighs and flops down in her nest.

~ Beechclaw ~

Beechclaw blinks the rain drops hitting his eyes.

"This is bad weather. Olivestar should hold off swimming lessons until the rain stops." Bouldertooth said.

The water crashes on the shore and hits his and Beechclaw's paws.

"Shouldn't we also prepare for a flood?" Beechclaw asks him.

"Even if it does flood, our nests will float. We can also swim to the island if it gets bad."

Beechclaw follows Bouldertooth back, and goes to the fresh kill pile. He sees Bearskip approaching him from the side.

"... Hey." Beechclaw said.

"Hey." Bearskip replies. Beechclaw picks out a salmon and pushes to him.

"Want to share?"

"... Sure."

Beechclaw is relieved as his brother crouches down and eats the salmon. Bearskip earned his name a few days ago with Minnownose and Carpstream.

Beechclaw is hoping to reconcile with Bearskip after the falling out.

Thunder crashes overhead, making Bearskip wince.

"Scared?" Beechclaw asks him.

"Nope." Bearskip huffs. "I'm scared for the other Clans, especially ThunderClan, they don't even like getting wet."

Beechclaw's heart sinks. Bearskip's comment made him think about Snowpelt. He hopes that this rain doesn't become anything serious.

~ Spiderdusk ~

He didn't like how long this rain lasted. All morning it rained, rained, and Spiderdusk is getting sick of it. The only thing to worry about is the hunting grounds becoming muddy. Molefur and Lizardtail were covered in mud after slipping into it, chasing after a rabbit.

Everyone is trying to keep busy. Especially after the blow up between Hawkflight and Violetbloom over the bad treatment of their young daughter, Brightkit. Now Brightkit sleeps in Hawkflight's nest, and the silver tabby kit is excited about being in the warriors den, oblivious to the bitter feelings of her parents.

Everyone in WindClan knew it was not the only issue surrounding the two cats.

Violetbloom isn't even being discreet about flirting with Sleetfrost, much to Spiderdusk's disgust.

She just had kits. Why is she chasing after an off limits tom?

Falconwing and Cheetahspots are oblivious to Sleetfrost's infidelity, nobody knows how to tell them or they're just minding their own business.

Aside from that, Spiderdusk told Brackenstar about the wolves being in the uncharted forest next to their territory. Brackenstar ordered a search party to see how many wolves are there and are trying to decide the best action, but until then, Grassclaw took a patrol to ShadowClan to try and get his kits.

The Clans have never fought wolves. Spiderdusk hopes to StarClan to complete the prophecy before lives are lost.

~ Owlflight ~

Owlflight is getting sick of seeing Grassclaw's face. The WindClan deputy sits in the middle of the camp looking important while Rowanfoot, Lilypool and Falconwing are with him.

Heatherstar sighs and pads to Grassclaw. "Let me guess…"

"I'm here for my kits." Grassclaw said.

Shrewkit and Smokekit were playing with Fernkit near the medicine cat den where Owlflight is sitting when Grassclaw notices them and pads to them.

Smokekit panics and cries out, "Swiftstrike! Mosscloud!"

Their older littermates rush to their side and glare at their WindClan father. Grassclaw is unfazed and looks at Fernkit.

"Hello, dear."

Fernkit whimpers and hides behind Owlflight, trembling with fright.

"Grassclaw." Heatherstar said. "You've gotten your answer, now I suggest that you don't try this again."

Grassclaw growls. "Don't count on it. They will be raised as WindClan cats, I promise you that."

~ Snowpelt ~

Snowpelt shifts in her nest, and tries many times to fall back to sleep with the thunder constantly crashing outside in the earl dawn.

"Get up! Everybody get up!"

Snowpelt vaguely hears Ashcloud's voice as she turns in her nest, her tail slings over the rim and dips into water. Snowpelt opens her eyes and sees dark brown water rising inside the den as Ashcloud shook and woke up the sleeping warriors.

The water flows outside as Snowpelt races out and sees the camp, muddy and in shambles. Darkstar came out of the nursery with Ripplekit in his jaw, with Timberclaw, Blazefrost, Daisyleaf, Squirretail and Berryheart carrying the rest of the kits out.

"Everyone! Get to high ground! Elders and queens to the Highledge!" Darkstar yowls.

Sweetflower and Goldflame rush behind Gorseheart, Mousepatch and Flameclaw as they climb up to Highledge. The water rushes into the gorge and sweeps the cats under. Graystream manipulates the water current to push the cats swept up and rise them up to the Highledge.

Snowpelt swims up the pillar-like stream and reaches her paw upward.

Graystream is holding onto the tiny ledge of the rock as she struggles to keep hold of the water, when a rogue wave drags her head under the water.

"Graystream!" Oakstorm and Lightstripe yowl on the ledge. The waters pulled four cats down and have not resurfaced. Snowpelt dangles on the ledge as the water goes down. Thistlefang grabs her scruff and tries to lift her up, and another rogue wave crashes on her back and drags her down, splashing into the water.

"No, Snowpelt!" Thistlefang prepares to jump in when he sees a black shape dive in after Snowpelt.

Snowpelt's eyes burn from the mud water as something grabs her scruff and swims her up with the rising water. Snowpelt gasps for air.

"Grab on the rocks and don't let go!"

Beechclaw?

Snowpelt puts both paws on the rock as Beechclaw guides her on the stepping rocks. She and the RiverClan warrior climb onto Highledge where Thistlefang is waiting. Snowpelt flops on the ground with Beechclaw lying down to check on her.

"Are you okay?" He asks her.

"Y-Yes." Snowpelt shivers. Thistlefang almost shoves Beechclaw back and glares at him.

"Give her room to breath!"

Beechclaw narrows his eyes at the hidden warning and stands up, refusing to back down when the water rises, and crashes against the wall.

"Move back!" Darkstar yowls.

A third wave crashes on Highledge as the cats move inside, and a wave suddenly drags Darkstar down off the ledge and into the water below.

Every cat was shocked at their leader's fall, but none moved from their spot until the rain stops and the water drains from the gorge. Slowly, the ThunderClan cats climb from Highledge and see Graystream moving the muddy water from the gorge, her pelt is clinging to her frame.

"Thank StarClan!" Lightstripe says, running to his daughter. Oakstorm, Pineheart and Mistpool purr to Graystream.

Snowpelt observes the damp, mud filled camp and finds the three bodies of her Clanmates. Volefang, Dawnleaf, Sneezeclaw… and Sweetflower.

Why Sweetflower? She has four kits who need her.

Ashcloud pads to Sweetflower's body and nudges her. He closes his eyes and sobs with sorrow.

"Daddy?" Ashcloud stiffens when he hears Creekkit. "Why is Mommy not moving?"

"... She's sleeping."

"When will she wake up?" Drizzlekit asks his father. Spottedberry ushers the kits away as Ashcloud bends down and mourns over Sweetflower.

Sweetflower and Ashcloud were a long standing couple that weren't expected to last long since Ashcloud was originally born in RiverClan many moons ago and joined ThunderClan when Sweetflower was expecting Petalsong.

Sweetflower and Ashcloud were loyal mates that proved everyone wrong, and it ended all in one swoop. Rosefoot bows her head and gently touches her grandmother's flank with her nose.

Rainstorm also mourns for his mate, Dawnleaf, and their sons Oakstorm and Hailstone gather around her and their uncle, Sneezeclaw.

Ivyheart cries into Volefang's pelt as Littlefalcon tries to comfort her, and their kits watch from afar, stunned. Nightsong gives Snowpelt a grief filled look.

A loud cough caught everyone's attention, as Darkstar tries to stand up, Hailstone rushes to his side. "Be careful."

"Get off me, I'm not that old!"

"You lost your eighth life, that's enough to call concern!" Hailstone hissed quietly so no one could hear.

Darkstar groans as he stands up while leaning on Hailstone's shoulder. Goldflame rushes to Darkstar and presses her muzzle on his chest.

"I thought I lost you, too!" She whispers. Darkstar purrs and bumps his muzzle on her head before looking at Littlefalcon approaching him.

"What's the damage?"

Littlefalcon frowns. "We lost Volefang, Dawnleaf, Sneezeclaw and Sweetflower."

"Sweetflower?" Darkstar whispers, shocked. Littlefalcon nods.

The ThunderClan leader gives a weary sigh.

"Why don't you rest for a while?" Littlefalcon suggested.

Darkstar glares at his nephew until Hailstone says, "It'll do you good. The Clan can't see you like this."

Darkstar closes his eyes and sits down. Littlefalcon turns around to look at the ThunderClan cats.

"Let's take a moment to breath, and then we'll have a vigil for the fallen and go back to work."

"Snowpelt." The white-silver flecked she-cat turns and looks at the concerned Beechclaw.

"Why are you here?" She asks him. Beechclaw looks hurt, momentarily.

"I saw the lake overflowing, and the stream went down the gorge. I couldn't just sit by and watch - your Clanmates die."

Snowpelt hears Beechclaw's hiccup. Thistlefang shouldered Beechclaw aside before she could confront the RiverClan warrior.

"Thanks a lot, but we can handle things from here."

Thistlefang presses his well muscled frame against Snowpelt, and glares at Beechclaw with his dark golden eyes.

Snowpelt is finally aware of the resentment between the two toms, and some of her Clanmates were watching them if not distracted by the tragedy.

"Beechclaw."

Snowpelt breaths out in relief when Nightsong pads to the RiverClan warrior.

"I think you should go before your Clan misses you."

"But-."

"It's not up for debate." Nightsong said sternly.

Beechclaw opens his mouth and hears Thistlefang growl. He closes his mouth and nods, turning around and padding out of the camp without anyone noticing.

That was uncomfortable. Snowpelt sighs. She sees Thistlefang give her a challenging stare and pads away from her, leaving an empty feeling in Snowpelt.

~ Beechclaw ~

Beechclaw pads through the dawn light as the clouds move away, and manages to grab a trout before he goes to RiverClan. Bearskip waits at the entrance and sees his brother.

"Nice trout." Bearskip said. "Did you catch it while you were seeing Snowpaw?"

Beechclaw pauses and drops his trout. "Snow-pelt." He corrected him.

"Big whoop. All I hear is 'Forbidden crush' screaming in my ears."

"It's not a crush!"

Bearskip gives Beechclaw a disbelieving look.

"Don't even say it's love!"

Bearskip suddenly looks over his shoulder to make sure no one is listening.

"But I do-."

"Don't finish that sentence!" Bearskip hisses quietly. "Beechclaw - our apprentice days are over! You are about to step into a dangerous game, a game filled with lies, betrayal and heartbreak. Silversnow, Darkwater and Snowpelt's kin will suffer from your choices. And don't even get me started on kits! Look at Snowpelt's uncle! Remember Lightstripe and Graysky? The queens told us all about it and we know how it ended!"

"Beechclaw. If you truly care about Snowpelt, let her go and never speak of it to her."

The black and brown eared tom stares at Bearskip in stone faced, sorrow.

How can I? There's not another she-cat like Snowpelt.

Beechclaw is hurting. He gives a weary sigh. "Okay… I promise."

~ Loki ~

Now he knew what Fenris meant. Loki caught Lira and Flick from the Xi trying to take away his hard earned rabbit and eat it.

"Wolves need to eat more. It wouldn't hurt for a dog to share something." Flick sneers.

Unlike Fenris, Loki clobbered Flick and Lira before Sow the Mu broke it up. Loki notices the sneers and glares. Alpha is even being more and more aloof to the rising abuse.

The wolf pack is infuriated that a half-dog like Loki is standing up for himself. Not a day went by that Loki didn't feel the urge to rip off a sneering wolf's head.

He knew any ounce of violence could get him demoted quickly to Omega, and Loki was not about to let that happen. He needed to talk to the Omicron, Thicket.

"Hey, Pi."

Willow, Flower and Ice look up from the drinking pond to see Loki. Neither she-wolf hid their distaste for him.

"Yes?" Flower asks snidely.

"I want to speak with Thicket."

"The Omicron isn't available." Ice said. Loki sees a burly, sand brown wolf stepping out of the grass den six feet away.

"Funny. That fat wolf over there looks a lot like Thicket to me." Loki said.

"I can hear you, you know!" Thicket calls from his spot. "Come over here and say it to my face!"

Loki gives the three Pi's a smug grin. "She-wolves ~."

Loki settles inside of the grass covered den as Thicket rests on his side, sitting up.

"Well, well, well." Thicket hums. "If it isn't Loki. I never thought I'd see the day that you would march into my practice."

"Don't get used to it."

Thicket flicks his tail. "What brings you here?"

Loki growls. "I'm just looking for a place to be in peace."

"I'm guessing you're just noticing how sour the wolf pack can be to outsiders."

"Yeah." Loki grunts. "They chased out Fenris, and I couldn't stop them…"

"Or you wouldn't." Thicket quipped. "Tell me, what did you hope to accomplish when you decided to cut ties with your brother?"

"I was going to work up ranks and challenge the beta and the alpha."

"And was it worth watching Fenris get abused day after day, until he left the pack?"

"... No. But I'm still going to try."

Thicket asks, "Why do you still want to become Alpha?"

"Because Crystal is a wolf that needs to be stopped." Loki growls. "I'm going to make this pack into a place where Fenris can return to without fear of being hurt."

"Suppose Fenris doesn't want to return?"

Loki pauses, and Thicket continues to talk. "We both know that Fenris was unhappy with being oppressed and abused, we knew he was going to leave eventually. If Fenris decides not to return after you take control of the pack, what will be your next move?"

Loki feels stumped. He never truly thought about it that way. Thicket can see it on his face.

"Until you decide what to do, I suggest you keep your head down and think about your plan thoroughly before challenging any higher ranks."