Chapter23: Beetlepaw

Beetlepaw yawned and stretched. It had been another night since Nightpaw was gone. Beetlepaw sighed and went into the center of camp. Grasspelt was waiting for him.

"We are going to patrol the WindClan border with Petalfur and Robinwing." Grasspelt informed him.

Beetlepaw nodded and the two walked over to where the rest of the patrol was waiting.

"Mistystar sent us with a message for if we see a WindClan patrol." Robinwing stated ass the patrol left for the border.

They were soon facing the moorland, the distinct scent of WindClan rolling off the hills. The patrol was quick to mark the border, but halfway through, they met a WindClan patrol. The patrol consisted of Leaftail, Eaglepaw, Swallowtail, Sunstrike, and Gorsetail.

Robinwing dipped his head in greeting. He opened his mouth to tell them Mistystar's message, when Gorsetail interrupted him.

"Yea, we know. One of you has been captured and you need the rogues that we've captured to save them. We won't just give Hawk over. We want something in return." Gorsetail stated.

Robinwing snarled at him. "What do you mean "want something in return"?"

Gorsetail seemed to think for a minute. "We aren't sure, but Onestar will tell you at the next gathering."

"The next gathering?" Petalfur cut in. "We need Hawk by then!"

Gorsetail shrugged. "That's not WindClan's problem." The patrol turned to leave.

Beetlepaw was standing there, shocked, the entire time. "I don't think so." Robinwing stepped forward.

"Oh really?" Gorsetail turned back to the RiverClan patrol.

"Yea, if you won't hand Hawk over, then we'll have to take him." Robinwing growled, taking another step forward.

Gorsetail flicked his tail, signaling his patrol. The two patrol launched into battle. Beetlepaw found himself up against Sunstrike and Eaglepaw. Beetlepaw tried using the battle moves that he'd been taught, but the two were just too fast. When he would face off against one of the WindClan cats, the other would just trip him. Eventually, Robinwing yowled to the patrol.

"RiverClan, retreat!" Beetlepaw slipped free of Sunstrike and ran into the reeds with the rest of his patrol.

Before long the patrol was back at camp. Cats stopped what they were doing and surround them.

"What happened?"

"Who did this?"

"Was it the rogues again?"

"Enough!" Willowshine pushed through the crowd. "Can't you see they're hurt?" She began ushering the patrol to the medicine cat den.

Robinwing shook his head. "I must report to Mistystar."

Beetlepaw followed Willowshine into her den where she treated his scratches.

"Luckily, none of you has any major wounds. You all should be able to continue your normal activities tomorrow." Willowshine informed them.

Beetlepaw left the den to see the Clan gathered around for a Clan meeting.

"… We need that rogue. Tomorrow night we shall take him!" Mistystar's words brought cheering from the Clan.

Beetlepaw walked over to Icewing. "What was that about?"

The white she-cat's eyes were shining. "We are going to attack WindClan and take Hawk!"

Beetlepaw's eyes widened. He wanted to save his brother, but he didn't want to attack WindClan.

"Isn't it great?" Icewing asked.

"Um… well…" Beetlepaw stuttered. What could he say? That he didn't want to save his brother? "I want to help Nightpaw."

Icewing nodded and walked off to go on a patrol of something.

Beetlepaw sighed and grabbed a carp. It was so lonely without Nightpaw.

Foxpaw came over with a smaller fish. "Mind if I join you?" He asked.

Beetlepaw flicked his ear. He didn't care; Foxpaw had been avoiding the brothers for a while, ever since Fernpaw had been attacked. Fernpaw was almost done healing, she should be back to her apprentice duties by the next gathering.

"I'm sorry about your brother," Foxpaw mewed. He sighed. "I'm sorry about how I've treated you. I just… Fernpaw reminded me of my sister."

Beetlepaw perked up his ears slightly. He'd never heard Foxpaw say things like this. Foxpaw had a sister, but when they were kits, Flowerkit developed a severe case of greencough. She did not survive. Foxpaw and Flowerkit were very close; it had devastated the young tom when he lost his sister.

Foxpaw finished his fish and left Beetlepaw to his thoughts. Beetlepaw sighed after seeing Foxpaw leave camp with Rushheart. The black apprentice got up and when to the apprentices' den to get some sleep.

Beetlepaw twisted and turned all day and throughout the night. He had dreams of cats screeching and tearing at each other. Beetlepaw felt this had something to do with the coming battle. Suddenly, Beetlepaw appeared in a pile of rocks in the middle of a rushing river. This is ancient Sunning Rocks! He though.

"You are correct, young one." Mudfur jumped up beside him. "When the river changed, ThunderClan and RiverClan fought over these rocks for many seasons."

Beetlepaw nodded. He knew a great much about these rocks from when the territory was called "The New Hunting Grounds" instead of "The Old Forest". He liked the first name better, not that the Clans would know why.

"The coming battle is not that of much bloodshed, it is also a much need one." Mudfur sighed. "It is a battle after that, I fear."

Beetlepaw nodded. "Smokey is a descendant of Clear Sky?" He asked.

Mudfur stared at him. "Your remembrance never fails to surprise me, young one."

"And Clear Sky only had one living son… Thunder." Beetlepaw looked up at Mudfur. "She's ThunderClan?"

Mudfur shook his head. "No. She would have been SkyClan." He sighed. "It is time for you to leave."

Beetlepaw looked down at his paws to find that he could see the rock beyond. "Until next time, Mudfur."

The StarClan cat nodded, and then everything faded to nothingness.

Okay, this chapter is less than 1,000 words without this author's note. D: it's only 954 words! I would have put the battle in this chapter and had an extra-long chapter, but I needed this in a different cat's POV, much like the first battle with the rogues. Until tomorrow!

Addition: Okay, I am very behind in my chapters because I was enjoying summer. I normally have at least three-four chapters more than what I've posted, but now I'm not even done with chapter 24! I'm going to work on it now, It's a big one, but I might not be able to post after that. I may, but I may not.