Squirrelflight stared at him.
"You look like a drowned raccoon," she said. Brambleheart's ears went back.
"I'm enjoying myself, thank you very much." He leaned back, his shoulder resting against the clay floor as he allowed the water to wash over his back and side.
"Gross." She turned to Stormfur. He was further in, standing with Tinywing. The waves came up to their shoulders. "Please don't compare my mate to that."
"Then tell him not to," she replied. "He's gonna make the Twolegs want to come over and check us out."
"It's nearing sunset," Tinywing pointed out. "The monsters are going back to shore. Not that there's many, anyway." Squirrelflight shrugged, turning back to the large tabby.
He had turned away, resting his head down so his nose stayed out of the water as the tide rolled in. His eyes were closed. She carefully rose to her paws, glancing at Stormfur and Tinywing. The other warriors said nothing as Squirrelflight stepped cautiously around Brambleheart.
She threw her full weight on his head and shoulders, keeping him down as he began to struggle.
"Squirrelflight!" She looked up at Sandstorm's call. Her mother was on the shore, on some sunning rocks not far off. It was the first hot day since Leafbare broke and most of the Clan was down by the lake. Firestar's tail was visible beyond her as he slept between his mate and Graystripe. A few other warriors with them. "Don't drown him, you'll upset Firestar." The she-cat's whiskers twitched as she jumped back. The tabby rose, gasping for air.
"Thanks for not killing him," Stormfur was chuckling as he padded over. "I'm kinda fond of him." The she-cat blinked at him.
"Anything for you, Stormfur."
"You weasel!" A snarl sounded and Squirrelflight stumbled as she tried to get away. Brambleheart lunged after. Paws went around her and they barreled through the shallows.
As they slowed, Squirrelflight forced herself free of the older warrior's grip. She rose, shaking the water and silt from her pelt. Brambleheart let out a snarl of pain and Squirrelflight looked back at him, alarmed. She waved her tail, getting his attention.
"You all right?"
"Yeah," He grunted. "Landed on my shoulder wrong." The tom rolled over before heaving himself to his paws and shaking his pelt. Enough time had passed where the break had healed but it was not the same as it had been. A limp had entered the warrior's gate. Leafdawn had said it would likely always be there.
Determined amber eyes looked up at Squirrelflight, his tail trending the water. Her tail rose and she sprang through the shallows, moving to get away from the approaching tomcat.
It was dark when they had started back. The moon could be seen just over the hills of the moors, a chilled win came with it causing Squirrelflight to puff out her sodden pelt. It illuminated the way, nearly full.
"Who do you think Firestar's going to choose for tomorrow?" Tinywing asked.
"We both went last time," Rockfall replied. "Probably not us." He turned to Squirrelflight, "You didn't, right?" She shook her head.
"I hope I get to go," Squirrelflight replied. Both she-cats were soaked, Rockfall was not. It had been a few moons since she had last gone, she missed going to them. "See what's happening in ThunderClan this time." Tinywing laughed.
"Duststar always has something to complain about," The white she-cat's tail lashed. "Whether it be with us or with ShadowClan." The tom mewed his agreement.
"It's always got to be someone else's problem," Rockfall remarked. "Not just ThunderClan." Laughter rose. The littermates kept chatting but Squirrelflight did not engage.
She knew that there was tension in ThunderClan. It made sense that there was. After the breaking up of TigerClan, they were the only Clan that had ended up with a sizable descendance from multiple of the Clans of before and Tigerstar had done a good job in making sure his warriors detested warriors of different blood.
Despite the seasons that had passed, there was tension between all the Clans still. Both ThunderClan and RiverClan perceived any patrol at the border as trespassers. It had certainly led to a few skirmishes.
But things were new and it was Greenleaf again. Leafbare had been harsh, harsher than it had been back at the gorge or the old territories, from what Squirrelflight had heard from the older warriors. Things were bound to get better.
"Hey, Squirrelflight." She looked to Rockfall. Bright yellow eyes were looking at her pelt. They were back in camp now. Warriors were getting ready to head to their nests. "Do you want some help? I'm already dry." Squirrelflight blinked.
"I can do it myself," She meowed. "Thanks, Rockfall." His tail lowered.
"Yeah. Of course." She watched the older tom step away, heading toward the warrior's den. When he disappeared, Tinywing pushed into Squirrelflight's side.
"You're killing him!" The white warrior hissed, sticking her muzzle toward the other cat's face. Squirrelflight shot her friend a look.
"I'm not doing anything to him."
"Yeah," Tinywing agreed. "No rejection and no interest. Just – reject him if you're not interested! He can cope with that." Squirrelflight's ears went back.
"Oh, like you're one to talk." Tinywing shot her a look.
"I got Thistlefoot to stop showing interest in me, easy." She meowed, "Just told him I wasn't into toms – which, you can say, too if you aren't. Rockfall will get it."
"I am, actually," Squirrelflight replied. Blue eyes lit up with surprise.
"Are you?" The other warrior asked. "I've never seen you show interest in anyone in the Clan." Squirrelflight rolled her eyes, rolling a shoulder into the other cat.
"You don't need to have a mate." Tinywing shrugged and Squirrelflight added, "How are things going with you and Mintberry?"
"They're going well, actually," Tinywing thumped her tail against the other warrior's side as she looked toward the mentioned she-cat. "Because I know how to get what I want – and you typically do, too." Squirrelflight swatted at her. Tinywing's eyes lit up as she turned, returning the blow. Squirrelflight dodged, taking a few steps back.
"Go," She tilted her head toward Mintberry. "I think she's waiting for you." The older warrior eyed her.
"What's going on with you, Squirrelflight?"
"Nothing!" the she-cat hummed and Squirrelflight moved further back. She paused briefly, eyes narrowing before charging at her. Tinywing moved away, stumbling as she almost ran into Rainfur. The tom shot the young warriors a look.
"Settle down you two," He meowed. "Cats are trying to get to sleep."
"Sorry. Of course." Tinywing lowered her head, shooting Squirrelflight a look over her shoulder. Humor lit up her gaze. Squirrelflight had to hold in a chuckle as the white warrior padded off.
Squirrelflight turned to Feathertail, surprised.
"He's already up to that point?" She asked. The silver tabby nodded.
"Yeah, he's completed more than half of his training." Feathertail meowed, "So are you in?"
"Of course," Squirrelflight replied. "When tomorrow are we going to take Mousepaw out?" It was at the point where the apprentice would need to learn about sparring against two warriors. Squirrelflight was surprised, the apprenticeships after her own seemed to pass by so quickly.
"We're all going to the Gathering," Feathertail said as she cleaned one foreleg. "We can do it later – how about sunhigh?"
"That sounds good." Feathertail nodded, mewing her thanks as she leaned onto her side, lapping at her shoulder. Her pelt had grown back on her haunch and tail, making her wounds almost unseeable. She had continued in her retraining as well. A lot had changed since Tigerstar's death and now she, Stormfur, and Brambleheart all had their first apprentices.
"Feathertail, Squirrelflight!" Both warriors looked up at Petalnose's voice. The pale gray warrior padded over. "Do you two want to come on my hunting patrol?" She added to Feathertail, "I've got your brother and Hazelpaw on it. Get some extra training in for them."
"Sounds good," Feathertail said as Squirrelflight rose to her paws, stretching her back. Feathertail called out to her apprentice and Squirrelflight followed Petalnose back to where Stormfur and Hazelpaw were waiting.
They set out quickly, heading toward the farm. Where they stopped, sheep could be seen grazing on the next hillside. They looked like mounds of snow against the newly grown grass. Petalnose turned to the patrol.
"Why don't Feathertail, Mousepaw, and I head toward the warren?" She suggested, waving her tail toward a down. She turned to Squirrelflight and Stormfur, "You guys can check out near the wall?" Meows of agreement rose and they split off.
"We could try for chipmunks and mice," Stormfur suggested as they started over. He glanced at the way the rest of the patrol had gone. "They're definitely going for rabbits and we haven't worked much on this yet, Hazelpaw. Now, like marmots and rabbits, chipmunks live in holes in the ground…" As Stormfur continued his explanation, Hazelpaw listened inventively. Squirrelflight trotted ahead, eying the rocky wall as she tried to catch the scent of something.
Hunting in these walls was not their main way of finding prey, but it was surprising just how many prey creatures could be hidden in them. Doing this reminded Squirrelflight of their time back at the colony. Stormfur had certainly gotten good at this technique.
The she-cat froze as a scent hit her nose. She crept carefully toward the wall, waving her tail to get her Clanmate's attention. As they moved into position, Squirrelflight sprang at the rocky wall. She scrambled to the top as the prey creature rushed out the other end, falling to Hazelpaw's claws.
"Good catch, Hazelpaw!"
"Thanks!" The apprentice's eyes brightened as Stormfur meowed his own praise. She buried the mouse before they continued.
"You saw how Squirrelflight did that, right? Try and scare the next one toward her as she did to you."
"Yes, Stormfur." The young she-cat started determinedly ahead, her tail waving from side to side. Squirrelflight gave her friend an amused look. He glanced back at her, chuckling before she jumped back off the wall and continued on their hunt.
"You're going to the Gathering, right?" Stormfur asked after a few more goes. Squirrelflight glanced up, setting the chipmunk she had just caught down. He was perched on the stone wall now, paws tucked under his chest as he watched after his apprentice. Hazelpaw had gone running off down along it after a vole.
"If Firestar didn't lie." The older warrior nodded.
"Brambleheart and I would like to talk to you before," he began. Squirrelflight's ears pricked, surprised. She tilted her head.
"What is it?" She eyed Stormfur's belly, "one of you isn't pregnant, is he?" Stormfur laughed, shaking his head.
"You're breaking up?"
"Nope – it's nothing bad," he said. "Just, can we share a meal together later?" After a moment of thought, Squirrelflight nodded.
"Sure."
Both turned as Hazelpaw came rushing back from where she had disappeared. Her gray and white tail bristled as she exclaimed, "Somethings going on down at the border – the border patrol, they've gotten into a fight!" The warriors exchanged glances.
"Hazelpaw, go find Petalnose and the others," Stormfur ordered, springing off the rock wall. As the apprentice headed off, the warriors started toward the border patrol.
Screeches of battle could be heard as they got closer. Squirrelflight sped up as Stormfur let out a growl. The tom changed toward Mintberry and the warrior she was brawling with as Squirrelflight sprang onto the back of a she-cat whom Brightheart was grappling with. The gray warrior looked back; her teeth bared as she tried to bite at Squirrelflight's neck.
Squirrelflight jerked away, snapping at the enemy warrior's shoulder as she dug her claws deeper. She heard Brightheart let out a snarl and felt as her Clanmate kicked at the enemy's belly.
The RiverClan cat jerked, letting out a yowl as Squirrelflight jumped off of her. Brightheart twisted onto her belly and sprang to her paws before charging at the other cat as she sped back across the border.
"Thanks." Brightheart was panting as she turned to Squirrelflight. The younger warrior nodded.
"Of course." Both turned at yowls from the RiverClan side of the border. Squirrelflight's fur rose as fresh enemies came rushing down. Her claws extended. How had this fight even started? The rest of Petalnose's patrol had yet to arrive! Tornear was the leader of this border patrol. He let out a yowl.
"Push them over the border!" WindClan warriors jumped back at his order, breaking up fights as they tried to force their enemies back. Squirrelflight let out a hiss as she approached a tabby. Bounceheart growled next to her.
"There's more of them!" Squirrelflight turned, following a RiverClan cat's cry.
Petalnose's patrol was here as well as Firestar and a few warriors from camp! Brightheart's apprentice, Goosepaw, was with them. Tornear must have sent her to get help, Squirrelflight realized. One of the RiverClan apprentices began to back up when Firestar's voice rang.
"Stop – Mistyfoot!" The WindClan leader came charging through and Squirrelflight realized she could see their former Clanmate. Firestar stumbled to a stop in front of her, panting. "We are not going to war over a mouse in Greenleaf."
Squirrelflight's head spun with shock. That was what they were fighting over? The fight had stopped. Firestar lowered his head to the RiverClan deputy. "I apologize that our apprentice crossed the border."
Surprise lit up Mistyfoot's blue eyes. She asked, "Did they catch it?"
"He did," a RiverClan warrior named Troutclaw replied.
"Then we will return it." Meows rose at Firestar's proclamation. Tornear's ears went back.
"Firestar, Frostpaw did not intend –" The look Firestar gave his deputy silenced him.
"One mouse is not worth this much bloodshed," His voice was low. "Bring it forward." Squirrelflight turned as Frostpaw appeared, the prey in his jaws. He set the kill in front of Mistyfoot. "Apologize."
"I'm sorry," The little tom mewed at Firestar's order. "I did not mean to chase it over the border." Mistyfoot lowered her head, taking the mouse in her jaws.
"I expect no repeats." Frostpaw shrunk back at the deputy's words, mumbling an agreement. Squirrelflight knew this tone well. While it was harsh, Mistyfoot was not being too serious. But, Frostpaw did not know her like his older Clanmates. The WindClan warriors were beginning to relax. The RiverClan cats still eyed them, cautiously. "Thank you, Firestar." The enemy warrior lowered her head to their leader.
Firestar blinked at his friend. "This is not the time for bloodshed," he said. "Scars are still healing." Mistyfoot mewed her agreement.
Warriors spoke quietly to each other as they started back to camp. Squirrelflight's ears were pricked, moving to the front where Tornear and Firestar were talking. "It was a mistake," Tornear meowed to their leader. "The mouse was on WindClan territory at first – he only went a few paces over."
"That does not matter," Firestar's tail swished. "If I had not stopped it then, they were going to get Leopardstar. There were already too many warriors involved in that skirmish. It would have been a war over a mouse." Tornear lowered his head.
"I understand that Firestar, however, they were the ones that attacked first."
"They're still nervous, all the Clans are. We need to show humility."
"Humility loses us prey."
"Interrupting the hunting patrol so they can help in a skirmish loses us prey," Firestar corrected. "It is Greenleaf." Tornear's ears went back, he looked like he was going to speak further but Squirrelflight interrupted.
"Firestar's right." Leader and deputy turned at her voice. Squirrelflight stepped up to her father's side, her gaze on the deputy. "We're the most stable Clan right now. If we behave irrationally, how can we expect the others not to?"
Tornear did not look pleased at the warrior's interruption but Firestar was nodding. "She's right," he said before glancing back to the border. "Which patrol were you on?"
"Petalnose's." Firestar's brow furrowed before he shrugged.
"Are you hurt?" Squirrelflight shook her head. She had only lost a few clumps of fur.
"Gather up a few uninjured warriors and finish marking the border," He ordered. "Do not engage with RiverClan." Squirrelflight nodded.
"Yes, Firestar." She turned quickly, beginning to call out to a few cats. It seemed like every day there was a new issue to be dealt with. Leopardstar would certainly be mentioning this tonight.
There had to be something they could do to bring peace between the Clans.
Things had to get better.