CHAPTER 9
Stonepaw sat in camp clearing watching the clan around him, Brightstar was grooming Clearheart beside her den. Hollywillow and Waterfern where play fighting in the middle of camp just a bit aways from the fresh-kill pile. Frigidsnow shared prey with Blueflame and Mistystream, Stonepaw smiled watching his clan he was excused after the storm last week. As Leaf-bare had finally set in the trees outside of camp were bare, snow fluttered down from the sky a light snowfall. Stonepaw's fur had begun to thicken for the long Leaf-bare to come, Stonepaw's crippled leg was in extreme pain from the cold; it felt like his bones in the leg were on fire. Stonepaw licked the crippled leg trying to soothe the pain, when that didn't work Stonepaw stood up padding towards the medicine den. "Maybe Leafpaw will have something to help ease the pain." thought Stonepaw was a flicker of hope making him a bit less cold, Stonepaw pushed his way into the medicine den seeing Swanhollow beside a sleeping Berrystream who had fallen out of a tree luckily the pale cream she-cat had only sprained a forepaw. Stonepaw glanced around for his brother; Leafpaw was sitting beside a pile of leaves that Stonepaw didn't know muttering in frustration. "Leafpaw, your brother is here." meowed Swanhollow her bright amber eyes shining with humor; Leafpaw's head snapped around and Stonepaw noticed a hint of fear in his eyes until Leafpaw saw Stonepaw wasn't hurt, then Leafpaw relaxed. Leafpaw tipped his head to the side curiosity sparkling in his dark sage green eyes "what is it that you need?" curiosity hinted in the question. Stonepaw rolled his eyes at his brother's question, "I need something for the pain in my hindleg." explained Stonepaw; Leafpaw nodded muttering under his breath the name of a herb that could help before slipping into the herb stores. Swanhollow chuckled, "your brother really cares for you." commented Swanhollow with a knowing look that had a hint of softness to it. Stonepaw smiled fondly remembering his time in the nursery alongside Leafpaw; Leafpaw had been the runt of the litter being just a bit smaller than Stonepaw. Because of that the other three siblings Amber, Tide and Blue would always leave the two of them out so as to not hurt them; so Leafpaw and Stonepaw would always hang out by themselves. Stonepaw's smile grew as he fondly looked by on his nursery days, "your brother barely rested when you had been attacked by the monster…. He thought if he slept you would die." Swanhollow's voice held sadness and slight worry for her nephew. Stonepaw gasped at Swanhollow's words feeling guilty for his brother's worry, Stonepaw looked down at his paws; "I didn't mean to make you worry." meowed Stonepaw his eyes blurring slightly he held his head up as Leafpaw slid out of the medicine supply store. Leafpaw carried in one paw as he walked with an odd strout making Stonepaw wonder if that's what he looked like we he walked, Leafpaw stood in front of Stonepaw; Leafpaw lifted his paw up to Stonepaw's mouth revealing a small seed on Leafpaw's paw pad. Stonepaw licked the seed into his mouth, swallowing it, Stonepaw's foreleg no longer throbbed, Stonepaw purred, nuzzling his brother's cheek in thanks. Leafpaw purred back at his brother's nuzzle; "thanks Leafpaw." Stonepaw was grateful to his brother for his help. Leafpaw playfully rolled his eyes, "I am only doing my job." Leafpaw shrugged at his response before Swanhollow hissed; "you enjoy healing! Don't pretend you aren't thankful to be thanked." growled Swanhollow taking a playful swipe at her apprentice with her claws sheathed. Leafpaw dodged his mentor's playful swipe with a nervous chuckle rubbing the back of his neck with a paw, "I guess you're right." meowed Leafpaw, Stonepaw giggled. Swanhollow snorted "of course I am right." Swanhollow puffed out her chest as she replied; Leafpaw playfully swiped at his mentor Swanhollow ducked then pounced on her apprentice. Leafpaw hit the den floor with a huff Stonepaw pounced playfully on the silver she-cat, trying to help his brother; Swanhollow gave a slight playful growl at Stonepaw's attempt to aid his brother. Stonepaw went to Swanhollow's tail gently nipping the tip; Swanhollow gasped, turning around to face Stonepaw, her amber eyes sparkling with real anger. Stonepaw took a nervous step back at Swanhollow's expression giving a nervous chuckle, giving a nervous smile. "Ummm Sorry?" meowed Stonepaw trying to offer a nervous apology to the silver she-cat a moment later Stonepaw was outside of the medicine den after Swanhollow had shoved him out. Stonepaw sighed softly then chuckled, happy his brother was getting along with his mentor; Stonepaw limped over to his brother Amberpelt who had just returned to camp after border patrolling. Flametail padded into camp as well, the Blossomclan's deputy quickly heading to speak with Brightstar, Stonepaw frowned noticing the dark expression on the deputy's face. Stonepaw turned to Amberpelt who also looked worried, "what happened?" demanded Stonepaw wanting to know what's going on. Amberpelt turned his gaze to Stonepaw who came to walk beside him; Amberpelt shook his head shrugging, "me and Flametail caught the scent of loners on the borders." explained Amberpelt his russet tabby tail swishing. Stonepaw's eyes widened at Amberpelt's explanation, curious as to why the loners would be on their land. Stonepaw quickly followed beside his brother wanting to know what their mother planned to do, Brightstar's expression was serious as Flametail reported what they had found. Stonepaw stopped beside Amberpelt and Flametail, the deputy glanced at Stonepaw with concern. "We should send out more patrols as soon as possible, Brightstar!" meowed Flametail, his ears pinned back to show his clear concern. Brightstar nodded at her deputy's words "I plan too Flametail however we should be cautious." Brightstar sounded thoughtful as she spoke, Flametail sighed calming down slightly. Flametail dipped his head "very well, Brightstar." replied Flametail Brightstar smiled at her deputy's words before turning to address her sons. "You two should go get something to eat." meowed Brightstar; Amberpelt smirked at his mother's caring words before dragging Stonepaw away towards the prey pile. Stonepaw followed his brother glancing behind him as the wind below around his ears sounded like whispers; "hopefully the loners leave without issue." thought Stonepaw.