Chapter 47: Breaking Point
As the cold dug in, white began muffling the distinct browns the leaves once fallen and now decaying displayed. In fact, everything was more muffled. Birdsong was sparse to nonexistent. The quiet rustling of leaves was gone leaving near silence. Occasionally a branch would creak under the snow's weight or the push from the wind that once clattered the leaves like chimes. If one listened closely and searched it out, there was more. The scuffling of small critters still murmured in the air. What could be the silence of the dead was an illusion. Beneath the snow and eerie sounds of wind was still life. Mice, voles, and other land critters still scrounged about for food beneath the sea of white.
I'd just gotten back from hunting with Ravenfeather. My black and white pelt proved useful as I could blend within the rocks of Sunning Rocks with ease. I bore a vole and two mice while Ravenfeather carried a squirrel and a mouse, an overall successful hunt for the season. I set to lounging about, working myself up to continue hunting later. I was one of the better hunters given my fur pattern. My fur kept me just above cold, chilly enough to be unpleasant but warm enough to be ignored.
I looked around to see Fireheart was out. It took me a moment to remember why. Ever since Fireheart saved Sandpaw at the gorge, her attention towards him changed from disgust to a baited interest. She wanted to know about him, who he was. The discrimination once blinding her was gone. Instead, something else seemed to be making its appearance. Sandpaw, the stubborn cat that she was, managed to convince Fireheart to go out on a hunting patrol together. This was the time she was taking to get to know him.
As I started to settle in, I heard scampering from the entrance. Sandpaw and Fireheart came rushing through. Sandpaw's excitement was visibly displayed as she drew Bluestar's attention.
"The river has frozen over! We can walk right in to Riverclan." She reported in eagerness, likely believing this could be a chance to earn her warrior name.
Graystripe, I didn't even know he was here, tossed in his opinion. "It's too warm. It'll probably thaw soon."
I caught Graystripe's deflection. He didn't want to attack Riverclan. It was obvious in his tone and flicking eyes. Something was bothering him. The ways his eyes locked on Fireheart for a moment as if pleading for him to make an excuse before turning more angered as if slighted for not acting said a lot. Graystripe was into something dangerous, and Fireheart knew what it was. It was likely something relating back to the distancing Graystripe was doing to Fireheart.
"You're right." Bluestar mewed, almost drawing out a relieved sigh from Graystripe before continuing. "We can't afford to wait. We'll attack now. Smudgefoot, Darkstripe, Lionheart, and Tigerclaw, you'll be preforming the raid."
I shook out the cold that had started to set into my muscles before moving near the camp entrance. Fireheart seemed conflicted about something before he blurted out a request.
"Can I come?"
Bluestar looked on, amused, before nodding. I did not miss the look of hatred Graystripe flung Fireheart's way. It made my fur rise. That was not the kind of look one gives a friend. It was the kind a bum maddened of the substances in their blood gave before shanking you. I did not want Graystripe anywhere near Fireheart.
We reached the border relatively quickly. The tree line obscured the river for a moment before revealing our target, but there was a problem. The river that was reported now was moving again. Large chunks of ice bobbed in the frigid water. We'd been too late. The thaw and lower current had shattered the frozen surface. The raid was a bust. We returned somewhat dejected. My claws itched from the denied adrenaline.
We all started to split off in camp to do our own things, but I spotted Graystripe skulking near the warriors den. He still had that look in his eye. I stuck close to Fireheart, who had started to wander toward the warmth of the warriors den. I saw Graystripe's eyes fill with that devious desire to spill blood. I came sprinting into action. I was a little slow. Graystripe had already plowed into Fireheart, hissing and scratching. Fireheart, seeing the threat, responded in kind. Graystripe didn't see me coming. I tackled him off of Fireheart.
My combo training came into play as I replayed one meant to ambush and pin a cat. I soon had Graystripe under me as my combo had planned. My front paws pressed firmly into his shoulders as I tried to arrest the aggressive tom, but he was filled with a wild fury. He writhed under my weight, uncaring of who he was fighting as his hind paws scratched at my legs and belly. His face swung around trying to bite at my paws that held him pinned. I had no other option. I lunged, letting him feel my teeth at his neck. He grew eerily still, seeming to realize the precariousness of his situation. I slowly loosened my grip, keeping him in a pin but no longer threatening his life. I stared him down with a disappointed hatred. He'd once been one of Fireheart's best friends but now he acted no better than a druggie on withdrawals.
"Listen to me closely Graystripe. This was a warning. What you just tried to do could have cost you your life. I spared you only as a repayment for the kindness you once gave Fireheart. Try that again, and you might find out what I can do." I growled in a cold venom.
"What's going on?" Bluestar commanded, seeing me pinning Graystripe to the ground.
"Graystripe attacked me out of nowhere. I think he was mad that I wanted in on the raid. It wasn't Smudge's fault. He was just protecting me." Fireheart hastily reported.
Bluestar tilted her head in thought as she planned what punishment Graystripe garnered from such an attack. "Graystripe, you'll be on apprentice duties until further notice. We don't attack clanmates no matter how much they anger us. A warrior is supposed to remain calm and control their emotions. Until you can demonstrate this control, you will not be treated as one."
Graystripe slunk away with his head and tail lowered, thoroughly chastised. Bluestar then turned to me and Fireheart. "Are you two alright? A clanmate attacking is a disorientating and dangerous experience. If I saw it right, that attack could have easily turned deadly. Thankfully, you two managed to pin him down. Get those scratches checked. When cats are like that, they can cut like a rogue."
Fireheart rose with only a few superficial facial scratches, but Graystripe had kicked me pretty good. I knew my belly had a few long scratches, and his attack hadn't had any honor in avoiding the criticals.
"I need a moment. He got me in the tomhood with one of his kicks." I mewed, garnering a wince.
Thankfully, his furious attempt to escape hadn't been too damaging. There was one scratch Yellowfang wanted to check on in the morning. I'd have some bruising, but overall I was fine. Despite the raid having been canceled, I guess I still got a battle out of the day.