Russetstripe dropped a mouse on the fresh-kill pile and approached Sunfire, who was examining the fresh-kill pile with narrowed green eyes. His yellow tabby fur shone in the leaf-fall sun, and there was a worried expression on his face. What was wrong with him? Russetstripe frowned when he looked up at her.
"Are you all right, Sunfire?" Russetstripe asked him.
"Yeah, why?" Sunfire replied.
"Because you look like the world is ending." Russetstripe sat down and wrapped her tail around her paws. "What is it? Talk to me."
Sunfire sighed. "All right, I'll be honest with you. I really have no idea how I'm going to deal with Peartuft all by myself. He's Rootstar's brother, and he's incredibly outspoken and rebellious. Rootstar was able to deal with him just fine, but I've got no idea how to control him."
"Ah." Russetstripe nodded. She had barely seen Peartuft in camp, and when he was in camp, it had been to visit his sick mate, Mintsplash, and his kit, Snowkit, in the medicine den. He had spat slurs at Sedgefall and Russetstripe when he was in the hollow, and Russetstripe didn't exactly care if he was in camp or not. But from the distraught expression on Sunfire's face, she realized that Peartuft was much more troubling than she knew.
Sunfire opened his mouth to say something, but a spotted dark tabby loomed behind him, and Russetstripe angled her ears towards him. Sunfire turned on his heel and saw Houndheart, standing over him. The tom's ears were flattened and his tail lashed. Russetstripe saw Sunfire take a deep breath as he got to his paws and nodded to the tom.
"Houndheart," Sunfire said. "How can I help you?"
"Where's Winterfall?" Houndheart demanded.
"He's patrolling the WindClan border," Sunfire replied, his jaw tight. "Why?"
"How's my family?" Houndheart's blazing amber eyes bore into Sunfire's green gaze.
"You'd have to see that for yourself," Sunfire said through clenched teeth, nodding to the medicine den.
Houndheart snorted. "I don't trust Sedgefall," he hissed.
Sunfire lashed his tail back and forth, and he clearly had just lost his temper. "So, let's just send her back home and we can have your family die. How's that, Houndheart? Do you want that?"
The dark tabby's eyes widened and he dropped into a crouch – it was an attack position Russetstripe knew. Russetstripe stepped closer to Sunfire, ears flattened, and both cats leaped out of the way just as Houndheart pounced. Houndheart swung his head to glare at Sunfire.
"Too afraid to fight me?" Houndheart challenged.
"I'm not going to fight you," Sunfire growled. "You're my Clanmate. I could never lay a claw on you." He ducked his head before Houndheart could swipe his claws across his ears. Russetstripe watched, horrified. How could Sunfire let Houndheart attack him? Russetstripe wanted to lash out at Houndheart herself but was painfully aware that this wasn't her fight. She was aware of ThunderClan cats beginning to gather – although the clearing was painfully bare thanks to the cats in the medicine den, the cats on patrol, and the cats who left with Rootstar. Growls emerged from the warriors' throats, but Sunfire didn't move.
"You're not mine," Houndheart hissed at him. "I despise you."
"Really." Sunfire twitched his ear. "But I am your deputy. And I decree that Sedgefall will continue to stay here as acting medicine cat to preserve the lives of our Clanmates. Winterfall will continue his border patrol. And if you want to be useful, instead of starting aimless attacks on your Clanmates, then you can find yourself doing some hunting." The ThunderClan deputy's forest green eyes blazed as he glared at Houndheart. "Am I clear?"
"…Crystal." Houndheart's reply was a low growl in his throat.
Sweetfern leaped from the gathering cats and snarled at Houndheart, "Show some respect to your deputy!" Her hackles raised as her claws unsheathed. Houndheart stepped back, surprised by the usual gentle she-cat's fury. "That's what I thought. How about we all get back to being productive and helping each other? There are cats that are sick. Get them some prey and water." Her eyes were daggers, focused on Houndheart. Houndheart snorted and turned away from Sweetfern, the tip of his tail twitching irritably and the fur on his shoulders rising.
"Okay, maybe you were right," Russetstripe said to Sunfire as Houndheart disappeared into the thorn tunnel.
"You doubted me?" Sunfire asked as Sweetfern touched the yellow tom's shoulder with her nose. He sighed. "His daughter is sick."
"But it doesn't excuse how he's talking to you," Sweetfern said.
"You're right, it doesn't." Sunfire nodded in agreement. He turned to Russetstripe. "Hey, can you go find Winterfall? He's been gone for a while – he should have been back by now."
"Sure," Russetstripe agreed, trying to ignore how the fur on the back of her spine pricked. Winterfall and her weren't exactly friendly, but Sunfire didn't know that. Russetstripe plunged through the thorn tunnel and raced into the forest. She couldn't run like a WindClan cat in the forest – she found thorns in her paws, or she tripped on a rock, or raced into a bush. She had to carefully pick her way through the forest, and that was what she did until she saw the stream that marked the WindClan border. She spotted Winterfall's silver tabby back as the tom sat at the border, his figure cutting a sharp, lonely figure. What…?
"Hey, Winterfall!" Russetstripe called out. "What are you doing?"
Winterfall turned his head over the shoulder. "Russetstripe," he said flatly. "I'm just… sitting."
"Yeah, but why?" Russetstripe asked, walking over to sit next to him. "Sunfire's expecting you."
"Is he?" Winterfall tilted his head. "He can wait. I'm just… wondering if I should visit Willowsong when I go back to camp." His paws trembled as the words left his mouth. "When I saw her the other day, it honestly looked like she was going to die. I couldn't take it."
Oh, right. Willowsong was his mate, and she was one of the cats who had fallen ill to the deadly disease that Sedgefall had been brought to ThunderClan to treat. Russetstripe gazed at the tom, finally finding the words to talk. "Nothing's going to happen if you sit here torturing yourself. You never know when someone you love is going to die, you know. If you can't say you love someone when you know you do, they'll never be able to rest in peace once they go."
Winterfall gazed at Russetstripe and smiled. But the smile was full of so much sadness that Russetstripe had no idea what to say. Winterfall finally spoke, his voice breaking. "The... the more I think about it... the more it tears me up inside. It's wrecking me. It hurts so much... it hurts so badly, I can't take it."
"If you do not keep the things. that mean the most to you, close at hand, you will regret not doing so when they are lost to you," Russetstripe meowed solemnly. The sorrow and anxiety written all over Winterfall's face made Russetstripe wince. "Willowsong isn't dead yet, Winterfall. You can visit her. Tell her how much you love her. It's possible she may not die. Remember why Rootstar left – to get the herbs to save his Clanmates."
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Winterfall got to his paws and stretched out his limbs. "Thanks, Russetstripe. I needed that. Why don't we catch something to eat before we go to Sunfire? To explain the long wait."
"Sure." Russetstripe joined Winterfall as they searched the forest for something to hunt. After a little bit, Winterfall had killed a mouse, and Russetstripe had managed to track down a rabbit. With their prey dangling in their mouth, the two cats made their way to the stone hollow, slipping through the thorn tunnel and entering the clearing. Russetstripe took a deep breath. I'm going to keep serving ThunderClan like my own.
A quarter moon passed, and Russetstripe began to feel like she was more at home than ever. She exited the warriors' den and stretched her legs out, enjoying the cool sun on her back. As she looked around, she saw Koiwatcher, Rootstar's mate, lounging on the Highledge, her paws dangling off the edge. Russetstripe caught the eye of Emberflame, who was exiting the medicine den. The tom's face was pale, and Russetstripe wondered if Emberflame remembered that Russetstripe had been the one to rescue him alongside Blackdove and Gorseflight. If he did, he showed no indication of it. The tom padded away from Russetstripe and out of camp.
"Sleep well?" Russetstripe looked over to see Quailpool exit the warriors' den behind her, her blue eyes warm and kind.
"Between Sunfire kicking me all night and Winterfall snoring, I'd say so," Russetstripe purred.
"Good." Quailpool nodded. "The nests are a little dirty, so I'm going to go collect some moss, since our only apprentice is gone."
"Oh, let me help you with that," Russetstripe said.
"Are you sure?" Quailpool tilted her head. "I wouldn't want our guest to collect moss."
"Guest? I'm helping you out, that's why I'm here." Russetstripe started to the thorn tunnel, but out of the corner of her eye, she could spot Sunfire's yellow fur walking out of the warriors' den, coughing loudly. "Oh…"
Quailpool followed Russetstripe's gaze. "Go to him," she told him. "Figure out what's wrong. I can get the moss myself."
"You're sure?" Russetstripe asked.
"Positive." Quailpool nodded to Russetstripe and disappeared into the thorn tunnel. Sharp guilt prodded at Russetstripe's heart, but she turned on her heel and walked over to Sunfire. She gasped as a shudder shook Sunfire's body, and a ragged cough escaped his mouth. He was heading towards the medicine den, and his tail was drooping behind him, a painful expression on his pale face. Sunfire… did he fall sick…?
"Sunfire, are you all right?" Russetstripe called to the yellow tabby.
Sunfire nodded. "Just a cold. I'm going to see Sedgefall."
"All right." Russetstripe shifted her paws. "Stay healthy."
"Yeah." Sunfire disappeared into the cavern that made the medicine den. A piercing voice that Russetstripe recognized very well echoed through camp, and Russetstripe turned her heel to see Houndheart staring at Koiwatcher, who lounged on the Highledge.
"You almost look like Sunfire up there," he growled.
"Sunfire wishes he looked like me." Even though venom and knives punctuated Houndheart's voice, Koiwatcher didn't look bothered at all. Houndheart looked over his shoulder and met Russetstripe's gaze, his amber eyes narrowed as he scowled. Russetstripe snorted in irritation. She didn't even want to get along with Houndheart. He seemed like a ruthless brute. Koiwatcher's voice stunned Russetstripe. "Houndheart, do you have a problem with that WindClan cat?"
"And if I do?" Houndheart swung around to face Koiwatcher. "What will you say to me?"
Russetstripe clenched her teeth tightly. She didn't want to cause trouble by being in camp, if Houndheart was going to throw a fit over it. No cat had to get hurt because of her. She wondered if she should say anything, but Koiwatcher replied to Houndheart.
"I don't care what you think of her," the brown-and-white she-cat said. "I'm just curious, that's all. You seem bothered by her."
Houndheart opened his mouth to reply, but Emberflame's dark tabby pelt appeared in camp, and he trotted over to Houndheart, a poisonous smile on his face as he addressed the older tom. "Why, how angry we are today, hmm? Perhaps you can be a good boy, Houndheart, and explain to Koiwatcher things in a way she can possibly understand. I'm sure you can't get away with lying to her. Liars should be punished once and for all, you know."
Wha…? The venom in Emberflame's voice was prominent enough to rival Houndheart's. Is this the same cat who pleaded for mercy from my father? Hatred dripped from Emberflame's words as he addressed Houndheart, but there was still a pressed, poisonous smile on his face.
"Huh…" Houndheart stared at Emberflame. Then the tom growled. "Watch your tongue, boy. I don't enjoy seeing a WindClan cat so friendly with our deputy."
Hey! Russetstripe felt her fur bristle.
Emberflame's eyes widened in shock. "Oh? So ill-mannered. You're only here where you are now because you're a scrappy mutt with more bark than his bite, you know."
"Emberflame!" Koiwatcher snapped. "That's enough."
"Listen to your precious mother," Houndheart taunted Emberflame.
"Dung-beetle," Emberflame muttered under his breath as he stalked away.
The entire exchange had Russetstripe reeling. Was this what Emberflame turned into after Swiftstar had abducted him? A cat with a poisonous smile and venomous words who was cruel to everyone around him? Russetstripe shuddered at the realization. If only Swiftstar hadn't kidnapped him.
"Houndheart, go check on your daughter," Koiwatcher interjected, her ears flattening a bit. "And do not start anything with Sedgefall, please."
"Sedgefall should go back from where she came from," Houndheart hissed. "It's clear Mintsplash isn't getting any better."
"Sure, and then she would die alone instead," Koiwatcher retorted. "She is there to keep your daughter comfortable. We know she isn't getting better, that is why Rootstar took those cats out into the unknown. Without Sedgefall, she would already be dead and you would be mourning over loose dirt. Be grateful for what you still have."
"What would a loner even know about medicine?" Houndheart asked, turning his nose up. "You have no right to say anything! You may be the Clan leader's mate, but none of us have to listen to you! You don't belong here, and you never have." Houndheart's dark brown tabby fur was bristling with fury.
Russetstripe gasped. How could Houndheart talk to Koiwatcher like that? Koiwatcher seemed like such a kind cat – she wasn't reacting to Houndheart's jabs, staying calm and simply gazing at Houndheart.
Koiwatcher did not move, and her gaze remained focused on the tom. His words merely bounced off of her pelt. "Do you have anything else to add?" she murmured, flicking her tail tip in annoyance.
Houndheart growled, digging his claws into the ground. He flashed a burning glare at Emberflame and then Koiwatcher. It focused on Russetstripe, and Russetstripe unsheathed her claws, seconds away from hooking them into Houndheart's pelt – or throat.
"And loners know a lot about medicine - how else would we survive out there by ourselves?" Koiwatcher added. "I can tell you about a few things that could help your daughter feel better if you ever asked."
Russetstripe could feel Sunfire approaching her. She turned to see the yellow tabby staring at Houndheart with narrowed green eyes.
"Why don't you go tell Sedgefall and have her save her rather than loiter around and use our Clan's resources just to make herself feel good?" Houndheart's tail lashed back and forth.
He's insulting Sedgefall! Russetstripe unsheathed her claws, but Sunfire nudged her back, gazing at with pleading green eyes.
"Someone needs to teach him a lesson," Russetstripe growled.
Sunfire trotted over to Houndheart, ignoring Russetstripe's interjection. Houndheart swung his head to glare at the Clan deputy. Sunfire lifted his head, his voice callous and cold as he delivered them. "Watch yourself."
In seconds, Houndheart raked his thorn sharp claws down Sunfire's eyes. Sunfire gasped as he collapsed to the ground, scarlet blood trickling from his eyes. Houndheart stared at him, his jaw gaping wide, and Russetstripe raced to Sunfire's side, propping him up. Winterfall bounded over to them, sharing Sunfire's weight. Several cats raced to the scene, yowling in fury and anger. Koiwatcher leaped down from the Highledge towards the three cats. She slammed herself into Houndheart's side, and the tom stumbled on his paws.
"Who do you think you are?" Koiwatcher snarled at Houndheart. "Do you think that since Rootstar isn't here, you can do whatever you please?"
Fury towards Houndheart boiled in Russetstripe's blood as she stared at Sunfire. His complexion was pale and a cough escaped him as blood fell down his scratched eyes. Russetstripe bore his weight, hauling him over her shoulders, and looked at Winterfall as the silver tabby tom gazed at Houndheart. Finally, he ordered, "Seize him."
"What?" Houndheart yowled as Stormwing and Goldensky raced to Houndheart's side, hooking their claws into his pelt.
"You've attacked a fellow Clanmate," Winterfall snarled. "Not even that. Your Clan deputy. You will stay in the apprentices' den until Rootstar comes back, and then he will pass judgement onto you." Winterfall nodded to Stormwing and Goldensky, and they hauled the spotted tabby tom into the cave that made the apprentices' den.
"Hey!" Breezeflower raced over to Winterfall, who swung over and glared at her. "You can't do this to my dad! He did nothing wrong!"
Winterfall shoved his face into Breezeflower's, who had been watching the entire scene from the sidelines. "You think attacking your Clan deputy is doing nothing wrong?" he snarled at her. "Stay away from him! Russetstripe, help me bring Sunfire into the leader's den. Koiwatcher, please get Sedgefall."
Koiwatcher nodded and raced away, while Russetstripe and Winterfall climbed the Highledge with Sunfire on their backs. Winterfall's blue eyes were burning with rage as they entered the cave that was Rootstar's den and laid Sunfire gently on the nest of moss and feathers. Winterfall took a deep, shuddering breath as he stared at Sunfire.
"W-what… what happened…" Sunfire's words were coming out in ragged breaths. His eyes were shut, sticky with blood.
"Sunfire." Russetstripe's voice was gentle. "Can you open your eyes?"
"I… I can try." Sunfire's muscles clenched as his eyelids fluttered, but he was unable to open them fully. He shook his head so roughly that blood flew from his eyes and onto the ground. "I… can't."
"Oh, gods," Winterfall gasped. "No, Sunfire…"
Sunfire gasped with pain, and Russetstripe turned to the entrance of the den to see Sedgefall and Sweetfern bursting their way in. Sedgefall held a clump of leaves in her mouth, while Sweetfern's eyes were wide with worry, mixed with a hint of rage. She lunged to Sunfire's side and began licking his fur roughly.
"Sunfire, I just came back and heard what happened!" Sweetfern exclaimed, her voice trembling with rage. "Houndheart, that… that… that fox-heart!"
"Please, all of you." Sedgefall's voice was calm and steady compared to the frenzied voices of Winterfall and Sweetfern. "I need room."
"Right." Winterfall stepped back. Sweetfern refused to move, so Russetstripe gently grabbed her scruff and pulled her away. Sweetfern turned and sobbed into Russetstripe's chest. Russetstripe had no idea what to say to her. She exchanged a puzzled glance with Winterfall, but she rubbed her tail down Sweetfern's back, allowing the she-cat to sob. Russetstripe looked up to see Sedgefall gently dabbing a soaked moss ball on Sunfire's eyes, to clean the blood. When Sedgefall placed the blood-stained moss ball down, she started to chew the other leaves she had brought. When the leaves were chewed into a pulp, Sedgefall nodded to Russetstripe.
"Come help me open his eyes," Sedgefall said. Russetstripe nodded and walked over to her, gently opening Sunfire's eyes with her paws.
"Can you see?" Russetstripe asked.
Sunfire shook his head. Russetstripe gasped as Sedgefall dripped the liquid from the leaves into his eyes. The ThunderClan deputy clenched his jaw and hissed with pain, but Sedgefall continued to wring the leaves until all the liquid had hit Sunfire's eyes. Russetstripe let go of his eyelids, and they shut again. Sedgefall picked up another bundle of leaves.
"This is for the sickness," Sedgefall meowed.
"What?" Winterfall gasped. "He has the same sickness?"
Sedgefall nodded grimly. Sweetfern whimpered as she crouched back, and then bounded over to Sunfire's side and shoved her head into his shoulder, curling up next to him.
"Sweetfern," Sedgefall murmured. "You cannot…"
"I don't care!" Sweetfern retorted. "He's my mate, and I have to stick with him, especially if he's sick!"
Sedgefall bit her lip and looked at Winterfall. Winterfall shrugged helplessly, and Russetstripe guessed that there was no convincing Sweetfern otherwise if she had made her mind up. Sedgefall walked towards the edge of the den, where cobwebs draped the ceiling. She rose on her hind legs and pulled the cobwebs down before patching Sunfire's eyes with them.
"He needs rest, now," Sedgefall said.
"But who will lead the Clan in his absence?" Winterfall gasped. "We can't go without a leader!"
"What about you?" Russetstripe suggested.
"Me…?" Winterfall's blue eyes widened. "No, I can't."
"Yes, you can." Sunfire's voice was weak. "As of now, Winterfall, you are the temporary acting leader of ThunderClan."
"Wha…" Winterfall stared at Sunfire, his jaw dropping. "But…"
"Hey!" Russetstripe's fur bristled. "He said you're acting leader of ThunderClan. So go out there and lead the Clan!"
Winterfall flattened his ears. "Fine. But you're coming with me."
"All right." Russetstripe followed Winterfall as they exited the leader's den and climbed onto the Highledge. The ThunderClan cats were staring at the apprentices' den, where Stormwing and Goldensky were guarding it. Once they noticed Winterfall standing on the Highledge, they started to gather underneath it, looking up at the silver striped leader with wide eyes. Russetstripe stood next to him, but winced as she realized this was the last place she should be. On the Highledge, next to the temporary leader of ThunderClan? No way. She should be back at home. It is what it is, she thought, scanning the camp for any sign of Peartuft. He wasn't here. Where is he?
Winterfall loomed over the Clan cats. "Listen up!" he yowled, his authoritative voice bouncing off the walls of the stone hollow. "I understand something bad just happened. However, we must wait for Rootstar to come before anything happens! For now, just return to your Clan duties as usual. We will have guards on Houndheart until Rootstar returns." Then the tom sighed. "I am your acting leader now, as Sunfire's injuries are preventing him from carrying out his duties," he said, clearly choosing his words carefully. "But he will be fine. Continue your duties for now. Guards will be changed twice a day." When the cats nodded, Winterfall said, "This meeting is over." With that, he leaped off the Highledge and landed on the grass. Russetstripe followed him, feeling anxiety pound in her heart.
Just as the meeting was concluded, Russetstripe caught a glimpse of Peartuft's sleek dark gray tabby pelt as the tom entered from the thorn tunnel. It was clear that he could sense the tension immediately, as he looked around with his eyes wide and his ears straightened in shock. Winterfall walked over to him, and Russetstripe stayed behind the silver tabby warrior. Peartuft swung his head to meet Winterfall's gaze.
"What happened here?" Peartuft asked, genuine shock in his wide yellow eyes.
"Houndheart clawed Sunfire in the face," Winterfall replied flatly.
"What?" Peartuft gasped. "Is Houndheart okay?"
"Your concern is Houndheart?" Winterfall lashed his tail. "Even though Sunfire was the one blinded by him?"
"Sunfire is a strong cat," Peartuft growled. "I'm sure, whatever happened, he'll be okay. But Houndheart… is he all right? Where is he?"
"He's imprisoned," Winterfall said. "In the apprentices' den. He has no visitors."
Peartuft curled his lip in a snarl. Then he lowered his head. "All right. So, who's leading the Clan while Sunfire is injured?"
"I am." Winterfall's voice was tight as Peartuft looked him up and down, his yellow eyes narrowing into slits.
"Fine. Then what do you want me to do?" Peartuft asked.
"Go patrol the ShadowClan border with…" Winterfall looked over his shoulder, narrowing his pure blue eyes. "Breezeflower and Mistcloud. They need something to do."
"If you say so." Peartuft walked away from Winterfall and through the clearing towards the two she-cats, greeting them with a curt nod. Russetstripe wondered how Peartuft really felt about Houndheart's captivity. He had shown genuine shock and concern, but it had melted away to be replaced by compliance of Winterfall's authority. Is he faking it? Russetstripe thought to herself.
Winterfall sighed as Peartuft left. "I've got to clean the Clan up. They're in shock after what happened."
"Well, yeah, rightfully so," Russetstripe said. "But I'll help you. Is that okay?"
Winterfall turned to look at Russetstripe. "It's perfect."
Russetstripe followed Winterfall as he attended the cats one by one. Now that something horrible had happened, partly due to Russetstripe, she thought as guilt swamped over her pelt, she had to stay behind to fix up the mess. Looks like I'm staying in ThunderClan a bit longer.