Life 3:20
It hadn't been long since Tigerstar's visit and proposal. Leopardstar was settling into her role decently well, having taken the advice of her warriors and one immortal apprentice. She was feeling good about her decision, forming a coalition with Shadowclan to further Riverclan's power base. Tigerclaw did briefly visit to attempt to muscle Riverclan around, but Leopardstar reminded him that they were only allies. He didn't have authority over her, which definitely tweaked his tail, but he played it off as him having just meant to suggest some changes. Though, there was one thing Leopardstar conceded to, stationing a couple Shadowclan warriors in Riverclan's camp while she'd keep some Riverclan warriors in Shadowclan's camp as a show of trust.
Snakepaw didn't really like the new cats in the camp. For one, they were unfamiliar to him. That was very alarming for him given how often he was cycled between clans. These cats were clearly over eighteen moons old, so there was no way he wouldn't recognize them. Their scent was also off-putting. They didn't smell like Shadowclan. They smelled more like Thunderpath. They also bore skars that indicated very rough battles, the kind the clans shy away from doing unless it is a matter of life and death. There was no way these cats were born into Shadowclan.
Regardless of the untrustworthy cats in camp, Leopardstar was upbeat about her recent political wins, inviting Snakepaw out on a patrol. Snakepaw readily agreed, if only to get a bit further from the 'guests'. They were wandering the edge of the gorge, Leopardstar admitting to taking Snakepaw's meditation lessons seriously. It was then that they heard barking.
"What in Starclan are dogs doing out here?" Snakepaw asked rhetorically.
The barking was coming from the other side of the ravine, so Snakepaw and Leopardstar were relatively safe. This idea of safety lessened as the sound came closer. Leopardstar stepped in front of Snakepaw, ready to fight whatever was coming if it cleared the ravine. It was then that Runningwind came flying out into the open with a pair of dogs hot on his tail. Leopardstar and Snakepaw spotted him. He was running at the ravine, not slowing in the slightest. With an incredible jump, Runningwind cleared the gap. The two dogs hadn't noticed the edge until it was too late and went tumbling over, crying out in shock as they fell.
"Runningwind? What are you doing here?" Snakepaw asked the panting warrior.
Runningwind looked up, noticing Leopardstar and Snakepaw looking at him. "Apologies. Thunderclan has been having problems with a dog pack and thought the gorge was the best place to get rid of them. I'm sorry that we're using your territory." Runningwind answered.
"It would have been nice if we were warned first. I mean, what if the dogs had made the jump? You'd have just made the dogs our problem instead of getting rid of them. Besides, two is hardly a pack." Leopardstar scoffed.
"No. There's one more. Fireheart is leading it here now." Runningwind answered turning to look back at the border.
Of course, the trio hadn't realized that their conversation had distracted them from seeing Fireheart approach. Nor had they noticed Tigerstar's interception of Fireheart. All they saw was that Fireheart was right at the edge, but he had tripped or something, meaning he no longer had the speed to clear the gap. The third dog was closing in, still at a sprint. It turned to take down Fireheart, but at the last moment, Bluestar exploded from the undergrowth, tackling into the dog's side, pushing it closer to the edge. It nearly went over, but the dog had just enough grip to stay standing. Snakepaw knew what would come if nothing was done. Dogs are stupid. Once it killed Fireheart and Bluestar, it'd turn on Riverclan. Someone had to make a choice now, and Snakepaw was always one for heroics.
Snakepaw burst into motion, ignoring the calls of alarm from behind him. There wasn't a second to lose. While Snakepaw couldn't make the jump with the short runup he had, he didn't need to. He only needed to land one hit. Snakepaw leapt, His head barely clearing the opposite side, letting him bite down on the dog's back paw. His weight was just enough to shift the dog, causing it to lose its grip. The three, Snakepaw, Bluestar, and the dog tumbled into the rapids below.
"Snakepaw!" Both Leopardstar and Runningwind cried out while Fireheart called out for Bluestar.
Leopardstar knew this ravine wound over towards Sunningrocks. Despite its speed, it had a lot of curves that meant she could get ahead of it. Leopardstar sprinted off, noticing after a moment that Runningwind was following her. "What are you doing Thunderclanner?" She hissed.
"Following you. You clearly know where the river goes, and we both have cats needing rescued. Let's put aside allegiances for now." Runningwind answered back.
Leopardstar decided to begrudgingly respect his answer, focusing instead on how to best get ahead of the river. There were a couple shallow bends that a strong Riverclan cat could swim in, but they wouldn't reach them in time. No. She'd have to catch them right after the rapids where the edges of the ravine lessened into nothing. It was a hard sprint for the two cats, but they got there.
When Leopardstar caught up to the drowning cats, it appeared that Fireheart had foolishly decided to join them. Snakepaw was pushing Fireheart and the battered form of Bluestar to shore. A trail of red water flowed from the trio. Leopardstar faintly hoped it was only Bluestar. Coincidentally, the Riverclan border patrol noticed the commotion, approaching to provide aid. It was Mistyfoot and Stonefur. The strange group of both Riverclan and Thunderclan pulled the soaking wet cats onto shore. Bluestar, she was only just alive. One of her paws was bent over itself at an unnatural angle. Her ribs were crushed, and a coughing fit racked her making her spit up blood. It was obvious she would not survive.
Leopardstar turned her attention to Snakepaw, who she briefly believed was ok, until she noticed large chunk of rock lodged in his stomach. "Snakepaw!" She exclaimed with worry.
"Huh. Would you look at that. I've been impaled. I didn't even notice with how cold the river was." Snakepaw mewed nonchalantly but swaying on his paws.
"Now is not the time to joke." Leopardstar worriedly hissed. "Come on! We'll get you back to Mudfur. He can do something." Leopardstar mewed urgently.
Snakepaw instead touched the rock still jutting from his belly, wincing as he felt the damage. This rock was larger than it looked. He could tell the only reason he hadn't bled out yet was the rock keeping the wound closed. He could also tell it had ripped through some of his intestines and punctured his stomach given the burning feeling he was experiencing.
"Leopardstar. I don't have long. I'm not surviving this. This wound is simply too deep. I knew this was coming. With how clumsy I was getting, I wanted to make my own fate before it decided to kill me first. I don't regret this. Apologize to Mudfur and Silverstream for me. I shuffled Mudfur's herbs again before we left, and I won't be able to watch Silverstream's kits for her tomorrow." Snakepaw mewed, his voice inflecting his attempt at humor poorly.
"You can't go yet." Leopardstar quietly begged.
"I don't have a choice. Take care of them. Riverclan needs you. It is us who have less to lose that bear the responsibility of saving those who'd lose everything. I promise you'll see me again." Snakepaw replied, his wound having been exacerbated with his movements. The rock slipped from the wound, bringing with it a small wave of blood, ending what little remained of Snakepaw's life.
Tears fell from Leopardstar's eyes at the sight. Snakepaw, despite all his annoying quirks, was her friend, and now he was gone. Sadness quickly turned to anger as she realized whose fault it was that this even happened. If Thunderclan had even bothered to send a warning, all of this could have been avoided. Snakepaw wouldn't have needed to make that jump. Riverclan's warriors could have baited the dog into the ravine. It was too late.
"Take your leader and go." Leopardstar commanded in a rough monotone.
Mistyfoot cautiously asked, "Would you allow us to take Bluestar's body to Thunderclan?"
Leopardstar let out an aggressive huff before responding. "Fine. You may do so today, but tomorrow, Thunderclan and Riverclan are enemies. I will not forgive what you've done." She answered, pulling Snakepaw's body onto her back for the return to Riverclan's camp. She ignored the rest fuming at how unfair it was that her friend and Riverclan had to pay for Thunderclan's foolishness. Riverclan and Thunderclan may have always had a gentle war over Sunningrocks, but to her, Thunderclan had just escalated it.