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Post by Hollyfall on Aug 26, 2021 11:57:20 GMT -5
Chapter 4: (Yes, this is all chapter 4) Leopardfur dives deep into some water, relishing the coolness on her fur and reflects that it's nice after the heat of the greenleaf sun. She spots a carp on the other side of the river. She goes and catches it, impressed with her catch. She looks to Sunfish, hoping she'd be impressed. However, Sunfish is gazing back to the camp, in the direction of the nursery. Leopardfur tells her that she's sure Whitekit is fine, and he has Beetlenose to keep an eye on him. Sunfish frets that Whitekit is used to having her around, but Leopardfur asks what harm could happen to him when he's in camp. Leopardfur gets frustrated, knowing it had taken Sunfish all morning to be persuading to leave the nursery. She thinks that Whitekit was almost ready to begin his apprentice training, and he'd be fine by himself for a time.
Leopardfur shakes out her wet fur and picks up her carp, licking it and tasting it's sweetness as Sunfish looks away from the camp and dives into the water. She knows that the camp, especially Whitekit, would enjoy a large meal like this. She thinks that Tanglewhisker and Softwing preferred birds, and wonders how and why any cat would want to go through feathers just to get to their meal. She doesn't understand, but knows she should respect her Clanmate's wishes. As she ponders how she'll be leader one day, Sunfish comes back with a skinny perch in her jaws. She asks Sunfish if she wants to go back now. Sunfish politely thanks Leopardfur for bringing her out her, but she really wants to go back and check on Whitekit. She says that Beetlenose is a good father, but Leopardfur knows what he's like, and Whitekit could get into all sorts of mischief, and Beetlenose would hardly notice. Leopardfur doesn't agree, thinking to herself that Beetlenose fussed over Whitekit just as much, if not more, than Sunfish. She points out that Sunfish wasn't this anxious with her first litter, and that Grasswhisker and Vixenleap grew into fine warriors, adding that Silverstream did as well, silently reflecting that Sunfish raised Silverstream when Willowbreeze died.
Sunfish grumbles that Grasswhisker, Vixenleap, and Silverstream had each other. Whitekit is an only kit and only has herself and Beetlenose, and he can get into a lot of trouble by himself. Leopardstar says that she and Sunfish got into trouble together when they were kits. Sunfish purrs that she has a point, but it's hard not to worry about him. Leopardfur says they should go, not wanting to worry Sunfish more. She picks up her carp and wades into the river, Sunfish behind her. As they pad into the camp, Whitekit spots them and dashes to them, Sunfish's eyes lighting up. As he reaches them, Whitekit bounces around them, telling them to guess what. Leopardfur purrs, thinking that out of all of Sunfish's and Beetlenose's kits, she has a soft spot for Whitekit, knowing how energetic and enthusiastic he is. She asks if he smelled the carp. Whitekit says no, and Leopardfur asks if he's sure, because carp is his favorite prey. Whitekit says it is, but it's not what he wants to tell them. Sunfish steps forward and asks if he stayed close to Beetlenose, and her gaze looks to her mate, who is dozing outside the nursery. Whitekit hops from one paw to another and says he did, but tells them to listen, and it looks like he's about to burst with frustration. Leopardfur eyes Sunfish, and Sunfish says they should put their prey on the fresh-kill pile, but Whitekit slams down his tiny paws on Sunfish's perch and says no, she needs to listen. Sunfish purrs, and Leopardfur knows they've teased him long enough. Sunfish asks what is it.
Whitekit fluffs out his fur and says that Crookedstar will be making him an apprentice tomorrow. He looks around the camp, seeing Oakheart, the Clan's new deputy, taking a "rare nap" outside the warrior's den. Echomist and Piketooth were sharing tongues beside him, while Whitefang and Cedarpelt are eating a trout together. He wonders who his mentor will be. Leopardfur's heart quickens, and hopes that it would be her. In the two greenleafs since she had become a warrior, she'd never had an apprentice, and thinks that Whitekit would be fun to mentor. He was boisterous and confident, but warm-hearted like Sunfish. Sunfish eyes Whitekit, and asks if he's sure he's six moons old already, clearly anxious. Whitekit puffs out his chest and says that he'll be as big as Beetlenose soon. Leopardfur nudges him and says he'll need to eat a lot of prey to get that big, and Whitekit says that when he learns to hunt, he'll eat as much as he likes. Leopardfur glances to Crookedstar's den, who is speaking with Mudfur just outside it. She wonders if they're talking about her and if they're considering her to mentor Whitekit. She thinks that she'd arguably need two apprentices before having any realistic choice of becoming deputy, and that an experience warrior would make a good deputy to support her leader. Sunfish mumbles that she hopes Crookedstar chooses someone sensible to train Whitekit. Leopardfur mews that perhaps it could be her, half-joking, half-serious. Sunfish brightens up, and says she'd love that.
It's now Whitekit's apprentice ceremony. Crookedstar calls him forward, while Leopardfur sits beside Sunfish, Beetlenose, Grasswhisker, Vixenleap, and Silverstream. Sunfish and Beetlenose have their tails curled around each other as they watch Whitekit pad up to Crookedstar. Leopardfur's belly itches with anticipation, wondering if Crookedstar will choose her. Whitekit is excited and trying not to fidget. Crookedstar says that from now on, Whitekit will be known as Whitepaw. Leopardfur's excitement plummets as Crookedstar assigns Whitefang to be Whitepaw's mentor. Sunfish gives Leopardfur a sympathetic look, and Leopardfur knows that Whitefang is probably the best choice. He's kind, patient, and exactly what a bundle of energy like Whitepaw needs. Crookedstar says that Whitefang trained some of their best warriors, and Leopardfur wonders if Crookedstar is talking about her. Whitefang dips his head and touches his nose to Whitepaw's head. The Clan cheers Whitepaw's name and while Leopardfur is disappointed she isn't his mentor, she thinks that Sunfish is free to leave the nursery and they can hunt and patrol more often. As the Clan begins to disperse, Leopardfur pads up to Whitefang and says that he was a great mentor to her, and she knows he'll be one to Whitepaw. Whitepaw is excitedly pacing back and forth, asking if Whitefang is going to take him hunting.
Whitepaw doesn't wait for an answer and calls to Sunfish and Beetlenose that Whitefang is taking him hunting, to which their eyes gleam with pride. Whitefang mews sternly that no, he's not taking him hunting. He's going to show him RiverClan territory. Whitepaw blinks and says if they'll see ThunderClan territory, adding that he wants to see alive squirrels. Whitefang's sternness seems to melt and begins to purr, telling him yes, and they'll be going to the WindClan border too. He says it's a long trek, and he hopes Whitepaw's ready. Whitepaw goes "I am so ready!" and as he tries to leave with Whitefang, Sunfish comes up and nuzzles him, but Whitepaw squirms away and races out the camp entrance. Whitefang catches Leopardfur's eye, and mews that he's going to keep him busy far more that Leopardfur did as an apprentice, and quickens his pace to follow Whitepaw out.
Some time later, Crookedstar bellows Leopardfur's name. He's standing with Oakheart in the shade of the leader's den. Leopardfur goes to them, and asks how she can help. Crookedstar says he'd like Leopardfur to lead a patrol to sunningrocks. Leopardfur gets excited, knowing that the rocks had changed paws so many times in the past moons. She steadily meets his gaze, and asks who he'd like to take with her. Crookedstar says she can decide. Her heart quickens as she realizes Crookedstar trusts her. She looks around. Whitefang stops rummaging through the prey pile and looks at her with interest. Stonefur and Frogleap are also watching her from their spot near the warriors' den, where they had been sharing an eel. Skyheart, Rippleclaw, and Ottersplash also stop what they're doing and look at Leopardfur. Crookedstar cautions to be careful. Leopardfur says she will, and Crookedstar says he wants the border marked clearly. Oakheart adds that she ought to take a large patrol, to enforce their border should a ThunderClan patrol be there already. Leopardfur agrees, and calls for Sunfish, reflecting that they hadn't been on a border patrol since she left the nursery a few days earlier.
Leopardfur says she's taking a patrol to sunningrocks, and says she'd like her to come. Sunfish is surprised, but readily agrees. Whitepaw, who has been grooming Tanglewhisker's pelt, leaps away from the elder and asks to come too. Whitefang leaves his prey at the pile and says no, Whitepaw is staying put at the camp. Whitepaw protests, saying he needs to know the borders and that he needs to train to fight anyways, and adding that Whitefang didn't show him Sunningrocks during his tour of the territory. Whitefang grumbles that it was because it was too dangerous. Leopardfur shuffles her paws, and knows that while she'd love and experienced cat like Whitefang to accompany her, she doesn't want to cause a rift between Whitepaw and Whitefang. But at the same time, she knows she'd feel far more comfortable with someone like Whitefang there. She turns to him and asks if he can join her. Whitepaw protests that it's not fair, and Whitefang rebukes that Whitepaw doesn't know enough battle moves. Whitepaw's tail twitches with frustration, saying he can learn. Whitefang snorts that he's going to learn battle moves while not in an actual battle itself. Whitepaw's ears prick with interest, and asks if theere's going to be a battle. Leopardfur lifts her muzzle and says no, and even if there is trouble, he's not experienced enough to handle it. Whitefang cuts in before Whitepaw can argue, saying that there's plenty for him to do in the camp. Whitepaw scowls at Whitefang, and says he thought he was learning how to be a warrior, not how to make an elder's nest cleaner. Leopardfur blinks at him sympathetically, and says that all apprentices have to do things they don't like. Sunfish says it's how they become true warriors. Whitepaw, knowing he's defeated, stomps away, grumbling that he doesn't see how it works like that.
Leopardfur is relieved to be leaving Whitepaw in camp. She calls to Stonefur, Frogleap, Ottersplash, and Rippleclaw, and Leopardfur leads the patrol out, Whitefang close beside her. Sunfish pads up to Leopardfur and teases her, reflecting that her friend used to be afraid of the water. Leopardfur purrs and says she might still be scared if Sunfish hadn't put that carp on the other side. She looks to her patrol as they cross the river, and thinks to herself that she was always impressed with how strong a swimmer Stonefur was. As they approach some trees, she orders that they'll mark the trees on the other side, ordering them to mark the border. Sunfish pauses, lifting her muzzle and snorts that she scents ThunderClan. Rippleclaw confirms, and says they're further down the stream. Leopardfur orders everyone to stand with her. The ThunderClan patrol approaches them. It's led by Redtail, who is flanked by Lionheart and Whitestorm. Tigerclaw, Mousefur, Runningwind, and Longtail bring up the rear. Leopardfur snarls at Redtail, asking what he's doing here. Redtail narrows his eyes and says they're marking their border, same as them. Leopardfur snorts that he's on their land, gesturing to the river. Redtail innocently mews and asks is he really. Leopardfur swallows back a hiss and Whitefang murmurs that Redtail is trying to provoke her, and they should just finish their marking and move on. Leopardfur says that she won't let them think they've scared them away. Whitefang says he's not scared, but a warrior should know when it's time to fight, and this is a fight they probably won't win. Redtail sniffs and asks if she and Whitefang are trying to figure out where their border even is. Rippleclaw snarls they do, and Tigerclaw narrows his eyes, sarcastically meowing that they thought they'd given up marking it as they can barely smell it.
Ottersplash flattens her ears, and says they're here to fix that. Redtail retorts that it seems like they're just laying around in the sun, adding "Isn't that what RiverClan is best at?". Tigerclaw snorts amusement and says that it's not like they need the territory anyways, because all they catch is fish. Leopardfur immediately hisses that all ThunderClan catches is greencough, which makes Redtail and Tigerclaw exchange a surprised glance together. Leopardfur tells them to get off their land. Whitefang says to let it go, and they should just report it to Crookedstar. Leopardfur says she refuses to let ThunderClan stink up their land, and Sunfish wonders aloud if she should go get help. Whitestorm steps forward, glancing at Redtail and says they should just mark the border and leave. Rippleclaw agrees that ThunderClan should leave. Tigerclaw puffs out his chest and RiverClan doesn't order them around. Ottersplash tells Tigerclaw to go home, calling him a "squirrel-chaser". Redtail eyes Leopardfur, and evenly mews that they'll leave when RiverClan leaves, inching his paws forward. Whitefang murmurs that Redtail is trying to rile her up. Leopardfur, however, hardly hears him, and remembers what Mudfur told her about defending her Clan.
Redtail slides his paws closer to Leopardfur, and instinctively she leaps towards him and bundles him to the ground. The sounds of a fight begin, and Redtail slithers away from Leopardfur's grasp and ducks underneath a blow, knocking her forepaws from underneath her slamming her against the stones, beginning to claw at her ears. Rippleclaw fights Whitestorm while Sunfish and Frogleap pummel Lionheart. Leopardfur rears up and slashes Redtail's nose. As she prepares to strike again, claws hook her away. She glances back to see Mousefur dragging her away from Redtail. Redtail, recovering from his nose wound, lifts a paw and flings blow at Leopardfur, his eyes lighting up with satisfaction and the blow pummels Leopardfur so hard that it knocks her to the ground, but Mousefur keeps hold of her. For the first time, Leopardfur feels panic, but then Frogleap intervenes and slams into Mousefur, knocking her off Leopardfur, and she's impressed, remembering how deft Frogleap had become since he was the clumsy kit in the nursery. A shriek jolts Leopardfur back into reality, and she sees Redtail slashing Sunfish's belly. She barges at him, throwing him away with such forces that he tumbles across the rocks. She asks if Sunfish is okay, but she doesn't answer as a snarl of another fight begins.
Whitefang and Lionheart are facing off, the two great toms slashing at each other. With a roar, Lionheart slashes Whitefang's throat. Whitefang staggers for a moment as his throat turns red, his soft fur now crimson. He crumbles to the ground silently, and both patrols seem to realize that something has happened, and stop fighting. Redtail clambers back up to the rocks and waves Tigerclaw away, staring in horror at Whitefang's body. Leopardfur presses Whitefang's flank with her muzzle, pleading for him to get up and to wake up. Rippleclaw gently touches her shoulder, murmuring he's dead, and they need to return to camp. Leopardfur glances at the ThunderClan cats. They're staring in horror at Whitefang's body, but aren't withdrawing. Sunfish tries to get up, but collapses, her flank bleeding heavily. Ottersplash and Stonefur begin to help Sunfish. Rippleclaw gently nudges Leopardfur and nods to her, seemingly saying that they can fight another day. Rippleclaw gently pushes Leopardfur away and grabs Whitefang's scruff, while Frogleap ducks underneath his body and they begin to carry the tom's body down the stones. Stonefur and Ottersplash help Sunfish while Leopardfur brings up the rear, looking at the ThunderClan cats. Redtail is watching her, his eyes narrowed with interest. Tigerclaw's eyes betray nothing while Mousefur, Longtail, Runningwind, and Whitestorm look blank. Only Lionheart looks shocked, his golden pelt rippling uneasily as he stares at Whitefang's body, and Leopardfur thinks that she won't forget this.
As they come back to camp, Mudfur spots them and hurries to them. He calls Leopardfur's name, and then sees Sunfish and Whitefang. She orders Stonefur and Ottersplash to get Sunfish to the medicine den, and to lay Whitefang in the camp's clearing. Crookedstar is speaking with Oakheart, but he trails off as he sees Whitefang's body. He looks at the bloodied corpse, and asks if he's dead. Mudfur touches Whitefang's white cheek and says yes, and that he hunts with StarClan now. Leopardfur is aware of the camp staring at Whitefang's body, and thinks to herself that Whitefang was always so kind, thoughtful, and patient. He taught her everything she knew, and know he'd never sleep in the warriors' den again. Mudfur prods Leopardfur and asks her to help with Sunfish. As she follows him into the den, Mudfur orders everyone but Leopardfur out. Beetlenose, who is sitting beside Sunfish, tries to protest, but Mudfur barks that it means him too, and to tell their kits that she'll be alright. Beetlenose begrudgingly agrees and leaves with Stonefur and Ottersplash. Mudfur tells Leopardfur to talk to Sunfish as he makes a poultice. Sunfish glances at Leopardfur and asks if the wound is deep. Leopardfur sees it is, but tells her no. Mudfur gets a leaf and begins to work the poultice into her wound. As he finishes up, he beckons Leopardfur outside, telling Sunfish that his herbs should work in a moment and the poppy seeds will help numb her pain. Following Mudfur outside, Leopardfur sits just by the den entrance and Mudfur stares at her, asking what happened. Leopardfur explains that a ThunderClan patrol was there. Mudfur asks if they chased them away, to which Leopardfur says not exactly. Mudfur says they patrol is still there then. Leopardfur says they had to bring Sunfish and Whitefang home, and asks if they were supposed to keep fighting. Mudfur asks why ThunderClan attacked them. Leopardfur mumbles that it was rather, she attacked first. Mudfur's eyes blaze with fury and snorts that clearly Leopardfur can read minds. She hotly retorts that she can read them their expressions and that she wanted to defend their territory. Mudfur growls that there's a difference between starting a fight unnecessarily, and defending their land. Leopardfur asks how he could know, since he wasn't there. Mudfur growls again that he knows warriors, and that most, if not all, seem to think that their land is more important than life, and pride is more important than anything. They fight the same battles over and over, thinking it solves problems, but when in reality, fighting makes their problems worse. Leopardfur's heart pounds and tells him not to dump all his issues on her. She says that just because he can't stomach fighting doesn't mean she's any less of a warrior. She says ThunderClan started it, and she was doing the right thing. It doesn't make her a villain for staying loyal to her Clan. Mudfur stares at her and heads back into the den without saying a word. Leopardfur's heart aches as she knows that the fight shouldn't have happened. If perhaps she handled it better, Whitefang would still be alive, but even though Mudfur might think otherwise, she knows in her heart that she didn't have any other choice.
Gray skies hide the sun, and her heart feels heavy as Whitefang's vigil comes to an end. Crookedstar leads a patrol back into the camp with Oakheart, Stonefur, and Piketooth, their paws muddy from digging Whitefang's grave for burial. Crookedstar yowls for a Clan meeting, and as everyone gathers around, he says "ThunderClan has once more taken the life of a brave RiverClan warrior. Once again, we've had to bravely defend the rocks given to us by StarClan countless moons ago. But Whitefang will be remembered. He gave his life to preserve our land. Whitefang was training a young warrior who will always carry with him the lessons his mentor taught him. In this way, no warrior ever truly leaves RiverClan. By teaching others, we leave behind our skill and our wisdom." Crookedstar glances to Whitepaw, who is sitting silently beside Beetlenose. "But just because Whitefang is dead doesn't mean Whitepaw will stop learning. His new mentor will be Leopardfur." Surprise sparks her pelt as she hears her name, and Crookedstar remarks that she'll be a fine mentor. Whitepaw pads towards Leopardfur with uncertainty, and she knows he's still processing losing his mentor so early on in his apprenticeship. She wonders if Whitefang is watching from StarClan, and if he approves of Crookedstar's choice. She tells Whitepaw she'll be the best mentor she can be. The Clan call Whitepaw's name, but Mudfur, watching from the medicine den, gazes silently at Leopardfur, his eyes dark. Leopardfur thinks that it doesn't matter what he thinks; she defended her Clan.
It's been a quarter moon since the fight on Sunningrocks, and Sunfish is asking how Whitepaw is doing. Leopardfur says he's very talented. Sunfish's wound isn't healing right, despite Mudfur's attempts. The wound is sour with infection. Sunfish asks if he's learning quickly, and she hope he's listening and not being a bother. Beetlenose, who had been with Sunfish practically all the time since the battle, says of course. Leopardfur laps Sunfish's ear and says of course. She reflects that he was indeed a quick learner, but he was still grieving for Whitefang and Leopardfur did her best to keep him busy. Mudfur comes into the den and Beetlenose asks if there's any more herbs he could give Sunfish. Mudfur solemnly says no. The best he can recommend is for her to eat and rest. Beetlenose suggests a small minnow, but Sunfish declines. Beetlenose says that she's had no appetite. Mudfur grumbles he'll get her some feverfew. Leopardfur gets to her paws, and sees Whitepaw standing outside the den with Grasswhisker and Vixenleap. Silverstream is with them as well. Leopardfur touches her nose to Sunfish's head and says she'll visit her tomorrow, and Beetlenose moves closer to Sunfish. Leopardfur exits the den and beckons Whitepaw, telling him to check on the elders. Whitepaw looks reluctant to leave Sunfish, but obeys. As she pads across the camp, Frogleap spots her and comes up to her, asking if she was any better, and Leopardfur thinks that he's just as worried as Beetlenose is, as Sunfish and Frogleap are littermates. Leopardfur wonders if she should be honest, and Frogleap seems to notice her hesitancy to answer. He says he wants her to tell the truth. Leopardfur admits Sunfish seems to be getting weaker. Frogleap looks down, almost like he already knew that, and says that if any cat can fight the infection, she can. He sits down at the fresh-kill pile and prods around in it, confessing that every time he closes his eyes, he sees Redtail striking Sunfish, and wonders if things would be different if he were quicker and stronger. His gaze drifts towards the medicine den, and says that they can't change things just by starving themselves over their worry for Sunfish. Frogleap hooks a minnow from the pile, and says they should both eat. Leopardfur notices how broad Frogleap's head is, and how visible his muscles are beneath his pelt, recalling that he's developed so much from the gangly kit she grew up with. She forces herself to eat, but feels horrible knowing that Sunfish needs it more than she does.
Some time later, as she pads into the camp. Mudfur beckons her towards him, and says that Sunfish has been asking for her. She rushes into the den, calling Sunfish's name. It's hard to tell in the evening light, but Sunfish is there, and Sunfish remarks that she wasn't sure Leopardfur would make it in time. Leopardfur swallows back alarm, and she wants to tell Leopardfur something while Beetlenose is resting beside her, with Leopardfur noticing that he's curled up next to her. Sunfish huskily mews for Leopardfur to look after Whitepaw. Leopardfur says of course she will. Sunfish says that she must, if anything happens to her. Leopardfur says the only thing that's going to happen is Sunfish getting better. Sunfish looks away, and says that Leopardfur needs to be there for Whitepaw like he was kin. She knows he'll have Grasswhisker, Vixenleap, Silverstream, and Beetlenose, but he won't have a mother. He's still young, and he needs one, and she wants Leopardfur to be that for him. Leopardfur thinks that she doesn't want to be a mother, and hisses that Sunfish will get better. Sunfish pleads for Leopardfur to promise her. Leopardfur says she will, her heart sinking with how certain Sunfish seems to be.
Beetlenose awakens, and asks if he was asleep long. He gives a friendly nod to Leopardfur and nuzzles Sunfish, asking how she's feeling. Leopardfur leaves them, knowing that Beetlenose could comfort her more than she could. As she leaves the den, Whitepaw appears. She knows she loves him as any kit, but wonders if she could truly be a mother to him. Whitepaw asks if she's okay. Whitepaw's eyes are hollow, like he hasn't slept in days. Leopardfur lies and says yes. Whitepaw's eyes gleam and says he knew it, as he visited her earlier and she seemed better. Leopardfur says she's going to take him out night hunting, silently telling herself that with any luck, she'll wear Whitepaw out and he'll be able to sleep.
Later that night, after their return, Whitepaw prods Leopardfur awake in the warriors' den. Whitepaw is staring at her in grief, and says that Sunfish is dead. Leopardfur looks around at the sleeping warriors, and realizes that this isn't a dream. Sunfish has died, and pain tears through her heart like a vicious dog. She knows she lied to Whitepaw about Sunfish earlier. He stares at her, his eyes reflecting the same pain Leopardfur is feeling. Leopardfur grabs him by his scruff and hauls him into her nest and wraps around him protectively and feels her heart break. Staring at the den wall, she pictures the reed bed and the river, and beyond that, ThunderClan territory. ThunderClan had killed two of their cats now, and although Mudfur might have blamed her for it, Leopardfur knew the truth; ThunderClan was to blame, and she vows to never forgive them.
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