Duskflower's Story

Chapter 19: A Bittersweet Kind Of Day

Duskflower woke up that next day feeling terrified. It had been a half-moon and Berrytail was supposed to kill Rosevine today. She could tell that the Clan was also nervous. Different warriors kept guard of Rosevine in shifts and cats were quietly talking.

"I mean, how can we defeat a spirit." Said Spottedclaw to Dovecloud.

"Well Tansyleaf and Petaldawn told us to keep a look out after Rosevine but how are we supposed to know how she is going to kill her?"

"I better go, the next shift is mine."

Willowheart came behind her and licked her ears.

"Oh hi, I didn't see you."

"I know you must be nervous."

"I am."

"Why don't you go see Stormstar or Hazelwind and ask them how you can help?"

"That's a great idea. Thanks Willowheart."

Duskflower finds Hazelwind talking to Moonshine who looked very worried.

"They killed Rosevine's kits, what if they kill my daughter's kits?"

"Don't worry, we have warriors looking after the queens and kits." Hazelwind reassured.

Moonshine walked away, not necessarily calm, when Duskflower arrived there.

"Hi Duskflower."

"Hello, I was wondering what I could do to help?"

"Can you take some prey to Rosevine and convince her to eat it? I'll get the apprentices to take prey to every other cat but try to get her to eat."

"Don't worry, I'll do it."

"Thanks."

She finds a carp and a vole from the fresh-kill pile and brings it to the nursery. Blossomflight and Crystallight were sitting on the other corner taking care of the kits. Dapplekit's illness had passed and she was just as energetic as her littermates.

"Blossomflight can you please tell Mama to let us play outside." Asked Meadowkit.

"Absolutely not. It's a dangerous time and your mother doesn't need to be worried about where you are." Said Blossomflight.

"But Dapplekit is well now and Crystallight told us that when she was well we could play outside again." Argued Lavenderkit.

"Kits, don't disturb Blossomflight. If I say you can't go outside then you can't."

"We are probably the only kits who didn't go outside more than five times." Muttered Stonekit.

"I heard that, now why don't you five go and visit the elders."

"Really! Thank you Crystallight!" Said the five kits.

Crystallight took the five kits to the next cave and came back.

"Now some quiet at least." She said.

Duskflower looked at the other side of the den where Rosevine was stubbornly arguing with Whitefang.

"You have to eat something!"

"No! I'm useless to the Clan and I'm going to die today so I don't want to waste the prey."

"Don't talk nonsense." Said the white warrior, his anger rising.

Duskflower decided to intervene.

"Whitefang, I'll handle it from here."

"Best of luck." He said.

"If your here to convince me to eat, your wasting your breath."

"Rosevine, you need energy so please eat."