Warriors: Burnttail's Regret (Complete)

Chapter 23

 Burnttail led Acaciapaw back to camp, carrying two fish. A few days passed since Dogspot's death, and he started recovering from the fact that the kind she-cat wasn't with them anymore. Spiderfrost, however, was still sad and needed comfort.

 Burnttail swam out of the river and shook his fur, then padded towards the Fresh-kill pile and dropped his prey. Acaciapaw followed him and dropped her prey, then she looked at her mentor, purring.

 The tom dipped his head. ''In a few days you'll have your last assessment, I'm sure! It all depends on you, Acaciapaw. But I'm so proud of you.''

 Acaciapaw's eyes lit up with surprise, then she nodded. ''Thank you, Burnttail! I'm doing my best!''

 Burnttail nodded, then Acaciapaw turned and rushed towards her siblings. Burnttail looked after her. It was nearly Leaf-bare now, but RiverClan wasn't bothered by the colder weather yet, because the rivers didn't freeze. The tom padded towards Spiderfrost and Spottedfur, who were talking together.

 ''Hello!'' Burnttail meowed and sat down. ''Acaciapaw is almost a warrior now. I wonder what name Frecklestar will give her! She's so energetic and likes to learn. Sometimes I can hardly get her to listen to what I say.''

 Spiderfrost let out a chuckle. ''Maybe Acaciaspring or Acaciaheart. I'm sure that Frecklestar will give her and her siblings good names.''

 Burnttail nodded. ''I agree.''

 Spottedfur nodded as well, then yawned and got up. ''Anyway, I'm hungry and I'm going to go get something from the Fresh-kill pile. Do you two want something?''

 Burnttail flicked his tail, thinking, then nodded. ''Yes, actually! A fish, please.''

 Spiderfrost shook his head. ''No, thanks. I'm not hungry.''

 Spottedfur looked at her brother, her ears flattened. ''Spiderfrost.. ever since Dogspot died, you haven't really been eating. Please, just let me get you something. I'm sure that Dogspot would want for you to move on.''

 Spiderfrost's eyes widened, then let out a sigh and closed his eyes. ''I.. I guess.''

 Spottedfur let out a sigh, relieved, then turned and padded towards the Fresh-kill pile. Burnttail looked after her and looked at Spiderfrost, gently nudging him. ''She's right, Spiderfrost. I acted like this as well after I found out that Snake died, but it didn't bring me any good, and neither it does to you.''

 ''I know, but I just.. miss her.'' Spiderfrost whispered. ''Other than Spottedfur, she was my only friend when I was a kit, and she was so kind.. I don't understand why StarClan took her.''

 Burnttail nodded, trying not to think too much about Dogspot, so that he wouldn't get too sad. He let out a sigh. ''I know how you feel, but StarClan knows why. I'm sure her killer will pay, I promise. Life is always like that.''

 ''I guess. Thank you, Burnttail.'' Spiderfrost sighed. The tom dipped his head, forcing himself to purr. ''No problem.''

 Spottedfur padded back to them, holding two fish and a watervole in her jaws. She layed down and nudged a fish towards Burnttail, and the other one towards Spiderfrost, and she took a bite out of the watervole. Burnttail dipped his head towards her. ''Thanks, Spottedfur!''

 ''No problem.'' Spottedfur muffled through the watervole's fur. Burnttail lowered his head to take a bite out of the fish.

 Suddenly, Spiderfrost started choking. Burnttail turned his head, alarmed, and looked at the tom. ''Spiderfrost?''

 The black-and-white tom didn't respond. Instead, he let out a yowl and fell on his side, starting to roll around. Burnttail instantly got up on his paws, his eyes widened. ''Spiderfrost? Spiderfrost!''