||Spice's Destiny||

<Chapter 4>

☁︎︎☁︎︎☁︎︎☁︎︎☁︎︎☁︎︎☁︎︎☁︎︎☁︎︎☁︎︎☁︎︎☁︎︎☁︎︎☁︎︎☁︎︎☁︎︎☁︎︎☁︎︎
Alder'Paw was padding near the river that made Wind'Clan's border, he was currently out collecting herbs. He sighed as he glanced across the moor, longing to see Thrush'Paw again. Though he noticed a hill that had flowers on it, he guessed it was Hawk'Tail's burial place. "What are you doing here fishface?!" Alder'Paw stiffened and turned his head to see a Wind'Clan patrol. "I'm just gathering herbs." He muttered, rolling his eyes. "And how can we trust you?" A muscular, warrior with patchy, solid fawn furred tom, asked. He had copper eyes. "I'm a medicine cat apprentice." Alder'Paw snorted, "Weren't you a warrior apprentice before?" Moth'Leaf asked, narrowing his eyes. Alder'Paw felt awkward about talking to a deputy. "Yes I was, but I decided to become a medicine cat." He mewed, "And why?" The muscular tom questioned, Alder'Paw hesitated.

"Cinder'Spirit! Why are we asking this fishface questions?" Alder'Paw perked his ears, seeing Patch'Paw was in the patrol. "Well, he's a new cat. None of us have ever seen him, so, why not get to know him?" Cinder'Spirit replied, Moth'Leaf shrugged. "Well, I guess that's better than sit around in camp, watching and listening to Tawny'Stars pacing." He muttered crossly, Alder'Paw blinked. "May I ask, why?" He asked awkwardly, "As if we will tell a River'Clan cat!" Patch'Paw hissed, fluffing out her pelt twice her size, but it made her look like a gigantic fur ball. "Mottle'Nose was bitten by a fox, and Flint'Shade is taking of her." Moth'Leaf explained, Cinder'Spirit nodded slowly as Patch'Paw and Bee'Paw exchanged doubtful glances.

Alder'Paw blinked slowly, "I hope she will be alright." He mewed sympathetically, he then glanced around. "I suppose I should continue gathering herbs." He mumbled, he was about to turn until he realized something. He looked back the Wind'Clan cats again. "Before I do leave. How's Thrush'Paw?" He asked, hoping Thrush'Paw was okay as well. Moth'Leaf's gaze flooded with amusement. "Your friend is doing good. My brother is doing with his training." Alder'Paw gaped at the reveal. How come Thrush'Paw never told him? But he felt relieved to hear that his friend was doing good. "Thank you." He nodded his thanks and bounded away from the border.

"Why did he ask us that?" He heard Bee'Paw asked, "Shouldn't he stick with those other River'Clan fishfaces?" Patch'Paw Agreed, "Not for Medicine cats. They are allowed to cross by anytime they want." Cinder'Spirit explained, Alder'Paw blinked as his gaze landed on some watermint. He frowned when he realized he needed to swim but the river was frozen, he fluffed out his pelt against the cold as he approached the frozen river. He stared in awe.

He carefully padded across the river, heading towards the watermint, he carefully picked a few of them and cautiously returned to the bank. "The river's frozen! That's so cool!" He glanced over, and saw a River'Clan patrol. He decided to go over, "Yes it is Daisy'Paw." He recognized that deep voice, "Shes so energetic, isn't she Eagle'Drop?" Spotted'Pelt chuckled, "This might make her a fine warrior." Eagle'Drop mewed calmly before noticing Alder'Paw, "Greetings Alder'Paw." He nodded his head in greetings towards the senior warrior,

He glanced at Daisy'Paw, who looked excited. "Now you be careful now. The river may be frozen and a amazing sight to see, it's still is dangerous." Fern'Paw reminded her, Alder'Paw noticed that Fern'Paw had no interest in Honey'Paw but didn't comment anything about it. "So what if evil cats cross it?" Daisy'Paw questioned, tilting her head. "River'Clan cats can still fight, even without the river." Alder'Paw told her, he felt bad for her. She was only nine moons old, her mother had kept her in camp cause she was so sick when she was younger.

Daisy'Paw looked at Alder'Paw before coughing slightly, he frowned. "But my mom told me, without the river, River'Clan is defenseless!" She meowed, Eagle'Drop scoffed. "Your mother used to be a kittypet, and she doesn't believe in Star'Clan. Do you really think she would actually remember what we taught her?" He growled, Daisy'Paw dropped her gaze to her paws. Feeling ashamed about her mother. "It doesn't matter if her mother was a kittypet! Her mother, Quail'Whistle is a amazing cat. It doesn't matter anymore." Fern'Paw growled, standing next to her protectively.