AshClan's Future {COMPLETE}

Chapter 37

Leaf-bare had left its mark on AshClan, leaving a horrible wound that was taking moons to heal. Riverstorm felt the wound burning every single day, the loss of Goldenstar had completely torn her apart. She hadn't been able to full recover from the leader's death and missed her dearly. Goldenstar had been the best leader that AshClan had ever seen, and Riverstorm wasn't adjusting well.

The rest of the Clan, however, was finally recovering from the brutal and unforgiving season that had threatened to tear the Clan apart. Sickness had spread like a wild fire, almost every single cat in the Clan had caught at least whitecough before the season ended, but Eagleclaw and Moonwhisker had worked hard to keep their Clanmates safe and the sickness grew weaker and weaker as time went on.

It had been nearly four moons since the death of the Goldenstar and Riverstorm still felt the loss fresh in her mind. The Clan was now led by Ivystar with Jayclaw as her deputy, Riverstorm felt a bitter taste of resentment towards the new leader, something she was trying to fight. When nearly all of the apprentices had gotten sick, including all of Batpaw's siblings, his training had to be put on hold.

There had been no time for training as Riverstorm had been working hard to keep the Clan fed, as had Batpaw. His siblings took a very long time to recover and Batpaw had requested not to be made a warrior without his siblings. Because of this, Riverstorm had been unable to become deputy when Ivystar became leader. I didn't want to go against Batpaw's wishes. However it still burned like a flame under her pelt. But I should be deputy right now.

She had to get Batpaw's training back on track and she hoped that today would be the day. She padded swiftly over to the medicine cat den where she found Moonwhisker and Eagleclaw inside. The den was nearly empty with only Featherfall remaining. "Good morning, Riverstorm." Moonwhisker mewed upon seeing her sister. "What can I help you with?"

"Do you know if Batpaw's siblings are ready to resume their training? They should've been made warriors a while ago."

Moonwhisker thought for a moment. "I checked on them a while ago and Crowpaw and Nightpaw should be good to go, Dustpaw is still having some breathing issues but getting out in the forest and getting his body moving should be helpful. I'll go ahead and let their mentors know and you should be good."

"Thank you, Moonwhisker." Riverstorm let out a sigh of relief, glad she could finally get Batpaw back on training. She figured maybe a moon of catching up then she would talk to Ivystar about making him a warrior. It's about time. Riverstorm left the medicine cat den and waited for Moonwhisker to inform the other mentors.

It took longer than she wanted but once the medicine cat was done, Riverstorm hurried over to where Batpaw was sharing fresh-kill with Dustpaw. "Batpaw." She called out to her apprentice. "Moonwhisker has cleared your siblings to go do some training, are you ready to get back out there?"

Batpaw's eyes lit up with pure excitement and he jumped to his paws. "Of course I am! It feels like I've been an apprentice forever!" He wasn't wrong, he and his siblings had been training for nearly seven moons, it was time for them to become warriors.

"Riverstorm!" Batpaw noticed Gorsestrike padding up to her and the two apprentices. "If you're taking Batpaw out, do you mind if Dustpaw and I go with you?" Dustpaw's original mentor had been Owlstorm, but after the tom passed away he had been assigned to Gorsestrike.

"Sure, that's fine with me." Riverstorm didn't particularly enjoy training with other cats, but she knew that Batpaw enjoyed training with siblings so she put up with it from time to time. "I was planning on taking Batpaw hunting, possibly near the SunClan border."

"Sounds good." Gorsestrike gave an affirming nod. "Lead the way."

Riverstorm nodded and with the three cats behind her, ventured out into the forest. The day was so lovely it was hard to tell that just a few moons prior AshClan had been suffering at the fate of leaf-bare. She let out a sigh as she glanced up towards the sky, her heart once again aching as she thought about Goldenstar.