Poolstar's Destiny

Chapter 32

Poolpelt was shocked, too shocked to reply to his threat.
The real Blackfrost would never threaten a Clanmate..

She only ignored his threat and rolled her eyes, "Well, there's no prey around, so let's head back to camp."
She spun around and raced back through the snowy forest, snow crunching beneath her black paws.

"Back so soon?" Icestar was scrambling to the top of the ravine when she reached it.
Poolpelt looked at her with her mouth-half open, still unable to explain of what Blackfrost had said.
"No prey?" Icestar pressed.
How could she tell her about Blackfrost's threat? Who would believe that a loyal warrior would say such a thing to a Clanmate? She hardly believed it herself.

"Prey was poor, so I came back to early to spend time with Featherkit."
Icestar tipped her head to one side. "I'm glad," she meowed. "You'll be good for her."

She paused. "You seem like your old self today."
Do I? She stared at her, hoping it was true.

"Go and see Featherkit," she told her briskly. "I reckon by the time she is made an apprentice, you'll be ready for an apprentice of your own. Helping raising Featherkit will give you some worthwhile practice."
"Th-thanks." Poolpelt was caught off guard by the IceClan's leader's warmth.
She was afraid that she'd done nothing to earn it.

She slid her black paws over the edge of the ravine and jumped down.
"Next time, though, don't give up on the prey!" Icestar called after her.
"I won't!" she promised.

Featherkit was fast asleep when she poked her head in the nursery.
"She was tired after her feed," Ashfall apologized. "I think Blackfrost wore her out."
Poolpelt nuzzled her gently and she rolled in her sleep and rested her small paw against her muzzle.
It was as soft as snow.
Poolpelt breathed in the scent of her—so like her sister and backed out of the nursery.

"How's the prey running?" Braveheart's mew surprised her.
"Not so good."
"Where'd you go?"
"Tallpines."

Braveheart glanced past her shoulder at the nursery. "How's Featherkit?"
"Fine."
"She's lucky to have you to watch out for her."

"I don't know." Poolpelt looked at her black paws. "I've not done too great so far."
"You've had a lot to deal with." His gaze grew soft. "I think you'd make a great mother."
Poolpelt opened her mouth, searching for words, her ears hot.
Braveheart realized what he said and a large blush spreaded across his face.

"There's Amberleaf!"
Relieved to see her denmate padding past with a shrew in her jaws, Poolpelt bounded away and fell in beside her.

Amberleaf dropped the shrew on the fresh-kill pile. "You and Braveheart make such a great couple."
Poolpelt backed away. She'd been hoping to escape embarrassment, not make it worse. And she still didn't know who her heart belonged to. "He's sweet, but we're not a couple." Yet.
"Really?"

"I'm too busy with Featherkit to worry about stuff like that," Poolpelt muttered.
"But you must have time to look for a mate, and Braveheart is obviously interested in you."

"Feathershine's kit is more important," Poolpelt insisted. "Now that she's got no mother, it's up to me to look after her." There was this uncomfortable feeling that Blackfrost may not be the best influence for Featherkit. There was more to being a Clan cat than fighting and chasing off trespassers.

Amberleaf was still chatting. "I've just seen Rainpelt," she reported. "She's in the medicine den. Says she's too sick to eat. Maybe she'll stop being Clan deputy?"
"What?" Poolpelt snapped from her thoughts.
"Icestar will have to appoint someone else."
Poolpelt blinked. "Hawkflame?" The dark brown tabby warrior would be pleased.