Redblaze's Regret {COMPLETE}

Chapter 12

The next day was surprisingly warm, and Redblaze woke to the feeling of the sun warm on his pelt. He rose from his nest and stepped out of the camp, wondering if he should offer to be put on a patrol. The first thing he saw was Ripplekit, Sootkit, and Amberkit running around the camp, playing and chasing each other. For the first time, Redblaze noticed the striking resemblance between Ripplekit and Minnowpaw; the little kit looked just like his sister. Ashflower was watching them from outside the nursery, whiskers twitching. Redblaze thought about Ashstar's proposal to mentor one of the kits, but he shook the thought away. He'd already made up his mind; he would mentor one of Nettlestep's kits when the time came. The sleek brown she-cat had joined Ashflower, her belly already swelling with Twigtail's kits, and murmured a few words.

    Birchclaw was talking to Ashstar just outside of Ashstar's den. The RiverClan leader was nodding as he said something back to his deputy, then he jumped onto the meeting rock and called, "Let all those cats old enough to swim gather for a Clan meeting!"

    Redblaze was one of the first to gather, and soon after Mudpelt joined him. The other cats, however, spaced themselves farther away from him. The dawn patrol was now returning, Sweetstripe at its head, and joined the gathered Clan. Once everyone was assembled, Ashstar spoke.

    "Birchclaw and I have been talking," he began, "and we've decided that, since today is likely one of the last warm days of leaf-fall, at sunhigh a patrol will escort the elders, queens, and kits to Sunningrocks to enjoy the warmth. Our warriors have enjoyed having those hunting grounds, but it's only fair that every cat in RiverClan takes advantage of it. Birchclaw will be in charge of the patrol." He jumped down from the rock and ducked into his den, and the cats of RiverClan went back to their duties.

    Birchclaw wove his way through the camp, stopping to speak with a few warriors, including Sweetstripe, Cinderfrost, and Cloudsplash. Finally he stopped in front of Redblaze and looked at him, tail flicking. "You will be on the patrol," he said decisively. "Just try not to pick any fights, okay?"

    "Yes, Birchclaw," Redblaze replied.

    Sunhigh came quickly, and the patrol began to gather at the camp entrance. Redblaze sat and waited as Cinderfrost brought the elders over, and Ashflower tried to keep her kits together, though they were overwhelmed with excitement.

    "We get to go to Sunningrocks!" Amberkit shouted.

    "Will we see any ThunderClan cats?" Sootkit asked curiously.

    "If we do, we'll shred them!" Ripplekit exclaimed, showing his tiny teeth.

    Birchclaw, who had just walked over, said with a purr of amusement, "If we see any ThunderClan cats, you just let the warriors take care of them, okay?"

    Ripplekit sulked. "We're almost warriors!" he protested.

    "Nuh uh!" Sootkit argued. "We're almost apprentices!" he corrected, jumping on his brother.

    "The only thing you're almost doing is going back to the nursery," Ashflower warned her kits. "Now be quiet and behave. And listen to the warriors, okay?"

    The three kits nodded but said nothing more. Birchclaw took the lead of the patrol, followed by Sweetstripe and Cinderfrost alongside the elders, and Cloudsplash and Redblaze took up the rear, flanking Ashflower, her kits, and Nettlestep. They moved slowly through RiverClan's territory, only going as fast as the elders could manage. Troutleap was faring well, but it seemed that Blacktail was having a bit of difficulty. Slowly but surely, the patrol made it to the river and began crossing the stepping stones. The sun was high in the sky and warmed Redblaze's pelt. He was the last cat to cross the stones, right after Nettlestep, and joined the patrol gathered on Sunningrocks.