Super Edition: Briarsong's Renascence

Chapter 23

It was hard to know how long the snowstorm blew for, but when it finally stopped, the snow was so high that Meadowclan had to dig paths just to move around camp. Featherstar's death followed by Beetleshades had left the clan in a quiet and fearful place. Wildheart was too sick to accept his 9 lives as Starclan could not reach him, and left the clan in a strange position without a leader and deputy to guide them.

It was almost impossible to find prey and the fear of catching Black Cough was so strong that cats were jumping at the slightest sniffle. Berrypaw worked hard proving her knowledge and skills again and again as she tended to Wildheart and Wonderfrost and checked on the rest of her clan to make sure nobody was presenting any symptoms. Briarsong guided but let Berrypaw take control and represent her clan with pride. She wanted the apprentice to trust in herself and make choices she could be proud of. Briarsong had explained the situation to Ivybranch in the Starclan Training Area but hadn't checked back in since. Until she was sure the Black Cough had passed, Briarsong would stay in Meadowclan as to not bring it back with her to Moonclan. The first morning where the snow had stopped falling the ground sparkled like a millions of stars. If it weren't so dangerous it would almost be beautiful.

Briarsong was taking a break from cleaning out the den where the sick cats lay and was sitting at in camp watching the cats move about slowly and steadily as they tried to find places to push the snow. Meadowclan was a lot bigger than Briarsong had realized and had more Warriors than Moonclan. For being a clan that stuck to themselves they had secretly grown large and possibly powerful. It was hard to know now when they were all starving and cold, but when everyone was in tip top shape, they would be a force to be reckoned with.

"I'm so sorry," One of the Meadowclan Warriors dropped a very pathetic looking mouse. "Its all I could find."

"I'm not hungry." Briarsong nosed the mouse back over to the Warrior who looked so hungry and tired. Her ribs were showing and her pelt was drab. Without arguing the starving Warrior gluped down the small bit the mouse provided. Briarsong felt her belly growl with hunger but she couldn't imagine taking the small mouthful of mouse. She remembered the warm Leaf-bare when she lived inside the twoleg cave. A smile blossomed across her face at the memory of the warm fire, the little fish treats, and long slow pets along her spine. She missed the comforts of easy access to food and water. Just the idea of curling up next to Sully in the Hay Barn with Cookie, Morris and Mango nearby sounded so pleasant. If she listened hard enough, her brain could almost trick her into hearing the bark of Brody and the sounds of his flock.

"Thank you for staying here with us and helping Berrypaw. Once the snow melts a little we will get you home." A pretty smooth ginger she-cat came over and sat next to Briarsong.

"I am happy to be here and help, Leaftail." Briarsong reassured her. 

"Do you think Wildheart will make it through the Black Cough?"

"Hard to say." Briarsong gave her honest reply. "I hope he does."

"We can't lose a leader and a deputy. I don't know what we will do." she shook her head. "Wildheart is my mate and I want him back for Meadowclan, but I always want him back to be with me and his kits."

"Who are your kits?" 

"Snakepaw and Acornpaw. We lost our third to a eagle."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Its one of the many struggles of living on the open hills." she let out a long breath. "Kits are so easy to snatch up for an eagle, and even a hawk. We try to teach the kits at a young age to stay out of open spaces, but kits will be kits. Some times they don't listen and they want to go exploring or chasing after something."