Warriors - The Leopard's Apprentice

-Chapter 4 -A Tragic Betrayal-

"Bearstar's dead!" Wolfhowl's wail felt like a bite to the chest, Leopardwillow sat in stunned silence as Smokepaw and Foxbristle brought Bearstar's body into the clearing. "What happened?! Sprucethorn bellowed as he jumped onto the Oaktree. Suddenly Wolfhowl spun around to face Foxbristle hatred burning bright in his eyes, "You. You, killed my father!" he yowled and leapt at her, Fallenbranch jumped in front of the frightened and grieving she-cat just in time colliding with the larger jet-black tom, Fallenbranch pushed Wolfhowl out of the way and stood in front of Foxbristle a low menacing growl escaping his throat, "Don't touch her." his voice was deadly and held a large sum of confidence. By now the whole clan had gathered to look on in horror at the tragic scene of their beloved leader.

Leopardwillow knew Fallenbranch wouldn't stand a chance to a warrior like Wolfhowl and she leapt towards the fight snarling, "Wolfhowl, you know she wouldn't kill her own mentor what happened?" she growled. "We were on patrol, you were asleep and Timberheart said that you needed to sleep so Foxbristle t-took Smokepaw. I smelled the scent of Lakeclan so I went to investigate a-and-" a low sob escaped his mouth and the grief was quickly replaced by anger and hatrid "when I returned Smokepaw and Foxbristle stood over Bearstar's corpse, Smokepaw said he was collecting moss for the elders like Foxbristle had told him too and came upon the scene- Foxbristle had blood on her pelt." he growled. "I don't care what she once thought of Bearstar she killed my father." he spat in disgust. Foxbristle was sobbing in a heap on the ground behind Fallenbranch who still stood his ground growling menacingly to anyone who got close to the she-cat.

Leopardwillow circled Wolfhowl she knew he wasn't about to back down, "this isn't your fight Leopardwillow you can just walk away." Wolfhowl growled "I must avenge my father." "Foxbristle couldn't kill Bearstar even if she wanted to!" Leopardwillow snarled. Wolfhowl leapt at her claws fully unsheathed, Snakepaw looked in horror as his mentor racked his claws against Leopardwillow's pelt with hate, she growled in suprise and spun around, tackling the tom to the ground her eyes were blazing with anger and fear how dare he turn on his own clanmates so quickly! She thought before bitting down hard on his pelt. Blood was now coming out of newly opened wounds on both cats. Wolfhowl growled and clawed Leopardwillow to the ground his paw came crashing down to her face and she ducked just in time as he swiped at nothing but air.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Sprucethorn's commanding yowl echoed throughout the forest. "Until we have enough evidence we cannot convict Foxbristle of such a crime! I will not stand to see my clan mates fighting! Leopardwillow, Wolfhowl go get checked out by Dovesong and Ivypaw." Before either cats could protest he yowled "NOW!" And they ran towards the medicine den their tails tucked refusing to look at the other. "Fallenbranch please make sure Foxbristle is okay before I continue." Sprucethorn continued dipping his head towards the young tom who nodded and brushed his pelt against the orange warrior motioning for her to follow him. As soon as all the rest of the clan gathered underneath the Oaktree, Sprucethorn gave a deep sigh and began "Bearstar was a wonderful leader I shall travel to the Moonpool this evening with my daughter to claim my nine lives so I can lead Forestclan- I will be choosing my newest deputy at moon high. Those who wish to say goodbye to Bearstar one last time I will not stop you, we will bury him in the morning."

Once in the medicine den, Dovesong looked at Leopardwillow with pity, "Ivypaw would you mind grabbing me the cobwebs you both did quite a number on each other" she paused thoughtfully for a moment before continuing "let's not make any hasty decisions please without any evidence understood?" Dovesong turned her gaze specifically towards the black tom his pelt littered with cuts and blood, he merely grunted in response. "Ivypaw I want you to look after them for the night while I travel with Sprucethorn to the Moonpool, understood?" she asked the young apprentice who in turn nodded. "Dovesong, I know Foxbristle didn't kill Bearstar." Leopardwillow said her eyes tired, she wanted to leave the medicine den but was too exhausted to move I'll go to the warriors den tomorrow she decided. Out of the corner of her eye she thought she saw Smokepaw, his claws glistened with an unknown substance she couldn't quite see - was that blood? She shook her head she was probably just imagining things.

A few hours later, Leopardwillow awoke in a mossy medicine cat nest, Wolfhowl was still sleeping a few fox-lengths away from her. Out of the corner of her eye Leopardwillow saw Ivypaw moving things around and Leopardwillow made a grunting noise to get the young apprentice's attention.  "Oh your up, your wounds are doing well your free to go." the tortoiseshell she-cat responded with a gentle smile. Leopardwillow gratefully got to her feet and padded out of the medicine den. I have to talk with Smokepaw she thought her thoughts were interrupted by a yowl from the Oaktree, Leopardwillow looked up at silverpelt and a sudden rush of joy overtook her, it was moonhigh. "All cats who are old enough to catch their own prey please meet underneath the Oaktree!" she smiled a little at the thought of Sprucestar mirroring Bearstar's usually greeting with 'please'. "As I stand before you all I have received my nine lives from Starclan-" he was interrupted from a meow from the crowd "did Bearstar tell you who killed him?!" - the voice was Fallenbranch. Sprucestar shook his head and gave a long sigh before continuing "As you all know it is moonhigh, I say these words before Starclan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of Forestclan will be... Timberheart." "Timberheart! Timberheart! Timberheart!" the Forestclan clearing erupted into cheers as they all looked at Timberheart with pride. The light brown and black tom looked with suprise at Sprucestar and padded up to the Oaktree before licking the leader's shoulder with respect.

Leopardwillow felt her heart swell with pride at the thought of Timberheart as the deputy of Forestclan, she shook her head and realized she was now blushing. She hurriedly padded to the apprentice den only to find Smokepaw was nowhere to be found, "he went to the dirtplace." Snakepaw said noticing Leopardwillow's confusion, she briefly nodded before wandering towards the warrior's den hoping to find Foxbristle. She found Foxbristle curled up beside Fallenbranch in a somewhat fitful sleep, although she hated to wake her sister Leopardwillow needed answers, With a small nudge Foxbristle woke with a start before relaxing "Oh Leopardwillow thank goodness it's only you- can I talk to you for a moment?" she said the last part hesitantly. Leopardwillow nodded a little confused and followed her sister. "Fallenbranch and I are mates!" she said with a smile once the two of them were behind the Oaktree. "Congratulations!" Leopardwillow answered her. "Now, I need to ask you about Bearstar-" she said slowly. Foxbristle abruptly stopped and shook her head over and over mumbling "no I can't" repeatedly. Leopardwillow looked at her sister in confusion "what?! What do you mean!" but Foxbristle had already walked towards Fallenbranch, out of sight from her sister. What does she have to hide? The tan spotted she-cat thought in frustration.