Redblaze's Regret {COMPLETE}

Chapter 25

 Redblaze woke very early the next morning, having fallen asleep on the uncomfortable stones during his vigil. The sun had not quite risen and the sky was a pale gray, and the elders were getting ready to take Maplenose for burial. Cinderfrost and Poppywhisker were also awake, blinking the sleep from their eyes. Even under the pale light of dawn, Redblaze's sisters looked sorrowful and disheveled. Redblaze stood and approached them, sitting with them as Troutleap and Blacktail took their mother away. Cinderfrost dipped her head towards the ground, and Poppywhisker's tail stroked her back comfortingly. Redblaze laid a paw on Cinderfrost's.

"I guess it's just us now," Cinderfrost whispered.

Poppywhisker sighed. "At least we have each other," she replied, looking past her sister to Redblaze.

He gulped. He owed them an apology, now more than ever. "I'm sorry," he meowed softly to them. "I'm sorry I ever pushed you away, or acted like I didn't care. I promise I do."

Cinderfrost blinked gratefully at him and Poppywhisker purred. "I know she hated to see us fighting," Cinderfrost said. Chuckling, she added, "Let's not do that anymore, huh?"

Purring with amusement, Redblaze and Poppywhisker nodded their agreement. Almost immediately, Redblaze felt a massive weight lifted from his heart, as if making up with his sisters was medicine for some of the bad feelings that plagued him. He looked up to see Bristlepelt watching them from a distance; the ginger and white warrior nodded to him, and he nodded back.

Not long after, the rest of the Clan was awake and Birchclaw assigned hunting patrols, instructing the cats on them not to go too far beyond the river. "We need to make a clear assessment of our territory to see if it's still safe," he told them. "For now, just catch fish in the river and anything on Sunningrocks." The patrols consisted of the three apprentices and their mentors, as well as Sweetstripe and Cloudsplash. Sometime in the night a makeshift nursery had been scrambled together, and Redblaze saw Nettlestep nursing Falconkit, looking exhausted, while Ashflower supervised her own kits as they played.

Just after the sun had risen fully over the horizon, the scent of ThunderClan rolled over from the forest and a patrol stepped out of the wooded territory. Stormspots was in the lead, followed by Graytail, Pinefeather, and Breezepaw. Graytail immediately went on point at the sight of the RiverClan cats, but Stormspots remained calm as Ashstar too stepped forward to speak with him.

"Hello, Stormspots," Ashstar greeted kindly. Birchclaw moved to stand next to him as they conversed with the ThunderClan dawn patrol.

"Ashstar, Birchclaw," Stormspots returned, sounding cautious and confused. His gaze spanned over the rocks and the gathered cats. "Is your whole Clan here?" Graytail was still on edge, and Stormspots flicked him with his tail to calm him.

"Yes," Ashstar replied. "The windstorm has wreaked havoc on our camp and territory, so we took shelter here."

Stormspots nodded, understanding. "Yes, we saw it too, but it cleared up before it reached our territory. Is your Clan alright?"

Ashstar dipped his head. "Most of us. One of our warriors was able to warn us of its approach, so we evacuated quickly. Unfortunately a tree has fallen across our camp, and Maplenose was killed." Redblaze was surprised to hear Ashstar mention him, even if it wasn't by name. He supposed his hastiness had helped save his Clan from further danger, but it didn't make him feel much better, all things considered.

Stormspots nodded solemnly. "I'm very sorry," he replied. "I'll tell Duskstar that you are sheltering here, but mean no harm. I don't want any of my Clanmates to think otherwise."

"That's very kind of you," Birchclaw said to the spotted tom. "We thank you for that."

"Of course," Stormspots mewed. "If you need anything, I'm sure ThunderClan will be willing to help."