The Darkest Moons (Warrior Cats)

17. The Days After

     Scorchpaw had sat patiently through the vigil, watching the procession of cats who honored the Clan's medicine cat. He had been a father to all, guiding every cat as best as he could. He had been the oldest cat in the forest, living long enough to see more life and death than any could have ever known, and his memories had finally been set to rest.

Shadowclaw had rubbed mint leaves over Clearwhisker's body to keep away the scent of death. Blackstar watched, sorrow in his eyes. Scorchpaw kept to the side, observing as Shadowclaw tucked the last tuft of outward fur into place. Afterwards, Scorchpaw helped to carry the corpse into the center of the camp. All of the Clan was awake now, many still yawning, but none were able to simply slink back to their nests.

Sandfoot, the Clan's only elder, snarled and snapped as cats tried to help him carry the body out of the camp. Finally, he agreed to let Patchback lend aide. "Just like before, huh? You're next in line for the den. Come on."

Patchback sniffed as he lifted Clearwhisker.

Scorchpaw lingered in the center of camp, pain thumping in his heart. They had little time for a long vigil, nor did they want one. He searched for his sister, and saw neither her or Palepaw.

The frost had melted away by the next night, leaving the ground soggy and uncomfortable. Scorchpaw trudged along, his pelt twitching as he looked up at the trees that surrounded him. The moon hung high above him, illuminating the dark woods. His mind dwelled on Fang and Poppy, but his focus snapped when the scent of prey met his nose. He dropped into a crouch and followed the smell. As he inched through the tangled, jagged undergrowth, he caught sight of a rabbit as it nibbled on a stalk of dying grass. Scorchpaw crept as close as he could and lunged, but the rabbit caught sight and scrambled away.

A white and orange cat flashed by and snatched up the rabbit, killing it with a bite to its neck. She dropped it and beamed up at Scorchpaw. "Hey!"

"Poppy?" Scorchpaw mewed, shaking his head. "What are you doing here?"

"What about you? Shouldn't you be asleep?" The she-cat countered.

"I was trying to clear my head," Scorchpaw lied. He had been on his way to the border, hoping that his friends would be there. Then, he could find out why they weren't present during their last meeting. "You're far into Clan territory."

"Yeah, but I caught this rabbit. Aren't you proud?" Poppy purred at him. "Let's go! Fang is by the border." She picked up the rabbit, which was almost as big as her, and began to drag it away. Scorchpaw hurried after her, repressing laughter at the sight of the small cat. He followed her towards the border, casting glances over his shoulder. I hope no one smells her here.

When they reached the scentline, Fang immediately stepped into sight, shaking old bark from her paws. She looked brightly at the rabbit and trotted up. "Well done, Scorchpaw."

"I chased it, but Poppy caught it," Scorchpaw explained. Poppy peered up at Fang happily and dropped the prey before her kin. Fang blinked warmly at her and nodded, and Poppy dove for the rabbit, biting into it.

"Thank you," Fang meowed to Scorchpaw, sincerity on her tongue. "We've been hunting a bit in the unclaimed forest, but it's still slim."

"Leaf-bare tends to do that," Scorchpaw said, sitting beside Poppy. Fang carefully began taking bites from the catch. When she finished, allowing Poppy to eat most of the kill, she sat up and licked her lips. Scorchpaw twitched his whiskers. "Why weren't you here for our last meeting?"

Fang tipped her head to the side before her eyes widened. "Oh! I forgot about that. I'm sorry, but I had things to take care of. I got into a fight and needed to heal."