The Darkest Moons (Warrior Cats)

37. As Time Passes

The rain had stopped, leaving the past few days pleasantly warm and dry. There was much to do, and so the Clan bustled. As Shadowclaw set up hunting patrols to fill the prey pile, Miststep and Goldstreak slipped past with bundles of moss in their jaws. Scorchpaw watched as they disappeared into the nursery to fix up a nest for Rosepetal. She was getting more and more plump, and her kits were said to arrive within the moon.

"Get back to work, fluff-brain," Palepaw huffed, and Scorchpaw jumped when his friend nudged him. "Jumpy aren't you. I think Ashtail is going to come help." Palepaw sat down and wrapped his tail around his paws, looking smug. "I get to go out with Tidefoot and look for more herbs for Echopaw while you get to be poked in the face by sticks."

Scorchpaw shook his head, mildly annoyed by his friend. Still, it's nice to see him in a good mood. He quickly bent down and pulled a length of bracken from the nearby pile, and he slowly began to weave it into the wall of the nursery. "Palepaw! Come on!" Called a voice, and Scorchpaw watched through the corner of his eye as his friend trotted after Tidefoot.

"It's looking good," said a cat. Scorchpaw glanced over his shoulder to see Blackstar investigating his work. The leader stepped up and used one claw to tap a bramble. "You've left this out though. Brambles are good for pulling things together, but not all that safe." The big tom began to slip a twig in over it, covering the prickly tendril. "You may be our official den-builder one day."

"Thank you," Scorchpaw mewed, sitting and dipping his head respectfully to his leader. "Is- Is there something you wanted?"

Blackstar nodded. "Shadowclaw told me about the patrol a few days ago. About your friend, Poppy. He said that you spoke to her privately."

Scorchpaw blinked a few times, the fur in his pelt tingling. "I- I'm sorry! I just- She asked me to meet her, and-"

"When?" The leader asked gruffly.

"Tonight," Scorchpaw answered. I should have told Blackstar sooner! It wasn't that he had forgotten so much as procrastinated. A small amount of fear dwelled in the pit of his stomach, flaring at the thought of asking Blackstar for a favor as huge as allowing Poppy into the Clan. Still, he yearned for her to be safe. She was invaluable to the Clan, and to him, though he didn't realize it. He cared strongly about his friend, but she was just that: a friend.

Blackstar's whiskers twitched. "You look troubled."

How do I ask? Scorchpaw opened his mouth to speak, but his throat began to close, and nothing would come out. He swallowed the stone in his throat and shook his head. Just do it! "Poppy's scared. She's afraid of what may happen to her if she keeps helping us. If the rogues and WaterClan attack, and we already know, she may be killed."

"She has kin with the rogues. She'll be fine," Blackstar said dryly.

Scorchpaw gaped at him. "But- Fang- Fang is loyal to Vine, and he's their leader! If he finds out that she's a traitor, she'll be murdered! She's not safe with her own kin!"

Blackstar seemed thoughtful for a moment. "You want me to let her into DarkClan so she can be safe."

"She's done so much for us," Scorchpaw insisted. "She's warned us about WaterClan!" Please!

The leader stood and closed his eyes, pondering for a few moments. "If she helps us to win the battle that Beetlestar and Vine are supposedly planning, then I'll allow her to stay here. Permanently, I'm not sure."

Scorchpaw's heart sank at the sound of his leader's uncertainty. "Thank you," He mewed. At least she'll have some safety soon.

Blackstar didn't hesitate to pad away, leaving Scorchpaw alone with his duties. He returned to strengthening the nursery walls, ignoring Miststep and Goldstreak as they padded out and laughed with each other light-heartedly. It wasn't until Ashtail was looming beside him that he looked away to see her purring. "Hey," she said cheerily. "Need any help?"