Warriors | A Prophecy Reborn: Book 1. (The Legacy)

~The Legacy: Chapter 7~

The rain had passed, and now Ashpaw, Whitepaw and Spiralpaw had already gone hunting, at last.
Reedpaw had been moping in the Medicine Den beside Creamfur even after the rain had stopped. Russetpaw and Crookedfire had confirmed Creamfur may never be able to speak again, and she'd be stuck with a limp.
Eventually, Darkkit, Spidertail, Windcaller, Rockhopper, Voleroach and Redpelt had regained their health, and were now able to roam freely again around the camp and carry out orders of Fernfeather and Stonestar.
Ever since the apprentices had returned with Creamfur and Reedpaw, hostile gazes tore away at Reedpaw. If Spiralpaw had to guess, Crookedfire had spread his false and meaningless warning to the rest of the Clan.
Thankfully, to Spiralpaw's relief, however, Flamepaw, Irispaw and the kits still thought of Reedpaw the same way they always had.
And Whitepaw's attitude was better than usual, acting less rude to Reedpaw.
As Spiralpaw was walking off to join the Clan meeting with the rest of the Clanmates, she passed Rockhopper and Beeflower, who were speaking privately at the back of the crowd. And she heard Specklefern as she passed, saying to Fuzzyear, "I knew it wasn't wise to trust her."
"Specklefern, ever since Russetwhisker died, you've never trusted anyone," Fuzzyear pointed out. "Leave the young she-cat be. Focus on making sure Russetpaw doesn't become the next Russetwhisker."
At this, Specklefern bowed her head solemnly and sighed. "I suppose you're right. My sister would not wish to see me this rude to an apprentice."
Fuzzyear nodded gratefully and smiled, noticing Spiralpaw.
Spiralpaw smiled back, flicking her ear to let her know she heard and appreciated Fuzzyear's defense for Reedpaw, then sat beside Flamepaw and her brother.
"Hi," Flamepaw said. Spiralpaw nodded in acknowledgement to the ginger tom.
Flamepaw quickly looked away in a bashful manner.
Ashpaw snorted, but ignored Spiralpaw's curious look.
They lifted their heads to witness a disgruntled-looking Fernfeather standing on the Highledge.
Tigerfur, to Spiralpaw's amazement, sat in Fernfeather's place.
"Stonestar has recently caught Whitecough," Fernfeather announced. Whitepaw, who was sitting in front of Spiralpaw, flicked her ear. "I can hear the fear in her voice," Whitepaw whispered to Spiralpaw and Ashpaw.
"Crookedfire and Russetpaw are doing what they can to treat him," the Deputy went on. "Until then, Tigerfur and I will sort out patrols and hunting parties. If you have any questions, come to one of us."
The Clan looked both worried and sad.
"Clan dismissed," Fernfeather said, jumping down from the rock.
Spiralpaw got up, ignoring Whitepaw and Ashpaw as they called her back.
"Fernfeather?" she asked once Tigerfur had walked off to speak with Grayfur.
"Yes, Spiralpaw?"
"I know you're probably busy right now, but..."
"Yes?" Fernfeather said.
"How many lives does Stonestar have left?" she asked quietly.
Fernfeather was silent.
If anything, she and her littermates had more right to know than the others. They were his kits!
Fernfeather sighed, and then said, "Spiralpaw, you are his kit. I cannot lie to you."
Spiralpaw waited eagerly.
"But," the Deputy continued, "that is not for me to tell. If Crookedfire allows you to, you may ask Stonestar yourself."
Spiralpaw nodded, and Fernfeather went into the Medicine Den.
Whitepaw, Ashpaw and Spiralpaw gathered around the fresh-kill pile. "Well? What happened?" Ashpaw asked. Spiralpaw looked around first, and then said in a deep whisper, "I may have asked Fernfeather how many lives Stonestar has."
"Isn't that supposed to be personal?" Whitepaw said.
"You can't say much," Spiralpaw remarked. "You're one of the nosiest out of all three of us."
"Hmph."
Ashpaw rolled his eyes. "Well? What did she say?"
"She said she can't tell me. I'd have to ask him for myself," Spiralpaw said.
"I don't think we should," Whitepaw said. "It should be kept private. We shouldn't intervene in a Leader's personal life."
"We are his personal life," Ashpaw pointed out. "Technically, anyway."
While her littermates bickered, she took a vole and a couple of mice, heading off to the Medicine Den.
"What do you not understand?" she heard Crookedfire's voice say from deep inside the den. "Reedpaw's betrayal to ThunderClan caused this!"
Russetpaw whimpered. "But what has she done to betray the Clan?" asked Specklefern's kit.
"Have you seen Firpaw at all lately?" Crookedfire said. "Stonestar and Fernfeather have not mentioned his disappearance! And Creamfur is badly injured!"
"I doubt Reedpaw would do anything to her mentor, or my brother!" Russetpaw protested. "Why do you despise her so greatly?"
There was a short silence.
"What happened to my brother?" Russetpaw said finally. "I know Reedpaw didn't do anything to him. Stonestar is sick and Fernfeather is innocent. Who else will you accuse for his disappearance? The Dark Forest?"
Spiralpaw peeked around the corner inside the den. She could see their shadows on the wall, visible only because of the light of the setting sun. Crookedfire's shadow was standing over Russetpaw's, but Russetpaw's shadow showed that she stood defiantly before her mentor.
"Tigerfur," came Crookedfire's grim voice. She saw the shadow of his tail on the wall of the den twitch as though flicking off a fly.
"Spiralpaw's mentor?"
"Indeed."
"He's not his ancestor," Russetpaw retorted.
"And how would you know?!" Crookedfire boomed.
Unable to hear any more of their argument, she padded inside. "Crookedfire? Russetpaw?" she called.
She controlled her shaking legs and watched the two cats appear from around the corner. Russetpaw's face was blank, but Spiralpaw detected a hint of resentment in her gaze as she side-eyed Crookedfire.
"I brought some prey," Spiralpaw said. She dropped the two mice for Russetpaw and Crookedfire, and dropped the vole at Russetpaw's feet. "The vole is for Stonestar."
Crookedfire nodded. "Thank you, Spiralpaw."
She heard a cough from the back den. "Spiralpaw," Stonestar's voice said. "He has been waiting to see you for a short time," Crookedfire said. "We will leave so you can speak with him in private."
Spiralpaw nodded uncertainly at the Medicine Cat, and looked at Russetpaw sadly.
They left the den, and Spiralpaw walked in to see Stonestar sitting up in a nest.
Spiralpaw dropped the vole in front of her father.
"You've come to ask me something?" Stonestar said, and Spiralpaw nodded.
Stonestar was silent, then sat up, slowly chewing away at his vole.
"He means to overthrow me in some twisted way," Stonestar whispered between small coughs.
"Russetpaw disagrees," Spiralpaw said.
"She is a good apprentice, with the wrong mentor," the ThunderClan leader commented. "And with your mentor, I disagree with what Crookedfire thinks. Tigerfur is a loyal warrior, that I believe to be true. Fernfeather does, too."
"Stonestar?" Spiralpaw said. "Where is Firpaw?"
Stonestar hesitated. "I do not know," he admitted grimly. "I have reason to believe Crookedfire has connections outside ThunderClan that we know not of."
"What will Specklefern say?" Spiralpaw asked. "She's probably already wondering why she's never seen you leave camp with him."
Stonestar evidently wanted to avoid this question, and he changed the subject.
"You are probably wondering about Runningstar?" he asked.
Spiralpaw shuffled in her place.
"I'm curious," she said.
"She is not your mother," he reassured her.
Spiralpaw sighed in relief.
She was about to get up, seeing that Stonestar was tired.
And then she remembered.
"Stonestar?" she asked.
"Hm?"
Should I ask? she thought. Maybe Whitepaw was right. Perhaps this was a bad idea. Maybe she shouldn't do it. Crookedfire already seemed suspicious of Tigerfur and Reedpaw. She didn't see him as the type of cat who would go for just one apprentice, since Firpaw was still missing.
Would she be his next target?
"I am on my eighth life," Stonestar said, breaking through her thoughts.
"So after this life," she said hesitantly, "you'll come back?"
"Yes, perhaps," Stonestar said casually. He seemed unphased by this.
Spiralpaw stood in front of the exit for a minute. Then she bowed her head. "You will make a fine warrior, Spiralpaw," her father said. Then she walked out, her mind spinning once more.