Warriors: Beetlestar's Path

Chapter Eleven

Thick silence filled the den. Beetlewing sat by the entrance, cool, wet air against his back. Dustfoot slowly ran her paw along Brookstar's side. "There are lumps along her chest and ribs, and near her neck and spine." She pressed her paw against the leader's flank. "They're everywhere. I've tried every herb that I can, and it's done nothing. Every time I've seen her lose a life, it hardly did any good. I don't think it's a disease like what we're used to. It's not contagious, and the lumps are hard." Dustfoot turned her head to look at her brother. "I keep giving her poppy seeds so she can sleep. She doesn't even moan from the pain anymore. I haven't seen her open her eyes in days."

Beetlewing crept towards his leader, eyes adjusting to the dark and making out the sight of how pitiful she looked. "Is there really nothing you can do?" He whispered pleadingly. "There has to be something."

"Clearwhisker said there isn't a cure," mewed Dustfoot. Beetlewing's ears flattened.

"He may be old and smart but he's not StarClan, he's not all knowing!"

Dustfoot turned away from him. "StarClan doesn't know either! I asked them! I asked Scalefur!"

The mention of WaterClan's previous medic and Dustfoot's mentor shut Beetlewing up. And Dustfoot continued. "She said that there's no cure in the forest. I tried! I've given her every herb I could without killing her!" Her voice rose to a shout. "That's the only thing I haven't tried; killing her!" She cried. "What else is there to do? She's dying. She's suffering! Maybe- Maybe it'd be best-" She froze up, fur bristling as she covered her mouth with the back of her paw as if to forcefully silence herself.

Beetlewing crept around the nest and sat beside his littermate. "Dust, you-"

"There's nothing I can do!" She hissed into the fur of her paw. "She'll die. I've lost track of her lives. I don't know what to do. I can't do anything anyways." She shook her head. "Beetlewing, I- I tried. I did. I really did. But- It may be time for you to figure out who your deputy will be."

A heavy weight bore down on him as he realized the true scale of it all. If Brookstar truly passed, he would take her place. He would meet StarClan and take on his nine lives, and his own deputy would one day take his place. Would StarClan accept him after everything? What if they rejected him? And could he choose the right cat to be deputy and take on the same burdens?

"I'll try," he finally answered.

Something moved outside and someone shouted. "Dustfoot?! Dustfoot! We need you!" Brighteye looked in and Dustfoot stepped protectively over her leader to guard the sick cat from sight. "Dustfoot! Brownspots is kitting! Come quick!"

Dustfoot wasted no time, rocketing out of the den to help. Beetlewing hurried and shivered as water spattered his pelt. He passed by Brighteye and sat by the Flat Rock. Anxiety crept over him as Acornpelt led her kits into the open and stumbled as they scuttled under her to avoid the rain. Piketooth launched himself into the nursery to be with his mate. And Berryfrost, ever so happy to help a queen, escorted Dustfoot in as well.

"I can't wait to play with them!" Ripplekit trilled, bouncing around her mother. "I'll show them all the best games! And I can teach them all about the camp! It'll be great!" She spun in excited circles and Flutterkit huddled against his mother.

"I'm gonna show them that awesome crouch that Yellowfoot taught me," he chirped.

Beetlewing wanted to laugh at the kits and join them and their plans, but he couldn't shake off his anxiety. He angled his ears towards Acornpelt. "You'll have to wait. They'll be too small to do anything except eat and sleep for awhile."