The Darkest Moons (Warrior Cats)

41. Saved By Blood

     “Do we have plenty of poppy seeds?” Cobweb meowed. Echopaw nodded and backed out of her stores.  
     “Plenty,” she answered. 
     “I know we have raspberry leaves. Rosepetal will need those when she starts kitting.” Cobweb stood and poked his head out of the den, his translucent pelt glittering in the sunlight. “She has less than a moon to go.” 
     Echopaw pushed down the bile that had risen in her throat. Rosepetal was steadily growing more round in the belly, swollen with the kits that she would soon welcome into the world. When she looked into the expecting queen’s eyes, all Echopaw could see was Rainfall. Images of the two stillborn kits made her heart ache. 
     But they’re well. They’re in StarClan, and they have plenty of cats to look over them. 
     A cold nose gently touched her ear. “She’ll be fine,” Cobweb whispered. “She’s healthy and strong.” 
     “So was Rainfall,” Echopaw mewed. 
     “You’ll help to deliver plenty more kits after Rosepetal. It happens over and over again.” A flicker of sympathy lit up the ghost’s single green eye. “I know how it feels to lose someone. Especially someone who is kitting. It’s harsh.” His voice sounded hardened, but it quickly turned soft. “But you have to continue. You have to help others. And I’ll be there for you. So will Helen. She knows how to help with this sort of thing.” 
     She should be a permanent queen. Echopaw thought back to a conversation she had overheard between Helen and Shadowclaw, who too was concerned for the Clan’s newest queen. She’s passionate about helping queens. She’d be a great help. “Thank you,” Echopaw said. She offered a purr to Cobweb. “Do we need anything else?” 
     The tom shook his head and sat by the entrance of the den. “Absolutely nothing. We have plenty of everything.” Satisfaction rang clear in his tone. “I love Newleaf. Everything is coming back.” 
     “This is my first,” Echopaw confessed. 
     Cobweb snorted. “I know. I remember when you were a tiny kit. You were so rude.” 
     Echopaw’s ears fell back. “No I wasn’t!” She hissed. Her friend flashed an amused glance to her. 
     “When I brought Palepaw here, you said he smelled like dirt. And not the kind that grass grew from. I have a feeling you were a bit obnoxious,” he teased, swishing his tail back and forth. “But you’ve grown and learned. You’ve gained a lot of wisdom.” 
     Echopaw stared at Cobweb for a moment. All I’ve learned is how to slap some leaves in some scratches. “Not really,” She mewed. 
     The spirit held her gaze. “You have experienced a great deal. All of this will add to your knowledge. You’re learning, even if it seems like you’re not.” 
     Echopaw was so transfixed on Cobweb’s deep state that she didn’t notice the cat padding into the medicine den. It was Palepaw, who walked right through Cobweb and shuddered. “There’s something wrong if your den is so cold all the time,” he grumbled. Cobweb was quick to move away, pain flickering across his face at the sight of his son.  
     The day before, something had happened between Palepaw and Scorchpaw. Palepaw had stomped in, blood welling around his eye, hurting his vision. When Echopaw had stepped into his den to check on him, his nest had been moved as far away from Scorchpaw’s as was possible. 
     Scorchpaw wouldn’t have hurt him. Whatever happened though, it’s really broken their friendship up. She took a deep breath. But this has happened before. They’ll sort it out. 
     “Did you hear me?” 
     Echopaw blinked a few times and shook her head. “I’m sorry. What did you say?” 
     “Sandfoot’s being a pain in my tail about a bellyache.” Palepaw’s tail tip twitched. He squinted, then flinched at the pain of his stretching skin.  
     Echopaw struggled to tear her eyes away from his new scratches. I know Scorchpaw wouldn’t do that. When Palepaw’s whiskers flicked impatiently, she hurried to her stores and nudged a few bundles of herbs away, searching for the correct plant. She pulled out just enough watermint with her paw and placed it on a beech leaf, wrapping it and setting it by Palepaw. “Have him eat that.” 
     “The last time I messed with watermint, I took a dip in the river.” Amusement flashed in Palepaw’s eyes just before he picked up the leaf, and he ducked out of the den. Echopaw sat in silence for a moment, watching as his tail disappeared outside.  
     “He has too many scars for a young cat,” Cobweb muttered. “His ear and both of his eyes.” 
     “It’s how we live. You know that,” Echopaw replied softly. “I hate it too. But I’m getting used to it.” She heard a cold, tired sigh from the cat behind her. Her eyes widened when someone called her name. “Please, don’t let it be another unwell cat,” she huffed. 
     Cobweb scoffed. “I thought that’s how you live.” 
     Shut up, you dungpile. She began to stand as Rainfall padded inside. Her eyes were bright. So everything’s okay. She looks better. As guilt began to rise in Echopaw’s throat, she forced it down like it was rising bile. “What-“ 
     “Birchtail and I are going hunting. We thought you’d like to come with us. We’re three of the camp’s most cooped up cats anyways. We need the exercise.” Rainfall looked on hopefully. 
     Chilled air brushed Echopaw’s side. “You should go. I can find you if anything happens. You ought to get out every once in a while anyways.” 
     “Alright. I’ll go,” Echopaw agreed, though reluctantly. She thought of Sandfoot with his bellyache, and Palepaw’s new injury. I trust Cobweb. He’ll be ready to help. 
     Rainfall purred in delight and hastily left the den. Echopaw followed, eyes fluttering rapidly when early morning sunlight struck. It was only just dawn, before patrols left. Blackstar was perched on the cliff ledge, peering down at the cats that wandered through camp. His head turned, and Echopaw followed his gaze. He was glaring at Palepaw, who was crouched by the nursery. Did he get in serious trouble? 
     “Echopaw,” Birchtail greeted warmly. Echopaw shuddered in surprise, but she managed a cheerful look at the tom. 
     “Hello,” she said. “So, you’re coming with us?” 
     “If you’ll have me.” 
     “I’ll lead,” Rainfall said, limping across camp. Echopaw padded alongside Birchtail, and when they left through the tunnel, she admired the scent of the trees and brush around her. In the full fledge of the forest, there were no walls to block the scents carried on the wind. There was a hint of rain in the air, and Echopaw guessed that it would be some time before it came. 
     Rainfall cleared her throat to break the silence. “I think we should try by the Streams. We should be able to find some good prey there.” 
     “Voles are nice. Or minnows,” Birchtail trilled, looking smug when Rainfall grimaced. “FireClan eat whatever they can get their paws on, so long as it isn’t crowfood.” 
     Puzzlement rang in Rainfall’s voice. “Your Clan isn’t starving. Why eat fish?” Birchtail didn’t answer, and he walked on with an air of play. 
     When the three finally shouldered their way through the undergrowth guarding the end of the Streams, Echopaw was met with the fresh smell of watermint. I don’t need it, but it’s always good to know where it can be found. “I’m going to look around for herb patches.” 
     When Rainfall offered help, Echopaw turned her down and trotted to the edge of the creeks. “I’ll catch something when I’ve found what I need,” she called, easing herself down a set of rocks and sniffing around the grasses. The Streams, creeks separating from the WaterClan border river, disappeared into small caverns. Reeds poked up around them, hiding herbs and prey. Echopaw pushed through the limbs of a bush and huffed as her paw sunk in mud. Still, something positive came from the experience: watermint grew between the roots of the bush, untouched for moons.  
     Perfect! Echopaw quickly backed out of the brush and shook her paw, licking it with a scowl. How do WaterClan cats stand this? She gave it another shake and flexed her claws. A harsh gust of wind slammed into her, buffeting her fur. Laughter came from nearby, and she turned and glared at the source. Rainfall trotted up to her. “Maybe you should have stayed in camp.” 
     Echopaw stuck her tongue out at the she-cat, who shrugged and padded away once more to search for prey. After the mild excitement died down, Echopaw turned and began her own quest for something to eat. Everything smelled almost sweet, with birds occasionally chirping and fluttering overhead. As the wind ruffled her fur, she could smell the freshness of the water that flowed through the Streams, as well as the nearby WaterClan border. 
     The scent of rabbit made her mouth water, and Echopaw slowly pushed her nose under a thorn bush, looking through the undergrowth. The brown pelt of her prey twitched, and as a breeze struck her, the rabbit lifted its head. No! Echopaw backed out as the animal dashed away. I should have gone around! I was upwind! 
     A loud squeak made her shudder. Someone caught it! Echopaw relaxed. It had been a large rabbit, capable of feeding at least two cats. I chased it right into their paws. I did something right by accident. “Rainfall? Birchtail?” She chirped, trotting around the thorn bush. “Good catch!” 
     A foul stench wafted up her nose, causing her to cringe. She took the final few steps around the brush and froze. A bone snapped in the jaws of an orange-furred creature. Fox!  Echopaw’s muscles were locked, her body refusing to move. The fox turned its head to her and snarled, teeth stained red with the rabbit’s blood.  
     The fox yapped at her and lunged. 
     Echopaw shrieked and turned-tail, bolting. She could head the animal cry out behind her, and knew that it was giving chase. She tried to shout, but no noise came from her parted lips. She rushed to the closest tree and leaped, digging her claws into its slick bark. She lifted herself up and hung on for dear life. The nearest branch was high up — too high for her tired legs to reach — and it was far to thin to support her. 
     The fox was circling below, making noises much like laughter. Echopaw whimpered and pressed her forehead against the tree’s trunk, listening as the fox’s claws scraped the bark. It’s trying to reach me! Can it climb? Can foxes climb?!  
     Suddenly, the fox went quiet. Echopaw turned her head and watched through the corner of her eye as the animal stared into the forest. A threatening yowl pierced the air, and a black mass of fur and muscle blurred across the clearing and slammed into the fox. The cat lashed out with needle-sharp claws, and the fox wailed as blood welled into its eye, scratches running along its face. It started to flee, and the cat chased after it.  
     They’re almost the size of that fox! Echopaw began to lower herself as the two disappeared, and when she reached the ground, she found that she was trembling. She had never felt such a personal fear. The young cat was forced to sit and lean against the roots of the tree. She felt weak, as though she could collapse at any moment. 
     The black cat sashayed back into the clearing, looking smug. His white muzzle was tinted red. Panic flooded through Echopaw. “You’re that rogue- What-“ 
     “You’re very welcome,” the tom chimed, sitting by the roots and giving his paw a lick. He ran it over his muzzle, smearing the blood. “You tend to wander alone. I figured you’d learn.” 
     “I’m not alone!” Echopaw hissed. “I have two Clanmates nearby.” 
     “Clanmates who refused to save you?” The rogue tilted his head. “You screamed pretty loud, and they didn’t come running.” 
     Unease washed over Echopaw. This cat wasn’t wrong. Rainfall and Birchtail couldn’t have been far away. “They didn’t hear me. That’s all. Who are you anyways?” 
     “Nero. And you are?” 
     Echopaw glowered at him for a moment. “Shadowclaw mentioned you. He found you during a patrol, and you did nothing but insult us.” 
     “I saved your life. If I had anything against the Clans, I would have let the fox eat you.” He bared his teeth, a playful gleam in his eyes. “I might have eaten you myself.” 
     “Echopaw! Echopaw!” A voice called, and Rainfall staggered into the open. “You’re okay!” 
     Echopaw gave Nero an I-Told-You-So look. “I’m fine. Nero saved me.” 
     Rainfall gaped at her, and then at the black tom. “You chased off a fox on your own? Goldstreak was talking about you! You harassed one of our patrols at the border.” 
     “I wanted to speak with your leader. That was all,” Nero meowed. He dipped his head respectfully. “I should apologize for that.” 
     “What are you doing on our territory?” Rainfall demanded, looking fierce.  
     “I saw him before Shadowclaw’s patrol encountered him. He’s been hanging around our territory for a while now,” Echopaw explained. 
     Nero blinked. “As I’ve said, I’ve only wanted to speak with your leader.” 
     “You have friends hanging around too,” hissed Echopaw. “Where are they?” 
     “I sent them home.” 
     Rainfall looked thoughtful. “We should take him to Blackstar.” 
     “There you are!” Birchtail ran up to the two. “And you? Who are you?” His eyes were narrowed at the rogue.  
     “Nero. And we’re taking him to Blackstar.”