The Darkest Moons (Warrior Cats)

56. Spats

     Echolight dug her claws into the earth, raking it restlessly. She sneered as she searched through her stores. “We don’t have any blackberry leaves,” she hissed, backing out. Patchback groaned and left the den, limping because of the bee sting on his paw. 

     Echolight glanced to her storage area and scowled. “Tawnykit, get out of there.” 

     The black kit backed out with leaves in her mouth. She dropped them and purred. “You have some! You picked them yesterday!” 

     Echolight blinked. Great StarClan! “Thank you, Tawnykit,” She mewed, trying to sound calm. I can’t get my head out from under my tail. 

     “I’ll chew them up for Patchback!” Spiderkit offered, plucking the leaves up and dashing out after the elder. 

     They’re both such good helpers. 
 
     Echolight sat down and watched as Tawnykit followed her brother. She curled her tail around her paws and sighed, dropping her head. Spiderkit had asked far too many times about where Palemist had gone, and why no one would talk about him. 

     In time, the two kits were back to bumbling about. She watched them as they tackled each other. They both have an interest in herbs. I hope I don’t have to choose between them. Tawnykit seems to know so much, but Spiderkit is different. Special.  

     I need out of this den. Echolight forced herself out of her den and shook her pelt. She padded past the two kits and looked around the camp. Blackstar was sitting by the prey pile, speaking with Helen. Scorchwing was by the apprentices’ den, curled into a ball. He looks like he hasn’t groomed himself in moons. Echolight trotted to her brother’s side. “Hey,” She mewed. 

     “Hi,” Scorchwing answered dryly. He didn’t move. His fur was tangled.  

     “You look like you were dragged through a bramble patch. You’re always very adamant about cleaning yourself.” Echolight scowled when her littermate did not answer. “I’m surprised Poppy hasn’t pinned you down and washed you.” 

     “I tried,” Poppy huffed, crawling out of the den. “He hissed at me, so I’m going to let him turn into a mossball.” 

     “I’m fine,” Scorchwing grumbled. 

     Echolight glower at him. “This is because Palemist, isn’t it?” She sighed. “I’m hurting too. We all are. What he did-“ 

     “He didn’t do anything,” Scorchwing sneered, lifting and turning his head. His glare was like claws. “Don’t you dare say he killed Ashtail.” 

     Echolight lashed her tail. “I found his fur in her claws. And Patchback-“ 

     “Lied!” Scorchwing snapped. “He lied!” 

     “Why would he? There’s no reason for him to!” Echolight argued. 

     “Palemist is a good cat! He would never hurt a Clanmate!”  

     Poppy shouldered between the two. “Stop!” She yelped. She turned to Scorchwing. “Listen. We weren’t there. We don’t know everything.” 

     Scorchwing bared his teeth at the she-cat and whirled away, stomping off. “Where are you going?” She demanded. 

     “I know my friend!” He answered, leaving the two alone. 

     Poppy groaned and stamped back into the den. Echolight plopped down and hung her head. Cobweb would know. He would have been able to help. 

     “Why are you so sad?” Spiderkit questioned, flopping over Echolight’s fluffy tail. “And Scorchwing is really mad. What’s going on?” 

     “Maybe we should leave her alone,” Tawnykit scolded. 

     Echolight swallowed the stone in her throat and pulled Spiderkit closer, touching her nose to his forehead. Cobweb, if you’re in there, show me. 

     “I want in!” Tawnykit chirped, and Echolight forced herself to purr as the two kits huddle against her. She felt loved as they snuggled into her fur, enjoying the warmth. 

     “Tawnykit! Spiderkit! Time to nest!” Rosepetal called. Echolight reluctantly let the kits go, allowing them to bound towards their mother. They jumped onto her, leaping onto her tail and batting at her whiskers. 

     Being a queen wouldn’t be so bad. She shook her head and looked to the camp tunnel, thinking of her brother and her former friend. All we can go off of is Patchback’s word and the fur I found. She felt sick to her stomach. I don’t want to believe it either.