Warriors: Beetlestar's Path

Chapter Thirteen

     "I can't believe that it's been close to a moon," Brownspots admitted with a laugh. Beetlewing watched her and Piketooth from beside the Flat Rock. Spottedkit and Minnowkit toddled around just a foxlength away from their parents, still wobbly on their little paws. Brownspots sighed. "They're growing up so fast." 

     It's been almost a moon since I caught Yellowfoot with Rippletail. Unease crept along Beetlewing's spine. He tried to keep an eye on the suspicious warrior, but he was often busy with the Clan, and he was hesitant to trust many cats with the task besides Swiftcreek and Troutpaw. And he's been careful. I haven't caught his scent any further north than the Burial Hill.  

    "Hey, Beetle! Want to go fishing with us? It's too early to set up patrols yet, so you've got some time." 

     Beetlewing glanced across camp and found Badgerpelt near the entrance. He blinked a few times with surprise when he saw Acornpelt close by. She rarely leaves the nursery. Or goes far from her kits. "Er- Sure," he obliged, getting to his paws and trotting towards the two sisters. "We can get an early start, make it easier on the hunting patrols." 

     Badgerpelt purred. "That's what I thought. And it'd be good for Acorn to get out for a bit." 

     "Flutterkit and Ripplekit are still asleep, but Brownspots will be there when they wake up," Acornpelt added. Her red and black pelt twitched as she glanced nervously towards the nursery. "Yellowfoot usually watches them but I think he's still sleeping." 

     Badgerpelt nudged Acornpelt's shoulder. "Come on, let's go before everyone wakes up and bothers the fish themselves." 

     Beetlewing said little on the way to the riverbank, nodding along as Badgerpelt talked. Acornpelt kept quiet as well and would occasionally startle at the noise of a bird or a twig snapping. She's certainly on edge. Has her time in the nursery caused this? 

     Dew clung to his legs and sides and glistened on the surrounding grass. Beetlewing waited for Badgerpelt and Acornpelt to find their spots by the riverside. The river itself flowed ever so calmly and shimmered as the sun began to crawl higher into the sky, and he watched the water lap at the grooves in the earth before him. He decided to sit at Badgerpelt's left while Acornpelt settled down at her right and stared intensely into the river. 

     "I hope we can grab something good," Badgerpelt meowed, crouching to get a closer look at the murky water. "What are the kits' favorite prey? Maybe I can go out of my way to catch them somethings as a gift." 

     Acornpelt's whiskers twitched. "They like mice. Flutterkit also likes squirrels." 

     "No fish?" Beetlewing blurted. Acornpelt flicked one ear. 

     "The scales bother them. They're just kits, their teeth aren't as strong. And it catches in their throats." Her paw suddenly splashed into the water after a shadow and she cursed. "Foxdung! I missed!" 

     Beetlewing tried to be reassuring. "You've been in the nursery for a while, it's okay to be a little rusty." 

     "Yellowfoot's been catching most of your prey for you lately, hasn't he?" Teased Badgerpelt with a playful trill. "We'll have to get you back into shape. Go on some runs around the camp." 

     Acornpelt only nodded, once again peering into the water. Badgerpelt looked as if she wanted to say something else, but she held back, concern in her eyes. "Are you doing okay? Is something wrong?" 

     Beetlewing bent to get a better look at the queen. "Should I leave you two alone?" Acornpelt shook her head. 

     "No, no. It's okay. I'm okay! I guess I just- I'm just a little stressed. It's okay."