Chapter 32

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The morning sun shone brightly as Oakheart exited the warriors' den. Clouds drifted past the sun, but light still reached the boulder Hailstar used to call meetings. When he entered the clearing, he spotted Crookedjaw and Willowbreeze across the camp.

"Why don't you just assign me to the dawn patrol?" Willowbreeze whined. "I've wanted to leave the camp for a while now."

But Crookedjaw insisted, "It would be safer for you here. We don't want our kits getting hurt."

Oakheart saw white fur move past him and turned to see Brambleberry approaching the two arguing warriors. She circled Willowbreeze, inspecting the she-cat. Then, she concluded, "There's still plenty time left before she should be staying in the nursery."

"Fine," Crookedjaw rolled his eyes. "You can join the dawn patrol. All I ask is that you don't hurt yourself."

"Since when have I done that?" Willowbreeze asked. She nuzzled the tabby warrior. "I'll be fine, Crookedjaw. I would never let anything happen to our kits."

Brambleberry grinned and crossed the clearing, passing Oakheart once again. Before she arrived at the medicine den, he stopped her and asked, "Doesn't Crookedjaw know he's not being reasonable?"

As Brambleberry slowed down, she shook her head. "He's going to be a father soon. You can't blame him."

Oakheart nodded. I guess he's just worried about Willowbreeze and their kits. Brambleberry turned away and headed towards the medicine den where Mudfur was waiting for her. Inside, sick or injured cats would be given herbs. Hailstar was one of these injured cats, stumbling out of the den with herbs covering a wound on his back.

"You're just in time!" Oakheart flinched as he heard a voice from behind him. He spun around, nearly hitting Crookedjaw's muzzle with his tail.

Crookedjaw stumbled back, dodging Oakheart's tail. Then, sighing, he continued, "I wanted you to go on a patrol with Hailstar." He leaned to the side, looking past Oakheart and at the Clan leader. Quickly, he added, "If that's alright with you, of course."

"I think that's a great idea," Hailstar agreed. "It's getting closer to Greenleaf each day, and I'm happy to go on patrol again. I'll find another warrior to bring with us."

Hailstar left Oakheart and Crookedjaw, departing from them to find another warrior. The two brothers glanced at each other before waiting for the leader in silence. The shadow of a cloud moved past, drifting over the camp. Nearby, the reed dens swayed in the wind. They remained stable, sheltering the cats that rested inside.

"Let's go!" Oakheart heard Hailstar. The gray tom was followed by Petaldust. The reddish warrior joined them as they headed for the entrance of the camp.

Oakheart was the first to leave the camp. The reeds expanded ahead of him, trails between them leading to the river. Some stalks of vegetation were carried by the wind, rolling across the dirty ground. Dead sticks and twigs lined the edges of the paths, and the scent of the river wafted past the patrol and into the camp.

As Petaldust pulled ahead, Hailstar stayed behind with Oakheart. "You would make a good deputy," he commented.

"I hope I'm not deputy for a long time," Oakheart replied. "I don't want you or Crookedjaw to get hurt."

Hailstar lowered his head, clearly aware of what Oakheart was thinking about. "I know you've been through a lot," he continued. He turned to face the reddish tom, gazing at him with sympathy. "Just promise that you'll remember this. There are things more important than Clan loyalty."

Oakheart flinched as he listened to Hailstar. I'm not making another promise, not to anyone. However, he took note of the leader's words. There are things more important than becoming deputy. Like Bluefur.

While Hailstar continued forward, Oakheart froze. Why am I still thinking of Bluefur? He sighed, allowing himself to walk closer to Petaldust and Hailstar. I'll worry about that after this patrol.

Oakheart watched the clouds as he trotted towards the WindClan border. Above, he saw that one appeared to be in the form of a cat. It had large ear-shaped protrusions and a very specific shape similar to a lion. Mapleshade. You may have your eyes on me, but you can't control my life. I've broken my promise, and you must remember that!

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