Redblaze's Regret {COMPLETE}

Chapter 36

Darkness clouded the forest despite the fullness of the moon. Thick clouds hung ominously in the sky as the RiverClan Gathering patrol set to leave. Redblaze couldn't imagine getting anymore snow, but it seemed like a sure possibility. He gritted his teeth as he stood by the camp entrance. I never want to see another snowflake.

    "Hey, grumpy," Sorrelstream's sweet voice sounded. She padded up to him from the left.

    He eyed her, flicking her playfully with his tail. "I'm not grumpy," he replied, smirking. "I'm just thinking."

    Sorrelstream purred back. "That doesn't ever get you anywhere good," she teased, whiskers twitching. The two sat and waited for the rest of the cats to gather, and Redblaze was amazed at how quickly a moon had gone by. So much had happened, and he was anxious to meet with the other Clans. Having missed the last Gathering, he could only wonder what was happening beyond RiverClan's borders. He hoped Ashstar would bring up WindClan's trespassing.

    Before long the rest of the patrol was ready; Birchclaw, Tawnyclaw, Twigtail, Cherryheart, Poppywhisker, and Reedpaw gathered with Redblaze and Sorrelstream behind Ashstar. "Let's go," Ashstar said, his voice still a little rough. Redblaze walked towards the front of the patrol for once, feeling a nagging urge to stay near Ashstar. He hadn't forgotten that Ashstar still seemed a little weak from rescuing Ripplekit, and even though his leader led the patrol at a brisk pace, by the time they waded through the river, Redblaze could hear him wheezing a little. There was the slightest rattle in Ashstar's chest as he breathed, but before Redblaze could say anything, they were heading down the slope towards Fourtrees, where ShadowClan was already waiting.

    "Hey, there's Snakefang!" Sorrelstream meowed, heading in the direction of the young ShadowClan warrior. Redblaze paused for a moment, scanning the clearing for Icetail. It seemed like moons ago that he had raced into ShadowClan territory to beg for her help in finding Minnowpaw, and he wondered again about the things she had said. But he didn't see her anywhere, so he shook his head and followed Sorrelstream.

    "Hey, Snakefang!" she was greeting him. "How's the prey running?"

    "Not bad," he replied, the usual cocky edge in his tone. "Hey, Redblaze! It's good to see you again."

    "You, too," Redblaze said, suddenly afraid Snakefang would give away that Redblaze had come to ShadowClan territory. A knowing look passed Snakefang's face, and he said nothing. Redblaze sent a silent thanks to StarClan.

    "I'm going to find Reedpaw," Sorrelstream told Redblaze. "I need to make sure she doesn't exaggerate yesterday's hunting assessment to the other apprentices." Her eyes shone with laughter, and she whacked Redblaze with her tail before walking away.

    The scent of wind and moor grass announced WindClan's arrival, and Redblaze looked to where Featherstar was leading them towards the clearing. He picked out the pelts of Wasptail, of course, as well as Gorsewhisker, Fernstripe, Sparrowclaw, Fawnstep, Rowanheart, and a couple apprentices he didn't remember the names of.

    "Hey, Sparrowclaw!" Snakefang called to the dark brown tom as the WindClan patrol approached.

    Sparrowclaw stopped, shoulders straight, and gazed coldly at Snakefang and Redblaze. "Hi," he said shortly before moving on.

    "What's going on?" Redblaze asked. It seemed unusual for Sparrowclaw not to talk with them. "Has Sandcloud had her kits yet?" He remembered the last time he'd seen her, and her belly had already swollen.

    "That's none of your business," Sparrowclaw said, sounding cold.

    Redblaze was taken aback, and as he looked at Snakefang he could see that he wasn't the only one. "Sparrowclaw, I thought we were your friends," Snakefang mewed, sounding hurt.