Warriors | A Prophecy Reborn: Book 2. (A Path Beyond Stars)

~A Path Beyond Stars: Chapter 25~

Ashpelt and Reedtail slowed down as they reached their territory.
"I'm sorry for lying to Frostpaw," he said after a short while of walking. "I didn't want her to follow me."
"I know," Reedtail said.
Reedtail let him continue, looking around every now and then to make sure they weren't being followed.
"I think Horizon's right. We should leave sooner or later. As soon as we get the opportunity, we'll take it, and we can leave this awful place."
"Yes," Reedtail said. "The Clans are in danger here, even ShadowClan, whether Webclaw wants to admit it or not."
"I doubt a cat as stubborn as him would admit defeat even if it slashed him in the face," Ashpelt agreed. "But I promise I'll mentor Frostpaw properly from now on..." he added hesitantly.
Reedtail knew he enjoyed teaching Frostpaw, but he also enjoyed spending time with Horizon.
How long until some other cat finds out? she thought anxiously.
"You'll be able to see Horizon again," she said reassuringly. "But I think it'd be best if you stuck with Frostpaw until she's a warrior."
"But that's moons away!" Ashpelt protested.
"I'm sorry, but it's the only way you'd be able to see Horizon without someone causing a panic."
Ashpelt's tail tip twitched angrily, but he said no more. They decided it would probably be better to quickly catch some prey so they had something to return with. While Fernfeather and Russetfire probably knew what they were up to already, they didn't want the rest of the Clan to become suspicious.
And then there was the matter of having to spy on ShadowClan. Reedtail didn't like that idea. She still hadn't told Flameclaw and Whitestripe because she knew what their reactions would be.
Eventually, they made it back to camp with a load of prey. Fernfeather was no longer sitting by Blackpatch's grave when they returned. Instead, she was speaking with Tigerfur and Russetfire near Stonestar's den.
Reedtail and Ashpelt dropped their catch in the fresh-kill pile. Frostpaw, Brackenpaw and Coldpaw were talking outside the apprentices' den when they saw the warriors return.
"You found him!" Frostpaw said.
Ashpelt flicked his ear, half in embarrassment and half in relief.
"Did you run off on her?" grumbled Whitestripe, coming up behind them.
"I didn't run off," Ashpelt said with a frown. "We went hunting."
"Yes, that sounds like you," Whitestripe sighed, rolling her eyes. She strutted off toward Iris-Eye and Flameclaw near the warriors' den.
Reedtail knew he was now regretting telling any of his siblings about Horizon. With Whitestripe's criticism, Spiraltail's overwhelming joy and Reedtail's nonstop growlings, not to mention mentoring Frostpaw, how could he find time to meet with Horizon in between training, Clan meetings, Gatherings and patrols?
And if any cat knew about his affair, he would probably be exiled or Horizon would die to the wrong cat that found out.
Reedtail frowned and thought for a moment. She was still concerned about ShadowClan and Half-Sight. How long until they attacked? She didn't want her Clanmates to end up like Birdpaw and Woodstar or Kestrelwind and Runningstar. Hardly any cats survived the RiverClan massacre. At least WindClan was able to escape with their Medicine Cat. RiverClan barely escaped with their deputy and a few apprentices, if any.
While she wasn't very close with many of the WindClan or RiverClan warriors, none of them deserved their fate. None of them deserved to die or be driven out. A very small few, perhaps, but most of the cats in both Clans were innocent. The only time any Clan attacked was to defend their territory or if they were provoked. Otherwise, it was just a common disagreement that led to an attack.
Fernfeather walked up to Reedtail, interrupted her thoughts. "May I speak with you?"
Reedtail nodded and they went to the spare den, leaving Ashpelt and Frostpaw to talk while Coldpaw and Brackenpaw ran over to the elder's den.
"You should leave soon with Whitestripe and Flameclaw," she said as soon as they entered the den.
"Not today though?" Reedtail asked hopefully.
"Not today," Fernfeather said to Reedtail's relief, "but very soon. We don't know how long it will be until they attack, and we may be outnumbered. Even then, I'd rather not count my voles before they've been hunted."
Fernfeather turned and left Reedtail to sit, confused, in the spare den. The deputy was becoming restless, and Reedtail could take an easy guess as to why.