Poppypaw peered her head through the hole in the back of RiverClan's medicine den. Near-empty herb storage lined the stone walls. Though the sun was close to going down, some light was shining in through the actual entrance; she must not go too far in, or the rogues were sure to spot her.
"Drizzlestar?" she whispered, half her body still outside the den. The few hanging leaves that had not been burned brushed her pelt. They moved across her face, tickled her muzzle.
"You'll have to go in." Ryespring's voice sounded from behind her. It sounded weirdly strangled, as if giving this kind of information was paining him. Poppypaw gave her pelt a shake and stepped forward; there were small paw imprints in the ground, showing the traces of two tiny RiverClan rebels who she knew now as Raindrop and her brother. Weirdly, she longed to know the full story. Why were they spending time in the medicine den? Why were they sneaking in through the back? Why had their medicine cat let them? Maybe she could ask. But she must not distract herself with useless wondering, not now.
She attempted again, rising her voice slightly, "Drizzlestar!"
"I'm not telling you how to use our herbs! Know what, I'd rather die—" Drizzlestar growled as she stirred.
"Keep your voice down!" pleaded Poppypaw quickly. "I'm not a rogue, I promise."
The rogues want herb knowledge? She would have to think of that later, and she would most definitely tell Leafwillow as soon as they had gotten out of this place.
The leaves moved across her face again. A small part of her longed to lash out at them, just for the fun of it. Sharpsight would taunt her forever if she did so.
"Come on, there's a back entrance, Raindrop and Ryespring are waiting there," she urged. Drizzlestar's eyes widened; she turned and met Poppypaw's gaze at last.
"Raindrop and Ryespring are alive?" she breathed.
"Yes," replied Poppypaw, relieved.
But why can't the rogues figure out herbs for themselves? They always seemed fine after our battles—
"Alright, then, just get me out of here," Drizzlestar meowed, relief and gratitude apparent in her deep voice. She added, "and thank you."
Poppypaw thought she liked this leader better than Goldenthorn.
"Come on, then," she said.
Releasing two chapters at once because this one is incredibly short, even for me.
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The Surviving Few (Warrior Cats)
FanfictionThe five clans lived by a lake. Until one day, they didn't. The clans have been destroyed. Rogues have claimed the land surrounding the lake as their own. When the clans refused to give up their hard-earned territory, the rogues fought. They fought...
