Warriors: Cobwebs

30. The Official Decision

     With a heavy heart, Webpaw looked up to the midday sky. Clouds hung overhead, like they had for the past few days, gloomy and grey. For a few minutes, Webpaw watched as the giant cotton balls passed above. He soon stood, glancing at Shadesight's mound of snow, and he made his way back towards camp. Maybe he could think of some quick alternative solution to his problems. Maybe he would just be eaten by a rabid wolf, and he would never have to worry about the issue again.

     The camp was busy, with warriors preparing for an evening patrol. Redkit and Ashkit were arguing, which they began to do quite frequently as of late, and Tigerkit watched, almost fascinated.

     "Good afternoon," Clearwhisker meowed to Webpaw with a warm, welcoming smile. "I'm going to the stream outside the camp to see if I can crack any ice. You can come along. Goldpaw's coming with me."

     Webpaw shook his head. "Thanks," he answered, almost coldly, and he slipped into the medicine den. Slowly, he looked around the cave, and his gaze landed upon the stock cavern.

     They're in there.

     He sneered and pinned back his ears, his black and white fur bristling.

     No.

     He sat on the cold floor, dipping his head and closing his eye to think. The den was empty, Blackear having returned to the warriors den, and the silence was far too loud. He turned his head and opened his eye, and he peered at the herb store. The tip of his tail twitched, then his tail swished, and he stood, taking silent steps on black paws towards the cavern. He opened his mouth as he poked his head in an tasted the air, the mix of dry, old herbs making him cringe. Slowly, his sight adjusted to the darkness, and a stone shelf could be seen in the back.

     A dead, crunchy oak leaf sat on the shelf, to the far left.

     There.

     Webpaw took a deep breath and delved into the cavern. He approached the shelf, stood just in front of the wrapped up leaf, and he reached up and gracefully grabbed the stem, then backing out of the cavern. The leaf swung in his jaws as he set it down and carefully examined it with the hopes of opening it without breaking it. If these were indeed the correct berries, and the leaf was broken to pieces, Clearwhisker would surely snap.  

     Then again, he could always lie and say he was searching around for something else.

     Webpaw crouched and placed to paws at either side of the leaf bundle, and he bit into the very top, ripping it swiftly and spitting out the crunchy remains. He could see the wrinkled, faded red berries within. They looked stiff and useless, and Webpaw breathed a thanks to StarClan, knowing that there was only a slim chance they would still had a cat.

     He remained crouched, peering at the contents of the torn leaf. His mind wandered to Tigerkit.

     She was innocent. A regular kit.

     But that didn't matter.