eternal: hyacinth || warrior cats

chapter 15

snakepaw

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"IT'S CONFIRMED." Ivorystar's booming voice seemed to shake the camp, holding the intense attention of the ShadowClan cats. "WindClan has allied with RiverClan."

Instantly, yowls of anger rang through the clearing.

"Those rabbit chasing mangepelts!"

"We'll show them!"

"They've got another thing coming!"

Ivorystar lashed her tail, bringing all the cries to a silence. "I'll be leading a patrol to ThunderClan's camp, and suggest an alliance to Tigerstar," she declared. "I want Waspstrike, Eaglestorm, Foxstorm, and Brooklight to come along."

Snakepaw's ears twitched at the sound of his mentor's name.

Just then, the entrance of the camp rustled, and Clearfrost and Mintpaw appeared, each carrying a mouthful of herbs. Snakepaw shuddered at the thought of even imagining the taste.

"Clearfrost!" Ivorystar's eyes sharpened at the sight of her sister, leaping off the Clanrock to meet her. "Where have you been?"

"Collecting watermint," the ragdoll answered simply, placing down the herbs. "Just doing my job."

Ivorystar's tail lashed. "Collecting watermint, a herb that grows near RiverClan's territory?"

"You're very knowledgeable in the study of herbs, Ivorystar," Clearfrost replied dryly. "I congratulate you."

The ShadowClan leader didn't seem to appreciate her medicine cat's sarcasm. "You know you're not supposed to go anywhere near there!" As she spoke, her eyes darted to Mintpaw, before fixing themselves back onto Clearfrost.

"We were out of watermint," the ragdoll mewed calmly. "You can't expect me to just sit around and let my Clanmates have a bellyache, can you?"

Ivorystar growled. "You-"

"Watch your mouth." Clearfrost spoke coldly. "We're still in public."

Ivorystar took a deep breath, seemingly calming herself. "Go put the herbs away, then meet me at the camp entrance. We're going to propose an alliance to Tigerstar."

As the medicine cat and her apprentice disappeared into the den, the Clan melted away into chatters.

"I really don't know what's been going on between Clearfrost and Ivorystar," Dawnfoot murmured quietly to Birdfrost, Foxstorm's sister. "They used to be so close."

"Yes, I think they only started fighting after Clearfrost adopted Lilylight and Icestrike's kits."

Snakepaw froze. This was the first time since who knows how long that he'd heard his parents' names. It sounded foreign to him, yet so familiar.

"And there's a whole thing going on with Featherflight, too," Birdfrost answered in a whisper. "It must be awful, having such a rift with your kits."

"Snakepaw." Foxstorm's voice brought the gray apprentice's attention away from the gossiping she-cats. "Go get something to eat quickly before the ThunderClan patrol."

"What?" Snakepaw squeaked.

"The patrol?" Foxstorm's eyes glittered in amusement. "The one we're going on in five minutes to see Tigerstar?"

"I- I know," Snakepaw meowed, "but I'm going on it?"

Foxstorm grinned. "Well, of course! I want you to get the experience, I'm sure Ivorystar won't mind having another set of paws to help if something goes wrong. Go on, now, I'm going to let Ivorystar know I'm bringing you."