Warriors: Powers of The Clans ~ Paws of Life (Book 2/6)

Chapter Fifteen

"Dockpaw," Tansypool caught the apprentice's attention. It had not been long since the day Mosspaw came in, and he was feeling normal again. "We are going to need streamweeds for the upcoming season, but I don't feel well enough to find them. They only grow on ReedClan territory, besides one river that separates our sides. I do not feel well enough to travel to get them, since I traveled so recently to get catmint."

"I'll go!" Dockpaw beamed, standing up.

"Thank you, but stick to our side of the river. We don't need more skirmishes. And bring another apprentice or warrior just in case." Tansypool instructed, nodding at her words.

"I will." Dockpaw dipped her head, smiling. Dockpaw spun on her three-legs, limping out of the den, and stretching. Thistlepaw passed as she walked, and gave a slight nod as he slowed down. Dockpaw realized it had been a while since she talked to her old friend, as she was now the medicine cat apprentice, and smiled at him.

"Hey, Thistlepaw! Have you seen Marblepaw anywhere?" Dockpaw asked, looking around for the dappled apprentice.

"She's been cleaning the elders' den all morning!" Thistlepaw snickered, glancing over. "What do you need her for?" Dockpaw cursed herself, realizing she should have offered to bring Thistlepaw, but she was looking forward to a get-away with Marblepaw. I'll hang out with him later. Dockpaw promised herself.

"I need her help with something, thanks!" Dockpaw called, rushing off to the elders den. "Marblepaw!" She hissed. Marblepaw spun around. "I need someone to come with me to collect stream weeds, you in?"

Marblepaw beamed. "Yes! I'll catch up with you guys later." She stuck her tongue out at Mosspaw, who watched her go, but instead of anger in his eyes, there was jealousy. Dockpaw tried not to laugh out loud at Mosspaw's expression. Maybe if you weren't such a jerk, I would have asked you to come.

As Dockpaw made her way to the stream, she sighed, her legs aching. Marblepaw smiled as she saw the river they were reaching for, and leaped down to the bank, glaring into the water. Dockpaw began to lap at it thirstily, enjoying the cool water. Marblepaw just stared intensely at the gentle waves.

"Now all I need to do is dive in, and get some." Dockpaw muttered. Marblepaws eyes widened as she looked at her friend.

"You have to swim? Live a ReedClan cat?" Marblepaw asked, disgusted.

"Yes. I don't find it that awful, though. If I'm wet, chances are I'm clean. I hate having a dirty pelt." Dockpaw growled. Out of the corner of her eyes, Dockpaw noticed three young toms, leaping up onto the Basking Rocks, all about her age. Dockpaw and Marblepaw glanced at each other, then watched the toms warily. Marblepaw got lower to the ground.

"I'm gonna just grab my herbs..." Dockpaw mumbled, doing everything she could to avoid the toms. Dockpaw plunged into the water, and blinked open her eyes, holding her breath. She spotted the slimy green weeds, and plucked some, shaking her fur out, and enjoying the cool deep waters. Dockpaw exited the bank, pulling herself out as she dropped the weeds to the ground beside Marblepaw.

Marblepaw wrinkled her nose as the weeds. Dockpaw laughed. "Are you sure this is what you need to treat cats? It looks like it would make me ill." Marblepaw joked. Dockpaw rolled her eyes playfully.

"Calm down, I'm not forcing you to eat it or anything." Dockpaw replied, flicking her bob-tail. Dockpaw noticed one of the toms, a fluffy white tom, standing up, his fur lifting slightly.

"Who are you? What are you doing?" He asked, his ear shifting slightly. Dockpaw glanced at him, then to the other two. A yellow tabby tom and a brown tabby tom. Marblepaw glanced up too, not taking her gaze off the yellow tom, who had been staring at her. Dockpaw ignored it for the moment, and blinked.