Rivers and Trees: A Warriors Fanfiction

Chapter 9: Accusations

Creampaw was sleeping peacefully, some of the most peaceful sleep she'd had since the Moonstone, but it was rudely interrupted when a cat came shouting into camp.

"ADDERSTAR, ADDERSTAR!" Eaglepaw yowled, running towards the leader's den. Adderstar exited his den, his fur bristled.

"What's going on, Eaglepaw?" Adderstar demanded.

"Dewtail, Dewtail's dead!" Eaglepaw cried out, his golden eyes nearly bulging out of his head.

"Oh no, she was an old cat..." Adderstar began, bowing his head sadly.

"NO, STOP! She was MURDERED!" Eaglepaw twitched his tail.

"What are you talking about, Eaglepaw?" Adderstar asked, confused.

"Follow me," Eaglepaw led Adderstar out of camp.

"Snowfern, wake up!" Creampaw called out.

"What is it, Creampaw?" Snowfern padded over groggily, the moonlight shining through the cave illuminating her beautiful white fur.

"Eaglepaw just went running around camp claiming that Dewtail had been murdered!" Creampaw whispered.

"What?" Snowfern mrrowed.

"I... want to believe him... but... it all sounds so silly. I mean, what if it was just a nightmare...?" Creampaw sighed.

"It could have been, but let's check the elder's den just in case. I bet Eaglepaw and Adderstar didn't check before leaving camp," Snowfern rolled her eyes. Creampaw and Snowfern went to the elder's den, but when they peaked inside, there was only Beetlenose, no Dewtail. Creampaw was shocked, and she could tell Snowfern was too.

"She was a good friend..." Beetlenose solemnly gazed at Dewtail's nest.

"Aw, Beetlenose," Creampaw crouched next to Beetlenose, resting her head on his shoulder blade.

"We haven't confirmed that Dewtail has passed, Beetlenose. She could be lost, or just injured," Snowfern softly comforted the saddened elder.

Beetlenose stayed silent.

Soon, Adderstar and Eaglepaw returned to camp, carrying Dewtail's light, motionless body on their backs, their eyes full of sorrow and disappointment.

The whole camp gathered and attended the Ceremony for Dewtail. Many cats missed Dewtail, despite her often complaining and bickering. She was still a sweet and lovable cat deep down, and they all knew it, but what they didn't know yet was that Dewtail had kits, and that one of those kits murdered her. Eaglepaw and Beetlenose held vigil the longest, Eaglepaw feeling guilty for not saving Dewtail and Beetlenose missing his dear friend.

Later that night, as Eaglepaw was heading back to his den, Creampaw caught up to him and softly mewed, "Eaglepaw, hey, it's me."

Eaglepaw froze for a second, and then said, "I'm fine," before continuing to the Apprentice den.

"No, you're not," Creampaw told him.

Eaglepaw spun around and said in a firm tone, "I'M FINE."

Creampaw slightly flinched, but understood how he felt. "Eaglepaw..." She said through her breath, looking at him sadly.

Eaglepaw looked at the ground, and after a moment, he sat down, looked to the stars, and then looked back down at Creampaw. "I'm sorry, you're right... It's... It's so hard... It's so hard, Creampaw," He choked out.

"I know," Creampaw said softly, before licking his ear sympathetically. "I'll go with you into the den," she said, and Eaglepaw nodded. They headed in, and Eaglepaw plopped, exhausted, into his nest. Creampaw curled up next to him, purring softly, and soon, they both drifted off into sleep.