-[ Warriors: With The Fallen ]-

Part One: Chapter Seven~ It's spreading.

  About eleven sunrises had passed since that boarder-patrol. To say that her mentor didn't look good was an understatement. Rose'paw had to be moved with Tough'mouse and Night'paw, for what would most likely be the rest of her training session.

  That stupid, mouse-brained dream kept nagging at her. It meant nothing. It's only a coincidence that Fawn'tooth's bite was rimmed with yellow. Even that could've just been the sun.

  Either way, today she went with Night'paw to go check up on the sick cats. Cats. More had gotten this sickness — Grass'tree, Petal'toe, one of Petal'toe's two kits, Shine'kit, and one of Night'paw's brothers, Brown'kit.

  Blue'kit, Petal'toe's other kit, was being nursed by Moon'cover after she was found with no illness. Moon'cover was Night'paw's kind mother.

  "Do you think they'll get better?" Night'paw mewed; worry bashed her tone.

  The two apprentices had been given a day off for all that had happened so quickly.

  Rose'paw grinned, "Of course they will! They have to, because they aren't allowed to go,"

  Night'paw smiled back. A tired look cascaded over her.

  "I sure hope so," was all she said, in barely higher than a whisper.

  The two entered the Medicine Cat den. Rose'paw brought a couple poppyseeds, while Night'paw brought some cobwebs. Leopard'dream welcomed them with a swish of his tail. With all of the sick cats, he needed the extra help.

  They both set down the supplies beside him. "Thank you," He murmured; grateful.

  Rose'paw now allowed herself to look around. Fawn'tooth rested on her side. She took shallow breaths, and stared out at nothing. That same yellow goo from her dream hinted around at her muzzle.

  This felt so... wrong. Fawn'tooth should be out training with her right now. Those dim doe-like eyes should be lively while watching her try to hunt a finch.

  She seemed so gone.

  Next to Fawn'tooth lay Grass'tree. She didn't look any better. Grass'tree also seemed unable to move. However, her eyes remained locked onto Fawn'tooth. —As if she knew she'd soon become another replica of that.

  Then there was Petal'toe. The queen was curled up in a tight ball. She kept meowing for Shine'kit, even though the little tom was nestled beside her fluffed-up tail. He twitched from time to time.

  'Where's Brown'kit?' She remembered Night'paw's lively little brother.

  Rose'paw turned around to see her friend trying desperately to talk to him. Her desperate mews were just slightly louder than Petal'toe's for Shine'kit.

  "Brown'kit, please. Please, just say something — Anything,"

  Brown'kit only stared at her with a blank expression. He sat there in his nest. He rocked back and forth from time to time.

  "Please, Brown'kit, do something for your sister. Please," Night'paw pushed.

  "He won't respond," Leopard'dream responded for Brown'kit. "None of them will. Trust me, I've tried everything. They're somewhere else; distant."

  "No!" She sobbed.

  Rose'paw trotted up to the she-cat. She rested her tail on her back in a comforting manner.

  "He'll get better," She tried to assure her, "They all will, because Leopard'dream is an awesome experienced Medicine Cat!"

  "G— get away from me," Night'paw hissed.

  Slightly hurt, she took a step back. Rose'paw pitied her friend. She couldn't imagine seeing her little brother, not even an apprentice, be so... lost.

  She already hurt from Fawn'tooth. She'd do anything to get her well again. Rose'paw missed her so, so much. Even the times when she could be annoying.

  "G— go!" Night'paw yowled loudly.

  She whipped around quickly to Rose'paw. Her brown eyes were wide; crazed like that squirrels.

Yellow.

Yellow foamed from her mouth.

  Rose'paw pinned her ears back. She took another couple steps back. Night'paw bunched up her haunches as she prepared to leap onto her.

  Rose'paw blinked. She was back where she was before, with a crumpled Night'paw by her paws. Sobbing.

  'What just happened—?'

  "It's time for you to go," Leopard'dream huffed. He stared at her dead in the eyes. He meant something, but she didn't know what.

What—

What had just happened?

  Feeling confused, she nudged Night'paw up. The she-cat leaned on her; still crying. She started to walked out.

  "Grab the herbs while you're at it!" He hollered. Rose'paw didn't question it; she picked them up.

  Leopard'dream called over a couple other Warriors to help carry out the rest of the herbs and to lock up the Medicine Cat den.

  Some cats swarmed around her to ask what happened. She pushed through them, with Night'paw still by her side, and collapsed into her nest.

  "It's okay, it's gonna be alright," Rose'paw murmured over and over again, while gently grooming Night'paw.

Something was about to happen. Something big. Things like what happened before don't just happen.