Windclan's Hope

Chapter 3

"Exploring the territory was great but I'm an awful hunter. I tried to leap at a leaf and missed it entirely!" Squirrelpaw exclaimed. She saw Stempaw shift his paws and could guess what was on his mind. "You did well I'm guessing?" She inquired. At his nod she smiled. "Good. At least one of us can feed the clan." She purred goodheartedly and turned to finish the task they were given. Haresprint and Graytooth had gone on a walk and Lilyfrost had told her to clear their den as a nice surprise for when they returned.
After they cleared the den and fed Graytooth who claimed she was starving, they padded to the medicine den where Ivypaw was reciting herbs while pointing at them with her paw. "Stempaw, go grab her and Turtleheart a rabbit, I'm sure they are hungry." Birdnose mewed as they passed for the evening patrol. Stempaw nodded to his mentor and hurried to the fresh kill pile. Squirrelpaw remained, watching Ivypaw be praised by their mother. Ivypaw was dismissed and Squirrelpaw beckoned her with her tail. "Oh hello, Squirrelpaw!" Ivypaw purred. She purred, "Hey, Ivypaw. Stempaw is bringing you two a rabbit, if you'd rather eat that before you come out." She nodded to Stempaw, staggering across the clearing with a hare the size of him under his paws. "No, Turtleheart will save it for later when the evening patrol comes back. Riverclan has gotten tense again, they always attack at night or during the morning. So she wants to be ready. That means I'll have to stay nearby to observe if injuries come with their return." Ivypaw stretched. "Oh, thank you Stempaw, leave it there." Turtleheart's mew sounded from inside the den. Stempaw meowed a thank you before coming out. Before the tom could reply, a caterwauling screech came from the outside of camp. Rabbitstrike panted. "Bramblestar! Riverclan is attacking! Thers so many of them and only three of us." He shrieked. Bramblestar hissed. "I told Mumblejaw to send out more of you for that patrol! Ratfur, Lilyfrost, Owlfeather, Birchwing, Dovepaw, and Whiteclaw go meet them. Stempaw and Squirrelpaw. Find Mumblejaw, Redcall and Littlewhisker and tell them to join Birdnose and Whiteclaw in the battle. Tell Sheepfur to come back to camp in case of other attacks." The groups of cats went out, most following Rabbitstrike back to the battle. Squirrelpaw looked around before following Stempaw out the back way, searching for Mumblejaw's scent. "Here! They said they were going towards the barn." Stempaw mewed, sprinting across the moor to find the four cats bunched up. "Mumblejaw! Riverclan is attacking! She said to have Sheepfur collect prey and return to camp while the rest go tp the battle!" Squirrelpaw called. Sheepfur nodded, dashing off to grab their prey. Squirrelpaw watched as Redcall dropped a bird at her paws and followed Mumblejaw and Littlewhisker. She grabbed the bird and followed Sheepfur back to camp.
Back in camp, Squirrelpaw deposited the bird into the fresh kill pile and assisted Stempaw and Sheepfur into burying the prey. A sharp breeze came through the camp.