Warriors OC The Power of the Flower #1 The Rise

Chapter 11

As she followed the hunting patrol, Hopestream was worried about Faithpaw. What is she doing? How can she find out more about Flowerpaw? She was deep in thought until Nightfall spoke, "Let's hunt in groups of two." Approved by the others, Hopestream partnered with Nightfall and started hunting.

After a while, she still couldn't catch anything. She missed a mouse by a tail length and spooked a squrriel by stepping on a branch. ''What's wrong with you today, Hopestream. It's not like you to miss so many prey.''

Hopestream sighed, ''There's just something on my mind. I'm really sorry. I'll try and catch something. Maybe I'll work better on my own.''

''If you're sure. I'll hunt over there. You can hunt here.'' Nightfall mewed and continued hunting.

Hopestream spotted a mouse and quietly crept towards it. Before she could catch the mouse, a dark grey pelt caught her eyes. Isn't that Faithpaw? What is she doing on her own? The mouse forgotten, Hopestream went to Faithpaw and asked, ''What are you doing here? I thought you were doing battle training with Moonwing.''

Faithpaw froze for a while and stammered, ''W...we e...ended early. Moonwing told me to go hunting."

Is she lying to me? Hopestream thought. ''Well, we can hunt together if you want.''

''But...''

''We'll catch more prey together.'' Hopestream continued.

''Fine. If you say so.'' Faithpaw muttered.

As Hopestream turned away, she was almost certain that she saw eyes sparkling in a bush. It's probably my imagination. But a thought crossed her mind. Is Faithpaw meeting someone from another clan? Is that why she's being so secretive? It can't be. Faithpaw is loyal to Mistclan. She wouldn't do something like that.

''Hopestream! We're supposed to be hunting.'' Faithpaw mewed, clearly impatient. Hopestream sighed, ''Yes, I know. How about we hunt over there.'' Maybe I can ask Faithpaw what she found out about Flowerpaw.

Suddenly, a blackbird caught Hopestream sight. She signaled to Faithpaw to block the blackbird's exit while she crept towards it. When she pounced, the bird tried to fly away but was blocked by Faithpaw who killed it.

''Great job.'' Hopestream purred, proud of her daughter. They continued hunting for a while and brought a lot of prey back to camp. On their way back, Hopestream asked, ''So? Did you find out more about Flowerpaw?''

Faithpaw blinked and mewed, ''Yes, but not enough. I found out that she was actually taken in by Ivywing and was found at the border. But that doesn't prove Flowerpaw is from Earthclan. I need to find out more but I don't think I can do so anytime soon.''

Hopestream frowned for a moment and mewed, ''If you're putting yourself in danger, then I'll rather know my daughter is safe then endangering her to learn more about my other daughter.''

Faithpaw retorted, ''The life of a warrior is dangerous. But I'm fine, really. You don't have to worry about me. I just need more time. I promise I'll be careful.''

Hopestream sighed, ''Fine. But please be careful. I don't want to lose another daughter.'' Faithpaw touched Hopestream's nose with hers. ''You won't.'' she purred and ran back to camp.

-------------

Hopestream took a squirrel from the fresh-kill pile and saw Faithpaw eating with her denmates. What if Faithpaw really is putting herself in danger? A good mother would have stopped her, right? What if I'm not a good mother? What if I lose Faithpaw too?

As she was deep in thought, Hopestream bumped into her littermate, Fernleaf. ''Ouch.'' Fernleafed groaned.

''I'm really sorry, Fernleaf. Are you okay?'' Hopestream mewed.

''I'm fine. Were you walking with your eyes closed?'' Fernleaf teased.

Growing up with Fernleaf, Hopestream was used to Fernleaf's constant teasing and chose to ignore it. ''I just have something on my mind. We can eat together.''

''Sure!'' Fernleaf purred, ''What are you thinking about?'' Hopestream sighed and mewed, ''I think Faithpaw and I are falling apart. We aren't as close as we used to be. It's like she's hiding something from me.''

''That's growing up. Your kits may not be as close as they used to be, but you're still their mother. They'll always love you. Give Faithpaw some room to grow. But she'll always love you.'' Fernleaf mewed and rubbed head against her littermate's muzzle.

Hopestream purred, ''Thanks, Fernleaf. You're such a great littermate.''

''I know. A great mother too.'' Fernleaf teased, ''I'm really hungry so how about we start eating.''

Hopestream nodded. Fernleaf's right. Faithpaw is not a kit anymore. I should let her do things her way if it doesn't hurt her.