Ghosts of the Clans

Chapter 13

"So, how was it?" asked Redwillow to Toadfoot. The dark brown had just returned from the quest to return water with Tigerheart three dawns ago, and all of ShadowClan thanked them deeply. Even Redwillow was impressed. They showed courage beyond the warrior code!

Well, especially in Tigerheart. The young dark brown tabby tom was also training in the Dark Forest, to Redwillow's massive pride in him. The Dark Forest needs young, loyal and brave warriors like these!

"It was great, mostly. Beavers built a dam using logs, and we had to work together to destroy it and lure the beavers away. We even used the help of three kittypets named Seville, Snowdrop and Jigsaw, and a loner named Woody. We lost Rippletail in the first fight, and we nearly drowned after the second..." Toadfoot bowed his head solemnly. Kinkfur, his heavily pregnant mate, trotted up and rested her tail on his shoulder, to which the dark brown tom gave her ears a lick.

"Well, I'm grateful to you for bringing the water back," Redwillow broke in awkwardly, flicking his tail to Toadfoot as a goodbye. Ferretpaw, Pinepaw and Starlingpaw, three young cats that ShadowClan had found on the border two moons ago, were sharing a squirrel nearby, their fur sleek and beginning to fill in after long moons of hunger. Olivenose and Wildfur had happily adopted the three, and now they were as close as family. There had even been rumours that Olivenose was going to ask Wildfur to be her mate, too.

But sadly, only half-moon earlier, before Olivenose had the chance to talk with him, Wildfur was struck by a falling branch while trying to save Ferretpaw. His spine was broken, and Littlecloud with his apprentice, Flametail, worked overtime to try and save his life.

Needless to say, it didn't turn out well.

A quarter moon ago, Littlecloud had come out of the medicine den just a while before sunset, his usually bright blue eyes dulled by exhaustion and grief. "He's dead," he announced, followed by Flametail who dragged the silver tabby tom's body out. Pinepaw had let out a desolate wail, and Starlingpaw had rushed over to help Flametail while Ferretpaw pushed his nose into his father's fur, his light blue eyes clouded with anguish. "It's all my fault." Redwillow heard his whisper still echoing in his ears.

Olivenose had simply stared into space, not moving, stunned. But when Redwillow had questioned her later that day, all she had said was. "I'm fine. He wasn't my mate, anyway."

"Hey, Redwillow! Wanna go hunting?" Shrewfoot bounded over to him, her pretty amber eyes sparkling. About to agree, he suddenly felt cautious and inquired, "Who else is coming?" "Pouncetail and his apprentice, Ripplepaw." 

"Nah, I'd rather not. Besides, I want to border the ThunderClan patrol with Owlclaw and Berrypaw later," Redwillow told her, an edge to his voice. He would rather eat crow-food than to go with his father!

Shrewfoot blinked at him, looking hurt as if she thought he had a grudge against her. "Oh, all right then." She trudged off, looking disheartened. 

Disturbed by her reaction, Redwillow headed to find Owlclaw, finding the lithe light brown tabby tom in the warriors' den and washing himself. "Hey, Owlclaw. Want to come to patrol the ThunderClan border?" "Sure! I'll bring Ripplepaw, then. He needs that experience." Owlclaw agreed casually, getting up and stretching until his tail curled. "Come on."

Ripplepaw was quite enthusiastic, bouncing about and chattering. Redwillow didn't envy Shrewfoot's hunting patrol, his tail curling up in amusement.

So far, life in ShadowClan was content. But he still felt a glimmer of excitement at the thought of the Dark Forest.