Beyond the Mountains | A Warrior Cats Fanfiction

꧁ ✧ Chapter 32 ✧ ꧂

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Willowpaw peeked her eyes open, feeling too tired to lift her head, but looked around with her eyes. She was in Ravenshade's den, Tulippaw in a den opposite, with Stormclaw lying next to her.

''Hey, good morning.'' He mewed softly, nudging her. She blinked, looking up at his deep ocean eyes.

''Oh. Why am I..'' Her voice faltered as her chest throbbed, and she looked down at her stained guard. Oh. She thought.

''Yeeah.'' He sighed. ''But Ravenshade patched you up good, see? You've got some uh, uh, herbs- on there!'' He stammered, quickly realising he knew nothing about herbs.

''You fought well.'' He continued. ''That was just Tulippaw's luck, you see. When you pushed her back, her paws were all over the place trying to get steady. Your body didn't have time to move away.'' He explained enthusiastically.

''Also. As soon as you've healed up, you'll be taking your warriors assessment.'' He meowed loudly, flicking his tail at Tulippaw. ''You'll be the first one to get their warrior name in moons! Since I got mine, actually.'' Willowpaw pricked her ears excitedly.

''Tomorrow?''

Stormclaw chuckled, laying his tail on her back. ''Perhaps a bit later. At least the cut wasnt too deep. Ravenshade said you'll be back in the apprentice's den by tonight.'' He grinned.

Willowpaw looked down. ''How did the clan take me and Tulippaw fighting? Is Hazelstar angry?''

He blinked at her.

''No, why would you think that? you stood up to a bully, and stood up for yourself and what you know is right. Believe it or not, most of the clan's on your side.'' He looked around, and leant down to her face. ''In fact.'' He said most professionally. ''Hazelstar, has postphoned Tulippaw's warrior's assessment by a moon!'' He whispered, chuckling. She gasped.

''Really? Poor Tulippaw..''

''Hey! Forget she accused you of murder, then attacked you?'' He reminded her stiffly.

''I know, I know. I just know what losing someone is like.'' She looked away. She felt his stare burning into her forehead, knowing questions were bubbling up inside him. She had never really talked about her life before she came to the forest, and wasn't going to start now.

''Will you bring me something from the fresh-kill pile?'' She asked quickly, before he could say anything. He looked taken aback for a moment, but the expression quickly disappeared. He blinked carefully, looking softly at her face.

''Sure, sure. Anything in particular?'' He asked quietly, sensing what she was really asking. She shook her head no, looking up at him as he got up to leave, with soft olive eyes.

She yawned, squinting her eyes. She peered from the rim of her nest. She caught sight of Tulippaw in her nest, asleep, her back leg wrapped in herbs, but she was fast asleep. She felt a twinge of sympathy for Tulippaw.

She pulled herself up, feeling almost no pain, just a dull ache if anything at all. She padded outside. She squinted as late afternoon light warmed her face. Once her eyes had adjusted, she looked around the camp to see the last patrols setting off, seeing Stormclaw's tail disappear through the gorse tunnel, she felt a little better. She knew he would have questions, as he always had, but she wasn't ready to talk about it yet. She noticed Sandwhisker signalling to her, who was sat with Ravenshade. She padded over, pricking her ears.

''Greetings, Sandwhisker, Ravenshade.'' She dipped her head earnestly.

''Greetings, are you feeling much better?'' Sandwhisker asked, her dark hazel eyes showed genuine concern. Willowpaw smiled, sitting down.

''I am, thank you, thanks to Ravenshade.'' She glanced at the medicine cat, who was observing her with a keen gaze. Willowpaw twitched her whiskers, wondering why the Medicine cat's expression seemed so purposeful.

Ravenshade turned to the deputy.

''I'm running low of some herbs, after treating Tulippaw and Willowpaw. Would you mind if I take Willowpaw out to fetch some fresh herbs?'' Ravenshade wrapped her tail around her paws. Sandwhisker cast Willowpaw a sharp glance.

''Is she fit for it? Don't you think she should rest...?'' She looked uncomfortable. Ravenshade cleared her throat abruptly, speaking firmly.

''Who's the medicine cat, Sandwhisker?'' Ravenshade reminded her quietly.

''I know, but...'' Sandwhisker continued, and Ravenshade sat up straighter, while Willowpaw sat quietly.

''She will be fine.'' She insisted firmly. Willowpaw flicked her gaze from cat to cat, sensing a difference between them, secrets to be uncovered. But now wasn't the time, and dipped her head at Sandwhisker.

''She's right, I do feel much better!'' She mewed cheerfully. Sandwhisker dipped her head, but looked unconvinced.

''Alright then. Lets set off before it starts to get dark.'' Ravenshade got to her paws, flicking her tail on Willowpaw's back, lightly. Willowpaw followed her out of the gorse tunnel, looking back on Sandwhisker just once, who sat, watching them. She had a confused yet unemotional expression laid on her face.