Warriors: Troubled Tides ~Series 2 Book 2~

Chapter 15

Nutwhisker's POV:

Cats filed through the medicine den tunnel one by one to be treated by Nutwhisker, Watersplash or Shinewing. The process was quick and few problems occurred due to there being three medicine cats. After only a short while, everyone's wounds were treated.

Dawn was approaching fast so Dawnheart sent out three of the fittest warriors on the dawn patrol to check if Smallclan did leave Lightclan territory.

Stormstar and his kits sat vigil for Rosegaze. Nutwhisker had refused to go near the black tom, forcing Shinewing to treat his wounds instead.

One cat had to stay in the medicine den for at least a day. It was Shadedstar. She had fractured the bone in her hind leg while fending off Smallclan cats from the nursery tunnel. Nutwhisker was grateful Shadedstar was there to protect the nursery. He couldn't begin to imagine what might have happened if his kits were hurt or killed.

Hazefang glided into the den with a small smile on her face. "Hi Nutwhisker!" She chirped. "Do you need any help?"

Nutwhisker glanced over at Shadedstar. "You could keep Shadedstar company. She's fractured a bone on her hind leg so she must rest for a while."

"Oh Starclan, that must be terribly painful." Hazefang mewed as she trotted over to Shadedstar. "I know how you feel. When I came into Lightclan camp, I had been hit by a monster. Luckily Nutwhisker was here. He fixed me up! Now I can walk normally again!"

Shadedstar purred, "Nutwhisker is a skilled medicine cat. We should be grateful he is here."

Nutwhisker turned away from the two she cats, his felt growing hot with slight embarrassment. It was odd to be talked about like that. As Shadedstar and Hazefang continued to chat about how great a medicine cat he was, Nutwhisker struggled to concentrate on sweeping away the remains of herbs from the ground. In the end, he decided to leave the den to check on his kits.

Watersplash called after him, "Where are you going?"

"To check on the nursery." Nutwhisker replied as he trekked up the tunnel. "I'll be back soon."

Nutwhisker climbed up and out of the tunnel and headed toward the nursery tunnel. He neared it, already hearing the excited spueals of kits inside. With a deep breath, he entered the den and was immediately greeted by four joyful kits. He purred softly when he recognised the pelts of Timberkit and Pebblekit. Even at a couple of days old, they had blossomed into big strong kits. Nutwhisker felt pride burst in his chest.

Silverwing looked up, "Come to see your kits?"

At first, Nutwhisker was shocked that Silverwing knew about his kits but then he remembered that she knew. "Uh, yes. Yes I have." He replied, still purring as Timberkit pummelled his paws into Nutwhisker's hind leg. "How are they?"

"Healthy, happy and handsome." Silverwing purred. "I'm sure they'll grow into big strong warriors."

"Do you think any of then want to be a medicine cat?" Nutwhisker asked hopefully.

"No, there's been no signs. Plus, I think it's best if you stay away from your kits otherwise someone might get suspicious." Silverwing meowed.

The truth hurt. Nutwhisker felt a pang of grief taking over the joy and pride for his kits. He'd never be able to care for them like a father. He would have to avoid them. Nutwhisker sighed. "I know." He had wanted to avoid the truth and believe that he and his kits could be together but it would never work.

Sweetkit and Amberkit cirlced Nutwhisker. "Why are you back? We're not sick!" Amberkit squeaked.

"I know your not sick. I just wanted to check on Pebblekit and Timberkit." Nutwhisker meowed to the two she kits. "Since they are only a few days old, they need to be as healthy as possible."

Sweetkit shrugged and mewed. "Your ruining the game."

Nutwhisker rolled his eyes. "Alright, alright. I'm going."

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Stormstar's POV:

"The cat of shadows with brethren of wings?" Stormstar murmured to himself from inside his now empty den. He had sent Silvershy away to rest and Silverstar had left the moment she finished reciting the prophecy.

It was barely past dawn and Stormstar was already trying to decipher a prophecy. Oh Starclan. Will the problems ever leave?

His mind was whirling with possible meanings to the prophecy. He thought back to when he had had the nightmare. The mysterious she cat who had controlled his nightmare could have something to do with the prophecy. But brethren of wings? Stormstar had no idea what that meant.

He moved on to the next part. -will reach over the clan and extend it's claws. Stormstar made a wild guess; a battle was approaching and the shadow cat will be leading it.

"At the death of the storms, it shall lay the cloak of fear over the light." Stormstar twitched his whiskers as he wondered what that meant.

At the death of the storms... Was a storm coming? Would the storm clouds die?

It shall lay the cloak of fear over the light. Will the shadow cat attack after the storm clouds die? When will the clouds die?

Beware what is real and what is not.

Will the shadow cat use nightmares to attack Lightclan? Will this all be a battle within our minds?

Because when the cat of no names approaches. That one was pretty simple. There didn't need to be any analysing on that part.

Death shall follow if the silver flames are not prepared.

What are the silver flames? How can flames be silver? Does it mean my fire powers? Will my flames turn silver? Stormstar shook his head. "Silver flames..." He pondered, still unsure. Maybe instead of harmful flames, they helped. Maybe the silver flames would heal Lightclan?

Stormstar felt himself grow dizzy from all the thinking and he sighed softly to himself. "Whatever this prophecy is, I hope to Starclan that we'll be prepared. Lightclan cannot be chased away again."

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