Warrior Cats: SkyClan Returns #2

Chapter Five

The hard, stone ground rubbed against Batpaw's feet. He winced at the pain of walking on his worn-down pads. Hazelpaw padded beside him in silence, walking light-footedly so as to avoid further damaging her paws. Does Raphael even know where he's going? Batpaw couldn't help but wonder if they were hopelessly lost. The air was cold now, and Batpaw assumed it was nightfall.

"Here we are!"

Raphael called. The smell of old pine hit Batpaw's nose.

"It actually looks quite cozy!"

Hazelpaw whispered. Batpaw walked forwards slowly. He was soon sheltered from the cold air. Hazelpaw was right. It was cozy.

"There should be room for every cat, but we'll have to squeeze in,"

Raphael meowed.

"Just be careful not to move the logs. They could fall,"

Batpaw could smell Spiderweb's scent. She wrapped her tail around his shoulders.

"Let's find you a space to sleep,"

Spiderweb said quietly. Batpaw nodded. He was growing sleepy from the long day. Treading carefully so that he didn't trip, Batpaw followed his mentor to an empty spot on the ground. He shut his amber eyes and drifted into sleep.

~•~•~•~•~•~

The warmth of the morning light hit Batpaw's fur through the wood heap. His belly growled with hunger. I haven't eaten since Spiderweb shared her bird with me yesterday. Batpaw rolled over. Spiderweb's sweet scent hit his nose. He stretched out his paws, accidentally hitting Spiderweb in the chin. She sat up.

"Good morning,"

Spiderweb whispered.

"Morning,"

Batpaw replied, sitting up and giving his pelt a quick wash. His belly growled again.

"You must be hungry. If you want I-"

Spiderweb was cut of as Berrycloud let out a distressed wail.

"Beekit's not moving!"

She wailed. Batpaw stiffened. Beekit was not even a quarter moon old, so the little tom must be vulnerable in the unknown land outside of SkyClan's camp. Suntail raced towards Berrycloud and her son. Batpaw crept forward. He could hear the little kitten shivering against the ground. Suntail pressed his paw to Beekit's fur.

"He's freezing!"

Suntail meowed.

"We need to warm him up,"

Berrycloud said, panic edging her voice. There was a rasping sound as she began to lick her kit intensely. Suntail pulled her off.

"No! You're rubbing his fur the wrong way. And you don't want him wet, that will make it worse,"

The tabby medicine cat explained.

"Lilypatch, Batpaw, find something warm we can wrap him in,"

Lilypatch ran out, and Batpaw followed her. Panic filled his chest. What if I can't find anything? What if Beekit dies? He shook the thought away. Lilypatch wasn't far ahead of him, and he could smell her fear.

"Watch out!"

A voice shrieked. Batpaw crashed into something. A cat. A bigger cat than him. A familiar scent wafted up his nose. Minnie!

"S-sorry,"

Batpaw stammered. Lilypatch fell in beside him.

"Minnie! We need your help! Do you have anything warm?"

She asked quickly. Minnie looked taken aback, and it was clear that she could only just remember the silver and white queen.

"Of course. My house folk have this really warm blanket, and I-"

"Can you get it for us?"

When Minnie looked uncertain, Lilypatch added,

"Please. One of our kits is in danger,"

Minnie nodded, and turned to run toward her twoleg den. Batpaw followed the sound of Lilypatch's and Minnie's footsteps. Minnie wasn't fast, which was a good thing for Batpaw, giving him more time to gather awareness of his surroundings.

"Wait here,"

Minnie meowed, running into her den. Batpaw's heart raced. What if they were too late? He pictured the fragile tom's body lying lifeless on the ground. It would be my fault. Shuddering, he pushed the thought away. Minnie's scent reappeared, along with that of another cat. Batpaw recognised it, but couldn't remember the kittypet's name. Lilypatch gasped.

"Thank you, Minnie!"

"I'll help carry it,"

She mumbled around the blanket.

"Thank you,"

Lilypatch breathed.

"Batpaw, come and help,"

Batpaw picked up part of the blanket in his mouth. It was softer than feather down. The four cats made their way back to the wood heap as fast as they could with the weight of the blanket.

When they returned, Sparrowkit was waving a feather over Swallowkit's head while Fluffpelt watched. She squealed with delight. Berrycloud was curled around Beekit. Batpaw's heart sank. Are we too late?

"You're back!"

Suntail called.

"Beekit is okay now. Good job, but we don't need this,"

The other cat grunted.

"What a waste of time,"

He meowed. Minnie sighed.

"Oh Blackie, it's alright. Come on, let's go home. Goodbye,"

She said, leading her friend out of the den, dragging the soft blanket on the ground.