Left Flailing (Completed)

Chapter 16.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Highlog for a Clan meeting!"

Icestar's voice cut into the air. It was the morning after the badger fight. A clear day had arrived to the cats of RiverClan. They stalked out of their dens, stretching and yawning, to see what their leader had to say. Some had been part of the battle, and they carried injuries out to the clearing. Pebblefoot and Ashenfang needed to be helped out by Beechleaf.

Icestar surveyed the Clan. Most warriors appeared to be starting to heal nicely. The ones who didn't go into battle were helping the others with food and sharing tongues. "Some of you were with me last night as we fought the badger that has been stealing our food. Some of you have been told about it. I am here to confirm what you have heard- we won!"

A yowling cheer rose from the cats as they stood in celebration. They had beat a badger! Icestar waited for the clan to quiet down before continuing. "Thank you to our warriors who helped in this fight, and to Beechleaf for healing the Clan after we returned home and for finding the nest."

The medicine cat smiled and nodded in appreciation at Icestar. "Thank you to you, too! You are the one who lead us through this."

Icestar returned the gesture. "The next gathering is in a half moon. We will have good news to share and be a healthy clan again!" Another cheer sounded from the gathered cats. "Let's take it easy and be grateful for the coming of newleaf! The meeting is over." Icestar leaped down from Highlog.

The rest of the day went by peacefully, along with the next few. Cats healed and the clan noticed a gradual growing of prey. Everything seemed quiet and uneventful, for once. Several sunhighs after the battle, Icestar padded over to the medicine den to check on Ashenfang. Icestar poked her head through the curtain of rushes to see her sister sitting in a nest, bathing. She looked up between licks and smiled.

"Hey, how you doing?" Icestar asked.

Ashenfang glanced at her leg. "Oh, I'm alright. I can't do much walking yet, but Beechleaf says to give it several sunhighs before walking normally, and a few more after that before hunting. I'll be good as new by then!" She shrugged, and Icestar nodded understandingly.

After a moment of peaceful silence, Ashenfang asked, "What about you? Did you go to the elders yet?"

Icestar blushed, having almost totally forgotten about their conversation the day of the battle. She hesitated, before replying, "No, I haven't. I didn't-"

"Well? Are you going to?"

"I guess," Icestar mewed stallingly. "I wanted to check on you, and didn't want to bother them now-"

"Ice-staar!" Ashenfang drew it out teasingly, "Come on, let me go with you! I bet they'll be happy to hear about young love!" The black she-cat stood up, despite Icestar's protests of making her rest, and hopped out of the den. All the leader could do was support her sister as she hobbled across the clearing. When they reached the elders' den, Ashenfang squeezed in first, nearly bumping into Mintfur, who was on his way out. He glanced at the black cat dissapprovingly, and padded out.

Graymist looked up at them, just having woke up from a nap. "Hello, you two! And what can I do for you?"

"Well, um-" Icestar began but was quickly cut off by Ashenfang.

"Icestar has had her eye on someone! She was thinking about... well, you know, loooove," Ashenfang mewed excitedly, drawing out the "o" in "love" to make it sound more like "luuve."

"Oh! This is a pleasant surprise!" Graymist smiled kindly. "Shall I guess?" Ashenfang glanced to Icestar, who merely shrugged awkwardly. "Ok, Hollowfern?"