Warrior Cats: SkyClan Returns #2

Chapter Twenty-Four

It had been almost a quarter moon since the camp had been set up. Goldcloud licked one golden paw briskly. The entrance rustled as Stoneclaw padded through, followed by Tallheart and Robinpaw. Each of them held something in their jaws. Is that... bee hive? Goldcloud wondered. Her whiskers twitched in amusement as the patrol got closer. Their muzzles were covered in stings. Suntail sat down beside Goldcloud. He sighed.

"What have they done?"

Suntail meowed, amused. Stoneclaw lead the other two toms up to the medicine cats. He dropped the piece of bee hive, which was sticky with honey.

"We thought you would need some honey,"

He explained.

"Then the stupid bees attacked us!"

Tallheart grunted, flicking his ears in annoyance. Suntail purred.

"Well, what did you think would happen?"

The ginger medicine cat asked, eyes gleaming with laughter. Goldcloud sighed.

"Thanks for the honey, though. It will be useful,"

She thanked. Suntail still looked amused.

"Come on. I'll get you something to bring down the swelling,"

The four cats disappeared into the medicine den, leaving Goldcloud alone. Leafspots and Greybird sat outside the nursery, watching Berrycloud's kits play. Leafspots wrapped his black-tipped tail around the grey she-cat's back. It shouldn't be long until Greybird is carrying Leafspots's kits. SkyClan is growing so quickly, She thought. Ferretkit, Sparrowkit and Mosskit trotted past. Goldcloud was taken aback. They're getting so big! They'll be apprentices soon. Fernpelt and Lilypatch emerged from the nursery. Fernpelt's flanks had began to swell, but Lilypatch didn't look much different. A silver tabby dragged herself through the entrance. She looked weak and tired, and vaguely familiar. Shock hit Goldcloud like a bolt of lightening. Brook!

Gasps of shock echoed around the clearing. No cat thought they would ever see Brook again. She hissed. But she's here for a reason, Goldcloud realised. Moments later, the silver rouge collapsed on the ground, coughing. She's sick! Goldcloud raced up to Brook. Brook's claws slid out.

"Stay away from me!"

She coughed again. Her frail body shook. Goldcloud was shocked. How did she get in this state?

"It is my duty to help cats who can't help themselves. You're here for our help, correct?"

Goldcloud meowed calmly. Anger blazed in Brook's eyes. She staggered to her paws.

"I can help myself!"

Brook meowed harshly, stifling another cough.

"No, you can't,"

Goldcloud meowed, struggling not to let the annoyance through in her voice.

"Get away from me!"

Brook spat. Every cat was looking at her, and Goldcloud guessed she wasn't going to make herself look vulnerable, but even still, Goldcloud had never been more annoyed. With sheathed claws, she batted Brook across the face. The silver cat looked up, shocked and angry.

"You're here for my help! Let me give it!"

She demanded. Brook coughed again, then gave Goldcloud the slightest nod. She lead the sick cat to the medicine den. Robinpaw and Tallheart left through the tunnel, exchanging surprised mutters. Stoneclaw and Suntail must still be in there, Goldcloud guessed. She sighed silently. Stoneclaw wasn't a big fan of Brook, though, nor was any cat. Brook's coughing echoed around the tunnel.

"Brook?"

Suntail asked, shocked. Brook hissed at him. Dear StarClan, she really doesn't want to look weak, does she?

"I think she has green-cough,"

Goldcloud meowed. Brook's eyes widened in horror. She opened her mouth to speak, but Goldcloud didn't give her a chance.

"You must be starving. Stoneclaw, get Brook something to eat,"

She ordered. Stoneclaw looked crossly at the golden she-cat.

"Now,"

Goldcloud meowed pointedly. Stoneclaw hurried out of the den.

"Suntail, can you please go to ThunderClan and ask Fallowhop for some catmint? We haven't got time to look for it on our territory,"

Suntail's whiskers twitched with amusement at being bossed around by his apprentice, but shot out of the den anyway. Goldcloud held a paw to Brook's forehead, which was hotter than the greenleaf sun. By StarClan, that's an awful fever, she told herself.

"I'll get you some tansy, and I think we have feverfew,"

Goldcloud told her patient. Brook just grunted. Stoneclaw returned, carrying a starling. He dropped it, dipped his head to Goldcloud, then left. Goldcloud returned to Brook with the herbs.

"I can't swallow,"

Brook whispered in a raspy voice.

"My throat hurts too much from coughing,"

For the first time, Goldcloud saw genuine fear in the she-cat's eyes. I'm going to save this cat, she decided. But what can I do? I could chew it into a poultice, but she still can't - oh! Goldcloud padded into the herb stores and picked up some honey.

"Lick this,"

Goldcloud ordered. Brook frowned at the honey.

"It'll soothe your throat,"

She explained. Brook did as she was told, which slightly surprised Goldcloud. The silver rouge let out a sigh.

"That feels better,"

Brook meowed. She pulled forward the leaves that Goldcloud had fetched, and slowly ate them, wincing in disgust at every chance she got. Brook was still struggling to swallow, Goldcloud realised. But at least she was swallowing. Just as Brook finished her herbs, Snowtail padded into the den. His eyes lit up when he saw Brook.

"Hey, flea-pelt,"

Snowtail meowed gently. Brook looked up at him, and Goldcloud could tell she was trying not to act amused.

"Hey, dog-breath,"

Brook retorted.

"What are you doing here. I thought the mange-pelt contest was that way,"

She flicked her tail teasingly toward the exit of the den. Goldcloud was confused. What is happening? Snowtail smiled.

"Well, it can't be now, can it? You're here,"

Unable to comprehend what was going on, Goldcloud shooed Snowtail from the den.

"Brook needs rest and food. Go be useful,"

She ordered. Snowtail shot her a glare, but stalked off, as he was told.

Brook finished off her starling and sunk into sleep, as Goldcloud had insisted. Suntail reappeared, holding the precious fragrant-smelling stems of catmint.

"Thank-you, Suntail. Did you thank Fallowhop for me?"

Suntail nodded.

"But you can do it yourself in a quarter moon, when the medicine cats meet at the moonpool,"