Book 1 - Warriors: The Shadow Outcast

Chapter Thirty-Five

Mudpaw

Mudpaw sprinted into WindClan camp, and though there was no visible determination in his expression through the eyes of any other cat around him, the only thing on his mind was to save Robinwing. It was the reason he was not afraid of the war around him, and it was the only way he was able to block everything out.

Smokepaw was beside him as they entered WindClan's camp, ignoring the screeches and screams coming from the battling cats. Mudpaw came to a complete stop as he stood in WindClan's camp, his eyes wide as he realised just how crazy the world around him was.

Cats were fighting relentlessly as blood splattered into the ground. Screeches of fury rang in Mudpaw's ears, and yowls of triumph were heard most often. Cries of agony nearly made Mudpaw run away, but when he heard Smokepaw's yowl of determination, he remembered once again what he was here for.

Mudpaw used his small body to manoeuvre around and sometimes through the battles that went on around him. Smokepaw seemed to know where the nursery was, and so Mudpaw followed the elder apprentice. He took a sniff and found that Smokepaw was actually going in the right direction.

When they entered the nursery, Mudpaw shocked as he saw how many cats were guarding Robinwing, who seemed as if she were dying. His eyes widened as he figured out that all of the cats within the den were either queens or RiverClan cats, and all of them were in a protective position.

"Why aren't we moving?" asked Smokepaw, his eyes narrowed with confusion. "Why aren't we leaving for RiverClan territory?" Robinwing gave a loud scream just as Smokepaw finished, making Mudpaw gasp again. He was starting to shake as the fear of losing Robinwing overwhelmed him.

"The kits aren't coming out easily," an elder queen explained. "They're too big for this to go normally, and moving Robinwing would just make things worse. She'll need to have the kits before we leave." Mudpaw's heart immediately began to beat faster. Why was this happening now? Rainfur would be furious if he returned without his mate with him!

"We're all protecting her, so don't worry," a RiverClan tom soothed. "We just need to wait patiently. Since you aren't needed, it would probably be best if go out and fight like real Warriors." Mudpaw shook his head, standing tall as the other Warriors stared at him.

"I am helping Robinwing if it's the last thing I do," Mudpaw growled. "I can't fight anyways. I'll be better off here." Smokepaw nodded, agreeing with him.

"We've got enough Warriors helping us out there," Smokepaw said. "Most of the WindClan cats have seemed to join us. Rosestar is outnumbered, but be prepared. If what I heard about Rosestar is true, she'll be over here to try and kill Robinwing's kits herself."

"She's only got one life anyway," said the RiverClan tom with certainty in his voice. "We'll be able to deal with her." Smokepaw nodded before looking to Mudpaw, his blue eyes showing his determination. Mudpaw looked up to the elder apprentice, beaming with admiration.

"I'm gonna try to injure some of the mouse-brains out there," said Smokepaw quietly. "I'm mostly gonna see if I can spy on Rosestar, so don't worry." With a small smile, Smokepaw was gone, disappearing into the mass of cats out in the camp.

Mudpaw silently hoped that Smokepaw would be okay when he returned. The tom was more like a mentor now. An inspiration to Mudpaw more than anything, and with that inspiration, he wanted to help Smokepaw too. Someday Mudpaw knew that he would repay Smokepaw.

"Okay, so Robinwing, just push, and soon they'll all be out," an elderly queen soothed as Robinwing panted heavily.

"Mudpaw, get over here so I can see—"