Warriors: Storm and Flood

Chapter Ten

 It was moonhigh, Frosttoe sat next to Wavewhisker and Thrushtail. The rest of the cats had gone silently to their nests, except for Emberfern, who was standing in front of Fogstar's den as though she were keeping watch. The camp was cold, and Frosttoe could smell the fear of her clanmates. All that day, cats had avoided Minnowshade, Hollowtail, and Splashpelt, wary of Fogstar's kin. Shakepelt had retreated to the nursery with her daughter and refused to step out. The clan was crumbling to ruins.

There were footsteps behind her and immediately Frosttoe was on her feet, leaving Tumblefoot to her mother and brother, her fur bristling. Her fur lay flat when she saw Lilyfish leading Hawkclaw, Sootpelt, and Gorsemouse toward ther mourning group, their heads low with respect. "We must bury him," Hawkclaw murmured softly, gently nuzzling Frostoe's shoulder. Wavewhisker nodded but did not move, and Thrushtail stepped back and padded off to the warriors' den. He has to be strong, Frosttoe thought silently. She watched as the elders picked up Tumblefoot in silence. The older cats carried her father through the reed tunnel, Gorsemouse padding quietly behind them, leaving Frosttoe alone with Wavewhisker in the clearing.

"He was such a wonderful cat," Wavewhisker whispered, crouching down. "He was kind. A great warrior...he was a perfect father to our kits." The grey she-cat lifted her head, her blue eyes resting on Frosttoe, sorrow flooding them like hollow pools. Frosttoe's heart sank and she scooted closer to her mother, burying her muzzle in Wavewhisker's cheek.

"I couldn't have asked for a better father," she murmured softly. "But he hunts in Starclan now. We'll see him again."

"I won't see him soon enough," Wavewhisker's voice was shaky as she stood up. Without another word, the she-cat stalked off to the warriors' den.

A cat emerged from the den to greet her curtly; Hollowtail's pelt had become dull in the moonlight and he walked cautiously toward her. "How are you doing?" He murmured as he settled next to her.

"As well as I can," Frosttoe replied, letting her pelt brush against his. "I'm scared... Not just because of the war, but because Fogstar isn't okay. He's lost his mind!"

There was a moment of silence and Hollowtail pressed his head against hers. "I don't like what he's doing either," he mumbled. "But I can't do anything to stop him. He's our leader, and the warrior code says that the leader's word is the code."

Frosttoe nodded and said nothing, looking up at the ledge; Emberfern had disappeared from her place and there was violent coughing coming from Fogstar's den. Good, she thought coldly. Let him suffer.

"I just want you to know that I love you," Hollowtail murmured suddenly, snapping Frosttoe out of her thoughts. "and that I will protect you no matter what."

"I love you too," she replied softly. "And...I have some news."

"What is it?"

"I'm expecting your kits."

A few days passed and Fogstar appeared on the ledge, calling Frosttoe, Eelwhisker, Bluecloud, and Harvestfoot to his den. Frosttoe looked around at her clanmates, and each one looked more anxious than the last, sitting closer to each other than usual. Fogstar sat up from his nest and eyed his warriors skeptically.

"We're going to Thunderclan," he meowed, his voice nothing more than a rasp in his throat. "Today, Riverclan will declare war."

There was complete silence; Bluecloud looked as though she would say something, but the grey she-cat held her tongue, her ears flattened against her head. Harvestfoot said nothing, but his gaze was intent on the clan leader, as if he were taking in every word. He can't support this! Frosttoe thought, shock sparking through her pelt. She was snapped away from the deputy when Fogstar signalled them with a flick of his tail, then one by one the cats left the den.