Robinstar's Courage

Chapter 9

A moon later, the winter became harsher as it always did but this one seemed different. More prey had vanished than usual leaving them hungry most days. The snow had risen to their stomachs making it hard to venture far from the camp. Greencough has invaded the camp, infecting many. Silverwind, Rosewater, Hawktalon, Wolfclaw, Loststorm, Desertdepth, and Spineshatter. Pathwalker held them all in his den, not letting any healthy cat in or out of the den. Robinstar sat on top of the high branch, watching over his dying clan. Every cat was thinning to the point their ribs were visible. Patrols would be sent out constantly but they kept coming back with nothing.

He stood up on the thick branch and called for a clan meeting and only the healthy cats came along with Leafeyes' kits who almost disappeared in the snow. "I know times are hard right now in Tree Clan but we will get through this and become stronger than ever. Pathwalker is working endlessly to cure our sick clanmates and the patrols are hunting more than they ever have. Today, I will be naming two apprentices. "Desertkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Desertpaw. Your mentor will be Skyeyes. I hope Skyeyes will pass down all he knows onto you." He waited for the two to touch noses before continuing. "Leopardkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Leopardpaw. Your mentor will be Pathwalker. I hope Pathwalker will pass down all he knows onto you." Leopardpaw did not move to touch noses with Pathwalker who just guided her to the side of the camp as Skyeyes had done with Desertpaw. Desertpaw gave his sister a concern look and she leaned her head on him sadly. He did not move. Robinstar hated what he had done. The she-cat did not want to be a medicine cat but Star Clan wished for it and Tree Clan needed as much help as they could get right now. No cats cheered for the new apprentices since everyone was exhausted.

A few days passed and they lost both Desertdepth and Spineshatter to starvation. Robinstar woke to Pathwalker storming into his den early in the morning before the sun had even risen. The tom's pet was puffed out and he flexed his claws into the dying wood beneath him. "You need to do something before Tree Clan is no more!" The medicine cat snapped which annoyed Robinstar. He knew that already and having a pesky medicine cat wasn't going to get food in every cat's belly faster. He pushed the tom out of his den and looked around the camp. The queens and kits were sitting outside of the den, Robinstar's sons begging their mother for some food but there wasn't any.

"I will ask the other leaders at the gathering tonight." He sighed in defeat.

"Good!" Pathwalker snapped before stomping off.

The gathering came slow that day, Tree clan gave up hunting. They were all too weak to leave their dens. No cats except for Blacksun went with him to the gathering that night. He would not push his clan to waste such precious energy. They each only had one life but he had several that he was willing to put on the line if it meant his clan had hope. The clans were shocked to see only Tree Clan's deputy and leader but Robinstar did not stop to explain. He climbed to his branch and sat down on the cold bark. The other leaders spoke of hardships but where still able to find food. Robinstar felt his stomach boil as he listened. Why was his clan the only one suffering? What had they done to deserve this? Was StarClan angry with them?

The time came for him to speak for Tree Clan. Robinstar did not stand to talk like the other leaders. He did not want to do what he had to do but he needed to save his clan. "Tree Clan is in need of help. All prey has left our territory, cats are sick with greencough, we have already lost two to starvation. I ask that at least one of the clans gives Tree clan a small amount of territory to hunt. When the prey returns, we will return the territory." He asked, not looking at any other cat then Shadowgleam who was staring up at him from the center of the custer of cat. He did not want to beg. No other Tree Clan had to do this. He was failing his clan and his family.