Hailstorm's Fear

Chapter Nine

     "Clearsight has kitted?"Cloudstar got to his paws,his eyes filled with worry. "Is she alright?"

Duskwater met the leader's gaze with sorrow. "She lost a lot of blood,Cloudstar. I don't even know how she made it through the first night."

Hailstorm swallowed at the revelation,his paws trembling as he edged closer to the conversation.

"All the senior warriors are dying in one swoop."Cloudstar mumbled,his eyes hollow.

The medicine cat placed his fluffy tail on Cloudstar's shoulder in sympathy. "Maybe it would be best. They have served RiverClan for many moons,and I think they deserve a break."

"I wonder what will happen to Clearsight,"Goldenstorm appeared beside him,making him jump a little. "I hope she lives."

"You heard Duskwater. Clearsight lost a lot of blood."

"It doesn't hurt to hope,does it?"She snapped.

Hailstorm drew back. "I'm sorry,I'm just not thinking strai-"

"You two,"Duskwater called from his den. "Instead of bickering,why don't you see Clearsight's kits?"

"Okay,"He dipped his head,and came closer. "Are they in the nursery,or with Clearsight?"

Duskwater's ice-blue gaze sobered. "Clearsight is too weak to give milk to her own kits. She was strong enough,however,to name them."

The two warriors followed Duskwater to the nursery,where Daisypetal was curled around three kits. She jerked her head up and blinked at them.

"Here to see the kits?"

"Yes,"Duskwater flicked his ears. "I hope we weren't interrupting your sleep."

"Oh,not at all. I'm not too fond of sleep this days,"The queen answered with a bit of laugh in her tone despite the current mood in camp. "Here."

They peered at the three kits,and Daisypetal brushed her tail against the soft pelts.

"The name of the biggest is Blazekit,because his fur is bright orange,and it spikes up. He was born first."Hailstorm noticed that Blazekit seemed to be the strongest out of the litter too.

"This she-kit's name is Juniperkit,because she edged to the juniper berry stock when she was just born."Duskwater let out a purr at that.

"This tom's name is Graykit,because his dark gray fur seems to change to light gray when light hits it."

Just then,Dewstorm barges in,his eyes wide. "Clearsight's coughing up blood!"

"What?"Duskwater sprung to his paws and rushed out of the den,his fur spiked.

Daisypetal murmured a prayer to StarClan,her eyes glimmering with a wetness. Goldenstorm nudged Hailstorm and touched noses with the queen gently.

"We'll leave you to rest."Goldenstorm murmured. Hailstorm followed her out of the den,blinking against the sudden burst of sunlight.

"Goldenstorm,you're on Galeheart's patrol."Lionwhisker gave a nod to the golden warrior and angled his ears towards the entrance.

"Alright."Goldenstorm sent a look at the medicine cat den before bounding away.

Lionwhisker suddenly turned to him,his green eyes searching. "I need you for a task. Branchpelt originally assigned it to me,but I'm needed here to enforce the elders' den. I need you to go to the gorge and investigate for any kind of scent. If you can,go along the river as well."

Hailstorm straightened,hearing the tone of urgency in the older warrior's voice. "What happened?"

"WindClan may be stirring up some trouble. Just this sunrise we caught their scent drawing closer to the river. I don't know whether ThunderClan is aware of them,but it doesn't hurt for us to find out,"Lionwhisker explained,his pelt ruffling. "If I'm done,I'll join you later."

"What if I catch a WindClan warrior?"This was the first mission he was given without a supervisor,and thus,he felt every bit nervous alongside the responsibility weighing on his shoulders.

"Don't engage,"Lionwhisker stressed. "If you spot one,make sure they don't spot you."

Recalling every set of instructions,Hailstorm nodded. "You can count on me,Lionwhisker."This might be the only time he will be able to prove his worth to RiverClan.

As the older warrior left to do his duties,Hailstorm departed from camp,his pawsteps light as he followed the path to the gorge.