Silent Night

Chapter 2: Survival of the Fittest

As Frostwillow lept onto the flat rock in the clearing, the rock barely brushed her belly fur.

"I must be eating too much prey" Frostwillow murmured to herself as a small patrol of cats entered the now buzzing camp.

"How was the hunt?" Frostwillow purred grooming one of her front paws

"Well the hunt was... ok" Berryclaw slowed his words "But that's not what i'm concerned about" he continued. Frostwillow flicked her tail inviting Berryclaw on to the rock where she sat. The other cats in the patrol brought the prey they had caught to the small dip in the ground that the warriors had dug out for prey to be stored in. It had been nearly half a moon since the battle that nearly wiped out ForestClan.

"Frostwillow, on our hunt we saw a small group of cats patrolling our old territory" Berryclaw began, Frostwillow settled her gaze on him as he told her

"Our patrol wasn't close enough to distinguish if they were from the other clans but-" Berryclaw cut off as Frostwillow lashed her tail.

"Um, well I thought maybe if the cats we saw weren't in any clan we could-"

"Are you suggesting we bring rouges into the clan?!" Frostwillow spat furiously

"Thornstar would never let rouges in!" she finished

"But Frostwillow our clan is small and we will not survive leaf bear especially with Lilacpetal being so close to kitting!" Berrynose exclaimed. Frostwillow thought to herself for a moment before responding to Berrynose, who she had chosen as her deputy.

"Fine if you believe it would be for the best of the clan, take a patrol of two other cats with you to find these rogues and invite them to our clan." Frostwillow said lowering her head. Berryclaw started glancing around and called Larksong and Dewpaw to his side. They started a low trot out of the camp.

"Wait!" Frostwillow called, Berryclaw glanced back slowing down. "If they seem at all threatening do not release the location of that clan to them!" Frostwillow finished as Berryclaw flicked his tail in acknowledgement and continued out of the camp.

"Frostwillow!" Leafclaw called from the other side of the camp flicking her tail for Frostwillow to come closer. Frostwillow dainty jumped off the rock, careful not to scratch her soft belly. When Frostwillow trotted closer to Leafclaw, Leafclaw disappeared into her den, Frostwillow followed after shortly. Leafclaw settled into her nest in the far corner as Frostwillow entered.

"How long have you known?" Leafclaw questioned her. She must mean about the rogues! Frostwillow remembered

"I've only know since the morning patrol got back, Berryclaw told me all about them." Frostwillow said scoffing that she aloud Berryclaw to persuade her to invite the rogues into the clan.

"Oh, so Berryclaw told you how to care for them?" Leafclaw asked padding over to Frostwillow

"It can't be that hard, only three more mouths to feed." Frostwillow said lifting her muzzle as Leafclaw sniffed her flank. I must have gotten a scratch from the rock!

"How bad is it?" Frostwillow asked

"Bad?" Leafclaw chuckled backing up "You are in perfect condition!" Leafclaw said with pride in her voice.

"But you really should go see Lilacpetal, she can help you through the next few moons with the.. extra mouths" Leafclaw said holding back a purr as she nudged Frostwillow out of her den. Walking across the clearing Frostwillow thought about Darksoul. Did he betray me? Maybe darksoul didn't know about the attack so he tried to keep me at the twoleg village away from the battle.