Warriors: Losttail's Prophecy

Ch.15

(Cat above is Creekstar)

Losttail watched as Berryseed sniffed at Badgerclaw's injured leg.

"It should be alright now." He told the white and black tom. "Just let Brightring know you're off warrior duties for tomorrow and get some rest today."

Badgerclaw dipped his head in thanks and slipped out of the den. Losttail followed him, weaving her way through the lichen curtain that shielded her den feom the rest of the camp.

It was leaf-bare and the ground underpaw was cold and hard. The clan was busy with their duties. Ferretclaw was leading a patrol with Shrewfall, Barktooth, and Flowerpaw. Patchpaw had just returned from hunting with Hareleap. Willowhaze's four kits were playing outside the nursery. To her surprise, nothing had gone wrong yet this leaf-bare.

Suddenly the gorse tunnel rattle and a brown tabby padded through. It was Brackenwind. The medicine cat's fur was sticking out in all directions and his eyes look dull, as if he hadn't slept in moons. Losttail made her way across the clearing and greeted him.

"Hello, Brackenwind." She mewed. "Is everything okay?"

Brackenwind slowly shook his head. "The marigold and chervil didn't work." He muttered. "Plumstar and Moonheart are dead. WindClan is without a leader and deputy."

Losttail felt the ground beneath her shake. WindClan needed a leader and deputy, especially now. "StarClan hasn't sent you any signs?"

"No. That's why I look so terrible." Brackenwind explained. "I haven't gotten much sleep. I've been waiting for a sign."

He sounded tired and strained, and Losttail realized how much he must still be grieving for Plumstar and Moonheart.

"I don't know what to do." He muttered.

Losttail could hear the restrain in his voice. He was trying to remain strong for his clan. Berryseed joined them, a look of sorrow on his face.

"Should we tell Rabbitstar?" She whispered to him.

"Might as well." Berryseed answered. "He'll find out sooner or later."

He padded off to find Rabbitstar. Losttail turned her attention back to Brackenwind. The tabby's head was down and his eyes were halfway closed. Beyond him, she spotted Berryseed emerging from under the Highrock with Rabbitstar behind him. The two slowly made their way across the clearing to meet them.

"I'm sorry to hear about Plumstar and Moonheart, Brackenwind." Rabbitstar mewed. "All the wishes of ThunderClan will be with WindClan as you look for new leadership."

Brackenwind dipped his head. "Thank you." He tuned and headed for the gorse tunnel.

Losttail watched him leave. Rabbitstar had left and she was left with Berryseed. The bengal tom was staring at the camp entrance as if he expected Brackenwind to come back.

"What if Brackenwind doesn't receive a sign from StarClan?" She asked. "How will WindClan chose a new leader?"

"Brackenwind is their medicine cat." Berryseed replied. "If StarClan doesn't give him a sign, he'll have to choose a new leader."

Losttail felt her pelt get hot with worry. Brackenwind was such a young cat. It had been moons since his mentor, Shadyhaze's death and it was clear that he still wasn't used to being on his own.

Berryseed turned from the camp entrance and headed back to the medicine den. Ferretclaw's patrol had just come back. The white and brown warrior padded up to her.

"We ran into Brackenwind." He told her. "Was he here earlier?"

"Yes. Windclan does not have a leader and deputy." She replied.