Dustfur's origin

Chapter 11

Each day passed slowly to Dustfur. Every day he would visit Emberpaw, who, to his nervousness, was still unconscious. Dappledleaf told him Emberpaw had lost a ton of blood, as he suspected, and that she would be out for a while. And each time Smokeheart would see him, he acted if nothing had ever happened. But when they made eye contact, Smokeheart's gaze would darken. He wondered when Emberpaw would become a warrior.

On the third day, he was visiting Emberpaw. Cloudshine was checking on Emberpaw, while trying to get him out.

"Please let me see how she's doing," he begged.

You have to get out, Dustfur. We're doing everything for Emberpaw, and we can work better if you would leave," Dappledleaf told him sharply. The two cats tried to push him out, but a rustling in the moss behind the two cats made them turn. Emberpaw was sitting up in her nest, blinking. They rushed over, but Dustfur pushed past them, relieved.

"You're okay!" He breathed, licking her neck fur. "I was so worried, Dappledleaf said you lost so much blood, but you're fine and that's all that matters,"

"Would you move, Dustfur?" Cloudshine pushed him away and turned to Emberpaw. "He's right, you did lose a lot of blood. The worst wound is on your left shoulder, so you'll have to take it easy for a couple of days,"

"But-" Emberpaw tried to speak, only to be cut off by her coughing.

Cloudshine gave her a ball of soaked moss, and she drank it quickly. Once she was done, she spoke."But what about my training? I need to be a warrior," she said, groaning.

"You'll get back to your training in a couple of days. You can't open that wound again, Emberpaw,"

"How long have I been asleep? A day?" She asked, looking around them outside of the den.

"Um, actually, three days," Dappledleaf said.

"Three days! I have to train now! Stonefrost will be so mad!" She tried to stand up, only to fall to her nest again, weak.

"Stonefrost understand, and he's kind of busy at the moment, seeing that his mate is pregnant. And you are to not get up until we say so, okay?" Dappledleaf said sharply. He remembered how the golden she-cat had moved to the nursery yesterday.

"Hawkfire, I'm guessing? Tell Stonefrost I said congratulations," Emberpaw said, before looking conscious again. She laid back down in her nest, and her breathing was even. Cloudshine turned to Dustfur.

"There. Now you know she's fine. Now leave!" She said, flicking her tail. He turned and left the den, padding over to Madeline. She was sitting in the shade, watching Apple and Night tussle in a play fight, while Flower was pouncing on a leaf. The ginger and white she-kit shoot up when Dustfur padded over.

"Dustfur! How's my crouch?" She asked, then crouched down, her tail moving.

"Very good, Flower, just keep your tail still, or the prey will know you're there," he said, and she nodded before keeping her tail still. Madeline purred and looked up.

"Emberpaw's awake. But you'll have to see her later. Dappledleaf's pretty strict," he laughed, and Madeline smiled.

"Oh good, I was worried about her. Sometimes she's so reckless. She nearly died when she escaped the twoleg den," she laughed. He gave a slight chuckle, then said goodbye to Madeline and her kits. She wasn't that bad, he thought to himself. The gray she-cat had finally eaten a thrush, and she surprised the clan by loving it. Dustfur smiled to himself. Emberpaw would be fine. He looked around and saw white flecks falling down from the sky. Leaf-bare was here.

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Three days later, Emberpaw emerged from the medicine den. Her fur glowed and her eyes shone. He ran up to the ginger and white apprentice.