Warrior Cats: Rainfall

Chapter Seventeen

A quarter-moon later, things are back to normal. Ashfrost returned to warrior duties with Mousefoot. Occasionally, if she had the time, she would go with him and Kestrelpaw on their training sessions. 

The few sessions that she has gone to, Kestrelpaw was making progress. He could hear and listen to instructions just fine and in fact, little communication was required on his side. Watching her son turn into a fine warrior relieved the weight in her chest completely. 

Sootpelt called out the names for the noon patrol, "Bouncestep, lead a border patrol with Tigerpaw, Ashfrost, and Beechdapple!"

The tom, who had been crouching over a piece of prey, nodded and gulped it down. He solemnly walked over to the entrance and flicked his tail patiently. His apprentice and the two warriors walked over. 

"Ready?" He asked.

Ashfrost nodded. 

The patrol made their way over to the border they shared with GloomClan. Tigerpaw walked beside his mentor with a hop in his step. The apprentice was getting older and only a couple more moons away from becoming a warrior. He seemed to be coping really well with the recent loss of his mother, Ambersong. He would be a great warrior.

However, as they neared the border, Bouncestep seemed to slow down. The act unintentionally forced the patrol to halt. 

"Bouncestep?" Beechdapple cleared his throat. "You alright?"

"Yes," the tom was at a complete stop now, "I'm fine."

With the GloomClan border in sight, Bouncestep trotted over to a patch of orchids in the ground. He bent over and neatly nipped the stems of a few, holding them in his mouth as gently as a medicine cat would hold a rare herb. The former deputy then walked over to a large rock embedded in the soil. He layed the orchids in front of the rock and then sat down, his tail curled over his paws. Tigerpaw dragged himself over to his father and sat down next to him.

Beechdapple flicked an ear uncomfortably, "What are they doing?" 

It clicked in Ashfrost's head. This was the resting site of Ambersong. They apparently decided to bury her here. "Paying tribute to Ambersong."

"Oh," Beechdapple shuffled his paws, embarrassed that he hadn't known.

After a few more moments, Bouncestep rose and looked back at the patrol, "Sorry about that, let's move on."

As Tigerpaw helped refresh the border, the patrol observed and corrected him when he faulted. For the most part, the apprentice did well.

"Have you noticed how Stonestar hasn't left his den at all the past two days?" Beechdapple started to create small talk.

"He doesn't leave his den very often anyway," Bouncestep shrugged.

"He usually comes out a couple times a day though," Beechdapple pointed out. "I think something's wrong."

Ashfrost frowned, "What could've happened?"

"Could he have lost a life?" Tigerpaw suggested as he finished.

"That had to be it," Beechdapple concluded. "There is literally no other explanation."

"He could be sick," Bouncestep licked a paw.

Beechdapple narrowed his eyes, "Tell me, have you heard any coughing coming from his den?"

Bouncestep stopped mid-lick, "Uh, no."

"He had to have lost a life."

Ashfrost stood up and started walking in the other direction, "Come on, we must be on our way to CloudClan."