Warriors (Dog Version) Part 2: Need to Get Away

Chapter 4

Mysteryheart

~2 Sunrises later~

She stood in the medicine den. Redfang worked on herbs on the other side of the den. Poppypaw and Cloudpaw lay and moan. The two apprentices weren't liking the no visitors rule and no leaving the den rule.

"Can't we just go for a walk?" Poppypaw asked with a moan following her question.

"Yeah and maybe lay in the sun for a bit?" Cloudpaw asked. "It's so boring in here... Why can't we just leave?"

Redfang had been ignoring them; which left Mysteryheart to answer. "If you leave the den to try to get outside, you'll most likely run into a dog. That dog will catch your white cough and then get at least three other warriors sick. Sooner or later the whole Clan will be sick..."

The two stopped their complaints but continued to moan. "Tonight's a half-moon..." Redfang commented.

"Yes it is..." Mysteryheart answered.

The old medicine dog turned to her. "Well... I need to stay here with them," she pointed to the apprentices. "Berrypaw needs to get closer to StarClan, thanks to my old age. Mysteryheart will you do me a favor?"

"Anything," she replied while cooling the sick ones with wet moss.

"I need you to take Berrypaw to the Moon Pool," Redfang said right off the bat.

Mysteryheart felt excitement pulse through her. "Very well," she tried to sound formal, but the excitement made her squeal.

Her old mentor smiled. "Would you go tell Berrypaw for me then?"

She nodded and left the den. The warrior went straight to Berrypaw. He was organizing herbs close to the apprentices' den. "Berrypaw," she called.

The apprentice lifted his head and turned to her. Once he saw her he rolled his eyes. "What?" he asked.

"Redfang told me I have to take you to the Moon Pool tonight," she couldn't help growl.

"Oh goody!" he muttered sarcastically.

She gritted her teeth. "I was just passing on the news..."

Mysteryheart flipped around and ran into Bearpaw. "Ooof!" she collapsed on the ground.

Bearpaw's eyes widened. "Sorry. Are you okay?" he asked running to pick her up.

When she got to her feet she answered. "Fine. I'm fine. What do you need?"

"How're my sisters?" he asked.

Mysteryheart saw worry in his stare. "They're fine. The only problem is-"

He cut her off. "There's a problem! Oh no! They aren't going to die are they?"

Anger pulsed inside of her. Don't cut me off! she growled to herself. "No.... They keep complaining, that's all."

She brushed passed him. When she was almost to the door Sunstorm came infront of her. "What?" she growled.

Her brother was taken by surprise. "I need to tell you something!"

"Can that wait?" she snapped.

His eyes widened. "No I need you to pass the message on to Redfang."

She calmed herself. "What is it?" she was getting a bit worried.

He smiled. "Snowball is having my pups!"

Mysteryheart frowned. "In the winter? Where green cough and white cough could spread?"

"Yeah...." he replied slowly.

She tried to seem happy. "That's great! I can't wait to see your newborns!" she continued. "I'll make sure the message gets to Redfang!" she called.

Finally she made it to the medicine den. The medicine dog continued to sort herbs. "Uh... Aren't you gonna tell me what Berrypaw said?" Redfang asked. Her and Mysteryheart had a connection no other could have. Their friendship was close.

"Of course I am!" she exclaimed. "He doesn't seem okay with it at all..."

Her old mentor smiled. "I thought he wouldn't."

She gave her a puzzled glance. "You knew? What else did you know?"

"Well..." Redfang laughed. "He thinks that you're replacing him."

"What?" she blurted out and continued to do so. "He was my replacement. If it wasn't for that stupid prophecy he wouldn't be in here. And I wouldn't be deputy..."

Redfang turned her head another direction. "You know... Life might have it's things that you wish could change at first... But once your life is complete, you'll have everything you could ask for."

She let her words cling in her mind. She repeated it silently so she memorized it. Mysteryheart knew that she was right. Berrypaw has the right to think so. I may have been here first, but that doesn't mean I belong here. I belong in the warriors' den as deputy. she thought.

It was sundown when her and Berrypaw left. The two dogs were halfway to the Moon Pool. He kept his head straight towards the sky and didn't bother to talk. Mysteryheart couldn't stop thinking of Berrypaw saying she was his replacement.

She stared at him. She hoped he would say something so she didn't have to first. But no sign of him talking at all. "You know..." she began with a wary look. He finally took his gaze of the sky.

"What do I know?" he asked stubbornly.

"Not that you know. It's what you will know," she answered. "You have no reason to be jealous..."

Berrypaw looked up at the stars. "About what?"

"Hah! Don't act like you don't know," she pressed. He stayed silent. They continued walking and he kept his stare on Mysteryheart. "You don't like me helping Redfang."

"Not true!" he barked embarrassingly.

She felt his heart race as she went to comfort him. "Listen I'm temporary, but you... You're permanent. You have the whole Clan to take care of. Me. I'm taking care of two apprentices. How can you possibly be jealous?"

He frowned. " I guess I thought you were lying...." his voice was questionable.

"Lying about what?" she was hurt by him thinking so.

Too late. ShadowClan and WindClan scent flooded in her nose. Spotfur, Fluffpelt, and Brownpaw pressed their bodies close together. The cold leaf-bare had definitely made it to the Clans.

"Greetings Berrypaw," Spotfur shivered. "Is that you Mysteryheart?"

She smiled. "It is."

Fluffpelt said her greetings to them both then sat down. "Why what happened to Redfang? Please don't say she's in StarClan!" Spotfur barked.

"No!" Berrypaw exclaimed.

Mysteryheart's eyes widened. "I'm filling in for her. We've got two sick that she needs to see to."

"We completely understand," Fluffpelt said.

RiverClan scent went in her nose suddenly. Dropfur came out. When she saw the medicine dog appear she remembered Cloudfur. The apprentice came out after her. "Greetings," her enemy greeted.

She growled and scowled. After their hellos, he noticed her. "What are you doing here?" he snarled.

"Me?" she played innocently.

"No that bush over there," he muttered sarcastically.