Warriors: Back to the Wild Book#3

Chapter 4

A while after SkyClan arrived, Mousepelt got worried ThunderClan wouldn't make it. The illness must have been worse than she thought. She then jumped to her paws when the scent of ThunderClan came over her. Her heart got heavy when she saw Tumblefoot lead the last Clan in. Questions broke out across the clearing. Mousepelt shivered when there was no sign of Whisperstar.

No... Mousepelt thought sadly. I... Was too late... From the look on Coldeyes's, he felt the same way. Docilepaw looked up at her mentor in confusion as Flowerstem and Cinderfoot went to sit next to them and the other medicine cats. I wasn't able to get the catmint to Amberheart in time... I killed Whisperstar! The idea that Mousepelt had been to concerned of her own well being to not save her friend's leader, made her feel... Strong. She dug her claws in to the ground. She survived the night, after almost freezing to death, while a leader, a leader! Died. And she did it without Amberheart!

"Are you okay, Mousepelt?" Vinetail asked in the brown warrior's ear. She sheathed her claws and blinked. The older warrior looked to Jumbledstar's daughter.

"Y-yeah..." Mousepelt lied. "Just... Wondering why Whisperstar isn't here."

"Green cough is getting worse this leaf-bare," Beetlechaser pointed out, "she could have gotten really sick."

Mousepelt had to suppress purr. She practically swam to WindClan in the cold frigid water and the illness passed right over her. She was stronger than any old leader. Even Ripplestar and Lionstar were looking weaker.

"Tumblefoot," Tallstar called out, "where is your leader, Whisperstar?"

"Her green cough was turned to white cough and Flowerstem was unable to get catmint to her on time," Tumbleroot explained, "I have gone to the Moonpool yesterday and received my nine lives, my name is Tumblestar now!"

Shocked and concerned whispers were shared throughout the clearing. Mousepelt flicked her uninterested in hearing about a new leader.

"Prey is scarce and we have new kits to the Clan," Tumblestar went on, "we hope StarClan will look down upon us and help these kits survive this harsh leaf-bare."

After Tumblestar spoke all the leaders talked about were new kits, expecting queens, and how hard leaf-bare would be. Mousepelt let out a bored yawn. Leaf-bare didn't frighten her. Not after going through the lake at night.

Finally, as the Clans rounded up, Amberheart padded over to the ShadowClan warrior.

"Mousepelt," Amberheart mewed, "I just want you to know, what happened to Whisperstar, wasn't your fault."

"Good, now I have a clear conscious," Mousepelt spoke flatly.

"What's wrong?" the golden warrior asked.

"Well, did you hear the news?" Mousepelt purred. "Whisperstar is dead, yet I am the one who almost froze to death in the lake getting catmint for our Clans. Don't you find it odd that I have more strength than a leader?"

"Mousepelt... What are you talking about?" Mousepelt had to hold back a mrrow of laughter at seeing the feared look in her friend's eyes.

"I'm saying I might be so close to the prophecy that I can taste it!" Mousepelt puffed her chest out. "Hey, I have an idea Amberheart, I dare you to go in to the water tonight and see if you catch green cough, if not let's go hunt Silversol down and end it!"

"Mousepelt... Your eyes... They... Look like-"

"Mousepelt!" Jumbledstar called, interrupting Amberheart. With a flick of her tail, Mousepelt headed off to her Clan. She could still feel the terrified look on Amberheart's face on Mousepelt's fur.

When ShadowClan had arrived, Coldeyes lifted his head, ears picked up. His eyes widened in terror. Both the medicine cat and his apprentice bolted to the medicine den. Jumbledstar and Yellowstone watched as Vinetail, Silversun, and Beetlechaser ran after them. Ravenclaw poked his out the warrior's den and went to stand next to Mousepelt and Navi.

The cats that had woken up, waited for what Coldeyes had to say about the young warrior. Coldeyes came out. His head low and eyes full of hopelessness. He went up to Jumbledstar and Yellowstone.

"Midnightmoon is dead," the grey tom sighed, "he didn't have green cough, all this time he had white cough... I'm sorry Jumbledstar... There's nothing I could do..."

"My kit!" Yellowstone wailed, pelting to the medicine den. Jumbledstar lowered his head in dismay.

Suddenly, Mousepelt didn't feel so strong anymore. She felt like the small brown cat she had always felt like. Leaf-bare had taken one of the strongest warriors. She was strong as any other warrior. She could have survived because Coldeyes and Flowerstem were there to keep her warm and give her catmint.

Then Mousepelt remembered. She had dared Amberheart to do the same stupid thing! And if Amberheart was still the kittypet kit Mousepelt knew so well, she was going to at least try!

"I'm... Going to go for a walk!" Mousepelt announced, bounding off without letting Ravenclaw or Navi speak.