Warriors: Ashfur's Insanity

Chapter 69

Ashstar felt the cold night breeze ruffle his fur. He dug his claws into his branch and winced as he saw Reedwhisker, Mothwing, Pinepaw, Sappaw, and Rust pad into the clearing. Where was Flowerstar?? 

Ashstar clawed down the trunk and scrabbled to a halt in front of Reedwhisker. "Where's Flowerstar?!" He asked, worried.

"Willowshine is taking care of her. She's having her kits," Reedwhisker explained. "So I'll be the announcer tonight," He added. 

Ashstar turned away and climbed up the trunk of the Great Oak. He saw Harestar trembling on his branch and he looked skinny. There were swelling and angry red wounds on his white stomach and his fur wasn't groomed properly. Cobwebs still patched the wounds and yellow pus folded around the wounds. He didn't look like he was in good condition. Ashstar wondered why he was even at the gathering. Ashstar sat on his branch and saw Tigerstar looking out across the Clans, his amber eyes distant. Ashstar then raised his tail for silence. He waited as the talking died down. 

"The prey is running well for ThunderClan," Ashstar announced.  "Reedwhisker, I hope you're getting along well in the territory. Are the rogues a problem?" He asked.

"No, not for us. Our hunting as been excellent and we're planning to make the Tribe Cats warriors," Reedwhisker explained. He flicked his tail. 

"We'll train the Tribe Cats for a bit and give them proper Clan names," Ashstar meowed. 

"Same with us," Tigerstar meowed. He opened an eye. "Harestar, are you gonna make an announcement?" He asked.

Harestar coughed rapidly and Ashstar cast a worried glance at the other leaders. 

"I'm fine, don't be worried about me," Harestar snorted. He held a paw to his stomach and clenched his teeth. 

"Are you ok?" Ashstar asked, worried for the WindClan leader.

Harestar crawled over to him, panting, his eyes clouded with pain. Bark scraped the infected wounds and pulled off the cobwebs and opened the wounds back up. Blood began to ooze from the wounds. A sticky liquid covered the brown tom's paws. "I have three lives left," He rasped. 

Ashstar gasped. Why would he give away an important secret?! But he needed to help the tom.

"Kestrelflight! Harestar needs you!" Ashstar hissed. 

Harestar coughed rapidly. He rested on the branch, his head lay still on Ashstar's paws. His breathing was shallow and fast, and his ribs were showing as if he hadn't eaten in days.

Kestrelflight and Gorsetail climbed up the trunk. Kestrelflight grabbed Harestar's scruff while Gorsetail supported his shoulder. Ashstar joined in and helped lead them down the trunk.

Ashstar leaned on Harestar's side and helped them carry him across the clearing. 

"What happened to him?!" Squirrelflight gasped.

"Not sure, but I think his wound is infected again!" Kestrelflight hissed.

"What? Shouldn't he be in camp?" Ashstar hissed, flicking his tail. "If you knew he was sick?" He prompted.

Kestrelflight flashed him a guilty look. "Well, sorry, I didn't think straight!" He wailed.

"You're a medicine cat for StarClan's sake! Surely you'd notice symptoms of infection, right?" Ashstar retorted, glaring at him. 

"For StarClan's sake, lets just get him back to camp!" Ketrelflight hissed, ignoring Ashstar's question. He got a better grip on Harestar's scruff and huffed as he lifted his head, keeping Harestar's head from dragging in the dirt.