✧ Devious Fates ✧ | COMPLETE WARRIOR CATS FANFICTION STORY |

// Chapter Fifteen

"This is ridiculous!" Willowheart's voice stated, her tone indignant and exasperated. Spottedpelt's ear flicked. She spotted the WindClan medicine cat angrily treading up behind Vinestar. Vinestar's eyes rolled and he seemed to be trying to pad away from her. "You have no proof that Spottedpelt stole the catmint. You've kept her secluded to camp for more than a moon!"

Vinestar narrowed his eyes. "And what are you going to do when one of our warriors catch greencough?" he hissed. It's not even leaf-fall yet. H-how can you be sure that will happen?

"It's more common for greencough to spread during leaf-fall and leaf-bare," Willowheart retorted. "We still have a moon of greenleaf." Vinestar's pelt bristled.

The sun's mid-day rays drowned the camp. It turned Spottedpelt's coat completely amber, and transformed camp to a golden shade. Fiercetalon was by the fresh-kill pile dealing strokes of the tongue to his paw to cleanse it. He lifted his head once he heard the quarreling of the two WindClan members. Tansybranch settled beside Spottedpelt, looking bewildered. Lionrage and Gingerpaw emerged in between the two boulders that marked the entrance to camp. Gingerpaw had a rabbit clamped in his jaws, and a proud smile that lined his face. Lionrage gazed down at his apprentice with thrill; before lifting his muzzle when hearing Willowheart and Vinestar's feud.

More warriors around camp were pricking their ears and staring at the WindClan medicine cat and leader in bewilderment. "Even if she did destroy the supply," growled Willowheart. "She's had plenty of punishment. She's the WindClan deputy! She can't be confined to camp like this."

"Only because you insisted that she'd be given that role," Vinestar spat with frustration. "I deeply regret my decision."

Willowheart's tail twitched. "And because she's deputy," she continued, blocking Vinestar's way as he tried to pad away. "She needs to be able to assist her Clan like she vowed to do."

"So you want a traitor to become leader after me?" Vinestar snorted. "Nettlepatch sure taught you well, huh?" Willowheart's neck fur lifted at the mention of her mentor. Her eyes flashed with sorrow; before transforming to an even stronger flare of bitterness.

"Nettlepatch would want nothing to do with any traitors," Willowheart meowed in a shaking voice. "I'm sure of it. Spottedpelt is not betraying her Clan."

"How do you know?" Vinestar inquired, curling his tail around his paws. "I didn't see you there."

Tansybranch's fur bristled against Spottedpelt's. "Should we step in?" she whispered. I doubt that'll help. Spottedpelt shook her head. She watched with a bit of fear clouding her eyes. I am tired of being secluded to camp, but would any cat be able to convince Vinestar to do any otherwise with me? A-and.. I didn't know or think about the dogs.. what if I am a bad deputy like most of the Clan says?

"Listen," Willowheart coaxed. "As your medicine cat, I believe you should lift Spottedpelt's punishments. You do not have proof she destroyed the catmint supply, and she has had over a moon of seclusion to camp. And at the same time, I am the one that keeps the catmint in my den and fights greencough. I should've always been the one to judge this situation."

A few silent heartbeats passed. It seemed all of the Clan had held their breaths with anticipation. WindClan members ambled up to the scene with interest, anxiety, and confusion illuminating in their gazes. Why is there this much hassle about me? Is it that big of a deal? Vinestar scanned the clearing indignantly at the WindClan warriors gathering around him. "Come," he directed to Willowheart, pointing his tail over towards his den. "We'll discuss this in my den."

Willowheart narrowed her eyes, reluctantly deciding to follow the broad tabby. Vinestar seemed in a hurry and slightly embarrassed at the crowd that had built together. As the two WindClanners strolled towards Vinestar's stone dip in the ground, the warriors around Spottedpelt muttered anxious, incoherent messages that overlapped. Spottedpelt kept her attention pointed at the two trekking figures, puzzlement and curiosity striking her expression as she blinked.