Frostclaw's Fate (Warriors)

Prologue

Frostclaw bit into a soft piece of warm fresh-kill, his tastebuds being overwhelmed by the delicious taste of carp. The late, chilly leaf-fall sun touched his very pale tabby pelt, only slightly warming up the young tom as he ate. RiverClan's camp was relatively peaceful, and everyone was either sharing tongues or out doing their duties. Two newly-made apprentices, Duckpaw and Rubblepaw, were relaxing outside the apprentices' den, while Rainstar watched the Clan from the mouth of his den.

It was only a few moons ago when Frostclaw and his brother, Whitesun, were made into warriors alongside Frostclaw's best friend, Mudtooth. Frostclaw was very proud of his warrior name, and he was determined to become one of the best warriors in the Clan — perhaps even one day become deputy as well. He was ambitious, but he knew that he was still very young. Frostclaw was going to give himself time to grow as a warrior and take on his own apprentice. He was jealous that Mudtooth already had Duckpaw, but he didn't let that jealousy get in the way of their friendship. Whitesun also helped calm him down, reminding him that Mistspots' kits — Runningkit and Petalkit — had just been born. Perhaps in the future, he and Frostclaw could be their mentors. This helped Frostclaw not be as jealous as he had been, and the tom was grateful for his brother's words.

Frostclaw pondered as he finished his prey. The tabby tom proceeded to sit up afterwards and lick his forepaw. He drew it over his ear, then planned to go for a solo hunting session. Since he wasn't an apprentice, he gratefully didn't have to ask for a mentor's permission beforehand.

Just as the tom was rising to his paws and preparing to head down to the river, the reeds surrounding the entrance to camp began to rustle. Then, Glimmerpaw — a senior apprentice — burst through the slender plants. Her night-black fur was stuck up, and her eyes were widened with terror. Everyone in camp scented the she-cat's emotions, and they all swarmed towards her. Glimmerpaw's mother, Midnightsky, was amongst the first to reach her. Frostclaw's ears perked up as Rainstar barreled past him to get to the fray. The medicine cat, Sparrowheart, did the same, and he forced the crowd to make some space for the frightened apprentice. However, he allowed Midnightsky to stay beside her daughter.

"What happened, Glimmerpaw?" Rainstar asked the she-cat as Frostclaw approached the crowd. He stood beside Mudtooth. "Where's the rest of the patrol you were on?"

"B-by Sunningrocks," Glimmerpaw stuttered our after a few moments of catching her breath. Midnightsky comfortingly lapped her ear as she spoke. "W-we we're patrolling the area w-when we came across a ThunderClan p-patrol. They minded their own b-business, marking the scent borders c-correctly. But then, a-a warrior who looked pretty y-young made a passive-aggressive comment towards us, s-saying that the Sunningrocks s-shouldn't be shared between ThunderClan a-and RiverClan."

Murmuring broke out amongst most of the RiverClan members listening. Frostclaw stayed silent as he exchanged a meaningful glance with Mudtooth.

A few seasons ago, ThunderClan and RiverClan decided to try and spare their fights over Sunningrocks by making an agreement. During newleaf and greenleaf — when the weather was warmer — ThunderClan would have territorial rights over the patch of silvery rocks. But when leaf-fall and leafbare arrived, then RiverClan would claim Sunningrocks since it was rarely used by ThunderClan in the colder seasons. It was also very useful since RiverClan struggled the most between the two Clans when it came to hunting in leafbare. Since fishing was difficult with such frigid waters and hunting was very scarce, they needed the rocks much more than their forest-dwelling neighbors. The agreement had been working so far for the most part, and both Clans were in a so-called friendship for the time-being. Still, they saw each other as enemy Clans regardless.

"When the cat made the c-comment, Oaksplash confronted h-him," Glimmerpaw continued. "He was calm, b-but the cat was a-aggressive for no r-reason at all. He challenged O-Oaksplash, even though the others o-on his patrol t-tried to shut h-him up. Whitesun intervened, a-and.. and.." She whimpered, and Midnightsky stroked her spine. Frostclaw felt fear suddenly grip his heart. What had happened to Whitesun?

"Glimmerpaw.." Sparrowheart meowed softly, staring at the apprentice. "Did.. did that tom attack Whitesun?"

Glimmerpaw didn't respond for a moment, but then she avoided the medicine cat's eyes and nodded. The cats surrounding Glimmerpaw gasped, including Frostclaw and Mudtooth.

"Why in StarClan's name would he attack Whitesun!?" a she-cat named Lavenderfoot exclaimed.

"Frog-brained ThunderClan cats these days," an elder named Pikestream commented with a shake of his head from the entrance to the elders' den.

Frostclaw could hardly hear his Clanmates. His blood roared in his ears as his heart beat quickly against his chest. "Where's the rest of the patrol?" Frostclaw suddenly asked, looking at Glimmerpaw. "Is Whitesun okay? Why were you sent back?" His Clanmates all agreed with the questions, and they looked at Glimmerpaw expectantly.

"I was sent b-back because O-Oaksplash and Hazeltuft n-need help with c-crossing Whitesun a-across the river," the black apprentice stuttered. "T-the attack injured him a lot."

"Well, why didn't you say so sooner?!" Frostclaw snapped, lowering his ears. He made Glimmerpaw flinch because of his voice. The cats around Frostclaw have him a disapproving look. "How badly injured is Whitesun?"

"I-I.."

"Frostclaw, leave her be please," Mudtooth told the tabby warrior, looking at him with a gentle yet serious look. Despite his youth, Mudtooth acted as if he were a wise senior warrior. "I understand your concern, but there's no need to take your worry out through anger on an apprentice. Especially when she's in this condition."

Frostclaw looked over at his best friend, then heaved a sigh. He knew that the other was right. "Yes.. I'm sorry, Glimmerpaw." The tabby looked at the young she-cat. "I'm just worried, that's all."

"I-it's okay.." Glimmerpaw mewed, staring at her paws. Midnightsky murmured softly to her and urged her to move away from the camp entrance. Sparrowheart followed the two black she-cats, wanting to check up on Glimmerpaw. Meanwhile, Rainstar turned to face his warriors. His deputy, Swanflight, stepped out from the crowd to stand beside him. She too looked at the others.

"Right," Rainstar began. "I'll go and talk to Applestar about her unruly warrior later. But for now, Whitesun is my number one concern. Ferretstrike, you and Dovefur will go and help Oaksplash and Hazeltuft. Everyone else must stay back. They will return, and we will discuss more once Whitesun is being treated. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Rainstar," the RiverClan members all said in unison. Dovefur (who was the mother of Whitesun and Frostclaw) and Ferretstrike rose to their feet and proceeded to leave camp while the rest of the Clan dispersed. As they did, Frostclaw rose to his paws indignantly.

"Rainstar!" the warrior meowed. "Why can't I go help? Whitesun is my brother! I want to make sure he gets back to camp safely."

"Your mother will ensure that, Frostclaw," the tabby leader replied calmly. "Trust in her. Whitesun will make it back, Frostclaw. Wounds are a part of warrior life. Don't worry."

Even when they are unjust? Frostclaw challenged mentally.

As if she read Frostclaw's thoughts, Swanflight spoke. "Again, Rainstar will talk to Applestar about what happened. She must deal with this arrogant tom. But again, Whitesun is the Clan's concern for the time-being."

Frostclaw lowered his ears and fell silent. He gave in and nodded. "Okay.." He watched as Rainstar padded to the center of camp and watched the entrance for the patrol, Dovefur, and Ferretstrike. Swanflight exchanged a few words with him before padding away.

Frostclaw sighed and watched the entrance as well. He slowly sat down. Mudtooth, who had been standing beside Frostclaw, looked at his friend with empathy in his amber gaze.

"It'll be okay, Frostclaw," Mudtooth reassured, licking his friend's cheek. "Just hang in there, alright?"

Frostclaw frowned, hardly hearing the tom's words. Still, he nodded and didn't look away from the entrance. He felt Mudtooth's warmth leave his side as the massive warrior lumbered away. Silently, Frostclaw sat a few tail-lengths away from Rainstar, staring at the entrance. He just wanted Whitesun to be okay.

Please, StarClan.. Let my brother be okay, Frostclaw thought. I know wounds are a part of warrior life, like Rainstar said. But why do I feel so much dread? Whitesun's a tough cat; he'll be okay. But.. Frostclaw shook his head.

..every mouse-length of my being is saying that something bad is going to happen.