WARRIORS // Uprooted

Chapter 14

The smell of smoke woke her up. She was fairly used to the acrid scent by this point, but there was... a lot of it. It made her sneeze.

The den's empty, she thought, twitching her ears. She slowly got up and padded out into the open air. It was early in the morning, and she glanced around. The Cluster Burrows were full of activity and there were Burners scattered on top of the ridge. One she recognized as Sheepstep and quickly moved away, not forgetting when she whipped the torch at her when she was just a kit. Another she realized was Snailfall's father Sloecloud, his pearly white face making him notable in a crowd. 

Leopardstone padded over. "They're not letting us leave," she mewed anxiously. "What's going on? They're not even giving us assignments, and I can see one of the Distributors gathering our morning rations, but it's way too early for that."

"I dunno," Leechstone said worriedly, flicking her tail. Everyone looked up as a few Distributors padded in with their rations wrapped in large leaves, dropping them at the entrance.

"Rushstar will be calling a meeting soon," a pale brown molly announced, raising her tail high. "Make sure all your friends are awake, and be alert. It's important." She then turned around and trotted off, mumbling something to Sloecloud before she departed with her peers.

As they all walked forward to collect their rations, She looked up to Buzzard, joined by Leopardstone. The tom was shaking, and his breathing came heavy, and as she picked up a small rabbit she felt bad. He's going to be punished, most likely, she thought. I'm sorry, Buzzard! I just want to keep you all safe!

She noticed her Grandmother wasn't eating and was instead hanging back, and Brindle had only grabbed a tiny skinny mouse, probably not even full grown. Leechstone suddenly felt sick to her stomach, and lost her appetite. I won't eat for now, she thought. I'll grab some blackberries in the territory... I'll give this to Dipper.

She padded over to Dipper, where Dunlin was delivering her rations and butting heads with her. "Hi," she greeted.

"Hi Leechstone!" Tigerstone said, bounding toward her excitedly. "What's that?"

"It's a little rabbit. I was gonna come give it to you guys, if you want it."

"Oooh!"

"Are you sure?" Dipper asked in concern. "What about you? Did you get your ration?"

"I'm not feeling well. I don't want to eat at the moment," she said with a smile, dropping the rabbit. "I thought it'd go well toward your kits."

"Thank you!" the three littermates said in unison. She looked at their half-ears and felt sick to her stomach. Remembering the former Snailpaw chewing off their ears still made her feel sick, even if she knew now that it hadn't been what he wanted.

"How old are you three, again?" Leechstone asked playfully, though she already knew the answer.

"Five moons!" Morningstone said excitedly.

"Wow! You three are getting so old," she laughed. "You should be retiring soon!"

"Hey! We're not that old," Neritestone giggled.

"Are you okay, Leechstone?" Tigerstone asked, sniffing her nose. "You look kinda sick."

"Oh, do I?" Leechstone mewed lowly. "I must be catchin' something. I'll go just in case, I don't wanna give it to you. See you later," she said, waving her tail with a soft smile.

"Happy hunting," Dipper said after her, and Dunlin added, "Be careful out there."

"Thank you," she said to both of them. "To you as well."

She padded over to her mother and pressed into her.

"Oh, are you okay, my little love?" she asked, swiping her tongue over her daughter's cheek. They saw eye-to-eye now.

"I'm alright," Leechstone said quietly. "You're shaking so hard. Are you okay?"

"Of course," Brindle stammered, though her usually methodical grooming was jolty and rushed. "I'm doing just fine, my love. Where are your sisters?"

"Oh, Leopardstone is back by our den and Foxstone... I dunno, she might be closer to the entrance."

"Thank you. I'll be back, my sweet."

As she walked off, Leechstone couldn't fight the unease in her gut, and she found herself wondering if she'd done the right thing.