Warriors: Bound To Stars

Chapter 36 || Mission Impossible

"No."

⠀⠀"What do you mean, no?" Batchaser peeled his lips back, glaring at Applestar with a fiery look.

⠀⠀"There's nothing in the world that would convince me to leave my warriors to you," Applestar growled, squinting his green eyes. "It doesn't matter what you saw. In fact, I don't care. What have you done for RiverClan again?"

⠀⠀Batchaser's eyes widened, shock pulsing through his body. "Excuse me?" he snarled, face drawn into a scowl. "What have I done for your Clan? Oh, I don't know, maybe watch over your medicine cat while he dies?"

⠀⠀"I didn't forget what you said." The huge ginger tom shook his head. "Remember? Hm? RiverClan isn't your priority right now?"

⠀⠀StarClan... Batchaser wanted to scream at this ignorant tom that it didn't matter what he'd said before, but that the river was black with death and it would only spread from there. "Well, that's before I discovered what was causing the Blue Death!"

⠀⠀"You don't know it's causing the Blue Death!" Applestar leapt to his paws, bushy tail lashing. "Why would I lend valuable, healthy warriors to a cat who has never led in his life?"

⠀⠀Batchaser felt the fury rumbling in his chest, filling him full of a hot, lapping fire. "It must be," he said, teeth gritting. "You didn't see what I saw. You didn't— the river is right by the camp! If your cats drank from that water, then that's why they grew sick."

⠀⠀"You suddenly a medicine cat?" Applestar sneered.

⠀⠀"I've sure been acting like one." Batchaser was shocked. Why wasn't Applestar taking him seriously? He was a StarClan cat; wasn't that enough? "Why won't you just consider?"

⠀⠀"There's nothing to consider," the leader snapped back, but his voice fluttered in fear. "I've put my Clan in danger and was able to move us away from sickness. I'm not letting them return just because of your word."

⠀⠀"Then come see it with me!" Batchaser stood, paws anxiously leading his body back and forth across the cave floor. How did he convince Applestar to help him?

⠀⠀"I..." The ginger tom hesitated, biting his lip in thought. Batchaser paused, ears perking. Was Applestar amusing his idea? "I can't. I'm sorry. I..."

⠀⠀Disappointment writhed in Batchaser's belly. He truly felt like throwing up. Coward! he wanted to scream, but was smart enough to keep his mouth shut. "Why?" he decided to press, not intent on giving up this easily.

⠀⠀Applestar shook his head. "It doesn't matter."

⠀⠀"Of course it does!" Batchaser stared at the leader, brows furrowed. "What's going on here? Why won't you come with me?"

⠀⠀"I-" Applestar took a step back, curling his lip. "Why do you care? You'll be out of here as soon as Timberfall heals—"

⠀⠀"He may never heal! Not if we don't fix this!" Batchaser's voice gave out and he wondered what he was so upset about. Maybe the added days of stress had taken more of a toll on him than he'd originally thought. "Your duty as Clan leader is to protect your Clan. All it seems like you're doing now is protecting yourself."

⠀⠀"You don't know anything!" Applestar snarled, leaping forward. Batchaser quickly dodged out of the way, paws sliding on the stone. Applestar faced him, shaking like a leaf. "I was chosen to lead after Lionstar died, deputy-less. I was never equipped for this job, but I did the best I could. I brought my Clan to safety and I've been protecting them ever since. Don't lecture me on leading — you've never even done it!"