Warrior Cats: New Beginnings

Chapter 1: Chaotic River

Rosepetal buried deeper into her nest, not wanting to get up. She could hear her fellow RiverClan warriors outside, getting ready for the usual patrols. What if I'm assigned to a patrol and I don't show up? Everyone will loathe me even more than they do now! 

With a exhausted grunt, Rosepetal got up, stretched, and stumbled out of the warriors' den and into the weak early newleaf sunlight. Clearstar was on top of the Smoothstone, organizing the hunting and border patrols. "Coldfur, take Poppyflight and Copperheart to patrol the ThunderClan border. Jaggedslip, take Maplemist, Mottlefeather, and Mossystep to patrol the WindClan border." 

Clearstar turned toward Minnowfoot, Rosepetal's former mentor, and mewed, "Minnowfoot. Take Sunsplash, Weaselwhisker, and Rosepetal on a hunting patrol." Minnowfoot stiffened when her leader mentioned Rosepetal, and stalked off, probably to get Sunsplash. Sighing, Rosepetal followed her former mentor, who had just told Weaselwhisker and Sunsplash about their patrol. "Let's go fish in the river, since that's how true RiverClan cats feed their Clan." Minnowfoot mewed, giving Rosepetal a pointed glare. 

The patrol left camp, and Rosepetal waded uncomfortably across the water to the other side. As the patrol made their way to the opposite riverside, Rosepetal reflected on her experience as an Riverclan apprentice. Clearstar had just become leader when I became an apprentice. I guess he thought that by having Minnowfoot as my mentor, she would get over her ill feelings toward me. Rosepetal snorted to herself. He couldn't have been more wrong. I learned more from Weaselwhisker and Sunsplash than my own mentor! 

Soon the patrol came upon one of the fishing spots, which thanks to the recent snowmelt, was crashing with waves of frigid water, making the river steadily rise. Rosepetal watched as her three Clanmates lined up on the shore. Weaselwhisker plunged into the turbulent water, his strong legs pushing him firmly into the waves. He soon coming up with a fish in his jaws. Rosepetal purred at his fortune, than walked further down the river. 

This is a good fishing spot. She thought as she gazed at her surrounding. She sat on a rock, and stayed as still as possible. There! A silver flash of scales appeared under the surface. She leaned forward and, using her paw, scooped the fish onto the rock. She quickly bit it on the spine, and put the freshkill near her. Soon, she had caught three fish. Spying another one in the water, she leaned forward eagerly to catch it. 

She then gasped as she slipped and plummeted into the frothy water. 

The cold currents swirled around her. Her paws churning violently, she barely made it above surface. The current was sweeping her along, jostling and choking her with its chaotic grip, and to her horror, none of her Clanmates had noticed her sudden fall. 

She managed to let out a yowl of alarm before another wall of cold water slammed into her, submerging her under the turbulent waves once more. Debris swept by, and she barely managed to dodge it as she desperately swam up to the surface. 

 Just as she broke the surface, she heard a cat frantically yowl: "Rosepetal!" She turned and saw Weaselwhisker running along the bank, Sunsplash and Minnowfoot behind him. As she struggled to keep her head afloat, she tried to remember her lessons with Sunsplash. Ride the current like a bird taking flight. Don't fight it. Go with it.  Rosepetal somewhat relaxed, but riding the current was difficult. 

The frostiness of the water was sapping her strength. I need to get to shore. NOW. "Rock!" she heard Sunsplash yowl above the crash of the rapids. 

Rock? What does she mean? 

Suddenly, Rosepetal slammed into a solid object. Now I know what she means. Rosepetal thought wryly. 

She scrambled on to the rock, becoming aware of her surroundings. Trees grew on the banks of the water, reeds thick on the shore. Now what? 

Swimming to the shore wasn't an option. She would just get swept down the river again. Suddenly, she spotted her salvation. A willow branch was bent over the surface of the water, far away, but she might be able to make the jump. Is it too risky? 

She glanced over to her clanmates. Minnowfoot blocked the way of her friends. "It's too dangerous! We won't be able to reach her!" she heard Minnowfoot yowl over the roar of the river. 

Rosepetal suddenly became of aware of water lapping hungrily at her paws. She recoiled, shock filling her mind. Was that there before? Realization slapped her in the face. You mouse-brain! The river is rising! She glanced at the willow branch again. Time was running out, she had to make a decision. She bunched her muscles, and gathered her strength. Let's hope this works. 

And she leapt. 

Time seemed to slow down as the branch grew nearer, the wind whistling in her ears. Her paws slammed into the branch, and using her momentary momentum, Rosepetal swung her hind legs onto the branch as well. 

I did it. Rosepetal stood frozen on her branch, shivering from cold and fear. Glancing at the river, she saw her former platform disappear under the surface. 

She crouched, and slowly crawled toward a sturdier part of the branch. She let out a sigh of relief as she climbed down the tree. As soon as she got to the ground, Weaselwhisker brushed up next to her, his warmth reassuring. "I was so worried." Weaselwhisker mewed hoarsely, fear and relief in his amber eyes. 

Sunsplash gave Rosepetal a good sniff, and turned back to Minnowfoot. "She's chilled to the bone. We have to go back to camp." Minnowfoot nodded stiffly. "Of course. How much did you catch before you fell in the river?" Minnowfoot asked Rosepetal blandly. "One? Or did you catch just mice?" 

Sunsplash's fur bristled. "That could've happened to any cat. It's not her fault she's not the greatest fisher!" Sunsplash growled defensively. Minnowfoot hissed, unsheathing her claws. Sunsplash snarled, and crouched in an attack position. 

 Weaselwhisker briskly got in the middle of the two hostile she-cats. "If the river rising this fast, it'll be on the shore in no time." Weaselwhisker paused, and then continued: "What if the river washes away our prey?" Minnowfoot's eyes widened, and she sheathed her claws. "Let's go back and get our fresh-kill. Then we'll head back to camp." Minnowfoot spun around and marched back to the patrol's fishing spot. Sunsplash followed, obviously still agitated. 

Rosepetal stumbled forward, and purred as Weaselwhisker brushed by her side, letting her lean on him for support. "Thanks, Weaselwhisker." Rosepetal mewed. Weaselwhisker locked onto her gaze. "No problem. I won't let you fall."