Hydrowhisker's Friend - A Warrior Cats Fanfiction

Chapter 7

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"Wake up, Hydropaw."

Light gently poured through the walls, warming Hydropaw's face as a voice pulled her out of sleep.

"Wake up. We're going home."

Hydropaw shifted, her mind clearing up, now gladly noticing the excitement in Swashpaw's voice. "Alright..." She slowly opened her eyes, letting them adjust to the brightness. The silver tabby was standing over her, eyes wide playfully. Greentwig was in the back of the den with Yarrowdust, using a soft voice to instruct him about what to do after they were gone. A bundle of traveling herbs was at her feet. Only light noises of shifting through moss came from the tree hollow.

Memories flooded back. I might be named a full medicine cat today! She thought lightly at first, then her heart sank. Oh, hopefully Rippledrop and Greentwig can be nice and make Swashpaw a medicine cat, too. She decided not to mention that out loud yet. On the bright side, Barkleg should be well soon. Rippledrop will be so proud, and Fernleaf too, if she were still here. Hydropaw stretched her legs and whispered to Swashpaw as she got onto her paws, "let's go outside."

The sun was just over the horizon. Sunshine spilled onto the cats, making them pur with pleasure. Hydropaw felt Swashpaw lean against her and relaxed. She scanned across the camp to see not just the leaves and worn out dens, but warriors, apprentices and elders greeting one another in the morning light. Silverwing's kits, Branchkit and Petalkit, were chasing a moss ball outside the nursery. Hydropaw remembered seeing Petalkit around the medicine den in the last couple of days. She also spotted Lettucepaw talking to Blossomswirl outside the apprentice den, and thought pleasantly that it was nice to have a friend in another Clan.

"It's so nice here." She murmured.

Swashpaw sat up and stared at her. "What?"

"Nothing," Hydropaw grinned to herself.

Greentwig's footsteps returning from the fresh-kill pile interrupted her thoughts. "I brought some prey." She announced, giving a mouse to each apprentice. "We should get ready to leave, I don't want to be late."

As they started chewing, juicy taste filled Hydropaw's mouth, so much that she wasn't able to detect Lettucepaw had came near.

"Good morning," Lettucepaw greeted them, "Lightpaw got scratched by a stick again, but it's no big deal. I guess she just needs some more cobwebs." She shrugged, with a little mean of teasing.

Greentwig tilted her head a little, as if curious how Lightpaw had scratched herself again. "Sure, Yarrowdust will get some for you. By the way, we're leaving in a few moments."

"Oh, right." Lettucepaw blinked at the apprentices. "I'll miss you, have a safe journey."

"Thank you." Hydropaw purred, smiling, "we'll miss you too." Swashpaw nodded beside her as Lettucepaw padded off into the medicine cat den.

As the medicine cat and apprentices finished the herbs, Yarrowdust came out. "I need to go to the dirt place real quick," he meowed, "I told Lettucepaw where the cobwebs are."

Greentwig nodded. "Actually, we should tell you where the piperias are, in case you run out," she mentioned.

So Hydropaw started explaining with Swashpaw's help. It was especially hard for them because they had no idea what each part of SaplingClan's territory was called. She felt a pang of relief as Yarrowdust finally understood, at the same time wondering why Lettucepaw hadn't come out already.

"Let's get going." Greentwig glanced at the sky, worried. "The sun is completely up, we should hurry."

As they paced towards the camp exit, Hydropaw caught Cloverstar nodding at them. Surely the leader will find out soon that piperia is at work and the war is useless? She thought to herself. Hopefully.