Shadows in The Emerald

Chapter 3

Blueleaf laid down. Her mind wandered to her first training sessions. Just studying herbs. She remembered her boring Leafmoon was during training and felt a pang of sadness for her old mentor. Leafmoon was kind and very gentle. He didn't deserve to be killed by a rouge, even if he was avenged. She sighed, not being able to sleep, and climbed out of her nest. She made her way across the bridge, trying not to make it creak. The young she-cat realized that the gathering was soon. Littlekit will love that she thought with a smile. She hadn't even realised her paws had taken her to the camp entrance, were Moth was guarding. "Moth." The medie dipped her head. "Blueleaf." Moth did the same, probably happy to be treated with respect instead of like an outsider. "Were are you off too?" She said happily. "Just for a walk, maybe get some catmint, it is leaf-bare after all, we can't have enough." She sighed at the thought of a greencough outbreak. "Do you want a warrior or apprentice to come with you, I'm sure that Sky wouldn't mind." She thought to when she saw Sky become an apprentice, so brave to keep his loner name along with his sister, the one who wanted to keep her name. He gave up having an official clan name so that he could support his sister. "That would be fine, who has next watch?" She said with a happy smile. "Well Shadedstone was supposed to, but the poor cat was so tired, I decided to let her sleep. She is almost a senior warrior and she is out all day overworking herself to prove herself to the clan." Moth shook her head and sighed, "You should really check on her tomorrow, maybe tell Amberstar to give her a break." Blueleaf nodded, "But it isn't good for you to guard all night, I can go ask one of the warriors, or even an apprentice, to help you, you need sleep." She smiled up at the former rouge. Most of the clan didn't trust her, they thought her and Sky should be forced out of the clan. They were barely 6 moons old when Shadedstone, Shadedpaw at the time, found them while training. The clan took them in, Blueleaf being a new apprentice was around the same age as them and helped calm them as Leafmoon helpedtheir wounds. Though they are now loyal warriors, they will never be able to forget their past as rouges. "Blueleaf?" She snapped out of her thoughts and looked back up at her. "I'm sorry, what was that?" She looked into the blue eyes of Moth. "I said I think that with Jaggedtail being the youngest warrior, he would like to guard. It's like a pride thing for the new ones." She smiled, probably thinking of her warrior ceremony and vigil. "That's a good idea, I can go wake him up. Do you want to go on a walk with me?" She felt a longing to be near her, they had been friends since Moth joined the clan. "I have some exciting news." Moth's ears perked up at exciting. "Sure, it's been a while since you and I have taken a walk through the woods, or maybe a race!" Blueleaf smiled, even though she was 20 moons old, she still loved competition. "Of course, from here to the Flameclan border, but wait for me at the end of the steps until I get down there." Moth began down the steps, her tail high with happiness. Blueleaf went off to the warriors den. She looked through the dark for Jaggedtail. She finally found him and carefully walked over to him. She nudged his shoulder lightly. "Jaggedtail," she said quietly once she saw his eyes open. "Yes Blueleaf, is something wrong?" He said, worry hitting his gray eyes. "No, but I was wondering if you could guard for Shadedstone, she has been overworking herself and really should be resting." Her eyes were calming and Jaggedtail sighed of relief. He cared for every member of the clan like they were his brother or sister, he was always the one to go to for comfort and would really be a great future deputy with more experience. "Of course, though I think she is having trouble sleeping." He said as they stepped onto the bridge. "How so?" Blueleaf said, voice full of concern. "Well, she has been really restless at night, and during the day she is more tired than usual. Maybe it is the fact she has been on almost every hunting patrol every day, but even at that. She is one of the best hunters, she has nothing to prove, we know she is an amazing warrior." He sighed and shook his head. "I think that we need to do something." He said, reaching the end of the bridge with Blueleaf. "What do you suggest?" She knew that he had a way of calming cats and could help her to find out what was bothering Shadedstone. "Well, maybe we could talk to her, somewhere calm like the rivers edge near Flameclan or the small pond next to Great Oak." Blueleaf nodded. I will look around for a place while on my walk she thought. "Then something calming from the medicine den, that's more your alley, but preferably something she doesn't have to eat like a scent or something." Blueleaf thought about calming mixtures in her den. "I believe I have some lavender, the scent is very calming." She smiled, realizing they had reached the camp entrance. "We can plan this later, I have a race waiting for me." She smiled at the young warrior. "Ok, you go have fun." He laughed a bit, as the medicine cat looked down the stairs then to the near bye trees. She unsheathed her claws and jumped to a branch of a tree, climbing down until she could jump onto the back of Moth. Moth fell to the ground with a shocked yowl. Blue stated to laugh a little and Moth playfully pawed at her snout, realizing she wasn't in danger. "You scared me!" Moth said as Blueleaf jumped off of her. "Sorry, I couldn't help myself, you warriors are always bragging about how they could never be sneak attacked, so whenever I can, I try to prove them wrong." Moth chuckled. "You aren't wrong."