Forgotten Whispers: Silent Echoes

Chapter 7

A/N I have class in a few minutes and I wanted to get this chapter out to you guys before then. I hope you enjoy it.

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   Partridge was on the verge of collapsing by the time they reach camp her bandaged leg making it awkward to move. Partridge limped into camp with Leopard, Primrose, Bramble, and Sun scurrying around taking orders like tormented squirrels.

  When they saw us Rainstream was about to give a job to Morning before backing off and trying looking for Ember. With that, we were escorted to the medicine cat den which was an old fox den, under an oak stump, with hanging moss that helped to keep the sun out.

  Flamethistle sat outside his body was patched with areas where the tips of his fur turned almost white, while his once white muzzle was tinged with silver. He sighed as he allowed us inside which had four freshly laid out nests. Without a second thought, Partridge slumped down into the closest nest with a small grunt.

  "Wow, not even a hello," Flamethistle mewed with a small twinge of disappointment playing with his features.

  Honeycomb gave the old medicine cat a small glare, " I don't want to fight you on this, so it's a nice morning we are having here, right?" Honey lacing her words.

  Flamethistle puffed his fur before replying, "alright, you two lay in you're nests and I'll get you your thingamabobbers." Before grumbling to himself to the herb store.

 "Ok," Morning replied, taking the nest next to Partridge and Honeycomb taking the one next to Morning. After taking their medicine Morning's littermate, Sun came through the moss and looked at his sister confused.

"Hey, I thought you'd be more beat up, like Partridge," Sun mewed sarcastically as Morning gave her littermate an annoyed glare.

"It could've been worse, my whole leg could've been torn off," Partridge replied, her mew laced with sarcasm.

"You would've bled out before you reached camp," Honeycomb interjected with sleep filling her voice. "Also, shouldn't the elders be keeping you busy?" She mewed the poppy seeds almost to full effect.

"Right, I came to check if anyone needed anything from the fresh-kill pile. It's almost sunhigh." Sun replied, looking around for any offers.

"I'll take anything I'm starving," Partridge mewed as her stomach gave a well-timed growl to further her point.

"I think I can get my own fresh-kill thank you very much," Morning growled at the golden-brown tom.

"Alright, at least someone knows when to ask for help," Sun growled back at his littermate and turned around stalking out.

"Let all cats who can catch their own prey gather under the leader's ledge for a clan meeting," Dawnstar's yowl wrung through the clearing.

"What now?" Honeycomb grumbled as Morning raced into the clearing and Partridge tried to limp behind her with Flamethistle on her heels, "If you push yourself you may never walk the same again," Flamethistle hissed as they all sat in front of the ledge.

"All cats of Birchclan, I know as your leader we have been struck by unforeseen circumstances but I want to bring celebration before our vigil for Duskclaw and Swallowclaw tonight. Lily, will you please step forward." Dawnstar's good eyeshot to Mossfluff and Smokebreeze with Mossfluff nudging the tabby she-cat forward. Her light-green eyes showed a mix of surprise and excitement.

"Lily, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to become a fledgling apprentice of Birchclan. Your mentor shall be Featherlight until you receive your warrior name from Starclan. I hope Featherlight passes on everything she knows to you." Lily stood basking as all eyes were on her. With that Featherlight stepped forward and Dawnstar stared at the she-cat, her eye almost burning into her figure.

"Featherlight, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You have shown great promise in teaching our newcomer Duckmask in our ways. I hope you pass on your drive and understanding to Lily." Dawnstar finishes as Featherlight dips her head before touching noses with Lily.

"Lily, Lily, Lily," everyone chanted with Morning, Partridge, Smokebreeze, and Mossfluff being the loudest. As everyone settled down Dawnstar didn't leave her perch. "I also have one more announcement, Morning please step forward," Dawnstar's mew turned a bit gentle as the gray she-cat stepped forward. "As we know Duskclaw was a very brave warrior, he was a father, a friend, and most importantly a mentor. He now walks with Starclan and has left us before you have received your warrior name." Dawnstar's eyes locked with Morning's.

Dawnstar paused with a quick breath before continuing, "I shall appoint a new mentor to continue your training. Stormbounce shall be appointed as your mentor." Dawnstar's one fiery eye pierced Stormbounce, "train her well." Dawnstar mewed as Stormbounce stepped forward giving a small glance of sympathy towards Morning before touching noses with her.

"This meeting is dismissed and be sure to come back before moonrise for Duskclaw's and Swallowclaw's vigil," Dawnstar's clear voice wrung through the clearing. Honeycomb and Partridge exchanged a glance before heading to the medicine den, while Morning sat and talked with Stormbounce her eyes never changing since this morning.

Once inside Partridge plopped down facing outside as she watched Lily chatting excitedly with Smokebreeze, Mossfluff, Featherlight, and Nightshade who brought her to Birchclan as a kit.

"I always found it weird how close he was with that kit," Honeycomb mumbled as she watched Lily.

"It's not that weird," Partridge replied to her mentor.

"You don't see Stormbounce acting like Nightshade when he saved Sun and Morning from that fire that killed their mother," Honeycomb spat with her tail and hackles fluffing up. "Why did Fernfallow have to leave them to me? Following that stupid rouge into his paws." She spat as Flamethistle came by and made her swallow a poppy seed.

Partridge huffed and decided to leave it alone, the twinge of guilt still tugging in her stomach. She then decided it would be better to groom herself to pass the time and as she groomed she noticed she was covered in dirt. Just as she got most of it Primrose came in.

"Funny seeing you here," Partridge commented.

The creamy golden tabby tisked before replying, "Ember said it would be a good idea."

"Am I really that difficult to talk to? Anyway, where's Sun? He said he was getting prey." Partridge mewed bombarding her younger littermate with questions.

"I am not answering your first question but Sun was just assigned on a hunting patrol with Rainstream," Primrose grumbled her usually bright amber-green eyes were a dull light-green color and her paws had soil covering them.

"I guess it's going to be a while I guess," Partridge sighed while trying to clean her nails. The thought of Kestrelclaw's appearance made her want to groom herself even more.

"Yeah, but why are you cleaning yourself like your warrior ceremony is at sunset?" Primrose questioned as Partridge got to licking her tail.

"I didn't want to look like I was dragged through Sleetstar's fang by a three-legged fox," Partridge replied, earning a small snicker from her littermate.

"Well, at least that dog didn't dampen your jokes," Primrose mewed.

"Primrose, we got training or that trout might get ya," Owlscar shouted.

"Ok, ok, I'm coming! Partridge, let's have fresh-kill together with Meadow once I get back from training, alright?" Primrose promised with her tail giving away her excitement.

"Alright," Partridge agreed. The bright cream she-cat beamed before rushing out to the other side of the clearing where Owlscar was waiting. The quiet of the medicine den brought a little comfort as Partridge tried getting some sleep.