Clans of the Forest:1: Stone and Silver (COMPLETE)

Chapter 4

Stonepaw fidgeted in her nest, bones aching. She felt useless, all she did was sit around all day. Even though Powersnow had told them to rest, Stonepaw felt bored. She hated lying around in the medicine cat den all day. She needed fresh air, not just the stuffy scent of herbs. She wanted to hunt, to feel the wind on her back.

But one of the worst parts was sharing her den Silverpaw. He was never any fun, all he did was sit around and whine. He hardly ever moved. Stonepaw thought that he was probably sick. 

Powersnow entered the den, carrying a mouthful of bright eyes and borage. She quickly sorted them into their spots, and then leaned down to Stonepaw.

"Looks like you need some fresh cobwebs." she murmured quietly to herself.

Stonepaw groaned as Powersnow crossed over to the herb wall. Refreshing her cobwebs was always so boring. Powersnow returned with a bundle of cobwebs in her jaws. She began unwinding them, and then leaned over Stonepaw. She gently pulled the old cobwebs off, and wound the new around Stonepaw's leg. Then she picked up some borage and padded over to Silverpaw.

"What's he need that for?" Stonepaw asked irritably. 

"I think he might have a low fever." responded Powersnow, not looking up. Silverpaw moaned as Powersnow gently placed the borage in front of him. She sighed. "I could hardly find any herbs out there. Leaf-bare is truly here." she placed her paw on top of Silverpaw.

Stonepaw turned away, licking the new cobwebs that gleamed on her leg. Dried blood was crusting in the corners. She dug her muzzle deeper into her fur. There was something in there. She reached in and pulled out a stinkbug. Disgusted, she tossed it to the side.

Powersnow was headed for the entrance. "I'm going to get some more-"her mew was broken off.

"Powersnow! Help! Firefly is kitting early!" Stonepaw pricked her ears. Firefly was her mother! She was going to have siblings! Powersnow grabbed some chervil, borage, a few other herbs that Stonepaw didn't know, and a stick.

"Can I come too?" asked Stonepaw. "I want to see my mother."

Powersnow shook her head. "No. Stay here." Stonepaw's spirits sank. "But you cane come see the kits when she's done." Powersnow dashed out.

Stonepaw sat anxiously, waiting for the kitting to be done. Silverpaw had woken up, and was now munching on his borage while sitting straight, ears pricked.

Time passed, and then Moonbeam poked her head into the den and said,"You two can come see now."

Stonepaw leapt to her feet and immediately  regretted it. Pain shot through her limbs and she fell, agonized. Gritting her teeth, she tried to stand again and this time, more delicately, took one step, and then another, and after a lot more painful steps, she collapsed in the nursery. 

Firefly gently licked her back and Stonepaw sat up. She gasped at the sight. A beautiful ginger she-kit was lying in the curve of Firefly's belly, mewling. Stonepaw's heart filled with love. She could see Silverpaw staring in awe out of the corner of her eye, but she ignored it, instead focusing on the beautiful kit in front of her. She snuggled up against Firefly, tucking her little sister between her paws.

"What are you going to call her?" asked Powersnow, who was staring in pride.

"I'm calling her Flashkit." Firefly said confidently. She smiled. Stonepaw felt a rush of affection for Flashkit.

"Will I get to mentor her when I'm a warrior?" she asked.

Moonbeam looked at her in amusement. "Maybe-just maybe." she lay down beside her sister, with Silverpaw curled up under her. Bluestar snuggled up behind them all, protecting them. It was the first time in a long time that the family was together. 

. . .

Stonepaw inhaled the forest air, very happy. Powersnow had said that she and Silverpaw could go into the forest to stretch their legs, as long as they "DO NOT HUNT OR PLAY FIGHT OR DO ANY KIND OF MAJOR MOVEMENT, UNDERSTAND?"

A chilling breeze ran through the woods. Stonepaw turned to look at her cousin. He was staring at something in the distance. Silverpaw was muttering under his breath. Stonepaw strained to hear what he was saying, but then gave up. 

"Hey," she mewed awkwardly. "Do you want to walk up to MysteryClan territory?" Silverpaw murmured a yes and they set off. 

They walked along a ridge and down to lower ground, where there were wider clearings and lots of clover patches. They sat, against the breeze, and faced the setting sun. Stonepaw felt free, happy-

A terrible barking broke out.

"Dog!" Silverpaw screeched, pushing Stonepaw aside. She stumbled to her feet just in time to see the huge black creature coming towards them.

"Run!" they pelted off, back towards ForestClan territory. Stonepaw felt an indescribable pain in her hind leg, tearing through her. She gritted her teeth and pushed on, running faster, across the clearing. They reached the trees, and darted to and fro. Thorns clawed at Stonepaw's pelt, but she didn't dare stop now. She ran faster and tripped over a root, but Silverpaw hauled her up and they took off again. 

Suddenly, Silverpaw screeched in surprise and slowed down. Stonepaw looked ahead. Prey Steam, large and gurgling, bubbled in front of them, frantic, Stonepaw dived into the water. 

She was almost instantly swept under by the raging current, but dug her claws into the mud and clawed her way out of the stream. She was about to gasp with relief when she heard a heartbreaking yowl. She turned. Silverpaw was backed into the stream by the angry dog.

"Jump!" cried Stonepaw, but Silverpaw was petrified to the spot. Stonepaw looked around desperately, trying to find a way to help her cousin, but she knew what she had to do. She plunged back into the current, freezing water spraying in her eyes. She thrust her way to the edge and yanked Silverpaw into the stream. He yelped in surprise and started struggling.

"Stop!" Stonepaw cried through a mouthful of fur, but it was no use. So she clawed a few more steps forward, and then hoisted Silverpaw onto her back and flung him to opposite bank. Then she struggled the rest of the way to the other side.

She collapsed beside Silverpaw, breathing heavily. Her limbs felt broken and her wet fur clung to her like burrs. After she recovered a little, she nudged Silverpaw gently.

Exhausted, hungry, and drenched, they made their way home.