Another Life: Alaepool's Heart

Creekclaw's POV:

        The orange and slate tom glanced around the clearing, watching the hunting patrols leave the clearing. Burnteyes wasn't well enough to give patrols, Brindlestar was the one giving all the patrols out. The early-morning mist was beginning to clear. The pale, distant blue sky promised more warm weather. The sun would start to rise soon.
        Behind Creekclaw the branches of the warriors' den rustled. He glanced back to see Coldtail and Owlwing slipping out, both stopping to give their pelts a quick groom.
        Creekclaw padded up to them. "Hey guys. Do you think you'll get one of Cactusshine's kits to mentor? They're due to be apprenticed soon.
        Dappledpaw and Cloudypaw were both out with Barkleaf and Blazeheart on assessments.
        Coldtail and Owlwing narrowed their eyes with suspicion. "Why do you care? Are you worried we won't train them right?" Owlwing meowed. "We'll train them like normal apprentices."|
        "I'm sorry, I was just asking a normal question. I'll leave you two alone now."
        Owlwing stalked off to the fresh-kill pile, while Coldtail left to the medicine den. All of Amberbreeze's skits were emerging from the nursery, out of Washedkit and Blearykit's call. They worked their ways over to the pool next to the nursery, and splashed around. 
        Creekclaw glanced at Owlwing, who gave him a cold glare. He could've been more tactful; even if he had been more tactful, his attitude still wouldn't improve. If he acted like that to everyone in the Clan, he'd never get an apprentice, let alone have Brindlestar even have that thought.
        Owlwing and Coldtail met up again, walking over to Brindlestar's den. he almost forgot that he wanted to visit the nursery today. Sunrise was not far off, and Owlwing and Coldtail were already making him nervous. He was headed to the nursery, only to halt, hearing Algaepool's voice behind him.
        "Hey, Creekclaw, I wanted to talk to you about something."
        Creekclaw turned to face her as she got closer to him. Algaepool wasn't assigned to any of the early patrols, he assumed. He really didn't want to talk, because he wanted to visit Flowerstem, since she was so close to having her kits.
        "I think Coldtail and Owlwing are up to something." she repeated after a second of him not responding. "They're going to Brindlestar's den, and before they got up, and went to the apprentices' den. They don't have apprentices, so they don't have reason to do that."
       "True-" Creekclaw began awkwardly. He broke off as Amberbreeze's kits appeared, Pricklekit in the lead. They all dashed across the clearing to the medicine den and disappeared behind the woven reeds.
       "Those sneaky kits!" Algaepool exclaimed. "I'm going to go see what they're doing, wouldn't want them to make a mess in Lakestripe's very well organized den."
       She raced off. Silently walking into the nursery, Creekclaw slipped into Flowerstem's warm nest. 
       
        When he was done visiting the queens, it was sunhigh. Brindlestar wasn't in her den, or anywhere in camp. Cloudypaw was gone, and so were Coldtail and Owlwing. He raced out of camp, jumping in the river. He swam to the other side to the other side, where the stepping stones where. He could pick up some Thunderclan scents drifting over the border by the wind, but he couldn't see anyone. He could scent Coldtail and rogue scent, along with faint Owlwing scent.
        Coldtail called a name, "Reed?"
        No reply, Creekclaw spotted a fish in the stream, or so in front of him, swimming with it's group. It reminded him that he hadn't eaten at all that morning, so he snuck down to the stream, crouching by the water. A faint cry interrupted him, making his ears prick.
        He peeked around the corner of the reeds. It came again, but fainter, a horrible choking sound. He could see Coldtail leaping towards the cry, and finally Brindlestar came into view.
       The Riverclan leader lay limp in the net traps. From what Creekclaw could see, her limbs were kicking out, and her eyes were blank with the stare of death. Creekclaw got closer, hiding behind a rock. Her mouth was flecked with foam. Around her body, was the thin line of the trap, net woven around her, her body floating in the water. Blood pooled around her. A stone with a line attached was driven into the earth. Brindlestar was caught in the fish trap!
        Coldtail was leaping towards her, clawing at her neck, pushing her head underwater.
        "Yes, Coldtail, nice work." Reed popped out from behind the rocks. "This is your chance to try and take lead over Riverclan."
        Creekclaw stared at them in astonishment. Why are they talking about killing Brindlestar? Brindlestar was trying to speak over the happy laughs. Nothing came out, her breath was shallowing, and her eyes were going dull.
        "Finish her off, you have the chance. She's weak, she's a she-cat! She-cats shouldn't lead a Clan, they're better of being medicine cats, queens, and caring for the toms."