“Finish this herb bundle and get some food, water, and rest. I can watch over these cats.” He looked up at her. “Are you sure?” “Why wouldn’t I be? You’re our Medicine Cat. You need the same amount of sleep as anyone else.” “Ok…” The tom got up and padded out of the den. Flowerfoot nodded and watched over the piles of sick cats. She glanced to the side. Truly, she hoped Amberface kits wouldn’t get ill. Bearclaw’s right foreleg got an infection from the fight. He had a politice over it. Heartpelt was in a similar position, but she had a nasty cough. Flowerfoot weaved herself between the two patients and laid down next to Bearclaw, flinching her whiskers to see if he was awake. “Bearclaw?” The brown tom opened one of his eyes. “Yes?” “Do you need any more politice?” “No. Flytail applied it before you came in.” “Good.” She gave a quick lick to him. She didn’t even bother with Heartpelt- They were too deep in a slumber.

Meanwhile in the middle of camp, Safekit and Splashkit were exploring. Splashkit ran around. “There's so much room!” Safekit sniffed a flower, sneezing when the pollen tickled her nose. Splashkit laughed. “Aww… You’re so silly. Mom warned you about that.” “Shut it.” Safekit said, rubbing her nose. Splashkit chuckled and plucked the yellow bloom. “I wish mom named me Pollenkit.” “How come?” “It sounds so cute! Doesn't it?” “I guess…” “Thanks. Wanna go to the stream? I can help you.” “I don’t need help.” Safekit began to pad towards the smell and the sound of the light water. “But mom says that you need help,” He padded softly behind her. “I can do fine on my own.” She insisted. “Are you sure?” “Yes!” She placed her paws in the cold water. Splashkit looked onward and gasped. “I see a small, small fish!” “Really? Get it!” “On it!” Splashkit, in a flash, slammed down into the cold water, and seconds later, he emerged back from the misty rock with two minnows in his mouth. He bursted with pride.

Safekit was soaked. “Did you get it?” “Yeah! But they're really skinny.” “Let’s try them!” “Would Amberface get mad?” Safekit grinned. “Not if she doesn’t know!” “But she’ll smell it!” “We could wash it off.” “We’ll be soaked. I caught it, so let’s take it back.” He began to trod back to the nursery. Safekit followed after him. Amberface was in the Medicine Cat den, so Sunfur had to watch them. “Dad!” Yipped Splashkit. Snadownose poked his head into the nursery. “Yes?” “I caught one minnow!” He dropped them down in front of him, beaming, “Safekit caught the bigger one.” He lied gleefully, glancing at his sister. If only she could see his face. “Did you really?” He turned to Safekit, doubt in his eyes. “I’ll have to tell Flutterstar, then.” Splashkit nodded eagerly, pushing back the doubt he observed, “Can we eat the minnows though? Or let Flutterstar see them first?” “You should put them on the fresh-kill pile after Flutterstar sees them.”

“Alright!” He jumped and dropped the two minnows down. Lionpaw was practicing battle moves with Flutterstar. Splashkit walked over, watching in amazement. In a flash, Lionpaw threw a quick blow and kicked towards the side of his mentor. Flutterstar jumped back, then lunging forward and nipping his leg. Lionpaw dodged and battered the leader's muzzle with a yowl. Flutterstar crouched. “That’s enough for now.” “Are you sure?” “Yep! You’re doing very well! Just watch for your tail.” “I still can’t control the end.” Flutterstar nodded. “I might make hunting harder…” She said to herself, looking around the camp. If only that tom, Twig, hadn’t broken it. “I’ve already tried… I can’t climb…” He looked down, “Can I be a warrior?” “Yes… But it’ll take longer…” He winced, “Would mom still love me?” Flutterstar blinked, looking back at the young tom with wide eyes. “Of course Sunfur still loves you!” “Are you sure? I can’t even climb!” “Yes I’m sure! She’ll love you even if you couldn’t do anything.”

Lionpaw nuzzled her, “Thank you….” Flutterstar purred. Is this how a Queen feels? Lionpaw stepped back and smiled, “You’re the best mentor, ever.” “Thank you. Now, go and get yourself some fresh-kill.” “Yes, Flutterstar…Could we eat together?” “Sure.” The two trailed to the freshkill pile, where the two minnows laid on top of a vole, and a robin. Flutterstar crouched down and grabbed the vole. Suddenly Splashkit yelped. “Hey! Look at the minnows! Me and Safekit caught those!” Flutterstar looked up. “Really?” “Yes! Right Splashkit?” He urged on for his sister to join the lie. The black and white she-cat looking up from her paws. “Huh? Oh, yeah.” “How?” Lionpaw tilted his head. “I- Er- Waited till I heard a noise and then threw my paw in to catch it.” “Huh. Can you show me?” Lionpaw began to walk towards the stream. Safekit froze. “Erm- Yeah…” She slowly followed the sound of his pawsteps. He sat down. “Go on.”

The she-cat settled in a crouched position in front of the water. Wait until I tell you there’s a fish in front of you, then lash out! A voice said in her head. The minnows, in a party, began to slither in the waves of the shallow water, a perfect time to strike. Now! The voice shouted. Safekit swiftly lashed out, hooking two minnows and tossing them onto the cold, snowless grass. Lionpaw stiffened. “Wah- Huh- FLUTTERSTAR SHE WAS TELLING THE TRUTH!” The yellow she-cat blinked. “Er- I guess she did…” “See! You all should’ve believed her!” Flutterstar look guiltily away. “You kits should go back to the nursery.” “But, mom said it was alright to be in the camp.” She shot a glare at the two kits. “Now.” Splashkit huffed, “Fine.” He began to lead Safekit back into the nursery. Flutterstar sighed as she picked up the minnows and padded over and placed them on the fresh-kill pile. “The prey is scarce today… curse this Leaf-Fall.” “I could go hunt.” Lionpaw offered. “No, no, it’s fine.”

“Alright.” Lionpaw nodded, slurped up a minnow and walked into his den. Shadownose was in the warrior’s den, whispering with Flowerfoot. They were talking about Safekit. “You think she could even hunt?” Flowerfoot whispered. “There’s no way! She’s barely even a moon and a half old, and she’s blind!” “What about when she’s older?” “I mean, I don’t want to have to teach her, and I’m sorry for any cat that does.” “Her mother has gotta be the one to do it.” “Amberface? There’s no way Flutterstar would allow it.” “How about her father?” “Me!? No way!” “C’mon! It’s your kit!” He shook his head. “I’d rather mentor Splashkit.” “I think he wants to be a medicine cat though. He keeps wanting to sort herbs with Flytail.” She said bluntly. “But Flytail is still kind of young.” “He could always use help.” Shadownose shrugged. “We should spit up before Flutterstar or anyone else hears.” “Everyone is thinking the same thing though.” “So do we keep talking or not?” “Let’s talk.”

He nodded. “About what?” “Hm. Prey?”

Everything from Warrior's Thunder:

Chapter 6:

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