Hey guys.
No, it's not another chapter.
I was just wondering....
Do you, the small number of people who read my blog, actually enjoy my fanfic? Like, I know I can be a sucky writer sometimes, and a very slow one too. My normal excuse is that "I'm too busy procrastinating" and I end up with a long drag of nothingness. I make sure my chapters are long enough to post, and that they're somewhat interesting, but in reality, this story isn't actually going anywhere. I have ideas, but they're not ready to be put down on the paper yet, chronologically speaking. So I might put in anotehr chapter or so, and then fast forward in time. Like, a lot. I promise there's something coming, but with the exciting stuff not yet here, the story isn't very exciting, nor am I to write it. Thanks for listening to me rant. Bye.

~Shimmercloud

Hollyleaf's Death Scene

So, this is for all you Hollyleaf haters. I'd just like to say, Hollyleaf is the best! And this is MY version of her death scene.

Jayfeather launched himself at Tigerstar. “This is for the fate of the clans!” he yowled. Never before had he felt the power of the stars in his paws. He sank his claws into the dark tabby’s back, praying to StarClan that Firestar would be okay. Tigerstar yowled and jerked away from him, releasing Firestar, who bounded off. Tigerstar snarled at Jayfeather. “You can’t kill me!” he snarled. “You’re just a blind medicine cat!” Jayfeather dug his claws into the ground. “I may be a blind medicine cat,” he retorted. “But I have the power of the stars in my paws!” Launching himself at Tigerstar, Jayfeather fought for his life, and the lives of his clanmates.

Suddenly, agony shook through him. He jumped out of the battle and ran. “Hollyleaf!” he shrieked. A flash of black fur whizzed by as his sister was pinned to the ground by Brezepelt. “This is for everything you did to me!” the WindClan warrior hissed. “This is what you deserve!” He lifted his paw, ready to hit the killing blow. Yowling, Jayfeather leaped at him, thrusting him out of the way. Snarling, the black tom struck a blow to his neck. As the two brothers fought, memories raced through Jayfeather’s mind. The lie that had changed his life, protecting Poppyfrost at the Moonpool, watching in agony as Breezepelt tortured Ivypool in the Dark Forest, and then finally Breezepelt leading his own Clan leader to his death. His anger gave him enough power to strike Breezepelt to the ground. But the training in the Dark Forest had made Breezepelt more powerful than Jayfeather could ever be. And he had anger too. Anger and ambition to destroy everyone who had wronged him. He leaped up and clawed Jayfeather’s flank. Fresh blood gushed out and Jayfeather fell to the ground. Breezepelt stood over him, snarling.

“I couldn’t kill then,” he hissed. “But I can now, when I have you right where I need you.” Jayfeather stared at him, his heart pounding faster. “Because of you, my life is ruined,” Breezepelt snarled. “You deserve to die.” He looked up at Hollyleaf, who was lying on the ground, panting. “You all do!” Breezepelt’s amber eyes bored into Jayfeather’s. “I didn’t go to the Dark Forest for nothing,” he meowed. “Tigerstar taught me not to stand back and do nothing. He taught me how to get my revenge.” Snarling, Breezepelt dug his claws deeper into Jayfeather’s flank. But before he could kill him, a screech rang through Jayfeather’s ears, and a flash of gold darted past him, bowling Breezepelt over. “Lionblaze,” Jayfeather breathed. “But…that’s impossible!” Lionblaze glanced over at Jayfeather.

“I couldn’t abandon my Clan,” he meowed. “Not for Cinderheart, not for anything.” He struck a hard blow at Breezepelt, who fought angrily. “I’m part of the Three, and the clans need me.” Pinning Breezepelt down, he glared down at his half-brother.

“You’re business is none of mine,” he snarled. “And your quarrel is not with me. But after all you did, you’re the one who deserves to die.” Without hesitation, Lionblaze sank his teeth into Breezepelt’s throat. The black warrior’s eyes widened.

“I see it now…” he rasped before his eyes closed forever.

“Hollyleaf, no!” Jayfeather turned around to see Leafpool racing towards his sister, with Squirrelflight at her heels. Brambleclaw and Ashfur followed them, along with Crowfeather. “Hollyleaf,” Leafpool whispered. “Speak to me, please!” Hollyleaf’s eyes opened slowly. “Leafpool?” she rasped.

“Hollyleaf!” Leafpool exclaimed. “Hollyleaf, you’re okay!” She bent down to lick her daughter.

“Leafpool,” Hollyleaf whispered. “Leafpool, it’s okay. StarClan is calling me.” Leafpool’s eyes widened, Jayfeather could feel the agony tearing through her heart like thorns.

“No,” she meowed. “No, Hollyleaf, you’ll be okay. I’ll make sure of it.” Hollyleaf shook her head weakly.

“Leafpool, Squirrelflight,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I…I understand now. I know what you did and why.” Jayfeather understood too. Now that Hollyleaf had her own kits, she was feeling the same pain that Leafpool felt. “I...I’m sorry,” she rasped. “For everything. I’m sorry for causing you grief and worry, I’m sorry from running away. I know I can’t run away from my problems. Ashfur, I’m sorry I acted so rashly. I’m sorry for telling everyone the secret at the gathering. Leafpool, I’m sorry you lost your place as a medicine cat. It’s my fault, all my fault.” Jayfeather could feel the powerful surge of love coming from his mother and her sister. “Squirrelflight, I’m sorry I couldn’t call you my mother. You’ll always be my mother to me. I know you were always proud of me. I’m sorry I was so blind once I found out.” Squirrelflight pressed her nose to Hollyleaf’s flank. “I’m sorry too, for making you think I was your mother.” Lionblaze pressed to Jayfeather, his amber eyes filled with worry.

“I forgive you,” said Leafpool suddenly. “Even as a medicine cat, I loved you more than anything in the world, and losing you to my mistakes was worse than losing my place in the clan or losing the trust of my clanmates.”

“I forgive you too,” said Squirrelflight. “Everything you did made me proud, and I would have been honored to be your mother.”

“Hollyleaf!” cried a voice. Dovewing rushed in, grief and anxiety brimming in her golden eyes.

“Dovewing,” Hollyleaf purred. “Dovewing, thank you for always being there for me. You handled everything much better than I could ever have, and it always comforted me, knowing that the prophecy was in good hands.” Jayfeather could almost feel his sister slipping into StarClan. “And you two,” she continued. “Thanks for being the best brothers in the world. While I was in the tunnels, I always wanted to see you. My heart ached every day. I wanted to come back more than anything. But I didn’t know how. I didn’t know what I would say to you, or how to explain everything. My heart told me that I was right, but everyone thought I was wrong.” She let out a long sigh, as if to let go of everything she had been holding back all those moons. “But since this is my last chance, I knew I had to say everything.” She closed her eyes. “Goodbye, everyone. I love you all, no matter what it seems.” The light faded from her, and Jayfeather shut his eyes too, trying to suppress his sadness. “She walks with StarClan now,” he mewed hoarsely. He could feel the sadness radiating off of everyone, especially Leafpool. “She did love her,” he murmured. “It hurt for her more than all of us.” Jayfeather felt a nudge as Lionblaze spoke up. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s take her back to camp, where nothing can hurt her.” Picking her up, Lionblaze and Jayfeather dragged her away, with the other cats helping them. Looking down at his lifeless sister, Jayfeather felt himself being turned inside out. “She gave everything for us, for the clans who betrayed her, for her life that was a lie,” he whispered to himself. “Hollyleaf held more honor than us all. She has the courage to face everything. She knows how to really be a warrior.”

*WARNING*

Warning- the next chapter of my fanfic will be in ANOTHER CAT'S POV. So be prepared :)

Grargrarggrarrrgaagraaagrarggrarg

Hey guys. My computer died. It'll be awhile till the next chapter goes up. I'm really sorry. I've been working pretty hard on it too. Keep waiting, I promise it'll be good.

Chapter 7

Cats had begun to gather around. Everyone was shocked to hear Rosepaw.

“Rosepaw, what are you talking about?” asked Briarleaf. Rosepaw pawed the ground miserably.

“It’s all my fault Shadowtail’s hurt. If it wasn’t for me, he would have driven off that WindClan warrior for sure!” Briarleaf stared at the apprentice, bewildered.

“Rosepaw, what happened?” It was Crystalfur, Rosepaw’s mentor. Everyone’s ears pricked as Rosepaw explained.

“Shadowtail was fighting off some cats when this really big WindClan cat jumped on him. They started fighting, and Shadowtail was losing because the WindClan cat was so big,” she explained. Briarleaf nodded, understanding. No wonder Shadowtail was so injured.

“The WindClan cat just kept kicking and scratching Shadowtail, and he couldn’t get away,” Rosepaw continued. “I was just standing there, watching. I could have helped him, and we would have easily driven him away, but I was too scared!” Rosepaw looked ready to run away and hide. “I was too scared, and now Shadowtail is beaten and bruised and he might never get better!” Rosepaw’s frightened mew became loud and shrill. Stunned, Briarleaf couldn’t get any words out to the shaking apprentice.

“Rosepaw,” meowed Crescentstar. “You fought hard today, and it must have been scary to see the big WindClan cat fight Shadowtail.” The ThunderClan leader looked down warmly at Rosepaw. “No cat will blame you for Shadowtail’s injuries. Furthermore,” she continues brightly. “We showed WindClan what happens when they cross our border!” Murmurs of approval rose up. Despite all the cuts and bruises, ThunderClan had won. Briarleaf watched Rosepaw dip her head and slink of to the apprentice den. She slipped back into her den to check on Almondpaw.

Almondpaw lay there, eating a small vole. Her usually bright amber eyes were dull and sad and she tore angrily at her vole, obviously frustrated about her injury. As Briarleaf watched her, she noticed Almondpaw’s eyes were flashing every now and then. Every time they flashed, Almondpaw would shut them and shake her head. Something’s bothering her, Briarleaf thought. Almondpaw finished her vole and blankly stared up at the ceiling of the den. Suddenly, Briarleaf had a thought.

“Almondpaw,” she asked casually. “How did you get your cut?” Almondpaw looked at her, startled.

“Um…it was a big WindClan cat. A tom, I think. He had a really low growl and long claws that kept swiping at me over and over again.”

“What did his pelt look like?” Briarleaf asked.

“He was a tabby…” said Almondpaw. “Grey, I think. Or maybe it was pale brown. I couldn’t tell. It was gone before I could notice.” Briarleaf blinked, confused.

“What was gone? The cat?” Almondpaw looked at her strangely.

“No, the cat was still there. I just couldn’t see him anymore.” Briarleaf stared at her.

“Why couldn’t you see him?” she asked. Almondpaw’s whiskers twitched. She was obviously getting annoyed with all the questions.

“Why can’t I see you right now? Why can’t I see how big my cut is?” Almondpaw’s eyes flashed again. “Wait, now I can.” She blinked. “Now I can’t again…it’s so annoying, but I guess I should learn to live with it.” Briarleaf held her breath.

“Almondpaw, open your eyes as wide as you can.” She instructed. Almondpaw widened her amber eyes. Confusion clouded her gaze. Briarleaf leaned towards her, so that they’re muzzles her almost touching. She stared into the apprentice’s eyes, looking for any sign of something abnormal.

Then, Almondpaw’s eyes flashed again.

“Woah!” cried Almondpaw. She shut her eyes and ducked her head. Briarleaf backed away immediately. Almondpaw sighed. “That’s better.”

Briarleaf’s head was spinning. What exactly was wrong with Almondpaw? Briarleaf had never seen a cat with eyes like hers before. Going to sleep that night, Briarleaf hoped StarClan would send her aid. She couldn’t help the bright young apprentice if she didn’t know what was wrong with her! As she drifted into her dreams, Briarleaf saw her former mentor, Dewdrop, who had joined StarClan not long ago.

“Dewdrop!” Briarleaf cried, racing towards the white she-cat. Dewdrop purred as Briarleaf neared.

“Dewdrop,” Briarleaf meowed worriedly. “Do you know what’s wrong with Almondpaw?” Dewdrop sighed.

“Come with me, Briarleaf,” she replied. “I’ll show you what you need to know.” Briarleaf followed Dewdrop through StarClan until they reached a familiar forest.

“This is ThunderClan territory!” Briarleaf exclaimed. Dewdrop picked up her pace as she raced through the trees. Briarleaf struggled to keep up, but soon they reached a small clearing where Briarleaf saw a familiar figure walking through the trees.

“Almondpaw!” cried Briarleaf. “What’s she doing?” Almondpaw spotted a squirrel and broke into a run, chasing after it. Briarleaf raced after her, desperate to get more clues. Almondpaw approached the squirrel and it scurried up a tree. Almondpaw rushed towards the tree and crashed into it. Hissing with annoyance, the apprentice stalked off. Briarleaf stared after her. She didn’t notice as Dewdrop approached her.

“Almondpaw experiences things that most cats don’t,” she whispered. “She has strange, powerful eyes, but she must learn to control them.” Briarleaf nodded.

“But how can I help her?” Briarleaf asked. “I know even less about them than she does.” Dewdrop dipped her head.

“When it comes time for you to help, you will know,” she replied. “But for now, trust her, because deep inside, the solution is there.” With that, Dewdrop ran off into the glittering stars of Silverpelt.

Briarleaf woke with a start. Sitting up, she glanced over to Almondpaw, who was sleeping peacefully. Deep inside, Almondpaw knows the solution to her problem, she thought. I just have to get her to tell me.

“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!” Crescentstar’s mew rang across the clearing. Briarleaf padded out of her den, Almondpaw stumbling after her. Briarleaf had told her to rest, but the apprentice refused.

“I want to be part of my clan, no matter what,” she had said. “And I’m not going to let a stupid injury bring me down!” Briarleaf admired the young cat’s spirit. She would make a great warrior.

“Cats of ThunderClan,” mewed Crescentstar. “Raincloud’s kits have reached their sixth moon, and it is time for them to be apprenticed.” Squeals of excitement came from the four kits. Raincloud was purring proudly as she watched her ecstatic kits jump.

“Icekit, from this day on until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Icepaw.” Icepaw stood as tall as she could as her eyes danced excitedly. “Goldclaw,” Crescentstar continued. “You will be mentor to Icekit. I excpet you to pass on everything you know to Icepaw.” Goldclaw touched noses with Icepaw, his eyes shining proudly.

“Brushkit, from this day on until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Brushpaw. Your mentor will be Warrenheart.” Brushkit rushed up to touch noses with Warrenheart. The little kit and long recovered from her cough and was back to her energetic self.

“Shrubkit, from this day on until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Shrubpaw,” meowed Crescentstar. “Your mentor will be Nightwing.” The black she-cat stepped up to touch noses with Shrubkit, who was trying hard to contain his excitement.

“And finally,” meowed Crescentstar with a purr. “Ivykit, from this day on, you will be known as Ivypaw. Your mentor will be…” Briarleaf could practically feel the Ivypaw holding her breathe. “…Redshard.” The apprentice widened her eyes. Briarleaf couldn’t read her expression. She padded up to her new mentor and they touched noses. Redshard looked happy and excited to mentor another apprentice, but Ivypaw didn’t look quite as enthusiastic as her littermates and their mentors.

“Four new apprentices!” exclaimed Shalestorm. “That’s one den that’ll be pretty crowded!” Briarleaf nodded in agreement. They had enough apprentices as it was. The four new additions meant four new nests in the apprentice den. But it also meant four less troublemaking kits. A picture of Sunkit popped into her head. Briarleaf pushed it out angrily. There was no way this little kit could cause danger to the clan as it was. In the future, perhaps, but Briarleaf had no need to worry right now.

“Shiningpelt’s kits are getting to be a handful,” she told Shalestorm. “They’re so big now!” Shalestorm nodded.

“I know,” he agreed. “They’re so energetic too! I saw them bowl over Warrenheart yesterday when he came back from hunting.” Briarleaf purred at the thought of the grey warrior on the ground buried by kits.

“Well, I should probably go,” meowed Shalestorm. “I promised Whirlpool we’d go hunting together today.”

“Good luck,” Briarleaf replied as Shalestorm rushed off to join his friend.

Briarleaf ducked into the nursery to see the three kits jumping around, obviously excited about all the room they had to themselves.

“Briarleaf!” cheered Mistkit, racing up to the medicine cat excitedly. Briarleaf purred as the kit jumped around.

“I can see you miss your old denmates already,” she meowed.

“We’re going to be apprentices soon too!” mewed Sunkit. “Then we can finally learn to fight!” With a playful hiss, Sunkit jumped onto Whisperkit’s back. His brother shoved him off angrily.

“Don’t do that!” he snapped. “I told you not to do that!” Sunkit ignored him and dashed towards the fresh kill pile. “I’m going to get something to eat!” he called over his shoulder. “I’m starving!”

“He sure is full of energy today,” purred Briarleaf.

“It’s all the extra space,” Shiningpelt replied cheerfully. “Their natural instinct is to run around.”

“I’m sure they can’t wait to be apprentices too,” Briarleaf agreed. Shiningpelt nodded and started grooming herself.

“So, how’s Almondpaw?” she asked.

“Her wounds are healing nicely,” said Briarleaf. “But I’m still not sure what’s wrong with her.” As she spoke, her mind whisked itself back to her dream. How much longer will Almondpaw be able to survive?

To Whom It May Concern

Hey guys,
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Exams and stuff. You know, the usual excuse. But I am working on the next chapter, and I promise it'll be up soon.
Meanwhile, have y'all read Sign of the Moon? Isn't it the best? I can't wait for The Forgotten Warrior to come out now! We may see the return of....SPOILERS......HOLLYLEAF! Hollyleaf is one of my face characters and I want nothing more to see her and her supreme brain back in the storyline.
So have fun, read Warriors, and eat spring rolls!
Oh, and read Warriors Untitled!
-Shim

Chapter 6

Sorry. I've been procrastinating. :)

Yowls of outrage rang across the clearing, but Rushstar stood tall on his branch without flinching. Calmly, Jaggedstar stepped forward.

“Rushstar,” he meowed. “The rest of the clans are suffering, not just you. If we give up some land, would it mean famine for us?” Rushstar bristled.

“WindClan is starving!” he spat. “Is it fair to let us die away into the cold of leafbare?”

“Is it fair to let the rest of us die while WindClan thrives?” challenged Jaggedstar. A silence fell over the clearing. Rushstar glared at Jaggedstar, but the ShadowClan leader didn’t even blink. Briarleaf shivered. A cloud had passed over the moon and darkness fell over the island. Greystar stepped forward.

“StarClan is angry!” she meowed urgently. “They must want everything to stay the way it is!” Rushstar glared at her, and then jumped down from the branch.

“WindClan! We’re going home!” he snarled. The WindClan cats followed Rushstar. Shardfur shot Briarleaf a worried glance, but showed no hostility. Briarleaf felt relieved. At least there aren’t any borders between medicine cats, she thought. Briarleaf glanced up at her clan leader. Crescentstar had been silent throughout the entire argument. She looked shocked at Rushstar’s declaration. Greystar stepped forward nervously.

“We cannot have a gathering without WindClan,” she mewed. “I think it’s best if we all go home.” She jumped down from the branch and Jaggedstar followed, along with Crescentstar. Mutters rose up from the cats as they left the island in silence. Briarleaf walked back to camp with the patrol in silence.

As they reached the camp, some other cats came to meet them.

“Why are you back so early?” mewed Raincloud. “Did something happen?” Crescentstar explained what had happened with WindClan.

“How dare they!” growled Spottedpelt. The old elder was bristling. “Leafbare has been the same since the beginning of time! Why would WindClan be starving any more than the rest of us?”

“It’s all Rushstar’s fault,” Shadowtail complained. “WindClan has changed since he became leader.” Crescentstar shot him a warning look but mutters of agreement rose up from the clan.

“He’s too selfish,” growled Seapelt. “Always thinking about his belly instead of the rest of us.”

“Any cat could see he doesn’t deserve to be leader!” meowed Petalfur. Briarleaf shuddered as the rest of the clan yowled in outrage.

“Stop!” shouted Crescentstar. “Rushstar is young. He has only recently become leader. He is a noble cat, and he can learn.” A hush fell over the clan. Briarleaf headed back to her den. Crescentstar had everything under control.

“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join under Highledge for a clan meeting!”

Crescentstar’s yowl rang across the hollow. Briarleaf sat quietly under the Highledge, waiting for the meeting to start. She wondered what it would be about.

“Cats of ThunderClan,” Crescentstar meowed. “Shalepaw, Whirlpaw, and Breezepaw are ready to receive their warrior names.”

Briarleaf sat bolt upright. Shalepaw was getting his warrior name today?

“I, Crescentstar, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn,” Crescentstar paused as she turned to the three apprentices. “Shalepaw, Whirlpaw, and Breezepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of you life?”

“I do,” mewed Shalepaw, his eyes shining.

“I do,” said Whirlpaw solemnly.

“I do,” whispered Breezepaw.

“Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Shalepaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Shalestorm. StarClan honours your courage and strength.

Whirlpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Whirlpool. StarClan honours your diligence and wisdom.

Breezepaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Breezecloud. StarClan honours your kindness and serenity. We welcome all of you as full warriors of ThunderClan.”

“Shalestorm! Whirlpool! Breezecloud!” Briarleaf cheered enthusiastically with the rest of her clan. As the other cats scattered, Briarleaf dashed up to congratulate them. Purring, she pressed her muzzle against her friend’s flank.

“Congratulations, Shalestorm!” she meowed happily. Shalestorm purred as the rest of the clan gathered around them.

That night, Briarleaf had a dream. Battle cries and blood swirled around her. Everywhere, cats were falling to the ground, dead. Briarleaf let out a yowl of pain and crumbled to the ground. The agony died away. Everything was quiet. Dead cats lay everywhere, their pelts matted with blood and wounds. Briarleaf gasped as she saw a shadowy figure standing at the top of a hill, head held high, pelt smooth and unhurt.

Who was this mysterious cat?

Whoever he was, Briarleaf guessed that he had provoked the tragic battle. Briarleaf got up and ran. She ran and ran into the forest, wishing she could’ve somehow prevented the bloody event. But I could’ve, she thought. This is just a dream. If it’s really going to happen, maybe I can prevent it. With a jolt, Briarleaf woke up. Padding out of her den, Briarleaf realized it had snowed overnight. She shivered, unsure if she was cold or scared. The terrifying dream was still fresh in her head. She spotted the kits tumbling and squealing as they played in a snow drift. Silverheart was organizing patrols and other cats were sharing tongues. It looked like a perfectly normal day. Too perfect for Briarleaf’s liking. She had a feeling something bad was going to happen.

Briarleaf was in her den sorting herbs when a cry rang out in the clearing. She stepped out of her den to see Whirlpool burst into the clearing.

“WindClan have crossed the border!” he cried. Yowls of alarm rang out. Raincloud quickly urged the kits into the nursery.

“Shadowtail, Moonblaze, Crystalfur, Whalefin, Maplefur,” Silverheart meowed. “Bring your apprentices if they’re battle fit.” The deputy looked around. “Whirlpool, show them where they are.” With a brisk nod, Whirlpool dashed to the entrance of the camp. The battle patrol followed him. Briarleaf prayed to StarClan that they would be okay.

StarClan can’t possibly approve of those prey stealers, she thought. She stepped back into her den to prepare some herbs in case some cats were gravely injured. She could practically hear the yowls flying across ThunderClan’s territory. It was horrible.

Please. StarClan, let them be okay, she thought. Briarleaf hates battles. They were bloody and horrible and completely pointless in her thought. Suddenly, Briarleaf heard a shriek and Silverheart raced in, carrying little Almondpaw in her jaws. Briarleaf gasped. The apprentice had a huge cut running down her flank, and she was covered in blood.

“Get her into my den!” she urged. Silverheart rushed Almondpaw into Briarleaf’s den and set her down in the moss. Briarleaf examined the cut.

“It’s infected,” she said. Briarleaf quickly collected some marigold from her herb store and chewed it up. She applied it too Almondpaw’s wound and then put on some cobwebs to stop the bleeding. Then, she grabbed a pawful or thyme leaves.

“Eat these,” she instructed Almondpaw, who was shaking with fear and pain. Almondpaw sniffed the leaves nervously and then gulped them down. Her breathing became slower and she soon stopped trembling.

“Give her time to recover,” she told Silverheart. “She should be a lot better by tomorrow.” Silverheart nodded, her eyes brimming with gratitude. She rushed out of the medicine den and back towards the ongoing battle.

Briarleaf looked down at the apprentice. She had fallen asleep. The poor thing, Briarleaf thought. She must be exhausted. Briarleaf examined the wound carefully. It wasn’t too deep, but it was definitely long. How could she have gotten such a big cut? Perplexed, she looked at it more closely. Border battles weren’t supposed to be very big. Even if WindClan were desperate and hostile, the damage could easily have been avoided. Then, Briarleaf remembered Almondpaw’s weaknesses in training. What exactly is wrong with her? Briarleaf had never seen any cat that was like her before. Briarleaf’s ears pricked as she heard more yowling in the distance. Quickly, Briarleaf rushed over to the nursery.

“Mistkit!” she called. “Can you watch Almondpaw? Make sure she doesn’t get up because her wound will open again. And give her poppy seeds if she starts to complain.” Mistkit, who had been lying in her mother’s nest, jumped to her feet and raced enthusiastically out of the nursery. Briarleaf had grown to trust the little kit and hoped she would get to mentor her when she was old enough.

Stepping out into the clearing, Briarleaf saw the battle patrol rushing back to camp, cheering. They were covered in blood and limping, but the glow in their eyes told Briarleaf that they had won.

“Briarleaf!” called a voice. Briarleaf turned around to see Petalfur padding up to her. The she-cat’s amber eyes were filled with fear.

“What is it?” said Briarleaf.

“I think you should take a look at Shadowtail,” she replied. Briarleaf followed her to the other side of the clearing. The black warrior looked terrible. His glossy black fur was caked with blood, his flank was covered in scratches, and he had a deep gash on his chest. Shadowtail looked like he could hardly breathe, and he stood there with shaking legs.

“Quick, into my den!” Briarleaf meowed urgently. Shadowtail limped into the medicine den and Briarleaf quickly made poultices for his wounds.

“Mistkit!” she called. “I need your help. Can you prepare some horsetail and apply it to the biggest cut?” Mistkit jumped at the opportunity to help and dashed into the herb store.

In no time at all, Shadowtail’s wounds were treated and he was resting quietly on the moss.

“Thanks, Briarleaf,” he meowed. “You too, Mistkit.”

“You need to be more careful,” Briarleaf mewed crossly. She heard paws shuffling outside and ducked out of the den. Briarleaf nearly crashed into Rosepaw, who was right outside the entrance.

“Er…hi, Rosepaw,” said Briarleaf. “Did you want something?” She looked down at the apprentice. Her eyes were filled with worry. “Are you here to see Almondpaw?”

“Er…no. I mean, what I meant to say was…” Rosepaw fumbled with her words. “Is Shadowtail all right?” she blurted out at last. Briarleaf looked at her, surprised.

“He’ll be fine once he learns to be more careful. That cat is always getting himself into some sort of trouble.” A choking sound came from Rosepaw. “Look, what’s wrong?”

Rosepaw gazed at Briarleaf with a terrified look on her face. The little apprentice looked worse than all the other warriors, and there was hardly a scratch on her. At last she cried out.

“It’s all my fault!”