Post by The Only Froggems YOU KNOW! on Jan 17, 2006 17:54:40 GMT -5
~Of Slivers and Swirls~
~By Froggy~
© by Froggdly inc!
~Chapter 1~
Sliverfoot lay outside the Medicine Cat’s den, staring at Swirlingwind. She was beautiful, her silky fur shined silver in the moonlight. He was not a Medicine Cat; he was just there to have a sliver removed from his foot. That was his sign, and tonight was his vigil. Hers had been only a few moonrises ago, so he wasn’t that much younger. He knew she liked Crookedjaw so he wouldn’t go padding after her, er, he wouldn’t let her know he was padding after him. He would wait until she realized her true feelings for him. The two had been apprentices together and they had quarreled all the time. He had just fought to make her mad, and now when he realized his true feelings for her he had been angry with himself, for now she hated him.
“What are you doing, staring at her, you used to fight when you were an apprentice,” came a booming voice. Sliverfoot looked up to see the clan Medicine Cat, Hayfire, looking down at him. Sliverfoot turned around to lay on his back and sheepishly grinned at him, “Well, you’re all fixed, you just need to keep the cobwebs and poultice on until it stops bleeding. Would you like poppy seeds for pain?”
Sliverfoot shook his head no, after all he couldn’t talk he had a vigil to keep. He got up to go sit in the middle of the clearing but suddenly Hayfire spoke in a strange voice, almost robotic, very unusual from the one he normally used. Brook the cat may be, but doom the cat will bring. “Off to the vigil you go,” he meowed with a strange smile on his face as if he had just woken up from a leisurely nap in the sun. What happened, what did it mean he wondered did I just receive a message from StarClan?
He woke up the next morning excited, cold, and hungry. It had snowed over night. Excitement took over and he went to the warrior’s den to see whom he could wake up. Swirlingwind was in there, a smile danced across his face, and a shiver ran pleasantly down his spine, he wouldn’t wake her up. Maybe when she heard he had woken everyone else except her she might relieve him from some guilt of his mishaps he had ever so joyfully pinned on her. How young and kit-like he had acted. He shook his head trying to clear his thoughts, but all that did was make his head hurt. Sliverfoot stopped and tried to step lightly over Swirlingwind but his claw snagged a chunk of her fur and when he tried to lift his leg he tripped and ended up landing right on top of her.
“What now!?” demanded Swirlingwind as she woke with a start, “What have you pinned on me this time? What did you break? What wall did you collapse this time, the nursery, or the apprentices den again?” She hissed shrilly.
“I…” he faltered then decided to tell the truth. “I came in to try and find a good nest, and you seemed to be sleeping in the best one.” Ok, so it wasn’t the truth, but it was as close to the truth he could get without telling her his whole plan. Oh, no, now she was mad, her tail lashed side to side and her eyes burned with fury.
“So, what were you going to do, drag me out of it by my fur?” she thrust her head close and got right up to his face, he could almost taste her sweet scent and would have just stood there forever smelling her except for at that moment the clan leader, Macestar, burst into the den, shaking with fury.
“What is going on here,” she growled, “Sliverfoot, why did you wake Swirlingwind?” I didn’t want to, it was an accident, I only wanted to wake the others, he thought, and almost smiled to himself but then caught the look of pure rage in Swirlingwind’s eyes and didn’t. “Well?” Macestar prompted.
“I was only trying to find a spot to sleep, Macestar,” he said, bowing his head.
“Stop this nonsense at once, Sliverfoot, you may lead the patrol, take Frozenpelt, Brookpaw, and Thorncoat with you.”
“But that’s hardly a punishment,” Swirlingwind meowed with resentment.
“It wasn’t that big of a deal,” Macestar said and he thought he saw a small smile dash across her face. She was enjoying this! He thought infuriated. Calm down, you get to lead the patrol, think of that as an honor. He forced himself to give a respectful lick to Macestar and then went to call the others. While he waited for the other cats to finish eating Sliverfoot looked longingly at Swirlingwind.
“Sliverfoot!” he rushed back to attention as Brookpaw called to him. Seeing they were done he followed them out of the clearing and into the damp, dense forest.
~Chapter 2~
The patrol had so far been uneventful so he let his mind wander. Suddenly a scent blew across his nose, Mouse! It was the dead of whitetime and prey was scarce, so Macestar had told them to bring back anything they could catch. Getting into a low crouch, keeping all his weight in his haunches silently he stalked it and when he was a tail length away he pounced. He killed it with one swift bite to the spine.
“Nice catch!” Thorncoat meowed approvingly. He had not been his mentor but Sliverfoot still felt a rush of pride at the senior warriors praise. Sliverfoot nodded his thanks at the compliment. There was no need to bury it; they were on their way back to camp. Once they were back in camp, two mice and one rabbit later, Sliverfoot went to report to Macestar. He sat outside the den, not wanting to go in, he was still upset about earlier, even if she had let him lead patrol.
“Come on, Sliverfoot, come in, I can smell you. You can’t sit out there forever.” Macestar growled amused. Silently he cursed himself for dawdling, why not just get it over with, he would see her every day until she died and went to StarClan. “How did patrol go?” she asked.
“It was fine,” he replied stiffly.
“Go get a fresh piece of kill and go to sleep,” she said gently and then added, “Be careful where you put your feet!” Mumbling curses under his breath he selected a skinny rabbit and went to sit next to Kinktail, one of his oldest friends and they talked about the days events. Kinktail described her apprentice Oakpaw’s assignment. He had to hunt around frozen creek and see what he could find. Oakpaw had gotten two water voles and a thrush.
“Wow, that must have been enough to feed all the elders!” he exclaimed.
“Yes,” Kinktail purred, “Macestar was ecstatic and told him to take his kill right to the elders.”
“Macestar!” growled Sliverfoot, “She thinks she knows everything about love- I mean life.”
“Life indeed,” meowed Kinktail amusedly.
“Yes life,” spat Sliverfoot and he stalked to the warriors’ den, not looking at Swirlingwind. He curled up in a nest near the outer ring, back facing her.
“You know,” mewed Kinktail, following close behind him, “If you want her to like you, you should probably go explain things to her.”
“Yeah, and you will finally confess your love to Splitear,” he meowed sarcastically, “who died and made you the love doctor?”
“Fine, just trying to give you some advice!” bristled Kinktail sounding hurt.
“Kinktail-“
“Don’t talk to me! I guess my advice isn’t as valued as much as I thought it was!” She turned and waked to the other side of the warriors’ den. Glaring at him she laid down nest to Frozenpelt and started talking. Every few minutes she would look up and glare, though every time it was getting less and less hostile. Finally she got up and trudged over to him. She said nothing but lay down next to him, fur brushing against his.
When he woke in the morning he was surprised to see the snow had started to melt. Robincrest’s kits were playing outside of the nursery with a ball of moss. “Morning Leopardkit, Pantherkit,” he meowed as he walked past.
“Sliverfoot!” called a voice, turning around he spotted Brookpaw hurrying towards him. “Thank StarClan I caught you, you’re to go on patrol with Swirlingwind, Crookedjaw, and me, if you think you can handle it,” she added mischievously.
“You little!” he growled and took a threatening step forward.
“O.K. we’ll wait by the entrance of camp for you,” she meowed and flounced over to sit by Crookedjaw. Who does she think she is? She’s nothing more than an apprentice! He ate quickly and walked over to the patrol. Without looking at him Swirlingwind started into the woods.
As they walked along the border Sliverfoot snuck glances at Swirlingwind, who, he wasn’t happy to see, was walking side by side with Crookedjaw, flank touching flank. He glanced around hoping Brookpaw didn’t see the look of disgust on his face. He turned around and caught Brookpaw staring at him with a look of longing. What does she want? Just this morning she was fighting with me. Wait, isn’t that what I used to do with Swirlingwind? Oh, no, Brookpaw must like me! He kept watching her. No she must have more than a crush on me, the way she’s looking at me!
He didn’t notice Swirlingwind had stopped and he barreled right into her, sending her into the creek. No, no, no, no, no, this wasn’t happening! She limped out of the creek and looked at him, her face twisted with pure, hot, anger. “What do you think you are doing?” she screeched, “I don’t have an eye on you for a minute and you think of some way to torture me! Well, I don’t have to stand around and take this, the patrol is finished!” And with that she stalked back to camp, trying valiantly to keep her tail from drooping under the weight of the water.
Once inside camp Swirlingwind went straight to the Macestar’s den to have a word with her. Moments later Macestar walked out and padded over to him. He stared down at his rabbit and silently willed her to walk past him. It didn’t work. She stretched out next to him and waited for Sliverfoot to explain what had happened.
“Well,” he began, “I was watching Brookpaw and I didn’t see her stop. That’s all that happened, I swear it by StarClan.” She nodded slowly as if she really believed him. “It was an accident!”
“Yes, an accident,” Swirlingwind spat scornfully as she strolled up, “why do accidents always seem to happen when I’m around?”
“I…I…” he flustered, “ IreallylikeyoubutIgetallnervouswhenyou’rearound!” he let his words flow out like a river.
“What? What are you talking about? You’re not high on catnip are you?” she asked suspiciously and sniffed him.
“Great StarClan, isn’t it obvious? He has been padding after you ever since you were made a warrior!” Macestar said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Well, Sliverfoot you’ll just have to find someone else, I have already found someone,” she hissed menacingly.
“I can’t find someone else, someone else found me!” he snarled, “Brookpaw has been mooning after me like I did to you and I realize how annoying that is, I don’t even like her, but I like her as a friend just fine,” he quickly meowed as Macestar gave him a hard stare. “I… what… what I’m really trying to say is… why don’t you and Crookedjaw have a nice life together,” he said dramatically.
“I…but…how…I… how did you know that I liked him!” she hissed surprised.
“Oh, it’s obvious,” he said lightly.
“Sometimes you toms are so full of your selves!” she hissed shrilly, walking towards the entrance.
“Wait a moment will you Swirlingwind, we need to have an apprentice ceremony,” Macestar meowed. She leaped onto the Great Rock and beckoned Leopardkit and Pantherkit forward. “From this day forward, until they have earned their warrior names, these apprentices will be called Leopardpaw and Pantherpaw. Sliverfoot, you are without an apprentice and the clan respects your loyalty and perseverance, you will be mentor to Leopardpaw. Crookedjaw, you are also without an apprentice, please pass on all you know to this apprentice, you will be mentor to Pantherpaw.”
“Leopardpaw! Pantherpaw! Leopardpaw! Pantherpaw!” the Clan chanted as one. As soon as the ceremony was done Swirlingwind crept out of camp. She looked nervous, and her head darted around, checking that no one saw her. Sliverfoot decided to follow her. Telling Leopardpaw to stay in camp, he slid after her, melting into the shadows. How strange, she’s going to the border between RiverClan and ThunderClan! Either she’s running away or she’s meeting someone.
He slowed to a halt as a cat slipped out of the water. Watching her knead the ground in excitement he began to unsheathe and sheathe his claws, angrily flexing. Riverfur, he thought astonished as he recognized the cat, what’s he doing here? Sliverfoot opened his mouth into a silent hiss. Wait, he told himself, maybe she can explain what’s going on, he didn’t want to believe the truth, that his beloved was breaking the warrior code, nor did he want to see such a cat betray the Clan they were born to. Sighing he turned around and made his way back to camp. In his heart he knew he should have confronted them, but he also knew that Macestar would punish Swirlingwind and he couldn’t do that to her. Was he breaking the warrior code by not reporting what he saw?
~Chapter 3~
He looked up into the sky, the moon was at its fullest. It had been three moonrises and now it was the gathering. With Macestar in the lead they ran down the now familiar path towards Fourtrees. Sliverfoot loved the feeling of the cool night air racing along his back. He felt free, as if nothing could do harm to him. When they arrived at Fourtrees Macestar leaped onto the Great Rock and went to converse with Swampstar, the leader of ThunderClan. Sliverfoot gazed around, he was still amazed that the clans could only get along enough to tell of happenings in their clan, but then again his loyalty was to the clan and only to the clan. He would not hesitate to do what Macestar ordered, even if he was still a bit angry with her. He looked around searching, and when he found what he was looking for he went to sit next to Kinktail as she talked to Riverfur.
“Yes, I’m fine Kinktail and you? That’s great,” he meowed as she nodded. “Sliverfoot how are you?” he asked with a cold politeness as he noticed Sliverfoot. He must know, Sliverfoot thought anxiously, how could he? He must have seen me!
“Yes, well, we have to be going, good to see you!” Sliverfoot mewed in a false cheery voice as he dragged Kinktail over to Hayfire.
“What was that about?” she asked looking surprised.
“He makes me nervous, all jittery and stuff, that’s all.” Sliverfoot replied, “come, let’s talk to Hayfire and the other Medicine Cats.”
“Welcome young ones, please, sit with us while the leaders discuss the events,” Hayfire meowed warmly. Sliverfoot started to say something but was cut off by the familiar yowl of Macestar, signaling the start of the gathering.
First Swampstar, the leader of ThunderClan gave news of a new litter of kits and the making of two apprentices into warriors. Next, Midnightstar, the leader of ShadowClan talked about their warriors too, then Tallstar of WindClan, and finally Macestar was aloud to discuss the good news about Kinktail, Swirlingwind, and Sliverfoot.
Sliverfoot sat a little straighter and lifted his head a little higher when he was announced. After the gathering, while Sliverfoot lay in his bedding he began to ponder over what to do about Brookpaw, but before he could reach a decision he fell asleep.
~Chapter 4~
Springing back he shook his whiskers and muttered, “Never shoulda tried to catch fish, it’s just…”
“You know,” said a voice. Rotating around he rested his gaze upon Swirlingwind.
“What do you want? Did you come down here just to make fun of me?”
“If you’re in RiverClan and you can’t catch fish what does that say about you?” she continued mockingly.
“If you think you’re so high and mighty why don’t you catch one,” he spat scornfully, “instead of standing around and making fun of me?”
“Fine,” she growled, “watch me and you might learn a thing or two.” And with that she turned around and hooked a fish with her claw. “See, to you I am the high and mighty.”
“Well, if you thin you are so good how about teaching Riverfur how to catch fish!” he blurted out suddenly.
“What, how…did…know…” she stumbled out almost incoherently.
“Let’s just say I saw you and Riverfur meeting at the river,” he said evenly.
“Oh, that, that was just a meeting between the two of us, nothing serious,” she meowed. “But did he see anything else, that is the question,” she mused apparently talking to herself.
“I…I won’t tell if you teach me how to fish,” Sliverfoot meowed quickly, not wanting to miss his chance.
“Well,” she began.
“Please,” he pleaded, practically on the ground, “I have an apprentice, Leopardpaw needs to know how to fish and in order to accomplish that I need to know how to fish!” he meowed exasperated.
“I can. Only if you won’t tell!” she growled quickly.
“I won’t, I swear it by StarClan!”
“Good, then the first thing you need to know is never let you shadow go over the water, so the fish don’t see you.” She explained patiently. Swirlingwind gave him secret lessons for seven more moonrises. The clan never asked where they would disappear to, thank StarClan! Macestar noticed they were getting friendlier so she didn’t bother to stop them from doing what they were doing. Sliverfoot didn’t like lying to her, but what choice did he have? Finally he gave in and brought Leopardpaw to the river when he thought he was able to teach her how to fish.
“Okay, first never let your shadow go over the water, we don’t want the fish to see you.” He repeated in the same voice Swirlingwind had used so many times before with him.
“Okay,” she responded, leaning over the edge a little to far for Sliverfoot’s liking and he was about to say something when she fell in.
Laughing he waited for her to climb out but when she didn’t and kept thrashing about in the cold water he began to get worried. He leaped in to save her but the current carried her away. Sliverfoot climbed out, knowing that he was more use to her strong, and that he shouldn’t waste his energy trying to swim after her when he could just run.
Running down the bank he tried to keep her in sight, but the waves were churning and kept dunking her under. He knew that if he didn’t reach her soon he might not save her. Just as he was about to give up hope who should appear but another cat, and down-river even! The cat leaped in and with its powerful strokes he pulled her out on Sliverfoot’s side of the river. It was not a RiverClan cat either!
He rushed over to Leopardpaw, not caring who the cat was that had saved her. She looked pitifully small; her brown fur was soaking and clung to her body. Her eyes were shut, and she didn’t move.
Please Leopardpaw, come back to me. Please StarClan, send her back, she is not ready to come to you yet. He sat there praying with all his heart for a few moments and was about to bring her back to camp to mourn for her when she coughed and spit out what must have been the whole river.
~Chapter 5~
“Leopardpaw,” he cried out joyfully, “you’re alive!”
“I think she’ll be okay, just get her back to your Medicine Cat so she can be looked at,” said the cat who had saved her. Sliverfoot looked up to see Riverfur and spat,
“What are you doing here, why were you by the river, were you hoping to steal some prey?”
“Keep your fur on, I was just out hunting. On our side of the river!” he added when he saw Sliverfoot’s look of triumph, “and I happened to see this apprentice, whom I assume is yours, fall into the river and practically drown,” he snarled, “You should be thanking me, not accusing me of stealing your prey!”
“Yes, well, I must admit, you did save her, and for that I am thankful, however, just because you saved her doesn’t mean you were allowed on our territory!” Sliverfoot growled menacingly.
“Just get her back to your Medicine Cat and forget the whole incident, and if it makes you feel better go soak yourself and say you rescued her!” he meowed and stormed off to the river, crossed it, gave one final glare and disappeared into the bushes.
“What happened?” Leopardpaw asked in a daze, “Who was that?”
“That,” Sliverfoot spat, “was the worst excuse for a cat I have ever seen, or in other words Riverfur.”
“Oh,” she replied and nodded as if she understood, which she couldn’t possibly have, given the stress she was under.
“Come on, we better let Hayfire check you for shock and treat you with whatever he calls that stuff.” Sliverfoot said wearily. They trudged back to camp and when they got there he sent her off to visit Hayfire and Sliverfoot went to talk to Macestar.
After he had explained everything, leaving out the part about Riverfur’s suggestion to go soak himself, the “Riverfur is the worst excuse for a cat I have ever seen,” part and the part where he accused Riverfur of stealing prey, because he really knew that he had just made that up because he despised Riverfur with every fiber of his body. Okay, so he hadn’t told her everything, just everything she had to know.
As he was about to go into the warriors’ den he saw Swirlingwind walk out, stretch her long, lean muscles and go talk to Macestar. When he entered the den he heard Frozenpelt tell Robincrest that Swirlingwind was going to have kits. Everyone naturally thought that they were Crookedjaw’s, but Sliverfoot knew that they were Riverfur’s. He hurried out of the den, forgetting about sleep and raced to Macestar’s den to wait for Swirlingwind to come out. When she came out he led her over to the back of the camp and asked her about the kits, and how were they really Riverfur’s.
“Yes, okay, they are Riverfur’s, but don’t tell anyone for should they judge the kits and not me. The clan will think they are Crookedjaw’s for as long as I live. I will tell them, and just them, when I am on my deathbed, who their father was and what a strong and noble warrior he was.” She said glaring at him, “If you tell anyone I will flay the fur off your back.”
“I understand, just today he saved Leopardpaw from drowning, I owe him my apprentice’s life, I will not tell anyone,” Sliverfoot said defeated.
“Good,” she spat and walked back to the warriors’ den pulling a smile back on her face. Following her Sliverfoot went to lie down by Kinktail. Staring through the bramble, at Silverpelt, Sliverfoot prayed to StarClan to guide him through this predicament. He was about to sleep when he heard a twig-snapping crack, jerking out of his stupor Sliverfoot silently craned his head around just in time to see Swirlingwind sneak out, probably going to see Riverfur, he thought. He would have stopped her, or at least followed her, but he knew that she had a right to tell him, in private. Ignoring a nagging feeling that told him to follow her he closed his eyes and let sleep catch up to him.
The following morning he was awakened by a shrieking wail, “Swirlingwind, she’s…she’s gone!” He sprang to attention as Robincrest wailed again.
“Hush at once,” hissed Macestar, “you’ll scare all the prey away! Maybe she’s just gone hunting.”
“Alone?!” shrieked Robincrest, “in her condition?!”
“What condition?” asked Crookedjaw as he blinked sleepily, walking out of the warriors’ den.
“She’s having your kits, you great lump of fur!” Frozenpelt snarled as she followed him out. “Great StarClan, you’d think you didn’t even know what color her fur is!” she snapped.
“I know what color fur she has!” he meowed indignantly, “it’s… it’s… gray?” he supplied helplessly.
“NO you great badger, it’s only the most beautiful shade of SILVER I have ever seen!” Sliverfoot screeched. Okay, he thought, Riverfur is not the worst excuse for a cat, although a close second, Crookedjaw is! He can’t even remember his own supposed mate’s pelt color! “Honestly, you’d think you’d know more about her, or did you mate with her just to keep the legacy going?” Sliverfoot hissed, trying to make it seem as if he had mated with her, “I’m going to go hunting, Kinktail, Oakpaw, Leopardpaw, how about coming with me?” he asked, opening his eyes wide enough to signal that he was not actually going hunting.
“Yes, of course,” meowed Kinktail, quickly taking the hint. Walking with Kinktail, Leopardpaw and Oakpaw out of camp they stopped in a clearing to decide where to look.
“I’ll go up by the river, Leopardpaw, come with me, Oakpaw, take the trail along the WindClan border, Kinktail, take the border between us and ThunderClan.” They all nodded and broke apart.
~Chapter 6~
As he walked along the river with Leopardpaw at his side, his eyes were searching, but his mind reeled with possibilities. Did she go of her own accord; did Riverfur kill her when he heard about the kits? Was she dragged off by a badger, weighted down by her unborn kits? His mind was over following, he needed to get rid of the possibilities, he needed to talk to Riverfur. Sliverfoot told Leopardpaw to stay along the trail and keep out of trouble while he went to talk to Riverfur. He hurried through the bracken, determined to find Swirlingwind. He go to the border before Kinktail had passed by and swam across the river with his powerful forelimbs. Crouched down, hiding in the reeds, he scanned to the area and tasted the air. Smelling a ThunderClan patrol he shrank back even farther into the reeds, hoping they would conceal his smell.
~By Froggy~
© by Froggdly inc!
~Chapter 1~
Sliverfoot lay outside the Medicine Cat’s den, staring at Swirlingwind. She was beautiful, her silky fur shined silver in the moonlight. He was not a Medicine Cat; he was just there to have a sliver removed from his foot. That was his sign, and tonight was his vigil. Hers had been only a few moonrises ago, so he wasn’t that much younger. He knew she liked Crookedjaw so he wouldn’t go padding after her, er, he wouldn’t let her know he was padding after him. He would wait until she realized her true feelings for him. The two had been apprentices together and they had quarreled all the time. He had just fought to make her mad, and now when he realized his true feelings for her he had been angry with himself, for now she hated him.
“What are you doing, staring at her, you used to fight when you were an apprentice,” came a booming voice. Sliverfoot looked up to see the clan Medicine Cat, Hayfire, looking down at him. Sliverfoot turned around to lay on his back and sheepishly grinned at him, “Well, you’re all fixed, you just need to keep the cobwebs and poultice on until it stops bleeding. Would you like poppy seeds for pain?”
Sliverfoot shook his head no, after all he couldn’t talk he had a vigil to keep. He got up to go sit in the middle of the clearing but suddenly Hayfire spoke in a strange voice, almost robotic, very unusual from the one he normally used. Brook the cat may be, but doom the cat will bring. “Off to the vigil you go,” he meowed with a strange smile on his face as if he had just woken up from a leisurely nap in the sun. What happened, what did it mean he wondered did I just receive a message from StarClan?
He woke up the next morning excited, cold, and hungry. It had snowed over night. Excitement took over and he went to the warrior’s den to see whom he could wake up. Swirlingwind was in there, a smile danced across his face, and a shiver ran pleasantly down his spine, he wouldn’t wake her up. Maybe when she heard he had woken everyone else except her she might relieve him from some guilt of his mishaps he had ever so joyfully pinned on her. How young and kit-like he had acted. He shook his head trying to clear his thoughts, but all that did was make his head hurt. Sliverfoot stopped and tried to step lightly over Swirlingwind but his claw snagged a chunk of her fur and when he tried to lift his leg he tripped and ended up landing right on top of her.
“What now!?” demanded Swirlingwind as she woke with a start, “What have you pinned on me this time? What did you break? What wall did you collapse this time, the nursery, or the apprentices den again?” She hissed shrilly.
“I…” he faltered then decided to tell the truth. “I came in to try and find a good nest, and you seemed to be sleeping in the best one.” Ok, so it wasn’t the truth, but it was as close to the truth he could get without telling her his whole plan. Oh, no, now she was mad, her tail lashed side to side and her eyes burned with fury.
“So, what were you going to do, drag me out of it by my fur?” she thrust her head close and got right up to his face, he could almost taste her sweet scent and would have just stood there forever smelling her except for at that moment the clan leader, Macestar, burst into the den, shaking with fury.
“What is going on here,” she growled, “Sliverfoot, why did you wake Swirlingwind?” I didn’t want to, it was an accident, I only wanted to wake the others, he thought, and almost smiled to himself but then caught the look of pure rage in Swirlingwind’s eyes and didn’t. “Well?” Macestar prompted.
“I was only trying to find a spot to sleep, Macestar,” he said, bowing his head.
“Stop this nonsense at once, Sliverfoot, you may lead the patrol, take Frozenpelt, Brookpaw, and Thorncoat with you.”
“But that’s hardly a punishment,” Swirlingwind meowed with resentment.
“It wasn’t that big of a deal,” Macestar said and he thought he saw a small smile dash across her face. She was enjoying this! He thought infuriated. Calm down, you get to lead the patrol, think of that as an honor. He forced himself to give a respectful lick to Macestar and then went to call the others. While he waited for the other cats to finish eating Sliverfoot looked longingly at Swirlingwind.
“Sliverfoot!” he rushed back to attention as Brookpaw called to him. Seeing they were done he followed them out of the clearing and into the damp, dense forest.
~Chapter 2~
The patrol had so far been uneventful so he let his mind wander. Suddenly a scent blew across his nose, Mouse! It was the dead of whitetime and prey was scarce, so Macestar had told them to bring back anything they could catch. Getting into a low crouch, keeping all his weight in his haunches silently he stalked it and when he was a tail length away he pounced. He killed it with one swift bite to the spine.
“Nice catch!” Thorncoat meowed approvingly. He had not been his mentor but Sliverfoot still felt a rush of pride at the senior warriors praise. Sliverfoot nodded his thanks at the compliment. There was no need to bury it; they were on their way back to camp. Once they were back in camp, two mice and one rabbit later, Sliverfoot went to report to Macestar. He sat outside the den, not wanting to go in, he was still upset about earlier, even if she had let him lead patrol.
“Come on, Sliverfoot, come in, I can smell you. You can’t sit out there forever.” Macestar growled amused. Silently he cursed himself for dawdling, why not just get it over with, he would see her every day until she died and went to StarClan. “How did patrol go?” she asked.
“It was fine,” he replied stiffly.
“Go get a fresh piece of kill and go to sleep,” she said gently and then added, “Be careful where you put your feet!” Mumbling curses under his breath he selected a skinny rabbit and went to sit next to Kinktail, one of his oldest friends and they talked about the days events. Kinktail described her apprentice Oakpaw’s assignment. He had to hunt around frozen creek and see what he could find. Oakpaw had gotten two water voles and a thrush.
“Wow, that must have been enough to feed all the elders!” he exclaimed.
“Yes,” Kinktail purred, “Macestar was ecstatic and told him to take his kill right to the elders.”
“Macestar!” growled Sliverfoot, “She thinks she knows everything about love- I mean life.”
“Life indeed,” meowed Kinktail amusedly.
“Yes life,” spat Sliverfoot and he stalked to the warriors’ den, not looking at Swirlingwind. He curled up in a nest near the outer ring, back facing her.
“You know,” mewed Kinktail, following close behind him, “If you want her to like you, you should probably go explain things to her.”
“Yeah, and you will finally confess your love to Splitear,” he meowed sarcastically, “who died and made you the love doctor?”
“Fine, just trying to give you some advice!” bristled Kinktail sounding hurt.
“Kinktail-“
“Don’t talk to me! I guess my advice isn’t as valued as much as I thought it was!” She turned and waked to the other side of the warriors’ den. Glaring at him she laid down nest to Frozenpelt and started talking. Every few minutes she would look up and glare, though every time it was getting less and less hostile. Finally she got up and trudged over to him. She said nothing but lay down next to him, fur brushing against his.
When he woke in the morning he was surprised to see the snow had started to melt. Robincrest’s kits were playing outside of the nursery with a ball of moss. “Morning Leopardkit, Pantherkit,” he meowed as he walked past.
“Sliverfoot!” called a voice, turning around he spotted Brookpaw hurrying towards him. “Thank StarClan I caught you, you’re to go on patrol with Swirlingwind, Crookedjaw, and me, if you think you can handle it,” she added mischievously.
“You little!” he growled and took a threatening step forward.
“O.K. we’ll wait by the entrance of camp for you,” she meowed and flounced over to sit by Crookedjaw. Who does she think she is? She’s nothing more than an apprentice! He ate quickly and walked over to the patrol. Without looking at him Swirlingwind started into the woods.
As they walked along the border Sliverfoot snuck glances at Swirlingwind, who, he wasn’t happy to see, was walking side by side with Crookedjaw, flank touching flank. He glanced around hoping Brookpaw didn’t see the look of disgust on his face. He turned around and caught Brookpaw staring at him with a look of longing. What does she want? Just this morning she was fighting with me. Wait, isn’t that what I used to do with Swirlingwind? Oh, no, Brookpaw must like me! He kept watching her. No she must have more than a crush on me, the way she’s looking at me!
He didn’t notice Swirlingwind had stopped and he barreled right into her, sending her into the creek. No, no, no, no, no, this wasn’t happening! She limped out of the creek and looked at him, her face twisted with pure, hot, anger. “What do you think you are doing?” she screeched, “I don’t have an eye on you for a minute and you think of some way to torture me! Well, I don’t have to stand around and take this, the patrol is finished!” And with that she stalked back to camp, trying valiantly to keep her tail from drooping under the weight of the water.
Once inside camp Swirlingwind went straight to the Macestar’s den to have a word with her. Moments later Macestar walked out and padded over to him. He stared down at his rabbit and silently willed her to walk past him. It didn’t work. She stretched out next to him and waited for Sliverfoot to explain what had happened.
“Well,” he began, “I was watching Brookpaw and I didn’t see her stop. That’s all that happened, I swear it by StarClan.” She nodded slowly as if she really believed him. “It was an accident!”
“Yes, an accident,” Swirlingwind spat scornfully as she strolled up, “why do accidents always seem to happen when I’m around?”
“I…I…” he flustered, “ IreallylikeyoubutIgetallnervouswhenyou’rearound!” he let his words flow out like a river.
“What? What are you talking about? You’re not high on catnip are you?” she asked suspiciously and sniffed him.
“Great StarClan, isn’t it obvious? He has been padding after you ever since you were made a warrior!” Macestar said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Well, Sliverfoot you’ll just have to find someone else, I have already found someone,” she hissed menacingly.
“I can’t find someone else, someone else found me!” he snarled, “Brookpaw has been mooning after me like I did to you and I realize how annoying that is, I don’t even like her, but I like her as a friend just fine,” he quickly meowed as Macestar gave him a hard stare. “I… what… what I’m really trying to say is… why don’t you and Crookedjaw have a nice life together,” he said dramatically.
“I…but…how…I… how did you know that I liked him!” she hissed surprised.
“Oh, it’s obvious,” he said lightly.
“Sometimes you toms are so full of your selves!” she hissed shrilly, walking towards the entrance.
“Wait a moment will you Swirlingwind, we need to have an apprentice ceremony,” Macestar meowed. She leaped onto the Great Rock and beckoned Leopardkit and Pantherkit forward. “From this day forward, until they have earned their warrior names, these apprentices will be called Leopardpaw and Pantherpaw. Sliverfoot, you are without an apprentice and the clan respects your loyalty and perseverance, you will be mentor to Leopardpaw. Crookedjaw, you are also without an apprentice, please pass on all you know to this apprentice, you will be mentor to Pantherpaw.”
“Leopardpaw! Pantherpaw! Leopardpaw! Pantherpaw!” the Clan chanted as one. As soon as the ceremony was done Swirlingwind crept out of camp. She looked nervous, and her head darted around, checking that no one saw her. Sliverfoot decided to follow her. Telling Leopardpaw to stay in camp, he slid after her, melting into the shadows. How strange, she’s going to the border between RiverClan and ThunderClan! Either she’s running away or she’s meeting someone.
He slowed to a halt as a cat slipped out of the water. Watching her knead the ground in excitement he began to unsheathe and sheathe his claws, angrily flexing. Riverfur, he thought astonished as he recognized the cat, what’s he doing here? Sliverfoot opened his mouth into a silent hiss. Wait, he told himself, maybe she can explain what’s going on, he didn’t want to believe the truth, that his beloved was breaking the warrior code, nor did he want to see such a cat betray the Clan they were born to. Sighing he turned around and made his way back to camp. In his heart he knew he should have confronted them, but he also knew that Macestar would punish Swirlingwind and he couldn’t do that to her. Was he breaking the warrior code by not reporting what he saw?
~Chapter 3~
He looked up into the sky, the moon was at its fullest. It had been three moonrises and now it was the gathering. With Macestar in the lead they ran down the now familiar path towards Fourtrees. Sliverfoot loved the feeling of the cool night air racing along his back. He felt free, as if nothing could do harm to him. When they arrived at Fourtrees Macestar leaped onto the Great Rock and went to converse with Swampstar, the leader of ThunderClan. Sliverfoot gazed around, he was still amazed that the clans could only get along enough to tell of happenings in their clan, but then again his loyalty was to the clan and only to the clan. He would not hesitate to do what Macestar ordered, even if he was still a bit angry with her. He looked around searching, and when he found what he was looking for he went to sit next to Kinktail as she talked to Riverfur.
“Yes, I’m fine Kinktail and you? That’s great,” he meowed as she nodded. “Sliverfoot how are you?” he asked with a cold politeness as he noticed Sliverfoot. He must know, Sliverfoot thought anxiously, how could he? He must have seen me!
“Yes, well, we have to be going, good to see you!” Sliverfoot mewed in a false cheery voice as he dragged Kinktail over to Hayfire.
“What was that about?” she asked looking surprised.
“He makes me nervous, all jittery and stuff, that’s all.” Sliverfoot replied, “come, let’s talk to Hayfire and the other Medicine Cats.”
“Welcome young ones, please, sit with us while the leaders discuss the events,” Hayfire meowed warmly. Sliverfoot started to say something but was cut off by the familiar yowl of Macestar, signaling the start of the gathering.
First Swampstar, the leader of ThunderClan gave news of a new litter of kits and the making of two apprentices into warriors. Next, Midnightstar, the leader of ShadowClan talked about their warriors too, then Tallstar of WindClan, and finally Macestar was aloud to discuss the good news about Kinktail, Swirlingwind, and Sliverfoot.
Sliverfoot sat a little straighter and lifted his head a little higher when he was announced. After the gathering, while Sliverfoot lay in his bedding he began to ponder over what to do about Brookpaw, but before he could reach a decision he fell asleep.
~Chapter 4~
Springing back he shook his whiskers and muttered, “Never shoulda tried to catch fish, it’s just…”
“You know,” said a voice. Rotating around he rested his gaze upon Swirlingwind.
“What do you want? Did you come down here just to make fun of me?”
“If you’re in RiverClan and you can’t catch fish what does that say about you?” she continued mockingly.
“If you think you’re so high and mighty why don’t you catch one,” he spat scornfully, “instead of standing around and making fun of me?”
“Fine,” she growled, “watch me and you might learn a thing or two.” And with that she turned around and hooked a fish with her claw. “See, to you I am the high and mighty.”
“Well, if you thin you are so good how about teaching Riverfur how to catch fish!” he blurted out suddenly.
“What, how…did…know…” she stumbled out almost incoherently.
“Let’s just say I saw you and Riverfur meeting at the river,” he said evenly.
“Oh, that, that was just a meeting between the two of us, nothing serious,” she meowed. “But did he see anything else, that is the question,” she mused apparently talking to herself.
“I…I won’t tell if you teach me how to fish,” Sliverfoot meowed quickly, not wanting to miss his chance.
“Well,” she began.
“Please,” he pleaded, practically on the ground, “I have an apprentice, Leopardpaw needs to know how to fish and in order to accomplish that I need to know how to fish!” he meowed exasperated.
“I can. Only if you won’t tell!” she growled quickly.
“I won’t, I swear it by StarClan!”
“Good, then the first thing you need to know is never let you shadow go over the water, so the fish don’t see you.” She explained patiently. Swirlingwind gave him secret lessons for seven more moonrises. The clan never asked where they would disappear to, thank StarClan! Macestar noticed they were getting friendlier so she didn’t bother to stop them from doing what they were doing. Sliverfoot didn’t like lying to her, but what choice did he have? Finally he gave in and brought Leopardpaw to the river when he thought he was able to teach her how to fish.
“Okay, first never let your shadow go over the water, we don’t want the fish to see you.” He repeated in the same voice Swirlingwind had used so many times before with him.
“Okay,” she responded, leaning over the edge a little to far for Sliverfoot’s liking and he was about to say something when she fell in.
Laughing he waited for her to climb out but when she didn’t and kept thrashing about in the cold water he began to get worried. He leaped in to save her but the current carried her away. Sliverfoot climbed out, knowing that he was more use to her strong, and that he shouldn’t waste his energy trying to swim after her when he could just run.
Running down the bank he tried to keep her in sight, but the waves were churning and kept dunking her under. He knew that if he didn’t reach her soon he might not save her. Just as he was about to give up hope who should appear but another cat, and down-river even! The cat leaped in and with its powerful strokes he pulled her out on Sliverfoot’s side of the river. It was not a RiverClan cat either!
He rushed over to Leopardpaw, not caring who the cat was that had saved her. She looked pitifully small; her brown fur was soaking and clung to her body. Her eyes were shut, and she didn’t move.
Please Leopardpaw, come back to me. Please StarClan, send her back, she is not ready to come to you yet. He sat there praying with all his heart for a few moments and was about to bring her back to camp to mourn for her when she coughed and spit out what must have been the whole river.
~Chapter 5~
“Leopardpaw,” he cried out joyfully, “you’re alive!”
“I think she’ll be okay, just get her back to your Medicine Cat so she can be looked at,” said the cat who had saved her. Sliverfoot looked up to see Riverfur and spat,
“What are you doing here, why were you by the river, were you hoping to steal some prey?”
“Keep your fur on, I was just out hunting. On our side of the river!” he added when he saw Sliverfoot’s look of triumph, “and I happened to see this apprentice, whom I assume is yours, fall into the river and practically drown,” he snarled, “You should be thanking me, not accusing me of stealing your prey!”
“Yes, well, I must admit, you did save her, and for that I am thankful, however, just because you saved her doesn’t mean you were allowed on our territory!” Sliverfoot growled menacingly.
“Just get her back to your Medicine Cat and forget the whole incident, and if it makes you feel better go soak yourself and say you rescued her!” he meowed and stormed off to the river, crossed it, gave one final glare and disappeared into the bushes.
“What happened?” Leopardpaw asked in a daze, “Who was that?”
“That,” Sliverfoot spat, “was the worst excuse for a cat I have ever seen, or in other words Riverfur.”
“Oh,” she replied and nodded as if she understood, which she couldn’t possibly have, given the stress she was under.
“Come on, we better let Hayfire check you for shock and treat you with whatever he calls that stuff.” Sliverfoot said wearily. They trudged back to camp and when they got there he sent her off to visit Hayfire and Sliverfoot went to talk to Macestar.
After he had explained everything, leaving out the part about Riverfur’s suggestion to go soak himself, the “Riverfur is the worst excuse for a cat I have ever seen,” part and the part where he accused Riverfur of stealing prey, because he really knew that he had just made that up because he despised Riverfur with every fiber of his body. Okay, so he hadn’t told her everything, just everything she had to know.
As he was about to go into the warriors’ den he saw Swirlingwind walk out, stretch her long, lean muscles and go talk to Macestar. When he entered the den he heard Frozenpelt tell Robincrest that Swirlingwind was going to have kits. Everyone naturally thought that they were Crookedjaw’s, but Sliverfoot knew that they were Riverfur’s. He hurried out of the den, forgetting about sleep and raced to Macestar’s den to wait for Swirlingwind to come out. When she came out he led her over to the back of the camp and asked her about the kits, and how were they really Riverfur’s.
“Yes, okay, they are Riverfur’s, but don’t tell anyone for should they judge the kits and not me. The clan will think they are Crookedjaw’s for as long as I live. I will tell them, and just them, when I am on my deathbed, who their father was and what a strong and noble warrior he was.” She said glaring at him, “If you tell anyone I will flay the fur off your back.”
“I understand, just today he saved Leopardpaw from drowning, I owe him my apprentice’s life, I will not tell anyone,” Sliverfoot said defeated.
“Good,” she spat and walked back to the warriors’ den pulling a smile back on her face. Following her Sliverfoot went to lie down by Kinktail. Staring through the bramble, at Silverpelt, Sliverfoot prayed to StarClan to guide him through this predicament. He was about to sleep when he heard a twig-snapping crack, jerking out of his stupor Sliverfoot silently craned his head around just in time to see Swirlingwind sneak out, probably going to see Riverfur, he thought. He would have stopped her, or at least followed her, but he knew that she had a right to tell him, in private. Ignoring a nagging feeling that told him to follow her he closed his eyes and let sleep catch up to him.
The following morning he was awakened by a shrieking wail, “Swirlingwind, she’s…she’s gone!” He sprang to attention as Robincrest wailed again.
“Hush at once,” hissed Macestar, “you’ll scare all the prey away! Maybe she’s just gone hunting.”
“Alone?!” shrieked Robincrest, “in her condition?!”
“What condition?” asked Crookedjaw as he blinked sleepily, walking out of the warriors’ den.
“She’s having your kits, you great lump of fur!” Frozenpelt snarled as she followed him out. “Great StarClan, you’d think you didn’t even know what color her fur is!” she snapped.
“I know what color fur she has!” he meowed indignantly, “it’s… it’s… gray?” he supplied helplessly.
“NO you great badger, it’s only the most beautiful shade of SILVER I have ever seen!” Sliverfoot screeched. Okay, he thought, Riverfur is not the worst excuse for a cat, although a close second, Crookedjaw is! He can’t even remember his own supposed mate’s pelt color! “Honestly, you’d think you’d know more about her, or did you mate with her just to keep the legacy going?” Sliverfoot hissed, trying to make it seem as if he had mated with her, “I’m going to go hunting, Kinktail, Oakpaw, Leopardpaw, how about coming with me?” he asked, opening his eyes wide enough to signal that he was not actually going hunting.
“Yes, of course,” meowed Kinktail, quickly taking the hint. Walking with Kinktail, Leopardpaw and Oakpaw out of camp they stopped in a clearing to decide where to look.
“I’ll go up by the river, Leopardpaw, come with me, Oakpaw, take the trail along the WindClan border, Kinktail, take the border between us and ThunderClan.” They all nodded and broke apart.
~Chapter 6~
As he walked along the river with Leopardpaw at his side, his eyes were searching, but his mind reeled with possibilities. Did she go of her own accord; did Riverfur kill her when he heard about the kits? Was she dragged off by a badger, weighted down by her unborn kits? His mind was over following, he needed to get rid of the possibilities, he needed to talk to Riverfur. Sliverfoot told Leopardpaw to stay along the trail and keep out of trouble while he went to talk to Riverfur. He hurried through the bracken, determined to find Swirlingwind. He go to the border before Kinktail had passed by and swam across the river with his powerful forelimbs. Crouched down, hiding in the reeds, he scanned to the area and tasted the air. Smelling a ThunderClan patrol he shrank back even farther into the reeds, hoping they would conceal his smell.