Warrior Cats: Regrets - Chap6

A chilling breeze roused Fireheart from his sleep. As he forced open his eyes, he was suddenly blinded by the beams of light that shined through the entrance of Bluestar's den. The patch of lichen that hung from the entrance of the den swayed with the passing breeze. Then a shadow stretched onto the den's floor, and heavy pawsteps echoed against the walls as Yellowfang emerged inside. The lichen still swishing behind her, her eyes shot slightly towards Fireheart.
"You're finally awake," rasped the elderly she-cat.
"I was just closing my eyes," meowed Fireheart, hot with embarrassment.
"You were?" Yellowfang raised a brow, not really convinced. "To me, you appeared more like in a deep slumber."
"I guess I must have dozed off," admitted Fireheart. Was it already morning? With a tick of his head, Fireheart tried to peer beyond the lichen that decorated the entrance of his leader's den. From what he could see, the clan seemed restless.
"You know, you don't have to stay here all day."
Fireheart blinked and twisted his head to stare at Yellowfang. She was leaning down next to Sharkface's form and placed a patch of shredded leaves in front of him. The dark warrior's muzzle wrinkled as though a bad smell offended him. Yellowfang shot him a stern glare.
"Eat these," she ordered as she shoved the herbs closer.
Fireheart wasn't interested in leaving the den. Bluestar was still motionless, not yet back from receiving StarClan's message. But he was curious to see how the others had reacted to Tigerclaw's misunderstood announcement. Were they even aware of what was going on to their leader at that very moment?
"Who's in charge?" Fireheart swallowed his words. He already knew the answer, but would they have accepted Tigerclaw to take charge even after announcing to them the false news? Yellowfang straightened back up, curling her tail neatly around her paws.
"Tigerclaw is," she rasped. "And while you're out, can you fetch something to eat? It's for Bluestar."
Fireheart carried his gaze towards his leader. The wind made her fur dance rhythmically as it blew.
"Okay." He nodded and heaved himself up.
"What are you doing?" snapped Yellowfang. "You're supposed to eat those."
Fireheart twitched his whiskers, watching the scene with the corner of his eyes. Sharkface was pawing at the herbs, his nose wrinkling with disgust.
"The stench is horrible, there's no way I'm going to swallow that." Sharkface tossed the patch away. Yellowfang stared at him with round eyes, clearly not expecting that.
"But... they'll give you strength," Yellowfang pointed out.
"No need," Sharkface retorted. "A warrior came in earlier and brought me a very plump squirrel. I'm not hungry and I'm not going to eat that," he jerked his head towards the patch of herbs.
"And I'm grateful he did. We could hear your stomach gurgling from outside the den, you know," she snapped. "Plus, it will help you strengthen your muscles for your next destination." Yellowfang flung the herbs back at him.
"Are you deaf or what?"
Yellowfang bristled slightly.
"I said I wasn't going to eat that! I'm already bloated," hissed Sharkface.
Fireheart sighed and slipped out of the den. But still, he could hear them arguing even from outside.
"...doesn't matter! You're already fat. What difference would it make?" chided Yellowfang.
"Look who's talking," snarled Sharkface.

"Fireheart?"
Fireheart halted abruptly in his tracks. His forepaws slid on the icy ground, almost bumping into Dustpelt. The dark brown tabby tom swung around crossly, lashing his tail.
"Watch it!" he hissed. "You almost knocked me over."
Fireheart jerked his head up in surprise.
"S-sorry," he stammered. "I was just going to-"
"Take your share of the fresh-kill pile?" interrupted Dustpelt. "Let me remind you that you haven't gone hunting this morning. You have to feed the clan before you can feast yourself, kittypet. Or you can always go to RiverClan and ask them to share some of their fish. After all, you've been giving them some of our preys," grumbled Dustpelt.
Fireheart bristled. Dustpelt was challenging his loyalty towards ThunderClan. Fireheart flattened his ears, forcing himself to not swipe a paw at the tom.
"We were already punished for that," retorted Fireheart with narrowed eyes.
"And I hope you've learned your lesson," snapped Dustpelt as he stalked away.
Fireheart gritted his teeth and fixed his glare onto the dark tabby warrior. A growl rumbling in his throat.
"Fireheart."
Fireheart flinched. He blinked and looked around for the owner of this voice. His gaze finally met Longtail's. The pale tabby warrior was sitting close to Highrock. His eyes round with concern.
"Is Bluestar awake yet?" asked Longtail.
"Not yet," growled Fireheart, anger still pricking on his fur. "Yellowfang told me to fetch something from the fresh-kill pile, for Bluestar."
Longtail nodded sharply and swiftly bounded towards the fresh-kill pile. He picked a vole from it and flung it to Fireheart.
"Take it then," urged Longtail.
Fireheart murmured his thanks and carried the prey back into Bluestar's den.

Fireheart's mind was lost in thoughts. Even after padding back inside the den. He sighed and closed his eyes, he had to calm down. He couldn't let Dustpelt's words haunt him like that. Fireheart knew better than anyone else where his loyalty truly lie, and that was with ThunderClan. He inhaled deeply and opened his eyes to find Bluestar already awake, tucked neatly onto her nest. Fireheart flinched and his jowls parted in a surprised gasp.
"Bluestar, you're finally awake!" he exclaimed.
"The vole..." rasped Yellowfang.
"R-right," stammered Fireheart as he rapidly picked the vole and placed it in front of his leader. Bluestar snatched it and finished the rodent within a few bites. But, she seemed distant, her eyes were staring absently at the walls of her den.
"I don't understand..." she murmured. Her voice was so quiet that Fireheart had lean closer so he could make them out.
"Something so important, that it couldn't wait..."
Fireheart's unease grew. Was she referring to StarClan's message?
"Don't worry about the new prophecy."
Fireheart tipped his ears towards Yellowfang. The new prophecy? The thought made the fur on his spine stand.
"StarClan will send us some hints. For now, you need to concentrate on other things."
"But it has already begun," insisted Bluestar. Yellowfang held her leader's gaze steadily.
"Trust me, they won't desert you."
Bluestar sighed, her voice softened as she spoke.
"I know." She heaved herself up and shook the lifeless brambles off her coat. Joy spread through Fireheart's heart. His leader was back to her usual self; her coat was bright and gleaming with health. But a sudden movement caught Fireheart's attention. Silverpelt was slowly waking up. Inhaling deeply as she pushed herself back onto her haunches. Fireheart's eyes widened, astonished to see her already full of energy. She wasn't that weak and hungry she-cat that they met in the forest. Just like Bluestar, her coat was bright and gleaming with health. Had StarClan recovered her life for the next journey ahead?
"Are you okay?" asked Sharkface with a concerned frown.
"Yes, I'll be alright," breathed Silverpelt.
"Have they told you our next destination?"
Silverpelt nodded. "Tallstar, from WindClan," she answered.
Bluestar nodded sharply. "I will see to an escort." She swung around and pushed her way out of the den, beckoning Fireheart with her tail as she went.

When Fireheart emerged into the clearing, he was surprised to see the clan already gathered around Bluestar. They all seemed worried but relieved to see their leader back onto her paws. Murmurs echoed through the clearing, but Bluestar silenced them with a flick of her tail and began to speak.
"Silverpelt needs to share dreams with Tallstar now. I need an escort to take her to Fourtrees; because it's the easiest way to get spotted by a patrol."
Anxious whispers rippled through the clan. Paws shifted and tails flicked with unease.
"There," Bluestar continued, "you shall explain to them the truth. That Silverpelt was sent by StarClan to share dreams with the leader of each clan."
Bluestar paused to glance at her clanmates.  "Who shall I appoint?"
All cats were staring at Bluestar with round eyes, yet a long silence had fallen over the camp. Fireheart stiffened. Were they still reluctant?
"They made it here," snapped Darkstripe. The dark gray tabby tom was flanking Tigerclaw, with Dustpelt on the other side. "So I don't see why they'd need an escort to Fourtrees," he continued.
"If it wasn't for Fireheart, Tigerclaw and Longtail, we wouldn't have made it here in the first place." Silverpelt's mew was soft, but still rang throughout the clearing. She had just emerged from Bluestar's den, followed closely by Sharkface and Yellowfang.
"I was only sent to escort her to Highstones and to ensure her protection. The forest holds too many different smells. It'll be impossible for me to guide her through unknown lands," admitted Sharkface.
"That is why I need an escort," meowed Bluestar. Her gaze darting around her clan.
"I'll go!" boasted Cloudkit, puffing out his chest.
"No, Cloudkit," urged Brindleface as she folded her tail around him. "You can't leave camp."
But Cloudkit wriggled free and padded boldly forward.
"But no one else will," he complained.
"I will," meowed Longtail as he stepped forward. Fireheart felt a wave of relief sweep through his pelt. Bluestar blinked her gratitude and turned to look at her clanmates.
"Anyone else?" she demanded.
Fireheart's heart quickened. "I'll go too," he meowed as he nosed himself beside Longtail.
Silverpelt's eyes lit up. She smiled and dipped her head at them.
"Thank you," she murmured.
"Very well." Bluestar turned to face them before she went on. "But hurry, it's nearly Sunhigh."

* * *

Fireheart's paws ached with cold as they reached the edge of the hollow. He paused to warm his paws with a few licks. Silverpelt, who was following close by, brushed past him and managed a swift leap onto a rock. She peered beyond the boulder, her blue gaze roaming the horizon. Longtail lightly joined her side and stared down the slope.
"This is Fourtrees, where all the clans meets during the Gathering. We will be meeting here tonight," explained Longtail.
Silverpelt nodded, her ears pricked.
"I've detected a new smell," rasped Sharkface as he joined them.
Fireheart tasted the air. "WindClan." Their scent was sharp on his tongue.
"Must be a patrol," guessed Longtail. "Let's go."
They charged down the slope.


The wind suddenly intensified as they reached WindClan borders. Fireheart took a deep breath and felt cold air sear his lungs, WindClan scent hitting him hard like a stone.
"Who goes there?" demanded a sharp voice.
Fireheart spun around, startled. Four WindClan cats hurried towards them, their pelt bristling.
"Fireheart?" the voice belonged to Onewhisker, a young brown tabby tom that had befriended him during their journey back to the forest. Fireheart felt reassured with the tom's presence.
"We were sent here by Bluestar," answered Longtail steadily.
"What does she want?" growled Mudclaw, but he was silenced by Deadfoot, WindClan's deputy.
"What is it?" he demanded.
Silverpelt slowly padded forward, her white coat glowing with the sunlight.
"My name is Silverpelt. I was sent by StarClan to share dreams with the leader of WindClan, Tallstar." She dipped her head in a polite gesture.
All four WindClan cats backed away in disbelief. Their eyes round and ears pricked.
"It's true," meowed Longtail, his shoulders stiffened.
Fireheart stepped forward. "She was sent to speak with all four leaders. Bluestar shared dreams with her last night. It's Tallstar's turn now," he added.
Deadfoot exchanged a doubtful glance with Mudclaw. Fireheart stiffened, he could feel the tension rising.
"Alright, I will take her to Tallstar," meowed Deadfoot.
Fireheart jerked his head back, speechless. He was surprised too see them agree without arguing.
"Thank you," breathed Silverpelt, her blue eyes glittering.
"Well," Longtail began. "I guess this is farewell."
Silverpelt purred, her eyes softened as she turned her gaze on the pale tabby warrior.
"Thank you for everything. I owe you so much," she mewed.
"It was an honor. May StarClan light your path," meowed Longtail as he backed away. Slowly retreating his steps back towards ThunderClan's territory. Fireheart sighed, a little disappointed to be parting ways already. But before he could pad away, Silverpelt gasped.
"Oh, Fireheart!"
Fireheart blinked and turned his gaze back to her.
"Could you... do me a favor?" she mewed.
"S-sure," stammered Fireheart, a little surprised.
"Was there a warrior by the name of Ravenpaw in your clan?"
Longtail halted his steps abruptly. Fireheart's heart twisted in pain. She went on.
"Sadly, I hadn't got the chance to see him. But, could you send him my gratitude?" she added with a purr.
Fireheart opened his maw to speak but found himself gasping instead. Silverpelt smiled and tilted her head some. Fireheart swallowed hard and forced words to slip out of his maw.
"Ravenpaw... is-"
"Ravenpaw is dead," Longtail cut him off.
Fireheart swung his head around to stare at the pale tabby tom. Longtail was standing straight, his icy blue eyes narrowed.
"Haven't you seen him in StarClan?" grunted Longtail.
Fireheart gulped, slowly daring to look back at Silverpelt. Her eyes were wide open, narrowed into thin slits. They were staring blankly ahead, hollow with grief.
"No... I haven't," she answered flatly. Her voice distant.
"Humph," snorted Longtail as he turned to stalk away. "Guess he was a spy after all..."

Fireheart dug his claws in the snow. No, he's alive...
"I see," muttered Silverpelt as she backed away. "Thank you and farewell."
Fireheart's heart lurched as he watched the white she-cat turned around, her gaze still distant. She slowly padded after the others, her tail dragging and head hung low. Mudclaw wrinkled his nose as he watched Sharkface's massive frame shift towards their position.
"Who's he?" asked Mudclaw crossly.
"He's with me," murmured Silverpelt.
Fireheart sighed, she was back to be the weak and frail she-cat that he had first seen in the forest. But he wondered how she was aware of Ravenpaw's identity. Had she heard of him somewhere? Perhaps in StarClan? Or maybe Yellowfang told her about the lost warrior, and if so, why? Fireheart watched them leave with a heavy heart, their figures blurring until they disappeared from sight.
"He's alive, Silverpelt," whispered Fireheart, hoping that the breeze could carry his voice to her.