Redblaze's Regret {COMPLETE}

Chapter 7

Redblaze dropped his catch on the pile, saving a fish for himself. He sat down outside the warriors' den, alone, to eat it. He watched his Clanmates as he did; Twigtail and Nettlestep were sitting close together just a few tail-lengths away, sharing a piece of fresh-kill. Outside the apprentice's den, Specklepaw, Beechpaw, and Reedpaw were playing, deep in a mock battle. And in front of the nursery, Ashflower and Bristlepelt watched lovingly as their kits batted around a shell that some cat had brought them from the river. Silverheart and Nightwhisper were sharing tongues with Ashstar outside of his den, and Troutleap had drug Blacktail away from the elders' den to bask in the sun. Seeing all of his Clanmates together, while he was alone, made Redblaze sigh.

He finished his fish and began to groom his pelt. His ears pricked towards the sound of approaching pawsteps, and he wasn't surprised to see Birchclaw coming up to him.

"Coming to stick me on the sunhigh patrol?" he asked sarcastically, not looking up.

He heard a barely audible growl from the deputy. "You have a real attitude problem, you know that?" Birchclaw meowed.

Redblaze simply flicked his ears in response, and Birchclaw batted Redblaze's head roughly with a paw. "Hey!" he protested, finally looking up.

"I was going to congratulate you on your hunt," Birchclaw said bluntly. "The three of you did well. But now I don't think you deserve the praise." He paused for a few moments. "And you've earned yourself a spot on the evening patrol," he added.

Redblaze scoffed. "Is there something you hope to accomplish by making me work my tail off?" he challenged, tail swishing.

Birchclaw's eyes narrowed and he stepped closer to Redblaze, their whiskers nearly touching. "Maybe you'll start respecting the Clan that you have the honor of being a part of," he growled, then turned away. And before Redblaze could say something back, he added, "Be careful what you say, or you'll find yourself on every patrol for the next moon." Redblaze was silent as he watched Birchclaw wander off.

He laid his head down on his paws and continued watching the camp through half-closed eyes. The actual sunhigh patrol, consisting of Mudpelt, Beechpaw, Maplenose, and Cinderfrost was leaving. Reedpaw was bounding excitedly after Sorrelstream as the two also exited camp, and Redblaze heard something about battle practice. He sighed and closed his eyes, feeling the crushing weight of loneliness settle in on him.

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After the evening patrol that night, Redblaze was beyond exhausted, and he'd barely settled in his nest when sleep overcame him. He fell into a dream once again, and found himself standing on the riverbed overlooking a swollen river. He heard voices around him and turned his head towards them. He stood quickly at the sight of Flamepelt and Minnowpaw strolling alongside the river, tails entwined and speaking in soft voices. He heard pawsteps on Sunningrocks and looked over to see Copperfoot, his chest puffed out as he watched the two RiverClan cats. None of them seemed to take notice of Redblaze.

With a loud, fierce battle cry, Copperfoot leaped across the river with amazing speed and strength, crossing it in one bound. He slammed into Minnowpaw and the two went down in a flurry of teeth and claws. Angry hissing and snarling came from them both, and the river grew stronger and louder next to Redblaze. He watched as the two cats grappled, and Flamepelt was looking on in shock, seemingly rooted to the spot. The water roared and rose until Redblaze felt it swirling around his paws, and with a sickening splash, the two battling cats toppled into the river and floated away, lost under the thick white foam.

"No!" Flamepelt howled, staring after the quickly-disappearing cats. "Minnowpaw, no!"

The pain in his former mentor's voice struck Redblaze hard, and he bounded over to Flamepelt. The orange warrior's gaze was full of shock and pain, and also love. He looked at Redblaze helplessly. "She's gone," he breathed. "She's gone; I couldn't save her."