Gray Skies - Book One

Chapter Fourteen

"Riverpaw told us that she wanted to sink her claws into some kittypet fur," Nightpaw started telling Shortleaf. "I suggested going to the Twoleg nest, and Riverpaw told Wolfpaw and me to come with her. I tried saying I didn't learn any battle moves yet, but Riverpaw said that I'd learn some by watching her fight. She declared that we'd leave at sunhigh and said that only kits need warrior escorts."

Shortleaf had listened in silence. The low hanging pine branches that sheltered ShadowClan's camp came into view soon enough. "That's just like Riverpaw, getting herself and others in trouble. Once Creekfeather comes back with her, I'll speak to Spid- Eaglefeather about it."

Nightpaw flattened her ears with confusion and concern. "Why not Spiderstar?"

"He's currently too weak from battle to serve as our leader," Shortleaf meowed. Nightpaw followed him through the thorn tunnel and into the hollow. Willowear and Honeydrizzle could be seen sharing a shrew. If they had recovered from the first ThunderClan battle, Spiderstar certainly should be able to.

Besides, he has two mores lives left.

But that's not enough.

Nightpaw quickly rushed toward the medicine den, not only eager to see Spiderstar but yearning to talk to Vineloop. The prophecy was bugging Nightpaw. She had to figure it out.

"Vineloop?" Nightpaw called at the entrance to the prickly bush. A responsive meow came from inside.

"You may come in."

Nightpaw slowly padded through the bramble tunnel into the medicine den. Vineloop was crouched over Spiderstar in his nest. The tall black tom was flopped on his side, his yellow eyes shut tight. There was a long, deep gash running from his shoulder to his hind leg. 

"This is like the wound that caused Briarspots's death," Vineloop whispered in horror. "Some cat is using the same battle technique to deliver this wound."

"Only a wound like that could be perfected twice by the same cat," Nightpaw looked up at the young medicine cat. 

"You're right," Vineloop shrunk away from Spiderstar's nest. "This wound is at a risk of infection. I don't have enough goldenrod to help his wound, and I've run out of horsetail for if the wound becomes infected." Vineloop took a couple deep breaths to keep herself calm. "I can gather horsetail from the marsh, but I'll need to go to WindClan to collect goldenrod."

Nightpaw's gaze flitted from Vineloop to Spiderstar. "I could help you gather the herbs. With a greater number of cats, the more herbs you can gather." Nightpaw also didn't want to let a chance to help her leader slip from her paws.

Vineloop looked Nightpaw over before nodding. "I suppose you could come with me. Go and ask permission from Eaglefeather."

Nightpaw slipped out of the den and into the hollow, swiveling her head around to look for the ShadowClan deputy. She saw Eaglefeather speaking to Creekfeather, Shortleaf, Riverpaw, and Wolfpaw. Nightpaw scurried over to them.

"Just because we're the fiercest Clan doesn't mean you have the right to waste that power on kittypets," Eaglefeather was growling at the apprentices when Nightpaw approched. He turned his golden gaze to look at Nightpaw. "Ah, Nightpaw, just in time. I was just about to announce your punishments."

Nightpaw looked over at her mentor, but Creekfeather was staring at Eaglefeather. He seeemdto approve of whatever punishments Eaglefeather had decided on. "Uh, Eaglefeather, may I go and help Vineloop collect herbs for Spiderstar?"

"No," Eaglefeather snarled as soon as she finished speaking. Nightpaw jumped in surprise. 

"Eaglefeather," Nightpaw turned around to see Talonswipe approaching the small group of cats. "Wouldn't that be a good punishment for the young apprentice? She's miss out on training, collecting herbs like a medicine cat."

Eaglefeather seemed to think about what his small brown-and-yellow sister was saying. He then turned and nodded to Nightpaw and Creekfeather. "I think that's a fair punishment. Creekfeather, do you agree?"

"It is fair, yes," Creekfeather approved with a nod. 

"Perfect." Eaglefeather nudged Nightpaw away with a paw. "Now go with Vinepool as I figure out your friend's punishments."

"Vineloop," Nightpaw corrected him through narrowed eyes. 

"Yes, yes, whatever." 

Nightpaw bounded over to Vineloop as she began walking out into the pine forest. Nightpaw slipped through the thorn tunnel after her, thinking about how she found it strange that Eaglefeather forgot the name of the Clan medicine cat. He'd also seemed reluctant to letting her and Vineloop collect herbs for his leader. 

"Vineloop, may I ask you something?" Nightpaw mewed, bounding over to the medicine cat's side.

"Not now, Nightpaw." Vineloop replied, heading toward the ThunderClan border. "Unless it can't wait until we get back home, I'm happy to answer."

Nightpaw sighed. She supposed that the prophecy could wait until later. If Nightpaw wasn't sure of what it meant, how could she be sure that Vineloop knew its meaning? Minutes passed until they crossed the Twoleg paths and crossed the ThunderClan border with a leap.

"We didn't wait for a patrol!" Nightpaw noticed with shock. "We have to go back to the border and-"

"I'm a medicine cat, Nightpaw." Vineloop sounded annoyed with the apprentice. "I may go where I please."

"Why did we go to ThunderClan?" Nightpaw questioned, pushing brambles aside with her paw as she followed Vineloop through the underbrush. 

"Would you really like to swim across the lake or RiverClan territory to get there?" Vineloop hissed. "Now be quiet." 

They got halfway through ThunderClan territory in silence, dodging prickly brambles and roots daring to trip them until they heard a rustling in the bracken.

"What now?" Vineloop rolled her eyes as four ThunderClan cats appeared. Nightpaw only recognized Wildfrost on the patrol as the other three cats bushed up their fur.

"What is ShadowClan doing here?" a plump white tom with brown patches spat at them. "Are you wishing for yet another fight?"

"I'm a medicine cat, mind you!" Vineloop spat as her ears flattened, and her fur spiked up along her spine. "I need to see Cloudeye for a certain herb."

"What would that herb be?" a dark gray tabby she-cat with silky fur meowed hostilely from behind the plump ThunderClan tom. Nightpaw snickered at the sight of him. I guess ThunderClan cats actually are soft-hearted kittypets.

"Shut up, Littleivy," Wildfrost meowed. "It's Briarspots's apprentice. Let her through."

Vineloop tensed at the mention of her dead mentor. "Actually, Briarspots-"

"Named her Vineloop." Nightpaw stopped Vineloop. ThunderClan didn't need to know that they had lost one of their medicine cats.

The plump ThunderClan tom nodded in respect. "Well, congratulations Vineloop."

"Thank you, Spiderspots." Vineloop dipped her head to the plump tom, then to Wildfrost, Littleivy, and the fourth member of the patrol which was a dark golden she-cat named Harethorn.

"Now get going," Littleivy mewed, leading her patrol away.