I'm gonna post the whole chapter of it so it's easier for me to catch up. ;D ANNOUNCEMENTS: Sharpclaw's name has changed to Runningtear. This will only decrease the S names a little though. D::: He didn't seem to be used very much.
Chapter Three
Howls and yelps of disbelief rippled throughout the camp. "Great Starclan!" Icepool yowled. "Not my Bristlepaw!" She darted over to Snakestripe. "Tell me that's not true!" She demanded, threatening him with a glimmering claw.
Snakestripe backed away. "I'm deeply sorry Icepool. I know he was your kit."
Cloudstar stepped between the heartbroken queen and the warrior, ceizing the chance of Icepool harming Snakestripe. "I'm sure Snakestripe has no intention to fight a clanmate." He bowed his head in sorrow. "However, I understand your pain."
Icepool collapsed on the dirt terrain, a defeated, sobbing mess. Her mate, Runningtear, padded over to comfort her, pain clouding his brown eyes.
Patchfur butted in. "I bet Sparrowclaw wasn't paying close enough attention to his own apprentice!"
Sparrowclaw's nose wrinkled in fury. "Never would I do such a thing!" he spat. He was right by my side when I dozed off. I was almost positive he was asleep. He must've wondered off secretively!"
Swiftheart nodded. "That does sound like something Bristlepaw would've done. He was a devious little thing..."
Bluegaze padded up to Snakestripe, Gingerkit in her slender shadow. "Snakestripe, please do tell your tale." Gingerkit nodded quickly in agreement. "Puh-leeze!" She wailed. "Bristlepaw used to play in the nursery with me when he was young. I can't believe he's actually gone!"
Snakestripe looked away for a moment, then took a deep, shaky breath. "I was walking towards Minnow Springs," he began coldly, "When I smelled apprentice. Letting my nose lead me towards the aroma, I quickly discovered the unmoving body of Bristlepaw deep in a thicket, red puddles ozzing around him." He lowered his head. "Obviously this was no accident. He was killed."
Icepool gasped. The clan listened intently.
Sparrowclaw stood up. "I-I am sorry for those of you who believe it was my fault. And possibly it was." His legs felt shaky after saying that. "But I didn't mean to. He was a very mischievious kit i do recall; one time I remember him sneaking out of camp with Rosepaw to fight Shadowclan for us!" Snickering just a tiny bit, he bowed his head in sorrow. "Lucky for us we stopped them just in time."
Runningtear flicked his tail over Icepool's shoulder and nuzzled her chin. His lovely young mate indeed looked incredibly vulnerable, but not quite as much as before.
She'll always miss her kit, Gingerkit thought. How scared Bristlepaw must've been, getting trapped in a thicket and being killed! Which brought the though: who was the murderer?
Lilykit barged out of the nursery, seeking Swiftheart. When she finally spotted the handsome golden tabby, she darted over as fast as her young legs could. Bouncing with hyperness and excitement, she began mewing incessantly until Swiftheart ceized her with a hiss.
"Yes, Lilkit?" He asked impatiently. "Hollyberry says Thrushkit and I are going to be apprentices soon!" She jabbered. Swiftheart nodded. "Indeed. Six moons have almost passed." Then, with a questioning glare, he added, "Shouldn't you be including Gingerkit?"
Lilykit looked away. "I don't know..." she bagan carefully. "She seems so preoccupied with nature and herbs and boring stuff. All she does is ramble on about Bluegaze and the medicine cat den and all the stupid poppy seeds and burdock root." She plopped down in the dirt. "It is such a drag."
Swiftheart raised a curious eyebrow. "Do you think the herbs and medicine cat life fascinate her?"
Lilykit stared dumbly at the deputy. "Well duh." She replied with attitude. Unfortunately for her, at that moment Hollyberry happened to be passing by. "Lilykit!" She scolded. "How dare you treat our clan deputy so ungraciously! Appologize immediately!" Lilykit sighed. "Sorry Swiftheart." She chirped. Swiftheart dipped his head. "It is quite alright. You have actually helped me, young Lilykit." And he ran to Cloudstar's den.
The beautiful long-haired she-cat was grooming herself with tender care. But when she saw the urgent twinkle in Swiftheart's pale eyes, she immediately snapped to attention. "Yes, Swiftheart, what have you to report?"
Swiftheart gasped for breath. "It would appear our quiet Gingerkit secretly seeks medicine cat life." He gazed at the leader. "I think she should be the new medicine cat apprentice for Bluegaze."
Cloudstar's motionless expression lay dull. Within seconds though, she had clearly accepted the data as a fine oppurtunity. She bowed her head. "Indeed. Let us speak with Gingerkit to find her true feelings of all this healing business. Then I will accept Bluegaze to take on an apprentice." She pawed at her ear. "She does a fine job alone. I believe she'll do exceptionally well with a young one around." Pain clouded her eyes. "After Petalkit and Shellkit passed away, I never thought I'd see the day she smiled again under a young one's gentle watch."
She gestured with her tail towards the door. "You may go now Swiftheart. But please bring Gingerkit and Bluegaze to me tonight at moonhigh." Swiftheart bowed under her prescence. "Of course, Cloudstar." And he hopped out fo the den, leaving a very tired leader behind.