Greywater stumbled, feeling a shift in her line a view. Another dizzy spell had left her air headed and a little weak in her legs. Luckily they never lasted to long so she was free to walk it off without the medicine cat being there.
“Hey there Grey~” purred a cool voice from behind. Greywater had it up to her neck with this she-cat and was about to scream, but she gave a weak friendly smile and turned to face the black and white feline.
“Hey Hollyberry.” She mewed her tail tip twitching.
“So I just got back from hunting.” The sleek black she-cat started with a cool smirk.
“Mhm.” Greywater hummed nodding her head to show she was listening.
“And I was just thinking about the little brats in the nursery.” She purred curling her tail in and out. Greywater flinched at the use of brats but said nothing and let Hollyberry continue.
“So which one ya hoping for?” the green eyed she cat mewed looking straight at Greywater.
“Doekit.” She mewed figuring she might as well be truthful.
“Mosskit and Bramblekit seem so lifeless. I’d take either of them and give them they’re spirit back for Starclan’s sake.” She huffed rolling her eyes. Greywater knew Hollyberry meant well but sometimes it seemed like she really wanted the clan to catch fire. She switched subjects quickly as to not dwell on the thought.
“What names do you think Foxstar will pick out for the apprentices?” Greywater asked looking out at Robinpaw who was nervously chatting with Hawkpaw, who seemed none the wiser.
“Robinflight and Hawkclaw?” Hollyberry suggested. Greywater had to admit they were nice names but they just didn’t stick.
“Maybe.” She mewed licking her paws.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Mottlefeather walk out, his glossy fur shimmering. Robinpaw followed quickly behind his mentor with a mouse in his jaws, glancing from side to side nervously. Greywater knew he was looking for Orangenight, his older brother. Robinpaw would only truly be happy with his brother’s approval that sadly rarely approved of anything. Hollyberry seemed to realize Greywater had stopped listening to her and moved her head to block the grey she-cat’s view.
“Hello? I’m still talkin’ here.” She growled annoyed. Greywater snapped her attention back and chuckle nervously.
“S-Sorry I just saw Robinpaw and…” Hollyberry gave her no time to finish.
“Yeah that’s great and all but what about your question?” she said before continuing.
“Robintalon, Robinstrike, Robinfang…” Hollyberry went on. Greywater looked to the side quietly, noticing Robinpaw paying close attention to Hawkpaw and Snakepaw, or more particularly Hawkpaw.
“Snakepaw will be a warrior too you know.” Greywater added and Hollyberry lit up with the chattering.
“Snakefang, Snaketail, Snakethorn…” she continued while Greywater kept watching out of the corner of her eye. Hawkpaw noticed Robinpaw and smiled, stated his praise towards the mouse. This made Robinpaw bashful as ever stuttering and tripping of his words. Greywater smiled lightly finding the blooming love quite adorable.
“That’s nice Hollyberry but I better check the nursery.” Greywater said briefly before turning. She heard Hollyberry huff in anger and turn but she didn’t stop. Greywater slowed to a walking pace and she peered in before quickly whispering a hello. Even with her extra gentleness Cedarshade turned her head sharply like she heard a badger charging in.
“Oh, Greywater…” she muttered before forcing a weak chuckle.
Greywater couldn’t help but feel bad for the queen, her fur was thin and she was always in a state of fear. Doekit was nuzzled to her side sleeping peacefully while Mosskit and Bramblekit where playing with flowers, by balancing them on their heads. Ferretsmoke had assured the she-cat the flowers where harmless, so she allowed the kits to play with them. Greywater was actually surprised, these three looked so much like Cedarshade she was sure they could be her real kin. She knew that wasn’t true, sadly, Cedarshade’s kit hadn’t made it so she nursed these kits instead. Greywater found it odd how many cats Hollyberry was related too since Mottlefeather, Snakepaw, Hawkpaw, Doekit, Mosskit, and Bramblekit where all her kin.
“Would you like anything?” she asked flicking her tail casually.
“Could you change out this bedding? I found a prickle in it yesterday and I’m sure it’s from some nettle.” She mewed her voice trembling a bit. Greywater knew she was overreacting but it never hurt to bring fresh moss.
“Sure thing.” Greywater mewed clawing up a large ball and kicking it out.
Bramblekit and Mosskit started helping somewhat, pulling out some pieces of moss before attacking them. At some point she felt another person there and turned to spot Snakepaw. Snakepaw was like Foxstar, they both changed between being toms and mollies at different times. The albino feline had fresh moss in his jaws and began filling in where Greywater tore away. She muttered a thank you and they were done in short time thanks to the extra help.
“Pebbletail will be proud.” Greywater mewed but Snakepaw kept a dull expression.
“I guess.” Came the quiet mew. Greywater was confused, not only was Pebbletail Snakepaw’s mentor but he was also the deputy.
She watched Snakepaw trot out without another word and slip into the apprentice den. Cedarshade had noticed something to but she was more worried about calling the kits back into the den. Mosskit and Bramblekit both let out weak ‘awws’ of disappointment. Droopy tails and lower head was used to try and get the queen to rethink calling them in but Cedarshade would have none of it. Her caws tapped the ground as she nudged the kits in.
“I think it might rain…” he murmured looking a bit shaky but Greywater thought the cloud looked clear up ahead though before she left she couldn’t help but notice that Cedarshade’s claws where cracked.
Greywater glanced around came before hearing something at the entrance.
“Woah, Woah back up! You can’t just walk in!” Hollyberry laughed with a cool tone.
A group of Emeraldclan warriors stood outside with concern on their faces. A pure black tom with darting yellow eyes seemed a bit at loss at what to say while a grey tabby tried to explain himself. He pushed his fur back from his face a little, keeping his long fur free of tangles.
“We need to speak to Foxstar.” The grey tom mewed calmly.
Greywater turned at that to alert the leader of the visit. Foxstar was crawling out of the leader den before his pale yellow eyes landed on her.
“Foxstar the entrance, it’s Emeraldclan.” She mewed but before she had time to finish the leader rushed past her and towards the stalks that twisted and bound the entrance. Foxstar remained calm but expressed open concern.
“Yes? What is it?” he asked.
“Well you see Foxstar. The foxes we chased a few out of our territory and they made a run towards yours. Silverstar wanted to warn you.” The grey tom mewed.
Greywater walked quietly behind before picking out the names behind the two toms. The black furred one was Crowsong and the grey longhaired tabby was Fogvine, she recognized them both from the meetings. Already she could hear Cricketdance whispering to her about what she should do.
“Give him my thanks.” Foxstar hummed.
“I’ll send a few warrior to see you back just encase.” He mewed.
“I-I’ll go!” Greywater mewed loudly. Foxstar looked back rather surprised.
“S-Sorry I just that, well. I’d be nice to get some air. Mottlefeather and Robinpaw could come with me.” She shuffled her paws as she spoke, feeling eyes on her. Foxstar raised an eyebrow but chuckled and nodded in agreement.
“Mottlefeather is that already with you?” the leader asked as if unsure the golden tom would agree. Foxstar had always been shy, at first it was his lisp then it was his leadership skills but slowly he was getting a paw in place and walking the tune of every other great leader.
“Sure.” Mottlefeather mewed licking his jaws having just finish up a shrew. Robinpaw sprang up to walk by his mentor as the group stepped forward. The cold breeze did Greywater good as her paws itched to run out like kit. Once they got to the border Greywater mewed her goodbyes to the two toms as they departed. Once they were out of sight Greywater glanced at Robinpaw, hoping Mottlefeather would recommend her if she acted well towards Robinpaw.
“So what have you been learning?” she asked gazing across the territory. Robinpaw seemed surprised but was eager to make conversation.
“Mottlefeather has been teaching me a lot. He’s just given me a lesson on snake hunting. You should always aim for the back of the head and keep out of the snake’s striking range. If you can you can knock branches or rocks on it, always go for snapping its neck or cutting off its ability to move. No matter how long it takes never risk yourself for a strike.” He explained as he padded along.
“Good very good.” Mottlefeather praised.
“You can do that for an enemy too, one who’s bigger.” Greywater added in remembering the familiar nights training with her friends.
“You can always go for the ankles if you need to.” She hummed flicking her tail with a happy smile.
Robinpaw listened in surprised as the grey she-cat continued spilling out tactics and moves he could use to defend himself. Mottlefeather looked impressed nodding his head along as Greywater spoke. Greywater felt safe knowing she had their attention; the feeling was stronger as they reached the camp’s gateway and Robinpaw rushed forward to tell Orangenight everything he’d learned. She knew Orangenight as a bitter tom that never liked anyone, but he had a soft spot in his heart for his younger brother. Had Foxstar seen? She could see him glancing over but she could only pray to Starclan that he overheard the apprentice.
