New Arrival, Hidden Danger

Wishfeather shivered as a cool breeze swept into the medicine cat's den. It had been her fifth night staying in Shiningsong's den, and she doubted it wouldn't be her last.
She could hear the fluffy she-cat rummaging around the back of her den, sorting herbs the queen guessed, and lifted her head to see if she could be of some assistance.
Unfortunately, the tortoiseshell had grown weaker as the days went by. She wondered if she even had much days left. She opened her mouth to ask the medicine cat, but quickly snapped it shut as she heard a rustle come from the entrance of the den.
"Go away, Vanstar." Shiningsong's meow sounded from the back of the den. Wishfeather couldn't help but be faintly amused.
Vanstar padded into the den, shifting from paw-to-paw uncomfortably. "I know you said I couldn't come to see her anymore," the tom meowed. "But I have to. She's my mate and the mother of my sons."
Shiningsong, clearly annoyed that her leader wasn't listening to her. "Vanstar, we can't have you getting sick either. You're on your last life. Now out," she demanded; shooing him away.
With a sigh, the ginger tom reluctantly padded back into the clear, only to see that a grey and white she-cat was sitting in the clearing. Redclaw and Smokepelt sat on either side of her.

"Vanstar!" Smokepelt meowed and stood up as he addressed his leader.
"Who is this?" Vanstar asked as his gaze fell upon the she-cat.
"Wolffur," Redclaw meowed. "Smokepelt found her lingering around the Clan border."
"Oh, really? We're not looking for anymore new comers," Vanstar meowed coldly as he turned around. After his mate fell ill, he had very little patience.
"But Vanstar!" Smokepelt protested. "You can't just ignore cats that want to join StellarClan."
"But I can," the tom snapped. "This she-cat has shown me nothing that she is worthy enough to be apart of StellarClan."
"Vanstar, that is enough. That is not how you planned to run your Clan!"
The ginger tom whipped around to see Wishfeather leaning against Shiningsong.
"What're you doing out of the medicine cat's den?" He asked; his gaze softening.
Although her mate's eyes were full of affection, Wishfeather's own eyes were sad. "I heard you sending this cat away. You told me every sunrise that you'd never turn down an offer on the Clan. Vanstar, I hope this isn't because I'm sick."
"N-No," Vanstar meowed, but it was more than obvious that the large tom was lying.
Wishfeather let out a sigh. She gestured for him to follow her as Shiningsong helped her back into the medicine cat's den.

*~*

"They sure are taking a long time," Redclaw commented as he sat with Wolffur and Hawkeye beside the freshkill pile.
"Give him some time," Hawkeye meowed as she cleaned his pelt. "Vanstar knows what he's doing, as does Wishfeather. I doubt it's easy on him knowing that Wishfeather won't get any better."
"What is wrong with her?" Wolffur asked.
"We don't know," Redclaw answered. "She became ill and it seems like it's going to be the reason she joins StarClan."
"Certainly there's something you can do!" Wolffur insisted; her sightless eyes widened.
"Shiningsong has done all she can. It's not a sickness that we understand. We just have to hope more cats don't fall ill before we know a cure. No, if we find a cure," the brown tabby meowed as she let out a sigh.
She was saved from answering anymore questions as Vanstar padded out of the den, followed by Shiningsong.
"Cats of StellarClan," he began as he leaped onto the Highstone. "Yes, we have been in a few rough situations this past few days, but it's not the end. We welcome new warriors and other cats into our Clan and it shows how strong StellarClan is becoming. Today, we welome Wolffur into our Clan. Welcome, Wolfftorm, to StellarClan."
The leader jumped from the Highstone to properly greet the newest warrior he had been so rude to earlier. However much he tried to seem hopeful, he couldn't help feeling fearful for the she-cat in the medicine cat's den.

[Yes, so Wishfeather will join StarClan soon. I'm so disappointed in myself for killing off one of my favourite cats! D: Ah, well, I play too many as of right now. Alas, Vanstar will be joining her soon enough. If you want your cats to fall ill, just let me know. I do believe StellarClan will find a cure before other cats (excluding Vanstar and Wishfeather) join StarClan.
I do hope StellarClan becomes active once more. I'd be heartbroken to see my pride and joy fall into the deadly clutches of inactive blogs. Anyways, StellarClan has a new ally. Say hello to OakClan! Hello, OakClan! :D]

Continued Problems

Riverkit watched Steelkit run off as Soulkit chased after him.
Those two will never learn, will they? The she-cat thought with sadness. However much Steelkit and Soulkit tended to rub her the wrong way, they were the only family she had apart from Vanstar and Wishfeather, and they were like her brothers. She cared a great deal for them.
She let out a sigh and turned her attention to her other Clanmates.

Greedclaw was speaking to the new medicine cat as she named off all the herbs she needed, in her head. "Are you ready?" She asked the jet-black deputy.
Greedclaw nodded, it was rather surprising to see the tom patient. "There's a meadow just outside of camp. You'll most likely be able to gather all the herbs you need there."
"Okay," she said. "I think Tanpaw and I passed it coming here."
"So you know where you're going?"
"Not really, but that's why you're here, right?" The large she-cat meowed with amusement.
"Our Clan just defeated a group of foxes. I am not your guide," he replied; his patience faltering.
The she-cat waved his remark away with her tail as she stood up and made her way towards the clearing. "I'm able to handle myself."
Greedclaw rolled his eyes as he followed her out of camp.

*~*

"Everything is here!" Shiningsong exclaimed as they reached the meadow. The faint sound of the stream could be heard nearby and the she-cat figured it was just on the other side of the meadow. Cattail will be located there.

"Mhm," Greedclaw replied as he followed her to the nearest bush of, what he assumed were, herbs. 

"This is chervil. It helps with wounds that are infected, but it works best with bellyaches," she explained as she picked the plant. She gestured for Greedclaw to help her.

The tom nodded as he began picking off some of the plant. He opened his mouth to tear off another stem, when an strange smell wafted over his scent glands. His head shot up immediately, his hackles raising.

"What is it?" Shiningsong asked. Her question was muffled by the chervil.

"An intruder," he hissed. "Who's there?" The tom demanded.

There was a brief rustling off ferns as a dusky brown she-cat made her way into the open.
"Mouse," she meowed; her eyes narrowing. "What are you doing in my territory?"
"Your territory?" Greedclaw's mouth opened with disbelief. "This is StellarClan territory!"
"No," the she-cat, Mouse, meowed back.

Greedclaw watched as her claws unsheathed, but before he could do anything, Shiningsong stepped forward. "Now is not the time for fights. StellarClan has already suffered enough."
Deciding that the medicine cat was probably right, he stepped back.
"This is StellarClan's territory," Shiningsong said. "Although I'm sure Vanstar will welcome you."
The she-cat seemed to be debating whether or not to accept Shiningsong's offer, when she nodded. "Alright."
"You two," Shiningsong meowed. "Help me get this chervil back to camp. I can get more herbs as soon as we tell Vanstar about Mouse."

*~*

Vanstar sat beside his mate, who was asleep at his side. He watched her and his mouth curved into a smile. His smile soon disappeared when her body shook as she coughed harshly; waking her from her slumber.
"Wishfeather," the ginger tom meowed. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Wishfeather insisted, but the she-cat didn't look fine at all. Yes, her wound was feeling better, but she wasn't.

Vanstar looked her over, but nodded reluctantly. If she wanted to tell him, she would. He opened his mouth to ask her something, but was stopped short when Greedclaw walked into the camp, followed by Shiningsong and a strange she-cat. The three disappeared into the medicine cat's den to put away the chervil, before joining Vanstar in the clearing.

"Vanstar," Greedclaw greeted his leader.
"Who is this?" Vanstar asked as he eyed Mouse.

"This is Mouse. She claimed that her territory was within StellarClan's border. To stop a fight, Shiningsong had asked her to join the Clan."
"Is this true?" Vanstar asked Shiningsong. His gaze wasn't angry.

Shiningsong nodded. "It is."
Vanstar nodded as he began speaking to the she-cat. He gestured for Greedclaw and Shiningsong to leave.

Shiningsong was about to head back to her den, but stopped as Wishfeather shook with another bout of coughing. Narrowing her eyes, she waved Wishfeather over, and guided the tortoiseshell she-cat into her den. If she was sick, it would be better to stop it before it spread.

Vanstar finished speaking to Mouse and leaped onto the Highstone to address his Clan. He yowled the summoning for a meeting, and watched as his Clanmates filed out of their dens and into the clearing.

"Cats of StellarClan, we welcome Mouse into our Clan. Mouse, from now on, you will be known as Mousefur. Welcome to StellarClan."
The tom waited for his cats to stop cheering for their newest Clanmate, before continuing.

"It is about time that a certain kit receives their apprentice title," he meowed. Cats looked expectantly towards Steelkit, but the tom paid them no heed.

"Riverkit, step forward," Vanstar meowed as the silver tabby she-kit looked back up to her leader with surprise.

"Riverkit, from now until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Riverpaw. Mousefur, I ask you to apprentice this young she-cat."

Vanstar touched his nose to Riverpaw's and leaped down from the Highstone.
"That is all. Clan dismissed."

The Foxes Are Gone

Steelkit scanned the nursery. His eyes guarded; showing no emotion what-so-ever. His gaze fell on the mute warrior as her eyes fluttered open. Confusion was more than obvious green eyes. She sat up, only to lay down again.
Her mouth opened in a silent response. The small silver tom narrowed her eyes and simply shrugged. "Ashpaw brought you here. I assume it was because of your injuries."
The she-cat's eyes flickered with sudden realisation and Steelkit figured she remembered her tussle with the fox.
He opened his mouth to say something else, when an anguished yowl came from the clearing. Forget about the battle and Greedclaw threatening him to stay put, the kit tore out of the nursery, Riverkit and Soulkit on his heels.

What the kit saw made his stomach turn in uneasy knots. Vanstar lay limp in the middle of the clearing; Wishfeather crouched by his side; her eyes blank.
No matter how much hatred he had for Vanstar, he was still his father and, although he would never admit it, especially in front of his family, he did love him. Even if it was small than a mouse.

"V-Vanstar!" Wishfeather stuttered as she nosed her mates side.
"Is he...?" Steelkit looked over at Riverkit. Her blue eyes were wide with horror. She had let her question trail off, but he knew what she was going to say. Dead.
"No," Soulkit took the spotlight off of his older brother. "He's losing a life. It'll be his last one."
Greedclaw nudged Wishfeather gently. "He'll be okay in a heartbeat. StarClan will heal his killing wound, although he will still be weak. Ashpaw! Ghostpaw! I want you two to search the camp for any ways the foxes can come in. Be careful, there still may be some around. If you want, you can take a warrior with you."

The two apprentices nodded. Smokepelt, Ghostpaw's mentor stepped forward and together the three cats headed towards the nursery; where the foxes had come through.

"Steelkit, are you okay?"
The tom hadn't realised he had zoned off until he felt the gently nudge of Riverkit. He nodded. "I'm fine," he meowed sharply.
Riverkit recoiled and took a step back. She knew Steelkit was a cat that was against any kind of affection, but she still wasn't used to it. She nodded and went to tend to Soulkit. The black tom was nuzzle beside his mother.
Steelkit narrowed his eyes. Stupid cats need to stop worrying about me! I don't care about Vanstar! I - Don't - Care!
He turned his furious gaze on his father and was shocked to see the tom's flank already moving as he regained his breath. He continued to watch as Vanstar's green eyes shot open.
"Vanstar!" Wishfeather breathed with clear relief. She nuzzled him affectionately.
Vanstar purred as his mate began suffocating him with licks and nuzzles. "I'm alright," the ginger tom meowed. "I am on my last life. The next time I die, I won't be coming back."
"Let's not worry about that now," Wishfeather meowed.
The fluffy leader nodded and stood up. The wound on his neck that had killed him was healed, however he was still exhausted and weak.
"Cat's of StellarClan! We have stood our ground today against those foxes! Let us-" The tom was cut short as a ball of gray, white, silver, and cream fur made it's way into the clearing. The yowling made heads turn.
Following the fighting cats were Ashpaw and Ghostpaw, advancing on an angry looking tortoiseshell she-cat.

"What is the meaning of this!" Vanstar's yelled over the screeching.
The two cats broke apart, revealing a tired looking Smokepelt and a large she-cat. Upon hearing their leader, Ashpaw and Ghostpaw stopped immediately.
"These two were trying to sneak into camp while StellarClan was at it's weak point!" Smokepelt meowed angrily.
"We were not sneaking into this camp. We were simply looking to join," the tortoiseshell snapped.
"Liar!" Ashpaw retorted.
Before any more fighting could break out, Vanstar stepped forward. "Enough! StellarClan cat's know better than to attack harmless cats!"
Smokepelt looked discouraged as he looked up at his leader. It was rare to see the tom angry. "I apologise," he meowed.
"As you should," he said as he made his way to the two strangers. "Care to explain why you've made my warriors so angry?"
The larger she-cat straightened as she realised that this was the leader of the clan. "I'm Shiningsong and this is Tanpaw. We're former clan cats that need a clan."
"Oh?" Vanstar meowed curiously.

As the three became situated, Vanstar leaped onto the Highstone for the second time of the, seemingly, long day.
"Cats of StellarClan, today has been one of the hardest ever endured. I, Vanstar, have lost yet another life. It is also my last. I will continue to serve StellarClan until my last breath. Tonight, we also welcome two new members. Shiningsong, whom has requested to become StellarClan's first medicine cat, and Tanpaw. Ivyflight, step forward."
The skinny ginger tabby stepped forward, a look of determination in her green eyes. "Ivyflight, you shall mentor Tanpaw. You may be mute, but you have served StellarClan well since your short time of being here. I know you will pass on your great knowledge to this young apprentice."
Ivyflight nodded and stepped beside her new apprentice.
"StellarClan, you may rest as well as feast. That is all, meeting dismissed!"