random thing from a year ago

“Honeystar,” A gray tabby spoke, saddened at the news. “The warriors weren’t able to get any more prey this time...”

“Tell them to go back out,” Honeystar replied, acting emotionless. “We need food. I cannot let my warriors starve.”

Cricketdawn had never seen her like this. He always had known Honeystar to be determined, not emotionless. He knew deep down that the blue and golden she-cat was secretly desperate. This can’t be how she’s really feeling. He thought. She must be hiding it. The sickness, which everyone decided to call Snake Spit, was hurting their clan severely. It had killed multiple elders and kits and even seeped into hurting healthy warriors as well. 

Cricketdawn tried to respond, “I’ll try, but Sapnose-”

“What about Sapnose?” Honeystar turned to face Cricketdawn. “He’s ungrateful and deserves to be punished.” 

Cricketdawn sighed, not happy about the situation. “I’ll tell him to try again.”

Starting the long walk to the training hollow, Cricketdawn knew he probably wouldn’t be able to convince Sapnose to take his hunting party out again. He knew the light ginger tabby tom wouldn’t be happy. He had so much pride in himself, and was ungrateful towards his senior warrior status. Sapnose had been given the status as a young warrior barely done being an apprentice. It had always been obvious he was the best hunter in the clan, having learned from a great hunter and having natural talent. Honeystar had even said he might have mentored many apprentices and been deputy if it wasn’t for his personality. I can’t say I wish he was any different. Cricketdawn was proud of being deputy and didn’t want it to be any other way, even if it meant dealing with Sapnose.

…

Sapnose stood, assessing his party. It was his job to give them tips and help them get better. It was difficult to see the effort they put in, but Sapnose was able to do it. Although he could be ungrateful for most things, he could appreciate hard work.

“Good job Blackpaw, you almost caught that squirrel! Maybe next time you’ll be able to kill it.” Sapnose began to address his party.

“Thank you Sapnose!”

“Icepelt, Lilynose, Thorntail,” He called. “Good job on being alert for prey. I didn’t notice anything that you missed, hopefully next time you can put your skills to good work.”

“Thank you.” They all said in unison.

“Hailspots....” Sapnose began. He could see the hope in Hailspots’ eyes. “Meet me in the hunting den.” Hailspots looked disappointed.

The hunting den was a place for private discussions like these, and had been the leaders' den when Treeclan’s camp was in the training hollow. Of course since then, Treeclan had been able to expand its territory and move the camp to a bigger area. The training hollow was small and cramped and had thorns surrounding the walls. Sapnose couldn’t believe that the small sandy patch was ever a camp for Treeclan, but that’s what the elders had always claimed.

While slowly walking over the hunting den, Sapnose felt remorse for Hailspots. It isn’t his fault. Sapnose thought. Peeking into the den, he could see that Hailspots was already waiting for him, with his head low and his tail drooping. 

“Hailspots. Thanks for meeting me here,” Sapnose began. “You look a little sick.”

Looking at the tom, Sapnose could tell he had to be sick. His nose was running, he was skinnier than ever, and he hadn’t caught any prey in a while. He would also cough often, with a foul liquid flying out. The symptoms all seemed to point to him having Snake Spit. 

“No Sapnose I swear-” Hailspots coughed suddenly. “I know I may look sick but I promise you I’m not. I went to Lavenderwillow and ate one of his berries, but he told me I wasn’t sick.”

Sapnose considered what Hailspots had said, but before he could decide how he felt, Hailspots fell to the floor.

“Hailspots!” He yelled.

Looking down at Hailspots, Sapnose knew what he had to do. He just hoped some of his warriors could help him. “Thorntail! Icepelt!” He called. 

“Help!”

...

Cricketdawn was halfway to the training hollow when he saw Sapnose and some of his hunting team carrying Hailspots. He saw urgency in Sapnose’s face that he had never seen before. Worry filled Cricketdawn as he began to think about what could possibly be wrong with Hailspots. Does he have Snake Spit? He wondered. No, he couldn’t. They wouldn’t be holding him so closely. 

“Cricketdawn,” Sapnose called. “Get Lavenderwillow, tell him to bring some herbs and come as quick as possible.