The Plague }{ Romance/Action/Character Death/B...

[[C]inderwing]

Title: The Plaque
Chapters: 22 planned, plus Epilogue and Prologue.
Author: [C]inderwing
Pairing: RabbitxRain(My characters) ClearxRowan(Mine)
Rating: PG for death, and mild violence and mild blood.
Spoilers: None really.
Summary: Rabbitpaw and Clearpaw couldn't have become apprentices at a better, or worse, time. A plague has swept through WindClan, wiping out the clan. Where only the strong survive, the two sisters must work together to make it to warriorhood. But with many troubles, such as war with a rival clan and forbidden love, they'll have to put their trust in each other to the limit.
Warning: There will be death scenes, but nothing too serious.
Disclaimer: I do not, and never will, own Warriors.
Beta: Nope
Cover: Working on it as we speak ^^

Author's Notes: Rating might go up as we get further along in the story. The death scenes might increase.

Prologue

Dawn light shone down on WindClan camp as Mintwhisker, the medicine cat, stepped out of her den. The pretty white she-cat let out a yawn, stretching her legs as she did so. The camp was abuzz with activity. Rainpaw and his two sisters, Cinderpaw and Mistpaw, shared a vole near the apprentice den.

It must be hard, she thought to herself. being the only apprentices in the clan.

Mintwhisker had her eyes on Mistpaw for awhile. The young silver tabby she-cat seemed like a great medicine cat apprentice. But her- and her brother for that matter- both strongly disagreed. In Mintwhisker's eyes though, the timid cat just didn't seem like she enjoyed warrior life.

She smiled softly, watching as the eager Cinderpaw batted her brother on the head with her paw. Their mother, the young warrior Cheetahpelt, watched proudly from a little ways away. Smiling, Mintwhisker padded over to her friend.

"Morning, Cheetahpelt," She purred, giving her friend a friendly lick on the ear. Cheetahpelt purred as well, flicking her ear in response.

"Good morning, Mintwhisker," she mewed in a calm voice. That voice almost made Mintwhisker laugh. When both Mintwhisker and Cheetahpelt had been apprentices, they had been known for getting into all sorts of trouble. Cheetahpelt- back then Cheetahpaw- had been a pawful for the clan.

Motherhood must've changed her. Mintwhisker thought with a bit of envy. It was well known the medicine cats couldn't have kits, and no matter what she did she knew that would never change.

"Are you feeling better?" Mintwhisker asked Cheetahpelt, trying to start a conversation. Cheetahpelt shrugged.

"Bellyache's gone, but I still am feeling a bit light-headed," Cheetahpelt replied. Mintwhisker nodded. Just recently, Cheetahpelt had been sick with a cough, bellyache and had felt light-headed. She nearly fainted once, causing an uprise of illness in the clan. But for some reason, it just went away. Almost as if it had never been there.

"That's good," Mintwhisker mewed. "That means whatever I gave you is working."

"And yet I still have that terrible taste in my mouth," Cheetahpelt teased, flicking her friend on the shoulder with her tail tip. Mintwhisker laughed, muttering a quick "Get used to it," before her gaze returned to Cheetahpelt's kits.

"They are beautiful kits." Mintwhisker murmured, looking at the three apprentices. Rainpaw was the only tom, and had striking dark gray fur and navy blue eyes. Cinderpaw was taller, and she had slightly paler fur with pale blue eyes. Mistpaw was extremely beautiful, with long flowing silver tabby fur and her mother's stunning amber eyes.

Cheetahpelt smiled in thanks, her eyes showing how proud she was of them.

"Mintwhisker!"

Mintwhisker turned her head, surprised by the sudden outburst. Near the entrance of the camp, she saw Grasstail, Silentwhisper and Flamingheart enter, carrying the limp body of Stormcloud. Her eyes widened, and she rushed over to them. They had already laid the gray she-cat down, Silentwhisper looking frantic and Grasstail in near tears.

"What happened?" Mintwhisker demanded. Silentwhisper cleared her throat before speaking.

"W-We don't know. She-she just started coughing up blood, and suddenly she fainted. Is it blackcough?" Silentwhisper asked in a tiny voice. Mintwhisker shook her head.

"Blackcough doesn't come like this until leafbare," she murmured in response.

"Then what is it?" Grasstail hissed. Mintwhisker shook her head.

"I don't know."

It was then that she heard more coughing, and turned to see Cinderpaw lying on her side, her chest heaving as she coughed up blood like Stormcloud.

[~*~*Dovefur*~*~]

this is good! keep writing! and maybe post the clan cats, that always helps me~

[[C]inderwing]

dovefur1- Hey, thanks! I was gonna post the Allegiances with this chapter, since in between the time of the Prologue and Chapter 1 a lot of cats have died.

Allegiances

Leader- Thistlestar- Pale tabby tom with amber eyes

Deputy- Redfeather- Dark ginger she-cat with green eyes

Medicine Cat- Mintwhisker- White she-cat with green eyes

Cats confined to Medicine Cat Den

Grasstail- Dark tabby tom

Badgerstripe- Gray tom with black stripes; amber eyes

Heatherpelt- Pale tan she-cat with green eyes

Silentwhisper- Silver tabby she-cat with blue eyes

Warriors

Cheetahpelt- Tawny she-cat with black spots and amber eyes
Apprentice- Rabbitpaw

Morningsun- Golden brown she-cat with darker gold dapples
Apprentice- Clearpaw

Moletail- Pale tabby tom with amber eyes
Apprentice- Rainpaw

Flamingheart- Ginger tabby tom with green eyes


Apprentices

Rabbitpaw- Tan she-cat with green eyes

Clearpaw- Tan she-cat with silver eyes; white paws

Rainpaw- Dark gray tom with navy blue eyes


Queens (She-cats expecting or nursing kits)

Snowpelt- White she-cat with blue eyes; deaf in one ear
Mother of Thistlestar's kit Thistlekit(Tabby she-kit with white paws)


Elders

Nightflower- Black she-cat with green eyes


C h a p t e r 1
6 Moons later

Rabbitpaw's green eyes peered through the grass at the innocent young rabbit, munching away on a piece of grass. Her paws moved silently, her body weaving through the grass with excellence. She remained focus, her eyes never leaving the small, scrawny rabbit.

Slowly, barely breathing, Rabbitpaw brought her wait on her hunches. Her whole body was rigid, in fear of frightening the creature. She leapt, all of those slow movements vanishing, and she was nothing but a tan flash as she landed on the rabbit's back. Rabbitpaw's eyes turned into a fire, and she bit down hard on the rabbit's neck. It was still. Rabbitpaw stood up, burying her prey with pride.

"Well done, Rabbitpaw," Her mentor, Cheetahpelt, purred as she stepped beside her apprentice. Rabbitpaw smiled in response, her paws tingling. Cheetahpelt was one of the best hunters in the clan- probably the whole lake forest! To recieve a compliment about hunting from her was like an honor, no matter how small the compliment was.

"Thanks, Cheetahpelt," Rabbitpaw mewed, dipping her head as if talking to Thistlestar. Cheetahpelt purred in amusement.

"I think you've done enough today." Cheetahpelt mewed. "Let's collect the other rabbit and head back."

"But I've only caught two rabbits!" Rabbitpaw protested. "Isn't there any more I can do?"

Cheetahpelt shook her head. "This is all we'll need for now."

Rabbitpaw was about to protest again, but knew that it'd be no use. Cheetahpelt had already claimed that hunting would be more difficult, they needed to conserve the last prey they had. Rabbitpaw was forced to nod, and unbury her already buried rabbit. She picked it up, turning to see Cheetahpelt's tail disappear in the tall grass. Apparently she had already left to get the other rabbit.

Rabbitpaw had meant to ask Cheetahpelt how the cats in the medicine cat den were doing. Cheetahpelt spent a lot of time in there, since Mintwhisker was one of her best friends. Rabbitpaw also thought that it was because she didn't want any other cats to die. Two of her three kits, Mistpaw and Cinderpaw, had both been taken by the terrible disease. Rabbitpaw knew that she and her sister were so far lucky, their mother was one of the healthier sick cats in the den. Hopefully she'd get well.

Pushing those thoughts away, Rabbitpaw started to head back to camp. She eventually caught up with Cheetahpelt, and mentor and apprentice moved on to camp side-by-side.

***

"So how are you feeling?"

Rabbitpaw and Clearpaw sat in the medicine cat den, careful to stay the distance away that Mintwhisker had originally ordered. Their mother, Heatherpelt, smiled. She coughed softly, Rabbitpaw flinching at the sight of blood flecks coming out of her mouth.

"Better then anyone else here," she purred in a raspy voice. Clearpaw smiled, but Rabbitpaw appeared weary. Grasstail coughed a ways away, him being one of the cats worse off. Rabbitpaw winced at how frail he looked, almost like if a butterfly landed on him he'd shatter into a million pieces.

Clearpaw mewed, "When do you think you'll be better?"

Heatherpelt laughed, smiling warmly at her daughter. Rabbitpaw could look right into her eyes, and tell that she was worried. It became clear that Heatherpelt had already abandoned all hope of getting well.

"Soon," Heatherpelt replied in a soft voice, her body shaking. Rabbitpaw could tell that it was because she was trying to hold in a cough, trying to be strong for her kits. Rabbitpaw didn't want to watch her suffer like that.

"Clearpaw," Rabbitpaw mewed. "Maybe we should let mom get some rest. The Gathering will be soon anyways, and I'm pretty sure we'll be going."

Clearpaw looked reluctant to leave, but eventually she nodded. Both cats meowed a quick goodbye to their mother before they left the den. Before they were out of earshot, Rabbitpaw heard her mother let out a loud, pained cough. Rabbitpaw's heart twisted in greif. She wasn't getting better, it was obvious.

"So how'd your training go?" Clearpaw asked in her usual cheerful voice. Rabbitpaw shrugged.

"It wasn't really training," she replied. "All we did was hunt two rabbits."

"Why only two?" Clearpaw mewed. Rabbitpaw shrugged again. Clearpaw immediately took the oppurtunity to talk about her training.

"Morningsun taught me a new fighting move!" She purred. "It's really cool, something not even a ShadowClan warrior could counter."

Rabbitpaw nodded, pretending to be impressed. Rabbitpaw had never really been into fighting, hunting came much more easilly to her.

"Hey, could you two get your heads out of the clouds and, oh, I don't know, help me?" Rainpaw hissed, coming over to stand beside them. Rabbitpaw felt her heartbeat quicken, and her gaze immediately returned to her paws.

It was no secret to Rabbitpaw or Clearpaw that Rabbitpaw had a small crush on the older apprentice.

"Oh put a rabbit in it, Rainpaw!" Clearpaw hissed, lashing her tail. "We're just having a sisterly conversation. You know, that's what siblings do."

Rainpaw's eyes held a quick flash of pain, but it vanished instantly. His navy blue eyes become cold again, and he walked away. Once he was out of earshot Rabbitpaw let out a low hiss.

"What did you do that for?" Rabbitpaw hissed. "You know he still feels bad about his sisters!"

Clearpaw shrugged, flicking her tail. Rabbitpaw felt slightly angered at her sister. She had no idea how lucky they were to have each other. She didn't know what it felt like to lose someone dear to her- not that Rabbitpaw did either. But for some reason she still could put herself in Rainpaw's paws.

Growling Rabbitpaw walked away toward where Rainpaw went. She had seen his tail disappear into the elder's den. Rabbitpaw entered behind him, her eyes apologetic.

"Rainpaw, I-"

"Save it." Rainpaw growled coldly. "You shouldn't be responsible for your sister's actions." He continued grabbing the wet moss. The only elder in the camp, Nightflower, was asleep. She apparently didn't know they were there.

"I know, but what she said was way out of line, and-"

"I told you, save it," Rainpaw growled, picking up the moss. "You don't need to feel sorry for me, and I don't need your pity."

Without waiting for Rabbitpaw to reply, Rainpaw left the den. Rabbitpaw sighed, exiting the den as well. Just as she entered the clearing, Thistlestar had called a clan meeting.

"The cats going to the Gathering tonight will be me, Redfeather, Mintwhisker, Cheetahpelt, Morningsun, Flamingheart, Rainpaw and Clearpaw. We'll be leaving in a few moments."

With that, Thistlestar disappeared into his den. Rabbitpaw couldn't believe it. She wasn't going to the Gathering, but Clearpaw was?! Rabbitpaw had worked ten times harder then her!

Angrilly, Rabbitpaw stalked into the apprentice den, curling up in her nest. She fell asleep almost instantly, knowing that she'd ask Clearpaw about the Gathering when she returned.

[[C]inderwing]

C h a p t e r 2


Clearpaw followed behind the small group of WindClan cats as they headed toward the Island. Her silver eyes shined in excitement, for this was her first Gathering. It would've been her sister's first as well, but for some reason Thistlestar didn't allow her to come to the Gathering. For now Clearpaw shrugged it off, watching as the treebridge came into view.

"Be careful," Morningsun whispered into her ear. "It's very slippery. I fell in during my first Gathering- and in front of ShadowClan!" she purred. "They never let me hear the end of that, in fact I bet Darkfoot will be teasing me about it tonight if he's here."

Clearpaw purred in pure amusement, flicking her tail. She followed her mentor onto the treebridge, immediately feeling the slick bark beneath her paws. Clearpaw felt like she was sliding, and immediately let out a small whimper. Morningsun came and steadied her for a moment, and the two continued on to the Island.

Clearpaw was relieved as soon as she felt her paws hit the ground. She shook herself, ruffling her fur in the process. Behind her, she could hear Rainpaw and his mother crossing the bridge. Rainpaw passed her silently, though Clearpaw could see that his eyes were still cold, still angry.

So what? Clearpaw thought, sending a silent snarl in Rainpaw's direction. She had never liked the tom since she was a kit. He always had to be in charge of everything. But after his sisters died, he suddenly became the "Mystery Cat". Clearpaw could tell that it was all some pity act. At least, she thought it was.

Clearpaw followed Morningsun into the clearing, seeing that they were the last to arrive. Clearpaw's eyes were wide in awe. There were so many cats. Big cats, small cats, muscular cats, lean cats, young and old cats... She suddenly felt nervous, like every eye was on her. Even though no eyes were on her; everyone was absorbed in their own conversations.

"There's a group of apprentices over there," Morningsun mewed, flicking her tail toward a cluster of apprentices- all apparently from different clans.

"But won't-" Clearpaw couldn't finish her sentence, Morningsun had already padded away. Clearpaw's eyes moved to the other apprentices. There were four in all; one a pretty sleek black she-cat, one a ginger and white tom, a white she-cat, and a dark ginger tom. The dark ginger tom caught her eye. He appeared to be bragging, telling a story to the young apprentices.

She smirked, flicking her tail. This would be interesting. The smirk still clear on her face, Clearpaw walked over to the group.

"Hello," she purred. "Can I sit with you?"

The dark ginger tom turned to her with suddenly cold eyes. A smirk also came across his face, and he laughed scornfully.

"Sorry, kit," he growled. "No disease-infested cats allowed."

Clearpaw flicked her tail, not offended by his snide comment. Instead she sat down, ignoring the ginger tom. She turned to the other cats in the group, a smile on her face.

"I'm Clearpaw," she introduced herself. "And you all are?"

The ginger and white tom spoke first. "Um... I'm Sunpaw. The white she-cat is my sister Whitepaw. And the black she-cat is Shadepaw. That's-"

"I'm Rowanpaw," The ginger tom cut in. "Now that we've covered all that, I suggest you go run off and sit with what little clanmates you have left."

"No thanks, I'm pretty comfortable here." Clearpaw replied casually, shrugging her petite shoulders. Rowanpaw's eyes narrowed, his pelt starting to bristle.

"You wind-brains are all talk, and no action." Rowanpaw growled. Clearpaw smirked. Her little plan was working.

"Really? Because I see no need for action, you're too boring for my liking." Clearpaw mrrowed. Rowanpaw's claws visibly unsheathed. Clearpaw nearly sighed. This was getting just a bit too easy. This cat's buttons were easilly pushed.

"Oh you want action?" Rownpaw hissed. "I'll show you action, you-"

"Rowanpaw! That's enough!" Clearpaw turned, seeing a large ginger tom that looked exactly like Rowanpaw walking over to the group. The tom looked at Clearpaw with rage in his eyes.

"No need to waste your breath on this WindClan scumb," the tom growled in a deep voice. Rowanpaw smirked, as if he had won.

"Come," the tom flicked his tail, walking off. Just as Rowanpaw started to leave, Clearpaw cut him off. Her silver eyes locked with his green ones, and she whispered so only he could hear.

"You wanna see what this "WindClan scumb" can really do? If you think you can handle it, meet me here tomorrow night." Clearpaw whispered venomously. Rowanpaw didn't appear frightened, he just nodded. His eyes held a challenge, and he turned to leave.

"I notice that WindClan have been bringing fewer and fewer cats to the Gatherings,"

Clearpaw looked up at GreatTree, realizing the Gathering had already begun while she was talking. A large black tom was speaking, his golden eyes holding a challenge to Thistlestar.

"You know very well what has happened to WindClan these past moons." Thistlestar growled, his pelt bristling. "Ragestar, you have no right to challenge us."

"I have every right," Ragestar retorted. "You could've chosen to hide this situation. Now I can bring it up."

"WindClan don't hide from our troubles." Thistlestar growled.

"So you only expect others to fight the troubles away for you?" Ragestar hissed.

"Stop!" Mintwhisker suddenly yowled. Clearpaw looked up, seeing clouds start to cover the moon. She let out a frightened, surprised whimper as they were plunged into darkness.

"This Gathering is over!" A sleek she-cat, probably RiverClan's leader, hissed. Clearpaw couldn't believe it. Her first Gathering, over already!

But she didn't miss the fire from Ragestar's eyes, passing to Thistlestar's. Something was stirring. War would come soon. She could sense it.

She just wondered how soon it would come.

[[C]inderwing]

Author's Note: Hmm... no more comments? Oh well, I'm gonna keep posting. I prefer that if you do read this, you leave at least one comment. Constructive criticism is needed right now!

C h a p t e r 3

Rabbitpaw groaned, sunlight filtering through her barely cracked open eyelids. She was too tired to wake up, her body felt numb almost. She shifted in her sleep, feeling her hindpaw bump into something- or someone. Rabbitpaw was positive she hit someone when she heard a low hiss.

"Watch it!" Rabbitpaw recognized Rainpaw's voice, and immediately she grew hot under her pelt. Her green eyes opened, and she turned her head to see Rainpaw watching her through narrowed eyes.

"S-Sorry Rainpaw," Rabbitpaw mewed softly. Rainpaw's eyes were emotionless as he laid his head back down, turning his back on her. Rabbitpaw sighed. Already things were going way to hectic- they day hadn't even begun!

"Some of us are a little tired from the Gathering," Rabbitpaw groaned as she heard Clearpaw's voice. Her sister looked at her with tired eyes, and Rabbitpaw suddenly remembered to ask about the Gathering. She turned to face her sister, but her head had already been laid back down on her paws. She could hear Clearpaw's steady breathing, and she knew she had fallen asleep.

I guess Cheetahpelt can tell me during training, Rabbitpaw thought to herself, staggering to her paws. The tan she-cat immediately exited the den, careful not to disturb the obviously tired apprentices.

The clearing was empty. Never had Rabbitpaw seen the clearing empty. No cat was moving about, the fresh-kill pile was untouched. Yet Rabbitpaw could still hear coughing coming from the medicine cat den. Her blood ran cold, and she padded closer to get a better look.

It was just as she feared.

Another cat had joined the ill cats. Rabbitpaw felt her gut twist in a knot at the sight of the pretty tawny and black she-cat that lay on her side, already looking as frail and weak as some of the other cats.

"Cheetahpelt?" she mewed softly. Cheetahpelt looked up at her, her amber eyes suddenly dull. Mintwhisker looked frantically at her. When she saw Rabbitpaw, her eyes grew wide.

"Get out of here!" Mintwhisker hissed. "It's not safe! Leave, now Rabbitpaw, or you'll get infected too!"

"But-"

"NOW!"

Rabbitpaw sped away from the den, surprised and confused at Mintwhisker's ourburst. She stopped by the fresh-kill pile, her legs trembling. Mintwhisker was stressed, she needed help. All those sick cats... she just couldn't handle them on her own. The tension was getting to the poor medicine cat.

"What happened?"

Rabbitpaw turned, seeing her sister suddenly standing by her. Clearpaw stared at her with questioning eyes, looking toward the medicine cat's den.

"Mintwhisker just snapped at me." Rabbitpaw replied in a soft voice. "She said something about how we'd get infected if we went into the den."

"Someone's gone a little crazy," Clearpaw mrrowed in amusement. Rabbitpaw glared at her.

"It's not funny!" she hissed. "This is serious! Those cats could all die in a matter of days- maybe even hours!"

Clearpaw became silent at that. Rabbitpaw didn't know where that came from. She was just starting to get protective over the ill cats, apparently. Clearpaw looked equally surprised.

Eager to change the subject, Rabbitpaw mewed. "So what happened at the Gathering?"

Clearpaw purred at this, flicking her tail as if pleased by the subject. "Ragestar and Thistlestar got into and arguement about all the sick cats. Apparently ShadowClan think they can taunt us about this whole thing."

Clearpaw flexed her claws, but Rabbitpaw felt uneasy. A battle was the last thing they needed right now, with all the ill cats in the clan they wouldn't have enough warriors to fight. But Clearpaw seemed pleased by the idea of a battle.

What's wrong with her? Rabbitpaw thought to herself. Doesn't she see how serious this is?

"Oh, and tonight I'm gonna go fight some ShadowClan tom,"

Rabbitpaw immediately froze. She stared at Clearpaw like she had sprouted a second head.

"Y-You're what?!" Rabbitpaw hissed. Clearpaw shrugged.

"Trust me, it'll be as easy as hunting a blind rabbit," Clearpaw purred, flexing her claws again. "This cat won't know what hit him"

Rabbitpaw grimaced. "No, no way. Have you completely lost your mind?" Rabbitpaw growled. "He'll murder you without a second thought."

"No he won't," Clearpaw growled. "He won't get the chance. I'm gonna show him what a real WindClan cat can do."

Clearpaw started to walk away, but Rabbitpaw cut her off.

"This is stupid," Rabbitpaw growled. "Seriously, what were you thinking?"

"I was thinking I'll have a nice ShadowClan pelt to show off to the clan," Clearpaw replied angrilly. "Now move! Trust me, I'll be fine."

Without waiting for Rabbitpaw to reply, Clearpaw sped off. Rabbitpaw sighed, her thoughts wandering. Her sister was crazy, that was obvious.

Hm... maybe she has some disease in her head. she thought to herself.

[chellurton]

This story is really good! Keep it up! But I think you mean the plague. Plaque is the stuff that gets on your teeth.

[;R.o.c.k.y.w.a.v.e;]

I agree with Chellurton (about the story, too. Not just the plaque).

[[C]inderwing]

chellurton- Thanks chellurton! Yeah, I meant Plague. I always get those two mixed up.

;R.o.c.k.y.w.a.v.e; - Thanks!

I'll try to get the next chapter up later today.

[chellurton]

Glad I could help! Can't wait for the next chapter. Man, I gotta update my stories too...

[Tigerfur]

I LOVE your story so far! I hope you update again soon! ;D

[shadow]

OMG Love your story, please, please write the next chapter soon!