Blood in the Water [closed]

This was a terrible idea. This was the worst idea any cat could ever have, ever. This was worse than getting knocked out by a ghost. This was worse than getting chewed on by a raccoon. This was worse than his sisters dying... okay, no, not that bad.

Beecloud's eyes slid cautiously to his left, landing on Vixenpaw's hardened calico face. She needed an escort, that much he understood. Her hostility had caused her to attack a clanmate. She lashed out with so much poison that a senior warrior had to step in to spare Rainstrike's hide. If she was to resume regular apprentice duties, of course she would require a warrior to watch over her. But why him? His gaze quickly darted away, fearing what she might say if she noticed him staring. It was a regular border patrol. It could have been simple, since a river separated ThunderClan from RiverClan, if Vixenpaw was not along for the trip. The huge tom grimaced. Had Dacedream taught her to swim? Beecloud sidestepped farther away from the river's shore.

It wasn't that he didn't care for the prickly she-cat. After all, they were clanmates. They were weaned together. They were raised together. She was Dacedream's own, a cat who had played a significant role in his life, and Houndheart's as well. Vixenpaw was a fierce fighter, and a diligent hunter, when she wasn't preoccupied threatening murder or backtalking Oakstar or being scary... Beecloud lost his train of thought. He hunted for optimism in the fog of neuroticism. Maybe he could use this opportunity to form a bond with her. He must have prejudged her, basing his assumptions on her lowest moment, when she was overcome with grief and anger. She would be a warrior soon (if she could earn Oakstar's trust in a timely manner), and they'd be denmates again. Clans were family, regardless of blood. He took a deep breath, preparing to begin the hardest trial he had faced so far: trying to make Vixenpaw like him.

They approached the river's bend, Sunningrocks behind them. Beecloud marked a familiar tree, scenting the air for potential intruders. It was highly unlikely that they'd find any. However, a strange scent permeated ThunderClan's side of the border. "A rogue came through here," he murmured, drawing a mental map of the trail. "Recently, walking towards Sunningrocks. Maybe to cross the river. They could've come through ShadowClan. Has someone taken you by the thunderpath recently? Did they smell rogue?" He realized quickly how his comment could have been construed. Like he was speaking down to her. His ears trembled awkwardly, unable to decide if they should stick up or lay down. "U-uh, or... did you smell rogue?"