Poison to Cure

This story is by IcewrathXFeatherswirlXCraneheart for Tangle's contest.

Warning: Contains major spoilers for Pools of Poison because this is a short time after.

Chapter 1
Snakepaw padded into camp with a thrush in his jaws. He was alone and he had decided to do some hunting before his warrior ceremony. His father, Adderclaw padded over to him and licked him between his ears.

"I'm so proud of you, Snakepaw," Adderclaw meowed.

Snakepaw beamed, "You raised me right, father."

Adderclaw bowed his head, "I'm glad you didn't have an apprenticeship like mine."

Snakepaw had heard the story of his apprenticeship many times. He smiled and tried to make Adderclaw feel better, "At least you know that Salamanderstripe and Driftingleaf will be waiting for you in StarClan. And you will go to StarClan, too."

"How do I know that," Adderclaw demanded, tears sprang to his eyes, "Shortly after we realized what the Dark Forest was there for, we stopped training there, and in a fight over your mother, I killed him."

Snakepaw was mortified. He had known that, but Snakepaw had just realized he brought up the wrong thing. "You are forgiven. I know you are... and don't worry, you won't be going to StarClan anytime soon."

Adderclaw dried his tears and meowed gravely, "With the sickness going around ShadowClan, you never know."

Snakepaw was silent. Ever since he was born, ShadowCough was spreading, through just ShadowClan. It was a wonder Snakepaw had lived to be a warrior. Many other kits didn't.