Language Barrier

Chapter 1

Iceheart (WindClan)

Disclaimer: I don't own A:TLA or Warriors

It was almost sunhigh when I first saw the strange twoleg. Back then, I didn't think much of him. To me, he was just a twoleg, one of the countless others that camped and fished along the RiverClan/ WindClan border. It was annoying, but surely nothing to get excited about. I remember being happy and filled with pride- I had just finished my vigil and had become a warrior at last. My apprenticeship had been problematic, what with my clan getting chased out of our territory by ShadowClan, then getting attacked just days after we returned. This Greenleaf though, It was difficult to feel bitter at my longer than average apprenticeship. Although there hadn't been any rain lately, the streams hadn't dried completely and hunting was good.

I was on the sunhigh patrol when I saw him. I had gotten used to twolegs during the time when my clan had been cast out of our territory, but I couldn't help taking a second glance at this one. He had short, dark hair, golden eyes and a large burn scar that stretched across the left side of his face. Also, he was riding the strangest creature. It looked like a horse, but had the beak of a bird. If I live to be an elder, I will never understand twolegs I thought. I reported it to Tallstar, but otherwise thought nothing of this strange new twoleg.

The second time I met him, we were both hunting. I was so focused on the rabbit that I didn't even notice him until I plowed right into him. The rabbit didn't have the luxury of having something to crash into, and it floated, thrashing and struggling, downriver. The fish that the twoleg had caught on the end of a stick was also lost. "You ignorant twoleg" I hissed. He started yowling angrily. I was irritated. Why was he acting all mad for anyway? He could have gotten the rabbit before it floated away if he had been paying attention. I didn't even give a thought to the fact that I hadn't been paying attention as well. I stormed off, bristling, to try to find another rabbit.

I was on the dusk patrol when I heard something. It sounded harsh, like thunder, but also not thunder. When I came to the crest of the hill, I was stunned. The twoleg was punching the air with his abnormally large paws. It looked like the slap-fights that some of the younger kits engage in. But fire was shooting out of the twoleg's limbs with every punch in concentrated blasts. That was what was making the sounds. I looked at my companions. Deadfoot had already left, presumably to report this new finding to Tallstar. Onewhisker was looking out at the twoleg, his shock mirrored my own. As I was walking back to camp, I looked back and thought grimly mark my words, that idiot is going to set something on fire.

A system soon developed between the twoleg and me. Every night, he would go out to punch the air, sending fireballs rocketing over the river and treecut place, and I would watch him from what I deemed to be a safe distance. I soon realized that this must be the way that twolegs fought. It looked beautiful, the way the fire shot out of the twoleg's limbs, but I also realized the potential for disaster. I shuddered when I thought of the damage that this power could cause to my beloved home, as well as its inhabitants.

It was on the third day that my prediction came true. He was practicing his twoleg fighting moves while I watched from the crest of a hill. Suddenly, one of his fireballs impacted one of the trees in treecut place. The fire quickly spread to the rest of the forest, crossing over into Thunderclan territory. I turned and ran to the camp and told Tallstar what had happened. He rushed to the tallrock, leapt on top and said the familiar words that called the clan to a clan meeting. He started immediately.

"Warriors of Windclan, a fire has started in the treecut place. Although this probably won't affect us, I will need all warriors on high alert."

Confused, panicky murmurs broke out amongst my clanmantes.

"What if the fire DOES come here? We've just barely come back to our home, we can't lose it again!" Morning flower wailed

Gorsepaw was crouched next to his mother; his eyes were wide with fear.

Tallstar's voice rose over the growing roar. "Quiet!"

A stunned silence fell as we all turned to our leader.

"Whatever happens, we all need to keep our heads. We aren't rabbits. We are not going to panic and run without thinking about it first. We survived getting chased out of our territory by Shadowclan and we'll survive this too. We are Windclan!"

The last statement was met with a roar. All fear was erased from the clan, forgotten in the desire to defend our home. Tallstar was right. We will get through this, just like we got through our exile at the hands of Shadowclan.

Tallstar set a watch at the edge of our territory. It was far enough away from the fire that, if it changed directions suddenly, the warriors posted there could get to the camp and report to him. Dead foot took first watch and so did Onewhisker.

I was still thinking about the strange twoleg. To my surprise, I had not felt much pride over being proved right about the twoleg's dangerous power. Instead, I felt anxious. As far as I could tell, he didn't seem to be especially bright, even by twoleg standards. He should have known that it wasn't a good idea to practice so close to treecut place. Then again, why should I be worried about HIM? This mess was his fault, after all.

A rumble of thunder interrupted my thoughts and soon rain poured down on the moor, proof that Star Clan was still protecting us. As my clan and I curled up together under silverpelt, we couldn't help but feel safe and protected, despite the smell of smoke that still lingered in the air.

A/N: This story is set during the middle of the second season of A:TLA (after "Zuko Alone") and during the end of "Rising Storm" of Warriors. These are reflections of the characters after the events that happen. Also, This is my first Fanfic. Yay! :) Read and Review!