"Stop! You can't kill a medicine cat!" Poppyfrost's terrified screech rang around the moonpool.
"Watch me." Growled Breezepelt, scoring deep scratches down Jayfeather's face and side.
Jayfeather unsheathed his claws and swiped the air in a desperate attempt to protect himself and the terrified queen.
Despite his feeble efforts, he could feel himself growing weaker, his swipes less accurate and forceful. His muzzle stung, and he could feel the deep scratches all over him.
Oh Starclan, save me from this!
Taking blow after blow from his half-brother, he tried to block to dodge, but to no avail. He collapsed to the ground, unable and unwilling to defend himself any longer. He knew it was a battle that he couldn't win.
"Poppyfrost, run!" He yowled, with the last of his strength. The she-cat was frozen in shock, watching the fight unfold. His words seemed to rouse her, and she ran as fast as she could.
He screamed in pain as Breezepelt bit into his neck, and felt his consciousness slip away as Breezepelt dug his claws into his stomach and blood flowed out.
Leafpool had just gotten back from hunting with her sister. Sunhigh had just come, and the two cats sat together in the hollow as they shared a mouse.
The sun shone on Leafpool's pelt, warming her whole body. Squirrelflight started to groom her, her tongue rasping over her back.
Warm and relaxed next to her sister, Leafpool started to drift into sleep.
"I'm thirsty."
Squirrelflight's sudden mew shocked Leafpool, and she opened her eyes.
"Who isn't?" She said, sitting up.
Her sister sighed. "If only the lake would come back."
"Lionblaze and Dovepaw should be back soon…" She said, reminding her sister of the mission that was going on while they spoke.
"Mmmm.. I guess."
The two cats sat in silence, resting their heads on one another.
"Somebody help!"
Poppyfrost's terrified screech rang through the hollow, jerking Leafpool wide awake.
"Firestar! Brambleclaw! Someone!"
Poppyfrost was obviously exhausted, and looked terrible.
What happened?
Firestar's orange pelt caught Leafpool's eyes as he came down from Highledge. She saw worry cloud the leader's eyes as he ran over to the she-cat.
"What's happened, Poppyfrost?" Firestar asked.
"I-It's Jayfeather."
Leafpool's heart sank. Oh no…
"W-we were at the moonpool." Her body shook and her legs seemed like she was going to collapse as she continued. "And he attacked.."
"Who attacked?"
Silence.
"Poppyfrost, who attacked?" Firestar asked, louder.
She opened her mouth to speak, then let out a squeak and collapsed.
Firestar turned his gaze to Leafpool, who had come to stand next to the leader. "Moonpool, now." He commanded.
"Leafpool, Squirrelflight, Cinderheart, Brambleclaw. Get to the Moonpool, now." He yowled urgently.
Leafpool felt her heart thump in her chest as the four cats raced out of camp towards the moonpool.
"You lead, Leafpool," meowed Brambleclaw as they ran out of the hollow.
"Wait, what? Why Leafpool?" Cinderheart asked, frowning.
"Mousebrain! She used to be a medicine cat! She knows where the Moonpool is!" Growled Squirrelflight as she ran.
Cinderheart glared at her, but fell into pace behind Leafpool.
The four cats travelled silently through the forest, their four pelts almost blending into one. Leafpool slowed her pace, recognising the stony area surrounding the moonpool.
"We're here." She choked out.
The other cats exchanged worried glances.
"We can't go to the moonpool though, can we?" asked Squirrelflight, her voice quivering.
Leafpool let out a low growl, startling her. "Obviously not! But Poppyfrost was evidently there, and so was someone else."
I refuse to believe that Jayfeather would be attacked by another medicine cat! The thought of it made her shiver.
The smell of blood filled the air as the cats came by the moonpool.
"Great Starclan…" Cinderheart's whispered words sent a chill down Leafpool's spine.
There, just a tail length in front of Leafpool lay Jayfeather.
Deep, ragged wounds covered his body. A deep, oozing scratch cut down his soft belly, turning the fur red. He lay in a growing pool of his blood, dark red against the cold, smooth rock. Worst of all, A vicious bite to his neck was seen through the missing skin and bleeding from his neck.
His eyes were glazed over, not foggy like they usually were, but were robbed of the emotion that blazed in his eyes when he spoke.
Beside Leafpool, she watched as Squirrelflight bowed her head.
"He was a strong young cat." She meowed, looking at Leafpool.
"He was shaping up into a great medicine cat." murmured Cinderheart, eyes full with grief.
The cats sat in silence for a few moments.
No… It- It can't be!
Suddenly, she rushed over to Jayfeather and laid her head on his body. There she stayed for the next minute, his gray fur rubbing against her face.
"Leafpool.." Her sister hesitantly approached her. "We need to take him back to camp. You can grieve there.."
"No… Squirrelflight!" She interrupted.
Her sister looked at her, concern shining in her eyes.
"No… You don't understand!"
Cinderheart looked at Squirrelflight and motioned for her to leave Leafpool alone.
Leafpool shifted her weight and laid her head on Jayfeather's chest. Suddenly, she jerked her head back, like she had been struck.
The other cats flinched, and Cinderheart leapt backwards.
"What is it?" She hissed.
"Squirrelflight…" She meowed, lifting her head, "He isn't dead!"
a/n
hope you like the story! I have about 10 or so chapters planned for this story at this point, but I'm not sure exactly what I want to happen yet. There will definitely be some interesting things happening so keep reading! Leave any ideas or suggestions in the reviews. :)
thanks for reading xx
-Frostpelt06