A Whisker from Death

Ch. 2 The Warning

"Firestar? Firestar. FIRESTAR!!"

Firestar awoke and stretched out and yawned. He looked at the gray figure with confusion.

"Firestar. Finally you're awake! It's already sun high! And I don't feel too comfortable sending two patrols out today." Graystripe growled.

Firestar then got a frightening thought in his head.

"Who was on the morning patrol? Out of curiosity, I mean." The leader mewed.

Graystripe shook his head trying to remember. "Um…I believe it was Dustpelt, Mousefur, Ashpaw-"

So far so good. Only one other cat remains. What are the chances of it being-

"-and Sandstorm." He finished.

Firestar flinched. He couldn't believe what he heard. He just about wanted to claw Graystripe's ears off. He used all the strength he had to hold himself back. He tried to sound calm as he spoke.

"Well, good. Well done. I will be off then." Firestar said trotted out through the lichen.

Graystripe pondered for a moment, then began to clean himself. Afterward, he trotted out of the den.

Firestar had panicked when he was informed that Sandstorm had gone out on patrol. He was wanting to claw her ears off. But wasn't going to use as much force holding back this time.

Firestar noticed Longtail heading to the fresh kill pile. The leader then remembered that he still needed to send out the afternoon patrol. He rushed over to the senior warrior preparing to give the orders. The warrior was gulping down a fat squirrel.

"Longtail, I need you to lead the afternoon patrol. Can you handle it? If not, I mean, I could get someone else and-"

Longtail finished the last of the squirrel. He interrupted Firestar.

"I can do it. I'm not an elder yet. Don't worry so much. Are you alright? You seem a little jumpy today." Longtail meowed, his head tilted.

"No. NO! I'm just still sleepy." Firestar said, hoping the lie would fool the warrior.

"Alright. Anyway, I'm sure I could fetch Darkstripe and Cloudtail."

"Okay. You do that." Firestar mewed.

As he turned his back on the warrior, he noticed hi oh so in trouble mate heading for the nursery awfully quickly.

Sandstorm poked her head out of the gorge. She ran for the nursery hoping her mate wouldn't find her. But she didn't know that her mate did spot her and how much trouble she was in.

"Sandstorm! I need you in my den immediately!"

With much fear, the ginger queen trotted nervously to Firestar's den.

"What were you thinking?! Going out on patrol's like that! I have every right to throw you out." He growled.

"I was so bored in the nursery. Do you know what they do? All they do is say what makes their kits SO special. And you probably know why that leaves me out of the conversation!"

"That is no excuse! I-"

"Firestar!"

Both cats' heads turned to see the unexpected visitor. It was Cinderpelt.

"Firestar! I need to speak to you alone." She hissed glaring at Sandstorm.

"Oh! Then my bad! I'll be leaving now!" Sandstorm growled. Leaving with her tail swishing back and forth.

"So, what was so urgent that you needed to interrupt a family matter."Firestar asked.

"I-It's um… about Sandstorm. I believe she's in trouble."

"What? Did Starclan send you a message?"

"Yes. I saw kits on sand and it disappeared. The kits fell into a pit of darkness."

Firestar felt as if the world was ending. For his worst nightmare would soon become reality, and his beloved will soon disappear forever.