The intervention of StarClan
Disclaimer: I do not own Warrior Cats, all rights to Erin Hunter.
Any reviews much appreciated, it's my first story so constructive criticism welcomed :D
Nightpaw/Nightshade: Jet black she-cat with a white tipped tail and a white star on her chest.
Fireheart: Handsome ginger tom
Greystripe: handsomegray long-haired tom
Cinderpelt: Dark grey she-cat
Tigerclaw: Big dark brown tabby tom with unusually long front claws
Bluestar: blue-gray she-cat, tinged with silver around her muzzle
Chapter 2
Fireheart woke with a start and looked around the warrior's den in fright. The dream had been so real; he could still smell the fear-scent of many terrified cats and could still hear the lingering remains of the last yowl of a dying cat. Gradually steadying his breathing, Fireheart pushed himself to his paws and stretched his muscles, shaking sleep from his foggy mind. Pushing his way out of the den, he wondered what the dream had meant- it was not the first time that StarClan had shown him visions of the future, but this was the first time that Spottedleaf had not been there to guide him. Had she given up on Thunderclan? What terrible message was StarClan trying to convey? Of course Fireheart could not discuss this with any of the other clan cats; only medicine cats and clan leaders were supposed to share dreams with Star Clan, and he was neither. Lost in his thoughts, he jumped violently as he almost collided head first with a den-bound Tigerclaw.
'Watch where you're going Kittypet!' he spat 'Don't you have something better to do than get in my way? Visit your pathetic kittypet sister perhaps?' Tigerclaw snarled and drew back his lips, revealing needle sharp teeth. Fireheart was not in the mood for Tigerclaw's insults and was still shaken after his dream.
'Maybe if you were able to walk in a straight line I wouldn't have to be mindful of where you are all the time.' He snarled, his hackles rising and his claws unsheathing.
'You had better watch yourself, Kittypet. This forest is a dangerous place for cats like you...' And with that remark, Tigerclaw stalked off. Fireheart was suddenly very afraid. Tigerclaw had clearly just threatened him, and combined with the dream...could that yowl have been his own? Was Tigerclaw going to kill him? Oh, how he wished Greystripe was still here and not in Riverclan, he could use a friend right now. At that moment he heard a light voice behind him and Fireheart whipped round in fright.
'Are you alright Fireheart? You look like you've seen a ghost.' Cinderpelt mewed good naturedly. 'Fireheart?' she repeated after he did not reply, a hint of worry touching her voice. Fireheart shook himself-he was being silly- and turned to look into the worried blue eyes of the medicine cat.
'I'm fine' he mewed 'just lack of sleep I think. I was about to head out on a hunting patrol, you want to come?' he asked, then mentally clawed himself for asking such a stupid, insensitive question. Cinderpelt's hunting days had been maliciously taken from her when she had been injured by one of the monsters on the Thunderpath- the result of a trap by Tigerclaw, he was sure of that now.
'No thank you, I'd only slow you down. I think any prey would hear me stomping along a mile away.' Cinderpelt relied with only a hint of disappointment in her voice.
'Alright, I'll bring something back for you, after I've caught something for the elders.' Fireheart rubbed noses with Cinderpelt and gave her a friendly lick on the shoulder, then turned and made his way out of the gourse tunnel that guarded the entrance to the camp. As he made his way up the rocky ravine, Fireheart sent up a silent message to StarClan 'Please StarClan, protect ThunderClan. Send me the means to protect us from Tigerclaw, help me to expose him as the murderous traitor I know he is. Help me please'. As Fireheart raced away through the undergrowth, his eyes and ears alert for the slightest hint of prey, he found himself praying for a miracle.