Dappled sunshine filtered through the bare treetops as Moonpaw padded beside her Clanmates; mottled green shadows stretched across the frosty, peaty ground like extended claws, curling and twisting like the gnarled roots of a great oak tree. The tantalizing smell of fresh mouse wafted into her nostrils; she carried two of the tiny rodents by their tails, their still-warm bodies swinging from side to side as she stalked through the thick undergrowth. Sootcloud's previous misgivings had proved to be little more than misplaced worry; each EarthClan cat carried some kind of fresh-kill in their jaws, satisfaction pulsing from their pelts as they headed towards the Clan camp. Their Clanmates would eat well tonight.
Any intruder looking to infiltrate the EarthClan camp would find it nearly impossible to enter; the entire camp was surrounded on all sides by thick heather and gorse bushes, the entrance reinforced by a tunnel of brambles that snagged and tore at the fur of any cat not used to leaving and entering the camp on a daily basis. As she neared the entrance, Moonpaw instinctively slicked down her pelt, flattening her ears as she ducked beneath the bramble screen behind Sootcloud. Although the sharp thorns reached towards her pelt, satisfaction pricked her paws when she passed through the tunnel unscathed. Not a single bramble had snagged her fur this time, and she reached the camp with every hair on her pelt intact.
From the outside, the camp looked relatively small, but inside the barrier it appeared as vast and open as the moorland. To her right lay the training hollow; close to the camp entrance, the sandy ground stretched towards the left wall of the gorse bushes, as flat and smooth as stone. To her left was the fresh-kill pile; flicking her ears with satisfaction, she padded calmly towards the pitifully small pile of prey, tossing her share next to a shrew and a pair of magpie, lashing her tail with pride. Sootcloud too deposited his load, Stormcloud, Greenpool and Sunflower following suit as the three warriors entered the camp behind the others. Stormcloud's ears twitched as he glanced towards the center of the clearing, and Moonpaw could see worry glittering in his pale blue gaze.
"Where's Leafstar?" he mewed, lifting his muzzle into the air. "His scent smells stale."
"He's on a border patrol. He'll be back by sundown, if we're lucky."
Moonpaw glanced up in surprise at the sound of the voice. Shifting her gaze towards the middle of the camp, she saw a red-breasted she-cat padding towards the patrol, her brown fur fluffed up as if a slight chill hung over the clearing. Moonpaw recognized the she-cat as Robinheart; the young warrior was only six moons her senior, but the way she carried herself as she stalked towards Stormcloud was that of a much older, more experienced cat. Robinheart dipped her head to Stormcloud, swiveling her gaze towards Greenpool, Sootcloud, Sunflower and Moonpaw in turn. Disdain gleamed in the she-cat's gaze as her eyes rested on Moonpaw, but it only lasted for a moment. Flicking her gaze back towards Stormcloud, the brown she-cat meowed, "Leafstar took Birdsong, Snowfall, Grasstail and Berrypaw on patrol near the DarkClan border. Snowfall reported that several DarkClan warriors have ventured far past the moorland in the past few days, and Leafstar wants to make sure they aren't comfortable enough to cross our borders."
"We just came back from there." Sootcloud licked one paw and drew it over one ear. "We chased away the deer that's been eating and crushing Fawnflower's precious herbs. We came back to give our report to Leafstar, but if he isn't here we might as well get something to eat and relax until he returns."
Irritation flickered in Robinheart's gaze. "I've already been on a hunting patrol today, and I'm planning on heading out again," she mewed. "If all you've done today is chase deer, then one of you can join me."
"We've been at it since sunrise!" Sootcloud protested. "We're exhausted."
"Did you all chase away the deer?" Robinheart mewed unsympathetically. "Even her?" She flicked her tail towards Moonpaw.
"Yes, especially Moonpaw." Sunflower rested her tail on the silver tabby she-cat's shoulder. "She fought like a warrior, and I think she deserves just as much of a rest as all of us."
Robinheart snorted; Moonpaw could see the disbelief in the young she-cat's gaze and felt her fur prickle with frustration. Although she had only been a warrior for one moon, Robinheart acted as if she were Clan leader, and her bossy attitude and sharp tongue made her severely unlikable. Moonpaw lifted her muzzle, gazing calmly and evenly into the brown she-cat's green gaze. She would not allow herself to be intimidated by a cat who could barely call herself a warrior.
"I suppose I'll have to go by myself," Robinheart growled, turning her gaze back towards Stormcloud. "Make sure the elders and kits are fed first before feeding yourselves. And don't bother going into the warriors' den; Tumblewhisker and Dappleshade are sleeping, and I don't want them to be bothered."
Stormcloud's gaze traveled alongside the brown she-cat as she padded towards the camp exit; the tip of his tail flicked irritably, the only visible sign Moonpaw could see that Robinheart's misplaced orders had bothered him. Sootcloud sighed heavily, picking up the thrush that he had deposited on the fresh-kill pile.
"Even if she's a mousebrain, Robinheart's right," he mewed grudgingly. "The elders and kits must be fed before us."
"Sunflower can take her prey along with you," Stormcloud meowed. "Then we can all take a rest. We've deserved it."
"That's right," Sootcloud mumbled, casting Robinheart a dark glance as the she-cat's tail disappeared with a flick beneath the bramble tunnel. "And I'll enjoy every minute of it!"
Moonpaw sighed inwardly. She had been up since before sunrise, and exhaustion pricked her paws, making them feel as heavy as stones as she padded towards the apprentices' den. The stretch towards the gorse bushes near the edge of the clearing felt endless, and her tail drooped with sudden tiredness. She felt as lethargic as a slug.
"Hey, Moonpaw! I've been waiting for you for ages!"
Moonpaw scented the tom before she could see him. Then a pair of green eyes, gleaming like tiny moons, appeared from within the darkness of the apprentices' den, and Moonpaw recognized the black tabby pelt of Badgerpaw as the young apprentice slipped out into the bright sunshine, rays of light tingeing his pelt smoky gray as he padded towards the silver tabby she-cat.
"I'm really tired, Badgerpaw," Moonpaw mewed, padding past the black tabby tom as he turned his bright green gaze upon her. "I just want to sleep."
"Did you see any DarkClan cats?"
"Not a whisker," Moonpaw mumbled. She settled down in her nest, wrapping her tail neatly around her muzzle as she closed her eyes. Why couldn't the energetic young apprentice see how exhausted she was?
"Robinheart says that DarkClan wants to extend their territory towards the moorland," Badgerpaw continued, excitement tingeing his mew as he settled down in his nest across from Moonpaw. "That's why she told Leafstar to send a patrol near the DarkClan border, to make sure they haven't been getting too close to our scent lines."
"If Robinheart was so concerned about our borders why didn't she go with him?" Moonpaw grumbled, flattening her ears as the black tabby tom began to fidget in his nest.
"Leafstar wouldn't let her," Badgerpaw replied. "He said that too many warriors near the border might aggravate the DarkClan cats. So he only took three other warriors and Berrypaw along with him." Jealousy pricked the tom's paws as he kneaded his nest. "I wish I had gone along with him!"
"Good for Berrypaw," Moonpaw murmured.
"Did you chase away the deer?" Badgerpaw changed the subject suddenly.
"Yes, and hopefully he won't come back anytime soon." Moonpaw opened her eyes, gazing beseechingly at Badgerpaw. "Now please, will you let me sleep?"
The black tabby tom look startled. Then his bright green gaze softened, and he leaned forward, giving Moonpaw's ear a quick lick. "Sure," he mewed quietly. "I'll leave you be."
"Thank you," Moonpaw whispered. Nuzzling deeper into her nest, she closed her eyes, feeling sleep overcome her like a dark wave.
~
"DarkClan has crossed the boundary!"
Moonpaw's eyes flew open as the excited yowl echoed through the clearing. Scrambling to her paws, the silver tabby she-cat blinked, the sunlight seeping through the interlocking branches of the den making her squint as she stumbled towards the entrance. Fur standing on end, she burst into the sandy clearing, claws unsheathed and teeth bared in a snarl as the frantic pawsteps of her Clanmates swelled around her like pounding rain on the forest floor.
"What happened?" A long-legged brown-and-white tom was padding quickly towards the entrance to the camp, his fur bristling as four cats burst through the bramble tunnel, tails lashing and claws flashing in the sunlight. Moonpaw recognized Leafstar's dark brown fur amongst the crush of pelts that swarmed around the returning patrol, and as she lifted her nose to scent the air she recognized Grasstail, Snowfall and Robinheart among them.
"What's going on, Leafstar?" The brown-and-white tom demanded, shouldering a pale silver she-cat aside as he confronted the EarthClan leader. "Where are the DarkClan cats?"
"A small patrol of DarkClan cats crossed onto our territory near the spring," Leafstar mewed, waving his tail for silence as his Clanmates began to mewl loudly in dismay, their eyes as wide as moons. "We chased them back onto the moorland, but Briarclaw promised that they'd be back."
"Are any of you injured?" A speckled tortoiseshell she-cat padded through the throng of gathered cats, her pale green eyes gleaming with worry. Her small, lithe frame seemed out of place amongst her muscular, broad-shouldered Clanmates, but the authority in her mew made several of the warriors back away with respect as she faced the EarthClan leader. "Do I need to fetch any herbs?"
"No, Fawnflower," Leafstar mewed gently, flicking his tail along the she-cat's glossy, dappled flank. "No cat was harmed."
"But we can expect a battle soon." Moonpaw craned her neck to catch a glimpse of the speaker, and caught sight of Robinheart's brown pelt as the she-cat spoke ominously to the crowd. Irritation pricked her paws. Why was Robinheart with Leafstar's patrol when she was supposed to be hunting? She didn't even have any prey in her jaws!
"Is that true?" The brown-and-white tom stared wide-eyed at Leafstar, the fur along his spine bristling with fury.
"I'm afraid so, Rabbitleap." Leafstar's mew was dark.
"What does Oakstar want now?" The silver she-cat that Rabbitleap had thrust aside stared in dismay at the EarthClan leader, her dark amber eyes gleaming with fear. "Hasn't DarkClan taken all that they need already?"
"Isn't it obvious, Witherleaf?" Robinheart growled. "Oakstar and his warriors want more hunting grounds, and they'll infiltrate EarthClan territory to get it."
"You're telling me Oakstar really thinks DarkClan needs more hunting grounds?" Rabbitleap snarled, his lip curled as he stared at the red-chested she-cat. "He has the entire forest at his disposal, and part of the moorland! What does he need EarthClan territory for?"
"DarkClan has always been greedy." A speckled dark gray tom spoke up from the back of the crowd, his tail lashing and his ears flattened.
"They'll do anything to get their paws on what doesn't belong to them!"
"Ever since Oakstar became leader, DarkClan has turned into nothing but a Clan of thieves."
"How dare they threaten EarthClan like this?"
"Silence!" Leafstar's yowl sliced through the commotion like claws, silencing the cats gathered around the patrol at once. The dark brown tom's pale green eyes glowed with fervent emotion that made Moonpaw's pelt prickle. She had only seen the EarthClan leader's eyes blaze in such a way once, and the thought of what was to come made excitement flutter in her chest like a trapped bird.
"DarkClan may threaten EarthClan's borders, but we will not allow their blatant disrespect and lack of honor frighten us into submission! We are descendants of TigerClan and LionClan, the great wildcats who even the Twolegs feared! Oakstar thinks that he can threaten us without consequence, but he is wrong! EarthClan does not fight unnecessary battles, but if DarkClan continues to threaten our borders, as they have done today, then EarthClan will match Oakstar and his warriors tooth and claw. We need not worry. EarthClan is the strongest of the two Clans, and we will not be frightened by a pack of thieving warriors and their empty threats!"
Yowls of approval echoed throughout the clearing. Moonpaw felt her paws prickle with excitement as she gazed at her mentor, pale green eyes gleaming with pride as the stout dark brown tom stood, shoulders squared, as he faced his Clanmates, confidence radiating from his pelt like waves of bright sunlight. No other cat in EarthClan could inspire his Clanmates as Leafstar could.
"Where's Birdsong and Berrypaw?" Witherleaf suddenly mewed, glancing around Leafstar's shoulder to glimpse the rest of the patrol as the cries and howls of her Clanmates died down. "Did they not come back with you?"
"We left them near the border, to make sure the DarkClan cats did not try to cross it again," Leafstar replied. "I was planning on sending a couple more cats to meet them, in case Briarclaw and his patrol decide to test their luck again."
"I'll go." Rabbitleap mewed immediately.
"And I." The speckled gray tom rose to his paws, his dark blue eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Me too!" Badgerpaw's mew rose up from somewhere near the back of the crowd.
"Can I go as well?" Witherleaf gazed beseechingly into the EarthClan leader's burning gaze, her eyes as wide as moons.
Leafstar nodded. "Witherleaf, Rainstorm, Rabbitleap and Badgerpaw then," he meowed. "Head towards the spring, and keep a lookout near the edge of the treeline for DarkClan warriors. I wouldn't put it past Oakstar to place warriors on our territory as a means to ambush us."
"I'd like to see them try." Rabbitleap growled, his brown-and-white fur bristling.
"Should I lead a patrol near the Twolegplace?" Robinheart mewed, casting Leafstar an authoritative glance. "Just in case any DarkClan warriors have ventured deeper into our territory?"
"If you wish." Leafstar replied. "Take Copperwing, Greenpool, Sootcloud and Moonpaw."
Frustration flashed in the red-breasted she-cat's eyes at the mention of Moonpaw's name, and the silver tabby apprentice fluffed out her fur with indignance, ready to hear the young warrior refute her leader's orders as she had done to Stormcloud just that sunhigh. But the brown she-cat dipped her head, keeping her yellow eyes downcast as she replied respectfully, "Yes, Leafstar."
"That's it, then." Despite the threat of an impending battle, Leafstar's mew was tinged with satisfaction. "The rest of the Clan will carry on as normal. We must not allow DarkClan to see our fur ruffled. If need be, we will place sentries near the bramble tunnel, but I do not see it as being necessary. DarkClan may think they can take what does not belong to them, but EarthClan will not be beaten down. Remember, we are the greatest Clan in the forest. Keep that thought always within your heart, and no DarkClan cat will take one pawstep onto EarthClan land ever again."
Once more howls of approval rose up from the gathered cats. Moonpaw joined in, lost in the excitement and pride of her Clanmates. If DarkClan were to attack EarthClan, this would be her first battle; and the thought of her claws tearing into DarkClan flesh made her wriggle with dark anticipation. If Oakstar believed his Clan of prey-stealers would defeat EarthClan, then he was sorely mistaken!
StarClan wouldn't let DarkClan take what doesn't belong to them, she thought confidently, her fur fluffed out with pride as she gazed in admiration at her leader. Oakstar has made a fatal mistake!