Chapter 6

Swiftclaw

"I am soooo happy!" Daisypaw mewed to a sleek black and grey dappled tom apprentice. He gave her an annoyed look, and went back to eating his rabbit.

"What is there to be happy about? I mean, it's raining." The patchy black tom was right. The rain was pouring down on all the cats, even leaking through den ceilings, soaking every cat to the bone. The sky was grey and dreary, thunder and lightning clapped, annoying most cats.

"Come on, be happy for a bit Duskpaw, I mean, what's the worst that could happen?" Daisypaw tore at her vole. "The herbs will be healthier now, and Spottedpaw could possibly find some Catmint! You know, to help with the greencough." Duskpaw looked at Daisypaw again.

"You have no idea." He turned around and padded back to the den. Daisypaw could hear the squelching of mud under his paws.

"Duskpaw!" She heard a tom shout, "Come over here." Duskpaw trotted over to his mentor Swiftclaw. Swiftclaw batted Duskpaw over the head. "You're late. I expect better if you ever wish to become a warrior." Daisypaw was surprised, training out in this weather, it seemed absurd.

"I hope I don't have to train today." She said to herself as she grabbed two rabbits, and headed off to the nursery. Her paws sunk a bit in the mud, and got wet in the puddles the rain was making.

Today there were two cats in the nursery, and two kits. Daisypaw padded in and was immediately greeted by the Queens.

"Good Morning!" Chimed Cherrysong, a white-bodied she-cat with brown face and tail.

"Hello!" the other said, this voice belonged to Dovespirit, a tall white she-cat. They were both lying next to each other, so Daisypaw dropped one rabbit for them.

"Good morning Cherrysong and Dovespirit! I got you a rabbit from the fresh-kill pile, so you didn't have to go outside. It's pouring a storm."

" That's so kind of you. Thank you." The two queens started eating. One kit tried to take a bite, but Dovespirit pushed the grey she-kit away to play with the others. The kit sulked away, but another kit, a white tom, jumped on the she-kit, and they began to wrestle. Daisypaw laughed, she heard them playing.

"Your kits are so cute, Dovespirit. Don't worry Cherrysong, yours will be here soon." She commented, she then left to go to the elder's den, to bring them another rabbit. Daisypaw slid to a stop at the fresh-kill pile, splashing mud all over herself. It was goopy, and Daisypaw didn't like the feel of it running through her hairs. She grabbed three other rabbits.

"Daisypaw! What in Starclan are you doing with all that fresh-kill?" Swiftclaw was back, yelling furiously at Daisypaw. She took a step back.

"Just bringing it to the elders," She said to Swiftclaw, "So they don't need to go out to fetch it in the pouring rain." Swiftclaw bent in closer, furrowing his eyebrows up to Daisypaw.

"I don't believe you." Swiftclaw grabbed Daisypaw's forepaw and began to pull her to Cedarstar's den. Daisypaw dropped the rabbits

"But, really, I am!" Daisypaw cried, as she whirled around to face Swiftclaw.

"You really think you are the prophecy cat?" He stared deathly at Daisypaw.

"Why does that matter?" Daisypaw struggled again as Swiftclaw jerked her to the other side of him as he exited camp. He stepped over a bush of deathberries, and dragged Daisypaw through thorns.

"The forest will fall. The civil war I created with lies in Thunderclan will break it, then I will go to the next clan, then the next, breaking them all from the inside, playing the innocent. In the end, I will conquer Starclan, and the entire forest." He walked over to the highest sunning rock, and leaped upon it, dangling Daisypaw by the scruff of her neck, over the flooding river. She could hear it pass sharp rocks, and dip down deep crevices. It was angry, and could certainly kill. "Your little Starclan destiny won't happen little daisy. I will rule." Daisypaw tried to scratch at Swiftclaws paws. His fangs tightened around her throat. Daisypaw gasped for air and rasped,

"No, Please don't!" It was too late, Swiftclaw had fire in his eyes, Daisypaw's silver eyes closed. He threw her into the river.