I really don't have much to say about the time it took me to update this. All I can say is...I vastly underestimated the amount of work that goes into University life. I will not give up on this story, but the updates will certainly take longer, in all my stories.
Warriors doesn't belong to me.
R&R please.
...It were a tall black she-cat, an equally tall and muscular leaf-coloured tom with white paws and a small, wiry brown tabby she-cat.
"What the-"
The cut of gasp had Rootwhisker spin around and his eyes widened. In front of him, looking at the cats beyond the stream, stood Roseflight, Sunnydawn, Splashwhisker and Spottedleaf.
It was silent for a long time, the two groups of cats, one living and one dead, simply staring at each other. Rootwhisker scanned the three StarClan cats while he had the chance.
The tom's fur was an intricate pattern of different shades of ginger and orange, the brown she-cat was almost too small and the black she-cat was incredibly tall. Her green eyes were locked on Rootwhisker, scanning him with incredible scrutiny, yet he felt something was amiss. He felt that those eyes should not be as dull and despair-filled as they were.
„What with StarClan?", breathed Sunnydawn finally, prompting everyone to turn their head and look at the golden she-cat. After a few heartbeats Rootwhisker nodded in agreement and returned his attention to the StarClan cats. That pretty much summed up what he thought of this situation as well.
It was obvious those three cats were not only from StarClan, but very important, they had that aura of power around them, that Rootwhisker had only encountered when meeting former leaders in his dreams. And even most of those leaders seemed almost like kittens compared to those three. But who exactly were they?
Suddenly the tom on the other side of the stream started to move, prompting a flinch from the oldest medicine cat, whose attention had still mostly been on the black she-cat. Something about her just caught Rootwhisker's attention. Roseflight slipped next to her mentor quickly, flanking him to provide comfort, although he could smell her fear-scent in the air, and stability. Sunnydawn, who still stood slightly behind them, didn't seem to fare much better.
The living cats watched with baited breath how the tom approached the stream but he stopped right at its shore, not daring to cross it, his yellow eyes blazing in the bright sunlight that shone in the clearing. The two she-cats were following now and were soon flanking the tom on both sides.
Rootwhisker took a deep breath and was about to open his mouth and ask the question that had been bothering him since he saw those three, when another thought had him freeze up. How come he barely scented…?
He jerked his head around and scanned behind him and on both of his sides, but couldn't find them. That was when Roseflight let out a shocked gasp. Rootwhisker's eyes shot to her, then followed her gaze and immediately his eyes narrowed suspiciously.
There they were.
Splashwhisker and Spottedleaf had moved rather close to the stream and settled down there, barely a tail-length away from the three StarClan cats, looking completely at ease while chatting quietly with the leaf-coloured tom.
"I take it you two have an idea of what's happening right now?", the tabby asked accusingly, a sharp hiss entering his voice. The ThunderClan cats' heads shot to him, locking eyes with him and the two she-cats at his sides. Spottedleaf and Splashwhisker exchanged a slow glance, before they looked over to the three StarClan cats. Uncertainty was shining in their eyes.
The black she-cat gave them a slow nod in answer, prompting a nervous sigh from the newest medicine cat. Nonetheless, Spottedleaf rose to her paws slowly and turned to face the other medicine cats properly. Her amber eyes glowed and shimmered, emotions shooting through them faster than Rootwhisiker could name them, but she took another deep breath and closed her eyes.
When she reopened them they had calmed.
The amber colour still shimmered in her obvious nervousness, but she had obviously managed to gather herself. With one last glance over her shoulder to the StarClan cats she began to speak quietly.
"It all began more than four seasons ago", her soft voice just barely reached Rootwhisker and the other two, but they heard her, "On one and the same day, ten special kits were born in ThunderClan, one in RiverClan and seven in ShadowClan. During the very same night, Sunnydawn became Hazeclaw's apprentice. This didn't happen all at the same time for no reason." She fell silent, contemplating shortly, then continued: "I'm among those ten kits that were born in ThunderClan and…well we all…we share something unique." She hesitated again, amber eyes flickering to her mentor and the StarClan cats.
Rootwhisker couldn't help but frown at the nervousness that reflected in Splashwhisker's orange eyes, neither the somewhat resigned acceptance and fear in the StarClan cats. What was going on?
"Myself and the other nine…we're not like the other cats in ThunderClan."
"And why is that?", asked Roseflight sharply, prompting a wince from Spottedleaf. Rootwhisker placed his tail on is apprentice's shoulder, trying to calm her somewhat. He was agitated as well but they couldn't get loud now. It would not do to insult the StarClan cats that, as it appeared, had Spottedleaf's back.
Spottedleaf herself sighed again, then…
"We all are reborn members of StarClan."
It was completely silent for a while, the only sound coming from the stream that happily gurgled along and the birds. Finally Sunnydawn chocked out: "You're joking!"
"She is not", argued a deep female voice. Everyone looked to the tall black she-cat. Dull green eyes wandered from the tortoiseshell she-cat near her to Sunnydawn. "Spottedleaf and nine other ThunderClan cats used to be our clan-mates."
"They disappeared from our hunting grounds many seasons ago, for no reason we could see. A reason we still don't fully understand even now", the tom continued.
"And then they suddenly popped up in the world of living again, all born on the same day", the smallest she-cat ended. She smirked. "You can imagine what an uproar that caused up here."
Spottedleaf remained silent, shifting a little closer to Splashwhisker, who straightened his position and leaned forward, somewhat covering his apprentice protectively. Sunnydawn and Roseflight fell into heated whispers, but Rootwhisker's attention was somewhere else. It was on the three StarClan cats.
The feeling from before hadn't left yet, which was new. Something about them filled him with sheer awe, that was true, and something similar had happened before with former leaders but never this powerfully and never with such duration. That and the black she-cat felt startlingly familiar to the aged tom, almost like a long lost friend. Finally giving into those feelings he asked: "Who are you?"
The silent murmurs that had filled the clearing stopped and everyone fell silent. Every eye was on Rootwhisker, but the aged tom kept his attention on the black she-cat. Soon enough she smiled softly, her somewhat dull green eyes gaining a livelier glimmer again. It suited her better than the depressive gleam from before, Rootwhisker decided.
She took a few steps in his direction and drew herself up to her full height. "My name is Shadow, founder of ShadowClan." Rootwhisker's eyes widened, his jaw dropping a little and he heard shocked gasps from beside him.
At this the smaller she-cat drew herself up as well and added: "I'm known as Wind, WindClan's founder and this is…" She nodded to the leaf-coloured tom.
"Thunder, founder of ThunderClan", introduced the tom calmly. There was a dull thud behind Rootwhisker and the tom spun around, to find that Sunnydawn had sat down heavily, wide yellow eyes staring unseeingly at the ground in front of her.
"Were we that bad?", asked Splashwhisker while he came closer. He gently nudged Sunnydawn, prompting the she-cat to jerk into the air and then sprint off to hide behind Roseflight. The grey tom winced at her reaction, but didn't try to follow and turned his head when Thunder answered his question.
"Not in that way", his amber eyes blazed amusedly, "Reedheart, Sapphirefur and you did look at me like you were expecting me to eat you any second though."
Splashwhisker's whiskers twitched at the answer and the soft laugh that came from Spottedleaf. The young she-cat still hadn't moved away from her position near the ancient leaders.
"If we believe you", began the aged tom then, once again speaking for all three of them. "And only if, why are you informing us of this now?" Spottedleaf winced harshly at his question and the ancient leaders looked nervous as well. Splashwhisker's fur bristled in a mixture of anxiousness, fear and anger. "Well?"
It was Thunder who let out a tired sigh before he explained: "This…situation has been a tightly kept secret for far too long. Had Splashwhisker, Sapphirefur and Reedheart not been with them when Fireheart and Sandstorm were confronted with a beast from the past they would never have known either."
"Sapphirefur's death only a few moons later…we took it as a sign", continued Spottedleaf softly, drawing everyone's attention to her. "Sapphirefur died because she was confronted with something that was beyond her. Long we believed she might have survived that battle had she just not known. But now…" Spottedleaf raised her head and her glowing amber eyes locked onto the other medicine cats'. Rootwhisker shuddered at the bitter knowledge that gleamed there. "After BloodClan attacked we realised that, while our situation is best kept a secret, there are certain cats who should know, who need to know. And so, a few moons ago, we informed Nightstar about us. He…took it well enough I suppose. And after that…we agreed you all need to know."
"But why us?", asked Roseflight sharply.
Splashwhisker let out an amused purr at that before he answered: "You're medicine cats, that's why. You are your clans' strongest connection to StarClan. You understand the importance of a delicate situation…and you know when you need to keep quiet about your knowledge."
"I'm supposed to keep this from Crowstar?", exclaimed Sunnydawn loudly.
"You need to", answered Wind sharply. "I understand you don't like it, but you also need to understand the danger this knowledge puts you in already. Do you really want to place your clan into that kind of danger?"
Sunnydawn hesitated and Shadow caught up: "One day there might be the need to have your leaders, maybe your whole clans, in the know, but until then this is all a very delicate situation. The reborn Dark-Forest cats that reside in ShadowClan right now cannot know that you are in the know. It would mean your instant death."
"Then why tell us at all", asked Rootwhisker. He felt surprisingly calm now. Maybe it was the fact that it was Shadow that had just spoken or it was the fact that all the unrest he'd felt lately-Wait a heartbeat! "It was you!", exclaimed the aged tom now.
Multiple heads turned to him in puzzlement.
"What was us?", asked Wind finally.
"The unrest and energy bursts I felt lately, especially whenever I considered stepping down from my position. They came from you, did they not?" At those words understanding washed over the ancient leaders' faces.
Shadow nodded and explained: "We could not risk your stepping down until you were in the know about his. Roseflight is a bright young cat, but she will need a confidant for this knowledge. Had she come here alone tonight you would never have believed her once morning came. Sunnydawn is a little easier."
"How so?", asked Sunnydawn now. "My mentor passed away, meaning I won't have anyone to confine in."
"Not in your clan", agreed Wind.
Sunnydawn tilted her head in confusion. "Where then?"
"In me." Rootwhisker turned this head once more and found Spottedleaf padding up to them. Her bright amber eyes glowed lively now and she explained: "Because both Crowstar and Nightstar are trying their very best to keep good, if not truly friendly, relations between our clans no one will think twice if you and I, one a full-fledged medicine cat, the other, while fully acknowledged, still an apprentice, meet to talk." She nodded to the StarClan cats and added: "Even in my first lifetime my connection to our ancestors was surprisingly strong. Now that I have walked their paths before it is even easier for them to contact me if they truly try and aren't opposed."
"In other words", continued Wind once more. "If you feel that you desperately need to talk to Spottedleaf, send a message, a prayer if you so will, directly to me and the next day, at the time you choose, she will be waiting at the border."
"You really thought of everything, didn't you?", asked Roseflight dryly.
"I wouldn't necessarily say everything", argued Splashwhisker with another amused purr. "But we certainly put our all into it in the last few moons." He hesitated, then continued: "As strange as sit may seem to you now, we need to keep united in this. There are four clans around this lake. We are different and that is good, but against this danger, a danger that goes beyond life and death, we need to stand united."
"Nice speech", commented Spottedleaf amusedly.
Splashwhisker laughed and answered: "I'm just meshing together and repeating everything I've heard Fireheart say the last few moons."
"Uh…I've got another question?", asked Sunnydawn softly.
"By all means, ask it, that is what we are here for tonight after all", came Thunder's immediate answer.
"Why isn't Glintstream here with us?"
Thunder nodded at the question and answered: "Glintstream is a gifted medicine cat and very loyal. Unfortunately she is a little too loyal to Silverstar herself. I know for a fact that your leaders hold your belief, admiration and loyalty as well, and that is how it is supposed to be, but different to Glintstream you understand that sometimes, for the best of the clan, the leader shouldn't know what you know."
"In short, Glintstream would spill to Silverstar immediately", concluded Roseflight.
Thunder nodded.
Roseflight nodded back, her eyes clouded over. Rootwhisker had just moved to touch her shoulder with his nose when it happened. Her eyes cleared and hardened, her fur bristled and she locked eyes with Thunder.
"Who are they?" The founder of ThunderClan tilted his head in question. "Those vile beings that thrive within our clan right now. Which of our cats are these reborn traitors?" Most cats looked taken aback at the ferocity Roseflight expressed now, but Rootwhisker smirked. That was his apprentice at her best.
After a few more heartbeats it was Shadow who finally answered: "Right now they are known as Clawface, Thistleclaw, Brokentail, Mapleshade, Darkstripe, Hawkfrost and…Tigerclaw."
Rootwhisker wished he could say he'd joined Roseflight and Sunnydawn in gasping in shock, but he really couldn't. Of course it were those seven.
Fireheart yawned hugely when the rising sun managed to peek through the snow-covered bush he and Ravenflight were hidden under and blinked the sleep from his eyes. He shuddered slightly and puffed up his fur against the cold air of the morning. Inwardly he wondered just how the medicine cats could stand lying out in the cold all on their own in this weather.
Ice crystals hung from branches and overhanging rocks, a good sign for how cold it had actually gotten last night. Shaking himself from his thoughts, Fireheart crawled out from underneath the bush, shuddering once more when Ravenflight's warm body disappeared from his side, and stretched leisurely.
The crisp morning air woke him quickly and he scratched his claws over the frozen earth, not at all surprise when he found barely any hold for them.
"They should be coming soon", murmured the ginger tom to himself, green eyes locked on the path to the moonpool. He didn't want to, considering just how peaceful his brother looked when he woke up, but he knew Ravenflight would prefer to be up and about when the medicine cats came. Thus Fireheart turned around and poked his head back underneath the bush.
He gently nudged Ravenflight's cheek with his nose.
"Ravenflight! Ravenflight wake up", Fireheart hissed and nudged the black tom again.
Ravenflight twitched before he curled into a tighter ball of fur.
Fireheart huffed in frustration and loudly threatened: "If you do not get up now brother mine then I will find a way to make all the snow on this bush fall on you." Ravenflight's answer came in the form of a groan and some grumbling before he uncurled and sent his brother a tired yellow glare. "You'll thank me once the medicine cats show up."
With that statement Fireheart backed back out of the bush and shook his fur free of the snow that had landed on him while he woke Ravenflight. Not too long after the black tom appeared already. He also shook his fur free from snow before he settled down next to Fireheart near the path. The two waited in silence for a while before Fireheart grew tired of it.
He turned to Ravenflight and ran his tongue over the unruly fur between his brother's ears.
"What are you-"
"Your head looks like a bird nested there", interrupted the ginger tom and continued smoothing down the black fur.
Ravenflight didn't protest and lowered his head to give the other better access. Once Fireheart was done he drew back only for Ravenflight to start cleaning the fur over his right shoulder. Purring the ginger tom turned a little and the two brothers began sharing tongues, silently joking with each other while they did so. After a while rustling and the padding of multiple paws caught their attention and they pulled apart and sat down side by side again.
Only a few heartbeats later Glintstream appeared from behind a rock followed by Sunnydawn, Spottedpaw, Roseflight, Rootwhisker and Splashwhisker. Spottedpaw's amber eyes lit up when she saw the two warriors and bounded forward immediately, easily overtaking Glintstream.
Fireheart laughed and touched noses with his old friend and then Ravenflight did the same.
"So, did all go well?", asked the black tom quietly.
"Mostly", murmured the tortoiseshell back. "I'll explain more when we're all together." She continued quickly when she saw Fireheart and Ravenflight exchange worried glances. "But guess what!"
Fireheart blinked, startled at her sudden shift in emotions. She was almost bubbly now and that was a description he never thought he'd use for her. Ravenflight looked taken aback as well. "What?", Fireheart asked warily. The she cat was scaring him a little.
"I finally gained my medicine cat name", proclaimed the tortoiseshell proudly.
"Really? That's great", answered Ravenflight.
"And…just like us?", Fireheart whispered.
She nodded and answered: "Yes. I'm finally back to being Spottedleaf", a soft sigh left her, "I feel strangely complete now."
A purr rumbled in Fireheart's chest while he answered: "Oh believe me, we know how you feel."
"Are you done?", came another voice suddenly. Fireheart blinked and turned his head.
Down the path he found Sunnydawn and Glintstream disappear in the direction of WindClan territory.
His eyes narrowed when he saw Sunnydawn glancing back over her shoulder constantly. It was a lot for one lone, young medicine to take in, he supposed.
Next to Splashwhisker were Rootwhisker and Roseflight, the young she-cat looking beyond furious.
"Well?", rasped Rootwhisker now, finally fully drawing the ginger tom's attention.
"Our apology", answered Ravenflight and stepped forward. "Whenever…what you were informed about tonight, comes up, we tend to focus on each other more than anything else for a short while."
Roseflight and her mentor blinked at the calm but strong answer, the black tom's words holding an edge that only came with the wisdom of great experience, standing in great contrast to his youthful appearance.
"I'm starting to wonder how any of you ever managed to fool anyone", caught Rootwhisker on immediately.
Those words drew a laugh from Splashwhisker before he argued: "That's only because they don't put any effort into the act right now Rootwhisker. Believe me, they can act like any other young warrior if they put their mind to it."
"Not that any of us enjoy doing that", added Fireheart quickly.
"Oh really?", challenged Roseflight now.
"Really", answered the ginger tom. "It's…actually rather embarrassing at times."
"Oh, do tell." Fireheart blinked and turned questioning green eyes on the oldest medicine cat present.
Rootwhsiker shrugged and explained: "It's how she deals with stress."
That the former leader could understand. The group of six cats set off slowly, the two warriors hesitantly sharing stories of some of the antics they'd knowingly gotten up to in order to keep their cover. By the time they split from Splashwhisker and Spottedleaf Roseflight was mostly relaxed again and holding a surprisingly light-hearted conversation with Ravenflight. Fireheart watched them with fond eyes when Rootwhisker called for his attention.
He turned to look at the old medicine cat who was staring up at the now cloudy sky. The sun had long since disappeared behind the grey cover.
"What is it?", asked the ginger warrior.
"I talked to Sunnydawn before we left the Moonpool", Rootwhisker began. "But apparently I was the only medicine cat receiving visions about, what I can now guess, is your past lives." Fireheart twitched his tail, startled.
"Visions of what?"
"Of, what I can now guess, your past lives, mostly involving you actually", Rootwhisker elaborated.
"Could you…could you describe one of them?", Fireheart requested gently. "I…would like to make sure." Rootwhisker hesitated, then nodded.
"Very well, the one that has been playing on my mind since you and Ravenflight came to guide us past the fox traps." He took a deep breath. "It plays near our lake. There are three cats. One looks almost just like you, except older…one exactly like Hawkfrost…" Rootwhisker trailed away, a well enough sign that he'd caught Fireheart's fur bristling at the name. "…and the third…like Tigerclaw but…different…he seemed almost-"
"-gentler", finished Fireheart softly when it became apparent Rootwhisker didn't know how to put it. He caught Rootwhisker's glance and explained: "That third cat is Bramblestar, Brambleclaw back then, my deputy. For all that he was like Tigerstar in strength and ability, he was gentle and loyal soul and the only cat I would have ever wanted to leave ThunderClan to upon my death." Fireheart took a deep breath before he asked: "Continue, please. I have a good idea what occasion you're talking about but I would still like to hear it." Rootwhisker gave him a long, considering look before he nodded.
"Right…well you, I mean he, I mean the ginger…"
He let out an exasperated grunt and Fireheart offered: "Just use Firestar, that was my name at the time, while it is not so now."
"Very well. Firestar was caught in a fox trap", cue Fireheart shuddering at the memory of that trap cutting into his throat, "and…Brambleclaw was standing over him. He looked terribly confused and uncertain. Hawkfrost was nearby, talking to him, trying to get him to kill Firestar so…", Rootwhisker gulped and Fireheart had to focus hard for his fur to lie at least somewhat flat again, "…so they could take over the clans together. But…Brambleclaw refused and moved to protect Firestar from Hawkfrost. He quickly frees him, only to get attacked by Hawkfrost. They fight for a while but in the end Hawkfrost dies due to Brambleclaw killing him with the trap's sharp stick…the vision always faded there, with Hawkfrost's blood flowing into the lake."
"Blood will spill blood and the lake will turn red", whispered Fireheart. A confused murmur from Rootwhisker prompted him to elaborate: "That was a prophecy we received a while before this happened. Brambleclaw and Hawkfrost were half-brothers. Before there is peace, blood will spill blood and the lake will run red."
"Dark", commented a female voice and Fireheart turned his head to find Roseflight and Ravenflight walk a lot closer to them than before.
"You listened?", asked Fireheart.
"Since you explained about Bramblestar", answered his brother.
"Still, a rather dark prophecy, isn't it?", began Roseflight again after a short silence.
"Many prophecies hold something dark", answered Firestar softly. "The clans don't need to be forewarned about the good. That, which they will enjoy, they don't need to know beforehand, it will even take some joy away. Prophecies are sent and received when dark times come so the clans can be prepared."
A stunned silence enveloped them before Ravenflight purred: "Spoken like a wise leader."
"It's who I used to be", Fireheart answered.
"No", Ravenflight argued quickly. "It's who you still are now. You may not have the name, dear brother mine, but you still hold the knowledge and wisdom of an experienced leader. And you have led the ten of us far already." Fireheart couldn't help but purr at those words and a gentle warmth ran through him.
Some cats thought the best thing about being leader as the power one had and the fact that one could decide whatever they wanted. That was wrong though, the most wonderful, but also frightening, part of being a leader was facing the consequences of your actions and decisions. Because if you did it right you were rewarded with the unwavering loyalty and trust of the cats you made those decisions for.
Then a sharp smell burned through the ginger tom's nose and he froze. That was ShadowClan scent. And it was much closer than it should be.
"Stop." Ravenflight and the medicine cats froze. Fireheart moved a few more paces forward slowly and inhaled. A strangely familiar scent reached him and he bit back a growl. "Ravenflight", whispered the tom. Once the soft meow that signalled Ravenflight's attention came he continued: "Take Rootwhisker and Roseflight to the lake, stay downwind and once you start catching sight of the border, hide and let them go."
"What about you", came the worried whisper.
"I'll be fine. I won't confront anyone, but alone I can more easily make sure that whoever this is won't be able to smell Rootwhisker and Roseflight on me." A soft brush of Ravenflight's tail against his own was the only true answer the ginger warrior received from his brother and only a few heartbeats later the rustling of some bushes hinted him being alone now. With a deep breath Fireheart crouched and soundlessly slunk around the trees, staying hidden behind the snow covered bushes as much as his colouring allowed.
Soon enough the scent of ShadowClan increased and soft voices reached his ear. After rounding one more tree his green eyes went wide.
In front of him, dropping two voles into a small hole, obviously to hide them for now, were two cats he knew all too well.
One was a large, thin-furred dark grey tabby tom with black stripes and yellow eyes and the other was a dark brown tabby tom with long, thick, patchy and ragged fur. He had painfully familiar orange eyes in a broad, flat face and his tail was a little bend in the middle. Darkstripe and Brokentail, thought the ginger tom, his breath catching in his throat. What are they doing? The question may sound dumb even in his head, but despite all these cats stood for he couldn't quite belief they'd be this full of themselves and start stealing prey from ThunderClan.
Multiple tactics and ideas ran through his head while he contemplated what he wanted to do now. He could not take on both of these cats together, that would spell his death, but he couldn't let him go just like that either. Then his mind flashed back to the last evening.
"Nightstar please tell me you are not seriously considering this!"
"I trust Splashwhisker's judgement Rivertail. I dislike sending someone out, but it will indeed be done. Nonetheless, as soon as Splashwhisker and Spottedpaw return tomorrow, I want you to send out a strong patrol to the ShadowClan border."
That patrol should be here soon…maybe I could stall? It's the best idea I've got so far. Fireheart nodded to himself, straightened up and almost casually strolled out of the bushes and to the two ShadowClan cats. Both froze and spun to him. Their eyes narrowed immediately and twin growls rang out.
"Oh do calm down you two", asked the ginger tom almost flippantly and settled down a few tail-lengths away from his enemies. Darkstripe blinked and looked decidedly thrown at Fireheart's actions while Brokentail's growls only increased. "So, stealing prey", the ginger prompted. "Rather tame for everything I know from Tigerclaw and you two. Scared of ThunderClan's retaliation should you fully attack us?"
A snarl came from Darkstripe and he spit out: "Watch it kittypet!"
"You really need some new insults Darkstripe", argued Fireheart lightly. "I'm a leader's son right now, remember. That insult doesn't really work anymore."
"You're acting awfully smug", Brokentail murmured now. "Not what I know from you."
"Indeed", Darkstripe rumbled.
Fireheart purred in amusement and answered: "I grew up differently." His ears titled back slightly, hearing the first hints of noises coming from the approaching patrol. "Other than that…you are both tactically gifted, I give you that", once again both ShadowClan cats looked decidedly thrown, unsure of what to think of their enemy right now, "But you really should have recognized what I'm doing right now." Fireheart subtly tensed his muscles, ready to act at a moment's notice. He smirked slightly. "It's called stalling."
He threw himself to the right, barely evading Brokentail.
The dark tom had exploded forward before Fireheart had even finished speaking. Immediately afterwards he dug his hind-legs into the ground and pulled back, barely evading Darkstripe's swipe at his ears. With a loud cry the young, ginger warrior leaped forward and barrelled into the grey and black tabby and took him down.
The two cats tumbled over each other for a while before claws dug into Fireheart's back, near his shoulders, and wrenched him off of Darkstripe. Fireheart gasped when he hit a bush and shuddered when the iced over branches dug into him, but he scrambled to his legs immediately. He barely managed to block Brokentail's next swipe at him and drew back. Darkstripe was there again soon and Fireheart needed every last skill he had to just stay alive during this battle.
Even when he heard the ruckus the ThunderClan patrol was by now making, he didn't allow his attention on his opponents to waver. Luckily it seemed he'd managed to enrage the two ShadowClan warriors enough for them to not realise that Fireheart's gamble was paying off.
He ducked underneath one more swipe from Darkstripe only to slip on a patch of ice.
Brokentail capitalized on that immediately and used his thick tail to swipe Fireheart's paws out from underneath him. The ginger tom fell and was quickly pinned down by the former leader of ShadowClan.
"What now kittypet?", spat the brown tom, bright orange eyes glaring down at him maliciously.
Sharp claws dug deep into his shoulders but Fireheart refused to make a sound. Darkstripe grinned and reared forward, claws lashing out. Now a cry did spill from the young warrior's throat and hot pain blossomed from his left ear. The next second Brokentail's weight was gone from atop him and Darkstripe let out a startled yowl.
Fireheart scrambled to his legs and looked around.
He let out a gasp of relieve when he saw Rivertail and Wolfheart double-team Brokentail while Reedheart was driving Darkstripe back.
"Fireheart are you alright?" The ginger tom turned his head to find a worried looking Ravenflight and Silverstream stand near him.
"I'll be fine", Fireheart answered. On the glare he got from his brother he added: "I made sure to only engage them when I heard the patrol come Ravenflight. You're back a lot sooner than I expected you to-OH!" A sharp gasp of pain cut him off when Silverstream's tongue ran over his injured ear.
"I hurried Rootwhisker along as much as I dared for his age. He certainly didn't seem to mind. The second their border came into view and I'd checked that there were no more traps I turned and raced back."
"I sure hope this finally makes Splashwhisker see he became too trusting." The three young warriors looked up, to find Rivertail and Wolfheart walk up to them. Behind them Reedheart disappeared into the bushes, still chasing the two ShadowClan warriors.
"What do you mean with that?", asked Ravenflight with a confused tilt of his head.
"Isn't it obvious they played us", growled Rivertail in answer.
"You mean Rootwhisker and Roseflight being in on this?", exclaimed Fireheart. He stood straighter, dislodging Silverstream from her work on his ear and continued: "They didn't know about this. Frankly, they looked rather horrified when they heard and scented those two." Rivertail opened his mouth to argue only to be cut off by Reedheart who just reappeard through the bushes.
"Fireheart's got a point. It were only those two and with everything ShadowClan has been up to lately, I don't think even Ivystar knew about this." The spotted tom shook snow from his whiskers. "She's so boisterous lately, I really can't think she'd tell her cats to actually sneak into our territory. Whatever they were doing here." Rivertail had to concede that point and they all knew it.
Had Ivystar ordered this breach in territory, there would've been a whole patrol, ready to engage in battle.
"What were they doing here anyway", Wolfheart picked up on the senior warriors last question and the lack of an answer.
Fireheart couldn't help the growl that rumbled in his throat while he answered: "They were stealing prey." He stalked over to where he remembered Brokentail and Darkstripe dig around and unearthed the two voles the ShadowClan warriors had caught.
Multiple growls rang out from the other ThunderClan cats and for a second Fireheart worried they'd try to go after the intruders. Fortunately, Rivertail was deputy for a reason and managed to calm himself quickly.
"We'll take those back with us and have Nightstar call for a meeting of the senior warriors. You need to get your ear looked at too, Fireheart." "Can you ever do anything without getting injured?", Wolfheart joked.
The young ginger warrior let out a murrow of laughter and answered: "Doesn't seem that way, does it?" He stepped back from the hole, allowing Ravenflight and Silverstream to pick up one vole each and then they set off.
Reedheart quickly fell in step beside him and murmured: "Things are getting more complicated, aren't they?"
Fireheart nodded and answered: "I just hope Splashwhisker won't get pressured too much. Rootwhisker and Roseflight truly are good cats at heart, but if he ends up defending them too much…" The worry that shone brightly in Reedheart's eyes told him he didn't need to continue.
Yes, the senior warrior was right. The calm that had lasted throughout most of leaf-bare was leaving and soon they would be faced with challenges like they had never faced before.
