Chapter Six
Stormfrost woke roughly and blinked blearily at Runningfoot. He heard noise all around him. "What's going on?"
"Fallenstar is attacking!" Runningfoot meowed. "Come on Stormfrost, get up!"
Stormfrost scrambled to his paws, thoughts of sleep vanishing. The two toms leapt into the clearing and almost at once Stormfrost collided with a RiverClan cat. Stormfrost prepared to attack when he realized it was Spottedpaw.
"Spottedpaw!" Stormfrost growled.
"Don't!" Spottedpaw mewed weakly. "I'm Spottedpool now, I need help, kits…"
Stormfrost stared at the RiverClan she-cat. Her belly was swollen. "What are you doing in battle?"
"Fallenstar made me" Spottedpool wailed. They were on the edge of the fighting and no one saw them. "I talked to Runningfoot a few days ago, I told him that I was a warrior…I said that Fallenstar was planning an attack. Fallenstar found out. He wants me dead; he wants someone to kill me in this battle."
Stormfrost stared at her, not sure whether or not to believe her. She was RiverClan, an enemy. Stormfrost struggled for a moment then bounded toward the battle. He didn't know what to do. If he could find Risingstar, she could decide.
Quickly Stormfrost wove through the battling cats in search of his leader. A black she-cat knocked Stormfrost off balance and he stumbled, whirling around to face her. Stormfrost leapt at the she-cat without waiting for her to attack first. The RiverClan cat yowled in surprise and reared up, clawing his chest. Stormfrost ducked but not fast enough. Her second swipe caught his ears. Stormfrost growled in pain and hurled himself at her, bowling her over with his greater weight.
The she-cat kicked out at his belly. Stormfrost bit down on her throat making her yowl again. Stormfrost felt her body lashing underneath of him and tightened his grip. Suddenly something slammed his side. Stormfrost lost his grip. The she-cat scrambled away, bleeding heavily.
Stormfrost turned and saw that it was Stoneheart. Stoneheart glared at him. "You wound, not kill!"
Stormfrost dropped his head in shame before leaping back into battle, quickly searching for Risingstar. He found his leader fighting beside Streampaw against two RiverClan warriors.
Without waiting Stormfrost leapt and distracted the two toms. Streampaw and Risingstar leapt forward quickly and slashed out at their attackers. Moonlight filled the clearing and Stormfrost could see clouds coming toward the half moon. StarClan was always displeased with battles.
Stormfrost kicked out as one tom pinned him down. The force of his kick knocked the tom back and a tortoiseshell she-cat leapt forward. It wasn't Spottedpool so Stormfrost didn't hesitate in attacking. He bit down hard on her shoulder. The she-cat yowled and scrambled away when he let go of her.
Risingstar had vanished again. Stormfrost searched for Spottedpool. He saw two tortoiseshell she-cats laying limp near the nursery. Stormfrost ran toward them. To his surprise one of them was Dapplecloud. The other was Spottedpool.
Stormfrost stared at the RiverClan queen, gasping and panting with the effort of staying alive. Two kits were laying limp. Stormfrost scooped them up, they weren't dead.
"Stormfrost? Who's kits are those?" Nightcloud asked, staring at the kits.
"Nightcloud!" Stormfrost meowed. "I need you to save them. A RiverClan she-cat was sent into battle to be killed because she told us Fallenstar was going to attack. Please! She died because of these kits."
The black she-cat hesitated then nodded and took them. Quickly she began licking them. "Go, I'll care for them."
Stormfrost meowed a quick 'thanks' to Nightcloud and leapt back into battle. The battle however was ending.
"Fall back!" Fallenstar yowled.
Stormfrost knew why. Spottedpool was dead. Fallenstar's plan had succeeded, the queen had died. She had silently rebelled against Fallenstar and he had punished her by taking her life. Stormfrost felt his heart burn with injustice as he stood beside Spottedpool's body. He remembered the young apprentice he had met at the Gathering.
Risingstar approached him. "Did you know this she-cat?"
"Yes" Stormfrost meowed dully. "She was the reason for this attack."
"I know" Risingstar meowed. "She's been feeding us information for a while now. Spottedpool did not disserve this death. Are her kits alive?"
"I gave them to Nightcloud" Stormfrost told his leader. "Dapplecloud is also dead."
Risingstar nodded. "Find another warrior and bring both of their bodies to the center of the clearing."
Stormfrost saw Amberpaw coming toward him with wariness in her bright eyes. He paused and licked her ears. Amberpaw looked him up and down, taking in all of his injuries.
"Come with me" Stormfrost murmured. "We have work to do."
Amberpaw flicked her ears curiously. Stormfrost flicked his tail to Dapplecloud and Spottedpool. The golden apprentice stared at the RiverClan queen.
"Fallenstar used the battle to kill her" Stormfrost murmured. "Her kits are with Nightcloud."
Amberpaw helped Stormfrost move Dapplecloud and Spottedpool into the center of the clearing. Slowly the clan gathered around them, some questioning about Spottedpool. Risingstar silenced them with a wave of her tail.
"Silence" Risingstar meowed firmly.
Quiet fell over the clearing.
"Spottedpool is a brave she-cat that should be honored by ThunderClan."
"Why?" Thornheart asked.
"Because for many moons Spottedpool has been passing information about Fallenstar's plans to ThunderClan. Because of this Fallenstar decided to kill her using an invasion of ThunderClan."
"So it's her fault Dapplecloud died?" Frostfoot growled.
"No" Greyfoot meowed, standing up and padding toward the two dead she-cats. "Dapplecloud's wounds were not inflicted by Spottedpool. The fur under her claws is Fallenstar's, not Spottedpool's. Spottedpool was also slain by Fallenstar."
"She was a queen" Mossflower meowed suddenly. "Did her kits die also?"
"No" Nightcloud meowed. "The kits are with me. Risingstar, with your permission I'd like to raise them. Spottedpool did a selfless thing for ThunderClan, it's the least I can do to protect her kits."
Risingstar nodded to Nightcloud. "Very well Nightcloud. You may raise Spottedpool's kits."
Nightcloud nodded and vanished back into the nursery with Mossflower along with Leopardkit, Cloudkit and Darkkit. Stormfrost sent a silent thanks to the black she-cat.
"Now, Frostfoot and Thornheart will bury Dapplecloud at dawn" Risingstar meowed. "Who will sit vigil with her?"
"I will" Frostfoot meowed.
"What about Spottedpool?" Runningfoot asked.
"I'll sit with her" Stormfrost meowed. "I'll bury her as well."
Risingstar gazed at him intently then nodded. "Very well Stormfrost."
Stormfrost padded forward as the warriors and apprentices padded back to their dens to sleep. Stormfrost laid down next to Spottedpool and touched his nose to her pelt, thoroughly wishing he had gotten to know her better.
A sound woke Stormfrost. He had dozed off while sitting vigil with Spottedpool. Stormfrost sat up and looked around. He saw Goldenpaw leaving camp. It was time to bury Spottedpool.
Frostfoot was sitting nearby with Dapplecloud and was soon joined by Thornclaw. The two warriors took up their friend's body and vanished after Goldenpaw. Stormfrost picked up Spottedpool, surprised at how light she was.
Slowly he made his way toward the RiverClan border. Spottedpool had always been a RiverClan cat at heart; that much Stormfrost was sure of. If he couldn't take her to her true home he could at least take her as close as he could get. When he finished burying her he sent a prayer to StarClan that they would comfort her and let her watch over her kits as they grew into ThunderClan cats.
Stormfrost was just leaving when he saw Goldenpaw. At first Stormfrost didn't think to approach until he smelled a RiverClan scent. Stormfrost padded forward, hiding behind a boulder. To his surprise, Goldenpaw was sitting with a handsome silver tom.
The tom was one Stoneheart had told Stormfrost about, he was the RiverClan deputy, Ripplefur. Stormfrost narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"I hop you're not hurt" Ripplefur meowed. "That battle yesterday was uncalled for."
"Two cats died, one of them wasn't even from our clan" Goldenpaw meowed. "Dapplecloud died and so did a she-cat named Spottedpool. Did you know her?"
"Yes" Ripplefur meowed. "She was my apprentice at one time. Why didn't anyone bring her to our camp? Where is she buried?"
"No one brought her because RiverClan cats killed her" Stormfrost growled, stalking forward, his fur bristling.
"RiverClan wouldn't kill their own!" Ripplefur snapped, unsheathing his claws and yet looking uneasy. It was easy to tell that Stormfrost was larger then Ripplefur.
"Fallenstar wanted her dead" Stormfrost continued. "Did Goldenpaw tell you that?" Stormfrost glared at Goldenpaw who looked on the edge of panic.
"This isn't what you think" Goldenpaw meowed quickly.
"Really? What is it?"
Goldenpaw didn't speak.
"Where is Spottedpool's body?" Ripplefur demanded.
"I buried her" Stormfrost meowed coldly. "I sat vigil with her last night and her spirit now protects her kits in ThunderClan."
Ripplefur bared his fangs. Goldenpaw leapt forward. "Please don't Stormfrost!" Goldenpaw mewed pleadingly.
"You're taking a mate in RiverClan!" Stormfrost exclaimed.
"I know" Goldenpaw meowed helplessly. "But I can't help it! Please don't tell Risingstar."
"Does Amberpaw know about this?" Stormfrost demanded.
Goldenpaw didn't answer.
"Get out of here" Stormfrost growled at Ripplefur. "For now I won't tell Risingstar but get out!"
Ripplefur glanced at Goldenpaw then slid into the river, swimming strongly to the other side. Stormfrost led Goldenpaw back toward the forest. Even though he wasn't very much older then Goldenpaw, he had authority over her as a warrior. Stormfrost really didn't want to use that power on his old denmate but he needed to know where her loyalties were. He stopped in a clearing a good distance from camp.
"What's going on?" Stormfrost asked.
"I'm sorry" Goldenpaw mewed softly.
"I don't want apologies" Stormfrost meowed patiently. "I want to know what's going on. Why are you meeting Ripplefur on our territory?"
Goldenpaw looked at him uneasily.
"I'm a friend. You might not like my roots but I'm a clanmate Goldenpaw" Stormfrost meowed patiently.
Goldenpaw sighed. "Amberpaw was so happy with you and Runningpaw is so happy with Streampaw. I guess it just got to me. I met Ripplefur at the Gathering about three moons ago and we were really close friends. At the last Gathering he said he wanted to see me more often so he came to the river. I agreed to meet him because I love him. You have Amberpaw, why can't I have what makes me happy?"
Stormfrost stared at Goldenpaw. He touched his muzzle lightly to her shoulder. "Goldenpaw, do you know how much trouble you'll get in if you're caught by some other cat with him? If Fallenstar finds out he'll end up just like Spottedpool."
"I know" Goldenpaw meowed miserably.
"Just promise me that you'll tell Amberpaw? You should be more open with her then you are with me" Stormfrost meowed. "Come on, let's get back to camp. If anyone asks you were hunting with me."
Stormfrost found Runningfoot and Squirrelfur when he returned to camp. Both of them looked excited. Stormfrost flicked his ears questioningly. "What's going on?"
"Amberpaw is being made a warrior" Runningfoot meowed. "She told us a few minutes ago, she was looking for you."
"I was with Spottedpool" Stormfrost explained.
Squirrelfur nodded. "Well if she wants to talk to you don't be surprised. Just act like we didn't tell her. I think she wanted to be the first to tell you."
"Right" Stormfrost meowed. "Where'd she go?"
"I think to have one last hunt with Rainpelt as an apprentice" Runningfoot meowed thoughtfully. "I did that with Breezecloud but it wasn't very successful."
Stormfrost purred in amusement and butted his head against Runningfoot's shoulder. "That's because you stalk prey like a lopsided badger."
"Me?" Runningfoot asked in mock anger. "You're the one as big as a badger!"
"Enough!" Squirrelfur meowed, purring in amusement. "You're not kits anymore, your warriors for StarClan sake!"
Runningfoot swatted once at Stormfrost's ears before settling down again, his brother was purring in amusement.
"That's not the only news" Squirrelfur went on. "Mossflower's kits are ready to be apprentices. After Amberpaw's ceremony they'll be named as apprentices."
"I hope I get one" Runningfoot meowed.
"Are you mousebrained?" Stormfrost meowed. "We're only just warriors!"
"I got my apprentice half a moon after I became a warrior" Squirrelfur pointed out. "Thornheart was my first apprentice."
Stormfrost shrugged. "Oh well."
"Stormfrost!" Amberpaw meowed, bounding over to him.
The grey tom looked around. "What's going on?"
"I'm going to be a warrior!" Amberpaw meowed happily, looking as if she would burst with pride.
Stormfrost purred deeply and twined his tail with hers. "Congratulations Amberpaw. We'll be in the same den again."
"You two told him!" Amberpaw meowed, glaring at Squirrelfur and Runningfoot.
"We did not" Squirrelfur meowed indignantly.
"Yes you did, I can tell" Amberpaw meowed, swiping at them.
Stormfrost touched his muzzle to hers, still purring. "It doesn't matter who told me Amberpaw. I'm still happy for you, you know that."
Amberpaw's gaze softened. "I know."
Stormfrost licked her ear. "I promise, I'll be the first one to call you by your new name."
Amberpaw's eyes burned with affection. Runningfoot and Squirrelfur exchanged glances. Runningfoot understood Stormfrost's feelings for Amberpaw, they were possibly stronger then what he felt for Poppypaw but Runningfoot didn't know if Squirrelfur had ever been a queen.
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey approach the highrock for a clan meeting" Risingstar called, leaping on top of the highrock.
Stormfrost, Runningfoot and Squirrelfur went to sit near the highrock. Amberpaw went over to the nursery and guided Mossflower's kits to the highrock for their ceremony while other warriors and apprentices came out of the dens and settled around the rock. Amberpaw looked as if she would burst with anticipation and excitement. Stormfrost purred softly and wondered if he had looked so excited at his ceremony.
"Amberpaw, for many moons you have trained in the ways of StarClan and the warrior code" Risingstar meowed, looking down at Amberpaw. "Do you promise to defend your clan even at the cost of your life?"
"I do" Amberpaw meowed firmly, looking up at her leader with burning eyes.
Risingstar leapt down from the highrock. "Then from this moment on I name you Amberheart, may StarClan guide you and light your path."
Risingstar rested her muzzle on Amberheart's head. Amberheart licked her leader's shoulder and stepped back, trembling happily. The chanting began. Stormfrost ran forward.
"Amberheart" he purred, twining his tail with hers. "Perfect."
Amberheart licked his ear and rubbed her head against his shoulder, purring too loudly to speak. More cats moved forward to congratulate her but Stormfrost didn't leave her side. He felt he would burst with pride. Amberheart followed him over to Runningfoot and Squirrelfur where they sat and waited for Mossflower's kits to be named.
Risingstar waved her tail and silence fell again while the ginger leader motioned the kits to move forward. They did.
"StarClan has looked down on these kits and chosen a special path for one of them" Risingstar began. "Darkkit, move forward please."
The little tortoiseshell she-cat stepped away from her brother and sister, looking slightly frightened but excited at the same time. Risingstar also moved forward and sat in front of the kit.
"Darkkit, do you choose to follow Greyfoot as medicine cat apprentice for ThunderClan?" Risingstar asked.
"I do" Darkkit meowed, her voice firm.
"Greyfoot, do you accept Darkkit as your apprentice?"
The grey tom was crouched at the base of the highrock. He stood up. "I do." Darkkit and Greyfoot touched noses. Greyfoot would say Darkkit's ceremony now. "Darkkit, from this moment on until StarClan sees you fit, you will be known as Darkpaw, medicine cat apprentice to ThunderClan."
Darkpaw licked Greyfoot's shoulder and followed him back to the base of the highrock leaving Leopardkit and Cloudkit sitting in front of Risingstar.
"From this moment on I name these apprentices as Leopardpaw and Cloudpaw" Risingstar declared. "May StarClan light their paths as they learn the great warrior code and teach them to honor StarClan's traditions."
Cloudpaw and Leopardpaw dipped their heads low to Risingstar, trembling happily. Stormfrost glanced at Runningfoot. They both wanted apprentices even though they were still young warriors.
"Cloudpaw, your mentor shall be Stormfrost" Risingstar declared.
Stormfrost leapt to his paws and padded forward, forcing himself to control his pleasure. He touched noses with the white tom and turned to Risingstar.
"Stormfrost, your strength and intelligence has made you a worthy member of ThunderClan" Risingstar meowed. "May you teach this apprentice well."
Stormfrost nodded respectfully and led his new apprentice over to the others. Almost at once Cloudpaw started asking questions.
"When do we go hunting?" he asked.
"Tomorrow morning" Stormfrost promised. "For now let's be quiet and see whose Leopardpaw's mentor."
Cloudpaw fell silent and sat beside his mentor.
"Leopardpaw, you shall be mentored by Runningfoot" Risingstar meowed, flicking her tail at Runningfoot.
Runningfoot got to his paws and stepped past Stormfrost to touch noses with his new apprentice. Risingstar turned to the brown tabby.
"You're speed and open mind has proven to ThunderClan that you are a worthy warrior" Risingstar meowed. "May you teach this apprentice with those skills."
Runningfoot dipped his head and led Leopardpaw back over to the group. The clan leapt to their paws.
"Leopardpaw! Cloudpaw! Amberheart!"
Stormfrost looked over at Amberheart, she gazed back at him intently. "Mind if I come with you tomorrow when you tour the territory?" she asked.
"Sure" Stormfrost purred before turning to Cloudpaw. "Why don't you go over to the apprentice den and get to know Streampaw, Poppypaw and Goldenpaw?"
Cloudpaw nodded and bounded toward the apprentice den followed closely by Leopardpaw. When the two were gone, Squirrelfur got up and headed for the warrior den with Runningfoot. Stormfrost licked Amberheart's shoulder.
"What do you think of him?" Stormfrost asked, flicking his tail toward the apprentice den.
"Cloudpaw will learn well" Amberheart meowed confidently. "He has the best mentor in the clan."
The two curled up in the shelter of a patch of ferns as snow began to fall from the darkened sky. Stormfrost and Amberheart laid together grooming each other's pelts as the snow thickened. Stormfrost drank in Amberheart's scent and felt comforted and contented.
"Do you like kits?" Amberheart asked.
"Yes" Stormfrost meowed, looking over at the nursery. "Nightcloud's kits are strong and healthy."
"Not her kits" Amberheart meowed. "Our kits."
Stormfrost stared at Amberheart, unsure of what to say. "I only want kits if you want them" he meowed finally.
"I think I do" Amberheart murmured, resting her head on his back. "Only if you're the father though. Rootpaw told me you were the right one and I can't believe how right he was."
Amberheart closed her eyes for a moment, purring softly. Stormfrost ran his tail tip along her flank, watching her lovingly. If she wanted kits, he was ready to father them and care for her.
Ok people, I was thinking of naming their kits Bluekit, Adderkit, Shadekit and Brackenkit.
Bluekit- dark grey she-cat, blue eyes- like Stormfrost
Adderkit- golden brown tom- like Amberheart
Shadekit- dark grey tabby she-cat, amber eyes
Brackenkit- golden brown tom; blue eyes
Message me and tell me what u think!
