CHAPTER 9
Dawnrose gulped as she padded into the nursery. It was four moons after she had stalked Burningfur. Skycloud had given birth to two kits, a tom and a she-cat. Dawnrose was going to congratulate her friend but she knew what Skycloud and her kits would think if Burningfur wanted to become leader.
"Congratulations." Dawnrose mewed, keeping her voice steady. She glanced at the kits. Emberkit, the she-cat, had Skycloud's silver coat but Burningfur's flame-red paws. Firekit, the tom, had a orange coat with a silver tail tip and a silver chest. Dawnrose touched both of the kits gently with her nose before padding out of the nursery.
Dawnrose's heart raced when she remembered that Bluesnow's kits' warrior ceremonies were coming closer and closer. It was a matter of time before her kits would become apprentices too. To shake those thoughts out of her head, she went on a border patrol.
"I remember when we first checked the StreamClan border together." Moonheart mewed as they checked the RavenClan border.
"I know. You almost scared me when you disappeared. I thought a StreamClan warrior had taken you." Dawnrose purred at the memory.
"I often wonder why StreamClan has to eat smelly fish. They might be good warriors but with bad breath, it'll be worse." Moonheart joked. Dawnrose purred deeper, unable to contain her laugh.
"The time is coming near." Dawnrose sighed after a while. "Bluesnow's kits are being assessed tomorrow."
"That is quite close. Who do you think I should bring for the patrol?" Moonheart mewed.
"Probably Shadowstorm and Summerleaf. They are all very good fighters." Dawnrose suggested.
"And possibly Lichenfur. She has a killing bite." Moonheart mewed. "And we really need Darkshadow. He needs to see all of it."
"Good idea. How about Blackpelt? He beated Burningfur once when they trained for battles." Dawnrose mewed.
"All right. Shadowstorm, Summerleaf, Lichenfur, Darkshadow and Blackpelt. I think that would be all, unless we need some back-up warriors. Should we include Nightpaw and Riversun? Nightpaw could send a message to bring reinforcements." Moonheart mewed.
"Good. Come on, we better get back or else Dustclaw will think we were captured by RavenClan warriors." Dawnrose mewed. The two cats twined tails and padded back to meet with the rest of the patrol.
As Dawnrose and Moonheart shared a rabbit, Dawnrose thought of something.
"What if Darkshadow already sends some warriors on patrol, including all the warriors we selected? Should we have some back-up just in case?" Dawnrose mewed, taking a hungry bite out of the rabbit.
"Good thinking. I'll discuss with Darkshadow about a fox in our territory before the ceremony. I'll tell him all the warriors we chose and after the ceremony, we'll go and find you." Moonheart mewed.
"That's a good idea. Should we also include Whitetail? She hasn't been on any action for weeks. No border fights, fox attacks, Clan attacks...nothing. She told me she was going crazy with nothing to fight with." Dawnrose suggested.
"Okay. I'll include Whitetail." Moonheart nodded, taking a bite from the rabbit.
"I wonder how our kits are training." Dawnrose changed the subject, glancing at Silverpaw, who was sharing a thrush with Nightpaw and Thistlepaw, chattering happily.
"I'm sure they are happy. Their warrior ceremonies won't be too far." Moonheart mewed. The two cats began sharing tongues.
"Burningfur might be sharpening his claws tonight. Stay away from them, Dawnrose." Moonheart told his mate protectively.
"Don't worry. Birdfeather is here to treat me if I get hurt. Nothing will separate us. We have a prophecy to fullfil." Dawnrose told Moonheart soothingly.
"And you have two." Moonheart reminded her, washing Dawnrose's pelt.
"I really wonder what the prophecy means. How can we save the Clans? I hope StarClan gives us a clearer dream or something." Dawnrose mewed.
"Now I remember. StarClan sent me a dream last night." Moonheart mewed. "I tasted something really strange. It was sweet or something. I couldn't really tell. Emberstar came to me and she said 'You and your mate will meet together with six other cats at the Gathering place in five moons time. Destruction is coming for cats of all Clans. It's up to you and the other cats to save them all'."
"Destruction? I hope nothing bad will happen." Dawnrose mewed, dropping her voice as Darkshadow padded to them.
"Dawnrose, hunting patrol. Moonheart, Birdfeather needs help with herbs." Darkshadow told them. Dawnrose nodded at her mate before joining the rest of the hunting patrol.
END OF CHAPTER 9! The action and drama will happen on the next chapter! :D Cliff-hanger coming up soon! Happy reading! ~Bluefeather
