This is a HUGE day! I have just published the tenth chapter on the tenth anniversary of the "Warriors" series! I almost jumped out of my seat when I realized that. This chapter I have specially committed to the "Warriors" series to show that without it, this fanfiction nor ANY of my writing would be here. So enjoy and review for this is a special day. :)
Chapter 10
Lightningstrike raced through RiverClan territory, the stars still shining their light on him, Speckleheart, Stormpaw, and Hollypaw. His mind racing faster than his paws, Tinyroot is innocent? The golden tom thought frantically. Then who- or what killed Flowerpaw?
Lightningstrike strained to hear the voice of Jayfeather in his ears, but there was only the sound of his own racing heart and the ragged breaths of Speckleheart, Stormpaw, and Hollypaw.
His paws sank into the moist, cold snow with every bound. He and the rest of the group had to get out of clan territory for the chance that they were caught and sent back to their own territory. Never in Lightningstrike's life had he ever thought that he would be running away from his own clan that he would be running away from the lake that had been his home for so long.
RiverClan scent suddenly blasted his nostrils. The group ran a several more fox-lengths before they stopped.
"We made it," Lightningstrike gasped, his chest heaving for breath.
"Past the RiverClan border," finished Speckleheart twisting her neck to look ahead. "We are in unknown territory now."
Lightningstrike swept his gaze over his surroundings. The clouds that covered the moon made the night extremely dark. As his eyes adjusted Lightningstrike could make out the river that flowed alongside them and a grove of trees up ahead.
"Isn't our scent trail going to be noticed?" asked Stormpaw. "And our tracks?" the dark gray apprentice added looking behind him.
Before Lightningstrike could respond he felt a touch of wet cold come in contact with his fur. The golden warrior looked up. The clouds that covered the moon were now reaching out to grasp the entire night sky, each star slowly disappearing behind the dark veil.
"It is snowing!" exclaimed Hollypaw.
"Not another blizzard is it?" asked Stormpaw.
"No it seems to be pretty light," determined Lightningstrike.
"Wait don't you see?" asked Speckleheart. "The snow will help cover our tracks and our scent!"
"Thank StarClan," murmured Hollypaw.
"We won't be followed that's for sure," determined Lightningstrike. "But our pelts won't be enough to keep us warm out here so let's try taking shelter in that group of trees over there."
The rest of the group flicked their ears in acknowledgement. As Lightningstrike made his way through the wind he flattened his one ear against his head as snow buffeted his face. Before long Speckleheart, Lightningstrike, Stormpaw, and Hollypaw made their way to the grove of pine trees.
"Come on everyone under the brambles," commanded Speckleheart.
Stormpaw first squeezed under the wooded patch of tangled thorns. Hollypaw followed leaving Lightningstrike and Speckleheart outside.
"You too Lightningstrike," meowed Speckleheart.
Lightningstrike checked one last time behind him. There was nothing but darkness and the whirling of the wind. The golden warrior got flat on his belly and crawled under the brambles. As his eyes adjusted to the extremely dim light he spotted Hollypaw and Stormpaw lying on their sides paws placed on each-other's shoulders. Both of their eyes were half-closed, the sound of their steady breathing filling the silence. Lightningstrike felt Speckleheart crawl under the brambles behind him.
Lightningstrike shifted to one side so that Speckleheart could come up next to him. The two mates curled up next to each-other. Speckleheart's presence comforted Lightningstrike. Lightningstrike purred in content as he tucked his paws against his chest and rested his muzzle atop Speckleheart's head.
"Hollypaw and Stormpaw look so peaceful together," Speckleheart whispered looking towards the two young apprentices.
"Yes, I guess they share a certain bond," Lightningstrike meowed. "Like all brothers and sisters." Lightningstrike's heart suddenly filled with loneliness despite being so close to his mate. Lightningstrike remembered how Frosteyes had told him that he used to have a sister and a father. But both of them died, Lightningstrike thought longing that they could have lived and still be with him today. But I guess that would have made leaving ThunderClan more difficult.
Speckleheart nodded. "Just to think this is only the beginning of our quest," she whispered.
"Yes but what would ThunderClan think of us that we have gone?" asked Lightningstrike. "Will they think we are traitors for abandoning them?"
"Maybe at first," Speckleheart meowed. "But when we bring back Hollypaw as a fully trained medicine cat we will be heroes," the cream and brown she-cat meowed with a mischievous kit-like gleam in her eyes.
"You are right this is still for the good of the clan," Lightningstrike reminded himself.
"Not only that but we will be able to show the clans our new kits," meowed Speckleheart.
"Wait I thought our kits were going to be born in ThunderClan," meowed Lightningstrike.
Suddenly Speckleheart's eyes widened in shock, as if she had said the wrong thing. Speckleheart quickly tried turning her back towards Lightningstrike but the golden tom already got a good glimpse at what she was hiding. The she-cat's belly was slightly distended so it bulged from her abdomen.
"Speckleheart, you're pregnant!" Lightningstrike exclaimed.
Stay tuned for more exciting chapters to come ;). And happy 10th "Warriors" anniversary! And please remember to review!
-Dustwhisker
