Sorry this chapter took so long, I was brainstorming ideas for future warrior names. Also, I have made changes to the allegiances, so make sure to check those out. They are minor, but they will help a little bit.
I don't own Warriors!
Chapter 11
Shadows danced happily across the frozen ground as Boulderstar awoke. He was confused, why was he in the warrior's den?
"Wake up Boulderstar!" mewed a voice behind him. Boulderstar yawned, and unfurled his body from around Starlight's. He turned, looking into Featherpaw's small face. "Boulderstar, this is important!"
Featherpaw paced back and forth, Boulderstar finally getting up and trailing out the tunnel. The she-cat opened her eyes, and silently followed him out. Featherpaw raced out behind them.
"Boulderstar, who is that?"
"Featherpaw, I would like you to meet Starlight from the Tribe of Darkest Nights. They have a whole tribe underground!"
"I know, Boulderstar. When you disappeared Owlpaw and I went into the underground to find you. We saw their camp and everything. Sun, Shadow, Flicker, and Dusk followed us here."
"Boulderstar!" shouted Owlpaw, racing towards his leader. "I have something important to tell you!"
"What is it, Owlpaw?"
"The day you disappeared I met a cat from a tribe up in the mountains. His tribe needs help and wants to meet you. Shadow wants to meet him as well to see if her tribe can come out to the surface."
"Okay, but we better go quickly. Go get the tribe cats that wish to come, then we will leave."
Owlpaw dashed over to Shadow, leaving Boulderstar alone with Starlight. The tribe cats gathered around Owlpaw and began to talk quietly.
"Boulderstar, can I go on the patrol to the other tribe?" asked Starlight.
"Of course you may come."
The group of cats on the ledge jumped down and joined Boulderstar. With Owlpaw in the lead, they climbed out of the camp and into the moonlit fields. Owlpaw headed to the north-west, and into the forest.
The forest was surreal, a heavy silence sat in the air. The whole forest was painted in dark shades of blue and gray, lighting their path. icicles hung from tree branches, casting off dozens of tiny sparkles.
They traveled close to the mountains, great shadows casting over them in the light of the moon. The high-cliffs stood alongside the mountain, their jagged rock jutting out to form a platform. Owlpaw led them around the edge of the forest. One at a time the jumped up, onto the high-cliffs.
As the last of the patrol gathered on top of the cliff, a voice came from the bushes.
"Owlpaw, is that you?"
"Ocean! We are here!" shouted Owlpaw.
Ocean sat beside two other tribe cats, silhouetted in the night air. "Who did you bring with you, Owlpaw?"
"I would like you to meet my sister, Featherpaw, and leader, Boulderstar."
"Nice to meet you!" mewed Featherpaw.
"Who are the other cats though?"
"These are cats from the Tribe of Darkest Nights, Shadow of the Evening Rain, Flicker of Light in the Darkness, Dusk of the Falling Light, and Sun that Breaks the Clouds."
"Greetings," purred Shadow. The other tribe cats behind her nodded to Ocean.
"This is my leader, Sunteller, from the Tribe of Roaring Thunder, and Sky where Robin Soars." said Ocean, introducing his tribe-mates.
"What would you like to discuss with us?" asked Boulderstar.
Sunteller began, "Our tribe, the Tribe of Roaring Thunder is at war with the Southern Tribes, a group of owls. They have been stealing our kits and killing off our to-bes. We need help to fight them off, and a new home, as they have wrecked our current one."
"When do these owls attack?"
"They are night hunters, attacking at dusk."
"Hmm... I think LeafClan can send a patrol of five cats to help fight every night. They can fight for three sunrises, then return."
"That would be wonderful! "
"I will hold a meeting with the rest of LeafClan in the morning, and our first patrol will be sent out three sunrises from now."
"They can meet us here if you like," Sunteller offered. "Then we can show them the way to our camp."
"Okay, that's settled, I guess we will return home now."
"Wait!" yelled Shadow. "Sunteller, I need to speak with you."
"What is it?" asked Sunteller, rather confused.
"Have you heard of the Tribe of Dappled Shadows?"
"Yes, they are a myth from many seasons ago."
"No, what Flight did was real. The Tribe of Dappled Shadows changed their name to the Tribe of Darkest Nights. We have been living underground for forever, and I was hoping that we could come into the light."
"I don't know. If that was true, all Flight did, then I would be afraid for the safety of my Tribe. But I understand, you and your tribe-mates have been punished for things that their ancestors did many seasons ago, and it isn't fair. If you wish, you may come into the light, but until the battle has been won and the other three remaining tribes have agreed, you can't live up here permanently."
"Thank you so much!" Shadow bowed her head and stepped back, bursting with excitement. Her tribe-mates didn't share her same joy, but wore small smiles.
"We will send our warriors three sunrises from now," mewed Boulderstar. "Good bye."
The patrol stood and jumped off the high-cliffs. They strolled happily through the forest, Shadow bounding from snowdrift to snowdrift, cloaked in the pale blue light. Starlight walked beside Boulderstar, their pelts brushing slightly.
Goldenheart awoke from a troubled sleep. Her nest was thrown across her den, and mangled feathers covered the ground. Flakes of snow that were forever frozen into the stone sparkled like millions of stars.
Unable to go to sleep again, Goldenheart walked out of her den, and into the moonlight. The full moon cloaked the camp in brilliant light, almost like the daytime. Icicles hung from the mouths of all the dens.
Sudenly, eight black shadows slid down the branch. Once in the light, Goldenheart could make out Boulderstar's face among the others.
"Boulderstar, your back! Who are those cats?"
"They are from the Tribe of Darkest Nights. These are Sun, Shadow, Dusk, Flicker, and Starlight."
Owlpaw and Featherpaw stood behind the rest of the patrol, smiling.
"I wonder what the other Tribes are like," whispered Featherpaw.
"Do you think Boulderstar will let us go there to fight?" asked Owlpaw
"We will have to wait until we become warriors, Boulderstar doesn't want us to get hurt."
Shadow left her conversation with Goldenheart, an turned to the apprentices. "Thank you so much, Featherpaw and Owlpaw. You have helped out Tribe greatly."
"Come on, Shadow! We need to go home now!" called Sun, the rest of the patrol beside him.
"Farewell!" mewed Shadow, joining the patrol. They dark cats disappeared into the medicine cat's den, excited of their new life above the surface.
(Two sunrises later)
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather under the high-branch for a clan meeting!" Boulderstar yowled. The cats of all sizes poured from the dens. Rainkit and Windkit, nearing their apprentice age, sat in the nursery.
Once the clan was gathered, Boulderstar began. "Two moonhighs ago, I met with Sunteller, the leader of the Tribe of Roaring Thunder. They are at war against the Southern Tribes, a group of Owls. To help them, we will send a patrol of five warriors."
A wave of silence washed over the clan, as excited whispers grew louder. Silver Moon shouted up from among them. "I know the Southern Tribes, and have fought many times against and with them before. Boulderstar, let me go, not to fight, but to help."
"I'm sorry, Silver Moon, but you are still injured, and not yet fit to fight. You may teach the patrol who does leave, but you can't fight."
Silver Moon cawed softly, stumbling back into the shadows. The clan stood in silence as Boulderstar named the cats.
"Eaglestipe, Hawkpelt, Firestorm, Tigertail, and Flamestripe, you will meet the Tribe of Roaring Thunder at the high-cliffs next moonhigh. You will stay with the tribe for five sunrises, then return home. Eaglestripe, Firestorm, while you are gone Quickpaw and Runningpaw will be mentored by Rawfire and Leafshadow (in that order)."
The group of cats mewed in agreement. The meeting disbanded, warriors rushing back to their dens to escape to cold of the night. Firestorm sat alone in the clearing, thick flakes of snow melting against her flame-colored pelt. Why me? she thought. Sure, I can hunt and fight, but am I really that special?
The snow gathered on top of her, freezing her pelt. Firestorm shook it out and walked to the warrior den alone.
The warm sun peeked over the horizon as Graymist groggily opened her eyes. She curled up tighter to fall asleep again, but it was no use. Sleep hated her.
She shook herself awake, remembering she had deputy duties to take care of this morning. Carefully, Graymist stepped over her clan mates and out of the den. Outside, a warm burst of sunlight spilled across the snowy ground.
A crunch of paws on snow followed her. Graymist turned around, surprised to see Leafshadow standing behind her.
"Hi, Leafshadow. What are you doing out here?"
"I couldn't sleep, and I was going to talk to Boulderstar."
"Okay."
Claws sunk into the soft bark of the branch as Leafshadow climbed to Boulderstar's den. She slipped inside the warm, dark den. Boulderstar lay fast asleep in the corner, on top of the carpet of moss. Leafshadow nudged him awake.
"Huh?" Boulderstar moaned, stretching his legs as he rolled over and stood up.
"Well, I was wondering if Rainkit could be my apprentice when she is older." Leafshadow mewed.
"Sure, if you really want to. You are a wonderful hunter and fighter, so I am sure you can mentor Rainkit."
"Thank you so much!" Leafshadow jumped up. "Bye!"
Excited, Leafshadow bounded down the branch. In the clearing, the clan had begun to stir. Featherpaw and Owlpaw shared a lark outside the apprentices' den. The warriors streamed out of their den, yawning and stretching.
"Leafshadow!" Graymist called from below. "Can you lead a hunting patrol?"
"Sure! Who else is going?"
"Get together Foxcloud, Rawfire, Quickpaw, and Runningpaw. You may leave when you are ready."
"Okay!" Leafshadow dashed to the apprentices' den. "Quickpaw, Runningpaw, come out. We are going hunting."
The apprentices moaned, padding out of the den.
"But I want to sleep!" groaned Runningpaw.
"Come on, it will be fun," mewed Leafshadow. They followed her to find Foxcloud and Rawfire.
She saw the toms arguing with Goldenheart outside her den.
"Why are you letting that horrid hawk live in our camp?" hissed Foxcloud. "He could eat the kits!"
"Calm down, both of you." Goldenheart growled. "I know it is risky, but Silver Moon could help us. He has many battle techniques and hunting skills that we are yet to learn, and can hunt from overhead. Is that really that bad?"
"I don't trust him!" spat Rawfire. "What about Lilacpool's kits? They are due soon. What if Silver Moon turns on us?"
"Foxcloud, Rawfire," Leafshadow interupted, "we are going hunting with Quickpaw and Runningpaw. Come on!"
Foxcloud shot one last glance at Goldenheart as he followed Leafshadow and Rawfire up the branch and out of camp. At the top of the camp, warm rays of sunlight brushed Leafshadow's fur, tempting her to lay down and soak up the rays. But those days were over; she was now a warrior. She needed to focus.
"Let's split up," she suggested. "Rawfire, take Quickpaw to the forest. Foxcloud, you stay with me and Runningpaw."
Rawfire nodded, and left to the north forest with Quickpaw. Leafshadow turned to the south and pushed through the grasses, Foxcloud and Runningpaw behind her. The terrain was thick and muddy from the melted snow, making it hard to walk.
They stopped to hunt near the river. Leafshadow picked up the scent of rabbit, and began to move downwind. Runningpaw and Foxcloud began hunting their own prey, leaving Leafshadow alone with her thoughts. As much as she tried to focus, her mind kept replaying where she found Foxcloud and Rawfire arguing with Goldenheart.
What is wrong with them? Leafshadow asked herself. Normally they were so kind and loyal. Foxcloud was one of the best hunters in the clan, and Rawfire's energetic attitude made him a great clanmate. Sure, letting a hawk into camp was risky, but it can't be that bad.
A rustle in the brush reminded Leafshadow hat she needed to hunt. She crept up behind the bush, taking in the scent of her prey. But it didn't smell like the rabbit she had been tracking. She pushed aside the branches, shocked at what she saw.
Inside the bush was a she-kit. It was white with light blue-gray stripes, its eyes still closed. The kits skin was pulled tight over its little bones, and was mewing to be fed. Leafshadow stepped forward, and gently picked up the kit by the scruff of its neck.
The kit mewed pathetically as Leafshadow removed it from the bush and began the journey home. A light breeze ruffled Leafshadow's fur, pushing clouds across the crisp blue sky. From the corner of her eye, she saw Rawfire returning with Quickpaw.
"What's that?" asked Quickpaw, him mouth full of a freshly killed squirrel.
"It's a kit," replied Leafshadow.
"Where is she from?"
"I found her in a long-abandoned nest. I thought we could help her."
They pushed forward, Foxcloud catching up with them outside the camp. He held a scrawny blackbird in his jaws. A plump squirrel sat as his feet. Noticing the kit, her ran to help Leafshadow.
"What's this?" he asked.
"It's a kit. Leafshadow found her," Rawfire explained.
Carefully, Leafshadow climbed down the branch, the kit wriggling in her mouth. Each pawstep was dangerous. Leafshadow moved slowly, suddenly slipping.
Her claws shot out, gripping the soft bark. "Leafshadow!" Rawfire called, grabbing her scruff to pull her back onto that branch. Leafshadow scrambled back onto the branch, the kit mewing softly. She continued until she reached the bottom, her clan mates gathering around her.
The kit began to cry, her eyes still sealed shut. Gently, Leafshadow set the kit down.
"Who is that?" asked Featherpaw.
"It's a kit. I found her, alone and starving in the moorland."
"What is her name?" Hawkpelt asked.
Leafshadow hadn't thought of this before. She looked at the little striped kit, who was no longer crying. Instead, the she-kit looked up at Leafshadow, eyes opening. Her eyes were a brilliant blue, bright as a clear sky. Smiling, Leafshdow turned to her clan mates.
"Her name is Aquakit."