Chapter 11.

The next day, the clan was hard at work, getting ready for the coming battle. More than half of the warriors were out hunting for fresh-kill to take to the Center Island. Redpaw and Lionclaw spent the morning moving all the herbs from Cedarclan camp to Center Island. The three warrior apprentices were gathering plenty of bramble and taking it to the new camp.

Lionclaw was exhausted. He was up before the sun to move the herbs. Redpaw was equally exhausted but they both knew there was still plenty of work to be done. Deerfoot, Leafkit, Whiskerkit, and Snowclaw were waiting by the entrance. Deerfoot held Ceadarkit in her jaw while Snowclaw held Rowankit. Smalltail was holding Oakkit. "Get someone to help you soak up moss with water and take it to Center Island," instructed Lionclaw to his apprentice.

"Right," said Redpaw. She ran over to Firestorm, the only other cat in the camp and the two she-cats left camp.

Lionclaw padded over and picked up Birchkit by the scruff. He led the way to Center Island. Leafkit and Whiskerkit were whispering to each other excitedly. They squealed out in joy when they saw Center Island. Lionclaw glanced over at Deerfoot and Snowclaw. They're faces showed that they were impressed. Lionclaw lead the way through the small hole entrance. Lionclaw showed the two queens to the now finished nursery. Snowclaw carefully put her kit down before sitting down herself. Deerfoot, Smalltail and Lionclaw each put down the kit they were holding.

"I have to get back to work," Smalltail nuzzled Snowclaw affectionately before leaving.

Lionclaw was about to leave himself when Deerfoot asked, "What can we do?"

"You want to help?" asked Lionclaw in surprise.

"Of course!" cried Whiserkit, "We will defend Treeclan!" He swung a paw at an invisible enemy.

Lionclaw chuckled, "Well I have a job for you." He turned around and beckoned Rainpaw over. "Can you bring some bramble over here?"

"What's your plan?" asked Deerfoot.

"I was thinking of closing off the nursery tomorrow for the battle. If the rouges get into camp at least they will have a difficult time getting to the nursery. I want you to get the piece of bramble that will go over the entrance ready. Rainpaw, I want you to help them."

"Can we help to?" asked Leafkit.

Lionclaw smiled and nodded. The two kits yowled in happiness and followed Rainpaw who took them to a pile of bramble near the fresh-kill pile, which was overflowing with fresh-kill. If the cats couldn't go out to hunt tomorrow, he didn't want them to starve. Riverstream and Longleg entered the camp, with plenty of moss in their jaws. They dropped it near the bramble pile before heading out to get more.

"Lionclaw," Sandclaw padded over to him, "I have come to report."

"Go ahead."

"The camp border is secure. Not even a mouse could get in. The entrance will be barricaded tonight. We have enough fresh-kill for tomorrow and maybe a day after that. The nursery is still in progress of being protected. Some of Center Tree's branches have been stripped of leaves and Nightheart has volunteered to be the lookout. Riverstream and Longleg have collected large amounts of moss. We also have enough water for the next two days."

Lionclaw nodded in approval. Everything was going as planned. "Good. Sandclaw, you should get some rest."

The large tom shook his head, "No. I will see all preparations to the end."

Lionclaw watched the tom go. He padded over to the hollow at the base of the tree and checked his stock of herbs. It should be enough for the rest of the battle. Redpaw padded inside and dropped some wet moss by a cobeweb ball. "It's almost nightfall," she said, "I wonder if everything we planned on doing will be done on time."

"Don't worry," purred Lionclaw, "We will be ready."

Linelinelineline

The clans cats fell asleep early that night, trying to get as much sleep as possible before the battle. They awoke with the sun. Lionclaw blinked the sleep from his eyes and left the den. Outside clan cats were getting ready for the battle. Tornpaw and Gorgefoot were putting last minute bramble on the clan entrance. Lionclaw went over to the nursery. He was surprised to see Deerfoot piling bramble in front of the nursery.

"Aren't you going to stay inside with them?" he asked.

Deerfoot shook her head, "You all have been doing so much. Leafkit and Whiserkit are old enough to be left alone for now."

Lionclaw peeked inside through a hole. A small pile of fresh-kill was on the side. The other side held Snowclaw and her four kits. Leafkit and Whiskerkit were barricading the entrance from their side.

"We're going to protect Snowclaw," informed Whiskerkit, putting another piece of bramble in the entrance.

Lionclaw purred in amusement before heading to the center of the camp where most of the warriors and the apprentices were. Each cat had moss covering their bodies, except for their paws and face. It was one of Sandclaw's ideas. To make it harder for the rouges to attack them, he had suggested covering the warriors and apprentices with bramble. The moss was there so the bramble wouldn't hurt the cat wearing them. Redpaw was working on wrapping bramble around Runningtail. The warriors who already had bramble armor were helping the other cats put theirs on.

Without a word, Lionclaw put some moss on his fur, "Smalltail. A little help?"

"You're joining us?" asked Smalltail, shifting the moss.

"Of course," said Lionclaw, "I am not going to sit by and let all of you fight without me."

"Are you sure you will be able to?" asked Runningtail, wincing as Redpaw pulled a little to much.

"Sorry," whispered Redpaw, tying the last bit of bramble on Runningtail's tail. She moved on to Deerfoot.

"I will," said Lionclaw, "Redpaw. I want you to stay near the tree. If things get bad you must climb. Don't come down until it's over."

Redpaw nodded before getting back to work.

A bit later Smalltail had put the final piece of bramble on Lionclaw, "Alright. You're ready to go."

"They're here!" yowled Nightheart from his spot high above in the tree, "I count about ten cats and more coming."

"Oh Starclan," whispered Lionclaw. Louder he asked, "How much longer till they get here?"

"Maybe at sunhigh at the pace they're going!" called Nightheart.

"Everyone get ready," ordered Lionclaw, "The battle is going to begin!"