Chapter Twenty-One

The Battle

Last time on Warriors: TAOT...

During Pantherpaw's warrior ceremony, a cat from an enemy Clan bursts into camp and needs help with their camp. She says some strange cats are asking them for someone and they aren't leaving until they find her.

Snowsayer's heart thumped. She knew it was probably Reaper and the others. Shadowstar and Shiversong knew they were also talking about her.

"Alright, I'll send some to go and fight. Pantherpaw, this is a perfect time to show yourself. As for Snowsayer, we need to hide her." Shadowstar ordered. "Those strong enough to go must go. By what we've faced before, we need the strongest we can get."

Cats scrambled into a group and huddled near the entrance. Pantherpaw said goodbye to Snowsayer. He had tears in his eyes, in fear of dying.

She kissed him on the cheek and rubbed her side against his. She rubbed her head against his and whispered, "I love you, no matter what happens."

Shadowstar and his group followed the young she-cat. Shiversong was staying behind in camp. She led Snowsayer to a small bush and hid her there. She scented some animal dung and made her daughter cover herself in it. She did it without a question.

She wretched in disgust at the horrible smell she was covered in. Her mother looked very worried.

"I'm going to keep watch. I'll be in the clearing if you need me." Shiversong told her.

Snowsayer nodded. She had to wonder how the battle was going. She knew that FlowerClan was in trouble. She just had to wonder one thing; if Eaglestar knew she was in FrostClan, why in StarClan would he be attacking FlowerClan?

She saw Blossompelt in the clearing, looking for her. She was whispering her name.

"Over here!" She called. The medicine cat came over to her. She looked guilty. "Snowsayer, there's a problem. Those berries won't get rid of those kits. Nothing can. I thought you said you need something for a headache. I'm sorry."

Snowsayer sighed. "No matter what, Eaglestar won't have these kits. When they are born, we'll have to kill them." She said it without hesitation or worry.

Blossompelt looked in fear at her, but she nodded. "You'll be alright?"

"Yes."

Snowsayer laid down. This was so boring. She'd rather be in the fight. She looked around, to be sure that no one was watching, and she ran towards FlowerClan's camp.

Pantherpaw's pov

...

Pantherpaw was looking around for Eaglestar, who was nowhere to be found. Then he saw him leaving, heading towards their camp.

He rushed after him, growling. "Where are you going? You're not getting away without a fight!"

Eaglestar looked at him as if he'd already defeated him. "Are you sure? The last time you had some very bad injuries. Plus, I know you were the one who broke her out."

Pantherpaw had no time to think. He lunged at Eaglestar, who ducked and tripped him. Pantherpaw bit his stomach. Once he was distracted, he jumped and clung onto his back.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a white shape. It was Snowsayer. What was she doing here?

Suddenly, Pantherpaw was thrown off of Eaglestar's back. He saw Snowsayer creeping up to Eaglestar, careful not to step on anything that might give her away. She started to get ready to pounce.

Pantherpaw was still battling Eaglestar, keeping a watchful eye on his mate.

Eaglestar yelped in pain when Snowsayer gripped his throat. He whirled himself around and greedily smiled at her.

"You're finally back." Eaglestar meowed.

"I want to avenge my father." She growled.

"We can do this two ways: you cooperate or I get the others to steal you."

"Neither."

"We'll see about that. He was about to do something when Snowsayer gasped loudly. It was high and screeching.

Eaglestar smiled. "It's finally happening. It's midnight, and my kits are coming."

Pantherpaw ran up to her, only to be forcefully thrust back by Eaglestar. He coughed and gave in.

Snowsayer's pov

...

The pain was unbearable. Her stomach was huge. It took her a while to get to FlowerClan. Her breath came in short gasps. The weight of the kits were somehow crushing her lungs.

She felt one coming. It felt like the size of an apprentice. She yowled from the pain.

She could tell Eaglestar was becoming impatient. By the look on his face, she could tell something terrible was about to happen.

Snowsayer howled loud. She could feel a kit pushing itself out. It was over. Or so she thought.

Another, even bigger made its way. Somehow, she became numb. She couldn't feel a thing.

Once the kit was out, she could feel again. She could tell there were three more. Smaller, but still big enough to kill her.

Eaglestar stuffed red berries in her mouth, already crushed. She whined as the last three came out. Snowsayer guessed they helped them come out faster.

She felt like she was already dead.

"Now that I have my kits, I think it's time that you were done for." Eaglestar snarled.

Pantherpaw got up and shot at Eaglestar. He pinned him down and quickly bit his throat.

"You will pay for this. You really... will." Eaglestar whispered to both of them.

Pantherpaw got down once he got limp and watched the kits run off. He rushed over to Snowsayer, who was still alive, but shocked.

"Are you alright?" Pantherpaw asked worriedly.

"I'll be fine. I think that it was just more scary than it hurt. But it still was painful. I bet with help from Blossompelt I'll be fine." Snowsayer answered.

Pantherpaw saw Shadowstar rushing his way. Pantherpaw whispered in her ear, "I'll cover for you. Take my lead."

"What's going on?" Shadowstar asked.

"Eaglestar found Snowsayer at camp and brought her here. I took care of him, however." Pantherpaw meowed. "Can you get up?"

"I think so." She mewed. She raised herself, but screeched in pain. She looked up at Pantherpaw. She only saw Eaglestar's eyes.

"You will pay for this..." He whispered.

Snowsayer's eyes flew open. She was breathing heavily. She was in Eaglestar's cave. She looked down at her stomach. It was small again. She sighed in relief. It was nighttime. She could barely see her own body.

A slight breeze danced in the air. Snowsayer felt herself being dragged. She began to protest.

"Don't sorry, Snowsayer. It's me, Pantherpaw. I've come to save you." The voice mewed.

Snowsayer relaxed. Suddenly, an odd gooey substance draped over her mouth. She was thrown into a dark room.