Chapter 24
Cinderblaze woke up in a strange den. Oh right, I forgot where we were for a minute. Duchess was sleeping curled up next to Sparrowflight, who was snoring lightly. I knew she would warm up to Duchess. Cinderblaze laughed softly, and got up to hunt.
She waked outside of the den, her nose crinkling with the two leg stench. Ew! How do two legs live in their own filth?! Cinderblaze sighed and followed the smell of a starling. Her mouth watered just thinking about the bird. This will make a nice meal. Cinderblaze snuck up on the bird, pouncing and killing it. "Yes!"
Cinderblaze walked back into the den, starling in mouth, and sat next to the drowsy she-cats. Sparrowflight's eyes got wide at the sight of the plump bird in Cinderblaze's mouth. "Let have have it! Please I'm starving," begged Sparrowflight. Duchess snickered at her. "Want to fight me you old hag!" Sparrowflight challenged. Cinderblaze gasped, causing her to drop the starling. Duchess snarled at the feisty she-cat.
"Stop," yowled Cinderblaze as the two she-cats got into fighting position. Duchess nodded, sneering at Sparrowflight as she started eating the starling. Sparrowflight eventually walked over and started eating with Cinderblaze and Duchess. After they finished eating and drinking their fill, they headed out.
"We made it," yowled Duchess happily as they reached the edge of the two led dens. Cinderblaze smelled the fresh mountain air. So cold. A gust of wind swept through the she-cats fur, causing them to fluff up their fur. "I think we should follow the path that leads to that really high peak," commented Duchess. Sparrowflight and Cinderblaze nodded, and followed Duchess up the rocky path.
They three she-cats were half way up the hill when Sparrowflight started grunting. "Are you ok," asked Cinderblaze. Sparrowflight nodded, but grunted and clutched her stomach. "Sparrowflight, are you expecting?"
Sparrowflight nodded sadly. "Yes, and I'm due soon. I'm scared Cinderblaze," she whimpered. Cinderblaze nuzzled her fur. You had to be expecting on this journey!
"Everything will be ok," promise Cinderblaze. Duchess nodded and stroked Sparrowflight's fur. "We will make it back to Thunderclan fro your kits birth." Sparrowflight nodded, and the group advanced to the top.
"There is a jump?!" Duchess squealed as she looked over the edge.
"We can make it," said Cinderblaze, determination in her voice. Sparrowflight jumped easily across the small crevice. Eventually Cinderblaze coaxed Duchess to jump. She and Cinderblaze both landed gracefully on the other side. "We did it!" Cinderblaze cried happily.
Suddenly, Duchess' ears perked up. "I hear water, like a heavy waterfall or something." Cinderblaze and Sparrowflight also perked their ears perked up.
"I hear it too!" Cinderblaze cried happily. The story said the tribe lived in a cave behind a waterfall! Cinderblaze and her group started running to the sound. "It's getting closer!"
They found the noise coming from a giant waterfall, covering up a large cave. "It's the Tribe of Rushing water," screamed Sparrowflight, trying to get her voice to overpower the loud waterfall.
"The what?" Duchess asked. Sparrowflight rolled her eyes.
"It's a tribe of cats that live in that cave, behind the waterfall," said Cinderblaze pointing to the waterfall. Duchess let out a sigh, but nodded.
"Let's go," said Sparrowflight. She led the she-cats through the waterfall, drenching them. Duchess squealed as her black and white fur clung to her body. I hate water so much!
When they arrived in the cave, Cinderblaze slipped on the slippery ground. Before she hit the ground, a muscular white and gold tom scooped her up. She stared into his deep blue eyes for a while. Whoa
"Are you ok," he asked, his sweet and gentle voice full of concern. Sparrowflight and Duchess started in awe as cats all around them appeared.
"Yes, thank you for helping me up," said Cinderblaze embarrassed. He flashed her a sweet smile, making her limps falls like jelly. He is very attractive. The handsome tom started to groom Cinderblaze's fur, but she pushed him away. It's too soon since Tallstripe died. He looked a little hurt, but quickly covered it up.
Suddenly, an old she-cat with a grey muzzle walked out of a den with another old tom by her side. "Why have you come to the Tribe of Rushing Water?" the old cat questioned. I-Is that Drizzleheart and Galedash! They must have lived her a while because they are quite old.
"We come from the clans, but Duchess is a loner that joined us," said Cinderblaze. Galedash whispered something to his old mate. Drizzleheart nodded.
"I was from the clans, Thunderclan to be précises. Drizzleheart was my previous name, but I am now known as Stoneteller." She said proudly. "This is Wind that blows Snow, previously Galedash. And that is our daughter Starlingpaw, we gave her an honorary clan name. Today was her warrior ceremony, and she is now Starling that sits on Rock." Stoneteller smiled at her daughter and mate.
They have interesting names. "We were told by our leader that two of your cats will come home with us, and change the fate of Thunderclan," said Sparrowflight, occasionally grunting and clutching her stomach. Stoneteller must have noticed because she said,
"I am also a healer as well as leader, and I could take a look at you." Sparrowflight nodded gratefully, and followed the old she-cat and her mate into their den.
Cinderblaze looked around the cave, and at the all the strong cats. This cave is beautiful, and looks very dangerous. Cinderblaze was lost in thought, until Duchess poked her. "That strong tom sure does seem to have a liking for you," she said teasingly.
Cinderblaze could feel her fur get hotter, "I don't even know his name."
"My name is Sun that Shines on Icicle, and this is Stream that Flows around Rock," he said surprising the she-cats. He smiled at Cinderblaze. "You must be Cinderblaze and Duchess, and Sparrowflight is with Stoneteller."
Cinderblaze smiled at him. "Yes, and it's wonderful to meet both of you." Icicle and Stream smiled.
"Please call me Stream and him Icicle," said Stream politely. Cinderblaze and Duchess nodded. "I'm a prey hunter, and Icicle is a cave guard." Stream said, her silver tabby fur shining in the weak sunlight. They sure are strong.
"Can you show us where we can rest? Y paws are killing me," asked Duchess.
"Yes follow us," said Icicle, leading the she-cats to a new den.
Hi guys! Today I'm only posting one chapter because I'm quite tired right now, but I will make it up to you by posting 3 chapters' tomorrow. I'm also watching a movie with me family, and I want to enjoy it and not worry about posting. Please don't be angry, and thank you again Keeper for suggesting ideas. Ciao! Also, I want to call you guys (A.K.A; my fan base XD), I want to call you guys my Ashes! Like Cinder. Ha-ha! Ciao for real my Ashes. XD. If you have a better fan base name, please tell me.