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Chapter Six: New Weapon

Dreamcloud blinked contentedly as she watched the Clan bustle around. At least, that's what it looked like. Inside, her nerves were clashing, and she wished that she didn't have to laze about as a queen.

"Dreamcloud?" She lifted her head to see Cherrypaw, a sweet, shy gray tabby apprentice, standing in front of her, mouse dangling from mouth. Oh, yeah. Apprentices hunted for her when she was a queen...

"I caught you some fresh-kill," Cherrypaw murmured, shuffling her paws around. Dreamcloud blinked with friendliness. She got this reaction a lot with apprentices because of the whole Sun and Snow thing.

"Thank you so much," She purred, a sharp hunger suddenly tugging at her stomach. Cherrypaw dipped her head respectfully, but there was something in her eyes that showed that she felt bad about something.

"You're Sandstorm's apprentice, aren't you?" Dreamcloud asked. She just had a hunch that Sandstorm had something to do with it. Cherrypaw was silent for a few moments before bursting out,

"Some of the warriors think that Sandstorm should retire!"

Dreamcloud stiffened. Not only was Sandstorm her grandmother, but she was one of the closest cats to her. And though she was a senior warrior, she was still full of vigor and strength.

"Who wants this?" Dreamcloud hissed, her fur bristling and tail swishing back and forth.

"I'm not sure on all of them," Cherrypaw muttered, "But... Ashfur, definitely. Rainwhisker, Sootfur-which is causing a rift, because Sorreltail is totally against her retiring-. Oh, and Robinpelt."

Dreamcloud froze, and her eyes widened. Robinpelt... one of her closest friends... Cherrypaw looked embarrassed when she realized what she said.

"Oh! I'm sorry... He's your mate, right?"

Dreamcloud almost forgot to nod. "Why do they want this?" She meowed.

"Well," Cherrypaw thought aloud, "Maybe they're jealous. Sandstorm is much older than them, and is still one of the best warriors in the clan. And they may also think that Firestar favors her because she is his mate."

"That's not true!" Dreamcloud cried, "Firestar favors no one in particular! He's very fair, we all know that."

Wait... could these thoughts about Sandstorm lead to a rebellion against Firestar? They didn't need that at the moment!

"Does Sandstorm know?" She asked.

"Yes." Cherrypaw's whisker's twitched in amusement. "She overheard them talking this morning, and gave them a good clawing over the ears. But Firestar doesn't know."

"It's not others' rights to decided when a cat becomes an elder," Dreamcloud murmured, "It's the cat themselves who makes the choice. Not even the leader does that."

Cherrypaw nodded in agreement. Sandstorm's call came across the clearing, and she dipped her head again to Dreamcloud in good bye. "I'm glad I told you, Dreamcloud. I know you'll think of something."

And she bounded off.

Dreamcloud kneaded the ground with her paws. Would she be able to think of something? It seemed like the weight of the Clans was on her shoulders again-and on Windshadow's. Just in the worst possible time, too. Dreamcloud gazed at her still flat stomach.

"I won't let you down, my dears."

xxx

Calicofur closed her eyes as she lapped up some cool water from the lake. She loved coming here to relax.

"Hello?"

With a startled cry, Calicofur whirled around. An amused expression appeared on Spiderleg's face.

"Jumpy, aren't you?" The tom purred, padding over to her side.

"You surprised me," Calicofur mewed, defending herself, but at the same time touching noses with the black and brown tom. Spiderleg's amber eyes met her sky blue pair for a moment, and she then looked down.

"Why'd you come here?" She asked.

"I tracked you," Spiderleg replied, "You know how it is-we're back to the escort thing."

Calicofur wrinkled her nose in confusion. "Oh, yeah," He remembered, "You weren't born then. Back when the two legs first came here, we were in constant danger."

"Kind of like we are now," Calicofur pointed out wryly. Spiderleg began to shrug, but then froze, sniffing the air.

"Calicofur, run," He muttered.

"Wha-" She began, but he bowled her over just as a monster came screeching into view.

Calicofur shivered at the sight of the awful creature. She hadn't seen nearly as many as Spiderleg had.

"Just flatten yourself down to the grass," Spiderleg hissed, "They may not see you."

Obeying, Calicofur huddled up next to her. The monster halted, and three twolegs hopped out. They were barking around, and carrying long, gray sticks.

"What are those?" Calicofur whispered.

"I... I don't know," Spiderleg murmured, "I've never seen them before."

That made Calicofur's blood run cold. If Spiderleg, a survivor of the first twoleg invasion, had never seen these... things, than that meant there was a new threat.

Suddenly, one twoleg began muttering to it's fellows, pointing...

Right where Calicofur and Spiderleg were hiding.

"Calicofur!" Spiderleg cried, "Now!"

This time, she lept up and began to sprint. The twolegs aimed the sticks at her, and stingers whirred through the air.

Wait... turning her head, she realized that Spiderleg was not with her. The black tom was crouched in his hiding place, darting around and narrowly avoiding stingers.

"Spiderleg!" Calicofur yowled, trying to get back to him.

"No!" He spat, "Calicofur, don't-"

A twoleg aimed it's stick at Calicofur, and she remembered Cloudtail... soon, she'd be wherever Palelegs was...

A white blur came and sank it's claws into the twoleg's leg.

"Windshadow!" Calicofur breathed in releif. She heard a familiar yowl, and saw Dreamcloud, ready to pounce.

"No," Calicofur meowed, blocking the queen's way, "Your kits!"

"I have to help him!" Dreamcloud's amber eyes were clouded with worry.

"What's going on?"

Windshadow had bought Spiderleg enough time to slip to Calicofur's side, and his face showed confusion.

Before anyone could respond, the twoleg began to brutally beat Windshadow with his stick.

"Windshadow!" Dreamcloud cried, racing forward, "No!"
The tom valiantly stayed in position for a moment, but soon fell to the ground, limp, just as Dreamcloud attacked, spitting.

"Did you hear me?" Calicofur hissed, grabbing the younger cat by the scruff of the neck, "You can't! And it'll be better to get Windshadow to a medicine cat, right?"

Finally, Dreamcloud dipped her head in agreement and rushed up to the white tom, passing her tongue over his forehead.

"Please," She murmured, "Windshadow, wake up!"

But the tom was still. His sides were slowly rising up and down, and there was only a gash that was bleeding, but internal injuries were almost as obvious.

Calicofur quickly evaluated the situation. How did they get Windshadow to safety before the twolegs tried again, and without injuring him more?

"All right," She ordered, "Spiderleg, you and I will support Windshadow between us, kind of get him in a standing position even if he's still unconcious. Understand?"

"Yes."

"Dreamcloud, you go back to camp and alert Leafpool and Firestar about this."

For a moment, the ginger queen was silent before finally whispering, "All right."

She raced off.

Calicofur was worried as she supported Windshadow. His injuries were bad, and he was larger than both she and Spiderleg.

"Calicofur," Spiderleg whispered, catching her eyes. "Don't worry. We'll make it. Windshadow'll make it."

"I hope so."

xxx

Well, there we go! R and R!