Fireheart stretched enjoying the sun warming his muscles. This was the warmest the sun had been since leaf-bare started and he appreciated it on such a morning. Every time the wind blew, even the WindClan cats shivered and bristled, displeased by the chill. Only Graystripe and a few other cats with thick coats seemed unbothered by the breeze.
As he watched Bala drag about a small collection of wild berries and seeds for his chickens, Ola wandered over and sat beside him. They enjoyed the silence together for a moment before she spoke.
"So what's it like being a prince?" she asked.
Fireheart smiled a little, "Busy. We're responsible for keeping up with the internal affairs of the kingdom. I always handled the tunnel farms so I needed to know about the last rainfall, the possibility of a tunnel collapse and any sicknesses the animals have."
He frowned.
"Now that I'm gone, my siblings have probably been made to pick up the slack."
"What was it like living there?"
"Wonderful. Not everyone got along but we tended to exist in peace anyway."
Ola opened her mouth to ask another question but she was interrupted by a yowl. Fireheart jumped to his paw running in the direction of the sound skidding to a halt before a short furred brown tom staring with horrified yellow eyes at the sky. Fireheart searched desperately but saw nothing- not a hawk or an owl or even a falcon and returned his attention to the tom in confusion.
"Barkface," said Tallstar fiercely. "What's wrong?"
"Riversoul has delivered a message," he said gravely. "Today will bring an unnecessary death."
A tense silence filled the area and the scent of fear arose. Bala and Ola looked among the clan cats with confusion before glancing at him to explain.
"Medics are like the royals," Fireheart whispered to them. "They receive signs from the gods of hard times to come."
The two of them instantly grimaced, the significance of Barkface's statement sinking in.
Deadfoot stepped forward, "Maybe it's not for us. Any of the clans could see that sign."
"We can't stay here anyway," Tallstar asserted. "We must return home no matter what the Souls have in store for us. I can smell rain on its way and I refuse to travel through a storm."
Fireheart was relieved by the confidence in his voice. Tallstar started for the exit with WindClan trotting after him with a newfound determination. Fireheart pressed his nose to Bala's shoulder earning an awed look as he bid him goodbye then darted up to the front with Graystripe.
"Would you like us to scout ahead?" Fireheart asked Tallstar quietly.
The leader nodded, "Yes please. My clan is stronger now but you never know what's ahead."
Fireheart hid his wince at the glint of worry in Tallstar's eyes. Despite his confident words and unbothered façade, he was clearly worried about Barkface's omen- and Fireheart couldn't blame him. Omens and visions were vague and unclear- an unnecessary death could be anything from a single cat, to the destruction of herbs or even the erasure of a clan.
He and Graystripe positioned themselves as scouts, darting ahead and returning with information for Tallstar to help avoid things that would give WindClan trouble like a herd of wild goats. WindClan obediently paused or pressed on with Tallstar's commands despite what Fireheart was sure had to be almost painful exhaustion.
Fireheart felt the reemergence of WindClan before he felt it. The gentle if damp and chilly breeze that had been tugging at his whiskers was quickly turning into proper wind that he needed to squint to see through. The more Fireheart and Graystripe struggled to see through the wind, the more upright WindClan seemed to stand. Fireheart found himself sorely wishing the treeline was closer to WindClan.
The ground started sloping up and the petrichor Tallstar had been scenting grew stronger. Just as the first few drops of rain had started to fall, he heard a crunch and turned his head. WindClan had picked up their pace and entered a quick trot- cats who'd been trailing behind were moving quicker. Before Fireheart knew it, he and Graystripe were sprinting alongside the clan whose exhaustion seemed to vanish like the sun burned away morning dew. These cats knew exactly where they were and it was like they'd gained personal strength from re-entering the moor.
They took a moment to pause at the bottom of one of the many hills overlooking the area where short brown grass became waves and waves of golden gorse. Fireheart was nearly overwhelmed with the joy and excitement that permeated the air, WindClan cats taking deep breaths of the scent of their homelands.
As they entered the sea of grass scattered with patches of heather, Graystripe dropped back to the end of the parade and Fireheart followed suit. This was WindClan territory once more and it wouldn't do for them to be wandering about at the front like they owned the moor. He exchanged a delighted look with his friend- even in the rain that was beginning to drench his coat, a ball of warmth filled his stomach as WindClan fell into old habits.
Fireheart watched the warriors drop- seemingly reflexively- low against the ground, weaving swiftly and agilely. Somehow they kept their fur from snagging on the thorns and branches despite wrapping their tails around them as they walked by.
Tallstar climbed to the top of a particularly tall hill as Tumblestrike and a few other warriors raced by and stopped at the top. Fireheart paused at the base of the hill to appreciate the sight- WindClan standing at the top of the hill overlooking their territory, their pain and exhaustion noticeable as the storm winds blew ripples through their fur.
Graystripe nudged him and led him up the hill.
Just as they joined Tallstar on the hill, a pair of apprentices broke from the ranks and started sprinting down through the grass and heather.
"Wait!" Tallstar called out, making the apprentices pause. "There may be other clans hunting around here!"
The apprentices trotted back to their leader but the joy in their eyes shone brighter instead of dampening. The clan crept forward cautiously, the stronger warriors scent sweeping the area for other cats. As they clambered atop a rocky ridge, Fireheart recognized the slight dip that hid the WindClan camp from the world.
With a purr of delight, Morningflower was the first to move, accepting her kit from a tabby warrior and beginning to pelt down the hill for the camp. Tallstar was unable to control his clan at this and they all followed suit, loudly yowling their presence and joy to the Souls above. Tallstar didn't bother to stop them this time and rushed forward with the rest of his clan, purring loudly. Fireheart fell into step beside them finding himself laughing and yowling with them.
He and Graystripe came to a stop outside the WindClan camp, panting and catching their breath as three warriors followed Morningflower into the camp. Fireheart pushed away his mild disappointment at not seeing Morningflower settle in but this wasn't ThunderClan and this wasn't their camp. Tallstar walked over to him as his warriors flooded into their home and rubbed his cheek against Fireheart's.
"My clan is grateful for your help," Tallstar said warmly. "You've both proven yourselves worthy of the Souls. Tell Bluestar that we are grateful that at least one clan is honorable- may Slysoul fill your forest with prey and may Sunsoul warm your clan through leaf-bare."
Fireheart felt his ears grow hot with heat and he ducked his head shyly as Graystripe averted his gaze.
"The will of the Souls is four clans in the forest," Fireheart said drawing on his lessons from the Sun. He had to accept Tallstar's unspoken acknowledgement of a debt to ThunderClan without making it seem like they'd hold it over them. "What Brokentail did needed to be corrected and so we did."
Tallstar dipped his head to him, "Okohi would be so proud."
Fireheart focused on settling the gentle warmth running through his belly as Tallstar motioned for Deadfoot and Onewhisker to join him.
"There will likely be enemy hunting patrols," Tallstar said. "Deadfoot and Onewhisker will escort you to Fourtrees."
Fireheart dipped his head, "Thank you."
Tallstar rested his tail on his back for a moment, "I'll tell you all about Okohi during the next Gathering."
Fireheart couldn't hide the way his ears pricked as he perked up if he wanted to.
"I'll hold you to that."
Tallstar sent him one last look, nodded to Graystripe and slipped into the camp to help his warriors. Deadfoot turned and led the way with Onewhisker as Fireheart and Graystripe trailed after them. The two WindClanners seemed to take a large breath every few steps to drink in the scent of their home. They were led through a small pathway of gorse that Fireheart never would've found on their own.
They were following the WindClan border, Fireheart noticed. Deadfoot and Onewhisker stopping every few tail lengths to spray or rub against something.
This isn't just an escort, Fireheart mused with satisfaction. This is a message- WindClan is back and they're taking what is theirs.
They tensed at every rustle, flexing their claws into the cold ground beneath their paws. It was clear to anyone that WindClan was furious about being driven out and these warriors were looking for a fight. Fireheart hoped they wouldn't have one- his muscles were cramped, he's cold and and his paws were sore. Even just a border scuffle would be difficult.
Onewhisker stopped, tasting the air and his tail shot straight up.
"I smell rabbit," he said with delight and pelted off. Fireheart was amazed that despite running like there was a badger on his tail, he was still quieter than the RiverClan warriors, low and close to the ground.
Deadfoot purred and came to a stop. Fireheart could see the excited gleam in the deputy's eyes and noted the way he danced a bit. A moment later, Onewhisker reappeared with a massive rabbit in his jaws and dropped it before them.
"Anyone hungry?" he asked coyly.
They ate the rabbit gratefully, the WindClan cats practically vibrating from how hard they were purring. Fireheart licked the blood from his lips and shook some of the water from his coat. Just as Graystripe finished off his portion of the meal, Fireheart picked out a fishy scent from the rain.
He bristled, gathering his paws beneath himself as Onewhisker and Deadfoot sprung to their paws. The RiverClan patrol strode into view and Fireheart eyed them warily. It was large- he recognized the RiverClan deputy Leopardfur, Carpfin and Ottersplash from the last Gathering. With them was a powerful looking brown cat with white front paws and dangerous amber eyes that reminded Fireheart of Tigerclaw and a large red furred tabby tom glowering beside him.
Fireheart bared his teeth- this wasn't a hunting patrol. Most of these cats were large, bulky and made for battle rather than even catching fish- this was one last attempt by RiverClan to intimidate WindClan out of their home.
"What are you doing on WindClan territory," Deadfoot hissed.
"This territory has been unoccupied," Leopardfur returned cooly.
"Well now you know it's not," snapped Onewhisker. "So leave."
Her warriors drew themselves up on either side of Leopardfur as she flexed her claws menacingly.
"RiverClan needs this territory," she stated. "We need this land and its prey to support ourselves."
"So learn to hunt dry prey on your own land," Deadfoot growled. "Your incompetence is not our problem- leave or be shredded."
Leopardfur's eyes narrowed and Fireheart found himself moving forward at the same time she cried, "RiverClan, attack!"
He aimed for Leopardfur herself but was intercepted by Ottersplash. She pinned him to the ground and Fireheart instantly kicked her in the stomach. It didn't move her very far but it winded her enough for Fireheart to slip from beneath her and launched a swipe across her face. She lunged at him and sank her teeth in his shoulder- Fireheart screamed in pain and shock as a feeling like frost entered his body. He used his other paw to dredge claw marks in her cheek. She shrieked and released his shoulder and Fireheart scrambled back.
He spotted Deadfoot locked in a vicious snarling ball of claws and fangs with Leopardfur. Graystripe was being clawed to bits by the large brown cat while Onewhisker struggled against Carpfin.
As hard as they fought, they were slowly being pushed back. The WindClan cats were still tired from the journey back to their home and Fireheart and Graystripe were exhausted from the round trip in general.
They were still going towards Fourtrees, Fireheart realized. RiverClan was simply dragging them there as violently as they could- a message of their own. The sound of rushing water began thundering in his ears, the gorge near the WindClan border and Fireheart lashed out violently. Just as FIreheart was giving in, he heard a loud battle cry.
Fireheart glanced over and was filled with an overwhelming sensation of relief- he's never been so glad to see an enraged and furious Tigerclaw charging his direction in his entire life. The powerful warrior promptly yanked Leopardfur by the scruff of her neck from Deadfoot's back. Deadfoot whirled around and promptly began shredding her belly.
Willowpelt captured Carpfin's leg in her mouth and bit down hard making him shriek while Graystripe turned the leaf and began clawing him to moss tendrils, yanking out massive blots of fur with every swipe.
Sandpaw and Lynxpaw were working together against the red furred tom- dancing out of his reach and snapping at his ankles and hocks everytime he whirled to face one.
Fireheart was reminded of Otterwhisker by her lunging for him. He dodged and decided to return the favor, channeling his spark to his teeth. He vaguely took note of a new sensation running through his muscles that reminded him of his warrior ceremony. He drew on that memory and channeled it into his spark and sank his teeth into her shoulder. Fireheart was just as surprised as Ottersplash when a small spark jumped from the wound and an intense current ran through him. She twisted and screamed until he released her. She limped off as quickly as she could to the RIverClan side of the border, her muscles twitching every so often.
Fireheart searched for someone who needed help when he heard a yowl of shock. He turned quickly and spotted Sandpaw struggling to clamber back to solid ground. Fireheart raced her and grabbed her scruff, pulling her up while she sank her claws into the hardened soil beneath their paws.
"I can fight my own battles," she snapped but her voice was shaking and she seemed to debating sitting down.
We're too close to the gorge, Fireheart thought to himself grimly. One wrong move and Sandpaw could've fallen to her death. It seemed that some of the other cats recognized this as several warriors were trying to lead the RiverClan patrol farther from the edge.
As he glanced over the battle, he noticed Graystripe by the edge. His friend was desperately holding the brown tome he'd been fighting earlier by the scruff, desperately trying to pull him back to the safety of the land. His heart seemed to stop and he trotted over as quickly as he could, dodging the screaming and yowling cats blocking his way to reaching Graystripe.
Before he could help, Tigerclaw slams his head into Leopardfur and Deadfoot went for her paws. She stumbled, falling backwards and slammed into Graystripe shaking his head.
Startled, Graystripe yelped and the tom slipped from his mouth and into the rushing water down below.
