Rising Moon

Jedi Goat

Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors.

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Chapter 3

A few days later, Brightheart's kits were born.

Cloudtail, her mate, burst into the nursery with Leafpool just a paw step behind. Sorreltail had cleared the way for the two cats, bringing her kits up close to her in a corner. Moonkit, Molekit, Honeykit and the newly returned Cinderkit stuck their heads out from behind their mother, eyes wide with curiosity.

"Push, Brightheart," Leafpool encouraged, as Cloudtail sat and began licking his mate's face.

In pain, the she-cat yowled, her sides contracting. As she paused for breath, panting, the small mewling of a kit could be heard.

"Lick," ordered Leafpool, pushing the wet kit toward its father. She knelt back down beside Brightheart, murmuring, "Here comes the second one."

Moonkit craned her neck, trying to see. Cloudtail was licking a small white kit with brown speckles.

"There we go," Leafpool mewed, passing Cloudtail the second kit. She was pale gray, with long, fluffy fur that stuck up as Cloudtail's tongue rasped over her. "It's over, Brightheart. And I must say, those are two lovely kits."

The she-cat turned her head to see. Her good eye was warm as she answered, "Yes. Yes, they are." She nudged the first kit toward her belly. "Cloudtail, what shall we name them?"

The tom halted, gazing over at the white bundle curled up next to her. "You name one first," he purred.

Brightheart purred in response, and twisted around so she could see her first kit, the tom. "Oakkit," she decided.

"And this one is Wolfkit," finished Cloudtail, nudging the gray she-cat toward her mother.

"I'll go tell Firestar," Leafpool offered, backing out of the nursery.

The nursery drifted into a drowsy silence, as proud parents watched over their children for the first time.

Soon after, Sorreltail ushered her kits out of the nursery for the first time. It was a clan meeting; Moonkit looked around the crowd of gathered cats in wonder. The scents all melded into one in her nose - a scent she now recognized as ThunderClan.

Sorreltail sat, curling her tail over her paws. The other kits quickly chose their own places around her.

Moonkit padded forward a tail-length before sitting, gazing up at the Highledge in excitement. She had heard word of what would happen today: Birchpaw, one of the apprentices, was about to be made a warrior. She could see Birchpaw's parents, Ferncloud and Dustpelt, sitting close by. Their eyes shone with pride, and Moonkit couldn't help but imagine the day when she would become a warrior and serve ThunderClan. Glorious visions came to her, and she drank them in excitedly.

"Cats of ThunderClan!" A yowl from Firestar silenced her thoughts. Moonkit saw him leap down from the Highledge, pelt glinting like fire in the sunlight.

"Today we honor a new warrior who has worked hard for his title, surviving the harsh trip from the old forest and honoring his clan. Birchpaw, if you would come forward?"

The brown tabby padded forward slowly, eyes shining.

Firestar raised his head to look up at the sky. "I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn."

He turned his intense gaze on the apprentice. "Birchpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Birchpaw's voice was filled with determination. "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Birchpaw, from this moment forth you will be known as Birchhollow. StarClan honors your courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."

Firestar laid his muzzle on Birchhollow's head, and the new warrior gave his shoulder a respectful lick. As Firestar stepped away, the clan's voices rose in a wave: "Birchhollow! Birchhollow!"

Moonkit added her voice to the cry; she smiled with happiness for Birchhollow, seeing his old mentor, Ashfur, and his parents greet him.

Then Sorreltail called her back into the nursery.

That night, Leafpool went to sleep pleased, thinking of the newest ThunderClan warrior. She knew Ferncloud must be proud of Birchhollow, but a wave of guilt engulfed her when she thought how he was the sole survivor of her two litters.

Leafpool opened her eyes. Easily she recognized the clearing she was in: it was an open area down by the lake in ThunderClan territory. She knew by the moonlight illuminating the clearing that it was still night; she must be having a dream.

A sweet scent drifted over on the cool night breeze, and Leafpool took a deep intake of breath. Spottedleaf! It had been nearly a moon since she had last heard from StarClan.

Eager to be reunited with the wise medicine cat, Leafpool followed the scent into the forest. Strangely she felt uneasy, and her eyes quickly flicked around the shadows, searching. But for what, she didn't know.

Leafpool froze as a mournful howling sound pierced the air, turning her blood to ice. Like a mother, crying for her dying kits, she thought, shivering.

Then Leafpool heard paw steps, somewhere in the surrounding forest. She opened her mouth wide, but there was no scent. Heavy breathing echoed in her ears.

Leafpool felt like a helpless mouse, being stalked by some unseen, giant cat. Unable to control her fear, she bolted to her paws and ran. The forest no longer seemed familiar; it flashed by in a dark, unrecognizable blur. She could hear thunder at her heels, but she couldn't turn, couldn't look. Something grazed her back and she screamed, knowing deep down that no one could hear her.

Then she was snatched up in invisible jaws. She screeched as the teeth closed around her like a Twoleg trap. Then all she could see was a sea of blood, flowing around her. Fear-scent enveloped her, making her all the more terrified.

Then she was spat out, and Leafpool stumbled, rapidly righting herself and racing off again. She saw the stream bordering with WindClan and slowed to a stop, panting. She flopped down in the grass and prayed that StarClan would save her from this nightmare.

"Leafpool!"

The medicine cat raised her head warily. "Spottedleaf?" she whispered hoarsely.

Her friend shimmered in front of her, eyes grave. "Leafpool, danger is coming to the clans," Spottedleaf warned.

"What? How?" Leafpool felt fear wash over her again. Are the Twolegs going to kick us out of our territory again?

Spottedleaf touched her nose to Leafpool's ear, murmuring solemnly, "Betrayal will spill blood of old wounds. A terrible danger comes to prowl the forest. Night will send aid, and will replenish the spirit of the forest."

Prophecy finished, Spottedleaf began to fade away. "Be careful, Leafpool," she called out through the darkness. "The choices you make will determine the fate of the forest."

To be continued...

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