Rising Moon
Jedi Goat
Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors.
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Chapter 10
Almost a moon had passed since Moonpaw had heard the prophecy. She had considered telling Leafpool, but the medicine cat seemed troubled enough without the prophecy to think about. Cinderpaw, too, was busy with her duties. The two medicine cat apprentices were nearing eleven moons; there was already talk of how their friends were almost ready for their warrior names. Moonpaw couldn't help but feel a burst of pride whenever Oakpaw was mentioned. He's my best friend, Moonpaw reasoned. I should be happy for him.
She refused to think about what else it might have been.
"Leafpool," Moonpaw said carefully, approaching her mentor.
"Hmm?" Leafpool glanced up from where she had been sorting herbs. "Oh, hello, Moonpaw."
"Have you received any messages from StarClan lately?"
Leafpool didn't get a chance to reply, for at that moment Cinderpaw bounded up. "We're low on catnip," she announced. "We'll need some on hand for leaf-bare."
Leafpool nodded. "Moonpaw, could you go get some? There's probably some out by the abandoned Twoleg nest."
"Okay." Moonpaw started out of the den.
"Brambleclaw's preparing to lead a patrol out that way," Leafpool called after her. "Why don't you join them?"
Moonpaw brushed past the ferns to see the group of cats heading for the entrance tunnel. "Hey! Wait up!" She bolted after them.
The leader of the patrol, Brambleclaw, paused and waited for her to reach them.
"Are you going to the old Twoleg nest?" panted Moonpaw.
He nodded.
"I need – to find catnip. Can I come with you?"
Brambleclaw's amber eyes flicked over the patrol. "Berryfoot, could you stay with her?"
The creamy tom padded up. "Sure!"
Brambleclaw nodded, swishing his tail at the rest of the patrol: Oakpaw, Cloudtail and Brackenfur. The cats disappeared through the thorn tunnel, Berryfoot and Moonpaw in pursuit.
Up by the ancient, crumbling Twoleg structure, the patrol spread out for hunting. Berryfoot remained at Moonpaw's side, waiting for orders.
The black she-cat raised her head and scented the air; the sweet smell of catnip wafted over from a nearby clearing. Gesturing for her guard to follow, Moonpaw set off.
She soon found the thick, juicy stalks and began biting them off, gathering a small pile. Berryfoot watched her for a moment before joining in. With his help, they quickly took half of the plant.
"That should be enough for now," Moonpaw mewed, picking up her part of the pile.
"It mells gud," Berryfoot mumbled around the bundle in his mouth. Moonpaw suppressed a giggle.
The bushes rustled and Berryfoot whirled around, fur rising on his shoulders. He dropped the catnip to spit, "Who's there?" Silence; even the prey had frozen to watch. A few ferns waved lazily, but other than that, the forest was still.
Berryfoot's eyes flickered around the clearing, and then he turned back to Moonpaw with a sigh. "It was nothing. C'mon, let's go."
She was about to comply when a branch snapped aside, revealing two glowing amber eyes.
Moonpaw screamed.
"What-?" Berryfoot spun around just as a creature with a pelt as gray-black as storm clouds hurtled into the clearing. Moonpaw saw it charging at her, feral eyes flashing and jaws agape with daggers for teeth. The nightmare ran on four legs, like a cat, except it was much larger and it had a long, bushy tail.
With a yowl, Berryfoot flung himself in front of the creature, claws flying. The creature skidded to a stop, snarling, before dislodging Berryfoot with a mighty shake of its head. As the tom struggled back up to his paws, the creature threw back its head and yowled.
Moonpaw felt her blood run cold. The creature's frightening cry brought others to the scene. Yellow eyes shone in the surrounding forest; she could count at least four, five sets.
We can't take them, Moonpaw realized with dismay, her heart beating twice as fast. The creatures were already pouring into the clearing, circling around her and Berryfoot. She crouched low, eyes wide. Her claws stretched out, sinking into the soil.
A creature lunged!
Moonpaw launched herself at it, screeching furiously. She sliced her front claws into its face, scrambling her way up onto its back.
Snarling and baring its fearsome teeth, the creature turned, snapping at her. Moonpaw retreated out of its grasp, claws making long, bleedings gashes along its back.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw one creature fling Berryfoot across the clearing. He yowled, slammed into a tree trunk, and sunk to the ground. He didn't get back up.
StarClan, help me! Moonpaw begged. She closed her eyes, expecting to feel teeth stabbing into her pelt.
"HROWRR!" An angry battle cry split the air. Moonpaw's green eyes flashed open in time to see Brambleclaw, Brackenfur and Cloudtail charging into the fray. The new cats' frenzy brought new energy to the apprentice. She slashed at her opponent with more strength.
Jaws reached for her from behind and Moonpaw shrieked as the teeth sunk into her shoulder. Pain stabbed into her, dizzying her for a moment. Then she scratched at the offending creature's nose. Growling, it retreated.
Moonpaw slipped off her creature's back and thumped onto the ground. She groaned, pulling her injured foreleg closer to her. It was useless now; she'd have to fight with three paws.
The creatures' long legs danced all around her. Moonpaw curled her tail closer to her, hoping no one would step on her. Then, cautiously, she moved through the battle.
A large black body fell to the ground a few mouse-tails in front of her, blood gushing from its neck. Moonpaw froze, staring in horror at the creature. Its amber eyes glared up at her, its snout battered and bloody. Still its maw opened, reaching out for her. But the creature was too weak; it gasped one last time, and then stilled, eyes clouded and blank.
Brambleclaw dislodged himself from the creature's back. "Watch it!" he warned, and Moonpaw ducked as a creature snapped down at her. The sharp teeth grazed her ears and she crouched down lower, hugging the ground for dear life.
Brambleclaw hurled himself at the creature, yowling. His claws drew long cuts along the animal's muzzle. It howled, shaking him loose.
As Brambleclaw landed, a paw shot out, slashing him across the face. His eyes were obscured by a rush of blood. The warrior's jaws gaped open in a scream. Then Brambleclaw sunk to the ground.
Leafpool was sitting outside, waiting for Moonpaw's return, when a cat burst through the entrance tunnel.
"Help!" Oakpaw panted, casting a wild glance around camp. "The others – caught – by creatures – that – killed – Molepaw."
Firestar and several warriors were already approaching. Leafpool stood, ordered Cinderpaw to remain in the den, and walked briskly toward the others.
"We'll need a patrol," Firestar was saying. "Sandstorm, Dustpelt, Wolfpaw and I will go."
"I'll come." Leafpool spoke up. She looked grimly up at the sky. "You'll be needing a medicine cat." StarClan, please keep our warriors and Moonpaw safe!
"What about me?" Oakpaw struggled back to his paws.
"You need rest," ordered Firestar. "Stay here."
Defiance flashed in his eyes. "No! I have to make sure sh – the others are safe."
Firestar sighed. "If you must." He turned, flicking his tail for the others to follow.
The patrol raced through the forest, leaving time for only one thought in Leafpool's mind:
StarClan help us!
To be continued...
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