Rising Moon

Jedi Goat

Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors.

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Chapter 28

I have to get to Rabbitkit! Moonpaw surged through the fray, trying to avoid a confrontation. A ShadowClan warrior appeared, screeching, before her, and she darted nimbly to the side. She leaped away as the cat turned.

Near the center of the clearing rose the tree stump she had seen; Moonpaw dodged behind it and peered around the battle for a sign of the ThunderClan kit.

A few tail-lengths away Blackstar, Appleheart, Tawnypelt and, yes, Rabbitkit faced off against Nightfang and two huge cats. One, a white tom, charged at Appleheart. The second she-cat, black like Nightfang, flew at Rabbitkit. Tawnypelt jumped in front of the kit and slashed at the she-cat's face.

"Your clan is mine," hissed Nightfang, leering at Blackstar. He unsheathed his long claws and lunged.

With a tremendous growl, Blackstar charged. The two enemies leaped and met in midair. There was a flash of steely claws, and then the two cats fell back. Nightfang landed in a crouch, blood dripping from his scarred, contorted face. Blackstar hit the ground nearby, dark blood flowing from his neck.

"No!" Appleheart gasped, freezing and staring in horror at her leader.

"Go," he rasped at her, "get out of here!" Twitching once, Blackstar then stilled.

Appleheart took a frightened step back, shaking her head. The big white tom came at her, snarling.

Moonpaw couldn't watch anymore. She jumped out of hiding with a yowl, tackling the bigger cat to the ground.

"You heard him!" she yelled at the ShadowClan she-cats. "Run!"

Tawnypelt swiped at her opponent, driving her back, and then grabbed Rabbitkit by the scruff. She and Appleheart bolted into the shadows.

Moonpaw dug her claws into the sides of the tom as he writhed under her. He tried to free his paws to strike her back, but Moonpaw had him pinned down. She sank her teeth into his shoulder, just enough to hurt. The tom screeched in terror and slipped out from under her like butter. He raced away, ears back with fear.

Moonpaw turned, ready to follow after the captives.

"You're not going anywhere," hissed a voice. Nightfang padded in front of her, cold amber eyes narrowed. "ThunderClan should keep their noses out of our business," he remarked bitterly. His claws scraped the ground.

Fur fluffed up, Moonpaw took a step back. "Wait-"

A yowl interrupted her protest. Moonpaw shied out of the way as a tom barreled into Nightfang. Oakheart and Nightfang wrestled on the ground, screeching in anger.

Moonpaw could only watch in shock.

"…You…ThunderClan," came a gasp. Moonpaw turned and padded over to where Blackstar lay. The ShadowClan leader regarded her with glazed eyes. "…warrior."

The tom was very weak; he had probably lost several lives already. Blood continued to pool morbidly around his neck. Even if she did have the herbs she would need, it would be too late.

"Help…clan," he whispered desperately. Moonpaw had to lean closer to hear. "Nightfang…plotting…he wants to control…control…" Blackstar paused, struggling for breath.

"You must stop him…he brings rogues…rogues from mountains. Wants to restore blood…blood…" Suddenly the tom froze, his breathing stopping as another life passed on to StarClan. Was that his last life?

Moonpaw waited a breathless moment, to see if Blackstar's message of warning would continue. Finally the tom gave a cough and shuddered.

His searching eyes found hers. "You were right..." he choked out, "you were right about him." Exhaling softly, the ShadowClan leader closed his eyes.

Moonpaw bowed her head. Were times so desperate, that even enemies would bond together? She closed her eyes. Oh, StarClan, what has become of us?

A yowl split the night. "ThunderClan! Retreat!"

Moonpaw leaped to her paws just as Oakheart reached her side. Blood leaked from his sides and a gash along his muzzle, but at least he was alive. Moonpaw raced at his side through the group of hissing ShadowClan cats.

Brackenfur, who had given the order, waited at the camp entrance. He nodded to Moonpaw and Oakheart as they thundered past and waited for Sorreltail to catch up. Up ahead in the woods, Moonpaw spotted Wolfspirit's gray pelt, leaning against Cloudtail for support. Glancing down, Moonpaw saw a trail of blood. The battle had not treated ThunderClan well, it seemed.

There was a shriek and Moonpaw and Oakheart looked back. At the edge of the camp, the great white ShadowClan tom had attacked Sorreltail. Brackenfur was already racing back toward them.

Moonpaw broke into a run. "Mother!"

As she watched, Brackenfur lunged at the tom. His claws had barely touched the ShadowClan cat's fur before a massive paw slammed into him, sending him flying. Brackenfur crashed into the trunk of the nearest tree and slid to the ground.

"No!" Moonpaw landed on the tom's back, raking her claws down his back in fury. Hissing, the tom bolted back toward camp and she flopped back down to the ground.

"Brackenfur!" Sorreltail rushed to her mate's side. "No!"

Getting up, Moonpaw shook her head to clear it and padded after her. Her limbs ached with exhaustion, but she knew she had to care for the clan first. She reached Brackenfur's side and knelt beside him, watching for movement.

He wasn't breathing.

Fear clawed at her belly, followed by a wave of rage. She shook off the intense feelings. She had to focus, to remain calm.

Moonpaw laid her head on his chest and listened for a heartbeat. Again, she found nothing. Tearing her eyes away from the golden tom's body, she met her foster mother's fearful gaze.

"He's gone." The words tasted like ash on her tongue. Sorreltail closed her eyes and shook her head vehemently. "My poor Brackenfur…"

Silently Moonpaw rolled him over and saw the spatter of blood at the base of his neck. Hitting the tree must have killed him instantly, Moonpaw mused. A memory surfaced, of the battle with the wolves. The same fate had met Berryfoot, and she had been helpless to help him, too. Moonpaw turned away.

There was a crunch of snow and Oakheart appeared beside her. "We have to move," he mewed urgently. "ShadowClan could attack us at any moment."

Moonpaw nodded, biting her lip. She flicked her tail at Brackenfur. "Could you…carry him?"

Oakheart nodded, and rapidly hoisted Brackenfur's body onto his back. "Let's go."

Moonpaw curled her tail around Sorreltail and helped her to follow.

They met up with the rest of the patrol at the frozen river. It seemed Moonpaw had been here days ago instead of hours. She sighed, crossing over to the ThunderClan side. At the sight of Brackenfur, the others said nothing, though their faces turned grim.

Cloudtail took the lead through the forest, and soon the patrol found themselves back in camp. They trooped through the entrance tunnel in silence, and instantly the clan gathered around them.

Moonpaw's gaze swept the clearing wearily; she didn't feel like explaining anything to ThunderClan. But when she saw the brown and tortoiseshell she-cats crouched nervously in the center of the clearing, Rabbitkit seated between them, she remembered what this was all about. She sank to the ground in front of the Highledge and Oakheart set Brackenfur's body down. He then sat next to her in silence.

Moonpaw looked down at her paws as she heard the clan whispering around her. When would this terrible night be over? And why did StarClan exchange the lives of a clan leader and a brave warrior for one kit?

To be continued...

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