DISCLAIMER: Erin Hunter owns Warriors, not me
Chapter 2:
The rustling of his mother beside him is what woke the young Wolfkit up, causing him to jolt up with surprise. Firekit was already awake, and was sleepily splaying out her legs in front of her in a luxurious stretch, jaws gaping in a massive yawn.
Following suit, the silver tom arched his back, tail flicking as he stood up fully. He and his sibling padded out of the den ahead of their mother, still slow with exhaustion.
The evening sun, if it was there at all, was covered with dark, ominous clouds that threatened to bring rain. Bristling from the humid, tension-filled air the weather had brought, he shook himself out, blue eyes wide. Even the wind was quiet and stiff, merely hanging there as though dead.
Most of the warriors who weren't hunting or out on patrol were lying down in or just outside of the warriors' den, not wanting or knowing what else to do. Spiderleg, the deputy, plucked at the ground anxiously, eyes wild. Shimmerstar walked up to him and softly whispered something in his ear. He nodded immediately and whisked off, gathering a group of strong warriors to come and patrol with him.
Huh, Wolfkit thought, I thought there was already a patrol out. Maybe they're hunting instead…
His question was answered when he overheard a conversation between her and two she-cats by the names of Blazingsun and Mistpool.
"Shimmerstar, Lionblaze has already led out a patrol along the Windclan and Shadowclan border… This'll be the fourth time today those borders have been checked. Don't you think it'd be best if we took a break for a while? Shadowclan can be hostile when it comes to these things, and Windclan is rather quick to judge," Blazingsun commented quietly.
"Need I honestly remind you of the raids Shadowclan has frequently been making on Riverclan lately? Their fish is being stolen straight from the river without so much as a hint of caution. Since when was Blackstar so bold in his attacks? I don't feel right about it. About any of this. Or do you have another idea as to what's wrong? We all feel it. It's in the air," The Thunderclan leader retorted coldly, ice blue eyes blazing.
Grudgingly, the ginger she-cat shook her head, still unwilling to give up her argument.
Mistpool finally piped in, calmly mewing, "what if it isn't Blackstar?"
Both she-cats stared at her, ears flicking forward.
"I'm listening, if not hesitantly," Shimmerstar answered dryly.
"Well," she began, "we all know that Blackstar does not have many lives left, and has been struggling to regain strength after acquiring Blackcough… Rowanclaw is dead… We can only assume that the new deputy is the one leading the Clan now."
"But we don't know who that is," Blazingsun snapped. "It happened after the last Gathering, and all the messenger told us was that Rowanclaw was dead… Not who his replacement was."
"So let's find out," the silver she-cat replied blankly.
The lithe, nearly fox-like ginger she-cat growled, bristling with impatience. "Mouse-brain! We can't just barge into Shadowclan territory like we own the place! If this new deputy is as quick-witted and strong as you seem to find him- or her- to be, then you seriously think that he- or again, she- would let us off so easy?"
Shimmerstar slowly nodded, giving away nothing of her own personal opinion. "I couldn't agree more. But an investigation is still in order, if they want it or not. However, this can't be something the Clan knows about. I figure one or two warriors can accompany me into Shadownclan territory, and assist me in spying on the camp. At least until we have a good idea of how their Clan is working with the new, if there is one at all, deputy. If we find them to be threat, we retreat back to our own camp, gather reinforcements, and attack that night."
"And if we're caught?" Mistpool interjected pointedly.
She grinned, casually revealing her unusually long and sharp fangs. "Then we die fighting."
Both warriors stared at their leader with a barely contained horror. The plan no longer had the pair as excited as it had when they were merely planning the mission.
Ignoring their suddenly concerned looks, she continued, "Blazingsun, you and Shadefrost will come with me tonight, after the final patrol has left, to Shadowclan's camp. Mistpool, I'm counting on you to watch after the camp and my kits while I'm away."
"What?" Mistpool snarled, temper finally flaring through her calm, collected attitude. "That's not fair! This is my plan! I came up with it, and I want to be a part of it!"
Shimmerstar laughed, but even though she smiled, there was no mirth in her voice as she responded, "not fair? Mistpool, you should know by now that the world isn't fair. It's full of liars, cheaters, killers," her blue eyes glinted, "and ones who would break your heart without a second thought as to why, and who you were, and what you might do to them as recompense!"
By her last word, the menacing she-cat's voice had rose to a more than loud volume, and boomed across the camp, causing many to stare. They quickly looked away again though, afraid of what she would do if she caught their eye.
"You've been more than a help, Mistpool, and I appreciate that. But," she continued, eyes losing their fire and taking on a more tired look, "I think it would be best if you stayed here and guarded the camp. Thanks."
She turned around, obviously through with the conversation, and began to pad away. From behind, Mistpool muttered under her breath, "Bramblestar would have let me."
Blazingsun stared at her with surprise and fear as Shimmerstar whipped around, fangs bared and tail lashing.
"Bramblestar?" She hissed, stalking closer, "what do you know of him? You weren't even a part of this Clan when he led us! Honestly, you have the courage to compare me to a cat you have never, and will never meet?"
The silver warrior glared at her, bristling. "I don't have to. Anyone would be better than you."
"Aw, poor, poor Mistpool wasn't included in the special patrol for the grown up warriors? Aw!" She recoiled in disgust, snickering. "Now, do us all a favor and run on back to the nursery where you belong."
With a yowl, the furious she-cat barreled into the long-limbed Thunderclan leader, knocking her off her feet. Growling, she pummeled her with her back legs, only to be thrown off when she stood again.
Shimmerstar smirked at her, eyes narrowed into icy slits. "Do you really want to fight? Because I can guarantee, you won't win."
"Try me," Mistpool retorted, muscles tense with anxious anticipation.
Grinning again, the black-pawed she-cat launched herself into the air, landing behind her and scooping her paws out from under her. Before her body had even hit the ground, Shimmerstar had lunged grabbed hold of her upturned throat, but had not bit down hard.
By then, most of the Clan that remained in the camp had gathered around them, including Wolfkit who watched with wonder as his mother flung the warrior across the clearing, yawning with boredom.
She's not even trying… he thought, where did she learn to fight like that? I mean, I knew Mother was good at it, but nothing like this.
Mistpool got to her feet again, but this time did not go in for another attack. Instead, she limped into the Medicine Cat den without another word or breath, leaving Shimmerstar standing alone in a circle of warriors and apprentices.
Retracting her claws, she smiled and turned away, grabbing Wolfkit by the scruff and carrying him back to her den. Blazingsun slowly began to follow Mistpool, eyes still wide with shock. The rest of the Clan was soon to follow.
"Good job," the silver tom mewed thoughtfully, licking his mother's nose.
She glanced down at him fondly as she placed him down in the nest and chuckled. "At least someone appreciates it."
Curling around his sister (who she had picked up shortly after Wolfkit) and he, she neatly laid her tail over them and watched them drift off to sleep, smiling as she studied the steady rise and fall of their tiny chests, and their tiny, shallow breaths.
Satisfied that they were really asleep, she quietly padded out of the den, keeping her tail up so it didn't brush against the ground. The sun had finally set completely. Clouds covered the moon, blanketing everything in darkness. A perfect night for a mission.
