Chapter Three- The Promise of Battle

Heyo! So I haven't been very active lately. I'm sorry, school has me busy and I'm working on another fan-fiction. Enjoy! I am trying to be quicker about the fanfics.


Thrushpelt shook out his russet pelt, blinking. A slender grey she-cat was shaking his shoulder, not very gently. The tom's vision adjusted to the faint light streaming from outside of the den, and yawned. He recognized the cat as Featherbreeze. "Border patrol." The she-cat said, before walking out of the den. The tom glanced around the den. Most of the warriors were already up, with only a few remaining.

Grumbling, he stood and stumbled out of the den, yawning widely. Featherbreeze was by the freshkill pile. The apprentice's den stood beyond the patrol, and Thrushpelt flicked an ear as an idea popped into his head. His paws carried him over to the patrol. He studied the cats as he drew near. Thrushpelt recognized a golden she-cat as Meadowsong, who was chatting with Scorchcloud, his black pelt standing out against the brightening sky. Thrushpelt felt a pang of jealousy. The scarred pelt of Galestorm was beside Featherbreeze, and the two were laughing about something.

Thrushpelt approached Featherbreeze, who seemed to be leading the patrol. Galestorm nodded in greeting, flicking a notched ear. "Yes?" Featherbreeze craned her neck to see Thrushpelt.

"Should I get Hawkpaw?" Thrushpelt asked. Featherbreeze frowned. "No, we were going to check out some rogue scents." Thrushpelt opened his mouth to interfere, but the she-cat cut him to it. "He might not be ready." Thrushpelt sighed, nodding in defeat. Hawkpaw would've liked to go on patrol… he thought.

Featherbreeze glanced at the rising sun. "We should get going now." She got to her paws, and the others did too. The pale she-cat began padding out of camp, with Galestorm following close behind. Thrushpelt dipped his head in greeting as he and Meadowsong met eye contact. The reddish-brown tom saw Scorchcloud's eyes flash in annoyance, and he drew closer to the golden she-cat. "Did I tell you about the time I got this scar?" he showed her the still-pink flesh of the long, jagged, scar on his neck.

Meadowsong wrinkled her nose. "Scorchcloud you already told me about that…" she murmured, before walking over to Thrushpelt, her bright green eyes locking with his golden-green ones. Thrushpelt saw Scorchcloud sulking over to Galestorm and Featherbreeze.

Thrushpelt sighed, before returning his attention to Meadowsong. "Something wrong?" she asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

"Nothing's wrong," the tom assured her, "Just a little… argument we had the other day." He knew this wasn't a lie, but it wasn't entirely true. Meadowsong flicked her ear in acknowledgement, but didn't say anything. The two walked forward in silence.

Featherbreeze soon came to a stop. "Rogue scent!" she hissed quietly. That was strange. They were still well within the territory. Thrushpelt exchanged a worried look with Meadowsong before hurrying to the front. Sure enough, fresh rogue scent filled the air along a small stream. "We should go back and warn Sandstar." Scorchcloud offered. Galestorm nodded, his golden eyes troubled. "I'll stay with you in case they come back." The young black tom shrugged, before creeping closer to the scent trail and sniffing the scent.

Scorchcloud let a disgusted snort, pawing his nose. Thrushpelt scanned the area. A fallen tree leaning on a boulder with quite a few weeds growing in front of it made perfect cover. "You could hide under there if the rogues come back." The tom suggested, gesturing to the hideout. Galestorm nodded. "Good observation." The senior warrior walked over to the tree, and crouched under it, his fur brushing the stone.

The black tom bounded over, and took his place next to Galestorm. Featherbreeze nodded. "I can hardly see you two." She remarked. That was true. If you paid close attention, only Scorchcloud's ears were slightly visible. Featherbreeze said, "We'll come back with reinforcements."

Scorchcloud and Galestorm remained silent, and Featherbreeze flicked her tail towards Meadowsong and Thrushpelt, padding towards camp. Thrushpelt fell in pace besides Meadowsong. They were trotting quickly, as Featherbreeze was moving quickly. Meadowsong looked at Thrushpelt with wide, anxious eyes. "I don't want Scorchcloud –and Galestorm to get in trouble." She added hastily, a glimmer of guilt in her eyes.

Thrushpelt felt his hope fade away. Guess she's obsessed with Scorchcloud. He blinked. "They'll be fine. Their cover is foolproof." He snapped.

Meadowsong cringed after he said that, and Thrushpelt realized he must've been a little harsh. "Sorry." He muttered, and looked forward, his eyes locked on Featherbreeze's tail. The tom let his tail brush Meadowsong's leg, a slight smirk appearing on his face.

"Sandstar!" Featherbreeze yowled. Thrushpelt realized they'd arrived and quickly removed his tail, which had begun to entwine itself around Meadowsong's hindleg. The she-cat seemed a little bewildered, before heading off towards Quietwhisper and Silvermeadow, her close friends. Thrushpelt walked over to Featherbreeze, and sat beside her.

"Rogues have been scented inside of our territory!" Thrushpelt explained, to the confused faces of his Clanmates. Gasps and yelling began to erupt from the crowd.

"How dare they?!"

"I say we send out a battle patrol to show them who we are!"

"Let's go get 'em!"

Sandstar walked over to the entrance of camp, which was on a slight hill. "Enough!" she yowled, silencing the Clan within seconds. The she-cat's tail was lashing furiously; her normally kind brown eyes were now harsh and piercing. Thrushpelt moved aside, followed by Featherbreeze.

"What do you suggest we do?" called out Meadowsong.

Sandstar flicked an ear, and sat down. "Berrywing?" the leader shouted, scanning the Clan for the deputy.

"Yes?" Berrywing jostled her way out of the gathered cats, walking up to meet Sandstar.

"How many patrols are still out?"

"They've all returned."

Thrushpelt said, "Scorchcloud and Galestorm are still at the area where we encountered the scent. They're making sure they don't return." he felt the need to say that.

Sandstar flicked her tail in approval. She beckoned her deputy. All was silent as the two talked.

Berrywing yowled as they finished conversing, and Sandstar stood.

"It has been decided." Her voice carried throughout the camp. "Berrywing will lead a patrol to find out where the scents lead. She will take Silvermeadow and Cedarpaw." Murmurs of approval filled the air. The selected cats had excellent tracking skills, which were one of the reasons Sandstar gave the role of a mentor to Silvermeadow.

Berrywing beckoned the two, and the trio ran out of camp.

Sandstar continued, "I will take a patrol; Oakfang, Featherbreeze, Falcontalon, and Quietwhisper." The sandy-colored she-cat paused before continuing. "I will meet Scorchcloud and Galestorm along the way, and add them to our patrol. The rest of you will be back up, and if anyone needs help, go and help them."

Thrushpelt nodded. He heard Featherbreeze shift, rustling the heather wall of the camp as she walked over to Sandstar. He watched the Clan. Gorsestripe and Clearpaw were busying around in their den. The elders were lying around in the sun, and his apprentice was checking them for ticks. Thrushpelt felt a twinge of guilt. Hawkpaw hadn't gotten to do much the past few days. I'll take him on a hunting patrol tomorrow or tonight, no matter what. He promised himself.

Sandstar beckoned him, and he padded forward, with Hawkpaw scampering behind.