Warriors New Rivals
Prologue
Why can't that stubborn little kit, well, warrior, understand why I am doing this? I've lost everything… Ashclaw thought to herself.
"Ashclaw!" She heard Swiftleap call, Ashclaw started to pad toward him when he realised Chestfall, his brother, had jumped in front of him.
"Looking for something?" Chestfall questioned him.
I'll come back later… Ashclaw continued on through the forest taking one last look at the two toms who were quarrelling.
Ashclaw… Ashclaw heard a voice whisper. Get out of my head! Ashclaw wanted to shout but nothing came out.
You have to do something for us, the voice continued, ignoring her plead.
"What do you want?" Ashclaw muttered.
Kill Dapplecoat, the voice plotted
"What? No! Swiftleap loves her!" Ashclaw shouted back.
That's the point, with his heartbreak you can win him over and then we can use him.
"Never!" Ashclaw shook her head and dashed forward ignoring the voices calling her name softly. I would never hurt him…
"Who's there?" a voice suddenly shouted.
Oh no Duskclan… Ashclaw jumped into the first bush she could see and pressed herself so close to the ground that she started to taste dirt.
"It is probably some lost bit of prey," A ginger and white she-cat lay her tail-tip on the toms shoulder.
"No, I know I heard someone shouting Swiftpoppy," The tom edged away from her and sniffed at the bushes near Ashclaw.
"No need to get mad Lionfern," The Swiftpoppy hissed.
"Let's go back to camp, Badgerpaws warrior ceremony will be happening soon and I don't want to miss my kit's warrior ceremony," Lionfern replied irritably.
"Our kit you mean," Swiftpoppy flicked his ear with her tail-tip.
"Yes, our kit." Lionfern rubbed his muzzle into her cheek and they padded back to camp side by side, pelts brushing.
"Looks lovely don't it?" A voice beside Ashclaw made her jump straight out of the bush.
"Who are you?" Ashclaw hissed.
"Name's Shredflame, didn't mean to startle ya," Shredflame apologised.
"Oh that's fine, I'm Ashclaw," Ashclaw was desperately looking for a way to escape this conversation but Shredflame sat down meaning he was intrigued.
"What clan are you from?" Shredflame asked.
"I am from no clan; I simply wander this forest admiring your warrior code," Ashclaw lied.
"Wow, that's so cool!" Shredflame exclaimed.
"Please don't tell anyone you saw me…" Ashclaw pleaded.
"Why?" Shredflame asked, concern instantly hitting his eyes.
"I just… like to keep my role a secret," Ashclaw lied again.
"Ok," Shredflame stood up and started to walk away.
"Bye," Ashclaw called, trying to sound friendly.
"Met me here tomorrow?" Shredflame turned around and faced her; hope gleaming in his eyes.
I can't disappoint him…
"Not so close to the border how about that abandoned badger den near the twoleg place?" Ashclaw asked.
"Ok," Shredflame nodded and dashed away.
What have I just done? Ashclaw quickly realized after Shredflame had left.