CHAPTER TWO
Sharp stalked through the undergrowth, keeping low to avoid being seen by a FrostClan patrol. There she was. Eveningstar. If his sources were correct, she'd just last night held a ceremony for three new warriors to be appointed. "I hope she enjoyed herself," he thought with a smirk, "It was the last one she'll ever have." Eveningstar just barely had time to turn around before he pounced upon her, digging his claws into her blue-grey sides. She yowled in pain and rolled over. But this was just what he had been waiting for… As she flipped, he opened his jaws, closing them around her throat as her neck came close.
Dracofang. He couldn't stop thinking about his new name. What a perfect way to start off the season! This would, undoubtedly, be the happiest newleaf he'd ever had.
Or would it? The Clan's medicine cat, Fernpelt, raced into camp with a horrified expression on his face. Fernpelt was normally very calm. What could have possibly gotten him so worked up? Dracofang watched as the golden brown tom dashed over to the deputy. His voice cracked with shock as he spoke. "Redeye! Redeye! Oh, Redeye, it's horrible! Come with me!" The two cats ran out of the camp without another word.
"What was that all about?" Stagracer wondered aloud. For once, Whitesand wore a serious look on his face as he answered, "I don't know, but it must be pretty bad."
It was pretty bad. No, that's a massive understatement. It was really, really, REALLY bad. . Redeye gave the Clan the news that night. Their leader was dead, and he'd make the trip to the Sunstone tomorrow. It was a restless and rainy night, and one topic dominated all others when a certain group of cats shared tongues in the hollow of a fallen elm…
"Who killed Eveningstar?" asked Batwings, brimming with rage. "When I get my paws on them, I'll…I'll…uhh…I'll…"
"You'll what?" Amberclaw challenged. "That's the problem with you: you're all bark and no bite. You couldn't put a scratch on a fly if you tried."
"I could too! I bet all the fresh-kill I catch tomorrow I could beat you in a match! I'm bigger than you, after all."
"Yeah, bigger headed." The tawny she-cat got to her feet. "Why don't you take me on, right now?"
"Sure. Bring it!" Batwings pounced on her, and within seconds the two were rolling on the floor, locked in combat. "Guys, cut it out!" Talonscratch hissed. "Do you want Redeye to catch you doing this?!"
"Catch you doing what?" All seven of them flinched at their new leader's voice. "Oh…" mewed Batwings, "Hi…Redeye…When…When did you get here?"
"I saw the whole thing," the dark brown tom growled in response, "We just lost our leader, and you two are fighting each other over a petty argument like that? We can't afford to lose two more cats over something that pointless. Life is like a tiny flame. When you take risks, you blow gently on it. Blow on it too much…" he trailed off.
"...And the fire goes out," Stagracer finished for him. Shellfur dipped her head. "Understood, leader Redeye. It won't happen again," She shot a warning glance at Batwings and Amberclaw.
"I should hope so. If I catch you two at it again, I'm confining both of you to camp for a day." With a flick of his tail, their new leader ran off into the rain.