Chapter 2- waiting
Brambleclaw's head was swirling. It hurt like hell, but he could make out a few worried mews in the blackness. 'Will he be Ok?', said one. That was Squirrelflight, his mate who was carrying their first litter of kits. 'He'll be fine. You should go back to the nursery. Your kits will arrive anytime soon.' That was Jayfeather, Thunderclan's medicine cat. Brambleclaw could hear a sharp, but persuasive tone in the young cat's voice. It seemed to work as he heard squirrelflight's pawsteps fading away as she left the medicine den, a few moments later he heard JayFeather leave the den too, his scent fading as he headed across the camp.
He must have drifted back off to sleep as he was woken abruptly by Jayfeather nudging him in the side. Struggling, he pushed himself gingerly to his paws and looked around. 'You took quite a beating there, Brambleclaw. What happened?' Jayfeather asked with concern. Brambleclaw shook his head, 'I don't know, I was on guard at the camp entrance and I saw something under one of the bushes, it looked like eyes, huge red eyes. That was it, I was attacked and I woke up where I am now.'
'Was that it?' another voice sounded from the den entrance. It was Firestar; he pushed his way into the den followed by GrayStripe and DustPelt. The three sat opposite BrambleClaw as he thought hard, trying to remember anything that might prove significant, as he thought a strange smell wafted through him. It smelled bad, like blood and death, but somehow it was familiar. But from where??
'Brambleclaw?' Firestar's voice brought him back down to with a jolt. ' is that all you can remember?'
BrambleClaw nodded, 'it is. I'm sorry Firestar.' Firestar shook his head, 'It's Ok, brambleclaw. There's nothing to be sorry about.' With that he turned and left. BrambleClaw watched as his leader disappeared across the clearing followed by a couple of warriors. 'Jayfeather? How long will it be before I can go back to the warriors den, I just want to get back to normality.'
Jayfeather looked up from where he was sorting piles of herbs at the back of the cave, ' actually Brambleclaw. You can go now. But that wound on your shoulder is pretty deep, you'll have to come back each morning to have it checked. You don't want an infection in it.' he paused to nudge a few poppy seeds rolling in brambleclaw's direction. 'And take those before you go. just for the time being.' With that, he went back to sorting his herbs.
With a Sigh of relief, BrambleClaw turned and stepped out into the clearing. It was Sunhigh and the warm sun of greenleaf was shining down on the clearing, 'Time to get back to work...' Brambleclaw muttered. Almost as if someone had been reading his thoughts...
' Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the highrock for a clan meeting!' FireStar's Yowl rang out around the clearing and cats seemed to materialize from everywhere. Some of them casting worried glances at BrambleClaw before going to sit by the highrock. BrambleClaw Sighed and slipped in between Spiderleg and FoxLeap. ' cats of thunderclan, i'm sure all of you are aware of what happened two nights ago. The fact that nobody heard or saw anything out of the ordinary is cause for concern. We will have 2 cats on guard outside the camp entrance at night, this could be a threat to the entire cl...' FireStar was cut of mid-sentence as ThornClaw exploded into the clearing with Briarpaw and CloudTail close behind. Skidding to the foot of the highrock, All three cats looked up at firestar with worried eyes.
'Well?' Prompted Firestar 'ThornClaw? what's the matter?'
ThornClaw gulped and after a few moment's he gasped out,'HazelTail...has been.....murdered! on the Windclan Border. We found this still stuck in her fur,' he nodded for briarpaw to come forward. The little she-cat looked up at firestar with huge eyes and dropped a claw onto the earth by Firestar's paws. It had a tuft of black fur stuck to the end and Firestar realised, with horror, that it was re-inforced with a huge yellowed dog's tooth...
After a moment, Firestar nodded, ' Thank you Thornclaw, BriarPaw.' Springing back up onto the highrock he addressed the wide-eyed silent crowd, 'Cat's of thunderclan, it looks like we have seen the return of BloodClan.'
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There we go! chapter 2 is finally up. Please review with idea's and comments. Sorry for HazelTail lovers.. don't know why I chose her... May be changed later. Enjoy!