XCrookshanks: Hey guys! So just to warn you, this chapter is kinda…bloody, so beware.
Fireheart: Bloody? Aha! Just how I like it!
XCrookshanks: Really? Awesome, well I'll keep that in mind!
Dustclaw: *walks in grumbling* well, I don't like bloody scenes, so tame it a bit, alright?
Fireheart: Him again?
XCrookshanks: Very well, Dustclaw, but only if you are kind to Fireheart. Promise?
Dustclaw: Fine.
Harry Potter: *bursts in and freezes* Whoa, whats with all the cats? Is that...? Crookshanks!
XCrookshanks: For your info, Chosen One, I am not Crookshanks, as he is male, I am most obviously not.
Harry: *gapes* Y-you can talk?
XCrookshanks: Of course, are you Gryffindor or not? Canyou just get me a disclaimer already?
Harry: For what?
Fireheart: Warriors.
Harry: She doesn't own Warriors.
Xcrookshanks: Thank you. Now kindly close your mouth and wipe that look of astonishment off your face before I do it for you!
Harry: *backs out of room slowly*
Fireheart: ...Okay continue...
That night, Dustclaw tossed and turned while trying to figure out what Midnight had been talking about. He had never heard of ThunderClan; who were they, and why did the need his help? When he finally drifted to sleep, his dreams were haunted by mysterious cats calling his name, their voices filled with agony. When he got close enough to see their scared faces, they turned into foxes and tore him to shreds.
He woke up, gasping, to see pale sunlight streaming through the branches of the warriors den. Glancing over, he saw most of the nests were empty except for Bluefurs and Nightpelt. Bluefur stirred then she stood in her nest, letting out a huge yawn and stretching. "Morning," she mewed when she saw him watching her then stepped outside where Thunderheart was sending out the morning patrols.
Dustclaw gave himself a quick groom then followed her out. He sat next to his sister, Fernheart, who glanced at him with tired eyes.
"Ashtail, Rowanheart, Fernheart and Crowpaw, you can take the dawn patrol." As the cats Thunderheart had named stepped forward, Fernheart rose and shrugged at Dustclaw.
"Dustclaw."
The dusty tom perked his ears and twisted to look behind him. Bluefur was beckoning him with her tail into the shade of the ferns bordering camp. As he rose to go to her, Thunderheart called him to go on hunting patrol. Casting Bluefur an apologetic glance, he followed his patrol out of camp.
The hunt was unusually subdued, due to the vicious battle the day before, Dustclaw guessed. Everyone was rather jumpy, and kept missing their prey. Brambleheart had overreacted to a leaf brushing his fur and sent a squirrel scurrying up a tree. Snowpaw let a blackbird escape right from her paws when she saw a flash of Tawnyflames' ginger fur, thinking it was a fox. Dustclaw himself missed two mice. When the patrol returned to camp at sunhigh with only a couple mice and a kestrel, they were very discouraged.
Suddenly, a drop of liquid red fell from above and landed on the ground in front of Dustclaw. Glancing up, he nearly fainted in horror. Countless bodies of cats were draped carelessly over the branches, each one soaked in its own blood that looked fairly fresh. His stomach clenched as he saw kits among them, their faces twisted in expressions of fear. He retched and the others turned back.
"What's wrong, Dustclaw?" Rowanheart demanded, hurrying over. Then he saw the bodies and gave a strangled gasp.
"I'll tell Ravenstar!" Spottedfire dashed away as the others stared with wide eyes.
Dustclaw regained his composure and stood straight, his eyes full of terror. "Wh—what happened here? Who could do this!" All thoughts of Midnights prophecy were thrown to the back of his mind as he considered the possibilities of the murdered cats.
At that moment, Ravenstar, Thunderheart and Bluefur exploded from nearby bushes. The black she-cat quickly assessed the situation, searching for pawprints of fur. When she arrived at the edge of the clearing, she stiffened. Her legs trembled and she collapsed.
Thunderheart rushed over helped her up, letting her lean on his shoulder. The others came over, interested as to what might have caused such a strong reaction from their leader. Dustclaw sniffed a scrap of white fur snagged on a thorn bush and recoiled at the stench. "Not a clan cat, that's for sure," he announced. "It stinks of crowfood."
"Cats did this?" Spottedfire choked out. Her eyes glazed and she staggered away.
Dustclaw had avoided looking at the mangled corpses, but now he examined them closely. Who could have done such a vile thing? Then he noticed something.
"Look…there aren't any claw marks on the trees. How did they get the bodies up there without climbing?" Now that he mentioned it, the others noticed too.
Thunderheart spoke up. "Let's get back to camp. Ravenstar…" He glanced at the black cat leaning on his shoulder. As he helped her back to camp, the others followed without hesitation, all except Dustclaw. He remained behind. He wanted to find the cat that had done this, and punish them severely.
Bluefur, who had hung back as well, now stepped forward and pressed against his side, causing him to jump in surprise. "Are you alright?" She asked, concern edging her mew. He hadn't realized he was tensed up until then, and he relaxed, slumping to the ground.
"I—I'm fine," he replied, though his tone made it less than convincing. She glanced at him doubtfully and he forced a purr of amusement. "Really, it's just—I just want to find the cat that did this and tear his throat out." Bluefur nodded in agreement, understanding completely.
Dustclaw continued searching for a trail, anything to lead him to the murderer.
"Look at this," Bluefur called from across the clearing. Dustclaw hurried over and saw her looking at a pile of dark feathers. "What is this here for?" she asked absently, her eyes flickering from each one. "Those look like some from an eagle, and those…I can't tell on that one," she finished, gesturing at a white one almost a tail-length long.
"Hmm…" Dustclaw gazed at Bluefur, whose eyes were narrowed in concentration. She sensed him watching her and turned her gaze up. "What?"
"Nothing, nothing, I'm just…nothing." Dustclaw shook his head. "Just thinking."
"Well, I'll leave you to your thoughts," she purred before vanishing through the ferns. Dustclaw watched her go, a strange feeling in his chest.
When he returned later that afternoon, he went straight for Ravenstars den. He called her name and waited. After a moment, she answered, but her voice sounded wrong, weaker. "Is everything alright?" he asked. She invited him in and when Dustclaw stepped through the lichen, he gasped.
Her usually shiny black fur was disheveled and matted, her whiskers were dropping and her eyes were dull and blank. Rushing over, Dustclaw watched as she closed her eyes and lay motionless. Horrified, he stood frozen on the spot, watching as his leaders' flanks stilled. A moan escaped his throat as he started licking her fur the right way, hoping that wasn't her last life.
At that moment, she drew in a shuddering breath and her eyes flickered open. Relieved, Dustclaw sat back as she got to her paws unsteadily. "What happened?" He asked.
She opened her mouth, closed it, and then said, "Shiva happened." Her eyes narrowed with hatred at the name. Her legs trembled and she lowered herself into her nest.
Dustclaw glanced at her, confused. "Who is Shiva?"
She managed a weak purr of amusement. "Only you wouldn't know. He is a rouge, worst there ever was. He did awful things. He killed innocent cats, kits even! He showed no mercy in battle. His enemies feared him. He had no friends. And he did it." Her purr faded to be replaced with a growl full of loathing. "He killed those innocent cats. I should have killed him when I got the chance!" She broke off as a cough racked her body. Though she had lost a life, she still looked unhealthy.
"Come on, lets get you to Cindershadow," he said, making to help her walk. She pushed him away, saying, "I'm fine, I don't need anything."
Forgetting for a moment that she was his leader and he was barely a warrior, Dustclaw glared at her and retorted, "Well that's just too bad isn't it?"
She stared at him in shock, then said, "Stubborn one, aren't you? You remind me of—" She broke off, eyes flashing dismay. She watched as he left to get Cindershadow.
What had she been about to say? Dustclaw wondered. Shrugging it off, he headed for the medicine den.
"What happened?" Spottedfire bounded over, worry apparent in her green eyes as Dustclaw pushed past her to Cindershadows den. "Is Ravenstar ok?"
"She's fine, she just needs to see Cindershadow," Dustclaw replied. He ducked into the shadowy den and spotted Cindershadow, a dark gray she-cat, sorting herbs at the back of her den. Dustclaw stepped towards her. "Cindershadow, could you come look at Ravenstar please? She doesn't look so good…"
The gray cat turned. "Of course, but what's wrong?"
Shuffling his paws, Dustclaw explained what had happened, leaving out the last thing Ravenstar had said about him. She nodded, surprise glinting in her eyes, and left the den. Dustclaw followed slowly, heading for the warriors den. Midnight's prophecy had resurfaced in his mind, pushing all other thoughts away. As he ducked under the low branches, a pair of bright blue eyes met him.
"Oh! Hi Dustclaw!" Bluefur exclaimed, backing away so he could make his way to his nest. "You look depressed. Why?"
Dustclaw settled into his nest and glanced at Bluefur. "Ravenstar lost a life," he stated without emotion.
Bluefur gasped. "How? She looked fine when she returned to camp!" She settled down next to him, their fur brushing. "Is that the only thing bothering you? You seem distant."
Dustclaw sighed and looked at her. "I'm going to tell you something, but you can't tell anyone else, alright?" She nodded and he went on to explain what had happened after the battle at MeadowClan. When he told her the name of the clan he had to find, her eyes widened. "ThunderClan! I've heard that before!" Dustclaw stared in surprise. "You have? Where?"
She narrowed her eyes. "I'm not sure… but it sounds really familiar."
Dustclaws hopes crashed down. "Oh…"
Suddenly someone called Bluefur. She glanced at him regretfully. "Sorry," she murmured as she left the den, leaving him alone. Suddenly the den seemed colder, and Dustclaw shivered.
XCrookshanks: Was that okay?
Dustclaw: Fine. *leaves*
Fireheart: That was 'bloody brilliant.'
XCrookshanks: ... Oh. Hahaha, you're so funny. Bloody brilliant, sheesh.
Fireheart: *smirks* Yes, I am aren't I? You are awesome. When do I come in?
XCrookshanks: In due time, my friend, in due time...
A/N Could you guys help me? Let me know what your fave characters from your fave books are so i can put them in the disclaimers! Aaaannnddd...REVIEW!