The Heart of a Lion
Chapter 16: Rivals Clash
"Watch me!" Silverkit squeaked and tumbled from the nest. Her attempt at a summersault landed her on her nose.
Her littermates watched her with wide eyes, peering over the side of the nest.
"Don't try that," I scolded them. "Do you want to have to go to Barkface because you tumbled on your faces?" Ordinarily I would be more supportive of my kits finally getting adventurous enough to venture from their nest, but I was too sick with worry for my Clanmates.
After I stormed out of the clearing, Gorsetail came to inform me on what happened. She said that Onestar declared it was time to move the border and he was leading a battle patrol to fight ThunderClan for it. To me, it was a huge surprise. I had heard rumors around camp that Onestar was meeting with his deputy Ashfoot a lot lately and was making plans, but I thought there would be more of a warning ahead of time. Maybe I was so caught up in staying in the nursery lately that I hadn't had the chance to keep up with Clan gossip.
WindClan and ThunderClan! I thought with dismay. Why did this battle have to be between both of my Clans? I felt worried for Lionblaze's Clanmates. The thought of them getting hurt made me feel a tinge of guilt before I fiercely shoved them away.
The camp had been almost completely empty for over an hour now. Only a few cats stayed behind like Gorsetail, Barkface, his apprentice, and the elders. The silence in the clearing felt wrong, knowing that my Clanmates could be in battle right now. I wasn't used to staying in the nursery while everyone else fought the battle for me.
Suddenly I got a terrible feeling that hit my gut like I swallowed a rock. Something was wrong! I didn't know what, but it made my fur stand on end and my breath come in a gasp. I just knew at that moment I had to get to the battle.
"Springkit and Swiftkit won't play with me!" Silverkit complained, mewling for my attention.
I scooped her up and tucked them all neatly in my nest, trying not to look too frantic as I did so. I licked each of their heads soothingly. "Stay and sleep. I will be back soon."
"Where are you going?" Swiftkit asked.
I wasn't supposed to have a favorite among my kits, but I just had a soft spot for Swiftkit. "I am going to defend my Clan. You will get your chance someday." Then I bounded out of the nursery. There was no one in camp who could stop me as I pelted full-speed toward the battle where the battle would be taking place.
I already heard the sounds of screeching cats long before I got there. The battle had already started! I opened my ears to the sound and followed it. The negative feeling I got strengthened the closer I got to the battlefield. What if I didn't want to know what I would find there? Despite that, I had to keep going.
I saw ThunderClan clash with WindClan. The shadows of cats sparring filtered through the copses of heather. I crept up and peered through. The sight was overwhelming. In battle, I was normally only focused on one cat at a time, and I was able to shut out most of what was happening. As a spectator, I saw everything. Ashfoot was grappling with Hazeltail, Tornear lunged and gave Squirrelflight a vicious swipe, Whitetail was facing off against both Graystripe and Sandstorm. The senior warriors were driving her back in the crows out of sight.
There was Lionblaze! I saw his bright gold pelt like a beacon in the darkness. He was darting through the crowd, evading battle completely. What was he doing?
I gasped when I saw Breezepelt. He was fighting ferociously and sent a ThunderClan apprentice retreating back to her side of the border. The exhilaration of battle glinted in his eyes, similar to the look he had when he ruined my life. He didn't see Lionblaze approach him until it was too late.
Lionblaze stormed up to him, a brutal force of rage as he struck Breezepelt across the face with a clawed paw. Breezepelt rolled over, dazed, and Lionblaze jerked him roughly by the scruff, dragging him into the bushes.
I knew this was what my fears were telling me. Without hesitation, I leaped after them.
"What are you doing? Let go of me!" Breezepelt spat, regaining his senses. He struggled in vain, but Lionblaze held him down with the force of, well, a lion.
"I think you know exactly why I'm here. You snake-hearted fox, I will kill you. You think you can steal Heathertail from me?"
"She loves me now. Did you not get the mess-" His words were cut off as Lionblaze shoved his head down and hovered claws over his throat.
"I don't think you got the message."
I couldn't sit around a second longer. I sprang from my hiding place. "Stop!"