This is the last chapter I'm posting until I get more reviews :(
CHAPTER 18
The vole raced under the bush, but Molewhisker was not going to let it win. He slid under the bush and trapped it under his paws.
Suddenly, an icy weight landed on his back. Then again.
He found himself in his nest. He had been dreaming. Rain was leaking through the roof of the den. He felt warm winds as he climbed out of his nest.
"Sun storm," Cherrynose muttered.
Molewhisker heard Graystripe organizing patrols.
"Cloudtail, lead a patrol of Thornclaw, Seedpaw, Icecloud, and Toadstep to the ShadowClan border. Poppyfrost, take Cherrynose, Amberpaw, Berrynose, and Dewpaw hunting wherever you choose. I will lead a patrol of Bumblestripe, Ivypool, Molewhisker, and Snowpaw."
Molewhisker felt Cherrynose tense beside him.
"I'll be fine." he promised. "Don't go rolling pebbles again."
"I'll be on patrol anyway," Cherrynose muttered.
Molewhisker stood up. "Let's go wake up the apprentices."
Mousewhisker raced over when they had nearly reached the apprentices' den. "Good morning, Cherrynose. I think I'll train Lilypaw this morning so that she doesn't feel left out.
Molewhisker rolled his eyes. The clan's waiting for news of kits from those two!
He growled and stalked into the apprentices' den to wake up Snowpaw. He woke up Amberpaw and Lilypaw too because he knew Mousewhisker and Cherrynose wouldn't be entering the den any time soon.
"We're on patrol, Snowpaw." he murmured.
Snowpaw climbed out of his nest. Amberpaw and Lilypaw got up and stretched their paws, then followed Snowpaw out of the den.
Ivypool stood up. "Bumblestripe and Graystripe are ready."
Molewhisker dipped his head. "Then let's go."
...
The border patrol stopped abruptly as they came across a WindClan scent line several fox-lengths away from the stream.
"What's this?" Bumblestripe hissed.
"Easy," Ivypool growled angrily. "WindClan are trying to take our territory!"
"They think we're too weak to defend," Snowpaw muttered. "I'll show them!"
"No, Snowpaw," Molewhisker pulled his apprentice back. Snowpaw glared at him.
"Ignore it," Graystripe instructed, walking over the scent line.
Molewhisker followed. The patrol walked toward the stream.
"Not another paw step!" Emberfoot's growl made Molewhisker freeze. Then he relaxed and continued walking.
Graystripe looked up. "You can't tell us what to do. You're not the deputy."
"Fine," Emberfoot flicked his tail and Crowfeather emerged from the bushes.
Snowpaw shrank back.
"Well, well," Crowfeather mewed.
Graystripe's fur prickled. "WindClan scent marks? On our side of the border? You'd better explain yourselves."
Sunstrike stepped forward. "You'll have to fight for your precious territory!" she sneered.
"There will be no battle today. We will resolve this at the gathering. But if it comes to a fight, we will be ready." Graystripe stepped back, motioning for the patrol to follow.
Molewhisker raced after the patrol.
Graystripe explained to Bramblestar what had happened.
Sandstorm's patrol returned. "ShadowClan's border still isn't marked! Their scent is stale."
Bramblestar blinked. "Still?"
"Yes!"
"Well, we have one clan trying to take our territory, and another clan that's basically letting us into theirs. What should we do?" Graystripe asked.
"Send out a few hunting patrols. The fresh-kill pile is empty."
"Bramblestar, that's not what I meant!" Graystripe tried to reason, but the fresh-kill pile was indeed empty.
"Dustpelt, Foxleap, get a few warriors and hunt."
The two brown tabbies nodded and began gathering cats.
Molewhisker stretched out by the half-rock. Ivypool soon joined him.
"It's been really warm lately," she murmured.
Newleaf had arrived.
...
Hooray for Newleaf!
It will become Leaf-bare again if you don't review.