Chapter 6:
Featherbreeze could feel the fur lifting along her spine though the night air was warm. This isn't right. We can't possibly steal kits from their mother. Especially when those kits aren't even born yet!
"Are you cold?" Featherbreeze could feel Rabbitflight's hot breath in her ear.
"No," Featherbreeze was growing increasingly annoyed with how the tom would consistently turn up. "I'm just on edge. It isn't right to invade another clan to steal kits."
"We have as much a right to those kits as Riverclan," Adderheart was padding behind Featherbreeze and heard her comment.
"They belong with their mother," Featherbreeze insisted.
"We're close to the camp," Stormstar announced quietly from his position at the head of the patrol.
Almost all of the warriors and apprentices had come. Only Hollowstep and Cedarfrost had stayed with the elders and queens who had been moved close to the Horseplace in case of an attack on Windclan that night. Kestrelpaw and Rowanwing had remained at camp, confident another clan would not attack medicine cats.
"What's going on?" Poppyfeather looked perplexed. Yowls sounded from the triangle of land between two streams.
"Another clan, Shadowclan most likely, has already invaded," Stormstar growled furiously.
"What do we do?" Buzzardclaw shifted his weight uncomfortably.
"We attack," Stormstar answered simply, charging blindly into one of the streams and disappearing into the camp shortly thereafter.
The remaining cats hesitated.
"You heard him," Poppyfeather said after a few moments, racing after her leader.
Featherbreeze followed on the deputy's heels, throwing herself into the fighting despite her earlier reluctance.
She grabbed the first cat she saw, a gray and white Riverclan warrior, Pondfrost.
"You're not Shadowclan," Pondfrost stared at her in surprise.
"Thank Starclan for that," Featherbreeze hissed, sinking her claws into his shoulders.
"Windclan is here!" She heard the yowl on the other side of the camp.
Pondfrost curled his lip and lunged, aiming for her throat.
Featherbreeze was shocked at his viciousness and released him, backing away.
Pondfrost was about to spring at her again when Buzzardclaw, grappling with Ripplebreeze, got between the two.
Featherbreeze yelped in pain as teeth grasped her tail. She whirled around to find a white Shadowclan she-cat attached to her.
The she-cat snarled and pounced.
Featherbreeze felt the air leave her lungs as the Shadowclan warrior raked claws down the Windclan cat's side.
She pressed her hind paws against the fierce she-cat's belly, removing her enough to escape the white warrior's grip.
Featherbreeze found herself behind a dense bramble thicket. Panting, she turned and saw a jet black Shadowclan tom.
His eyes met hers and Featherbreeze felt tingling in her paws.
The tom unsheathed his claws tried to land a blow.
Featherbreeze dodged and lashed out at him, catching a tuft of black fur in her claws.
"Okay, wait, wait," Featherbreeze was out of breath.
The tom glared at her, but made no move attack again. He must have been tired too.
"You're not bad, for a Windclan cat," He said between breaths.
Featherbreeze didn't reply. Though every fiber of her being told her it was a bad idea, she was attracted to this tom. His muscles rippled under his shiny black coat and his eyes glittered a green the color of fresh newleaf grass.
The tom paused "I don't want to be fighting this battle," He confessed.
Featherbreeze could hear her clanmates struggling in the heart of camp and yet she stayed. "Neither do I. It would only be more mouths to feed and most of my clanmates would resent them for their heritage."
Blood was welling up around claw marks on his flank. "You're a beautiful she-cat."
Featherbreeze ducked her head, embarrassed. "You're a handsome tom," What are you doing? Featherbreeze scolded herself. You're supposed to be clawing this cat, not flirting with him! His clanmates are out there killing yours! What if someone catches you?
"Crowflight," A pale ginger tom with a freshly torn ear appeared. "Didn't you hear? Emberstar's called all Shadowclan cats into the clearing," He kept his claws unsheathed upon seeing Featherbreeze.
"Sorry Brackenpool," Crowflight shot Featherbreeze a harsh look. She knew he was faking for his clanmate. "I was just explaining to this Windclan fleabag the kits belong to Shadowclan and her rancid clan doesn't stand a chance."
Brackenpool nodded ever so slightly. "Well come on," He kept his suspicious amber gaze on Featherbreeze.
"I am a warrior," She curled her lip. "I wouldn't attack retreating kittypets."
Brackenpool snarled at her before returning to the center of Riverclan's camp with Crowflight.
Featherbreeze left around the other side of the thicket. Stormstar was calling for Windclan to gather as she did so.
"Where were you?" Breezeflight's eyes were wide with concern. "You disappeared. I was so worried."
"I got caught behind those brambles fighting with a Shadowclan tom," Featherbreeze explained. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Breezeflight had some scratches on her face and side, but they appeared minor.
"Stormstar, Emberstar," There was a large gash on Morningstar's chest. Splashwhisker stood with one paw off the ground. "Mintleaf is a Riverclan queen. Her kits will be Riverclan."
"Her kits will belong to whichever clan is left standing," Emberstar retorted hotly.
"Leave now," Morningstar drew herself up in an attempt to appear threatening.
"As if you could make us," Stormstar snorted. "Your warriors are in a sorry state."
"All of us are exhausted," Streamfeather stood unscathed beside her leader. "There will no more fighting tonight."
"Fine," Emberstar swept his tail, signaling to his clanmates. "Shadowclan is returning to our own territory, but this won't be the last you see of us."
Stormstar rumbled in agreement.
The two clans exchanged hostile looks. Stormstar padded softly over to Emberstar. "No clan can win if we are each fighting three others. Form an alliance with Windclan and we stand a chance."
"Nice try," Emberstar scowled. "Shadowclan is strong enough to fight on its own."
Stormstar flattened his ears in anger. "Why is every cat so stubborn? The kits will be grown by the time we finish fighting over them at this rate."
"What would be the point of fighting for the kits only to give them up to another clan?" Emberstar snapped.
"Alright, Emberstar," Stormstar relented. "If you will fight alongside Windclan and there are one or three kits, your clan will receive more than mine."
"Really?" Emberstar seemed startled by the offer. "Even if it means your clan gets none?"
"I find the scenario with Mintleaf only having one kit highly unlikely," Stormstar meowed matter-of-factly.
Emberstar considered it for a moment. "Very well, Stormstar. You have a deal," He agreed. "This does not make us friends. As soon as this awful business is over, we want nothing to do with Windclan," The Shadowclan leader added sharply.
Stormstar gritted his teeth. "Very well."