Gray Wing lay on his back, looking up at the night sky. It was late into the night after they had returned from the Gathering. He was laying outside on a rock, staring up at the stars.
This was a good place to live.
"Mind if I join you?"
He looked up to see Turtle Tail standing over him, green eyes sparkling with amusement. He nodded and she lied down beside him.
"Look. Doesn't that star look like a cat?" Gray Wing pointed out. Turtle Tail tried to look where he pointed his tail and snorted.
"What? You speak to StarClan now?" She teased.
He shrugged. "What? It just looks that way to me."
They continued pointing out shapes in the stars until the peace was disturbed.
A dark shape blocked out the stars. Gray Wing narrowed his eyes and made out a snout outlined against the sky. The dark shape slinked forward, slipping down into the camp like a moving shadow. It was followed by another, then a third. A terrible sense of danger swept over Gray Wing.
He jumped to his paws.
"Attack!"
A screech of pain drowned out his warning as something tackled Turtle Tail. In the next moment the camp erupted with shouting and thrashing. Gray Wing clawed at the creature on the tortoiseshell.
"Foxes!" Turtle Tail gasped from beside him.
"What?"
"Foxes–Bumble told me about them once."
The duo streaked across the hollow after taking care of the first fox. A fox stood over Hawk Swoop.
"Hey!" Jackdaw's Cry suddenly appeared. "Eat this, you ugly piece of shit!" He flung mud at the fox and it screeched as it got in its eyes, blocking its vision.
"Ha! Go Jackdaw's!" Fire Heart cried from behind him as he helped Falling Feather wrestle with another fox.
Skystar had just jumped in front of the nursery where Jagged Peak and Air Leap had been shoved into and was guarding it fiercely.
Gray Wing launched himself forward and jumped onto a fox's back. His claws sunk into flesh and he bit down. The fox shrieked and reared back, trying to throw Gray Wing off, but he hung tight.
The fox headed for the camp entrance. Once it was out in the forest, Gray Wing dropped off its back and watched it flee into the night.
Another fox snapped at Moon Shadow who was starting to stagger and blood dripped from a gash over Tall Shadow's eye as she helped her brother.
Turtle Tail and Gray Wing rushed forward, attacking from both sides. With a fearsome battle cry, Fire Heart leaped out of nowhere onto its back, shredding its ears as it swung its head side to side. Within moments it was fleeing. The last fox turned away from Cloud Spots, who had been guarding the medicine den, realizing it was alone. With a yelp of fear, it scrambled out into the forest.
Shattered Ice ran after it, stopping at the entrance. "Good riddance!" he yowled. "And don't come back!"
Gray Wing glanced around. Jackdaw's Cry had sunk to his legs, breathing heavy, but didn't seem hurt. Moon Shadow was limping and Rainswept Flower's fur was torn. Fire Heart was bleeding from a few scratches. The others bore their own marks of battle, but seemed fine. Even Hawk Swoop had clambered to her paws.
Cloud Spots examined Tall Shadow's scratch. Dappled Pelt joined him, and together the two went from cat to cat, treating them.
"We won!" Turtle Tail exclaimed. "Gray Wing, your apprentice did amazing! You're a great mentor!"
Gray Wing ducked his head. "Yes. He'll make a good warrior when the time for his assessment comes."
Gray Wing wondered when that would be though. With everything going on they would have to wait a while. He knew there would be more trouble. And he had a feeling it wasn't too far away.
"What should I do? I admit I'm a bit worried. What if someone else dies?"
Cloud Spots pondered his leader's words. Okay, so he needed his advice. Advice. Advice. Ad…
"Moonstone."
"What?"
"You should visit the Moonstone. Try and get in contact with our ancestors again," Cloud Spots suggested.
"But they have never acknowledged us except to give me my lives," Skystar complained.
"When have you ever been a quitter?" Dappled Pelt snorted from the corner where she was sorting herbs. Skystar glared at her.
"Fine! Cloud Spots, we're going to the Moonstone and I'm going to hate making a fool of myself!"
Cloud Spots tried not to smile. "Okay."
"Wake up, buds!" Moon Shadow's excitable and overly annoying, loud voice cut through Hawk Swoop's slumber. "You're going with Skystar!"
She blinked awake, staring at the roof of the apprentice's den. Rolling onto her stomach she saw Moon Shadow's head poking in.
"You best get going," he meowed. "Go to Dappled Pelt for your herbs."
Outside the den, the sky glowed with dawn, dew sparkling on the ferns. It would be warm once the sun rose, but the early morning made Hawk Swoop shiver.
Fire Heart, Jackdaw's Cry and Falling Feather appeared and the four apprentices hurried toward the medicine den. She was preparing three piles of leaves.
"Right here," Dappled pelt meowed. "Enough for each of you."
"Thanks," Fire Heart meowed.
"Where's Cloud Spots?" Hawk Swoop asked absent-mindedely as she chewed the sour herbs.
"He's going with you," the tortoiseshell replied and the orange tabby nodded. That made sense. She could see him standing with Skystar and Shaded Moss and Hawk Swoop guessed her mentor was coming along as well.
"Thanks, Dappled Pelt," Fire Heart meowed as they finished their herbs and waved goodbye.
"Good luck!" The tortoiseshell called after the young cats.
"Ugh!" Jackdaw's Cry complained. "These are disgusting! Why would you thank her?"
"To be nice?" Fire Heart suggested. "They should be helpful for now."
Falling Feather rolled her eyes. "Stop complaining, would you?"
Hawk Swoop just smiled and shook her pelt out before hurrying forward to her mentor, leader and medicine cat.
"You ready to go?" Shaded Moss asked.
Fire Heart nodded. "Did you eat any?"
"Not me. Not if I'm sharing dreams with StarClan," Skystar replied as Shaded Moss and Cloud Spots nodded 'yes.'
Fire Heart shivered next to Hawk Swoop, clearly ready for the journey. "Excited?" She asked.
He nodded. "How far my kittypet life seems now?" He bounced and she purred fondly.
They left the camp.
Gray Wing walked into the woods with Turtle Tail. His brother and the Moonstone patrol had just left, leaving him in charge.
Without warning two figures dropped from the trees on either side of him. Gray Wing jumped while Turtle Tail dropped into a defensive crouch, expecting an attack. There was a black-and-white tom and a yellow tabby.
"Oh, sorry!" the she-cat mewed warily.
"Um…that's okay. What're you doing here?" Gray Wing asked them.
"Not to be rude or anything," Turtle Tail added quickly.
"Well, we keep getting pushed back by the other Clans, but when we heard Wind and Gorse lived here freely we decided to come seek shelter here," the black-and-white tom meowed, looking defensive.
"How come River Ripple can live freely in RiverClan?" The she-cat asked, annoyed.
"Well, that's the only place he's allowed to freely wander, so…" Turtle Tail shrugged.
Gray Wing nodded. "It's okay. We won't bother you guys." He dipped his head and led Turtle Tail away, satisfied to see their surprise faces. They were the nice Clan. It made him feel great!
The duo headed back through the trees. Gray Wing didn't notice until the last moment that someone had jumped out in front of them. Turtle Tail hissed in warning
Gray Wing halted in front of a gray tabby she-cat, her green eyes narrowed. "Oh, are you seeking sanctuary too? We won't hurt you."
Turtle Tail snorted. "Nice words."
The she-cat gave them a wary look before she nodded. "I just wanted to let you know that you almost tripped over that wasp nest." She nodded at it.
"Oh, thanks," Gray Wing muttered, looking at the hive with buzzing insects. The she-cat shrugged and left.
"Okay…she's strange," Turtle Tail muttered. "Anyway, I'm off to hunt. See ya later!" She called as she skipped away. A storm was brewing in the sky as gray clouds skidded across the sky.
Gray Wing nodded but promised to come look for her if she wasn't back by evening.
The patrol retraced their route to Fourtrees. This was the quickest way to get to WindClan's old territory. Highstones were beyond. On the way they met a ThunderClan patrol made up of Tigerclaw, Willowpelt, Mossflower and Dustpaw.
"Greetings," Tigerclaw growled. Skystar grunted back and Hawk Swoop almost laughed at how much they had in common when it came to seeing enemy cats.
"Just on our way to the Moonstone," Cloud Spots explained, dipping his head amicably.
"Fine. But hurry up! We still have ShadowClan to deal with!"
They continued on and as Hawk Swoop slid down the side of the glade, she could still smell the Clans' scents of last night's Gathering. She followed the others through the grassy clearing and up the slope to the other side, to the moor. The bushy slope became steeper and rockier as they climbed.
Hawk Swoop paused at the top. The wind blew in a steady gust that rippled through the grass and bent the trees. Outcrops of bare rock dotted the landscape. It felt nice here with the breeze in her fur.
"All Clans are entitled a safe passage to the Moonstone, but it seems ShadowClan has no respect for the warrior code," Skystar warned. "But we already knew that. Just be wary."
Suddenly, Shaded Moss stopped dead in his tracks. "I smell ShadowClan!"
Hawk Swoop and the others lifted their heads. Sure enough, the orange tabby could scent them, not far away.
"Let's keep moving," Skystar meowed calmly but his voice quivered a bit. "Hurry. We're almost off the moor."
They moved on quickly, leaping over the rocks, pushing their way through the heather. Every few steps, Hawk Swoop glanced over her shoulder, looking out for ShadowClan.
Finally, they reached the edge of the moor. The landscape changed drastically, clearly shaped by big twoleg nests. Wide earth tracks crisscrossed through meadows of corn. In the distance, Hawk Swoop noticed a large, gray path.
"Is that the Thunderpath?" Falling Feather gasped.
"It must be," Jackdaw's Cry replied. "We'll have to cross it."
"Come on," Skystar meowed. "We can be there by moonrise as long as we keep moving."
Hawk Swoop followed the others down the hill, away from the moor. They kept near the bushes. The sun was still hot, but the few trees out here offered shelter.
The sun was starting to sink by the time they reached the Thunderpath. Skystar signaled for them to stop. Hawk Swoop watched as monster after monster zoomed past them.
"We'll go one at a time," Skystar meowed. "I'll go first." Skystar approached the edge of the Thunderpath, looking left and right. He waited as a monster flew past. Then, he raced to the other side.
Fire Heart went next followed by Cloud Spots. Jackdaw's Cry was lucky when a long lull let him cross easily. Falling Feather had just gone when her mentor nodded her encouragingly to the edge. She took a deep breath and stepped forward.
She waited and when she didn't hear or feel any movement she darted across and made it easily. A monster roared by and she was joined a heartbeat later by her mentor.
They carried on, Skystar leading the way. The earth was darker here and the grass was coarse. As they approached the base of Highstones, the grass gave way to bare, rocky soil, dotted with patches of grass. The land sloped up toward the sky. Craggy rocks sat at the top of the slope, dyed orange by the setting sun.
Skystar stopped, sitting on a warm rock. "This is Mothermouth. You all remember it from when we first arrived to the Clans, but this will be your first view of it, Fire Heart."
Hawk Swoop nodded, remembering when Jackdaw's Cry had kept yowling words into it so they would echo. Fire Heart just stared around in awe.
They waited silently. Gradually, as the sun dropped down behind Highstones, they could see a black hole in the side of the rocks.
"We'll wait here for moonrise," Skystar said. "If any of you are hungry, I suggest hunting now."
The four apprentices gathered plenty to eat, and so did Shaded Moss and Cloud Spots. Despite the easy meal, no one spoke.
Afterwards, they sat beside their leader, feeling the warmth seep from the rocks.
Skystar stood up, just as the moon was rising overhead. "It's time." He walked toward Mothermouth. Cloud Spots followed.
"Come on, Fire Heart!" Hawk Swoop called. Fire Heart was still sitting on the rock, staring around. At her voice, he stood and began to follow excitedly after them.
"How will you find the way through?" Falling Feather asked, nervously as they all peered in unsettled.
"I know the way," Skystar answered. "Just follow me. Fire Heart and Cloud Spots will come with me and the rest of you will stay out here to guard."
Fire Heart looked very excited now and Jackdaw's Cry mouthed 'lucky' at him.
Inside the cave, he couldn't see anything. The blackness was complete and strange, but he was surprised to find his own courage. He wasn't frightened. In fact, he felt excited.
Fire Heart followed Skystar and Cloud Spots through the darkness, brushing against the cold rock wall and feeling his way through.
Suddenly, fresh air hit his face. He was relieved to smell something other than dirt and stale air. "Where are we?" he called through the darkness.
"We've entered the cave of the Moonstone," Skystar meowed lowly. "Wait here. It's almost moonrise."
Fire Heart sat down on the cold floor, waiting. He could feel Cloud Spots sit next to him, shifting as if doubtful for some reason.
Suddenly, a flash of blinding light filled the cave. Fire Heart's eyes widened as the tunnel opened up in front of him. A gleaming rock, glittering with a thousand stars, sat in the middle of the cavern. The roof was high, and had a small hole just over the boulder.
This was the Moonstone.
Skystar was staring at it, also looking highly doubtful. He padded up to the stone and laid down, pressing his nose against it. He closed his blue eyes.
Fire Heart and Cloud Spots waited patiently. It was warm here, but he still found himself shivering. He had no idea how much time had passed, but the rock suddenly stopped glowing. The cavern was plunging into darkness once more. Fire Heart looked up to the opening in the roof of the cave. The moon had passed out of the side, sliding away from the opening in the roof. The tiny stars still lit up the cave.
Fire Heart could just make out the pale shape of Skystar, lying beside the Moonstone. He opened his eyes.
"Did they come to you?" Cloud Spots asked quietly and sighed deeply when Skystar shook his head sadly.
"I don't know what we're doing wrong," Skystar murmured. Fire Heart realized that was the reason they seemed so unenthusiastic about the whole thing.
Skystar stood up. "Come on. We need to get back to camp."
They walked back through the darkness again. Outside it was starting to rain.
The dawn of the next day appeared and Turtle Tail hadn't come back! Gray Wing set out to find her. He pushed his way out of the warriors' den. The kits were as active as ever like a pile of burning weeds, Tall Shadow was giving out orders (Gray Wing had let her take over, too distracted to be in charge right now), Dappled Pelt was examining Shattered Ice's paw outside of her den. He had cut it badly while fishing on the riverside in their part of the territory, stepping on a sharp rock by accident.
As he headed out of camp he briefly wondered how his brother and his apprentice were doing on their little trip. They would be on their way back by now and Gray Wing didn't really have high hopes that they had gotten into contact with StarClan. Maybe it's because we're not related to any of them. But then where had Bright Stream and Fluttering Bird gone? Surely not the Tribe's ancestors. They were so far away.
He had picked up Turtle Tail's scent trail as he approached the Twolegplace. Of course, she must be with Bumble! He calmed down now that he was sure she was safe.
A monster roared by and splashed up a puddle, soaking Gray Wing.
Wet and cold, Gray Wing moved on. He wasn't exactly sure where Bumble lived. After all, all the nests looked alike. He would just have to hope he would pick up her scent again.
After a while he realized he was lost.
"Okay just face it. You're lost," he mumbled aloud to himself, feeling a headache come on from the annoyance of being soaked and confused.
"Are you…talking to yourself?"
Gray Wing spun around. Facing him was the gray tabby she-cat he and Turtle Tail had met in the forest yesterday.
"Um, no, no, that's not–no."
The she-cat rolled her eyes in an amused manner. "What's your name?"
"Gray Wing," Gray Wing replied.
"I'm Storm. Are you lost?"
"Well...sort of," Gray Wing confessed. "I'm looking for my friend Turtle Tail."
"That tortoiseshell she-cat that was with you yesterday?"
"Yes. That's her. Do you know where a kittypet named Bumble lives? I think Turtle Tail might be with her."
"I know her," Storm replied. "I'll show you where she lives."
"Thank you." Gray Wing was relieved he wouldn't have to wander around alone.
Storm rounded a corner and slipped down a narrow path between two houses. At last they halted in front of a twoleg nest. "There," she meowed to Gray Wing. "Sure you'll be okay now?"
"I'll be fine. Thank you," Gray Wing replied.
As the she-cat turned away, Gray Wing jumped on the fence. "Turtle Tail!" he yowled.
She appeared closely followed by Bumble. "Gray Wing!" He jumped down to meet her and they touched their noses. Gray Wing felt relieved.
"You're okay! I was worried! I thought something got you!" He murmured. Turtle Tail's eyes shone.
"I'm fine. It was raining really badly and I could hardly see. I didn't want to get lost and I didn't realize I'd lost track of time so I came to Bumble's nest since it was closest."
"Well, let's get back," Gray Wing meowed. "See you, Bumble," he added to the she-cat. The tortoiseshell waved the two goodbye as they headed back to the forest.
Meanwhile, in ThunderClan territory, Ravenpaw and Graypaw had been put on guard duty of the camp even if it was daytime and even if apprentices weren't supposed to guard, just warriors. Ravenpaw was sure, Tigerclaw just wanted to get rid of them.
"Ravenpaw!" Graypaw suddenly hissed. The black tom jumped when he heard rustling in the bushes nearby. He and Graypaw exchanged fearful looks when a stinky scent hit them.
ShadowClan!
"ATTA–" Graypaw's words were cut off as a cat slammed into him and before Ravenpaw could raise the alarm himself, two cats dragged him to the ground. But ThunderClan had still got enough of a warning and raced into the clearing as ShadowClan cats exploded out of the bushes and raced into the camp.
They had reached the Thunderpath again and so far all seemed to be going well. If only the next thing to come hadn't come. Everyone had crossed except for Shaded Moss and Falling Feather.
Shaded Moss listened closely before ordering her to go. Fire Heart watched anxiously as the white apprentice started to charge across. Just then, a monster came out of nowhere and headed straight for the apprentice. The white she-cat crouched, frozen on the ground, trembling.
As the monster was about to hit her, Skystar and Shaded Moss jumped out at the same time, both coming from opposite directions. Shaded Moss managed to shove Falling Feather out of the way and the white apprentice tumbled to the verge of the path and out of harm.
There was a sickening crack and blood spattered everywhere. The apprentices gasped and Cloud Spots flexed his claws, bunching his muscles. When the monster passed he leaped out onto the path and dragged Shaded Moss' limp body to the side. He quickly darted out and retrieved Skystar's limp body as well.
"NO!" Hawk Swoop cried, throwing herself to her mentor's body. "Shaded Moss! Wake up!" She wailed, shaking his shoulder. The black-and-white tom's head lolled to the side and blood trickled out of his mouth and nose.
Jackdaw's Cry brushed against her side while Fire Heart positioned himself on her other side, both toms whispered comfort to her but she seemed to not hear. Fire Heart's Heart cracked when Cloud Spots checked the deputy over before looking up, forlorn.
"Hawk Swoop…I'm sorry but…he's dead." Hawk Swoop buried her muzzle into his pelt and Fire Heart briefly wondered how Rainswept Flower would take the news of her father's death.
Cloud Spots had moved onto Skystar while Falling Feather still crouched, trembling nearby, blue eyes hollow with horror. Finally, Skystar gasped and opened his eyes. He shakily got to his paws. It's true! He does have nine lives! Fire Heart thought in awe. He never knew what to think of StarClan but now…
"Is Falling Feather okay?" He gasped.
"Yes," Cloud Spots replied. "But Shaded Moss died." Skystar dropped his head and Falling Feather closed her eyes as Hawk Swoop cried.
"I-I'm sorry," the white she-cat whimpered. "I got you and Shaded Moss killed." Skystar sighed and padded over to her touching her head with his nose.
"I would die for my Clanmates if I had to. And Shaded Moss died a warrior's death which is what he is. A warrior. We will all honor him but we can't stay here to keep him vigil. We've been gone for too long. Let's carry him back to camp."
Hawk Swoop positioned the black-and-white tom on Jackdaw's Cry and Fire Heart's backs, looking numb to her surroundings. Skystar laid his tail on her shoulders empathetically before turning to Falling Feather being checked over by Cloud Spots.
"Are you okay to continue Falling Feather?" He asked. The white she-cat nodded slowly as if she was having a hard time registering anything.
They started their slow and sad way home and the excitement Fire Heart had felt throughout the whole trip had evaporated.
After getting back to camp with Turtle Tail in tow, Gray Wing became restless with anxiety as his brother hadn't come back yet. He had a horrible feeling something was wrong. He went out into the forest to pace.
As he reached the top of a rise, he nearly stepped on a hare crashing past him, squealing with alarm. Instinctively he slashed out.
Gray Wing sat back and smiled. Then he looked up to see Gorse and Wind running at him.
He took a step away from the rabbit. "Sorry! I didn't know you were chasing it. Here, it's yours."
Wind gave him a friendly smile. "We saw. It's pretty big, anyway, and you did help catch it. We can share."
"Sure," Gorse agreed. "There's plenty for everyone."
Gray Wing nodded. "Thanks."
"And while we eat, you can tell us more about yourself," Wind meowed. "I've heard you and your friends have come a long way to live here."
Gray Wing smiled, pleased they weren't hostile anymore. "All the way from the mountains," he replied. "If you want to know about us, why don't you come meet my friends?"
Gorse and Wind exchanged a glance. "Okay," Gorse meowed. "And we'll be happy to share a meal."
Gray Wing started to feel doubtful as he led the way. They'd never had visitors at the camp before. Skystar seemed to not mind them but Tall Shadow was in charge right now and everyone knew how she got when it came to strangers.
As he walked down the slope and into camp, heads were turning to stare curiously at the newcomers. Tall Shadow paused in Gray Wing's path. "What's this?"
"Um...this is Gorse and Wind," Gray Wing replied. "They live in the forest, too. Skystar and I met them a few times." Tall Shadow narrowed her eyes.
"We've brought this hare to share with you," Wind meowed calmly. "Consider it a peace offering."
Tall Shadow hesitated before nodding. "Okay," she mewed. "Welcome to our home."
The others started to gather around to eat. Throughout the meal, both Gorse and Wind asked many questions about their journey. Gray Wing could feel any tension that had come with them leave. Even Tall Shadow was relaxed.
Turtle Tail and Gray Wing stretched out side-by-side as they finished their share.
Soon, Wind and Gorse left the camp, offering their farewells.
"They seem really nice," Rainswept Flower commented, stretching. Gray Wing nodded in agreement.
It was noon by the time they reached the forest. Their heavy silence showed how depressed they were. Hawk Swoop was still sniffling, Skystar was limping as if still weak and even cheerful Jackdaw's Cry was uncharacteristically silent.
They picked their way through the edge of ThunderClan territory back into theirs, then followed the familiar path home. It was late in the afternoon now, and Fire Heart was longing to crawl into his nest and stay there forever.
As they entered the camp and all heads turned to them in shock, Fire Heart closed his eyes as he heard the wails of Jagged Peak and Rainswept Flower.
My poor Clanmate… was all Fire Heart could think in his tired mind as he and Jackdaw's Cry laid him in the center of the camp for the vigil.
As Ravenpaw finally managed to battle off the two tiny cats that were supposedly apprentices, he raced into the camp itself.
ThunderClan and ShadowClan warriors were locked in battle. Ravenpaw could hear the kits crying in the nursery. Every corner of the camp was alive with fighting. Frostfur and Goldenflower were teaming up on Nightpelt. Brindleface, who was expecting, fought off Lizardstripe, snarling fiercely. Darkstripe was wrestling with Darkflower. Smallear, Patchpelt and One-eye were tackling Fernshade and Flintfang.
Ravenpaw noticed something. It seemed all the ShadowClan warriors were trying to get to the nursery as if that were really important. As if it were their main goal. The queens and elders were lined up in front of it though and defending it well.
He hurled himself into battle, catching Tallpoppy, who was shockingly smaller than him. Why were there so many kit-sized warriors? She shouted in pain as he sunk his claws into her. She was able to match his speed however, and she threw him off before tackling him. The two young cats wrestled before Ravenpaw managed to kick her off and sent her flying. She scrambled out of the camp.
Ravenpaw glanced around to see Thistlestar easily fighting off Nutwhisker. He was a formidable fighter like Tigerclaw. Ravenpaw shivered.
He jumped when he heard an alarmed yowl, turned and saw that Blackfoot had broken through the defense line in front of the nursery. The other ShadowClan warriors noticed too and started fighting even more harshly to keep the queens and elders occupied from stopping him.
Rosetail however had seen what had happened across the clearing. She kicked her opponent off and raced over, scoring her claws across the ShadowClan deputy's flank. The big white cat snarled and with one huge black paw he slashed out and slit her throat. The she-cat gasped as blood poured out and she fell to the ground, convulsing.
Poppydawn wailed and raced to Blackfoot slamming him to the ground and ripping him to shreds in revenge of her fallen daughter.
Ravenpaw prepared to jump out and help, but jaws closed on his leg and brought him to the ground. He spun around to see Tangleburr glaring up at him. Fighting with all his strength to escape, he turned to watch Blackfoot and Poppydawn. The deputy had managed to throw the elder off and started reaching in. He grabbed Brackenkit and Cinderkit, and was reaching in for another kit. He could hear them squealing in fear.
Ravenpaw went limp under the she-cat, as though admitting defeat. Just as Tangleburr loosened her grip, Ravenpaw sprang up and flung her away. He dashed to the nursery and pushed inside. Blackfoot was gone. Inside, Poppydawn had wrapped herself around the kits. Ravenpaw was impressed she had managed to come back and fight Blackfoot off.
Knowing she had it all under control, Ravenpaw ducked outside.
Only a few ShadowClan warriors remained. Graypaw and Sandpaw were fighting side by side, battling Wolfstep, who soon fled through the bushes. Whitestorm and Darkstripe chased out two more warriors.
Ravenpaw sank down, exhausted, and stared around camp. Blood spattered the clearing. The walls of the camp had been ripped open.
And in the middle lay not only Rosetail but Lionheart too. Ravenpaw closed his eyes in pain. Why us? Frostfur was shaking as she stooped over her mate while Poppydawn curled herself around her daughter and groomed her for the last time. Other warriors gathered around the fallen.
Thistlestar was staring at his sister's body blankly before he turned and stormed to his den, amber eyes flashing.
If he and Tigerclaw were finding ways to make his life miserable then later on when Thistlestar called the Clan for appointing a new deputy, they had succeeded.
Ravenpaw watched in horror as Tigerclaw accepted the position of deputy.
RIP Shaded Moss, Rosetail and Lionheart
This is the longest chapter I've written so far.