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Warriors A.N.M Chapter 39

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Other prisoners? Silverfeather felt as if she couldn't move, heart beating rapidly. Who else has he taken from the clans? Suddenly she feared for her clanmates. Did Duskfur know about the patrol in his territory?

"We need to leave." Gorsefang's quiet hiss reached her. "We have to report back."

Claws ripped at the bark as Gorsefang and Hawkcry lowered themselves from the tree. Goldenheart hesitated before following them but Silverfeather had a hard time tearing her eyes away from her brother. A quiet meow came from below, urging her to hurry. Silverfeather tore her eyes away from the clearing.

He's not the same cat I grew up with.

Carefully she lowered herself to the ground, signaling with her tail for her patrol to move quietly. They moved slowly through the undergrowth. Silverfeather felt as if every little noise would attract the whole group enemies.

Mousebrain! You're worrying too much.  The border wasn't too far ahead when Silverfeather heard the bushes rustle around them. Her ears flattened and she told herself the it was only the wind. Quiet followed and she sighed with relief. See? Only the wind. I'm just paranoid.

She was wrong.

Growls began to echo behind them. Silverfeather froze, her companions doing the same. She began to rush forward. A large cat loomed before her, stopping the patrol from escaping. Gorsefang and Hawkcry hissed as cats surrounded them. Goldenheart raised a paw as if to strike out. She seemed to think better of it when the cats unsheathed their claws.

"Intruders," a large gray tom snarled, bearing blackish teeth. "State your business."

"Just passing through," growled Hawkcry.

A small tabby sniffed the air. "Clan cats!" she hissed, eyes wild. "They're clan cats!"

Everything happened so fast. The rogues lunged and fighting broke out instantly. Silverfeather kicked the gray tom away, only to fall beneath a black tom. Green eyes blazed into hers. "You don't rule the forest anymore," the cat sneered.

"And you do?" Silverfeather bit down on the cats leg, causing him to spring into the air. The action only made the cats injury worse. These cats don't know a thing about fighting! Blood poured from her enemy's wound but even though he was bleeding horribly, the tom lunged at her again, aiming for her eyes. Silverfeather ducked, but his claws slashed down her back. She yowled, realizing similar cries came from her companions.

"Retreat!" she called, swiping the tom away with one paw before bounding away. Paw steps pounded behind her and Hawkcry sped past, leaving a trail of blood in his wake. Tormenting screeches filled the air. The rogues yelled taunts, but a pained yowl brought Silverfeather to a halt. She spun around, eyes widening.

The large gray tom had Goldenheart pinned to the ground, lips curled back in a wicked grin. The other rogues circled around, tails waving happily. Though her heart rapidly beat in her ears, Silverfeather could still hear the rogues talking.

"One's enough," the gray tom snarled. "Let's get her back to Duskfur."

"We need to go," Gorsefang hissed in her ear. "We can't take them all. We need help."

"You mean leave her?" Silverfeather snarled. How could her even suggest that? "She's my clanmate!"

"Gorsefang's right," Hawkcry rasped from behind her. "I doubt Duskfur will hurt her. We need help."

The rogues began herding Goldenheart away. The sight of them pushing her friend on and swiping their claws at her flank almost set Silverfeather over the edge. Gorsefang's wide, scared eyes kept her in place. Her whole body shook angrily. Letting out an angry yowl, Silverfeather turned and ran away.


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"We need a plan." Stoneclaw paced the camp. Silverfeather couldn't help but duck her head. Her father had been furious when they returned without Goldenheart. He was even angrier when she told him how close they had gotten to the rogue camp. She'd never seen such fury in her father's blue eyes. Such disappointment. She could feel his eyes on her again when he stopped in from of Patcheye.

"What do we do?" he asked.

"We should attack!" Hawkcry said in a snarl before his clanmate could speak.

"Are you mousebrained? They'd shred us!" Gorsefang licked at a gash on his shoulder. Blossomfur pressed cobweb to his shoulder, eyes narrowed with concentration.

"We need more cats," Patcheye said with a sigh. "This is not something we can do on our own. Without the help of our clans we will fail."


"You said they had Shadowclan cats. Maybe they'll help too." Darkstorm lashed his tail. "This is a problem for all clans now. If Riverclan and Shadowclan help us we can chase off these rogues for good."


What about Goldenheart? "We need to act now!" Silverfeather jumped to her paws. "They have one of our own! We can't just leave her there. What if they kill her?"

Stoneheart met her gaze. His eyes blazed with anger, but softened slowly. "We will save Goldenheart. We'll save all of the clan cats they have. But this is not something we can accomplish alone. If all clans act as one we will succeed. But alone we will fall."

The prophetic words made her shiver. Darkstorm pressed to her side. Patcheye gazed from one cat to another before nodding. He waved his tail at Blossomfur. She stepped forward, dropping the cobwebs on the ground.

"You're the fastest cat here," the black and white cat meowed, voice determined. "Return to Windclan. Tell Sandstar we need help. Tell her what's going on."

"Take another cat with you." Stoneclaw pointed his tail at Darkstorm. "You're a strong fighter. I don't want any cat to go alone."

Blossomfur sneered. "He won't keep up!"

Darkstorm shot her an angry look. "I will. Stoneclaw's right. You can't go alone." Regret filled his voice, but as he faced Silverfeather his eyes gleamed with strength. "You...stay safe, got it?"

Amused by his shy words, Silverfeather purred and pressed her nose to his cheek. "You too."

Though she could feel the eyes of every cat on her, she stayed like that for a moment, allowing Darkstorm's scent to calm her. Taking a deep breath she took a step back. Darkstorm nodded and raced after Blossomfur into the trees. The clearing remained quiet, no cat daring to speak. Minutes passed before she heard Stoneclaw's quiet whisper.

"Starclan light their path."

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Sleep. That's what Patcheye told, no ordered, her to do before he went to take watch with Stoneclaw. Her father had barely glanced at her since Darkstorm and Blossomfur had left. He was worried, but she wished he would talk to her. Reassure her. But she didn't want to disturb him on watch. It was too important for him to keep an eye out for the rogues.

How did they expect her to rest when her best friend was being held prisoner by murderous rogues? Or when Darkstorm was racing through the forest to get help? Oh, let them hurry. Keep them safe, Starclan. Guide us through this!

No one responded to her prayers. Gorsefang snored in his nest beside Hawkcry. The grumpy warrior rolled onto his back, whiskers twitching in a deep sleep. Only Eddie sat awake, eyes glued to the stars above. Something about the orange tabby made her feel at ease. Silverfeather sighed, snuggling into her mossy nest and allowing darkness to overcome her.

It seemed only moments had passed before a deep voice boomed commandingly in her ear.

"Wake."

Her eyes popped open, squinting against a bright light. Warm winds blew, ruffling her fur. Silverfeather stood with a grunt. Her nest was no where to be seen and the clearing had disappeared. A large thick furred tom stood before her, his muscles rippling beneath his gray and black tabby pelt. His warm green eyes bore into her. Thunderclan scent bathed her tongue as the starry cat sat in front of her.

"Who are you?" she asked slowly, wondering if they'd met before. He was familiar but she couldn't place him.

"A clanmate," he meowed deeply, amusement clear in his eyes. "I died before you were born. But that is unimportant. I am here to guide you. Even from Starclan I can help the clanmates I left behind. Our clanmates."

"Then help us! Tell me what to do!" Her claws unsheathed angrily. "We need you!"

"You know I can't do that." The starry cat shook his head sadly. "You know what must be done. I am only here to remind you of your strength."

"And loyalty." Cloudsong walked up from behind her, touching her tail to Silverfeather's shoulder. Warmth poured through her, warming her tail tip to her nose. "Loyalty to your clan, and to all cats around the lake. Let the warrior code guide you."

"One clan can not survive without the other." The two Starclan cats spoke in unison.

"I already know this." Silverfeather let out a hiss of frustration. Couldn't they just tell her what to do? The life of every cat around the lake was depending on them!

Cloudsong's blue eyes were gentle, sad. "You need to remember that the clans come first. Not loyalty to kin. Or even those who are your friends."

"Do you mean Goldenheart?" Silverfeather already knew the answer. The cats exchanged a sad look. The tom shook his head.

"We are only warning you. You must remember who needs you. Those kits, Rock and Sky, need you. Their destiny is in your paws. They are waiting for you. Do not rescue Goldenheart."

"She might not want rescuing," Cloudsong meowed quietly.

Silverfeather gaped at them. "What do you mean?"

The tom silenced her by touching his nose to hers. "Rest. Remember to follow your heart."

The world began to turn black, but his voice echoed in her ears once more.

"And take care of my son."

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scooby25611's avatar
Ooh.. I wonder who the Starclan tom's son is. Darkstorm maybe? hmm. Great chapter though!