Clans of the Forest:1: Stone and Silver (COMPLETE)

Chapter 13

Stonepaw jerked her head around at the call. The shriek pierced her ears as she leapt to her feet and bounded out into the clearing, fearing the worst.

Oh StarClan, no!

Cats were pouring into the clearing, the smell of the lake strong on their fur. Stonepaw could recognize the BlizzardClan apprentice Creekpaw, who was wresting with Barkpaw by the fresh-kill pile. Youngtooth was clawing at Rivereye's back.

But, BlizzardClan has no reason to harm us! Why are they doing this?

But deep inside her, she knew the reason.

There can only be one reason. Pinebreeze.

The brown tabby she-cat was standing on a rock, lashing her tail with a smirk on her face. Stonepaw felt anger surge through her. That cat is the worst! 

Her thoughts were broken off by a warrior leaping on top of her. She was a bright colored tortoiseshell with long legs and an elegant tail. She faced Stonepaw with a snarl, and then leaped over her again.

Stonepaw felt her weight crash into her and screeched in pain. Dainty as she looked, she was strong and heavy. Stonepaw could sense the muscle pulsing beneath her pelt. This isn;t a cat to mess with! She writhed underneath the warrior's body, and, being small and skinny, slipped out from beneath her attacker.

The she-cat growled and leaped at her again, but this time Stonepaw saw it coming. She dodged aside and felt the warrior's paws crash down on her tail. She winced with pain and jerked away, spinning to slash her claws down her opponent's side. The tortoiseshell growled tried to get at Stonepaw's nose, but easily missed. I thought warriors could fight better than this!

Then she realized that the she-cat was purposely aiming clumsy blows and keeping her claws sheathed. I wonder if she doesn't want to fight? Maybe she was forced to! 

Suddenly, Stonepaw stopped. She looked up at the she-cat. "It's okay. You don't gave to fight me. I'll go for Pinebreeze instead."

"But- she could kill you!" The she-cat gasped.

"I've already faced her once. And I'm willing to do it again." Stonepaw faced the she-cat with cold determination. "She deserves it."

Stonepaw dived back into the battle, pushing past the throng of cats. Bluestar had clearly heard that something was wrong and was grappling with Wickedcone. He was the cat that saved me! And now he's battling my grandmother!

She shook off the feeling and continued on. Pinebreeze was in clear view. Stonepaw pressed herself against the wall and slid over, making sure that Pinebreeze hadn't noticed. She placed paw after paw, heart pounding in her chest. Was this really a good idea? Suddenly she wished that she'd never yelled at Silverpaw, because then maybe he would be by her side right now.

She scanned to battle scene for him. There he was, with Thunderpaw pinned beneath him. She silently wished him good luck and continued off.

Pinebreeze was just up ahead now. She lowered herself into a crouch, carefully noting where her target was and how she could get there. This was the moment, the moment she would strike. One wrong move, and she could die. She took a deep breath.

She leapt.

The moment was perfect.

Her paws landed precisely where she'd planned, on top of Pinebreeze's head. She unsheathed her claws and suddenly leapt down onto Pinebreeze's back before the brown tabby she-cat could even take notice of what was happening. Stonepaw sunk her teeth into Pinebreeze's shoulder just as the she-cat gave a yowl of rage. 

Pinebreeze whipped around, nearly knocking Stonepaw off of her back in the process. She tried to claw at Stonepaw, but she was just out if reach.

Stonepaw grew tired of tasting blood and released Pinebreeze's shoulder. Pinebreeze yowled in triumph and rolled over, crushing Stonepaw in the process. Stunned, Stonepaw got to her feet, not before Pinebreeze swiped her over the ear with her claws unsheathed.

"You thought you could trick me, kit." Pinebreeze taunted, advancing on her. Stonepaw bristled. She wasn't a kit! Her fury became unbearable, and she hurled herself at Pinebreeze, claws tearing across the tabby's sides. Pinebreeze kicked at Stonepaw's stomach, sending her backwards and tumbling off of the rock. 

Stonepaw hit the stone hard, and a cold feeling dread began to creep up her spine. She felt like she was broken, all of her bones seemed to be in the wrong place. He stomach pulsed with fire-hot pain from Pinebreeze's kick. 

As she struggled to her feet, Pinebreeze leaped delicately down the rock and trotted over to Stonepaw. She paused. "Thought you could fight me, huh?"

Her taunt was drowned out as a huge screech of fury rang in the air. Pale ginger fur flashed past Stonepaw hurled itself at Pinebreeze. Summerpaw! 

"Thank you!" Stonepaw cried out, getting to her feet. She, too, leaped on Pinebreeze and clawed at her fur. Pinebreeze screeched with fury. She twisted but could not get the two apprentices off of her. Finally, Pinebreeze gave up.

"Retreat!" She called across the clearing. The tortoiseshell she-cat that Stonepaw had been battling looked up happily and darted in the direction of the entrance. The other cats stopped, most of them looking grateful, and followed her.

Pinebreeze leaped after them, hissing under her breath as she slipped out of the clearing. Stonepaw watched in amazement as the BlizzardClan cats disappeared. It had all ended so quickly. Summerpaw pressed against her, he legs and muzzle smeared with blood. Suddenly Stonepaw realized how injured her companion was.

"You should go see Powersnow." Stonepaw told her.

"You should, too." Summerpaw blinked back at her. "You are a mess."

Stonepaw chuckled and walked with her friend to the medicine cat's den. Inside, Powersnow was crouched over Wishpaw, applying herbs and cobwebs to him.

"Is he okay?" Summerpaw asked anxiously, padding up to her brother and sniffing his fur. Stonepaw's heart lurched with worry.

"Don't worry," Powersnow mewed. "I am a skilled medicine cat, and his wounds aren't too bad."

"Can you check us while he sleeps?" Stonepaw asked.

"Sure."Murmured Powersnow. "Come here, now."