Wolf and Moon

Chapter 9: Hollyfrost

  The sound of angry screeches and whimpering kits from behind her filled her ears. Rain fell as heavy clouds covered the sky. Spiritclan, please be with Hawkfeather. And where is Mooncross? She wondered, trying to not think of the worst. Rosethorn and Whiteflower had their kits huddled up against them in the corner of the den, trying to hush them. Hollyfrost stared through Cherryfang and Foxstorm, watching the battle rage on, itching to get out there and fight.

"You seem awfully calm for being in the middle of a war zone," Crosswind said quietly from behind her, but Hollyfrost ignored her. Suddenly, Cherryfang and Foxstorm started to growl deeply, and the kits started to whine even louder. Sunblaze and Rabbitnose jumped at the two cats guarding the nursery. Rabbitnose and Foxstorm fought with raging claws and nasty bites, but Cherryfang seemed to be losing to Sunblaze. He snatched her by the neck and sent her to the ground. She just laid there, unmoving. Sunblaze whipped his head around towards Hollyfrost, a deep flame in his eyes. She saw Cherryfang open one eye and smirk grimly from behind Sunblaze. She did this on purpose just to get back at me! Hollyfrost howled with rage and lunged herself at Sunblaze. He ducked under her and clawed her swollen belly, then fell to the ground with a hard swipe in the side from his paw. She rested there for a moment, thinking of Hawkfeather, Mooncross, and the kits. She felt a power of energy surge through her as she got back on her feet. You can fight off Sunblaze; I'll help you. I promise I'll keep you safe... A familiar voice said in her head. Once again, Hollyfrost charged at Sunblaze and pinned him to the ground. Before he could fight back, she sank her teeth into his neck as the taste of blood filled her mouth. Sunblaze let out a soft squeak before falling limp to the ground.

Crosswind scowled with fear from behind her. She turned to look back to see Rabbitnose standing in front of Crosswind, bearing his teeth. Foxstorm weakly scrambled up from the ground, blood streaming from a gash from his cheek to his chest. He hobbled up to Rabbitnose and dug his claws into Rabbitnose's neck. Rabbitnose fell to the ground along with Foxstorm without a sound. Both dead with a pool of blood forming around them.

"Foxstorm...?" Crosswind peered over at him, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you...for giving your life to protect us."

Crosswind crouched down and lightly touched the tip of her nose to Foxstorm's head.

"Spiritclan be with you," Crosswind whispered. Just then, a howl filled the camp, freezing every cat in its place. It was Lightstar up on the Leader's Rock next to Spotstar, Thunderstorm, and Hawkfeather.

"Cats of all clans, I have an announcement to make, and an apology. I don't expect any of you to forgive or believe me, but it wasn't really me who declared war against Waterclan. I was controlled. Many moons ago, Longfoot told me that Spiritclan sent him a vision, along with all of the other healers. In that prophecy, it spoke of a moon. And that moon can control the minds of others," she paused for a moment. "Last night, I was interrupted from my sleep by a cat, and that cat was Mooncross of Forestclan. He gave me a hard blow to the head, sending me unconscious. I can't remember anything after that, but Spotstar said that a few warriors of mine and I traveled to Shadeclan and persuaded him to join Breezeclan in a battle to take over Waterclan and Forestclan. Then...this happened. While Hawkfeather and Thunderstorm were attacking Spotstar and I," she looked back and glared at them. "Hawkfeather knocked me out, again, and that's when I woke up, and saw this happening. I apologize again for all that has happened, I just hope that you believe me," she stepped back as Hawkfeather took her spot.

"I believe Lightstar, surprisingly. I know of Mooncross's power, and so does Hollyfrost; we have both witnessed it ourselves."

Heads turned towards Hollyfrost and she felt embarrassed. Then a voice rose above the crowd.