Warriors: In The Cold of Night [1]

Chapter 8

Redstar hopped up onto the Highrock to start a Clan meeting. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting." Redstar meowed loudly so that all of the cats could hear.

Since Featherheart went to sleep late last night, she slept in for most of the morning. It was a little before sunhigh when Featherheart woke up. Featherheart sat up and stretched. She fixed her bedding and began to lick her fur. Featherheart padded out of the warrior's den and into the clearing. 

The rest of the ThunderClan cats poured into the clearing under the Highrock. Sharpleaf was sitting next to his leader, Redstar. The dark ginger leader had her gazed fixed on something in the distance.

"Sharpleaf and I will gather a large patrol to take back the Owl Tree. The rest of you, stay on guard, we don't know if ShadowClan will strike." Redstar meowed. Sharpleaf hopped down from the Highrock and so did Redstar.

"I will take Lightfoot, Sandydusk, Orangeleaf, Shadowstalk, Featherheart, Snowfoot, Thorntail, Spottedfur, Mightypaw, and Specklepaw." Redstar meowed as she began to walk towards the gorse tunnel that led out of the camp.

Featherheart heard disappointed meows from the other apprentices. The light brown and white speckled apprentice, Specklepaw, was nearing the age of becoming a warrior. Mightypaw was probably going to be made a warrior at the same time as Specklepaw. He was probably the strongest because of the tom's size.

The older apprentices, Firepaw and Coldpaw, Flamepelt and Bumblebee's kits, looked like young warriors. They would probably be made warriors at the next Clan meeting.

Redstar meowed something and headed through the gorse tunnel and raced up the ravine. The rest of the patrol followed her. Featherheart saw that Redstar was tasting the air. Redstar then darted for the Owl Tree. The ThunderClan cats bounded after their leader to take back the Owl Tree.

Redstar paused as she spotted the Owl Tree. Featherheart stared at the big, round tree near a stream. Redstar unsheathed her claws and drew back her lips in a snarl. Featherheart could smell the border markers of WindClan. Featherheart growled. This is ThunderClan's rightful territory! Featherheart thought sternly.

Redstar flicked her tail and headed towards the tree. The rest of the cats came with her. Featherheart tasted the air for any WindClan scent. She could only taste the fresh border scents. But then, Featherheart scented some WindClan cats. She fixed her gaze over to the path the led to the Fourtrees. Featherheart unsheathed her claws as she saw the Dark gray leader, Swiftstar.

"ThunderClan? What are you doing in our territory?" Swiftstar hissed. Redstar curled her lips to begin a snarl. "Taking back our rightful territory." Redstar snarled. "You took our territory because we were vulnerable back then. We are here to take it back." Redstar and a few other cats circled Swiftstar.

Swiftstar didn't look like he was worrying about being circled by the ThunderClan cats. "I don't think you should be worrying about me." Swiftstar mocked. "WindClan, attack!" Swiftstar screeched.

Many WindClan warriors leapt from the bushes and attacked the ThunderClan cats. Swiftstar lunged at Redstar. Redstar and Swiftstar began to battle ferociously.

A dark brownish-ginger she-cat pounced at Featherheart. Featherheart slashed at the brownish-ginger she-cat. Featherheart realized that this was her friend, Hazelnose. Featherheart knew that she must stay loyal to her leader, so Featherheart bit Hazelnose on her shoulder. Featherheart then took a step back, leaped, and gave Hazelnose a nasty gash. Hazelnose flinched and then when Hazelnose got back up, she ran over to Featherheart, but Featherheart tripped Hazelnose with her tail.

Featherheart grabbed the scruff of Hazelnose, then shook her violently. When Featherheart let go, Hazelnose skidded away. Suddenly, Featherheart was attacked by two WindClan warriors. A black and white she cat grabbed Featherheart's scruff, while the ginger tom slashed at Featherheart blindly.

The black she-cat let go of Featherheart's scruff, but then pinned Featherheart to where her soft belly was exposed. Featherheart felt the blood boil all over her body. The ginger tom held Featherheart down while the black she-cat began to slash violently at Featherheart's belly.

Featherheart felt as if she was going to go limp. Her vision was beginning to blur as the two WindClan cats batted at her weak spot. But then a familiar, sleek, black pelt came into vision. It was Shadowstalk. He grabbed the ginger tom and flung him. The ginger tom then fled. Shadowstalk sank his teeth into the side of the black and white she-cat until they fled.

Featherheart felt the blood spill from her stomach and other wounds. She felt blood drip down her mouth and blood boiling in her ears. Shadowstalk looked worried about Featherheart. He grabbed Featherheart by the scruff and yowled for help. Suddenly, Lilypaw came out from the bushes and dragged Featherheart into the undergrowth to be healed. Shadowstalk followed. 

Lilypaw pressed cobwebs onto Featherheart's worst wounds. Lilypaw chewed up some dock, then applied it to the scratches on Featherheart's belly. Lilypaw chewed a yellow flower, marigold, into a pulp. She then applied it to each one of Featherheart's wounds.

Lilypaw then treated Shadowstalk, but he wasn't nearly as wounded as Featherheart.

Featherheart's sight cleared and she saw the weak sunlight filter through the trees. Featherheart felt numb as she stood up. Lilypaw rushed to Featherheart's side and kept her up. Lilypaw was a few moons younger than Featherheart, but was nearly the same size as her.

"You need rest. Don't put pressure on your wounds. Mosstooth will help you more when we get back to camp." Lilypaw mewed. Featherheart nodded. Featherheart laid down and stared through the bushes to see that ThunderClan had won the battle. Redstar circled Swiftstar. Blood dripped down Redstar's nose as she snarled. "Don't come back here. This is ThunderClan territory now. Leave at once and ThunderClan will spare you." 

Swiftstar fled from the battlefield. Redstar and the ThunderClan cats cheered in victory. Featherheart felt the warm breath of Shadowstalk beside her. "Are you okay?" He meowed.

Featherheart nodded. "I am now." Featherheart turned her head to the ThunderClan cats as they padded back to camp. Lilypaw flicked her tail, signaling to head back to camp. Shadowstalk licked Featherheart's ear and followed Lilypaw.

Featherheart got up and limped steadily back to camp.