Ashstar's Reign - The Silver Storm - A Warriors Fanfiction

Chapter 12

Ashstar curled around her kits, purring as she listened to Maplekit's story of how they played hide and seek.

"And then, I asked Riverstorm if I could hide with him, and he said yes, and I hid in his fur! Then when Blazekit tried to find me, Riverstorm said he hadn't seen me! But then Blazekit knew I was there, and so he told me to run! But Mistykit caught me, she's so fast!" Maplekit squeaked, purring as she nestled into her mother's fur.

Mistykit gave a mew of embarrassment. "Thanks, Maplekit," she purred.

Ashstar gave a laugh. She looked around once another scent drifted into the den; Bearthorn had come in. The kits fought to get to him, squeaking with joy. Bearthorn gave a dramatic 'oof' and crumpled to the floor as the kits launched themselves at him.

"You got me, you got me," he said playfully as Blazekit swarmed on top of him.

Ashstar propped herself up. "Kits! Get off your father!" They paid no attention, and Emeraldkit started chanting "Badger ride! Badger ride!" the others joined in.

Bearthorn purred. "Fine, done, you can have a badger ride. Hop on, kits!"

he crouched down, allowing the kits to hang onto his back. Once every kit was hanging on, he lumbered out of the den, swaying dramatically.

Squealing with excitement, they wiggled into the clearing and mewed with joy as Bearthorn broke into a run.

Ashstar followed them out and settled herself in some ferns when she realized Smokekit and Hollykit were playing by themselves. She glanced around, but Stormheart was nowhere to be seen. She approached the kits.

"Where are Stormheart and Riverstorm?" she asked them.

Smokekit stopped what she was doing and looked up at her Clan leader.

"I saw them go out of camp," she mewed, then pounced on Hollykit, tumbling over.

Hollykit purred, then her face turned serious. "They've been out for a long time now!" she squeaked. Ashstar's tail started to flick. She turned to the warriors' den.

"Cedarstripe!" she called briskly.

"I'll be right back, my loves," she added to Bearthorn and their kits.

Cedarstripe ducked out of the den and approached his leader.

"You called, Ashstar?" he mewed.

"Follow me," the leader mewed, and bounded off into the forest. Cedarstripe ran after her, tail twitching slightly. She ran deeper into the wood, then paused and sniffed the air.

"What do you smell, Cedarstripe?" she asked, still sniffing.

"There's Stormheart...and Riverstorm....I think Blossomfur was here too, but that's stale.....oh, and Moonlight!"

Ashstar turned abruptly. "follow Moonlight's trail!" she ordered, and the two cats sped off after the black and white she-cat. As the scent trail got stronger, Ashstar could hear yelps of pain. They came to a halt in a clearing, and saw Stormheart laying on the ground, twitching feebly and blood trickling out of her injuries. Riverstorm stood over her on his hind paws, battling a black and white blur. Ashstar gave a yowl of fury and hurled herself at Moonlight. Cedarstripe hared away, back the way they had come, but it was fine. 

Seeing his leader jump into the fight, Riverstorm fought with renewed strength, and after a couple more minutes of furious blows, Ashstar crouched, panting, on top of Moonlight, who lay still. Riverstorm dropped down on all fours and rushed to Stormheart's side.

"Are you okay?" he asked, licking her ear.

Stormheart stirred slightly, her eyes shining with pain. Cedarstripe was back within moments. Ashstar gave a sigh of relief when she saw that Goldenstripe, Blossomfur and Pandaleaf were hurting behind him. Looking down at the she-cat under her paws, she waved her tail for Blossomfur.