Waterclans Prophecy - Book 1: The Dream

Chapter 22 Birdsong

Birdsong woke to the sound of wood cracking and screeching cats. Battle cries appeared from no where and yowls of pain followed. Behind her, Blazecloud stirred in his nest. "What's going on?" The ginger and white splotched tom muttered groggily. Birdsong glanced at Blazecloud's healing wounds. Birdsong had been surprised at how quick Blazecloud had recovered, especially without much marigold to keep infection away.

"Stay here and guard my herbs." Birdsong instructed. "I'm going to see if anyone needs help." Birdsong cautiously crept through the snowy tunnel and parted her jaws to draw in scents. Strong scents of blood and fear almost masked the dry, sandy scent that touched her tongue. "Sandclan." She growled. The dream! I should have guessed. The snow extinguished the blazing paw, then it threatened to destroy me, first snow, then sand! Birdsong felt a low growl rising in her throat. "Great Starclan, I'm a fish-brain." She muttered.

"Yes, you really are." Birdsong jumped at the sound of a growl in front of her. Squinting in the darkness, Birdsong could just make out emerald eyes and a small sand colored body.

Sandfang leapt at Birdsong and the two she-cats went rolling in the small tunnel. Birdsong let out a wail of pain as claws dug into her flesh. "Why are you here?" Birdsong demanded as Sandfang stood over her, pinning the Waterclan medicine cat.

"We need prey and herbs." Sandfang growled into Birdsong's ginger ear.

"Hunt on your own territory!" Birdsong spat. "If you need herbs so bad, then send Leafshadow to ask for some."

"I find this way more efficient." Sandfang raised her paw, claws unsheathed, preparing for a hard blow.

Birdsong closed her eyes and waited for the pain to arrive. Through the blackness, Birdsong heard a battled cry and felt Sandfang's weight fall off of her. Birdsong opened her eyes and saw Blazecloud looming over Sandfang, claws unsheathed and a dangerous gleam in his eyes.

"Have you know respect for the warrior code? For Starclan? You deliberately attacked a medicine cat!" Blazecloud launched himself on top of the sand colored she-cat and dug his claws in.

Birdsong flinched as Sandfang let out a wail of pain. Anger blazed in Blazecloud's emerald eyes and he continued to strike. "Blazecloud!" Birdsong snapped. Blazecloud paused to glance at her, but kept a paw placed firmly on Sandfang's chest. Birdsong opened her mouth to speak, but her words were quickly cut off by Blazecloud slamming into her. "What in Starclan's name is wrong with you?" Birdsong yelped in shock.

"It wasn't me." Blazecloud gasped, trying to untangle himself from Birdsong. Before Birdsong could comprehend what was happening, Cloudclaw grabbed Blazecloud by the scruff and lifted him easily. Sandfang sprang to her paws and charged at Birdsong.

Birdsong thought quickly and lept in the air, claws outstretched, and clawed the tunnel ceiling. Snow exploded from overhead and fell on the four cats. Birdsong caught a glimpse of Blazecloud being released from Cloudclaw's grip before the snow covered her. Birdsong struggled and flailed in the cold, but couldn't find a way out.

Through the struggles, Birdsong felt a paw with unsheathed claws smash into her belly. Birdsong couldn't find her breath and her senses spun. Suddenly, Birdsong felt a sharp tug on her scruff and the snow above her seemed to push down harder. Birdsong squeezed her eyes shut and sent her prayers to Starclan.

The snow above disapeared and Birdsong risked opening an eye. Blazecloud was standing over her, a concerned look on his face. "Are you okay? Can you stand?" He questioned quickly. Birdsong shakily got to her paws and nodded determinedly. "Good." Blazefang growled. "Foxstar just called a retreat and there are injured cats on the other side of this wall." Blazecloud flicked his tail toward the caved in tunnel ceiling.

"Did everyone get out okay?" Birdsong asked worriedly.

"I'm not sure, but if they didn't then we'll find them while we're digging." Blazecloud mewed grimly.