Shattered Clans- A Warrior Cats Fanfiction

Chapter 21

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We're closing in on the final 10 chapters! There's a LOT of drama and excitement so get your popcorn out!!!

The vigil had kept Cranefrost up late and she was tired. Acornpaw didn't wake her up for the first time since she was apprenticed. In fact, Cranefrost laid lazily in her nest waiting for Acornpaw for so long that eventually, she got up and padded to the apprentice den.

When Cranefrost entered, she was met with the greatest shock of her life: Acornpaw... looking broken. Cranefrost had never seen her look so sad, in fact, she had never seen her sad at all, except for when Juniperclaw had died.

Acornpaw was lying down, her tail tucked tightly around her small, shivering body, and her paws were covering her eyes. She suddenly thrashed about, her paws flailing in the air.

"I'm sorry!" She yowled, "I tried to help! I didn't know you were hurt... I'm sorry I let you down." The last sentence was a whimper, and Acornpaw's body suddenly fell limp. Her bright amber eyes opened, though they didn't look so bright anymore. They were dull and heavy, like she wanted to go back to sleep and never get up again.

Cranefrost stared at her, not knowing what to say. "Acornpaw... Are you having nightmares?" Cranefrost finally meowed hesitantly. Slowly, Acornpaw nodded with a startled expression.

"Do not blame yourself for Juniperclaw's death." Cranefrost said. "We all did everything we could. In the end, it was his destiny that led him to the stars."

Acornpaw gazed at her and let out a quiet whimper. Cranefrost knew that she was barely old enough to deal with death.

"Come on, let's go hunting."

It had been a long day. Acornpaw's mood had improved a bit, but Cranefrost feared that she would never go back to her bright and eager personality.

Cranefrost had just finished hunting patrol and was carrying back prey with Leafshade, one of Leapmist's littermates. They worked well as a group and had managed to catch two squirrels. As they set down the prey, Cranefrost noticed how miserable the fresh kill pile looked. If leaf bare was affecting them this early, they should start storing extra prey. The lack of prey was not a very good sign.

Settling down each with prey, Leafshade and Cranefrost sat together. They were exchanging good hunting spots that would supply them during leaf bare.

"The Bare Tree, a huge tree near the Windclan borders, doesn't have any leaves on it, even in new leaf. Instead, all year round, it grows nuts that ravens and other large birds feed from. Because of the nuts, ravens like to stay on the branches so that they don't have to fly far to get food. This is where I go for prey- it's perfect for pouncing on birds!" Cranefrost explained to Leafshade.

Leafshade nodded. "You'll have to show me where it is. It sounds good."

"Sure. We can go hunting at it." Cranefrost invited. Leafshade gave a firm nod and then asked, "So, do you have an apprentice?"

"Yes, Acornpaw. She came on the dawn patrol that Juniperclaw was killed on, and now she's really scared. It sure is a challenge to be a mentor! What about you?"

"I got an apprentice really early on. Feathersplash. She was a very patient one, I was lucky."

Leafshade flicked his fluffy tail in the direction where a young, beautiful she cat was sitting. She was a tabby with amazing silver patterns on her pelt.

That night, Cranefrost went to sleep with a weird feeling. She had no idea what it was, but she liked it. Suddenly, Cranefrost realised the other times her heart had fluttered like that: when Jackalflame had told her he loved her...

The next day went quickly, and Cranefrost was finally chosen to go to a gathering. Faint scents filled the air as she crossed the tree bridge. Thunderclan was the first to arrive.

Riverclan came next, followed by Skyclan, Windclan, and finally, Shadowclan. Cranefrost spotted Jackalflame among the many warriors and pushed her way through to see him.

"Hi! I haven't seen you in moons!" She purred.

Jackalflame purred back. "Are we going to the place?" Slowly and reluctantly, Cranefrost shook her head. Redstar was supposed to update the rest of the clans on the Dark Warriors. She couldn't afford to miss anything else.

"At Moonhigh," She promised. Jackalflame nodded silently, and Cranefrost could tell he was hurt.

Suddenly, Leafshade appeared. "Hey, Cranefrost! I forgot to thank you for showing me the Bare Tree spot. It's really good. Oh! And who are you?" Leafshade looked at Jackalflame, who had frozen.

"He's Jackalflame, one of my friends." Cranefrost replied quickly.

Leafshade was going to say something else, but every cat was shushed as Nettlestar yowled for silence. The gathering had begun.

Redstar spoke last. He looked down at all warriors before announcing, "A Thunderclan dawn patrol was attacked by a badger. Unfortunately, Juniperclaw, one of our senior warriors, died fighting it."

Cats dipped their heads.

"I have talked with the rest of the leaders, and they agree with me that it is time to put a stop to the Dark Warriors. There was no reason for the badger to be on our territory. It wasn't hunting or protecting kits. Rushstalk took me to the scene where we found crowfood in a trail leading from the badger's den, which we found all the way on the other side of Thunderclan's borders. It was bait."

Yowls of shock and fury erupted from the cats below. Even Thunderclan warriors had not been informed about the Dark Warriors say in the murder of Juniperclaw. Finding confidence, Cranefrost managed to yowl, "I can go to Bubbles and tell him about the fight. His hunters have also been killed by the Dark Warriors and he wishes for vengeance. He is our ally," Eyes turned to Cranefrost as she offered the suggestion.

"Good idea," Clawstar said. "How about the leader and two cats of his/her choice meet at Bubbles' camp tomorrow? We can start the journey tonight since it's near the Twolegplace."

Yowls of agreement came from the cats and so the decision was made. Cranefrost and Snowfall would accompany Redstar on the journey to Bubbles' group while the rest of the warriors returned back to camp, where Rushstalk would act as temporary leader.

And so the long trek began...

Hii! So do you reckon I did too much romance or too little??? Also, do you ship AdderfangxSnowfall? If so, comment 'A'. But if you ship TalonclawxSnowfall, then write 'T' in the comments!!!

Thanks,

Till the Next Chapter!