The Rise Of Sun-Clan | The Mountain Territory, #1

Chapter 15~ Steps Before Terror

Python'Snap yawned and blinked sleepily. 

"Good morning." She muttered, sitting up and yawning.

"Morning," Someone replied next to her.

Python'Snap stood up and glanced around.

She then looked down, and carefully stepped out of her nest.

She smiled at Birch'Fall who was slowly getting up.

"For all those baring to climb the mountain please join me under the high rock." Adder'Star looked down onto the cats smiling softly.

"Good morning Adder'Star!" Python'Snap smiled.

"Morning, deputy." Adder'Star replied.

Python'Snap's ear swiveled, as she dipped her head and leapt onto the rocky path that led up to the larger leader rock.

Adder'Star looked at her for a moment and smiled. 

Birch'Fall emerged from the den, padding over to Python'Snap and flashed a smile. "Hey lov--I mean friend." He coughed as if he meant to say that.

Adder'Star's tail flicked with amusement. "I must prepare for everyone to awake."  She stifled a laugh and looked down the empty area below, the mossy carpets.

"Ok-I'll just uh-"  Birch'Fall smiled awkwardly and rushed to sit down under the rock.

As soon as he sat down, she looked at Python'Snap, a small smirk spread across her snout. "So, you two a- thing?" She asked, chuckling. 

Python'Snap looked away awkwardly. "Maybe. Ok yes, Iv'e been meaning to tell you- i'm sorry." She let out a flustered sigh.

"No-no. It's fine. Congrats!" Adder'Star smiled, trying to make the deputy feel more comfortable. 

The other cats gathered, slowly but surely.

Adder'Star sifted and stared the clan down. 

Berry'Paw came rushing after her mentor, Sage'Cloud, while Grey'Fire and Rose'Thorn gathered beside the pair.

"Good morning Sun-Clan!" Adder'Star greeted them. "Today is the 20th day of Leaf-Fall, and Leaf-Bare is right around the bend. So, please prepare the prey pile as Leaf-Fall comes to an end." Adder'Star finished and turned to Python'Snap. "Deputy, any patrols for today?" Adder'Star smiled.

 "Uhm- Yes! For hunting patrol, I choose Forest'Scar and I." Python'Snap looked to the brown cat who was sitting up straighter. "For herb patrol Berry'Paw and Sage'Cloud would you two like to go?" Python'Snap smiled at the cats.

"UH-YES" Berry'Paw said a bit too loud.  

"Shh- Goodness, Star-Clan might as well hear you, pipe down!" Sage'Cloud laughed.

"Okay then, Meeting dismissed." Adder'Star nodded. 

Python'Snap hopped down and joined Forest'Scar as he walked out.

 "Have you heard of-" Python'Snap was about to talk but Forest'Scar interrupted.

"Can you shut up Mouse-brain? I want to get hunting over with and go back to camp." 

"Oh- uh sure!" Python'Snap looked to the ground where she saw footprints that didn't belong to a cat. 

"Uhm- we should turn around to look at these!" Python'Snap said. 

"We're fine. Come on, Flea-brain." Forest'Scar continued to walk. 

A rustle came from the bushes, as a flash of red lunged out and attacked Forest'Scar, brown and orange tumbling everywhere.

"Help Me!" Forest'Scar hissed in pain.

 Python'Snap stood there thinking of the times he was rude. Snobby towards the kits, and even awful to her love, Birch'Fall. Her heart ached at the thought of someone being mean to him. 

Does he deserve another chance? Or does he not? For his anger issues, and mean remarks. He did try and kill a cat, and tried blaming it on a different one. He lied to the clan.

"PYTHON'SNAP DO SOMETHING- PLEASE!" Forest'Scar cried out in pain.

Python'Snap turned around and walked back to camp without saying a word as the fox attacked Forest'Scar.

 A yowl of pain was shouted as the body of Forest'Scar went limp.

"Goodbye Forest'Scar." Python'Snap ran back to the camp. 

"Adder'Star," Python'Snap called as she arrived back to the camp.

"Yes, what is it?" Adder'Star nodded to Violet'Leap, and the she-cat went into her medicine den. 

"Forest'Scar was killed by a fox!" Python'Snap shouted. 

"Okay? I don't see the problem." Adder'Star stood up.

"He. Is. Dead." Python'Snap started to calm down. 

Adder'Star nodded. "I understand that but I still don't see a problem." Adder'Star smirked. "You are dismissed Python'Snap" Adder'Star walked away. 

~ The moon was already up, cats started to sleep.~