Warrior Cats: Sky of Storms

Chapter 23

Echostar's eyes flung open and she jumped to her paws, her fur on end. She looked around, gasping for breath as she still realized she was in her den. Her ears pounded with the roar of blood, and she rushed out of the den, swinging her head from side to side.

She had slept in late, she guessed, because only a few cats were in camp. Sunpaw and Blackclaw were training battle moves in the corner, and Pebblewing and Hawkfrost were guarding the camp. 

Hawkfrost and Blackclaw had half recovered from their previous injuries. Hawkfrost's nose was healing well, but Blacklaw still limped every once in a while, and he only heard out of one ear. now that his other had been shredded.

Echostar quickly walked up to them, breathing deeply and trying to calm her pounding heart. Blackclaw looked up and nodded to her and said, "Greetings, Echostar."

Sunpaw frowned as the black warrior sat down, no longer in a battle crouch. "Where is Bluetail?" Echostar asked quickly before Blackclaw's apprentice could complain.

Blackclaw tilted his head questioningly. "Is everything okay?" He asked slowly. Echostar nodded and stamped her foot impatiently. The warrior flinched at her sudden mood and said, "In the medicine den."

Echostar gasped. Oh no. Is he hurt? Was I too late? Did we fight the Twolegs already? 

She charged into the den, her heart ready to burst as she prepared herself for the worst: Bluetail's crumpled body on the floor of the medicine den. 

But as she brushed past the reed den, she saw her deputy sitting in the center of the den. His mouth moving, his eyes bright and excited. Wavefire stood next to him, and in front of her was Thunderpaw.

Echostar stepped forward and Bluetail noticed her. He turned around and said, "Good morning Echostar." The leader of RiverClan stared at him, then cleared her throat and said, "You're alive."

Bluetail tilted his head. "What do you mean?" Echostar shook her head, clearing the thoughts that she would never see him again.

She pulled Wavefire over and explained her dream to them. Bluetail looked shocked and he glanced over Echostar's shoulder to see Sunpaw. 

"You just have to make sure that doesn't happen today." "Wavefire said dismissively. Echostar's fur went on end. 

"Today?" She yowled. "The battle is today?"

Before anyone could answer, Pebblewing came in and said to Echostar and Bluetail. "The patrols are back. Everyone's preparing."

Echostar felt like she could crawl into a hole and die. But what else can I do? Just not bring Sunpaw? Wouldn't he just be replaced by another cat?

I wanted to do this. She tried to think positively. Today, my Clan will finally be safe. 

She thought of the kit in her dreams. One day, that kit would find a family, and all her problems would be solved, just like Echostar's.

Wavefire's soft voice whispered in her ear. "Act like you know what you're doing, even if you don't."