Warriors #1: Moondance of Fate ✓

Chapter 14

In the swift passage of days, life in our warrior clan flowed as usual, with warriors bustling about, their duties tugging them to and fro like the steady rhythm of a river's current. No great upheaval had rocked our world, and as the sun kissed the horizon, I found myself assisting Jaypaw with a small but essential task, gathering precious watermint leaves and juniper berries.

The scent of these herbs filled the air as we worked diligently. In the distance, a pained groan reached our ears. Graystripe, forever the lover of food, bemoaned his latest overindulgence. I couldn't help but snort softly, amused by his voracious appetite. Without a word, I passed the gathered herbs to Jaypaw before leaning down to touch my nose gently to his ear, my voice a whisper. "Just call upon me if you require aid," I offered, before slipping away to attend to my other responsibilities.

Hunting called next, and I eagerly joined a patrol led by Squirrelflight. The forest beckoned, brimming with life in all its forms, both large and small. The faint gurgle of a nearby stream serenaded our ears, harmonizing with the soft rustling of mice scurrying beneath the undergrowth.

"What shall we hunt today?" inquired Whitewing, her fur shivering as a breeze rustled through the trees.

"Whatever catches our fancy," I replied with a grin. As we ventured deeper into the forest, I honed my senses, seeking out the elusive whispers of potential prey. The faint rustling of tiny paws alerted me to a nearby mouse, and I gracefully assumed a crouch, ready to strike. With a swift and silent pounce, I was upon the unsuspecting rodent, and with a single swift motion, I brought its life to an end.

"Fine catch," purred Squirrelflight as she approached, and I rewarded her compliment with a thankful smile before covering my prize with earth. "Let's press on," I suggested, and our patrol continued to hunt, determined to provide sustenance for the entire clan.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

Our patrol was about to make our way back when the undergrowth rustled with an ominous presence, and a sleek black pelt emerged. It was Crowfeather of WindClan. I couldn't help but tense in surprise; his son, Breezepelt, had shown a troubling interest in me before. The last time, he had pinned me to the ground, causing a commotion that drew the attention of our clanmates.

Crowfeather's piercing blue gaze swept over our patrol, his disdain evident. Yet, when his eyes landed on me, his expression softened. "Come, Breezepelt requests your presence," he grumbled. My catch dangled from my paws, and I quickly placed it on the ground, extending a paw over it to protect it from any greedy attempts to snatch it away. "You have no say in what your son or I want. No, I won't go with him," I snarled, causing my patrol to bristle. They knew that if I chose to attack, they would follow.

Crowfeather raised his fur and snorted, "He wants you now, Moonfall. You better come, or I'll drag you to my camp."

"You will do no such thing!" Cloudtail growled, standing firmly before me, his white fur bristling. I joined in with a low growl. Crowfeather regarded the former kittypet with disdain. "Pfft, a kittypet protecting another—so hauntingly despicable!" he howled and lunged at Cloudtail.

In a whirl of fur, they grappled, and Cloudtail tried to dodge the warrior's claws, but they tore at his ear, spattering blood over the ground and my catch. Anger surged within me, and I leaped into the fray, holding back the others to ensure it remained a fair battle. With a determined effort, I managed to separate Crowfeather from Cloudtail, pinning him to the ground with my claws dangerously close to his throat. "Never attack my clanmates again, scum," I snarled, leaning down to his ear. "If your son wishes to meet me, he must come on his own. I don't follow fathers."

I stepped back, watching as Crowfeather scrambled away without a second glance. I let out a sigh, feeling the tension drain from my fur, and a warm muzzle pressed against my cheek. Squirrelflight gazed at me with concern in her green eyes. "Are you all right?" she asked. I nodded and turned to Cloudtail, who was wincing as Whitewing examined his scratches.

"Are you all right?" I inquired. Cloudtail puffed out his chest, but I could see the pain in his blue eyes. "Of course, I'm all right," he insisted before we gathered our prey and made our way back home.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

Upon our return, Firestar greeted us with a furrowed brow, noticing the telltale splatters of blood on the ground. "What happened?" he inquired, concern etching his voice. I quickly deposited my prey on the fresh-kill pile and rejoined the patrol. Whitewing hissed in reply, her tail lashing, while Cloudtail leaned on her for support.

"Cloudtail took the worst of it," she explained. Firestar's green eyes glimmered with worry for his clanmate as he assisted in guiding the injured warrior to the medicine den, with Squirrelflight following closely behind.

Inside the den, we bundled Cloudtail into a nest, and Jaypaw and Leafpool meticulously attended to his wounds. "Will he be all right?" I asked, crouching at the entrance. Jaypaw's blind gaze met mine, and he reassured me, "Yes, he'll be fine. The wounds aren't deep, and I don't think Crowfeather intended to harm him seriously." I nodded, but the anger within me still simmered, refusing to dissipate as the afternoon slipped away, lost in thought until bedtime.

Later, Leafpool nudged me awake after I had dozed off beside Cloudtail. "He'll be fine here. You should go and rest; it must have been difficult for you," she said. I sighed but rose, casting a final glance at the brave white warrior who had shielded me from Crowfeather's attack. The anger still raged within me. How dare that mangy pelt lay a paw on my clanmate? I vowed to speak with Breezepelt about his father's actions, but as I curled up in my nest, my mind was too tangled with emotions to think further. Sleep soon overcame me, like a soothing embrace, and I slipped into dreams.