Warriors #1: Moondance of Fate ✓

Chapter 19

The following morning is harsh, an unrelenting dawn that paints the world with a palette of discomfort. I am sore in every nook and cranny, my muscles pulsating with a chorus of aches, but I drag myself from my nest regardless. Settling beside the freshly turned mound of an extinguished life, I watch as Thornclaw enters, accompanied by a stranger, Lionblaze at his side.

Perched with a tilted head, I sense the unfamiliar scent of the feline wafting toward me, its tendrils of aroma weaving through my senses. Uncertainty wraps around my thoughts as I scrutinize the newcomer. The tom stands tall, his pelt a patchwork of tortoiseshell and white, bleached-yellow eyes like beacons in the dimness. Already, I harbor an inkling that this feline may only bring us turmoil.

Firestar approaches, his curiosity piqued by the appearance of the stranger. I join Squirrelflight, positioning myself at her side, her tail soon wrapping around my flank in a protective gesture. The newcomer introduces himself as Sol, a respectful dip of his head toward ThunderClan's leader. Firestar, his gaze sharp, questions the motives of this unexpected guest.

"What brings you to Clan territories? You're clearly not from around here," Firestar remarks, a glimmer of skepticism in his eyes. Sol nods in response, his voice gentle yet enigmatic, "I come from far away, but I've heard much about the Clans. I thought it only fair to visit and see for myself."

I let out a quiet hiss, my skepticism mirroring my leader's, and I feel Squirrelflight's tail tighten its embrace around me as she murmurs in my ear, "Shh, there's no point in resisting him at this very moment."

A skeptical glance is cast toward Squirrelflight, but I hold my tongue. Firestar, not one to let matters slide, continues his inquiry, directing his question to Thornclaw. Thornclaw, young but determined, raises his tail in response. "He was just sitting outside our borders, waiting. He hadn't done anything," he explains.

Lionblaze adds his perspective, nudging Thornclaw gently. "What he's saying is true. We don't know who this cat is, but he seems to have a valid reason for being here, doesn't he?"

In response, I snort audibly, causing all heads to turn toward me. I startle slightly but stand my ground, lifting my chin high. "You have something to say, Moonfall," Firestar prompts, a note of curiosity in his gaze.

I narrow my eyes and speak resolutely, "Yes, it's clear that this tomcat will bring trouble to our Clan. Don't think you can waltz in here and poison my Clan, you serpent."

With those defiant words, I move forward, positioning myself muzzle to muzzle with the towering newcomer, my eyes locked onto his. The tension in the air grows palpable as I hiss at him, my voice laced with a venomous warning, "Don't think you can come in and disrupt our peace, you snake."

Sol responded with a calm and seemingly innocent blink. "I had no intention of provoking you, dear Moonfall, but I can't help but notice you might not be as loyal as you believe yourself to be," he remarked with a sly grin. An unsettling shiver coursed through my fur as gasps and hushed whispers rippled throughout the den, like ants creeping under my pelt. My fur bristled, and I emitted a low growl, every muscle in my body tensed.

"I'm as loyal as any cat here!" I spat, my words dripping with venom, my patience tested to its limits. The urge to unsheathe my claws and shred this smug pretender clawed at my very core.

I raised my chin even higher, a deep growl emanating from within me. "You can weave your tales and tell your lies, but my loyalty runs deeper than you think," I snarled, my determination unyielding.

Sol simply nodded with an air of nonchalance. "If you say so," he replied coolly, turning his attention back to Firestar. "For now, all I desire is a single night's shelter, no more."

Firestar cast a knowing look in my direction, still mindful of the prickly atmosphere that had been stirred. He let out a sigh and consented, "You may stay for one sunrise, but no longer."

As he retreated to his den, Poppyfrost stepped forward, pressing herself against the towering tom. "You are welcome in the warriors' den," she meowed in a friendly tone. I couldn't bear to remain in their midst, my stomach churning with unease, and so, I quietly slipped away from the camp, not wanting to be present when a deceiver lurked among us.

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"Moonfall!" a voice called out through the forest, and I looked up, my ears perking as I saw the speckled gray form of Jayfeather making his way through the towering trunks. "Jayfeather, what brings you here?" I greeted him warmly, reaching out to touch his snout with a gentle nudge.

"I wanted to find you," he replied, settling down and fixing his blind gaze on me, his blue eyes as keen as any sighted cat. "You seem particularly angry today."

I snorted, my agitation still simmering, and I paced in a small circle before finally settling down on a damp bed of moss under the sheltering branches of a pine tree. "I'm always grouchy around here," I mewed, as if that explained it all.

Jayfeather let out a disdainful snort, his tail flicking in a gesture of frustration. "You're not, and Lionblaze knows that as well as anyone. Tell me, what's bothering you? You can talk to me."

I lowered my gaze to my paws, observing the glistening green moss beneath them, how the glimmering droplets of nature's glass beads still clung to the slender blades, casting an emerald glow all around. Finally, I spoke, my voice tinged with unease. "I just don't feel like we can trust Sol," I admitted. Jayfeather flicked his tail in acknowledgment.

"Neither do I. But he's been given shelter for a single night. You should be able to tolerate him for an evening," he remarked.

I met his gaze with eyes ablaze like tiny blue flames. "I don't trust him," I hissed. "His lies are as thick as the forest, and he believes I'm disloyal to my own Clan!"

Jayfeather chose to remain silent, allowing me to vent my frustrations. I paced back and forth, torn between my loyalty to the Clan and my distrust of Sol. "I'll never be disloyal to my Clan. I know I'm a kittypet, but I love this Clan more than anything. I'd die for it! But what if the rest of the Clan starts believing him?" I fretted, my words filling the air with apprehension.

I was abruptly halted by Jayfeather, who deftly wound himself around me, his tail gently curling around my neck like a feather-light embrace. "No one important will believe that raggedy pelt. If it's really bothering you, I'll speak to Firestar about Sol and ask him not to let him stay," he murmured, a hint of anger in his voice.

I let out a deep sigh and shook my head. "No, I just want to go to ShadowClan for a while. Come to me when the furball is gone," I told Jayfeather, touching his snout with mine, and then I dashed away and out of the forest before he could detain me.