Warrior Cats: Shadow Propechy (ENG VER.)

CHAPTER 15

"A metaphor?"

Treestripe scratched the ground with his claws, restless. The warriors had already returned from the Meeting, and after a brief summary of what happened by Wolfstar, he called his most faithful warriors to talk in his den.

Treestripe hadn't gone to the Meeting, so he listened to the events with a worried expression.

"Yes, I believe it is a metaphor," Morningcloud glanced at the cats present. "And now that Mountainstar has sworn war..."

She didn't finish the sentence, suddenly becoming aware of the weight those words had. Wolfstar and Sharpear agreed. "We have to prepare."

"We have to stop" Morningcloud looked at Wolfstar. "Don't you understand? This is what we've been fighting for the last moons since you became leader."

"You're jumping to conclusions" Sharpear took a step forward.

"She might be right," Treestripe muttered. "Regardless of what it is, preventing this war from happening is the right thing to do. None of the Clans can withstand deadly fights, especially now!"

The cats were quiet. Treestripe was right; a war would bring nothing but death, both to the conflicting Clans and to others.

Wolfstar faced each of his friends. "No matter what happens, I want the three of you...with me."

"Always." Treestripe lowered his head.

"Whatever happens" Sharpear approached his leader.

They looked at Morningcloud, waiting for an answer. She perked up her ears, nervous at the attention. Finally, she snorted. "Okay" She approached. "I would never leave your side, anyway. You would die without me."

They purred, content. Wolfstar felt determined. They would solve that, together.

**

The sun was high in the sky, surrounded by gray clouds. The prevailing wind ran through the fields. A patrol led by Treestripe circled the area to the north, bordering the GroveClan.

With pricked ears, the cats walked in a line, with Treestripe in front. Sunnypaw followed close behind, attentive, imitating her mentor. Nightsky, Flamepaw, Snakefang and Pigeonpaw also followed.

The older mentors walked silently, followed by their apprentices, while Snakefang pointed out everything he could.

"Stick your ears up" He told his daughter, demonstrating with his own furry ears. "Move them in all directions. Try to capture the smallest noises; prey scraping the ground, eating seeds, emerging from dens."

"Like this?" Pigeonpaw did as his father asked.

Snakefang purred, pushing the gray apprentice lightly. "That's right! You are a born hunter."

Treestripe listened to the conversation while also focusing on the usual trail. But after the commotion at the Meeting, something seemed different. Treestripe couldn't shake an uncomfortable feeling as he patrolled right on the edge of Sapstar's territory.

His apprentice seemed to share his fears. She kept her eyes glued to the dense forest that stretched all the way to the horizon. Snakefang continued to point with his tail to specific points in the landscape, his tone of voice as excited as his apprentice's.

Pigeonpaw listened attentively, until she suddenly stopped, her pricked ears moving as her mentor had just taught. "I hear something!"

Treestripe stopped, looking back. Before saying anything, he sniffed a strong smell coming from a point further ahead of the patrol. The felines instantly crouched down, pressing their bodies to the cold grass. With caution, Treestripe advanced, trying to catch a glimpse of the intruding cats, but the scent was enough to recognize who they were.