Book Four, The Building Task

Chapter Thirteen

Rosefall's POV.

It was late evening and I was watching mine and Lilly's kits scuffling around in the soft sand of the camp. Not many warriors were here, most on patrols or hunting. I turned my head as I heard commotion by the camp entrance, it was Streamsight and Nightpaw.

I got up to see what was happening, it looked like Nightpaw was ready to burst out of her fur. The she-dog tried her hardest to be calm and collected, but Rosefall knew she couldn't. "What's going on?" Rosefall asked, delighted to see Nightpaw so happy.

"I'm becoming a full medicine cat!" Nightpaw explained, with a leap into the air.

I smiled hugely. I knew what being an outsider to the Clan was like, but Nightpaw and her family had had it the hardest. Dogs were feared by all the Clans, however, StormClan welcomed this dog family when Winnie, Nightpaw, Larkfeather, and Dewfall's mother, gave birth.

The other Clans feared StormClan for the reason that they still believed dogs were savage creatures who knew only to kill, however, bound by the warrior code, the four dogs turned out of be fine members of StormClan.

"I'm so happy for you, Nightpaw!" I exclaimed cheerfully. "When are you leaving?"

"Not long now!" Nightpaw shivered with excitement, looking up expectantly at Streamsight.

"We may leave now," Streamsight had a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "Come on then." and the two of them trotted out of camp. My heart felt so much happiness for her. I then heard playful squeak come from the nursery. Ivysong's kits were exploring camp for the first time!

Yes! It had been a whole moon now since those tiny bundles had been born and they were growing so fast. I thought to myself happily. Mine and Lilly's kits heard the commotion and hopped over to talk to Astridkit, Thymekit and Goosekit. "Be gentle with them!" I called over my shoulders, but I knew they'd be fine with Ivysong watching them.

I then caught a dreadful scent in the breeze. ShadowClan! And rogues? Before I could raise awareness, ShadowClan and the rogues barged into camp immediately, breaking through the barrier and growling loudly. I shrieked and rushed toward the kits and ushered them inside.

"We wanna see!" exclaimed Barkkit, trying to hassle his way back outside.

"No!" I exclaimed angrily and picked him up aggressively by the scruff and threw him into Ivysong's nest and he squeaked in surprise. I picked up Ivysong's kits gently and placed them into her nest, then dragged my kits as well to her nest. Ivysong's nest was the closest to the back of the den, she'd be able to protect them all well here.

She climbed on top of all of the kits and put herself between the kits and the battle. "When can we go and see?" Shadowkit piped up.

"Where is Ivysong!" wailed Astridkit, shaking in fright. I bent my head to lick the she-kit on the head. In a rush, Lilly entered the den with a few scratches. "We need you!"

"What about the kits?" I asked, Lilly shook her head.

"You have warrior training, we have Winnie guarding the outside as well, I'll stay and guard them." Lilly responded, padding over to me and replacing me above the kits.

I hesitated, queens shouldn't be fighting, but with so few warriors in camp, they did need me. I swiftly nodded to Lilly and rushed out into the tangle of claws and teeth.

ShadowClan was moving in fast, the rogues were aiding them viciously. I saw Domino battling a red tom twice the size of him, and rushed over to help.

"I've got him Domino, go fetch the patrols!" I screeched, flinging myself at the ShadowClan warrior. Domino then raced away.