Warriors #3: The One Who Killed the Sun ✓

Chapter 9

Leafpaw's POV

 I felt the weight of my pack digging into my shoulders as Bramblekit and Harekit tumbled across my flanks, play-fighting while attempting to catch each other. Regrettably, Moonfall Addle had not yet returned from her brief excursion. Initially, I assumed she had recovered after our dangerous encounter, but alas, such was not the case.

 A soft growl emitted from Leafpaw, drawing my attention upward. My gaze met Firestar standing at the entrance to the nursery, ears twitching slightly. In a calm voice, I said, "Come in." The ginger tomcat gracefully moved forward, gently touching his nose to Starkit's before pausing meaningfully in front of him.

"What do you need, Firestar?" I asked my leader, meeting his gaze. He smiled and flicked his tail. My mentor, Sandstorm, also entered, smiling warmly.

"I think it's time you take your warrior assessment, Pawpelt," she said, and my heart skipped a beat. "Is that true?" I asked, and Sandstorm nodded eagerly. "Yes, you have done well these past few moons, and I couldn't imagine a better candidate than you. You did indeed have two mentors, but I am glad I got you." She carefully stepped around Harekit and Bramblekit, who were still climbing all over me, stopping when they noticed the stronger light and settled beside us.

"We can start once your mother returns if you want, or we can begin now," Firestar offered. I wagged my tail excitedly and stood up. "Let's begin now," I declared, and Sandstorm purred with satisfaction before walking past me and out onto the clearing. I followed closely behind, with Firestar following suit.

"Alright then, come on," he said, leading us further through the tower tunnel and out into the forest. May StarClan be on my side.

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There! I thought as I spotted a rabbit dashing across my path, and I sprang after it with my tail held high and legs pumping furiously. Soon enough, I leaped over a fallen branch that the hare had jumped over and swiped with my paw. It tripped up the agile creature, causing it to roll over its head, leaving me to swiftly finish it off.

Looking around cautiously to ensure no more prey lurked nearby, I scraped earth over the carcass and continued my search for another target.

Suddenly, I caught the scent of fox, jerking back just in time before crashing into a bush. Out in the clearing I had just left, I saw a glimpse of red, reddish fur, and a black muzzle. The fox sniffed around comfortably near the rabbit I had just killed. I growled angrily. That foolish thing! He wouldn't dare touch my kill; hunting has become difficult for some reason lately, and I didn't intend to let this one go to waste among a group of foxes.

Stepping boldly out of the bush, I landed in front of the small burrow and fluffed out my fur, snarling threateningly towards the intruding fox that stared at me curiously. "Stay away, enemy!" I warned. The fox growled deeply and crept closer.

I stood firm.

I would not give way.

Just as the fox prepared to attack, however, a speckled tabby cat appeared between them, striking the fox hard on the snout. Yelping, the fox recoiled momentarily before retaliating with massive claws extended. But the cat was quick, dodging effortlessly, and bit down instead on the fox's tender tail.

The fox yowled, realizing it was outmatched against this new adversary, and fled hastily. With chest heaving, the victorious cat turned to face me, watching warily as I stared back.

It was a male cat.

And I knew him.

"Sol," I growled quietly.

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"Well, hello there too, apprentice," greeted the black and yellow tabby tom, sitting down and grooming some minor scratches he received during his confrontation with the fox.

I looked at him suspiciously. "Why are you here? I saw you on ShadowClan's territory," I snapped.

He blinked slowly. "I've been doing my duties there too, dear apprentice—don't worry yourself about that. And if you hadn't seen it, I saved you from a fox just moments ago, so a thank you would be nice."

I simply sighed and shook my head. "Yeah, sure. As if!" I muttered, stalking away with my tail raised proudly.

But I should have asked him to stay clear of my tail. No sooner had I crossed a sunbeam did I trip and fall flat on my face, mouth filled with dirt and pebbles. "Gah!" I spluttered, writhing free from strong, heavy paws. Turning toward Sunspot, I discovered to my horror that he watched me intently, ready to tear my fur off.

"You won't escape me, Apprentice, understand?" he hissed dangerously, his tail stiffening even more peculiarly than usual. "Tell Moonfall I want her to bring a message along next time she comes, telling her that unless she joins ShadowClan and ensures her father doesn't follow StarClan anymore, I will never return to her."

My eyes widened. Why would Moonfall betray us, and why does Sol want her to do so? Has something happened between them?

No, the answer is simple – nothing could ever happen between those two.

"She will never betray ThunderClan nor her father in such a manner!" I spat defiantly, and this time, I made no attempt to restrain myself as I lunged at him. This time, I didn't care whether I took his life. His presence alone brought too much harm upon both Clans.

He shouldn't be allowed to live any longer.