(✓) Warriors ▸ Shadows of the Domestic [1]

Prologue

The skirmish was not a scenario that Harepaw harbored any desire to engage in, but circumstances dictated otherwise. Her mentor's absence necessitated her presence, with only Tigerclaw and his apprentice, Ravenpaw, as companions. She felt compelled to stand by her friend, despite her reservations. "Ugh, conduct yourself as a true warrior, you simpleton!" Tigerclaw interjected brusquely as he forcefully pushed past her towards a RiverClan warrior who had bested Mousefur.

Harepaw snarled and extended her sharp claws towards the larger, more formidable warrior, towering above her like a sizable hound - not an immense creature, though impressive nonetheless. To her youthful perspective, all the warriors appeared colossal giants. "Come on!" Ravenpaw urged in a hushed tone, gently steering his companion towards the shelter of the bushes. "We can seek refuge here."

Harepaw snarled defiantly, pushing the adversary away before rejoining the tumultuous fray. To the astonishment of the black and white toms, she sank her teeth into a warrior she perceived as Oakheart, propelling him towards the water. "Sunningrocks belongs to us!" she proclaimed with a fierce cry, before gracefully disengaging from him as Redtail lunged for the RiverClan deputy. "Flee!" he commanded sharply, prompting her to swiftly pivot and sprint back into the forest, with Ravenpaw close on her tail. Suddenly, piercing the nocturnal silence, echoed a harrowing yowl that made Harepaw's heart plummet to her paws. She recognized that cry all too well - accompanied by the subsequent cascade of rockslides. A member of their patrol had fallen. 

~❈~

A slate-blue she-cat with piercing blue orbs strolled amidst the injured felines being tended to by ThunderClan's medicine cat, Spottedleaf. "How are they faring, Spottedleaf?" inquired the she-cat. Spottedleaf fixed her gaze upon their leader and replied, "They are recovering adequately, with wounds that may require weeks to fully heal, but they will endure - even the most severe cases." A wistful flicker of her tail followed. "Unfortunately, I cannot offer the same reassurance for those who have yet to return."

The slate-blue she-cat hissed and swished her tail in agitation. "Harepaw and Ravenpaw, along with their mentors, will return," she assured confidently before spinning on her heel and padding towards the cluster of rocks where a majestic golden tabby sat. "Lionheart, I seek your counsel," the she-cat addressed him. The noble tom dipped his head in acknowledgement. "Of course, Bluestar."

She sighed, her tail curling under her paws. "What if Harepaw doesn't return? What will you do then? I can always provide you with another option, but I fear it may not suffice," she stated. Lionheart nodded, a hint of determination crossing his features. "I have faith in my apprentice above all else, and I trust that Tigerclaw and Redtail will ensure her safety. You will see, they will all emerge triumphantly through the thorn tunnel soon enough."

Bluestar nodded solemnly. "I hope for the same. May StarClan illuminate their path if they do not." She turned her gaze towards the stars and felt a breeze pass through her fur. Suddenly, a star streaking across the sky made her blink, as if StarClan was conveying a message to her. A voice whispered in her mind, "Fire alone will save the Clan."

Bluestar shuddered. Really? she thought. The Clans have always dreaded fire. But I suppose... "Fire alone will save our Clan," she whispered. Lionheart turned to her, questioning. "Hmm?" he inquired, but Bluestar shook her head. "Nothing, it's nothing," she said, turning her gaze back to the stars. I hope you know what you're doing, she thought.