Turtleheart's Path

Chapter 30

Turtleheart led Lilyfrost across the bridge, a scent hit her nose. "I know who did it." She halted, her fur bristling. "Brackentail and Graypounce." She snarled and hared forwards. Lilyfrost gasped. "I thought Brackentail loved you!" Turtleheart slowed as they neared camp, she heard the voice of Sunstar. "We have successfully stolen two of the three kits. Unfortunately, Turtleheart had one of the kits because Harepaw didnt follow directions. Harepaw shall be punished." Turtleheart hissed and crept into the bushes. Graypounce and Brackentail were holding her kits in their mouths. Ivykit was squealing which sent her heart lurching. Squirrelkit was batting Brackentail with unsheathed claws. Brackentail dropped the she-kit. Turtleheart heard her yelp before surging forwards. "Lilyfrost fetch help." She whispered before doing so. She heard Lilyfrost's pawsteps as she landed in the clearing. "Thieves!" She snarled as she rammed into Brackentail. Graypounce gasped, and herded Squirrelkit towards her. "Get this fox dung away from me!" The warrior hissed.
Turtleheart glared at Graypounce then turned her fierce glare onto Brackentail. "I should flay you. Kill you. But that would be too quick. You should suffer." Turtleheart spat. Brackentail recoiled as if she'd struck him with a real blow. She took a step towards him, her adrenaline pumping. She felt claws in her flank and twisted, her claws unsheathed. Faster than a snake she lunged onto Graypounce, clawing her chest. Riverclan warriors dodged out of the way as Turtleheart flung herself into the warrior over and over again. Just then Bramblestar's battle cry sounded and Windclan warriors flooded the camp. She saw Lilyfrost and Owlfeather snatch her two kits and drop them in front of Rabbitpaw and Ratpaw, the fastest cats in Windclan. Rabbitpaw and Ratpaw tore across Riverclan's territory. She leapt onto Graypounce again, ummeling her ears with unsheathed claws. She heard the Starclan voices again, they were chanting her name proudly. Brackenflight was talking to Sparrowfeather. "Let her choose her path. She obviously wouldnt listen to you anyways. Either way, Starclan is proud of her courage. When her kits are six moons, Starclan will come. Make sure she knows her kit will succeed her. Ivy will wrap its paws around the clan and heal them. Squirrels will fly and protect them. The stems will keep the roots of the clan alive." Brackenflight's voice faded. Turtleheart realized the fighting was over, Windclan had won her kits back. She let Graypounce go, watching as she staggered to Brackentail's side. Turtleheart raised her voice. "My kits remain in their mother's clan. If you ever try to steal my kits again, she won't be alive and neither will you." She snarled and turned, leading her clan next to her mother.