Warriors: A New Light (Book 1)

~ Chapter Two ~

Greycloud

"I believe we have some unfinished business with your leader."

The words that Blurryvision spoke made Greycloud recoil, the fur along her back bristling as warriors around her began growling at the newcomers.

Scarface himself didn't look very pleased, as he stalked closer, almost touching noses with the CloudClan warrior.

"Your clan has always been greedy for land." He spat, his tail lashing. 

Blurryvision seemed as though he wanted to lash out, but clearly thought better of it, seeing he was surrounded by an entire clan. If he thought that him and his two other mangy friends could just waltz in here and act all high and mighty, oh StarClan, he was awfully wrong.

Those CloudClan grass eaters... Greycloud thought bitterly, her resentment toward the enemy patrol striking like lightning. She shuffled her paws, as she glanced around. Where was Stormstar? Shouldn't he be out here? Facing the patrol and sending them away instead of his deputy?

"I am warning you, watch yourselves." Scarface snapped, before turning and padding toward the leaders den. "Blurryvision, follow me, and you only." He finished with a growl, Greycloud glaring after them through tapered eyes.

"Brownleaf, Thornbloom." She eventually acknowledged the familiar faces from the gathering with the polite dip of her head. What better way to scare away tension then being friendly? But obviously, that wasn't on their minds. Brownleaf curled her lip in the beginnings of a snarl.

"Don't talk to us, tree huggers." She spat, refocusing her attention in the direction of where the two had disappeared.

She grumbled below her breath, her tail tip twitching irritably. Tree huggers? That would be better suited for bears. As Greycloud scanned the camp, she caught the frightened gaze of Spiritkit staring straight at her. It wasn't every day that she saw an enemy clan enter the camp. In fact, this was her first time catching sight of them, of a clan she'd only ever been told bad things about.

Everything will be okay. She mouthed toward her brothers kit. The small, fluffy white kitten seemed to understand, as her ruffled fur smoothed along her back. She slid back into the Elders Den, out of sight. The rustling from Stormstar's den made everyone turn their heads, their ears perked up and claws digging into the dirt.

No one looked happy. The expression on Stormstar's face was furious, his eyes blazing with anger. Blurryvision looked troubled, his face twisted in frustration. Scarface, on the other paw, looked rather successful, as if he was glad seeing the grey tom mad.

"May all cats able to dive through the gorse unscathed gather beneath the High Rock for a clan meeting!" Stormstar yowled, even though most of his clanmates were already gathered below.

"Hmm." Greycloud softly grunted, shifting around her heavy weight. What was he going to do about this? CloudClan has been bothering them for far too long.

I hope he sends them away as soon as possible. She thought, worried.

"Cats of LightningClan," He started, his voice husky, "CloudClan thinks they can boss us around until they receive a strip of our territory." Outraged voices suddenly broke out beneath, turning threatening glares on the three standing bunched together at the thorn tunnel. It wasn't a surprise- but it was terribly infuriating to hear.

"Tell Rainstar if he wants our land, he can ask for it himself!" Hazelshine spat. "Not that we'll allow it." She said firmly.

"Go back and cower beneath the heather!" Tigerstripes snarled along with her.

"Greedy grass eaters!" Greycloud joined in, feeling pride swell within her as she watched the disgusted looks on the three intruders faces.

"Enough!" Stormstar broke in, before shooting an apologetic look at his clanmates. He leapt down from the High Rock, staggering to stand in front of Blurryvision and his small patrol.

Greycloud crept forward, her fur prickling with anger. Until these cats were out of their fur, she didn't think she'd feel very happy.

Let us hope a battle doesn't ever break out. The thought rushed into her mind like a tidal wave, as her tail wrapped around her hind leg. Surly they wouldn't fight them, and risk lives over a simple stretch of land?

"I suggest you leave now. Nightfall, Leopardspots, Featherglide, escort these three to the border. Take your apprentices with you." He said cooly, before turning toward his den.

"We don't need an escort-" Blurryvision scowled, before getting cut off and herded out by Nightfall.

They soon vanished out of sight, Leopardspots bringing up the rear. It was easy to say no one was in a happy mood, despite the relieving decision the leader made, clear that he wasn't as birdbrained as some.

Greycloud walked in the direction of the Elders Den, glad that the rain had finally stopped, revealing that it was nearly sundown.

She poked her head inside, smiling when she saw the elders telling the three small kittens stories.

"Hello, darling. How are you?" Rottingflower purred.

"Good, thank you. Just checking up on the little ones." She gazed affectionately at the bundle.

"They're doing well, decided to keep them busy with stories of the clan while Stormstar drove those mange-pelts back out to their own territory. Is your brother back from patrol yet?"

"Yes, would you like me to get Cloudfluff to come round up his silly kits?" She said in a teasing tone.

"No, no, just wondering." She replied softly, chuckling light-heartedly.

She dipped her head.

"Is Snowwing awake yet?" Spiritkit asked in a small voice, clearly still a little shaken from the unexpected arrival of Blurryvision and his friends.

"I don't think so. She has had a long day." Greycloud responded gently, gazing fondly at the small white kit.

Oh little one. What are we going to do with you, when you're a warrior?  Greycloud thought, noticing that the shine in the young one's eyes was unmistakably the shine of adventure.

"Sorry for interrupting, continue your story. Sparrowwing." She added, acknowledging the elder respectfully before backing out of the den.

Spiritkit glanced at Sparrowwing, excitement in her eyes. "Yes, continue the story!" She chirped.

You have a much longer, and different, story to enfold to, Spiritkit.

AUTHORS NOTE: Don't worry- the chapters WILL get longer, you'll just have to bear with me for one last short one after this. These are just chapters I wrote a long time ago, and I think they fit well with the story, so I'm just editing these and then uploading them. I just don't feel like there is any way I can add on to them much *shrug*. THANKS POOKIES! Remember to vote and comment :3