Warriors: A New Light (Book 1)

~ Chapter Five ~

Greycloud

Greycloud slunk through the gorse tunnel, Berryfrost and Cocobean trailing not far behind her. It's been several days since Stormstar's last meeting, and CloudClan scents had gotten stronger. None of the clans cats had actually been seen, which left them with a lingering question. Were they dodging the one night patrol and sneaking in here throughout the night? If that was the case, they'd have to set a cat on watch at the river during nighttime until they finally watched the culprits. But they didn't know anything for sure.

Blackpaw and Owlpaw had been made apprentices yesterday, and had been apprenticed to Tigerstripes and Cloudfluff, both strong and capable warriors. There were tons of apprentices in the clan, nearly every warrior had one, which was a good sign. When Leafbare came, they'd have plenty warriors to hunt.

Greycloud padded in the direction toward the river, her muscles tense. CloudClan scent was faint, but it was definitely still there.

"Do you think they'll be there?" Greycloud's former apprentice Berryfrost asked, her voice tinged with nervousness.

"I'm not entirely sure. I guess you never really know, but let's hope we catch them in the act so we can confront them." She said firmly, her two friends nodding in agreement. They had to be dealt with. Better sooner then later, too.

They picked up the pace, quietly trotting through the thick ferns, leaving faint paw prints in the dirt. Suddenly a fierce whisper made them stop in their tracks. It came from ahead, followed by a few more whispers, quieter this time.

Cocobean raised an eyebrow, the fur along her neck fluffing up. Could it possibly be who they thought it was?

Greycloud risked a step closer, glancing through the leaves. And right before her was exactly who'd they'd hope it'd be.

Standing on LightningClan's side of the river were two CloudClan warriors, their fur ruffled as if they hadn't remembered what grooming was. Why did they seem so scared? It seemed to her that their fur was one end to full extent. What had gotten them so shook?

Greycloud eyed her clanmates, nodding her head. They nodded back, being trained enough times to understand. After they searched the bank for any other cats, and scanning it clear, Berryfrost snuck off away from Greyclouds right, while Cocobean her left. They quietly circled the two cats, who seemed to be busy arguing with each other.

Once the three were in position, they leapt out, circling the two shocked intruders. They hissed, their tails sticking out straight and their eyes wild with terror, as if they'd just been caught by dead spirit cats with wings. Dead spirit cats with wings, hah!

"Just what are you doing here?" Greycloud demanded, throwing as much authority into her voice as she could muster. Neither of them responded to her right away, in fact, they looked like they were trying to look for an excuse.

"She asked you a question, we expect you to answer." Cocobean said, her voice so calm and cold it kind of chilled Greycloud. If they didn't talk to Greycloud, they'd surly talk to her.

Finally, the cat Greycloud at last recognized as Sorrelflame, spoke, her voice seemingly strained. "We're not saying mousedung." Her companion, standing closely beside her, nodded his head, his eyes darting here and there, as if he was being watched.

"Come with us. Put a paw out of line and you'll regret coming here in the first place." Greycloud snapped, slowing backing up and motioning for her clanmates to counter in and give them no option but to follow.

"You're taking us nowhere-" The white tom protested, flexing his claws and quickly moving sideways before Berryfrost roughly shoved him over. "We said not a paw out of line. Three against two if you hadn't realized." She rolled her eyes as if that was the most obvious thing in the world. And it was. It really was.