Warriors: Dark Sky's - Book 1

- + CHAPTER 2 + -

LavenderPaw munched on a mouse she picked out of the fresh kill pile. ClawStar sat on the clan rock, purring as she watched her clan eat. She was content and calm, her tail flicking in joy. GloomPelt stood at her side, standing high and tall. He looked content, too, his tail swishing around on the rock. He watched everybody eat, but he wasn't purring. He just stood there. A she-cat trotted over to him, sharing tongues. They must be mates, LavenderPaw thought as she ate her food. She was filling her belly when PineTail came over to her, his tail swishing.
"Hi there, apprentice." He said, his voice young and warm. LavenderPaw swished her tail in delight as she silently crushed over him. But she was so young, and he.. he was.. something. PineTail looked at her confused and brushed his pelt against her.
"You okay?" He asked, his voice warm but concerned. She stopped eyeballing him and nodded her head yes. PineTail sat next to her and eyes her unfinished mouse.
"Mind if I have some?" He said, his voice full of hunger. LavenderPaw nodded her head yes immediately. We are sharing tongues without sharing tongues! LavenderPaw thought, her head crushing over him. She never felt this warm and comfortable next to a cat before. Just full of reluctance and fear. Who knows which cat will be trustworthy in this world? She felt so warm, so cozy. Was she really into this cat she JUST met?

PineTail dug into his mouse gratefully, licking his lips. The blood stained some of his chin fur and he tried his best to lick it off. He walked over to LavenderPaw, not far from him, and sat next to her, his fur and hackles lifted.
"Can I ask you of a favor?" PineTail reluctantly asked, lifting his chin up and making sure some blood was still there. LavenderPaw froze, her head spinning. What was he gonna ask of me? Does he like me too? LavenderPaw thought before snapping back to reality and awkwardly smiling at him.
"Sure, what do you need?" She asked, brushing her tail against his back fur. His hackles lifted down and he stationed himself down on the moss floor comfortably. LavenderPaw smiled and her entire body warmed in the crisp winds.
"Well, while I was eating that mouse, some of the leftover blood got on my chin fur, and I can't get it off. Could you help please?"
PineTail asked, facing her. He was staring at the sky and the beautiful sunset beforehand. LavenderPaw nodded her head and started grooming his lower chin fur, tasting the delicious blood in her mouth. She spat out some fur that sent loose in her mouth and she smiled as she finished.
"Thanks, LavenderPaw." He said before walking over to the warrior den and curling up in a ball.
You're welcome, LavenderPaw thought to herself. She made her way to the apprentice den, where her friend lied. She smiled and motioned her tail over to an empty nest. LavenderPaw sat in it, curling her legs into a loaf. Her scent entered the pine and moss covered nest, telling other apprentices that it was her sleeping spot. Her white furred friend smiled and yawned, curling up into a loaf as well.
"I haven't told you my name, haven't I?"
The white she-cat said, her voice small and quiet, respecting the other sleeping cats. LavenderPaw shook her head no, and the white she-cat stared at the outside sun shining its final light into the front of the den. She turned her head slowly and comfortably back at her friend and smiled.
"My name is SoftSnow." She said, smiling. She finally took her last yawn and told LavenderPaw goodnight. LavenderPaw said goodnight, too, and went to sleep.

LavenderPaw found herself in front of RiverClan's camp entrance, the rocks and flowing water thriving with fish and aquatic life. She saw her mother on the clan rock, and her tail swishing was beckoning her daughter to come near. LavenderPaw reluctantly walked over, crossing the rocks carefully. Even though it was a dream, LavenderPaw couldn't tell the difference. Her mother dimly smiled and the deputy sat next to her, his dark blue eyes glowing. Most of the camp was asleep.
"Come, my daughter. Do not be afraid." Her mother said, her voice soft and careful. The entire camp was sleeping, no wonder her voice was quiet.
"What do you want from me?" LavenderPaw asked, her voice trembling in fear. What was her mother and her doing? And why was she back in her childhood camp? Her mother scoffed, noticing her voice.
"Calm down, now. You are safe. We want you back." Her mother said, her voice quiet but cold. LavenderPaw shivered. Her mother betrayed her, looking over at her siblings more than her. She wasn't fed enough milk and was fostered by another RiverClan member. RippleStar, her mother, was cruel hearted to her. Which is why she left RiverClan to become a rouge.
"I'm not going back after the way you've treated me!" LavenderPaw yelled, her voice cold and loud. She didn't care for the sleeping warriors, queens, apprentices, kits, or elders. Her mother looked angry with her and scoffed, her tone changing menacingly.
"Very well then, my child. But keep your eyes wide and open. We will destroy you and ShadowClan." RippleStar said, her voice cold and menacing. LavenderPaw unsheathed her claws, flexing them in front of her mother. But her dream was over, and most of the apprentices were wide awake and left the den. SoftSnow was still lying there, next to her friend.
"Good morning! How was your sleep?" She asked, her voice cheerful and innocent. LavenderPaw shuddered and smiled awkwardly.
"Yeah, I guess you could say it was good. My dream wasn't, however." LavenderPaw said, her voice trailing off and shuddering. SoftSnow stood there, her eyes widened with concern.
"If you wish, you can always tell me. ClawsStar says I'm a great listener." SoftSnow said, her voice calm and quiet. She walked off of the den and to the fresh kill pile just a couple of feet away. LavenderPaw stretched and headed out of the apprentice den, but not to the fresh kill pile.
To ClawStar, to warn her about the danger the clan might be in. Her mother might be planning to attack, and they must take measures to protect the clan. She didn't want to fight this battle, for it would kill many. And that many might be her future mate, friend, and if she died, kits and family tree.