Warrior Cats Fanfiction: The Six Trials Series (Book 1): Black Clouds

Chapter 4 - Snow Heart

What is it now? Snow Heart grumbled to himself as he plopped down next to the fresh-kill pile. There was some sort of racket going on outside of the thorn tunnel.

Snow Heart had had a tiring morning. First, he'd been asked to change the elders bedding with Snake Step. That was no fun because Snake Step was always rude to every cat. Next, Snow Heart had had a training session with the two apprentices, their mentors Cloudy Sky and Ivy Leaf, and also Soft Ear and Flame Foot. Then he'd gone on the mid-morning hunting patrol. Now he was ready to relax.

The racket outside the entrance tunnel turned out to be the mid-morning border patrol. Nightshade and Cloudy Sky rushed right towards Spotted Star's den, meowed their presence, and went quickly inside. Hare Paw bounded over to his sister Dapple Paw, who was also beside the fresh-kill pile, and began telling her a long and detailed story about how he got into a fight with a GoldClan apprentice on the border. 

Soft Ear looked around and spotted Snow Heart. She bounded over to him with her tail high. Snow Heart could tell his sister was excited.

"GoldClan scent has been found on this side of the border!" she mewed when she reached him. "And Jay Wing swears he saw Hawk Feather cross the border, but Hawk Feather denies it."

"Are you sure?" Snow Heart asked, surprised. "Hawk Feather 's always been a good and honest cat, and you'll have to admit, Jay Wing has always been a little mysterious."

"Oh, so you're siding with a cat from a different Clan, are you?" Soft Ear meowed accusingly.

"I am not – oh, let's forget it, okay?" Snow Heart meowed. "Remember, we're both going to the Gathering tonight. Let's get some rest." He stood up and began to head across the clearing towards the warrior den.

"I'll join you after I've eaten," Soft Ear mumbled with her mouth already full of starling.

Snow Heart flicked his tail in reply.

*      *      *

When he woke up, Soft Ear was snoring gently beside him, and evening light was shining faintly outside the den.

Careful not to disturb his sister, Snow Heart climbed out of his nest and picked his way around the other sleeping warriors. Cloudy Sky muttered in his sleep when Snow Heart accidentally stepped on his tail, but he did not wake.

As Snow Heart stepped out of the den, he noticed the clearing was empty. Then movement flickered among the ferns as Spotted Star paced the clearing. He was probably either nervous or excited, since this was the first Gathering after the Long Journey.

Back at the old hunting grounds, there had been only one Clan, but they had met with some loners and kittypets, as well as a few rogues. These were cats not quite suited to Clan life, but not distancing themselves entirely.

Spotted Star waved his tail at Snow Heart when he saw him. The Clan leader suddenly started, bristling, when a huge yawn sounded inside the den he was passing. Hare Paw poked his head out with a sleepy look on his face. He emerged into the clearing with Dapple Paw on his heels. Spotted Star glanced at them, then resumed his pacing.

Gradually the clearing filled up. When it was twilight, the Clan leader climbed up to the High-branch, and yowled his summons to the Clan. Those not already in the clearing quickly joined their Clanmates.

"I know I have already chosen the patrol that is going to the Gathering, but it seems that a few cats have forgotten," Spotted Star meowed sharply, and turned his gaze to Sweet Water and Flower Stem who were staring sheepishly at their paws. "I shall name the cats again. Senior warriors Moon Frost and Deer Leap, apprentice Dapple Paw, young warriors Snow Heart, Soft Ear Flower Stem, Leaf Flower and Flame Foot, and warriors Mist Pelt, Minnow Chaser, Jay Wing, Clover Splash, Light Foot, Mint Flame, Star Dust and Rose Leaf.