Ghosts of the Clans (COMPLETED)

Chapter 26

"I have just found out that the Dark Forest is going to attack." Blackstar yowled, his amber eyes scanning the crowd. "Oh, StarClan." Applefur breathed, shrinking back. Tigerheart nudged her straight. "Act normal," the dark brown tabby tom hissed, though his eyes were wide as well. 

Cries of horror rose from the cats. "How will I protect Weaselkit and Grasskit?" Pinenose wailed and her mate, Starlingwing pressed closer. "I'll protect you," the ginger tom meowed. Redwillow snorted. Both of them were barely warriors- how would they survive a horde of well-trained warriors?

"So, I'm planning for ShadowClan to train harder than ever. We'll be uniting with the other Clans to defeat the Dark Forest, and I need every single one of you to pitch in to help with our defenses." Blackstar's gaze fixed on Redwillow, Ratscar, Tigerheart and Applefur, who were clumped together at the back, Applefur's mottled fur still bristling. "Of course, Blackstar. We're all loyal to ShadowClan!" Olivenose called out, her dark green eyes sparkling. Redwillow barely managed not to roll his eyes.

"Alright. If I've got all your support, the leaders have planned to send two messengers from each Clan in case we need help, as well as three cats to each Clan. For that part, we can do it tomorrow. But today, we'll need to practise. Rowanclaw, organise some hunting patrols. But mainly focus on fighting skills." Blackstar leaped down and Redwillow and the others exchanged glances.

"What do we do?" Applefur's whisper was stricken as her green eyes darted from side to side. Redwillow snorted. "Why, it's obvious! We tell the Dark Forest... tonight. And they can organise us." Ratscar slowly nodded. "Then we can volunteer if they need us." Tigerheart flicked his tail on Applefur's shoulder. "Then you won't have to worry about being killed," he teased the she-cat, but she flinched instead, drawing back.

Redwillow heaved a sigh. "Applefur, you don't have to be so scared- unless you have something to hide from the Dark Forest." "No- no, I don't!" Applefur's voice came out as a squeak of fear. "Then gather yourself." Ratscar told her roughly.

"Tigerheart, go with Shrewfoot and Owlclaw to hunt at the marsh. Redwillow and Applefur, you two may train with Pouncetail and Crowfrost." Rowanclaw yowled. "Alright." Redwillow headed towards the other two warriors, deliberately avoiding eye contact with his father.

That day when Pouncetail had came back to camp with scratches all over his pelt, he had lied that he got into a fight with a rogue- covering for Redwillow. Though Redwillow was grateful, he had flinched at the 'rogue' part as it reminded him of Penny. And well, his feelings for the brown tabby tom hadn't exactly thawed, either.

"We're going to start with partner fighting. Redwillow, you can work with Pouncetail," Crowfrost instructed. Redwillow glared at his father. "Can I work with Applefur or you instead?" Pouncetail said nothing except to sit down, curling his tail around his paws, though Redwillow caught a flash of sadness in the yellow depths.

Crowfrost glanced from father to son, then shook his head. "You can work with the rest of us later. But for now, you're with Pouncetail. And I don't expect you to tell me what's going on."

Redwillow sighed. Despite the Dark Forest training being kept a secret, he sometimes wished that the living cats knew about it. And he was stuck with his father in the end anyway.