Sunset {A Completed Warriors Fanfiction}

Chapter 14; Thornclaw

Thornclaw sat contentedly next to Thrushwing, eating the blackbird and glancing over at his cousin and Silverfeather. "There may be some new kits in the clan soon," he mewed, not knowing if he was referring to Oakpelt and Silverfeather or himself and Thrushwing. Thrushwing nodded and stood up.

"I'll be right back, I need to speak with Graystar," Thrushwing apologized.

As Thornclaw watched his mate disappear, he heard Brightherb run. She quickly emerged from the medicine cat's den, gasping for breath. "Treeclan! Th-they'll destroy our clan!" Brightherb exclaimed.

Cats started to freak out. Dustylight ran to Graystar's den. After a few moments, Graystar emerged, as did Dustylight and Thrushwing. "Let all cats who can catch their own prey gather beneath the gathering hill! Brightherb, as I'm sure you all heard, has received a prophecy. Treeclan is a threat!"

As Graystar spoke, cats started speaking, each trying to be louder then the other.

"We have to attack!" One cat yowled.

"But what about the kits?" Silverwing fretted, looking at Oakpelt.

"What future will the kits have if we don't protect them now?" Dustylight countered.

"We aren't ready to prepare for a huge battle like that! It could lead to war!" Oakpelt exclaimed.

"Silence!" Graystar yowled. The cat voices died down. "We will have a vote. Cats who want to fight, on the side of the camp by the entrance! The cats who don't, next to the medicine cat's den!"

Cats looked around and murmured among themselves. Thornclaw looked at Thrushwing as Silverwing hurried to the medicine cat's den. Oakpelt followed close behind. As the realization that his cousin's mate was expecting kits hit him, he found himself questioning  his first decision of fighting. But after studying Thrushwing's expression, he decided. They had to fight! They had absolutely no other choice. Walking with Thrushwing, who gave a tiny nod to Graystar, Thornclaw went towards the entrance. He was surprised to see that, along with most of the clan, Brightherb sat by the entrance, calmly grooming herself.

"That decides it! We will fight. All cats, regardless of what they voted, must prepare. This is excluding elders, queens, and kits. Also, I have some sad news. Thrushwing has decided she should step down from being deputy. Oakpelt is the new deputy!" Graystar exclaimed.

"Oakpelt! Oakpelt! Oakpelt!" the clan chanted.

The clan split up, going to work. Several patrols were sent out to hunt as the remaining cats headed to the mossy lagoon, Thornclaw among them. He padded to the place where he fell in love, Thrushwing next to him. When they arrived, everyone split into two groups. Dustylight stood between the two groups.

"Each group must fight to get a stick from the other side. Now, strategize and hide the sticks!" Dustylight declared. Thornclaw and Thrushwing gathered with their group.

"I have an idea!" Thornclaw hissed. "Big warriors protect the border while an apprentice hides the stick. When the match starts, a few cats guard the border while the others split into two groups, one protecting the stick, and one pretending to protect it." After quietly announcing his plan, his teammates were silent.

"I say we go for it," Thrushwing mewed supportively. Thornclaw smiled and the rest of the group agreed. The warriors stood tall, scoping the other territory while Yellowpaw hid the stick with Littlepaw. Once they came back, the group protected two different places, leaving only Thrushwing and Thornclaw to get the other team's stick.

"Ready? Go!" Dustylight exclaimed. Thrushwing and Thornclaw darted forward, scouring the territory.

Just as Thornclaw spotted the stick, Sunpelt stepped in front of him. "You can't pass!" he growled in a friendly manner.

"Oh, I may not be passing but someone else is," Thornclaw smirked. Sunpelt cocked his head, obviously confused. By the time he realized what was happening, Thrushwing was brushing past, the stick in her mouth. She crossed the border.

"Victory to Thornclaw's team!" Dustylight exclaimed. Thornclaw and his team gathered around, cheering happily.

The warriors went back to camp, nodding as they approached Oakpelt. "Can you guys split into pairs and hunt?" he asked. Everyone nodded and left, Thornclaw and Thrushwing together. They went out into the forest before stopping, breathing in the scents of prey. Thrushwing twitched her ears to a squirrel and they nodded, stalking on opposite sides. Thornclaw stepped on a stick and the squirrel ran right into Thrushwing's claws, who buried it. They continued to hunt.

=-=-=after hunting=-=-=

Thrushwing and Thornclaw walked back to camp, carrying three mice, a squirrel, and a robin. After arriving in camp, they put they prey on the giant pile. Each taking a mouse, they ate side by side before going to sleep.

A/N

Yay for longer chapter! Hope you liked it! Sorry it took so long, my updating may be delayed a little now.