Warriors: The Curse: Book #2 A Shadow Lurking

Chapter 1

Firestar sat under the Moss Rock, watching his clan do their daily routines. Blazeheart was sorting patrols. Spottedleaf and Birdpaw were out collecting herbs.

He heard some squeals from the front of the nursery and saw his kits, Flamekit, Whitekit, and Palekit, playing with Silverstream's kits, Shimmerkit and Ripplekit. He purred as he saw the kits playing clan together and he got up and padded over to them.

Flamekit came bounding over to him. "Firestar!" She squealed. "We're playing clan and my name is Flamestar!"

Firestar bent down and touched noses with his daughter. "And what is your clans name?" He asked.

Flamekit puffed out her chest. "FlameClan!" She said proudly. She beckoned the other kits forward. "And this is my deputy, Ripplefur, and my warriors, Shimmerlight, Palefur, and Whitefoot.

"It looks like you have a nice, strong clan!" Said Sandstorm, padding up to stand by Firestar. Firestar licked her cheek then dropped down into a crouch.

"I'm the great Firestar or FireClan!" He growled playfully. "I bet you can't defeat me!"

"Attack!" Yowled Flamekit. All five kits pounced on Firestar, taking him by surprise. He stumbled backward and fell on his side. By now almost all the warriors in the clearing were watching in amusement.

"And our great leader has been beaten!" Purred Twistedclaw in amusement. "Can I be the new deputy Blazeheart?"

Firestar got up and shook out his pelt. "I haven't been beaten!" Exclaimed Firestar. "Not quite yet!"

Blazeheart came up and nudged his shoulder. "It's ok Firestar. You can admit it. You've been beaten by kits."

Bluefur came padding up to them. "Hey Blazeheart can I go on patrol with Rainfrost, Nightfur, Mistyfall, and Sageheart?" Blazeheart licked her ear. "Of course."

"Thanks!" She called, while bounding over to join the rest of the patrol.

"You know I think I could go with some hunting," said Firestar. "I think I'll gather a hunting patrol."

He dipped his head to Blazeheart and padded over to the empty freshkill pile where Yellowfang, Graystripe, and Sedgefrond were. It was almost Leaf-bare so prey was scarce.

"Would you guys like to join a hunting patrol with me?" He asked.

Graystripe immediately jumped up. "I'd love to! Come on Yellowfang and A Sedgefrond." Firestar watched his friend run over to the entrance of the camp.

He heard Yellowfang suppress a sigh before padding over to join him. Sedgefrond got up and stretched her back before going with Firestar to the edge of camp where Graystripe and Yellowfang were waiting.

"Let's go!" Said Graystripe, starting to race out of camp. Firestar quickly planted a paw on his tail before he could get away. "Not so fast Graystripe!" He said. "I'm leading the patrol."

Graystripe drooped his tail and followed Firestar from behind. "Fine," he mumbled as he followed Firestar through the forest.

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Firestar, Graystripe, Yellowfang, and Sedgefrond deposited their freshkill on the pile.

"Hey Firestar!" Called Russetpaw. Firestar padded over to his apprentice who was sitting by the apprentices den with her littermates, Bloodpaw and Ashpaw.

"Yes Russetpaw?" He asked.

Russetpaw glanced at Ashpaw, who was looking at the ground in embarrassment. "Ashpaw here says that you're the best leader TreeClan could ever have!"

"I-I didn't say that," Ashpaw protested.

Firestar nudged the apprentice and gave her ear a quick lick. "It's okay Ashpaw. No need to be embarrassed. Why don't you three go hunting alone by yourselves."

Russetpaw's eyes lit up. "Really! Thanks Firestar! We'll catch lots of prey!" Firestar watched the apprentices dash out of camp.

He went and sat under the Moss Rock. Everything was peaceful, or as the clan would think.

But he knew trouble was coming. A battle. And only he could save them. He sighed and looked at the ground. A few moments had passed before he felt someone nudge his shoulder. He looked up to see Spottedleaf. Her green eyes were filled with concern.

"Is everything alright?" She asked.

Firestar nodded his head and licked her ear. "I'm fine," he said before walking away.

"Firestar!" Yowled a voice. He whipped around to see Bluefur standing at the head of a patrol, her hair on end.

He ran over to her and halted right in front of her. "What is it!" He demanded.

"We scented a fresh fox scent on our territory," panted Rainfrost.

"By the NightClan border," Nightfur added.

Firestar nodded his head to Bluefur. "Lead me there." He flicked his tail to the rest of the patrol. "You four come too."

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Firestar halted behind Bluefur by the NightClan border.

"It was right here," said Bluefur.

Firestar lowered his head to the ground and slightly parted his jaws. A fox definitely has been here. And not to long ago.

"A fox wasn't here not to long before you found this," he said.

Then be caught the scent of a NightClan cat. One NightClan cat.

Foxstar.

He jumped back, his fur spiking up. "Firestar," demanded Mistyfall, coming up to him. "What is it?"

Firestar let his gaze rest on the she-cat. "Foxstar," he simply said. Sageheart jumped up. "That fox-hearted traitor!" She snarled. "We should've known it was him!"

"I bet he's trying to destroy all the clans too!" Bluefur chimed in.

Firestar flicked his tail to silence them. "Whatever Foxstar has done, it will not be acceptable. I will announce it at the gathering tomorrow and if it happens again, we will be prepared to fight."

Nightfur glared at him. "Be prepared for battle!" He snarled. "We need to go in to battle! I say we fight!"

Firestar returned the glare back to the warrior. "And when were you made leader, Nightstar!" He snapped. "I'm leader! I make the decisions! That's all there is to it!"

Nightfur turned his head away from Firestar. Rainfrost rested her tail lightly on her mate's shoulder. "Firestar's just doing what right," she said soothingly. Nightfur licked her ear before padding back to camp, casting one last glare at Firestar.

Bluefur came up to him and licked his ear. "It's ok," she said. "Nightfur's just mad is all."

Firestar gave her a crooked smile before padding back to camp. Whatever Foxstar was up to, it would for sure cause danger in all the clans.