Warriors: The Curse: Book #2 A Shadow Lurking

Chapter 3

"The cats coming with me to NightClan are Blazeheart, Russetpaw, Rainfrost, and Twistedclaw!" Yowled Firestar.

He jumped down from the Moss Rock and padded to the camp entrance to wait for his patrol. His apprentice, Russetpaw, immediately came bounding over to him.

"Yes! We're going to NightClan! What will we do? How many cats will be there? Will there be a battle? What will we talk about? Will we get to see Foxstar? Does NightClan stink? Do they ever wash themse-"

"Russetpaw!" Rainfrost scolded her daughter. "Quit asking questions anf sit down!"

"Yes Rainfrost," Russetpaw mumbled, clearly disappointed.

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"Firestar what if NightClan doesn't take it so easily?" Asked Twistedclaw. "They will!" Firestar snapped for what seemed like the one hundredth time. "Just trust me Twistedclaw!"

From the corner of his eye, Firestar saw Blazeheart give his brother a quick lick on the ear. "You worry to much Twistedclaw," he purred in amusement. Firestar snorted and padded on ahead.

"Firestar what if-" Russetpaw began. Firestar put his tail over her mouth to silence her. "Don't ask anymore questions," he said through gritted teeth.

"Yes Firestar," she said, continuing to pad on beside him.

"Firestar!" Yowled a voice from up ahead.

"Great StarClan!" Firestar groaned. "How many more cats are going to yell my name!"

He looked up to see Foxstar with a patrol of his own, made up of Branchclaw, Shadowbreeze, and Owlpaw.

"Foxstar!" Firestar said in surprise. Foxstar sat down with his patrol at the edge of the border. Firestar padded up to the border and sat down in front of the ginger tom.

For once Foxstar's eyes were filled with horror and fear. "What is it?" Firestar asked.

Foxstar stared at him. "I-I don't know what I was thinking, teaming up with the dark forest... W-with Tigerstar! Firestar that's not me! I guess I was just filled with grief when I became leader of NightClan... And murdered Oakstar. B-but I'm sorry... And I was in the dark forest last night. Tigerstar wants to destroy all the clans!"

Firestar stared at the leader in surprise. So Foxstar does have a nice side! "Let me get this straight, Mr. 'Oh I'm so sorry for murdering all these cats! Please forgive me!' What you're saying is that you were in the dark forest... And Tigerstar wants to kill all the clans..."

Foxstar nodded quickly, a pleading look in his eye. "Please believe me!"

"Of course I believe you!" Firestar said. "I had the same dream Foxstar!"
Foxstar stared at him in astonishment. "You did?" Firestar nodded.

"Ok then I have a plan!" Foxstar said, standing up. "The clans must unite to prepare for this battle that lies ahead of us! We must tell the other leaders and have cats from all four clans in each of the camps!"

Firestar nodded in agreement. "How about we send these cats to the other clans and we'll get cats from all four clans tomorrow?"

Foxstar nodded quickly. "Great thinking Firestar!"

For once, Firestar saw warmth and pride in the leader's eyes.

"I couldn't have had a better apprentice," he said out of the blue. Firestar dipped his head to him. "T-thankyou Foxstar."

Foxstar nodded and stood in front of the cats. "All of you!" He yowled. "Go to BreezeClan and StreamClan and tell them our plan!"

The cats nodded and dashed off. "Firestar do you have any kits that can be made apprentices?" Foxstar asked urgently. Firestar nodded. "Yes, Ripplekit and Shimmerkit."

"Then we need to get back to your camp and make them apprentices. They should go to different clans."

Firestar looked at the ground uneasily. "Um I don't know how Graystripe or Silverstream will like that but we'll give it a shot."

Foxstar nodded in approval. "Lead me to your camp Firestar."

Firestar dashed into the forest, Foxstar on his heels.

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"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Moss Rock for a clan meeting!"

Cats immediately gathered beneath the Moss Rock. Most were glaring at Foxstar, who was standing right next to him.

"We have no time to explain, but this cat has changed!" Firestar yowled. "He's on our side now! He's changed his ways and he wishes to say sorry!"

Foxstar dipped his head to his former clanmates. "I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused. I-I was just filled with grief. I didn't know what I was thinking."

Cats nodded their approval for him.

"Tigerstar is planning on destroying all the clans!" Firestar yowled. "We need to have cats from all for clans in all the camps! The other leaders have agreed to this and we're sending cats to the other camps at dawn!"

His clanmates nodded their approval.

"Silverstream! Graystripe!" Firestar called.

Graystripe looked up at him. "Yes Firestar?"

"How would you feel about Ripplekit and Shimmerkit going to RiverClan?"

Graystripe immediately nodded his approval. He glanced at Silverstream. Her eyes were glowing.

She must be thinking about Crookedstar, he thought.

"I'd be happy for my kits to be a part of RiverClan," she purred.

"Shimmerkit, Ripplekit, please come forward," Firestar said.

The two kits padded up to the bottom of the Moss Rock, looking rather proud.

"We don't have time to do a proper ceremony, but I name you Ripplepaw and Shimmerpaw. Icestar will decide your mentors."

"Shimmerpaw! Ripplepaw!"

Firestar looked over at Foxstar. He was also surprising calling the newly made apprentices names.

"Now!" Firestar yowled. "In NightClan I want Nightfur, Yellowfang, Bluefur, Twistedclaw, and Ashpaw!" He turned to Foxstar. "Are you ok with my choice of cats?" He asked. Foxstar nodded. "They all look like strong warriors," he agreed.

"In StreamClan I want Ripplepaw, Shimmerpaw, Sedgefrond, Blizzardclaw, and Silverstream!"

He looked down at Graystripe and Silverstream. Graystripe nodded, silently saying his approval to him.

"And in BreezeClan I want Bloodpaw Sedgefrond, and Sageheart."

The cats nodded their approval and started chatting excitedly. Firestar turned to Foxstar. "You better go back to your camp. You have a lot of planning to do." Foxstar nodded his agreement and touched noses with Firestar. Firestar watched his old mentor walk out of camp.

This was the start of battle.

*sigh* It's been so long! I'm sorry!
Anyways... Ooohh! Major plot twist! :o