Warriors The Forbidden Journey: Heartless

Chapter Twelve- Sol

Rustle, rustle, is what I woke to, and felt my pelt being swept with wind. Squinting open my eyes, I see a two shaded figures step out of the warriors den, and quietly continue.

My eyes feel crusty as I release a low groan. I open my eyes fully, to see Blossomfall, Shateredrain, Icewing and Bumblestripe still dozing away the morning, except for the deputy who seems to be somewhat awake. Remembering what Foxstar had announced last night, I haul myself out of the corner and tip-toed around my pale, blue-eyed friend.

Now out in the snow-patched clearing, I spot the rest of the warriors waiting at the entrance. I quickly speed over. I greet Whitepaw a good morning, and remember it may be her last as an apprentice. I lick my paw and groom my forehead, not wanting anyone to see me untidy.

After a moment, Seedwhisker pipes up, "Shall we hunt while we wait?" She offers, and Foxstar ponders this. "We will wait. He won't be long." At this, the grey tom pads out of the den, and seeing us all, quicken his pace, like I.

I can't read if he is a slight bit embarrassed at his moment of lateness, or in deep thought, but either way his head was down, with eyes lost in thought.

Was this one of those signs that I'm looking for? I ask myself, and let the thought linger. As we pass through the shrubbery leading to our territory, Foxstar stops. "Now, I don't want to split up," he turns and faces the six of us, "so we have to move fast." I spelt a small whiff of fear from Whitepaw, "Mousewhisker and Onestream, you two can try to smell him, Ivypool and Bumblestripe, be and the ready for battle, and Seedwhisker and Whitepaw," he paused, "be on lookout."

We begin to move again, and I search the ground for any scent trail. Sol is smart, I think, he wouldn't go wondering around in our territory. I see Whitepaw anxiously whipping her head back and forth, and I go back to the ground. Any villain would to be able to kill leaders like they're mice. Foxstar must be scared to think the last two got killed within a quarter moon, and here he is- elected by the Clan.

I stop, mid step. "Foxstar," I start and the others turn back. "Why would Sol just go wandering in ThunderClan territory? He's not a stupid kittypet!" I remark and he blinks, "He was a kittypet." I begin to protest, but think not. Foxstar is the leader, he knows best, I try to persuade myself.

As we march down to the lake, I wonder where Foxstar is taking us. The soon dewed grass turns to the cold, white sand, and we take a right towards ShadowClan. It seems the other warriors wonder, as their eyes precede.

"Everyone," the leader says, "we're heading to ShadowClan camp." We all look up in surprise. Why would we go there? I ask myself, and Foxstar seems to answer, "At last Gathering, I asked one of their young warrior if Sol was hiding there.

"He said some rouge had been off and on their territory, so they were trying to catch him. I think we're going help them- to both of our advantages," he finished.  We look at each other, approving the new leaders idea.

"Are we just going to barge into their camp and ask Rowanstar if he's sleeping in their territory or something?" Seedwhisker asks sarcastically, looking expectantly at Foxstar, who replied with, "Yes. Yes we are."