Leafshadow's War [Warrior Cats]

Chapter Seven

If Leafshadow was never woken up by Oatwhisker for the dawn patrol again, it would be too soon.

For the sixth time since the gathering, (yes, she'd been counting,) she'd been picked. She's got to lead it a couple of times, which was a nice surprise, but they was only if the deputy, Wolfsong or Cloudstorm had done it recently. No-one really liked doing the dawn patrol, except Featherstar, and he still wasn't fit to leave the camp much. Since many ShadowClan cats went out at night, they'd much rather sleep through the morning. But the dawn patrol had to be done - that was the time of day when other clans checked their borders, and it was necessary to check up on what they were doing.

She stifled a groan as she felt Oatwhisker prodding her flank with a forepaw, not at all inclined to move. "Dawn patrol, Leafshadow."

She sighed, blinking her eyes open, glancing around as the sand-coloured she-cat padded over to Inkpelt's nest and did the same thing. She knew resistance was futile, so she got up slowly, stretched, and padded into the empty camp, waiting by the entrance, giving her chest a quick groom.

The three warriors headed to the ThunderClan border in silence, Leafshadow trailing behind a little. Oatwhisker, as always, was intensely focused, and Inkpelt had always been the strong and silent type - Leafshadow was too tired to attempt conversation with either of them.

As much as she wanted to be in her nest right now, she had to admit, the forest looked pretty spectacular early in the morning. Fog seeped between the trees, dancing with the golden light of dawn. Dew had settled on the pine needles. Everything smelled really fresh, and birds called to each other high above their heads. She felt herself slowly becoming more alert as she took in the scenery, the scents, the sounds.

The atmosphere was spoiled, however, by the stench of ThunderClan. She froze, narrowing her eyes. I can't normally smell them this far back...

The tabby pushed forward to catch up to Oatwhisker. "I smell them already," she meowed. "They might've moved the border again."

Oatwhisker twitched her ears in acknowledgement. "Let's hope not. Thank StarClan for that nose of yours."

Inkpelt frowned, quickening his pace a little too. "You really smell them back here?"

Leafshadow nodded. "I've always had a sharp nose." She paused, then added, "I guess it compensates for the fact that I'm not all that strong."

The black tom looked impressed. As they reached the edge of the forest, Oatwhisker paused, holding up her tail suddenly. Stop, and be quiet.

The pair of warriors fell silent. The others could probably smell ThunderClan too, now that they were a little closer. Leafshadow scented the air again, then padded closer to the other she-cat, whispering, "There are definitely fresh ThunderClan scents - I think they're still there. Chances are they've moved the border right up to the edge of that grassy patch."

Oatwhisker flattened her ears. "Foxdung." She swallowed, forcing her fur to lie flat. "How many cats?"

"It's not a battle patrol, but there's least three. A warrior called Waterfrost might be with them - he was at the gathering."

They all stiffened as a branch snapped in ThunderClan's territory. Oatwhisker narrowed her eyes, lowering her tail slowly. "We'd better go and ask what's going on."

She staked out of the trees, Leafshadow and Inkpelt flanking her. She'd been right - the dappled grey tom, Waterfrost, was part of the patrol. There were three other cats with him - a small, ginger apprentice, a young white tom with large paws, and a brown she-cat with dark amber eyes. Leafshadow let her neck-fur bristle, not holding back regarding showing all the hostility she could. Waterfrost caught Oatwhisker's eye, his expression and posture cold and calm. "Not a step further, Oatwhisker."