Warrior Cats: SkyClan Returns #2

Chapter Six

The sun was rising quickly, and the clan still hadn't left the wood heap. Sandystar had sent warriors out to hunt, but so far all that had been caught were three scrawny mice that lived in the wood heap. Goldcloud felt her belly rumble. How long can we survive without trees? She wondered. There weren't even any traveling herbs to strengthen SkyClan's cats.

Raphael's scent hit Goldcloud's nose. She turned around. Sandystar had asked him to lead a patrol, because he knew the area and how to hunt there better than any warrior. He entered the wood heap, closely followed by Tallheart, Robinpaw, Hailforce and Greysquirrel. A huge magpie hung from Raphael's jaw. Her mouth watered at the smell of prey. Tallheart and Greysquirrel had two sparrows each. Hailforce carried a pigeon, and Robinpaw proudly carried a squirrel and a thrush. Cats gathered around them, impressed.

"How did you catch all of this?"

Sandystar asked, amazed. Goldcloud wondered the same thing. Although skilled hunters, the cats were still weak from hunger.

"I sent Ashleaf, Lemonpelt, Fernpelt and Hazelpaw out before, and they couldn't even find any prey!"

Raphael dropped his catch and licked his paw swiftly.

"They didn't know where to look,"

He replied calmly.

"If you like, I can take a few more cats out?"

Raphael offered.

"Could you?"

Sandystar asked. He nodded.

"Okay. Take Owlpelt, Sleekfur, Limepaw and Flaxclaw,"

She instructed. Raphael dipped his head respectfully and lead the selected cats out of the wood heap. He would make a good warrior, Goldcloud told herself. Maybe he could join us...

Robinpaw padded up to her. Goldcloud noticed that he was limping, favouring his left foot.

"Robinpaw! What happened?"

She asked. The tortoiseshell apprentice held up his paw. A large thorn was sticking out.

"I was chasing a squirrel through a rosebush. I caught it, though. Thanks to Raphael. He's great! He taught me - ouch!"

Robinpaw winced as Goldcloud tugged the thorn out. He pulled it away and licked up the blood.

"Just keep licking it. I'll see if I can find some dock leaves,"

She ordered, leaving the young cat licking at his wounds. Outside the wood heap, there was nothing but grass and thistles. Raphael might know. She thought, but the tabby loner was out hunting. Robinpaw is just going to have to be careful for now.