Warrior Cats: SkyClan Returns #2

Chapter Ten

Sandystar headed out with Lemonpelt's patrol. Moping around about Raphael won't help my clan, she told herself. They continued to walk through the life-abundant trees. Light dappled onto the forest floor from the trees. I've missed this. Sandystar looked at her cats. Lemonpelt was tasting the air for any dangerous scents. Robinpaw was trotting close next to Tallheart, his ears pricked. Cherrysong sniffed the ground.

"I smell something!"

She meowed, sniffing again. Sandystar tasted the air.

"Dog!"

She meowed, picking up the trail. It was fresh, probably from earlier today. The trail lead further away from the makeshift camp, but the dog could have doubled back.

"We have to find it. The camp could be in danger,"

Lemonpelt said.

"Stay alert. We don't want it to take us by surprise,"

The large yellow warrior led the patrol deeper into the forest. It was thick with brambles, and the gnarled roots of the trees stuck out of the ground. The forest was colder here, the dense leaves didn't let much sunlight in. A chill met Sandystar's spine.

"The scent is stronger here,"

Robinpaw said, veering of towards a patch of bracken. Sandystar tasted the air. He was right. The smell there was very recent, and the dog was likely nearby. Yet Sandystar was proud of Robinpaw's maturity. Most apprentices would lose their heads in a situation like this!

"You're right, Robinpaw. Let's go, but be careful. You don't know-"

Sandystar was cut of as an enormous tan dog exploded through the bushes. It was snarling, drool dripping from its massive yellow fangs. The dogs claws were unsheathed, and its pelt stood on end.

"Climb!"

Sandystar ordered. Robinpaw and Tallheart immediately scampered up a tall nearby oak. Cherrysong leapt up a different tree. Panic flooded Sandystar as she turned to flee up a tree behind Lemonpelt. The dog howled, tearing after Sandystar. Lemonpelt was already high up the tree above her.

Claws sunk into Sandystar's hind quarters. She let out a screech as the dog tore her from the tree. She turned and raked her claws across the mutt's muzzle. It growled, sinking its jaws into her neck. There was a battle cry from above. Lemonpelt hurtled himself at the dog with great force. The dog fell away from Sandystar, and Lemonpelt held onto the dog's back, raking his hind claws along its flank repeatedly. It yowled, rearing up on its hind legs and shaking the yellow tabby off. The dog turned and clawed at Lemonpelt's belly. Sandystar leapt onto the dog's back. It swiftly threw the sand coloured leader against a tree trunk with great strength. She tried to sit up, but was too dizzy to stand. She looked over to Lemonpelt, who was back on his feet, delivering sharp blows to the dog. Cherrysong ran down the tree, going Lemonpelt in attacking the dog. It kicked the ginger queen away, and bit down hard on Lemonpelt's shoulder. Cherrysong regained her feet and jumped on top of the dog, latching her teeth onto its ear, but it didn't release Lemonpelt. Lemonpelt raked his sharp claws across the dog's belly. The dog reared up, slamming his paws against Lemonpelt's throat. Cherrysong tore at the dog's ear, and it ripped, blood spattering onto Cherrysong's muzzle. The dog shook her off and ran into the trees.

"L-Lemonpelt?"

Cherrysong padded up to Lemonpelt, who was lying limp on the ground. Panic consumed Sandystar. She stumbled toward the warrior, her head still spinning. Blood bubbled up in Lemonpelt's mouth, dripping down his jaw, and his eyes glazed over.

"No!"

Sandystar cried. It's all my fault! Tallheart and Robinpaw raced toward Lemonpelt's lifeless body, looking forlorn.

"Find cobwebs! We have to stop the bleeding! Get Suntail!"

Sandystar ran off toward to trees. He can't be dead!

"Sandystar, it's too late!"

Tallheart called. Sandystar stopped. She panted, her heart racing.

"Sandystar,"

Cherrysong meowed softly. Sandystar hung her head. I'm Clan leader. I'm meant to keep my cats safe... Cherrysong walked up to the leader. She wrapped her tail around her shoulders. Sandystar could see sorrow in the ginger warrior's eyes.

"There's nothing we can do for him,"

She spoke sadly.

"Apart from bring his body back to his clan mates,"

Sandystar nodded subduedly. She watched as Robinpaw and Cherrysong hoisted Lemonpelt's body onto Tallheart's back. Her tail dropped as the patrol walked silently back to the camp. It was almost sundown now, and Sandystar barely had the energy to sit vigil for the fallen warrior, but there was no way she was going to miss it. As they entered the camp, the patrol was met with shocked gasps.

"Lemonpelt! What happened?"

Ashleaf ran up to Tallheart, who was leading. Stoneclaw and Hailforce quickly followed. Sandystar's heart sank. The two toms had been Lemonpelt's closest friends. The rest of the clan crept forward.

"Will he make it to StarClan?"

Greybird whispered.

"How could this happen?"

Fluffpelt gasped. Cherrysong explained the dog attack, while Tallheart carefully put Lemonpelt's body in the middle of the clearing. Ferretkit, Mosskit and Sparrowkit ran out, eyes wide.

"He was so brave,"

Cherrysong meowed.

"He went out fighting, like a warrior."

She said.

"He wouldn't have wanted to go any other way,"

Hailforce meowed quietly. Lilypatch pressed up against him comfortingly.

"We'll sit vigil for Lemonpelt tonight, and stay here a little longer,"

Ashleaf announced.

"But first, let's say our goodbyes to Lemonpelt,"

She turned to the yellow warrior's body.

"May you find good hunting, swift running, and shelter when you sleep,"

Stoneclaw was the first to touch his muzzle to his friend's still warm fur.

"Goodbye, old friend. You were the bravest cat I'd ever met. May you find peace with StarClan,"

He murmured, giving one last look at his denmate before walking away. Sleekfur, who was Lemonpelt's apprentice, took his place.