Warrior Cats: Darkness Rising. (2/3)

Chapter 8

Oakshade's heart thudded in his chest when Shadowclan scent touched his nose, more scents than just Blueleaf's. The other Thunderclan cats must've noticed too, because they poured out of their dens, shoulders braced, claws unsheathed. It's a trick! Oakshade's eyes widened when Rowanstar burst into camp with a large patrol of Shadowclan cats and Windclan cats on his heels. "Attack!" Rowanstar and Bramblestar yowled at the same time. He let out a yowl when Rabbitspring barreled into him. Oakshade clawed at his nose and ducked when Rabbitspring swiped at his ears. But to his dismay, Rabbitspring used one of Oakshade's favorite tricks. He'd lifted a paw, and when Oakshade ducked he swiped heavily at Oakshade's cheek, sending him crashing to the ground. He felt his own blood run through his pelt, and stabbing pain shot through him when Rabbitspring dug his claws into Oakshade's haunches. He twisted and swatted at Rabbitspring's neck. He opened a deep wound and blood gushed out of it. Oakshade scrambled to his paws. "Defend the nursery!" Icefeather yowl as she flung herself at a small tabby tom that was pinning Redpaw down. She dug her claws into his shoulders and tossed him away. Bumblestripe reared up onto his hind legs to meet Tigerheart blow for blow. Bramblestar hurled himself from the highledge and onto Crowfrost. Sootfall nailed Silkfeather to the ground while Coalfrost sent Stonetooth flying with an explosive back kick. Smokeheart batted Skypaw away as he tried to lunge at his throat, but almost immediately, Breezepelt slammed into his side, carrying him off his paws. Pinenose pinned Foxpaw to the ground as Icepaw and Hazelpaw tried to defend themselves from the merciless claws of Sparrowtail and Mistcloud. Whitewing slammed her paws down on Pinenose's haunches, dug her claws in before flinging her away. But Rippletail crashed into the white she-cat. Burrfur leaped into the air, twisted, and landed squarely on Mousewhisker's shoulders. His legs buckled underneath him and he collapsed to the ground. Nightstorm raked his claws down Gingerspeck's flanks before tossing her away. Then he twisted and sank his teeth into Blackbrook's shoulder, and she screeched in agony. Skyheart and Fernsong were locked in a fierce tussle while Cherryfall sent Starlingpaw reeling from the nursery with a blow to the cheek. Oakshade's head spun. They were losing! Relief flooded over him like a wave when the barrier rustled. Fernleaf and the others were back, filling the hollow with enraged screeches and furious battle cries. Then his eyes darkened when he saw a patrol of Shadowclan cats pouring in after them. Oakshade let out a yowl of fury before he leaped into the air. He twisted and landed on Russetclaw's back. He bit his neck and scrabbled at his back with his hind legs. The russet tom let out a yowl and collapsed. Oakshade raked his claws down his belly, and blood sputtered out of the wound. He let out a yowl of pain when Wingshade dug her claws into his haunches and tossed him away. He grunted when he landed. He scrambled to his paws, glaring at the black and white she-cat as she helped her clanmate to his paws. He raced over to Bramblestar who was just kicking Vixenpaw away before batting Nightcloud to the ground. "Bramblestar, someone has to go get help!" He yowled. "Watch out!" Bramblestar hissed at him and Oakshade spun around to see Rowanstar and Grassheart hurtling towards them. He snapped his head around to see Skyheart tearing across the clearing. "Rear when I flick my tail." Bramblestar ordered. Oakshade felt his heart thud as the three cats came closer, and then Bramblestar's tail brushed his leg and the two toms reared up, spine to spine. The three cats leaped at them, but Oakshade and Bramblestar were ready with outstretched claws and lashed at their opponents with fierce strikes. Together, they tore open deep wounds on their enemies' faces, and he felt warm blood spatter out onto his brown paws. He felt flesh tear open as he sliced at Grassheart. He ducked when Rowanstar swiped at his ears before swiping at his chest. Pain shot through him when Grassheart opened his cheek with sharp claws. Oakshade lifted a paw and both Rowanstar's and Grassheart's gazes followed it. But just then, he sliced up with the other front paw at Grassheart's cheek, sending the she-cat flying backwards before lunging at Rowanstar's throat. He planted both paws on either side of the Shadowclan leader's head and dug them in as he clamped his jaws shut around his skin and sank his teeth into his flesh. The salty tang of blood filled his nostrils and blood gushed out into his mouth, gagging as he ripped the flesh open. Then he dragged his paws to Rowanstar's chest before pushing and dislodging his teeth, and the dark ginger leader fell to the ground. Oakshade didn't know if he was dead or unconscious, but his eyes widened in fear. What have I done? Whipping around, he faced Bramblestar. He stood in front of Rowanstar, hiding the body from his leader. "We have to get help!" He yowled as he watched Goosewing slam Hollytuft to the ground, paws on her chest. Bramblestar nodded. "Go to Windclan first and then Riverclan." He mewed. Oakshade cocked back his head. "But Windclan are attacking!" He yowled. "Not with their leader's permission." Bramblestar replied grimly. "Go now." He mewed before charging into Nightcloud's flank as she pinned Lionblaze to the ground. Oakshade's breath got caught in his throat as he bolted out of camp. Silverpelt blazed over the trees as he pelted through the forest, ignoring the branches and thorns that slashed at his face. His wounds burned in agony, but he pushed his pain away. He flew over the stream that bordered Windclan and Thunderclan, and Windclan scent crashed into his face. He charged up the hills towards the camp. Finally, he saw the hollow. He launched himself through the barrier, his fear scent filling the camp. Larkstar stood in the middle of the clearing, Swanfeather and a few other senior warriors by her side. Thistlepaw let out a screech as he bolted out of his den, but his mentor, Newtscale, leaped in front of him, blocking his way. Larkstar hurried towards him. "Are my cats attacking your camp?" She asked, not even trying to hide the worry in her voice. He nodded, panting. Larkstar gritted her teeth. "What kind of a leader am I when I can't even control my own cats?" She asked no one in particular. "Please, we ask Windclan for help." He mewed. Crowfeather padded up to Larkstar. "We have to help them, one of their cats has already died for us, if not more." He mewed, and Oakshade knew he was referring to Leafpool, who sacrificed herself for the Windclan warrior. Larkstar straightened herself. "Of course we'll go and help them." She mewed. "Featherpelt, Ravenwing, Poppypool, Newtscale, Heathertail, Stormheart, Rainfur, Smokeflight, Gorsetail, Speckleleaf, Snowstorm, Crowfeather, Honeypaw and Mistypaw, you're coming with me to Thunderclan." She yowled before turning back to Oakshade. "Are you going to Riverclan?" She asked, and Oakshade nodded. "Yes." He mewed. Larkstar dipped her head before flicking her tail and sprinting up the slope, the patrol of Windclan cats on her heels. Oakshade turned to see Thistlepaw glaring at him. "Get out of our camp." He hissed. Oakshade's eyes widened before he spun around and bolted up the slope.

His legs ached with exhaustion and his body burned in pain by the time he reached the Riverclan camp. Leopardheart was on watch, and she sprang to her paws when he hurtled out of the undergrowth. She let out a challenging yowl, but stopped abruptly when she saw how battered and bruised he was. His wounds glowed in the moonlight, and the scarlet blood that dripped out of them left a trail as he followed her into the camp. "Wait here." She ordered him before she bounded away to Reedstar's den. Oakshade felt worry pricking at him like thorns. His clanmates could be dying right now. If he'd be too late, his clan could be driven away from their home, or even worse, they could be wiped out. Curious faces began to pop out of the dens, and one kit squeaked. "Firekit, let's chase him out of our camp!" And then two kits hurtled out of the nursery, with a silver she-cat shooting after them. She grabbed one by the scruff and dragged her backwards before swatting her paw down on a russet tom's tail. "I'm really sorry about that, Oakshade." She mewed through a mouthful of kit, her eyes wide. Oakshade nodded before rising again to his paws when Leopardheart emerged with Reedstar behind her. "What is it, Oakshade?" The Riverclan leader asked. To his relief, Oakshade had caught his breath again. "Shadowclan have attacked our camp with a few of Windclan cats too. Reedstar, we're getting slaughtered!" He mewed, panic surging up inside him. Reedstar's eyes widened before he beckoned his deputy towards him. "Foxflight!" He mewed and the russet tom came bounding towards him. "Guard the camp while I go help Thunderclan." He mewed. Foxflight's eyes widened, clearly uneasy about ruling the clan while his leader was away. But then he nodded and stepped back. "Icewing, Dawnfeather, Mudstripe, Milkflower, Minnowbreeze, Nightpool, Brackenpelt, Runningfire, Hawkclaw, Shimmerpelt, Lizardtail, Ivywhisker, Frecklefrost, Brightsky and Treeleaf, you're coming with me to Thunderclan." Then he turned again to Oakshade. "Lead the way, Oakshade." He mewed. Oakshade dipped his head, heart pounding in his chest, as he led the Riverclan cats out of their camp.