Blighting Flame

Chapter 13

Warriors Series: Fanfiction

Book One: Blighting Flame

Chapter Thirteen

*GORE WARNING*

Blossoms were slowly bundling up, in the last stretch of the day. The branches of the cherry blossom tree shook, as a weak wind blew through the air. A lark sang its evening song, outlined perfectly by the crimson sky. Slowly, cold was falling over the forest and gorge. As the sun sank lower into the sky, the brightness slowly came to a dim.

Harrypaw sighed as he swerved around the rocks and he let out a grunt, as he leapt up onto the entrance of the camp. The small gray tom crept inside and came to a small jump, until his paws touched the sandy, stone floor. He was just coming back from a border patrol, and so far there'd been no trouble, no scents of the rogues. Shrewtooth leaped in after him, his pelt perfectly blending in with the shadows. "You did well, managing your leg," the black tom told his apprentice. Harrypaw gave his mentor a small nod. "Thanks. It was easy, really. I wish I had caught that sparrow, though!", he huffed. Shrewtooth gave his apprentice a good humored laugh of amusement. "It's fine, Harrypaw. Don't push yourself. Besides, Smokepaw caught it."

Harrypaw shrugged. "I guess." He knew that Shrewtooth was proud that his own daughter had gotten the bird, but he was trying to be slower and go at a moderate pace for Harrypaw. I guess it's better than Stormpaw and Plumwillow and Berrypaw and Nettlesplash, he thought, thinking about his sister and friend. Snapping him out of his thoughts, Shrewtooth's mew broke in, "You can go and eat, you know. You did well today." Harrypaw dipped his head and was about to pad towards the fresh-kill pile, when suddenly Firepaw came running up to him, her green eyes wide. Harrypaw froze. "What's going on?", he demanded, noticing his sister's nervous state.

"I can't find Stormpaw, because the patrol isn't back yet," she fretted. Harrypaw frowned. "Patrol? Stormpaw went on a patrol?" Firepaw nodded. "And so did Billystorm. I'm worried for them to be out there, especially with the rogues." Harrypaw flicked an ear and tried to stop the worry flooding through his pelt. "I'm sure they're okay. Besides, there are bound to be a lot of cats on the patrol. And--" He broke off as he heard something from the camp entrance. He turned his head to see what it was.

Instantly, he recognized Starlight's familiar yellow tabby pelt and Dapple's dark splotched one. Behind them came, Waspwhisker, Sandyfoot, Harveymoon, Macgyver and Billystorm. Then Harrypaw saw a ginger-and-gray she-cat coming behind the ginger-and-white warrior. Stormpaw!, he realized. She was safe. That was good at least. He look another glance at her. She looked unharmed and so did the other members of the patrol. He noticed that she looked a bit anxious though, as though she'd been worried the whole travel. "Where did she go?", he asked a happy Firepaw. The ginger tabby she-cat looked at him. "They went to visit Starlight's mother and speak with some locals about the rogues."

Harrypaw twitched an ear. "I hope it's worked."

At first, when he saw Firepaw looking worried, or sad, he assumed it was because of the trauma from Tangle's death. He knew that she had formed a close bond with the old tom and that she was devastated to be the one who had found his wrecked, scarred body on that terrible rainy day. The clan didn't grieve as much as he thought they would, however, because Rainpaw and Smokepaw had become apprentices that day.

"Stormpaw!", Firepaw purred happily as Stormpaw came towards them. Harrypaw studied his sister, then gave her a smile. "Are you okay?", he asked her. Stormpaw gave a small nod. "I'm just a bit tired from it, that's all," she insisted. Harrypaw hesitated before saying, "Okay." Firepaw let out a yawn. "Are you gonna eat, Stormpaw?" Stormpaw nodded. "Yup. Has everyone else eaten?" Harrypaw nodded. "Pretty much," he answered. "Except me."