Warriors: Rain

Chapter One

It was sun high and the marsh was as hot as ever. The air was thick and muggy, smelling of dirty water and blooming plants. Bugs flew around without a care, flies and mosquitos deciding to come out and be a nuisance. The tall pine trees cast shadows down over the camp, keeping it somewhat cool in the afternoon heat. The ground beneath was wet, but not muddy, sinking under the paws of the warriors. Cats wandered around the camp, talking with one another, sharing tongues by the dens. 

Though the camp appeared lively, the air was tense and full of worry. A few nights ago Stormclan met with Rainclan to claim the territory that was theirs to begin with. Now, a gathering was taking place, and Dimstar wasn't sure if they should really attend. It would look bad if they didn't, but he wanted to be careful. Rainclan wouldn't dare attack on a night of peace, but then again, their Leader doesn't always follow the rules. 

Inside the Medicine Cat Den was a group of injured, mud caked cats, kept occupied by the curious kits of the clan.

"Did you guys win?" A shrill voice chirped, belonging to none other than Tansykit. Her eyes were lit up like the night sky in leafbare, tail lashing wildly with excitement.

"Of course we did!" The Deputy, Robinchest, replied, cracking a wide grin. "We showed those featherbrains who's boss!" She cackled, earning thrilled gasps from the kits. 

"Frogleap nearly had you there, though." A small tom butt in, taking the nest beside the over-hyped Deputy. "You're lucky I was there to save your rump." Rabbittail huffed when Robinchest stuck her tongue out at him, turning back to the kits.

"We had them running off with their tails between their legs! It was so funny!" She giggled childishly, making Rabbittail roll his eyes.

"I can't wait until I can fight!" Leafkit howled, springing up to her feet. "Then, I'm gonna show those mousebrains who's boss! Just like you!"

Her brother, Buzzardkit, simply scoffed. "Oh really now? You're smaller than a rabbit!" He teased, prodding at her side.

She batted his paw away with a frown. "I'm gonna grow big and strong - just you wait!"

"You can't even beat me in a fight." Buzzardkit chuckled, earning a gasp from Leafkit.

"Sitting on me does not count as a fair fight!"

"Hey, hey, enough you two." Russetfoot padded over, checking out Robinchest's wounds, then Rabbittail's, then back to Robinchest. "If you're going to fight, please take it outside."

"Yeah, you don't need to wreck anything in here." Rabbittail muttered, laying on his belly and resting his chin on his paws. "I mean, it's already a mess in here, but, you know what I mean."

Russetfoot stood up straight, jaw dropping at his lighthearted comment. "It's an organized mess!" 

"Leave the poor cat alone would you?" Robinchest flicked her tail at Rabbittail, turning her gaze back to the kits. "But seriously, I think you guys should go outside. Russetfoot is way too worked up already." What a hypocrite.

"I am not worked up!" He cried, rubbing some sort of herb mixture into her wounds with careful paws. 

"Okay, okay, whatever you say." Robinchest winced, sticking her tongue out. 

Leafkit, Buzzardkit, and Tansykit took this as the perfect opportunity to skedaddle, giggling softly amongst each other. 

"I want to be strong like Robinchest someday." Tansykit cooed, bouncing around like some sort of jackhammer. "I'm gonna train everyday! Starting...now!" 

She pounced on Buzzardkit, who squealed and rolled, knocking her off. Buzzardkit crouched and wiggled his hips, jumping forwards and gently batting at her nose. Leafkit watched the two duke it out for a bit, but soon became distracted by Dimstar crawling out of his den and leaping up onto the Fallen Log near the back of the camp.

Dimstar cleared his throat quietly before raising his voice. "All cats able to catch their own prey, gather beneath the Fallen Log for a Clan meeting!" His voice echoed around the camp, ending Buzzardkit's and Tansykit's little battle. 

They trotted back to their mothers at the Nursery, joining their siblings and sitting down. Cats slowly approached the log, taking seats and whispering to each other. Even those in the Medicine Den came out to see what the announcement was. 

"Guess who's going to Four Stones tonight," A fluffy white apprentice trotted over to the kits, leaning down and grinning. "Me!" Sheeppaw giggled before dashing off to sit with the other two apprentices, chest puffed out.

"Foxheart." Tansykit sneered, earning a gentle nudge from her mother and a snicker from Buzzardkit.

Dimstar waiting until everyone was settled, flicking his tail to silence them all. "As you may already know, there will be a Gathering at Four Stones tonight. Rainclan will, of course, be attending, but I want you all to be on guard. Chubstar isn't the fairest of cats." A few cats growled, but Dimstar cleared his throat, and they went quiet. "I want only the healthiest cats to attend, and those cats are..." He paused, going over his mental list once again. "Cootpelt, Lavendercloud, Blizzardclaw, Maplecloud, Darkpaw, and Sheeppaw." Dimstar watched their reactions before bowing his head. "That is all. Meeting dismissed."

Would Rainclan really try to pull something like that? There are rumours around Chubstar, but would he really go against the Warrior Code like that?