Dark Sunrise

Chapter 4

Stormfox had been travelling for an entire month without stopping, and her paws were starting to hurt and peel. The she-cat continued to plod on nevertheless, eventually coming to an old barn and Twoleg place. Perhaps I can let my paws heal here. And there's bound to be prey in there, so I can get some more energy, thought Stormfox. She looked inside the dark barn, searching for signs of other cats living there. All she found was a pair of nests in a hay bale, and they were slightly dirty. The she-cat wrinkled up her nose in disgust, shaming whoever left such nastiness in their sleeping place. Stormfox leapt up onto a different hay bale, the farthest one from the two nests that was hidden in shadows. This is perfect, the warrior purred to herself happily. She gently set down her brother's head next to her, then made a nest. After hiding the bundle in a hay pile she made, Stormfox hopped off the bale to look for prey. Suddenly, the barn doors creaked open, and two dark shadows stretched across the barn floor. Stormfox dashed to hide in the shadowy hay, her pure black eyes focused on the cats now walking to the nasty nests. She strained her ears to hear their conversation.
"That was a rewarding hunt, huh, Ravenpaw?" said a low, gravelly meow. Ravenpaw? Thought Stormfox. Wasn't Firestar always talking about a friend named Ravenpaw? Thoroughly interested now, the she-cat hung on to every word.
"Yes, Barley, it was. Look at all the mice we caught," meowed a cat who must have been Ravenpaw. Stormfox peered out of the hay to get a look at Firestar's friend. Standing next to a pile of prey was a handsome, sleek black tom. On his left, there was an older, white-and-black tom, who must have been Barley. But Stormfox wasn't interested in the conversation any longer; she was utterly focused on the former ThunderClan apprentice. She was so entranced by his every movement, the she-cat didn't even realise she was no longer in the hay, but sitting exposed in the shade.
"Ravenpaw! D'you smell that? Someone else is in here, and they must be bleeding." Barley meowed, sniffing his way to the hay where, Stormfox realised with a pang, her brother's still-bloody head lay hidden. For a split second, the she-cat was torn between leaving the head and staying hidden, or running to protect it. Then she burst from the hay, claws fully extended and fangs bared, hurling herself at Barley.
"Don't...touch...that...HAY!!!" Stormfox hissed fiercely, fluffing her fur out and snarling menacingly. Her black pits had no longer been empty, for two flaming crimson dots now glittered dangerously. When the old cat made no intention of backing off, Stormfox swiped a paw across the cat's face, leaving deep wounds across his face. Barley yowled in pain, and took a swipe at the she-cat, who jumped out of the way easily. Stormfox felt herself getting pleasure out of torturing the old fool, jumping around him nimbly, slashing here and there. Suddenly, Stormfox saw a blur of black and was pinned to the ground by none other than Ravenpaw. Shocked by such sudden contact, Stormfox sheathed her claws and gazed up at the black tom, who looked angry that his friend was attacked.
"Who do you think you are? How dare you hurt my friend!" Ravenpaw hissed softly. His eyes widened in shock when he realised his enemy was a female. "O-oh, sorry," he mewed shyly, stepping off the warrior.
"Hi, I'm F-Stormfox, formerly warrior of ThunderClan, at your service. You're Ravenpaw, right? Firestar would always talk about you," purred Stormfox gently, her eyes locked on the sleek tom, who squirmed a little under her gaze.
"Yes, I am Ravenpaw. It's nice to meet you, Stormfox." Ravenpaw meowed. A sudden call from the hay made both cats jump.
"HEY! I'm still here, mice-for-brains! Don't forget you're not alone!" Barley meowed loudly.

A/N: Welp, whatcha think of the chappie? Stormfox finally meets Ravenpaw and Barley! I dunno when I'll add in the romance between Storm and Raven, but it'll be in here somewhere for sure! Anyhoo, don't forget to leave a favourite, drop a comment, and follow to become part of the Wattpad Owlet Nest(and subscribe to my YouTube channel, Stormowl the Owl, to become part of the offical Owlet Nest)! Until the next chapter, my owlets!
~Stormowl the Owl