Hurricane

Prologue

Prologue

The peak of dawn shone its way through the silent night. Rising not only the slumber of animals, but a plan in its awakening. In a hollow with dens made out of tightly woven ivy and imbedded with waxy leaves to keep out rain, proved such a perfect battlefield.

The sleeping watch-keeper was quickly held hostage by a claw to the throat. "Don't alarm anyone or else you will die." The hoarse whisper threatened, which only made the hostage determined.

"WE'RE UNDER ATTACK, HEL-"

The warning cut off short with the strike of a paw, but was able to awake alarmed warriors. The brown pelted tabby grimaced at the blood on his paw," This one rather die then have his clanmates suffer. Too bad it was all for nothing."

Bristling with rage, the alarmed Airclan warriors prepared to attack, but not without their leader's consent. Dovestar strode across the sturdy log which over hanged her den. Staring at the unusually angry leader, Dovestar growled.

"Bravestar, what is the meaning of this? We have done nothing to you or your warriors, for we have kept up our peace unlike you are showing by attacking us!" Her voice rang loud and clear with slight edge of betrayal.

The small black and white furred leader narrowed his eyes angrily, though showing discomfort.

"I had hated to come to this, breaking our well respected alliance," he winced at this point," Yet I cannot let this go on any longer. We have continuously smelt Airclan scent on our side of the border, but when we confront you about it. You have the nerve to deny our claims! Unless there may be other cats that smell exactly like your clan, we must stand our ground. My clanmates lust for blood and vengeance, and my job as leader is to give it to them. I'm sorry, but RAINCLAN ATTACK!" Bravestar yowled at the end of his response, catching the warriors slightly off guard.

The mesh of fur colliding with fur, the glint of claws raised to strike, the metallic scent of blood filling the morning air, and sounds of pain and victory showed the scene of battle.

"Toadcreek, they're attacking the queens!" An apprentice screeches over the roar of battle. The white and black striped tom fought his way through the thick mass of cats, not escaping a few wounds, before standing guard with Nettlepaw. Hissing threateningly at those cats who tried to make his or her way to his kits. Another warrior splattered in blood joins them.

"Nettlepaw, you and Heronflight go protect the elders!" He ordered the young apprentice. She stood defiantly before responding. "I'll go but Heronflight stays as Thunderflame is already there."

Nodding, the tortoiseshell she-cat races over narrowly avoiding attacks from the opposing enemy. The dark brown warrior growled at a young russet furred apprentice trying to get past him. A yowl sounded from inside the nursery, and the russet furred apprentice forced herself through only to be blocked by the other tom. She growled lowly with herbs muffling the sound. The deputy stared down the apprentice, not letting her through to his mate.

"Move over Toadcreek, let me help Fawnleap give birth or you rather lose her over selfish pride?" Rosepaw's voice ordered to the older warrior. Staring her down, he let her pass unwillingly.

The mass of brawling cats cleared a circle as the two leaders let out a angry yowl. In the middle stood the pacing cats, both not making a move. Dovestar charged at the small tom, ducking under his claws and gave a hard blow to his hind leg. Quickly retaliating against the attack, Bravestar swung his unsheathed paw, creating a long but not deep scratch along her white fur. Blood wells up on both wounds, but not slowing them down by much. Bravestar leaped onto the bigger cat's spine and bite down on her shoulder, churning his back claws against her spine. Creating many slightly deep wounds, the she-cat howled with rage. She shook him off and clawed his belly as he lied stunned on the ground. The blood poured faster out of the deep scores on his soft belly. He struggled getting up, but managed to give a flurry of blows to her head, stunning her giving him the edge. Getting weaker, he scored his claws down her flank before being flung back. He went limp as he lost a life, causing one of his warriors to jump at the unsuspecting leader.