Warrior Cats #1: The Battle of Thorns

Chapter Eleven

"Yesterday, I was informed by Hawkpelt that Lionpaw might be the son of Birdclaw." His gaze stretched over to Lionpaw thoughtfully. "Is this true?" Lionpaw looked around uncertainly. What effect does this have on my own clan life? He thought, considering what to do. He didn't want to tell the truth, in fear that it would change the life he had always wanted, but if he did not, he might be missing out on something important. Before he could answer, Nightpaw stood. "Surely he's not the son of Birdclaw." She protested. "The prophecy was speaking of the daughter." She looked around at Lionpaw meaningfully. "He doesn't even seem..." She trailed off. He did look an awfully lot like Birdclaw.

Lionpaw was about to say something when a vicious growl broke through the silence. He turned around to the face of a massive fox. "Fox!" QuietOwl exclaimed, hurtling forwards. Ferntail let out a shrill battle cry and lunged forward, DappledLion on her heels. The two cats reached the fox in time to plant a nice, deep gash on its shoulder. The fox growled and sent a sharp blow to the right, sending Ferntail reeling backwards. Mosspaw, watching his sister get pummeled, through himself in front of the fox before it could send another blow at her. Lionpaw cringed as he heard a large yelp of pain and a small thump shortly after. Mosspaw was lying limply on the ground, his chest barely rising. Leafpaw rushed forward, but was stopped as Sunleg blocked her path. "The fox isn't aware of anything wrong, he's still going to fight." He murmured, sharply turning to send a blow at the opponent. Their was another cry as the fox's claws managed to reach yet another cat. Lionpaw had decided that he had heard enough, when Hawkpelt made a daring dash towards the fox. His speed was not much of the amazement, it was more of the determination of his action that made the fox reel in terror. What was that? Lionpaw couldn't believe that Hawkpelt hadn't even touched the fox, and yet it ran off like a wild badger. Leafpaw looked over at Blueshadow, her mother, quizzically.

In all the turmoil, the cats had forgotten about Mosspaw, still bundled up on the ground. It was only Tallpaw, the med. cat apprentice, that remembered this predicament. Quickly, he padded over to BerryLeg, his mentor. "We've still got work to do." He whispered frantically, waving his tail towards Mosspaw. Berryleg scowled. "Well get to it!" He snapped, and brushed past Tallpaw moodily. the others suddenly became silent, except for Ferntail, who had been crouching beside her brother the whole time. "Is he alright?" She asked quietly, as if afraid of the answer. Berryleg ignored the question and bent over the injured apprentice. He was unconscious, and his breathes were getting shorter every few minutes. Berrylegsaw a deep cut along his flank, and frowned. Blood was seeping from it heavily, and as Berryleg spread the fur apart to get a closer look, Mosspaw flinched. He straightened up slowly and flexed his claws in and out of the ground as he thought. Then, he looked over at Tallpaw. "Fetch some chervil leaves and cobwebs from the den." He ordered sharply. "Then get some damp moss from the stream."

Tallpaw, without hesitation, scurried off to the den, disappearing behind the rock entrance. Ferntail was leaning against Dappledlion with worry, and Dappledlion himself was watching in despair. Lionpaw padded up to the apprentice and looked at his eyes. "Mosspaw?" He asked softly, crouching down to get a better look. The apprentice didn't stir, and Leafpaw turned away. Lionpaw straightened up and looked over at her sadly. "Don't worry." He meowed, pressing against her flank comfortingly.

The she-cat nodded. "There's nothing we can do right now." She meowed. "May as well take care of ourselves." She pointed her tail at his shoulder, thin trickles of blood were running down from a gash. Lionpaw licked at the wound feebly. He looked up and saw that Tallpaw had returned, and Berryleg was busily working. Mosspaw looked so small and helpless, and it was obvious that he was in no condition to be proud of. After almost an hour of working, Berryleg rose steadily. "He's going to be alright, but the future's still a bit unclear. We'll move him to my den and see if he can improve." He looked over at Ferntail meaningfully. "He'll have some internal wounds. The fox managed to cut into a muscle, which can sometimes lead to stiff movement." Ferntail nodded quickly. "Will he be alright, though? As long as he's alright..." Berryleg began to answer when Tallpaw intercepted. "Of course, Ferntail. A med. cat can do all they can, but Starclan makes sure of everything." He smiled and turned to Berryleg. "Right?" His tone was low and Berryleg caught the hint. "o-of course!" His voice wavered and he followed his apprentice into the den with much speed. Nice save, Tallpaw. Lionpaw thought. Now if only it were certain.