Warriors: Third Strike: Book 1: Morning Has Come

Chapter 23

[Burninghope's POV]

I was just getting back from a patrol when I saw all the Dark Forest warriors in the camp. What in the territories was happening? Did something bad happen while I was on patrol. I looked to Cheetahpelt and he just couldn't respond. I could see the despair settling in his eyes like he couldn't do it anymore.

"What has happened to DepthClan?" Cheetahpelt whispered as his eyes scanned the area.

"I'm going to go and ask Dustyleap. Please stay here and don't try to interfere. I'll be right back." I said looking at the tom. He started to get quieter since Aquaclaw died, but then his siblings died and he was the last one. He had gone almost completely silent.

It didn't take me long to find the tom. I nudged him slightly, but he was pretty focused on what was happening. I nudged him again and he finally turned to me.

"What do you need my love?" Dustyleap asked me. I flicked my ear almost forgetting that he enjoyed calling me that. He was my mate after all.

"What is happening? I just got back from patrol and this was happening." I whispered to him trying to peer closer. It seemed like some of the Dark Forest leaders were here.

"I don't know. The Dark Forest just showed up and they haven't left yet. Has anything happened in the clan I don't know about?" He asked me quietly. I tried to think back to what had happened.

"I know Roseeyes told me about something Icehowl had an idea with. I also heard Emberbreeze arguing with Witheredsoul. Could it be about that?" I asked him trying to think. It couldn't have been anything else if it was important.

"It might be. Come on, let's try and head to the back. I don't want to know what they are talking about." Dustyleap said and started to head toward where Cheetahpelt was. I smiled back toward the tom and made sure Dustyleap went toward him.

"What is it?" The spotted tom whispered. It seemed airy and it strained my ears to hear him.

"We think it is something about how we have been talking back to the Dark Forest. It must be happening in the other clans too. Should we warn them?" I asked looking at the two toms. Cheetahpelt quickly shook his head and walked away.

"You know I'm always on your side, but what if they catch us? Do you think they'll do something?" Dustyleap asked me. I shook my head.

"They all seem too distracted about the meeting. We need to get to SmallClan and MapleClan for sure. They are the next biggest and can actually put up a fight. I think if we hurry we can make it back before a sunset patrol goes out." I told him. He just nodded and followed my lead as we quickly left the camp and made our way toward the SmallClan camp. We had to hurry before something bad happened to the rest of us.