Warriors: Rise Of The Fallen

Chapter 2

Duskpaw stared down into the badger written Riverclan camp with disbelief. "Starclan help us" Stoneshade pleaded. Duskpaw kneaded the dirt nervously with her light grey paws. Worry crashed into her every moment longer she gazed into the camp. Her stomach gripped as she became lost in thought. "W-where are we going to go?" She shuddered shakily. She didn't move her gaze from the camp but she could feel her father watching her. "Should we check the other Clans?" Flowerpaw's mew shook with fear as if she didn't want to speak out loud. Duskpaw finally turned her head towards her father, his stare was uncertain. "I don't know" He mewed with dismay. "It might not be safe but I refuse to lose hope." Stoneshade shifted his paws. He straightened up, "I think we should find a safe place first" he decided. Nightpetal drew closer to her kits, pulling them in. Her pelt was soft and warm, reminding Duskpaw of feeling safe in the nursery beside her sister and snuggled close to her mother's belly. "We'll find somewhere safe" Nightpetal reassured them. Stoneshade looked unconvinced but still, Duskpaw knew he would strive to keep them safe. He nodded swiftly before padding forward down the hill, gesturing with his tail for them to follow. Duskpaw started after him. There was a soft, cold wind that ruffled her fur, piecing her skin, she had hardly noticed it, her fear was overpowering that it blinded her from what little things she felt. The wind carried scents of badger with a slight tinge of Thunderclan, what used to be of Thunderclan. There was another scent aswell, it smelled of Twolegs and bitterness, the scent stuck into her throat and burnt into her nose, it was the same smell she tasted back at the destroyed camp. Her pelt prickled with terror. She felt as if badgers were watching them and could jump out and attack them at anytime. She stayed alert, her ears pricked and her eyes darting across the side of the path they were travelling. She didn't want anyone else she was close to get hurt or even killed. Memories floated back to her, she remembered her mentor, Mosstail, seeing her limp body across the clearing and knowing she would never see her again, her heart exploded as she thought. Her two denmates,  Smokekit and Russetkit, she had known them all her life, she had play fought with them in the nursery most of the time, she was great friends with them but now there gone. Grief flooded over her once again. And that brave warrior that had died because of her, trying to stop her from running out in the open where badgers could easily scoop her up, by her own selfishness caused an innocent warrior's death. Sadness grew in her so strong that she hadn't realized that her sister was staring at her with concern and sympathy twinkled in her eyes.  She felt her tail tip brush against her flank.  "Don't worry about anything, it's going to be okay, we'll get through this together." Flowerpaw's mew was soft and affectionate. Her words calmed her, she felt grateful and warmth towards her sister. She gave a peaceful blink to Flowerpaw and padded closer with her sister so their pelts brushed. It's going to be okay. She echoed Flowerpaw's words in her head. Duskpaw hoped she was right.

 They carried on through the forest, the ground getting colder and damper every step they took. She struggled to keep up with her father, her paws ached. She has never been out in the forest before, she wasn't used to walking out for this long. The forest seemed so big, like it went on forever. She stepped over a twig making a snap. The forest seemed so peaceful for once, not even the gentle flap of a bird's wing. Duskpaw glanced up at the sky, it was almost dark. They would have to find a safe place soon or else it would be harder to see where badgers could be lurking. Stoneshade's ears twitched, he must of been thinking the same thing as he scanned clearing for a place to hide. His gaze rested upon overgrown brambles and ferns. He signalled with his tail for them to follow him in the direction. Duskpaw stared at the brambles, how were they supposed to rest in there? Their mother trotted ahead of them and sniffed at the brambles. "We'll need to make some space." She announced. Stoneshade gave a brisk nod and begun to tear down some the brambles with his powerful jaws to clear a small space inside for them to sleep. Soon after their mother joined in. Duskpaw was unsure whether she should help or not. She glanced at her sister who had already sat down. It reminded her how tired she was, her paws ached. She longed to sit down but she wanted to help build a shelter for them. She padded up to her mother, "do you need any help with that?" She asked, gazing at the torn brambles. She met her mother's warm gaze, "no, dear one, go and rest with your sister," Her mew was soft. Nightpetal bent down to lick her forehead. She lifted her paws clumsily and dragged them over to Flowerpaw. Finally she sat, relief flooded over her as she let out tired sigh. She begun to lay down, her sister inched closer towards her so their pelts almost brushed against each other. Duskpaw searched her face for an emotion, she saw that her mind was lost in thought as if she was finding the words to say. Finally she spoke, "Do you think this is the best we're going to get?" Flowerpaw did not meet her gaze, instead she watched their shelter being built. Duskpaw couldn't think of a response, instead she followed Flowerpaw's gaze. "At least it's something." She answered, trying to reassure her troubled sister. Flowerpaw finally turned to Duskpaw, doubt and affection glittered her eyes. Flowerpaw shuffled closer and drew a tongue over Duskpaw. "As long as we're together, then everything should be fine," Flowerpaw mewed warmly. Duskpaw began to purr for the first time since the badgers broke into their lives. "The shelter's ready, come and sleep," Their mother called for them.  Duskpaw dragged herself up, she waited for Flowerpaw to follow her into the shelter. Long, sharp brambles loomed over the top of them and large ferns lay at the entrance, some lay over the top of the brambles that Stoneshade had placed in case it rained. The space was cramped and Duskpaw wasn't sure if all of them would fit. She settled herself down onto the dry dirt, her sister next to her so their pelts were brushed against each other.  Duskpaw peered through the entrance to see if their parents would join them, instead they stood outside, flicking unsure glances at one another. "Duskpaw, Flowerpaw," Nightpetal addressed them. "Stoneshade and I are going to find help, we really need it for all of us to survive, we think travelling at night might be better so if any badgers are out they would hardly be able to see us, and Stoneshade has the senses of fox so we will be safe," She explained. "You two need to stay here where it's safe, don't leave until we come back," Stoneshade added. "We'll be back by morning with help," He finished, giving them both licks on the forehead. They began to move, "Stay safe," Nightpetal added quickly as Stoneshade covered the entrance with ferns and leaves to keep them hidden, making it darker than before. "You too," Duskpaw whispered.