Chapter 16: They Need our Blood

158 9 1
                                    

Rockshade's heart thumped against his chest so loudly, he thought every cat in the Clan could hear it. He was past enemy lines, pelting up the plateau into the direction of GreenClan camp. He didn't know any GreenClanners, not even from the gathering. All he knew of GreenClan and their warriors was that the Clan was built on jealousy, and the individuals are independent and prideful-- so much pride that it became hubris at times. But he knew the threat VenomClan was becoming and he wanted nothing more than to help quell it. 
Sensing Firesong behind him, Rockshade fell back and mewed, "So wait, what happened exactly?"

"There was an apprentice at the border, totally covered in blood." Firesong reported, her eyes not revealing any hint of the fear that was kind of hinted at in her voice. She looked determined, "And he said that VenomClan is actually living up to their threat. They're taking pelts and blood for their borders."

"How could they be doing that?" Rockshade asked, not even trying to hide any fear in his tone. 
Firesong replied dismissively, "I don't know Rockshade, we just have to fight!" and she hurried on ahead of him.
He followed, still struggling up the hill alongside his other clanmates who sped to flat ground. The moment Rockshade reached the top, he went faster and searched the expanse of land for trees, or any foliage, or anything to hide himself. He searched for the GreenClan camp most of all. He couldn't see anything but fields but he could hear screeches and yowls from not too far away.

Rockshade saw Bigstar running confidently across the fields and he figured she must know where the camp was. Did all leaders know where each other's camps were!? But she did not let her warriors cease their constant running and Rockshade was beginning to feel the ache in his legs. 
He saw Stormtail out of the corner of his eyes approach, tail flicking and eyes nervously scanning the territory. "I have a friend in GreenClan I talk to at gatherings sometimes." Stormtail muttered.
"Isn't that bad?" Firesong mewed, cocking her head suspiciously, "You know, in case you become enemies?"

"Nah." Stormtail murmured darkly, "She's really nice. She promised that-- well. Nevermind I guess." and his voice grew quiet until silence claimed it. 

*~*~*

Bigstar exploded into the camp-- a part of the plateau no different from the rest besides makeshift dens, a dip in half the camp, and a large boulder in the top center. She let her warriors stream past her with yowls of excitement into the screeching mass while she herself searched the scene wildly for Blackstar.
She found her at the base of her Leader's Boulder, back arched as she glared with hatred at her oppressor, Wolfstar, stood before her bristling and pinning her against the stone. Bigstar's eyes went to slits and she split across the camp, shouldering caterwauling warriors aside and ramming into Wolfstar. He bowled over surprisingly easy which allowed the SandClan leader some time to drag Blackstar away into her den nearby, secluded and surrounded by heather.
Wolfstar let them speak, whiskers twitching in amusement as he slunk away.

"What're you doing here?" Blackstar spat, swatting her claws at Bigstar's nose.
"Didn't you send an apprentice to call for help?" Bigstar sneered, moving away from incoming claws.
"Never! That foolish apprentice. His pelt'll be hung and his blood splattered on the stones of VenomClan territory for sure." she sighed, eyes clouded with fear.
"No it won't, because we're going to help you."
"GreenClan doesn't need help. We'll never need help." Blackstar hissed.

"But you're losing." Bigstar mewed flatly. "You really want your warriors to die?"

"GreenClan isn't weak!" Blackstar stated, and with a snarl she leapt onto Bigstar, pinning her against the grass with claws resting on her underbelly. The larger leader tried to swallow down her own pride and pushed Blackstar off with ease.
"You do need help. You're not the jealous Clan you used to be. There is no need to preserve the pride that already belongs to you!"

SandClan's Destiny Book 1: A Flame is LitWhere stories live. Discover now