Warriors: The Chosen Warrior: The Betrayal (Book 3)

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

It was a sunrise later, and Leafsong was looking out into the clearing with Leafpool, watching the snow as it floated down from the sky.

"I hope StarClan stops this snow so we medicine cats can travel safely to the Moonpool," the light brown tabby medicine cat was meowing.  She turned to Leafsong.  "I think it's time that you finally go back to warrior duties.  Unless, you want me to scratch you?"

Leafsong let out a purr of amusement as she got to her paws.  "I'm fine, Leafpool.  Thanks for all the help—you too Jaypaw."

The gray tabby apprentice was sitting a tail length away.  Only an ear flick gave away that he heard her.

She turned to leave, when Jaypaw called her back surprisingly, "Would you like to go for a walk in the forest?"

Leafsong wondered why the stubborn apprentice wanted to walk with her.  Before she had a chance to voice her question, Jaypaw answered it.  "I want to check if you walk alright in one last time."

"Sure," Leafsong responded.  She waited for Jaypaw to get by her side, and then set off across the camp and into the forest beyond.

Leafsong gasped at the beauty of sparkling white snow on the bare branches of the trees and covering the floor and undergrowth of the forest.  "Wow!" she whispered.  "Jaypaw, do you see—"

Leafsong stopped herself when she realized what she just said.  "Sorry," she apologized.  "I didn't know—"

"It's okay," Jaypaw interrupted.  "I hear that every day.  It's fine."

They padded through the snowy forest in silence, until he spoke again.  "I know it's you."

Leafsong halted in her footsteps, her heart beginning to pound.  Does he know that I'm the Chosen Warrior?  "What am I?" she asked, scared to find out the answer.

"I know that you are the Chosen Warrior," Jaypaw told her calmly.

Leafsong was shaking with terror.  "Did Leafpool tell you?"

Jaypaw shook his head.  "No, I found out myself."

Leafsong slid out her claws and crouched as she prepared to attack.  "Who told you?  What are you going to do with me?"

The gray tom lifted his paw to show that his claws were sheathed.  "Relax, Leafsong!  All you need to know is that I found out by myself.  I can help you throughout the dangers."

They looked at each other for a moment, until Leafsong meowed, "Thanks, Jaypaw, but I think I can handle it on my own."

As she padded back to the camp, Jaypaw called to her, "Fine!  If you need me, don't count on it!"

Leafsong stomped to the camp, anger rising in her chest.  Why does he think that I need help?  I have the help of StarClan, and my own brain!

The wind had picked up now, and the snow was blowing so hard that it stung when it hit her face.  She narrowed her eyes to keep it from going inside them.  Great StarClan, she thought.  This leaf-bare is going to be terrible with all this snow and wind, and we barely have even one piece of fresh-kill!

When the camp entrance came into sight, which was only a couple of tail lengths away,  she ran through the thorn tunnel and into the warriors' den—almost every warrior was in there, sleeping.

Leafsong curled up in her nest.  It was cold, because she didn't sleep in it for such a long time.  It's good to be back in my own nest.