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

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Several sunrises had passed, and the forest was still covered in snow.  A couple more cats, Whitewing and Honeypaw, became sick with whitecough and moved into the medicine den.

Leafsong couldn't get to sleep since her conversation with Redswirl and Scarpelt.  She held the secret that she was helping a rival Clan, but also was worried about Redswirl's actions. You would think she would want me to help her Clan!

Leafsong pushed out of the warriors' den.  The sky was a clear blue, with a few puffs of cloud.  The day wasn't as cold as the beginnings of leaf-bare.  Newleaf should be coming any day now.

Longtail and Mousefur, the two elders, have scraped away the snow on some flat rocks and sunned themselves in the early heat.  The kits, Icekit and Foxkit, were throwing snow at each other while Daisy watched them, filling in for Ferncloud while she was sick.  Everything looked perfect in the camp.

Leafsong padded over beneath the Highledge to where Brambleclaw was giving out the daily patrols.

"-with Brackenfur, Brightheart, and Hollypaw," he was meowing.  "Sandstorm, lead a hunting patrol.  Take Sorreltail and Leafsong.  Hunt by the lake-we haven't been there for a while."

At the call of her name, Leafsong joined Sandstorm and Sorreltail.  They were about to exit through the thorn tunnel, until Firestar yowled down from on top of the Highledge.  "Is that a hunting patrol?  I suppose you won't mind if I join you?"  ThunderClan's leader bounded down the crushed rocks to the patrol.  When he approached the group, Sandstorm pushed through the bushes out into the oak forest.

The territory was still snowy, but prey had been venturing out again for the coming newleaf.  ThunderClan's fresh-kill pile finally got caught up since ShadowClan's raid.  The thaw should be coming soon.

By the time they got back to camp, it was near sunhigh.  Every cat caught a piece of prey.  Leafsong headed over to the fresh-kill pile with the rest of the patrol and lied down her sparrow and rabbit that she had caught.

"That's a huge rabbit, Leafsong," Firestar admired.  "You may choose something from the fresh-kill pile."  He swept his tail around while meowing loudly, "In fact, we shall feast tonight, in honor of StarClan, for all this prey this late leaf-bare."

Yowl all around the camp exploded, chanting, "StarClan, StarClan!"

Firestar spoke again as the noise died away.  "Brambleclaw, send out a couple more patrols."

"Right away, Firestar."  The deputy dipped his head as he began organizing two more hunting patrols.  "I'll lead one myself with Berrypaw, Cloudtail, and Cinderpaw.  Graystripe, take Birchfall, Spiderleg, and Mousepaw.  And," he meowed before the cats left.  "I want as much fresh-kill on that pile as many cats there are in StarClan."  He nodded, "Let's go!"

As the cats split up, Leafsong was about to head towards the flat, hot rocks when she saw Firestar, his pelt as bright as a flame in the sunlight, padding steadily towards her.

"Leafsong, would you want to go hunting again?" he asked.  "After you caught that rabbit...."

Leafsong nodded.  "Of course, Firestar.  The Clan needs all the fresh-kill it can get."

She followed her leader through the thorn bushes into the forest.  Prey scent was all around her, making her mouth water.  Firestar glanced back at her as they traveled through the woods, searching for prey.

He started purring with amusement.  "I see you're excited to eat a juicy piece of fresh-kill, after all these hard times."  He sighed.  "I am, too, but Leafpool probably isn't.  She probably doesn't even notice she's hungry, with all these sick cats.  She just gives her fresh-kill to her patients.  I'm surprised none of them have greencough...yet.  She really needs catmint.  They already took the few sprouts by the old Twoleg nest this morning.  I can't believe StarClan didn't show her or Jaypaw where catmint is."  There was a long pause before he meowed quietly, "Do you think they want ThunderClan to die?"

Leafsong let out a soft unexpected hiss that made her jump a little.  StarClan wouldn't try to kill ThunderClan!  What have we done to upset them?  "But," she realized.  "They're giving us all this prey!"

Leafsong almost ran into Firestar's rear when he stopped abruptly.  He went into the hunter's crouch, sneaking up on a semi-fat squirrel searching for acorns.  When Firestar got close enough her leapt, but he jumped too short, startling the prey and sending it towards the nearest tree, which was right next to Leafsong.  She blocked the squirrel's path and bit its neck before it got away again.

Firestar shook his pelt and padded over to Leafsong, his eyes gleaming with approval.  "Well done, Leafsong.  You have a talent for hunting, and you're also a great fighter."

Leafsong's ears perked up in surprise and licked her chest to hide her embarrassment from the praise.

"It's getting dark.  It will be time to feast in a bit."  The Clan leader and Leafsong padded back towards the camp, ready to eat like kittypets.