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

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Leafsong was curled up in her nest, her belly as full as ever.  A few cats were still in the clearing finishing up.  She closed her eyes, ready for a good night's sleep.

It seemed only a heartbeat later she was woken by a sharp slash on her ear.

"Hey!" she yowled as she opened her eyes.  "Watch where you're-"

Leafsong was interrupted as a cat threw her aside and pinned her.  She gasped, "Owlheart!"  She was in the Dark Forest again!

"Did you really think you could get away from me that easily?" the brown she-cat hissed in her face, smiling evilly in amusement.

Leafsong didn't get a chance to speak as Owlheart slashed her muzzle several times, until she managed to kick her attacker off with her strong hind legs.  She got up swiftly and faced the Dark Forest cat with unsheathed claws and courage in her eyes.

"What do you want with me?" she meowed bravely.

Owlheart got up and shook out her pelt, scattering pine needles and oak leaves everywhere, and began circling Leafsong.  "I wanted to help you," she replied.

"Help me with what?" Leafsong asked uncertainly.

Owlheart's gaze darkened.  "To make you a better fighter; a better hunter; a better tracker," there was a short pause.  "To make you the best warrior ever."

Leafsong held her breath at the thought of being the best warrior. It would add on to her duty as the Chosen Warrior!  But she shook her head to clear the thought.  This was a Dark Forest cat!  How could she trust her?

"So?" Owlheart brought her back into what was happening.  "What do you think?  It's a great deal-just a few scratches for becoming a better warrior."

"I..." Leafsong looked at her paws.  "I don't know...."

"Oh, come on!" Owlheart stopped in front of her and spat in her face.  "This only comes once in a lifetime.  Any cat would take the offer.  Whoever doesn't is mouse-brained."  When Leafsong didn't answer, she sighed.  "Fine, I'll give you time to think about it.  But you better have your answer in two days-the full moon."

And with that, Owlheart and the Dark Forest faded away.  When Leafsong woke up, the blood was running down her muzzle into her nest.  Pale daylight shone through the branches of the warriors' den-dawn must just be coming.

She pushed herself up and made her way to the medicine den.  When Leafsong rounded the bramble screen, she saw Leafpool and Jaypaw taking care of the sick cats.

"Good morning, Leafsong," Leafpool called to her when she noticed she was there.  She glanced at her muzzle.  "What in StarClan's name happened to you now?"

Leafsong started rapidly thinking up of an excuse when Brightheart came rushing in.

"Leafpool!" she yowled.  "I think Sorreltail has whitecough.  She's in the warriors' den."

The medicine cat sighed.  "Great StarClan, not another one!  Jaypaw, take care of Leafsong for me, will you?"  She turned and followed Brightheart out of the den, right on her tail.

Jaypaw already had the herbs for Leafsong's wound.  He didn't talk until he finished cleaning them.  "I know how you got this," he whispered in a low voice.

Leafsong's heart skipped a few beats.  How could he possibly know? She wondered.

The blind gray tom answered the unspoken question.  "I know you've been visiting a cat in the Dark Forest.  I saw you."

Her heart was pounding now.  "What are you going to do now?" she asked nervously.

"Prevent you from letting that cat train you," Jaypaw answered easily.  "You know that Dark Forest cats cause nothing but trouble.  She's just going to use you, Leafsong."

She narrowed her eyes in aggression.  "Why should I listen to you?" Jaypaw tried to speak, but Leafsong kept on going.  "It's just like Owlheart told me, this only comes once in a lifetime."  She turned to leave, glancing over her shoulder as she stormed out of the medicine den growling, "And if you try to stop me from letting her train me, you're just wasting your time."  She left, leaving Jaypaw to take care of the rest of the sick cats.