Emberstar's Journey

Chapter 16

Green eyes opened in the silence of the night. There was no reason for his sudden alertness but every fur on his pelt prickled with an instinct that screamed danger. He stood up, looking around the cave den. His Clanmates were asleep around him, some snored louder than others, a few twitched as they dreamt. Nothing out of the ordinary so what had woken him?

Creeping out of the den, Emberspirit looked around camp only to find that it was moonhigh, the sky was dotted with the stars of his warrior ancestors no clouds had covered them. He frowned slightly and padded out of camp, ear twitching in greeting to the cats guarding camp. 

He froze, he heard water. Rushing up the slope and tensed as he saw a surge of rushing water heading straight at him at an alarming speed. Turning tail he rushed back in camp. 

"Flood!" He yowled as water surged into the depression, "Everyone run! Flood!" He yowled louder as cats poured out of the dens. Antbranch and Lionscar shot into the Nursery, concerned for their kits as Lynxstar rushed out.

"Get the elders out!" He yowled at Willowcoat and Wildclaw, "Thunderjaw, Quailfleck help with the queens!" Fear rising in his throat he saw his Clanmates charging up the slopes. "Head for Sunningrocks! The rock barrier must have flooded the island!" 

"Come on!" Eagleeyes took charge as his Clan rushed out. He glanced around and saw Barrentooth helping Patchfur with her kits. Berrywish and Riverpaw were carrying herbs as they followed Rockheart out. 

The water was at  his chest and he waded through it, "Lilycloud!" He yowled in fear before relief flooded through him as he saw her white tail disappear over the edge. Lynxstar waded to him, "You must get out!" She yowled over the rushing water. Emberspirit nodded and together the two half waded, half swum, out of camp. 

"Emberspirit!" He froze as Heatherspirits voice cried in fear, "Help me, my leg!" 

Emberspirit didn't think, he rushed into camp, swimming towards the she-cat who was desperately flailing in front of the elders den. Lynxstar yowled in warning as a surge of water crashed over him, pulling him under. He opened his eyes, focusing on his kin as she was shoved under. He grasped her scruff and heaved up, heading for the surface.

"Ah!" He cried through sodden fur as he broke the surface. Heatherspirits blue eyes were blown wide in fear. "Emberspirit look out!"

The warning came too late as a wave crashed over him, a powerful suction tugged at his fur and pulled him into the elders den. 

An eerie peace washed over him as he floated freely when a yowl screamed in his ear. "Emberspirit!"

 Blazefur! 

The deputy's eyes snapped open and he saw his ancestors starry coat over her sister, pulling her up desperately. 

Emberspirit moved over and fixed her scruff firmly between his teeth. Together he and Blazefur swam up over the edge of one of the slopes of the depression. He pulled his aunt out of the water and laid her on the grass. 

Exhaustion and adrenaline coursed through him, "Heatherspirit?" He murmured, nosing her. "Heatherspirit wake up!" He cried desperately.

The she-cats blue eyes opened slowly and hope made Emberspirits heart soar. "Thank StarClan!" He gasped but dread gripped his heart as her eyes focused on Blazefur. 

"B..laze...fur?" She croaked, "Is.. it truly you?" Her eyes glowed with love before they turned to Emberspirit. "Emberspirit.." She shuddered, "I'm so... sorry... I can be here no longer." She murmured.

Emberspirit shook his head rapidly, "No!" He yowled, "You can't die!" He trembled from ears to tail-tip. "I saved you!" 

But Heatherspirit was smiling, "This is a good place to die.. in DeltaClan territory next to my home of seasons." She was whispering, "I will watch you from StarClan Emberspirit.." Her eyes glowed with unmeasurable love before the light in them began to fade. "Be who you were destined to be my dear nephew, be brave...." Her voice trailed and she stilled.