The blood steadily trickled in a tiny stream that flowed in between the dead bodies. He backed away in fear,pressing his ears to his head in horror as he breathed in the scent of blood.
He looked to his own paws. They were drenched in blood too. His claws were shredded,as if he had scratched them on a rock.
A battle yowl broke his thoughts as his gaze focused on two fighting cats. They were silhouettes against the red sun.
The one on the left was already limping,and Hailstorm could see the stiffness in the limbs. The other one was fighting very ferociously,although blood trickled from its wounds.
The left cat landed one fatal last blow,and the other one fell dead. There was a weak yowl of triumph,but the remaining cat collapsed.
What is this? His eyes were wide. Why are you showing me this horror,instead of my memories?
"Hailstorm!"
He jolted out of his sleep,gulping in huge breaths. Branchpelt was in front of him,his tail waving impatiently.
"It's me,Branchpelt. Remember me,the deputy?The deputy who has assigned the patrols?One of which you are supposed to be in but you're still in your nest?"The deputy meowed dryly.
Hailstorm scrambled to his paws. "Sorry-"He gasped.
"Sorry catches no prey,"Branchpelt snorted before heading out of the den. "Now groom yourself. Your fur is in knots."
Embarrassed,Hailstorm quickly smoothed down his tangled fur before hurrying out of the den. The camp was already empty,except three figures at the entrance.
"You're finally here,"Silentwing grumbled,getting to her paws and stretching for a bit. "I thought ShadowClan had to invade our camp to make you wake up."
"He's challenging Lionwhisker."Skycloud purred in amusement.
Silentwing sighed. She padded through the reeds,her ears twitching."Young cats these days. Back then,no one even dared to wake up after dawn."She muttered.
Hailstorm exchanged looks with Skycloud. The she-cat shrugged,but her eyes were filled with affection for the senior warrior.
Robinpaw brushed her pelt against his,and angled her ears to her mentor. "Don't worry,"She whispered. "Silentwing isn't always that fierce."
The roar of the waterfall in the gorge was getting louder as they neared it. Hailstorm remembered the river as the place where he was discovered and taken into RiverClan. No other Clan had known about his existence yet.
"I can smell WindClan."Skycloud observed. Silentwing tasted the air before narrowing her eyes.
"You're right. But we are not that close to the gorge."
"Maybe it's the wind?"Hailstorm glanced at the sky.
"Unlikely,"Silentwing quickened her pace. "The wind was facing their direction. Our scent should reach their territory instead,not the other way round."
"Do you think they invaded RiverClan?"Robinpaw matched her mentor's pace.
Skycloud shook her head. "No cat is crazy enough to cross the gorge in one jump. Even WindClan cats."
"It's WindClan."Hailstorm murmured to his Clanmates as four shapes stood at the other end of the gorge.
"Greetings,Silentwing."A lithe but muscular tom at the front dipped his head stiffly.
"Hello to you too,Eaglepelt,"Silentwing's tone was dry. "A good patrol so far?"
Eaglepelt glanced at the forest. "Could be better,"He answered distractedly,when his gaze latched onto Hailstorm. "Is that a rogue?"
"He's a RiverClan cat,"Silentwing meowed,raising her chin high. Hailstorm felt warm at the pride in her mew. "You'll know his name at the Gathering."
"RiverClan is taking in so many rogues. They never follow the warrior code anymore."An apprentice snorted behind Eaglepelt. Silentwing swivelled her ears towards him;clearly she had heard his words.
"I assure you,RiverClan is still following the code,"Silentwing meowed coldly. "At least our deputies become leaders.
All the WindClan cats bristled at her comment. Eaglepelt darted forward,baring his teeth. "How dare you-"
"Be careful,Eaglepelt,"Skycloud stood beside Silentwing and straightened,lifting her tail. "The gorge is quite deep,and you don't want to fall in."
The WindClan deputy snarled as he took a step back. Silentwing flicked her tail,signalling for the patrol to head back.
"Next time WindClan wants to accuse others,they should do it with actual evidence."Silentwing called as they delved further into RiverClan territory.
Respect and admiration filled Hailstorm. Silentwing had shown WindClan not to mess with RiverClan with her sharp tongue which he never considered to be a good weapon.
YOU ARE READING
Hailstorm's Fear
Fanfiction[Book One of the Resurrection Arc] Hailstorm has bloody dreams ever since he was found in the river. It seems to be dreams of a past battle,but he does not remember anything. Thrushpaw and Robinpaw were separated when a rogue gave them up. Thrushpaw...
