Emberstar's Journey

Chapter 19

Green eyes glowed in the darkness and a red tom glanced behind him. His fur prickled as he remembered the dream he had before Amberheart had woken him from it.

It had been dark, he could hear the whisperings of cats but he couldn't see them. It was impossibly quiet as the red tom padded through the darkness. That's when a yowl pierced through the air, a cat screaming in agony. He gazed around as the stench of blood overwhelmed but he couldn't find anything other than a huge bloody paw print and a tuft of bloodsoaked gray fur.

Emberspirit shook himself to get rid of the image, the group was small this time. Greencough had spread through the camp like a storm, Eagleeyes, Rockheart, Gorsekit, and Emberspirits own mother had come down with it. Gorsekit, however, was the worse case and Berrywish now had moved the kit away from everyone else. The toms mother, Lionscar, and Patchfur, along with his sister Goldenkit were all worried.

Lynxstar had told her that she was ready to become an apprentice soon but the golden-brown she-cat retorted that if she were to be apprentice she would be so by her brother's side.

Emberspirit eyed Trouttail, Redmist, Amberheart, Barrantooth, and Nightfrost. Heronpaw and Raggedpaw were bouncing alongside Riverpaw as well.

"Stop worrying," Lynxstars meow made him turn, "We're fine." Her amber eyes shone in the darkness and her muscles rippled underneath her fur as she stalked powerfully towards Greatstones for the Gathering.

Emberspirit wished he could share Lynxstars sureness but he couldn't shake the omen Heatherspirit had told him nor could he shake the leaders words from a quarter-moon ago.

"Tough times are ahead Emberspirit, I of all cats, need you to be the fire that keeps us going."

 He sighed and nodded, "Y-Yes Lynxstar." He murmured as they crossed the bridge.

StormClan was there and Emberspirit felt shock rise in him as he saw Bearclaw standing on leaders rock. He glanced around, noticing Soaringclaw nor Thistlestar was around.

"What in StarClan kits is that idiot doing?" Trouttail snarled, "That's a rock for leaders!"

Lynxstars eyes narrowed and she stalked forward, "Bearclaw, what are you doing?"

The dark tabby turned, "Lynxstar," He dipped his head and as Emberspirit neared he almost gagged at the scent of blood clinging to his fur. "I know this may be strange but soon you will know why I stand before you." He promised, amber eyes glinting.

Emberspirit narrowed his eyes and be looked at his eyes fixing on a gray-black she-cat that he's seen only once before. 

Wolfpaw was her name then but he hadn't been her since Thistlestar announced her dead many, many moons ago.

Next to her, a pale cream she-cat was eyeing Bearclaw with undisguised anger and hatred. As he padded towards her the cream she-cats eyes grew guarded.

"Wolfpaw," Emberspirit mewed, dipping his head. "It has b-been awhile." 

The she-cats brown-amber eyes were dark. "Hello Emberspirit, it's Wolfheart now," She mewed, her long bushy tail twitching. Her gaze was fixed on Bearclaw untrustingly, "How're you?"

Emberspirit blinked, " I'm well, wh-who is this?" He nodded to the cream she-cat.

"I'm Peachfur," The she-cat meowed, "I used to be a kitty-pet but now I'm a StormClan warrior." Her blue eyes blazed with determination and Emberspirit felt a flash of admiration for this StormClan cat. "You're the deputy of DeltaClan aren't you?"

Emberspirit nodded, "Y-Yes, E-Emberspirit." He introduced himself. "W-What's B-Bearclaw-"

A yowl made him look up, Sootstar and Lightningstar were padding towards them.