Guardians: The Beginning

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"Come on Nightpup you can't sleep all day!" Lilysplash opened one eye and heard Firepup say and nudge her little sister with one paw.

"Firepup don't be mean to your little sister. She just opened her eyes." Lilysplash told the oldest of her daughters.

"I opened my eyes two days ago and it is an amazing view, Nightpup has to come out!" Firepup protested. "Even Crystalpup thinks so. She and I will watch Nightpup and show her around."

"I'll watch them sis," said Icestorm "My pups will be here soon enough. I need the practice." Lilysplash had started to notice however slight a worried look always came over her littermate's face.

"Sure, but can I talk to you first? You pups go on ahead but not too far." Lilysplash told her pups. They were already running out of the nursery.

"Lilysplash what do you need to talk about?" Icestorm asked.

"Are those really Foxtail's pups like you are telling everybody?" Lilysplash returned.

Icestorm face instantly got defensive then angry and finally concerned

"How?" was all Icestorm said.

"I know you, and whenever pups come up you get concerned. I think they aren't Foxtail's pups. If not, whose are they?"

"They're mine... and Pricklefur's." replied Icestorm in a whisper.

"Ohhh, Icestorm. I now know why you always look so concerned now. I only have one question, how?" Lilysplash said she nuzzled her sister.

Icestorm couldn't help it the explanation flowed out of her. "Well, we had been meeting and before the last Gathering we meet one last time, we hung out and we both agreed that it was the last time and if we meet under hostile circumstances we would act like we never meet. I didn't know I was going to have his pups until recently. I hated taking advantage of my relationship with Foxtail but I had no choice."

"Its fine they are your pups that's all that matters. Speaking of pups can you check on mine?" Lilysplash said and Icestorm looked happy, as if a great weight had just been lifted off her shoulders.

Icestorm walked out and had to tell the pups not to jump on the elders too much especially Cloversplash.

Icestorm's old apprentice walked toward her. "Icestorm need any help?" asked the young warrior as she walked up.

"You think being a senior warrior and one of the best I would be able to handle three little pups. You know Rosefur one of these little balls of energy could be your first apprentice." Icestorm told Rosefur. "It looks like Berryclaw wants you for a patrol."

"Bye Icestorm." said Rosefur as she rushed over to meet the patrol.

"Come on pups time to go back to your mom." Icestorm called the pups and they all groaned but came trotting when mom also called them over from the nursery. Icestorm trotted to the sound of a howl on the ridge outside of camp and went to help drag in the newest kill. It was a muscular elk, Icestorm could tell it had put up a fight, because two of the five warriors had bruises, one even limped a little. She reminded herself to tell Moonflower in case the warriors tried to hide it.

The patrol welcomed her help except Foxtail started to protest when she picked up the biggest piece. He soon shut up because he knew Icestorm could be very stubborn. When Icestorm got to camp she carried her piece over to the nursery and her sister. She took a small piece, gave the rest to her sister, and laid down in the dappled shade of an oak tree right outside the nursery.

"Icestorm did you have to make a point of grabbing the biggest piece? All the warriors thought it real funny that a she-wolf with pups in her belly shut up a brute with one look." Foxtail said as he put down his elk meat and sat down right beside her.

"I wasn't making a point I was helping the pack." Icestorm replied but she said it like she was barely holding back a laugh.

"So how is Lilysplash doing? I hear her pups are 4 moon cycles old now." Foxtail asked

"She is doing great so are the pups, but can you please tell Spiderclaw not to worry the only time I don't see Lilysplash is when I sleep or go to the dirtplace. Otherwise I'm with her and the pups 24/7." Icestorm replied as she nuzzled Foxtail. No matter how close she and Foxtail were only Lilysplash knew about her ability to half sleep.

"Looks like Berryclaw wants me for a patrol. Bye!" Foxtail said, nuzzled Icestorm and trotted to where the patrol had gathered near the camp entrance.

"Did you tell anyone the true father?" a voice questioned in her mind. Making sure to think of an ice barrier Icestorm thought, why now? Today was so peaceful before he came though maybe I can ask about Firepup's birth and the orange wolf. Then Icestorm felt lightning strike and break her mind barrier a sure sign that Lightningheart was getting impatient and wanted to see her now. Icestorm went into full sleep something she hadn't done since realizing she was going to have pups. In her mind she was still surrounded by pieces of ice as she howled the ice melted and she saw Lightningheart standing before her. "What?" Icestorm growled and suddenly he was on her leaning over her growling,

"Why have you not done full sleep in so long? You know I can only contact you when you do!" Lightningheart growled.

"I didn't want to see you!" Icestorm explained and jumped up from under Lightningheart. Doing so, she hit him square in the chest and made him fall.

"Starpack should have given you unbeatable obedience instead of unbeatable fighting and hunting skills." Lightningheart muttered.

"What?" Icestorm said and she knew Lightningheart had slipped and the secrets that were held back for so long were about to be told.

"When you and your sister were born your grandfather, Flamemoon, knew you two were important. He knew this because when I was alive and a medicine wolf..." Lightningheart started to explain.

"Wait, you were a medicine wolf?" Icestorm questioned curiously.

"Yes but I died a warrior's death protecting the herbs from Skypack when they attacked our camp." Lightningheart growled. "Don't worry it was way before you and Pricklefur were even born. When I died my sister Snowstep thought Sunflower should take over my responsibilities. Snowstep talks to your sister. The Elementials assigned you us. My other sister is Sunflower and is Amberpaw's guardian. We were assigned to you when you were born because you will be guardians of the packs."

"Well, okay that explains a good amount. Can you tell me anything more?" Icestorm asked.

"Fine, let's start with you and work forward. You were given unbeatable fighting and hunting skills. That's why you can never be beaten. Your sister is a really good hunter and fighter but her talent is enhanced senses. She can hear miles away. She can see a little past the mountains. Also, she can see feel the smallest details. Then there is Amberpaw even though she is blind she can see more than normal wolves." Lightningheart finished.

"One last question..." Icestorm said.

"What?" Lightningheart snarled starting to lose his patience.

"Who or what was the fire that will protect Firepup?" Icestorm inquired.

"That was Firefur the leader of the elementials, but that is a story for another time," Lighntningheart said and went up and nudged her cheek, "You are the closest to a daughter I will ever have." As he finished he faded away.