Hailstorm's Fear

Chapter Thirteen

    "Robinheart!Robinheart!"The Clan chanted their Clanmate's warrior name. Hailstorm felt proud as everyone dispersed,leaving him and Robinheart alone.

"How does it feel being a warrior?"He asked her,purring.

"It feels great,"She meowed,a look of pride in her eyes. "I like my new name too."

"Don't forget to do your vigil,"Branchpelt reminded,padding closer. "It's the most important part of becoming a warrior. Hailstorm.you'd better go and patrol."

Surprised and confused at the serious look on Branchpelt's face,Hailstorm asked, "Is something about to happen?"

"After the last Gathering,"Branchpelt began, "I think it would be right to increase patrols near the gorge and the bridge."

"The gorge?"Robinheart tipped her head to one side. "Why not the river?"

"WindClan would have to go through ThunderClan territory,so it's ThunderClan's problem. But WindClan can use Fourtrees neutral ground to get to us."

"I understand."Hailstorm dipped his head.

"You'll be going with Lionwhisker,Specklefall and Flameclaw,"Branchpelt waved his tail. "Now hurry along. They're waiting for you beyond the reeds."

Just beyond the camp entrance,Hailstorm fluffed up his fur against the ever chilly wind and met up with the three other warriors.

Lionwhisker and Specklefall exchanged glances,as if communicating silently before Specklefall turned to them.

"Everyone up for a run?"The warrior meowed,a mischevious glint in his eyes.

The next few moments included Hailstorm running after his Clanmates,feeling a sense of exhilaration as the cold,stiff feeling his his paws warmed up.

Lionwhisker came to a screeching halt in front of him,quickly dropping into a crouch position with his ears pricked. Hailstorm slowed down,wanting to ask him why he stopped when he caught a whiff of WindClan.

WindClan?This far from the gorge? Hailstorm peeked over the other warrior's shoulder and stifled a gasp. A group of WindClan warriors,the size of a patrol,was crossing the bridge with an air of confidence around them.

"Engage?"Hailstorm whispered,trying to be very light on his paws.

Lionwhisker tasted the air,his ears flat. "It seems like it's only them. And look at that-bringing prey with forest scent over. Now what do they want?"He hissed. Without warning,he got up and coolly sauntered over to them.

"WindClan in RiverClan territory with ThunderClan prey,"Lionwhisker meowed loudly,his voice scornful. "It will just be wonderful to explain this to Creekstar and Cloudstar."

A tom at the front snarled and bared his teeth. "Get out of our way,Lionwhisker."There was a hint of nervousness in his voice,and a small apprentice at the back shuffled his paws.

"It's RiverClan territory,so I can't,"Not too long ago,Hailstorm learned that Lionwhisker was just a level below Shadeheart to be feared. "And you brought a kit along!Have you no honour?"

"He's not a kit-"

"I'm giving you only a moment to decide to step away,"His voice lowered to a growl and his hackles lifted. "There are more of us here than you think."

"We won't!"A she-cat yowled,her eyes as slits. "WindClan,attack!"All six cats sprang at Lionwhisker right after her command.