Raven (A Warrior Cats based Story)

Chapter 2.

*Pic is Breezecloud

Within moments of the idea formulating, I found myself at the edge of the forest. Mudstar asked why I was on Stormclan territory, which means that the cats I met yesterday aren't the only ones that live there... I thought as I scented out the territory markers. I flicked my ear in annoyance as I picked it up quite clearly. Either they took my trespassing to heart and are now marking the border more clearly, or I didn't pay enough attention yesterday. Sitting at the edge of the border, I considered where would be the best place to start in my search for the cats from yesterday. Get help for the sake of food and shelter, bide your time 'til you're older and stronger, seek that foxheart that killed mother out, teach him the meaning of pain, kill him. I gave a nod as I revised my plan and stepped over the border to Stormclan. Once over the border, I turned my paws toward the area where I had met the cats in hope of tracking them from the scents they would have left. As I padded along, I focussed carefully on the undergrowth to navigate my way to where I had been. Time crept onwards and I eventually realised that I was lost. I sat down with a huff and flicked my tail in annoyance. Why does the forest have to look so similar! I thought crossly and glared at some nearby bracken. As I was debating walking in random directions and leaving the finding of the place I wanted or the scents of the cats from yesterday, I felt claws sink into my pelt. I leapt up with surprise and spun around hissing. In front of me stood a gray tom with amber eyes that were glaring angrily. I blinked in shock. 'Sm-Smokey?!' I gasped.

The tom hissed and leaped onto my shoulders, forcing my muzzle into the ground. Shocked at seeing Smokey, I didn't bother resisting.

'That's enough, Hailpaw. I think this loner has had quite enough,' a female voice sneered from somewhere behind me.

The cat on my shoulders got off and I stood up. When I looked at him again, I realised that he wasn't Smokey and my shoulders sagged. A part of me had been hoping that yesterday had been a horrible dream when I saw this tom. But no. The tom was more muscular and broader in his shoulders than Smokey had ever been on his poor diet. After taking in this fact, I glanced over to the she-cat and saw that she had a black pelt, purple eyes and was staring at me intently and angrily.

'Who are you and what are you doing here?' she demanded.

I sighed. There's that question again I thought before giving a reply. 'Raven. I'm looking for some cats I met yesterday.'

The she-cat narrowed her eyes at me with suspicion. She opened her mouth to say something that I assumed would be snarky, when she was interrupted.

'What are the names of the cats you are looking for?' A white-dipped ginger tabby strode out of the undergrowth and stood next to the she-cat.

'Oh, yes, Redfang! Because the names of the cats she's looking for will make all the difference! Indeed, in future we should just greet trespassers with "Who're looking for?"!' the she-cat meowed sarcastically and rolled her eyes at the ginger tabby.

I glanced between the two and then addressed Redfang, 'I'm looking for one of three cats, to be exact. Mudstar, Barkheart or Riverpaw. I met them yesterday and was told to find them i-...uh...today...' I looked away when I realised that I nearly revealed that I needed help. A fact that would say "I'm weak!" to a strange cat that was already hostile.

When I looked up again, I saw that all three cats were staring at me with either shock or disbelief.

'Then...you must be the cat that Mudstar told me about,' the she-cat murmured, attracting the stares of her companions and myself. She gave a nod and meowed, 'Yes. Now that I think about it, Mudstar did say your name was Raven and that I was to bring you to him if you turned up.'

'Wait a moment, Breezecloud. How does Mudstar know her. More importantly, how does she know Mudstar?' Redfang meowed in confusion.

'That doesn't matter,' Breezecloud replied shortly. 'Redfang, take Hailpaw and finish this patrol. When you return to camp you can both get food and rest.' Breezecloud turned away and flicked her tail at me. 'You're coming with me, Raven.'

I got up and started padding after Breezecloud, more than a little concerned about what was going to happen. Clearly, I wasn't truly expected nor welcome, and the way Breezecloud said my name had me worried that she was going to lead me to a fox's den rather than to Mudstar.

The moment we left Redfang's and Hailpaw's gazes, Breezecloud broke into a run and I tried to keep up as best I could, the emptiness of my stomach yowling at me to stop and eat instead. It wasn't long before we reached a stream that was rather wide and looked to me quite deep. We paused for a moment, Breezecloud standing tall as if she'd only just committed a short trot, while I was half bent over, panting for breath.

'Now, I'm betting you can swim just as well as a hedgehog can fly, so we'll go across the stepping stone,' Breezecloud meowed sarcastically, although the words "stepping stones" were heavily laced with distaste.

I ducked my head and followed the black she-cat to some stepping stone that I was able to jump on to cross the stream. Once on the other side, Breezecloud broke into a trot. As I followed, I considered the fact that I got the distinct impression that this she-cat rather disliked me and possibly even hated me.

A few moments later we reached some thick underbrush which we trotted around. As we followed the wall of greenery, I caught the sound and scent of cats and realised that this must be the camp. We soon reached another stream and Breezecloud made me cross it. Fortunately, the stream was shallow, and I only got my legs and some of my belly fur wet, rather than my whole body. I still crossed with strong distaste and shook each leg vigorously once out of the water. Breezecloud muttered something about me being as bad as "Sunclan" before we continued on. A few more strides later and Breezecloud finally addressed me once more.

'This is the entrance to camp,' she nodded to a gap in the bramble bush we stood next to. 'Stay near me if you wish to keep your fur intact.'

I blinked at her suggestion of hostility and started worrying about whether I truly had made the right choice or not as I followed her into the bush. As we padded along, I vaguely noted the strong scent of various cats and how the dirt beneath my paws was almost as hard as concrete. We soon stepped into sunlight and I stood blinking for a few moments to allow my eyes to adjust to the sudden brightness. Once they did, however, I regretted it. In front of me were several strange cats. All were either padding over to each other or were merely laying next to one another, cleaning or talking with each other. As I gazed about, rather unnerved, I took in how this place did, indeed, look like a camp. Everything was neat and organised, with a pile of prey placed out of the way. The moment my gaze landed on the prey; my stomach decided to let out a growl of annoyance at still not being full. It took all my self-control, to not run toward the pile and grab something. Noticing that Breezecloud had started forward, I hurried after her vaguely noting that it had been more than a day since I had last eaten. Not as bad as some weeks I thought gratefully.

'Intruder!' somecat yowled, causing me to freeze with shock.

As I looked about, I saw that everycat that was visible in the camp had their gazes on me. Not one, that I saw, was friendly or even nonchalant.

Note: Thank you Icestorm_094 for giving me your OC, Breezecloud to work with! I would also like to remind everyone else reading this that I would be more than happy to add your OC's to this story ^^

Secondary Note: If you are reading this now, then this book is finished, the story, however, is not and you are still welcome to add your OC's to the story either by filling out the form in this book or in the next one ;)