Warriors: War of the Clans - Darkness

Chapter 17

Foxlight yawned in the rising sunlight. Blizzardice, Snowfire, and Frozenfoot were already taken off duty by their former mentors. He glanced around as he heard Tangleheart's voice. "Foxlight." The tom padded up next to him. "Go ahead and sleep. Heartstone will show you your nest." Foxlight nodded gratefully and stood up, stretching his aching legs.

"It feels warm today," Foxlight meowed.

"Newleaf is on its way. Now go ahead and get some sleep." Foxlight turned and headed for the warrior's den, where Blizzardice and his siblings were already asleep.

"Yours is the one next to Blizzardice," Heartstone meowed, pointing it out with his tail. Foxlight stepped over the empty nests to the new one.

"Thanks, Heartstone," Foxlight yawned. Heartstone dipped his head and padded out of the den. Foxlight collapsed into his new nest, thankful for the soft moss. He curled up and let his tail rest on his nose, and allowed sleep to carry him away.

<|...........|>

When Foxlight blinked his eyes open, it was sunhigh. As he glanced around, he could see that Blizzardice and Snowfire were still in their nests. Foxlight glanced over to Frozenfoot's and found that she was gone. Foxlight pushed himself to his paws, padding over to the two siblings. "Hey! Wake up," He meowed, coming out louder than he expected. The two rolled onto their backs and groaned, each doing a similar wake up routine to the other. Stifling a purr of amusement, Foxlight walked into the clearing. He noticed that all three apprentices were out training, and only a few warriors were in the clearing. Frozenfoot was one. She was enjoying a shrew by the fresh-kill pile, and Foxlight padded over to join her.

"Hi Foxlight," she murmured through a mouthful of shrew. "This prey is bigger than usual!"

Foxlight scanned the fresh-kill pile and saw she was right. He picked out a nice mouse and chose a thrush for Blizzardice and a squirrel for Snowfire. He started on his mouse, when he heard a yawn and Blizzardice inquire, "Hey, are you going to eat all three of those?"

Foxlight purred and shook his head. "Take one. I saved some prey for you and Snowfire."

"Thanks, Foxlight." Blizzardice picked up the thrush while Snowfire picked the squirrel. Foxlight smiled to himself. They each have their favorites. He flicked his ear and finished the mouse.

"Isn't there a gathering today?" Snowfire yawned.

Foxlight sighed. "If there is one, we probably won't be able to go."

"And why is that?" The four new warriors jumped at the sound of Blackstar's voice.

"W-well..." Foxlight stood up and turned to face the black-furred leader. "I mean, we just stood watch all night. So we would be tired, right?"

Blackstar shrugged. "It has come to my attention that you, Foxlight, have never been to a gathering, and none of you have been to the moonpool for part of your training. I'll schedule the moonpool some other time, but you should go to a gathering. All four of you are going to the gathering tonight." She picked up a squirrel from the fresh-kill pile and padded back to her den.

"Wow," Blizzardice whispered. "A gathering on our first day as a warrior!"

"Foxlight, have you really never been to a gathering?" Snowfire inquired.

"Nope," Foxlight sighed. "But I get to go now!"

The new warriors exchanged excited glances, anxious for the night to fall.

<|............|>

Foxlight followed Tangleheart through the trees. I'm going to a gathering! Blackstar and Dappledsky were at the front, leading the way through the forest. The trees opened up to the lake, where the stars glittered on the calm waves.