warriors ✧ shattered winds

✦ chapter one ✦

the afternoon sun wasn't enough to warm the medicine cat's pelt. winter was closing in, and he was nervous about not having many herbs. he and roseclaw and searched the territory, but it was a fruitless attempt and nothing had been found.

bristlestar sat perched upon lichen stump with an expressionless face. he was staring ahead, but seemed to be looking through everything.

"uh- sir- may i help you?" pinebranch asked.

the leader looked down at the younger tom, eying him. "fetch me roseclaw," he spat.

"sir, roseclaw has been gone all morning in search of herbs for elkstrike."

the elderly leader frowned. "fine then, i'll talk to you. do you think you and some warriors would be able to go off and find herbs outside our borders?"

pinebranch sat down. "i'm not sure. we've never sent a patrol out for herbs in my lifetime."

bristlestar chuckled. "you're only twenty-two moons old. i've been here far longer than you. when i was a kit, they sent out the medicine cat and some warriors for catmint and came back with plenty."

the medicine cat drifted his gaze away. bristlestar made him nervous. one moment the tom was happy, the next he was hissing and demanding they attack another clan. what made it worse was the fact bristlestar was his uncle.

"i wouldn't mind going off to find herbs. just send me with good warriors," pinebranch replied.

the leader nodded. "very well. i'll call a clan meeting tonight and arrange a patrol for you."

pinebranch nodded and quickly dashed off. he curled up inside the medicine den, his heart racing. did he really just volunteer to leave the territory? what if something happened? this would be his first time without roseclaw helping him if something were to happen. thoughts raced through his mind, and he felt sick to his stomach.

✦

as the sun began to set, pinebranch waited impatiently for bristlestar to announce who would be leaving with him. his heart was racing, and roseclaw was desperately trying to comfort him. it was in vain.

the elderly leader jumped onto lichen stump, cleared his throat, and called out for the cats to gather around. as bristlestar looked around, pinebranch felt himself shrink under his pelt.

"pinebranch and i have decided to send cats on a journey to find herbs," the leader grumbled, "so i need to be sending cats with him. i have decided who will be traveling with him, and hope they all return safely."

pinebranch gulped.

"hedgetail and her apprentice mosspaw seem fit for the journey. mosspaw is almost ready to become a warrior, and i believe my son should have this experience. i expect him to return," bristlestar growled the last part.

hedgetail modded. "it's an honor to be chosen. i promise you that mosspaw will return safely."

"good," bristlestar replied. "mistybush, spiderheart, and nettlestripe will also be going."

pinebranch let out a sigh of relief. thank starclan he is sending me with cats who can actually fight...

"i wanna go!" shouted a voice.

pinebranch flattened his ears. beatrice. the medicine cat sunk his claws into the ground. for the past two moons, starclan had been warning him about her. they sent omens and visions, but not one cat listened to him. she was going to destroy the clans.

"bristlestar wants cats that can fight going with him," pinebranch replied to the she-cat curtly. "a kittypet doesn't stand a chance against the cruelty of the world."

beatrice stood up, her pelt bristling. "i've been training and practicing. may i remind you that i've been living on my own for the three moons before i arrived here?" she snarled.

"silence!" bristlestar yowled. "pinebranch, this isn't your decision. i believe beatrice should go. she is exceptionally good at tracking, and having her with you will help you get a head start on predators that may be lurking out there."

the medicine cat flinched and forced his fur to lie flat again. he felt bitter inside, and just wanted to scream at everyone. nobody saw what he saw... and nobody believed him.