The Blood Valley - (The Blazing Fires Book 1)

Chapter 19

A moon has since the rouges attacked. Tigerpelt, who was guarding camp the evening of the attack, couldn't fight off the infection of his wounds and died a few days afterward. Lizardsong's body was found later that day. The rogues had killed her while she was sunning near the stream. 

Morningeyes was hunting with Feathercloud and Nightchaser. Morningeyes dropped low into a hunting crouch, her belly fur brushing on the earth below her. She was stalking a plump vole. Morningeyes crept closer until she was a fox-length away. She finally leaped out, her claws stretched forward. She trapped the vole under her claw, and scooped it into her jaws, killing it. Morningeyes padded towards Nightchaser and Feathercloud. The two warriors were speaking with each other, their pelts both hot.

Nightchaser managed to tear her eyes away from Feathercloud, and faced Morningeyes. "Nice catch. Bring it back to camp." The white-dappled warrior flicked her tail, then turned back to Feathercloud.  Morningeyes reluctantly listened to the older warrior and trotted back to camp with the vole dangling from her jaws. "So, as I was saying," Nightchaser continued. "I've been hearing rumors from SwampClan that Twolegs are building nests near their territory." The black warrior spoke, her pelt growing hot.

"W-well, let's just hope those Twolegs-" Feathercloud paused mid-sentence, his gaze trailing onto the soil below him. "I can't go on like this..." The light grey warrior huffed. "Nightchaser, listen, I... I really like you. You're beautiful, talented, and a great friend. I really appreciate everything you do for me and the clan. And I..." Feathercloud lost all words.

Nightchaser put a reassuring tail on Feathercloud's back. " Feathercloud... I like you too. You're such a kindhearted, caring warrior. Ever since my parents died, I've had no one to talk to except Ravenstripe, but he's long gone..." The black warrior huffed. "But ever since you came along, I've had someone to talk to, someone to hunt with. So, Feathercloud... will you stand by my side as my mate?"

Feathercloud's face lit up once he heard those words. "Yes! Of course!" The silver warrior purred, wrapping his tail around his new mate. They both held a gaze filled with affection.

*****
Back at camp, Paleheart was chatting with Blueheart and Shallowpool. "Sharpkit is very active. I bet he'll be great at hunting." The tom purred.

"And, what about Riverkit?" Paleheart added.

"Well, Riverkit hasn't said a word. Ever. I'm worried there might be something wrong with him." Blueheart sighed, sweeping his tail low.

"Yeah, I'm unsure whether or not he would be able to become a warrior. Without communication, he won't be able to tell the clan about any issues." Shallowpool sighed.
Blueheart felt slightly uneasy after the tortoiseshell warrior's comment.

"You know, the clan thought that Mossgaze would never become a true warrior since he was so small and thin. But, he proved them wrong. He became an amazing warrior. I bet he'd become the greatest leader the valley has ever seen." The dark tom let his forest green eyes trail down to his paws. Shallowpool put her tail on the tom's back.

"He was a great warrior..." She mewed.

Paleheart stepped forward, keeping his head low. "I've never met this Mossgaze, but he sounds like he was a great warrior, and I'm kind of interested. Could you tell me more?"
Blueheart's face lit up, and he opened his mouth to speak until Lilystomp, Brindlepelt, and Softtooth trotted over.

"You're leading the sun-high patrol, remember?" Brindlepelt spoke.

"Right. I guess I lost track of time." Blueheart trotted towards the fern tunnel. Before he left, he swiftly turned to Paleheart. "I'll tell you all about Mossgaze once I get back," Blueheart said, before leaving camp with the patrol.