Emberstep's Journey [Warrior Cats]

Chapter 2: Battle With RiverClan

(Emberpaw)

I pad into camp with a thrush and a squirrel in my jaws and drop my prey onto the fresh-kill pile. I pad over to the elders’ den and slip inside. "Can I get you anything?" I ask and Dappletail purrs. "Some prey, please, Emberpaw."

"You are going to be a great warrior," Halftail purrs and the other elders murmur their agreement. I purr and slip out of the den. I grab a rabbit from the pile and give it to the elders. I’m getting ready to go out hunting again when a voice stops me.

"What's a kittypet like you doing here in the first place?" I listen to Dustpaw's jibe but I’m shocked when I hear my sister chime in. "A kittypet doesn't have what it takes to be a real warrior!" I turn my head and see Firepaw facing off against Dustpaw and Sandpaw. Firepaw's ears are flat against his head and his pelt is bristling.

I run over and cuff both apprentices on the ears. They turn and glare at me through narrowed slits. "How dare you insult Firepaw like that! He's been training his hardest and looking after everyone in the Clan. Which is more than I can say for you two, spending all your time thinking up mouse-brain kittypet jibes!" I snap at them and Sandpaw winces but Dustpaw just glares at me.

"Well said, Emberpaw, I think you're almost ready to earn your warrior name." I turn and see Whitestorm, Sandpaw's mentor. Sandpaw hangs her head in shame and Whitestorm tells both apprentices to search the elders for ticks and clean their bedding.

"Thanks for sticking up for me, Emberpaw." Firepaw hangs his head and I brush my tail against his flank catching his attention.

"Hey, don't listen to those mouse-brains, your probably the most hard working cat I've ever seen." He purrs and I press against him and lead him to the fresh-kill pile. I pick a mouse and Firepaw grabs a thrush. I just start eating when Willowpelt pads up to me. I have been training with Firepaw, Graypaw, and Ravenpaw for at least three or four moons.

I feel a pang in my heart when I think of Ravenpaw, Firepaw came back one night saying that he had been killed on the thunder path. I feel another pang at the loss of Spottedleaf, who was lost when Clawface killed her attempting to steal kits from our camp.

Yellowfang the former medicine cat from ShadowClan is now ours. "Hey, Emberpaw, you're almost ready for your warrior assessment." Excitement shoots through my pelt at the thought of becoming a warrior. Willowpelt grabs some prey and shares it with Whitestorm.

I feel someone lick my head, I turn my head and see my mother. "I'm proud of you." I purr and rub my head against her chin. I hear, Smallear hiss and that means trouble. Firestorm, Lionheart and Runningwind come haring into camp their pelts bristling in fear and rage.

"RiverClan attacked us at Sunningrocks!" Firestorm wails and Bluestar stares at the small patrol. Now that I’m closer I see that my father has claw marks along his flank, Runningwind's ear is shredded and bleeding, Lionheart has some scratches and clumps of fur missing.

"A few other cats are still fighting them please..." My father trails off sounding horrified. "Ok, Willowpelt, Whitestorm, Firepaw, Graypaw, and Emberpaw come on!" I jump to my paws alongside Firepaw and Graypaw.

We race to Sunningrocks and I can already hear the fighting as my father’s patrol runs alongside us. I stay close to Firepaw brushing my flank with his as we run. I hear cats screeching and can hear my Clanmates crying out in pain.

With eyes narrow in rage I leap forward with my Clan. I see Darkstripe fighting with a smoky tom, I've seen him at a gathering it's Blackclaw! But I can tell Darkstripe is tired and the RiverClan warrior easily batts at him with his claws.

I leap forward and fling myself onto Blackclaw and dig my claws into his spine. He screeches in pain and desperately tries to shake me off. I rake my claws down his side and bite down hard into Blackclaw's shoulder. After giving him wounds to think about I let him go and he runs wailing into the river.