Warriorcats #1: Vengeance

Chapter Four

SkyOtter peered into the large den, her blue gaze taking in the dark cave. Pebblestar was settled neatly at the corner of the den, her paws tucked under her belly and her eyes expressionless. She swept her tail around to gesture the whole of the cave. "Please, sit." She meowed, her whiskers twitching as she watched the cats settle. BirchFeather struggled to keep his fur from bristling as he waited for Pebblestar to speak. Tallpaw was amazed. The ceiling was rather high, and the den had enough space for at least five or six cats to fit comfortably. Beside Pebblestar was a small pool of water, which illuminated the cave. Long shadows fell behind the cats as they began their meeting.

"I see you've met some hostility from my cats..." Pebblestar's tone was far from sympathetic. Her bright green gaze seemed to burn into Cloudstar's ruffled fur. SkyOtter worked her claws into the soft ground. "Yes, we have." Cloudstar growled, just as content. "Our last border patrol was attacked by one of your apprentices." Pebblestar puffed out her fur, letting out a snort. "My apprentices don't know their tails from their ears, Cloudstar." She meowed. "They're only six and a half moons." BirchFeather let out a low growl. "Six and a half moons may be enough." SkyOtter mewoed, her icy blue gaze piercing into Pebblestar's. "She attacked BirchFeather, Pebblestar. Without a good reason or sign from her mentor." She flicked her tail towards BirchFeather's small bruise across his hip. Pebblestar sighed, her tail snaking around with irritation. "Well, I can hardly blame her. Whoever it was at least knew you had rat's blood on your paws." Her tone was full of amusement, but her eyes were not quite so readable. Cloudstar growled. "This is no laughing matter!" He hissed, struggling to keep his claws sheathed. "My whole clan cannot trust you anymore to uphold the warrior code like the fourclans did!" Pebblestar frowned. "I didn't ask anycat to trust me, Cloudstar." She pointed out. "Now tell me the real reason of your arrival."

"We're not the only clan that's realizing the change in climate." Cloudstar began. QuietOwl nodded. "Prey is getting scarcer. We all know that, Pebblestar." Her tone wavered slightly. She was obviously not used to speaking with leaders. SkyOtter flicked her tail towards a small crack in the ceiling. "The weather is changing." She pointed out. "Don't blame us. Starclan knows what their doing." Pebblestar flicked her tail, silencing the she-cat. "You have no right to think that Ashclan is having anymore problems than your own." She growled. Tallpaw flinched. Cloudstar cocked his ears slightly. "We want to help." He explained, his tone gentle. "I know you've just become leader, Pebblestar. Pressure can sometimes turn a cat crazy. Whatever is going on, though, take my advice and don't make it any worse."

Pebblestar's eyes flashed, but she didn't respond. Her fur lied flat as she broke her gaze with the tom. SkyOtter felt a rush of victory. What's going on with Ashclan? Tallpaw thought. "A battle is no way to solve Starclan's path of destiny." Pebblestar mewoed, her voice nearly a whisper. "But, I know what's going to happen to my clan if I can't change that." Cloudstar tilted his head. "What do you think Starclan is planning?" He asked. SkyOtter flexed her claws into the ground. "A drought. It's already hit our camp, we've lost a kit!" Pebblestar struggled to contain herself. "I was hoping to expand our borders." Cloudstar let out a mrrow of amusement. "Pebblestar, I'll share the waterfall with you until this passes." He meowed. "But, only if you don't tell any of your cats about our discussion." Pebblestar looked up hopefully, and Tallpaw suddenly noticed the youth in her eyes. She's barely even old enough for a young warrior! He thought, shocked slightly. No wonder Cloudstar was so quick to help.

The sun pelted down upon Tallpaw as he exited the den, followed by QuietOwl and BirchFeather. Pebblestar was the last to leave, her gaze hard to read. She's a good leader. Tallpaw realized, noticing the determination in her pace. But she's so young. What was Starclan thinking? His thoughts were interrupted as Pebblestar leapt onto an overhanging rock. "All cats gather beneath the High Cliff for a meeting!" She called out, ignoring the blaring heat of the sun. Murmurs from the cats as they gathered filled the gorge, their pelts almost identical in the sunlight. "I expect you to take care of these cats before we let them leave." Her tone was slightly harsh. It was obvious not to counter her decision. "Cloudstar has lost a life, so I won't stand for any of your growling!" She flicked her tail towards the medicine cat, FoxDapple."I want you to take good care of Cloudstar. He'll need some rest before his journey back home." FoxDapple's bright orange fur bristled slightly, but Lightpaw seemed almost excited. Pebblestar dismissed the cats with a flick of her tail, leaping down from the cliff. She padded over to the Stormclan cats quietly. "You can sleep in my den tonight." She meowed, watching as Cloudstar shakily padded over to FoxLeap and Lightpaw. BirchFeather dipped his head in thanks. So, this is what Cloudstar came for? Tallpaw was slightly amazed. Just to help Pebblestar? He glanced around and noticed the discomfort in Skyotter's gaze. She isn't quite so agreeable either. Tallpaw realized. What if this is just a setup? Could Pebblestar just be playing Clodustar into giving her power?