Warriorcats #1: Vengeance

Chapter Six

By the time all five cats had returned to their camp, the sun had almost dipped under the mountains. The forest was bursting with prey, but none of the other cats cared to hunt. As they padded through the tunnel, they were met by a wave of questioning gazes and curious meows. Cloudstar brushed past the crowd of cats and leapt onto the Tall Tree, calling his clan to a meeting. All the loud noise was silenced as the clan corrected their attention towards their leader. "I'm very glad to be back home." He began. His vocie overall sounded tired, but something in his eyes seemed energetic. He flicked his tail towards the cats that accompanied him pointedly. "And I'm sure they are too." Tallpaw nodded, pawing the ground.

A grey tom cocked his ears, his tail snaking around his paws. "What was Pebblestar up to?" He asked, nudging MouseWhisker. The jet-black tom let out a gruff snort, mumbling something to himself. Cloudstar sighed. "She was doing what she thought was right." He began, vulnerably. HazeFang growled bristling with impatience. "So, tell us why she was nipping us!" He yipped. SkyOtter stepped forwards harshly, her gaze icy and cold. "That's no way to speak to your leader, HazeFang!" She hissed, flicking her tail towards Tallpaw pointedly. "What impression do you intend to make for our future warriors?" HazeFang hung his head, shame showing through his sulking position. Cloudstar dipped his head, thanking SkyOtter, before continuing. "Ashclan has been low on prey, lately." He explained, shuffling his paws uncomfortably.

"But why?" Featherpaw tilted her head. "It's no where close to leaf-fall or cold-nights!" Cloudstar nodded, respecting the she's powerful point. "Yes, but you must remember how different Ashclan's territory is." He responded gently. "They're going through a drought which, in my opinion, is worse than any cold-night could be." DuskStorm pawed the ground, snorting quietly. SKyOtter eyed the tom bitterly. Cloudstar sighed, his tail drooping. "I've decided to share my territory until the drought has been stemmed." Murmurs of alarm filled the clearing. MouseWhisker growled. "You're not telling me we're going to help them?!" His tone was hysteric. Cloudstar silecned the cats with a flick of his tail. "I advice you not to question me." He meowed, his gaze understandable. "I know it doesn't seem right, after her hostility. But, sometimes having Ashclan as an ally, regardless how long, may help." SkyOtter stepped forwards agreeably. "You are dismissed!" Cloudstar ended the ceremony, leaping down form the rock. As the cats dispersed, SkyOtter summoned EchoFall and Fallenpaw, with Cloudstar's company.

SkyOtter's tone was grave. "We didn't want the whole clan to know." She began, and immediately EchoFall exchanged a look with Fallenpaw. "Cloudstar has lost his ninth life. He only has one more." Cloudstar nodded slowly, but stayed quiet. Apparently he was feeling too distressed. EchoFall sighed. "We expected such." He began, his voice cracked with age. Cloudstar's eyes filled with confusion. "Why wouldn't you warn us?" EchoFall shrugged.

"We have our reasons." He didn't meet his leader's gaze, turning to Fallenpaw pointedly. "Don't we?" The apprentice nodded with exaggerated vigor. Cloudstar sighed, sitting back on his haunches. SkyOtter noticed a slight bit of depression in the tom's gaze. "What's bothering you so much, Cloudstar?" She asked, lowring her voice. "Aren't you happy to be back as a normal- er... Almost normal cat again?" Cloudstar nodded, but it was slow and unintentional. "Honestly, SkyOtter, nothing is as normal as I want it to be." He admitted. "Eversince I was only deputy and Tigerclan attacked Stormclan, we were left with only so many cats..." He trailed off, and SkyOtter knew his point. "We aren't the Stormclan I use to know." He sighed, flicking his tail to take in the whole of the camp. "That's why I'm planning on getting more cats to join. At least then, we won't be left with only five warriors."