The Forgotten Tribe {Warriors Fanfiction}

Chapter 4

Moonpaw and Ashpaw walked through the dark tunnel side by side. They both were small enough that they could, which was extremely lucky, since Moonpaw didn't like going down there alone.

"Here we are." Littlenose whispered in awe, staring at the beautiful moonstone. The others stepped inside the cavern, gaping at the glowing rock that resembled their ancestors.

Everyone quietly surrounded the moonstone. Moonpaw lay by Littlenose, who was clearly excited and anxious to be there. Ashpaw settled somewhere on the other side, which disappointed Moonpaw. All he wanted was a new apprentice friend to spend time with.

One by one, the cats dozed off into their dreams with StarClan, but it took Moonpaw longer. He stared at the glowing stone in front of his face, his nose pressed against it. Eventually, he drifted off, feeling a warm wind brush against his face.

He opened his eyes again, instantly seeing a bright, moonlight forest. His eyes glowed with interest as he began wandering around, along a small creek. He narrowed his gaze when he saw a trail he recognized. The trail that led to the tribe territories. His heart soared, pride swelling up in his chest. He had tribe roots! He should've followed it, but a voice behind him stopped him in his tracks.

"Moonpaw," It was a familiar voice. Moonpaw spun around to face the she-cat.

"Minnowpool." Moonpaw drew in a sharp breath. The she-cat was practically glittering, like a star, as she approached.

Minnowpool nodded slowly. Her gaze was calm and her tail flicked slightly at her paws. "Moonpaw, I wish for you to meet someone. Someone important. I know you've been hiding away your thoughts, thinking you could forget them, but I know you haven't forgotten your wish."

Moonpaw guiltily looked at his paws. He already knew what was happening, and nothing these cats told him was going to change his mind about anything.

Minnowpool gestured toward the line of forest, and from it emerged a black tom. His eyes narrowed at the apprentice, his torn ear twitched. This was a cat Moonpaw had only heard about in Nursery stories. Nothing more.

"Rabbit that Hops Briskly?" Moonpaw tilted his head. "Er, I mean, Rabbit?"

The tom didn't move, he continued to stare. "Indeed. I know what you're thinking, Moonpaw."

Moonpaw stood his ground. He didn't answer.  He didn't need to, he already knew what the old tom was going to say.

Rabbit broke his gaze away and studied Minnowpool. "You can't bring the tribe back together."

"Why, then?" Moonpaw took a step forward, his voice sharp. Why couldn't he just bring his heritage together to live in peace?

"It was chaos!" Rabbit lifted his head. "There were many battles between the tribe and the clans. Too many. There was nothing but war!"

Moonpaw's voice faltered. "This isn't why I'm here." He finally said. He wanted to change the subject immediately. Nothing they said was going to change his mind.

Rabbit shook his head and turned to Minnowpool. "Well, I can only warn you." His cold gaze turned back to the apprentice. "War will break out in the clans if the tribe returns. You mustn't provoke it." He then turned and walked away, disappearing into the stars.

Minnowpool sighed. "StarClan trusts you with sacred information, Moonpaw. You must learn to accept it, and trust it."

"You guys aren't stopping me." Moonpaw stubbornly puffed out his chest.

Minnowpool turned around quickly to face the forest behind her. "I know." She muttered. "You better be going, the others are waking." 

Moonpaw opened his mouth to complain, but he shook his head. It would be bad if they all left him behind. He pressed his nose against Minnowpool's flank, before closing his eyes.

When he opened them, he turned around to see that everyone was awake, and Littlenose had fear in her eyes. Ashpaw was sitting next to Amberpool, and Pricklepaw by Riverberry. Sure enough, Ivyleaf was sitting really close to Riverberry, and they were sharing tongues. Littlenose anxiously stood by the entrance, slightly bouncing on her paws.

"Littlenose?" Moonpaw stood up carefully, watching his mentor in concern. 

"Moonpaw? Ah, yes, Moonpaw!" Littlenose smiled and turned to the entrance. "We all should head for home, don't you think?"

"Otterstar will be waiting..." Amberpool said thoughtfully, lightly brushing her tail against Ashpaw's shoulder.

Ivyleaf looked down guiltily. Moonpaw could tell something was up with her. The ShadowClan medicine cat stood up and led the way out.

"Follow me, I agree it should be time to go." She called over her shoulder. Amberpool was the first to stand up and quickly follow. Moonpaw stayed behind to walk next to Ashpaw again.

"So what did you dream about?" Ashpaw mewed when Moonpaw fell into step with him.

"Super secret ThunderClan business." Moonpaw grinned, making sure his tone was playful, so Ashpaw knew he was joking.

"Oh? I hope there was something about your new leader." Ashpaw's face grew stern and concerned. "Both Amberpool and I have been extremely worried about the rising conflict between the clans. StarClan told me..." He paused, as if he didn't want to share such secret information. "There is a planned attack on ThunderClan. I wanted to tell you, so you guys can be prepared."

Moonpaw's eyes widened in interest and alarm. He looked ahead in the dark tunnel. Thank StarClan no one could hear them through the echoes, the other cats were waiting outside.

"Come on, you two!" Pricklepaw hissed into the tunnel.

The two emerged, panting. Moonpaw looked around at the territories ahead. You could see fourtrees from here!

"Come on, then." Littlenose ordered. Everyone began splitting up, to Moonpaw's dismay. He wanted to walk with Ashpaw more.

"Farewell," Ivyleaf licked Riverberry between the ears. "May StarClan light your path."

Riverberry smiled and broke off of the group, Pricklepaw following along quietly. Next, Ivyleaf headed into her own territory, and Ashpaw and Amberpool, who were already far ahead, entered RiverClan territory.

Moonpaw looked at Littlenose, who still seemed on edge. 

"What's troubling you?" He tilted his head curiously, watching his mentor's wild eyes.

"It's trouble with choosing the next leader." Littlenose paused. "StarClan won't choose for us, who knows why, and we as a clan has to choose by the next gathering."

"What? That's in a half moon!" Moonpaw raised his voice, startled by the information.

"I know." Littlenose sighed. "I spent a lot of time thinking about it, actually. The cat who visited me, Fernstar, said we both have the highest rank in the clan, currently. I think it's up to us to choose."

Moonpaw stared at her, his heart pounding. Perhaps Morningbreeze would be a good leader. Or even Honeydusk, or Appleberry! Anyone but Narrowblaze or Heatherdusk. Neither of them respected StarClan. They made fun of medicine cats! They thought they knew best!

"I think I know who it should be." Littlenose said quietly. "It sounds crazy, but I put a lot of thought into it."

Moonpaw broke out of his angry swirl of thoughts to look back at her. "Who?"

"I'll keep thinking about it, so don't panic." Littlenose sighed. "I think it should be Narrowblaze."