WarriorCats 1: The New Clans

Chapter 19

Dewdrop's eyelids cracked open to the bitterness of a chilled ground underneath. Her body felt stiff and aching as she struggled to sit up, her emerald eyes hazy. Eventually, the landscape came into view. A waterfall rushed from the side of a mountain and disappeared over the edge of the cliff. There was water pooled at her feet, as well as a decaying mouse, half eaten.  Dry grass surrounded her, but not long and hard to walk through like the forest; no, this was shorter than her claw, and there was some dusty patches of land without any grass at all. Confused, the ginger she cat swiveled around, regaining most of her energy and strength. There was no one around, or no one that was within eyesight. But then she heard another cat meowing to someone and dropped back down as if she were sleeping again. Peeping through her eyelids, Dewdrop discovered a mousy brown tom and a black tom talking to each other. Following, was a pale cream she-cat and a brown and white tabby she cat, again, talking. Squeezing her eyes closed, Dewdrop listened.

"Has she woken yet?" Asked the biggest tom-black.

"No, not while I've been watching her. It's been three days; I got worried and came to find you. Y'know, in case anything was wrong. You didn't give her death berries, did you?" The brown tom asked anxiously, looking round at the tabby.

"Oh of course I didn't give her death berries! Look, she's breathing, mouse brain. I did exactly as Thornstar said and nothing else."

"And what did Thornstar say? When you brought her back?"

"He said to give her to you, and then left me." The tabby snapped, flattening her ears. She was a sight to see, with a long tail, pristine paws, gleaming fur and piercing blue eyes. The other she cat held the same beauty, only with green eyes and her cream coat groomed at least three times a day. Whereas the brown tom has messy fur and regular amber eyes; but he was charming, in a way.

"Shut up, Mouseclaw, Sleekpelt." Hissed the dark tom, who lead the patrol. "Berrytail, try and wake her."

The cream she-cat stepped forward hesitantly and unsheathed her claws, jabbing one sharply into Dewdrop's shoulder. With a sharp gasp of pain, Dewdrop lurched forward, leaping up to attack, her fur on end, teeth and claws out. In shock, Berrytail leapt back, peering curiously at the ginger she-cat. Mouseclaw fidgeted behind her, while Sleekpelt stalked forward, glaring directly at Dewdrop.  "Stay back." She snarled, ears flat back as she did.

Acknowledging that she was outnumbered, Dewdrop lowered her fur, bring in her claws and dropped her curling lips slowly. Her green eyes held Sleekpelt's fiery gaze, meeting the level of coldness that would've gripped most cats' attention. "Sleekpelt, back." The black tom murmured.

"But Shadowstalk, she's an intruder!"

"Sleekpelt! We will bring her to Thornstar. He will decide what to do with her." Shadowstalk hissed, daring her to disobey. Reluctantly, the she-cat obliged and narrowed her eyes towards Dewdrop, who was ushered harshly into the forest. Mouseclaw, Shadowstalk and Sleekpelt were murmuring ahead of her, glancing back every so often to make sure Berrytail hadn't let her go.

"Hey, you. Where am I?" Dewdrop whispered to Berrytail, who seemed to be in a sad daze, her eyes cast into space with a mournful look.  The cream she-cat met her eye for a moment before dropping her gaze.

"Can't tell you." She uttered as coldly as she could.

"Why not?"

"I just can't."

"Why?"

"I'm not allowed!" Berrytail exclaimed, her anger rising slightly with every word spoken.

"Shush Berrytail! We're almost here!" Shadowstalk growled from in front, Boeing his head along with everyone else as they entered a clearing. The clearing was huge, filled with dirt dens, hollowed out like rabbit holes, cats climbing into little shelters inside of the tree, all turning to stare at the newcomer. But before anyone could say a word, a loud voice came from a huge oak tree, which branches spread out to make a cosy little den at the top, protected by leaves and branches, yet cushioned by the trunk.