Warriors-Secret of the Realms-#1 Dark Tunnels

Chapter 14

Reedpaw

Reedpaw lounged in the sunlight. He took a mouthful of his shrew then tossed the rest to Bluepaw. "You can have it" he Mewed. Bluepaw looked at him gratefully and gulped up the shrew.

Reedpaw padded towards the apprentices den. Stupid Bluepaw. She thinks I love her, she makes it so obvious. I'll use her as my own servant he thought bitterly. Bluepaw has always mooned over him. The only She-cat with a place in his heart was-

"Reedpaw! Come here!" Called Leopardtail from the Apprentices den. "Flowerpaw needs a partner to train with." Reedpaw frowned. "I was going hunting!" He called. He did a quick wash and raced out of camp before Leopardtail could protest.

The group that went for the Gathering was returning. "Reedpaw? What are you doing here?" Asked Cedarbranch. "I was hunting" he replied. "I'm glad you're safe." He murmured. Reedpaw felt confused, why was Cedarbranch being gentle?

"What happened, to all of you?"

Birchstar looked at him. He shook his head "I will announce it at the camp" he told Reedpaw. The group went back to camp.

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Birchstar leaped onto the Highrock. "Let all cats old enough to leap the pit of shadows join beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!" His summon echoed across the clearing. Mosspetal had settled into the nursery and emerged tired.

The clan gathered beneath the Highrock all yowling protests.

"Why so late?"

"A cat can't get enough sleep"

"I was just trying to get some rest"

"This better be important"

"Shut up and listen!" Snarled Whiteout, clearly eager to hear what they had to say.

"A group of rogues has settled in Ridgeclan territory." Began Birchstar. "We sent a patrol of a warrior and apprentice from each clan to investigate"

"So what? It's Ridgeclan's problem" Snarled Whiteout, not so keen to hear the news.

"They could cross into our territory too!" Protested Bluepaw. "We could chase them off" answered Graywhisker, licking his paw. "They could be stronger then we think.." Puddlepaw trailed off as she realized that everyone in the clan was looking at her.

"What?" She said self consciously. A chorus of yowls broke out.

"Are you saying we're weak?"

"No rogue is a match for Wingclan!"

"Young ones, always thinking they know everything"

"Mouse brains! We need to make a plan" began Featherwing. "Does anyone know the names of the rogues?" He asked, his gaze piercing everyone. "I was on the Gathering patrol. There was a rogue named Flick. He talked about someone named Vanish. I don't know about the She-cat he was talking to" Leopardpaw Said.

"Me and Flowerpaw got into a fight with a rogue named Bug" added Owlpaw. "I saw three rogues while hunting, one was a She-cat, the other two were toms. The she-cat was called Snarl, the toms were Cube and Ugly." Runningfur Mewed.

A ripple of amusement broke out. "Ugly? His mother must've been grumpy" joked Graywhisker. "Has anyone else seen Rogues?" Asked Birchstar. Nobody answered. "We have four names, Flick, Cube, Ugly and Snarl."

"We need to find the name of that She-cat Flick was talking too. Leopardpaw, Cedarbranch, And Snakeheart. Go investigate the area to find her name. Find as many rogue names as you can" the mentioned cats slipped away from the gathered clan and slipped out the entrance.

"Wait!" Called Leopardpaw from the entrance. "What can we tell Ridgeclan?" She asked. "You're finding the rogues. They can join if they please" replied Birchstar. "The meeting is over!" He waved his tail and slid down the Highrock.

The crowd went to their dens. The camp was silent until, a screech came from the forest. He thought it was Mosspetal, but she was picking a piece of fresh kill. He reluctantly dragged himself to the sound.

Surprised to find it from the dirtplace tunnel, he slipped into the undergrowth. "Get off me! Stupid Rogue!" Spat a familiar voice. That was Eaglewing! Reedpaw crouched down lower.

"I'm not Stupid Rogue! I am Frog!" The rogue bent his head to give the killing bite. Reedpaw let out a yowl and hurtled himself at Frog. Frog let out a gasp of surprise. "Run!" He Screeched at Eaglewing. Eaglewing narrowed her eyes. "No way! I am not leaving you here with this mange pelt!" Eaglewing hurtled herself into the fray of teeth and claws.

The disaster ended with Frog fleeing into the forest and Eaglewing panting like a dog beside Reedpaw. For an elder, she fought well!

"Let's get back to camp" he said softly. He supported her back to the camp and their clan mates were looking at them surprised. "Don't ask" he grunted as he led her to the elders den. Rainstorm looked at them with wide eyes but didn't bother him about it. Reedpaw made his way to the Leaders den.

He was going to push himself through but a creeping sensation told him not to. An echo sounded in his ear. The screech of an eagle and the fierce growl of a she-cat. He whipped around and found himself in a barren wasteland.

The She-cat had managed to be free from the grip of the terrifying bird. But it retreated to the sky. The She-cat was growling. "That's what you get for messing with old Cloudmist!" She Yowled. For once he noticed that she looked old, but strong.

His vision ended. And he was thrown into darkness. "Where am I?" He echoed. "Find the pool of blood, for only it can see behind the Shadows."