Storm's Arise }{ Unfinished/Mystery/Violence/A...

[lilystar]

Title: Storm's Arise
Chapters: Umm...Unknown right now!
Author: Lilystar
Pairing: It shows pairings like Storm/Brook and Bramble/Squirrel
Rating: G
Spoilers: None that I can think of...
Summary: The story takes place after Sunset. Stormfur and Brook have decided to return to RiverClan with little success of fitting in. But when something unsuspecting and shocking happens to Leopardstar, the Clan turns into chaos that only Stormfur can solve. Having no clue how to save his leader or his Clan, and with a new enemy on the rise, Stormfur must blindly battle against evil-doing and destruction, even when the rest of the Clan can't see any.
Warning: Some deaths, but nothing too serious.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, or Warriors. (But I would love too!! )

Author's Notes: Okay, so this is my first story here on these archives! Comments and ratings would be greatly appreciated, so I can fix my wrongs and streangthen my rights! Please enjoy Storm's Arise!

Prolouge

“You can’t leave us!” Squirrelflight protested, her green eyes flashing in pain, “ThunderClan needs you, and have you forgot what happened to you in RiverClan?” The pregnant she-cat was shivering slightly; the sight of losing her friends was more than she could bear. Facing her, with the fiery ginger she-cat’s pain reflected in their eyes, was Stormfur and Brook, flanking each other with a sorrowful expression on their faces. It had been almost a moon since the day when Hawkfrost had lured Firestar into the hidden fox-trap lingering on ThunderClan territory. His plot had been to kill away the ThunderClan leader so that his brother Brambleclaw, the newly named successor of Graystripe, could become leader. Nobody knew what happened after that-Brambleclaw had refused to say- but the river of frothy blood flowing from Hawkfrost’s unmoving body on the bank of the lake, and Firestar alive though weak, showed that Brambleclaw had refused. Now the broad-shouldered, dark tabby tom stood flanking his ginger mate. Firestar had stepped up besides his daughter, preparing his final good-byes to the tribe-and-Clan-cat couple.

“That was when Hawkfrost was still alive,” Stormfur pointed out, “Brook and I are internally grateful for all that ThunderClan has done for us, but RiverClan…you have to understand that it’s my home at heart, and always will be. And now that Hawkfrost is killed, and Mistyfoot’s deputyship is secure, things should be calmer back in RiverClan.”

“Absoulutly.” Firestar nodded shortly, “We understand Stormfur. You have that same spirit as your father did.” A flash of emotion covered Firestar’s gaze for a moment, but disappeared seconds later. Squirrelflight felt the pain emitting off her father’s fur, and knew he was thinking about the gray, easy-going tom, and how he would never be returning.

“Though you will be in another Clan,” Squirrelflight spoke up, to take over her father’s loss of words, “you will always be a friend of ThunderClan.”

Small crescent smiles appeared on Brook’s and Stormfur’s faces, and Brook purred softly, “Thank you, all of you. Stormfur and I will never forget what you’ve done for us.” She stepped forward smoothly, leaning close to Squirrelflight until her soft nose touched Squirrelflight own, and in a whisper, she mewed, “Take care now, my friend. We wouldn’t want those kits of yours getting hurt.” A mischievous and caring look danced in the tribe-cat’s eyes as she stepped back to Stormfur’s side.
Squirrelflight purred loudly, brushing up against Brambleclaw’s pelt, and he gently nosed her ear. “I will!” she meowed firmly, “I promise!”

Then it was Brambleclaw’s turn, and he stepped forward silently to face his RiverClan ally. They’d been through the confusing dreams StarClan had sent, the journey to Sun-drown place, the terrible lost of Feathertail, the Tribe of Rushing Water, and finally, their return to find their home destroyed beyond anything they could ever imagine. But what none of these could compare was the utter despair and loss that took over them as they struggled to find their new home. Nothing could describe how much stress and doubt was put into the final steps to safety.
A bond of everlasting trust was placed within those six cats that had made their mark within the Clans.

And now that was ending. These thoughts swarmed like bees in Brambleclaw’s mind, and words choked in his throat. He felt his heart swell with pain, and he could all but beg Stormfur to stay. Instead he touched noses with the gray tom, and murmured, “We’ve really been through a lot together.”

“Yeah,” Stormfur’s voice sounded wistful.

“I…I guess this is it. I mean, the end of it all, of what we’ve been through, our bond as a team.” Brambleclaw looked down at the ground awkwardly.

Stormfur chuckled softly, and gave the deputy a friendly nudge, “Hey--it’ll never be over, Brambleclaw. I know it won’t. You can feel it as much as I can.”

The toms stepped away slowly, Brambleclaw’s eyes brimming with hope and sadness. There was complete silence as Stormfur and Brook turned to the entrance, until a soft breezed kicked up, and blew above the rocky hollow of ThunderClan’s hollow. It made a slow, and long whistle that was hardly audible, but it was still there. As Stormfur’s and Brook’s tail-tip’s were swallowed into the gorse entrance that stuck out between the jutting rocks, the soft whistle died away.

[lilystar]

Chapter 1

Stormfur found himself realizing that he never experienced such angst before, whenever on his way home. The dreary and dull mountains had caused an infection of homesickness and a pile of stress upon his paws with the message of evacuation. It caused his pads to turn raw and blistery, and his muscles strained and worn. When he left the Clans to go back to that unfamiliar world of sharp jags of rock and talons of falcons, he didn’t think that it would be too overwhelming.

It had been. And even on his way back to where the Clans nested in their new territory, fear had him caught in its vicious thread. He had no idea how the Clans would react. He didn’t know what kind of game Hawkfrost would play on him and Brook.

But this time there was something he couldn’t piece together. It was a blot of darkness on his heart, but he couldn’t reach it, and he didn’t know what it meant. He shivered as a cold breeze ruffled his pelt, and it awakened his senses. The blurred world around him suddenly became clear as the fog of his thoughts dispersed, and he blinked a few times in wonder before he realized where they were. The heart of ThunderClan territory was well gone. Few trees remained near the shore of the lake, and a gurgle of bubbling water came from not too far away.

“We’re near the stream that marks WindClan and ThunderClan border,” Brook’s quiet voice floated in his ear. Her cold, leathery nose touched his flank, and he turned his head to look into her beautiful, sparkling eyes. They held a mysterious glint to them, foreign to the Clan cats’ own eyes.

“Is everything alright, Stormfur?” Brook asked softly.
Stormfur looked away and nodded, “Yeah. I just…do you think I’m doing the right thing?” he blurted out, his gaze shooting back up to meet hers.

Brook smiled, gently tapping her tail against his ear. “As long as you are following your heart.” It sounded as if she meant to say more and stopped the rest of her answer to make a shorter one, for some strange reason. Stormfur, puzzled, tried to think up of something to say to her confusing end.

“B-but my heart is torn. Between my home, and my friends…I mean, my Clan and my friends.”

“It’s not as if anyone is forcing you to make a choice.” Brook pointed out lightly.

Stormfur nodded slowly, his eyes clouding once again in thought, “Do you think they’ll allow us back?”

Brook seemed to ponder on this question, before at last she meowed, “There’s the one way to find out…” Not a real answer, Stormfur thought, beginning to trudge on once again, But it’s the truth.

* * *

Stormfur stood at the bank of the stream, watching pebbles sparkle under the dancing waves of clear water. Water was his element, and it soothed him to watch it peacefully drift on, with no worries or fears, like he had. Another strong blast of wind buffeted his fur, and shook the open moor ahead of them as long blades of grass and heather whipped wildly. WindClan territory was dry, and housed skinny and hard to catch rabbits. Stormfur tried to imagine himself as a WindClan cat as she wadded through the fresh, cold stream. Suddenly, a wailing cry broke out into the air, making the unsuspecting pair jump. Stormfur felt his wet fur bristle with alarm as he watched three WindClan cats pound over the sunbathed earth towards them. “WindClan!” he murmured under his breath, watching as the sleek, small figures took familiar forms. Ashfoot, WindClan’s deputy, was in the lead, followed by Webfoot and Tornear.

Stormfur felt his heart sink. Although WindClan were safely friends with ThunderClan, Tornear and Webfoot still had an ongoing air of hostility to ThunderClanners, and those who were close to them. Great StarClan, Stormfur heaved out a sigh. Could things get any more difficult?

Ashfoot reached the bank of the stream, nodding shortly to the two cats. “What brings you two to WindClan territory?” she asked calmly, showing no evident signs of anger. But sure enough, Tornear and Webfoot flanked either side of their deputy, curling back their lips and showing their sharp fangs.

“We are only on our way to RiverClan,” Brook explained coolly, “We are staying within two tail-lengths of the lake, and are no threat to you or your Clan.”

Tornear nudged past Ashfoot, and stuck his muzzle close to Brook’s, his eyes menacing, “Since when to Clan rules apply to a Tribe cat?” he growled.

Brook stepped back quickly, her eyes wide with shock. Stormfur sloshed furiously up the bank, not bothering to shake off the water from his fur. Dripping and glaring, Stormfur stood his ground in front of Brook, “Since when have WindClan tried to care?” he retorted.

Webfoot took a step forward, and Stormfur noticed his unsheathed claws glinting in the setting sunlight. “Didn’t RiverClan kick you out after Mothwing had that sign that she announced at the Gathering?”

“That sign was a fake!” Stormfur hissed, “Hawkfrost forced his sister to announce it at the Gathering to get rid of us!”

“He must have had a pretty good reason for it too! Outsiders just bring more outsiders. Look at ThunderClan! Kitty-pets and rogues galore!” Tornear spat, knocking Stormfur away from him.

“Brook is not a rogue!” Stormfur snarled, feeling the blood boil in his veins. “And-“

“That’s enough!” Ashfoot yowled with a strong authority that silenced the four other cats at once. Her icy gaze traveled over each individual, and she hissed, “Any other word out of you,” her eyes snapped back over to Tornear and Webfoot, “and I’ll have Onestar take care of you both!” The two warriors looked away angrily, but bowed their heads in submission. That seemed to satisfy Ashfoot, for her eyes turned their normal shade, and her shoulders relaxed. She turned to face Stormfur and Brook, “Carry on to where you were heading,” she meowed firmly, “And be sure to know that we do patrol this border constantly.” With a flick of her tail, she summoned her patrol, and they bounded into the thick patches of growing grass, disappearing from sight.

Stormfur let out a long breath-- he had been holding it throughout WindClan’s appearance. He looked over at Brook to make sure she was okay. Her jaw was set tight, and her eyes glittered with defiance, as she stood tall and dignified on the bank. “How dare they say that!” she meowed fiercely, “I’m just as good as any Clan cat!” her gaze slid over to Stormfur, “Aren’t I?”

Stormfur smiled softly, and gave her a swift lick on the ear, “Of course.” We just need to fit in.

* * *

Stormfur hiked alongside the edge of the lake; the only sounds were of the lake water lapping hungrily at the sandy bank, and the soft rustle of prey moving through the undergrowth. The sun continued to slide slowly down the horizon; it’s orange light illuminated the water as it rippled lazily along.

Brook followed at his heels, her eyes focused on the path ahead of them. Stormfur bounded ahead a few paces, pausing to scent the air for more WindClan cats. Instead he found a new, familiar, and almost unwelcoming scent-RiverClan! He exchanged glances with Brook, and quickened his pace. The border was right up ahead, and a very strong scent of WindClan and RiverClan mingled along the line of territory that divided the two Clans. The pair slipped over it hastily, aware of the dramatic change of territory beneath their paws. Instead of warm, dry grass that crackled with every step, there was a boggy marsh, which squished and oozed with water. Stormfur wasn’t used to the murky water drowning through his fur and soaking his skin, and stopped constantly to shake mud from his paws. It was a long progress through the bog, as Stormfur and Brook had to carefully evade the deep pools of water that could swallow up a new apprentice in moments. There was deep silence of concentration in the air, until a small plop of something jumping into a puddle came from somewhere around them.

“What was th-“ Stormfur started, but the noise interrupted him again. It was clear as daylight, and a few seconds later another one sounded. Then another. Soon they came in succession, one after the other, as if they were footsteps!

The instant that crossed Stormfur’s mind there was a screeching battle cry, and he was bowled sprawling into the bog-- water and mud cascaded over his body and face. “It’s an ambush!” he yowled, though he doubted that Brook could hear him. He bit into the attacker’s shoulder, hearing it snarl in fury. Claws sliced through his ears, and Stormfur flailed to get free, feeling the slippery earth spray up little droplets everywhere. The wet mud and water masked the opponent’s scent, and Stormfur felt a rising fear crawl up his spine. He struggled harder, lashing out his forepaws and kicking hard with his hindlegs in hopes of knocking the enemy off balance. It held on tighter, poking through the flesh in Stormfur’s shoulders, causing him to squeal in pain. This couldn’t end like this!

There was a warbling cry, and Stormfur could feel the opponent pause ever so slightly. Through the water that pounded in his ears, he could make out a voice calling to them. It sounded like- “Blackclaw!” The heavy load lifted off of him, and Stormfur immediately scrambled to his paws, almost slipping back into the ground. Shaking the water from his ears, he looked up to see a new face sliding through the marsh.

“Mistyfoot!” he heard Brook cry out. Stormfur turned to where he heard the sound of her voice, and saw her crouched low to the ground so that her stomach slid in the mud. The fur along her spine bristled as she faced two other RiverClan cats. One was the small brown tabby, Voletooth, flanked by a smaller light-colored tom he didn’t recognize.

His thoughts were interrupted by Mistyfoot, who had made her way smoothly over to the others, “Blackclaw, what were you doing?” she snapped, “Can’t you see it’s Stormfur?”

Voletooth’s ears perked with curiosity, while the small cat beside him called out, “Who’s Stormfur?”

Now it was Stormfur’s turn to be surprised, as he recognized the little cat’s light coat and loud voice, “Beechkit? You’re an apprentice already? Last time I saw you, you were just a half-moon old!”

Beechpaw narrowed his eyes warily, “It’s Beechpaw now!” he sniffed, “And I don’t remember you! You smell really strange, not like RiverClan, and I’ve never seen you in our camp before!”

“It’s because,” Brook began slowly, shooting a glance over at Stormfur, “He was one of the six cats who made the great journey to meet Midnight, the badger who told us we must leave our homes to find a new one. He stayed behind with the tribe that nursed you until the Clans were well enough to travel again.”

“Why?” Beechpaw demanded.

“Because he’s a traitor!” Blackclaw spat before Stormfur could answer. His glaring eyes flamed Stormfur’s fur, “And we should chase him off our territory!”

“My role, my order! Mistyfoot meowed firmly from besides the black tom. “And don’t tell me you have already forgotten what Stormfur has done for the Clans! We owe him the chance to at least explain why he’s here.”

Blackclaw fell into a mutinous silence, glaring hatred at both Stormfur and Mistyfoot.

Ignoring the warrior’s chilly stare, Stormfur turned his attention to Mistyfoot, “It’s good to see you again Mistyfoot!” he purred, “How is Mosspelt doing?” He decided not to jump right into things, and instead lower the news in an easier manner. Or at least until Mistyfoot pushed for the answer straight up.

“Fine. Her kits are almost weaned now,” the deputy mewed, “They’ll be apprentices in no time.” Mosspelt was Stormfur’s foster mother, after he and his sister were taken from their temporary home in ThunderClan where their father lived. They were brought across the river to RiverClan where their mother was born and raised before she passed away giving birth to them. Stormfur never saw his dead mother, except for in his dreams, where she visited him with gentle words of advice and care.

Stormfur nodded in relief, thankful to hear that his foster mother was doing well. Although the queen wasn’t his real mother, he still cared for her greatly.

“Now,” Mistyfoot broke through his thoughts in a casual meow, settling down on the moist grass and drawing a paw over her ear, “What brings you here?”

Here was the icebreaker. Stormfur took in a silent breath of hope. Maybe Mistyfoot already knew what they were here for. Would that make things easier? He swallowed awkwardly. Mistyfoot was a friend of his, and like him, she never enjoyed Hawkfrost’s easy-to-read ambition to take over her position, but would that change the fact that he was kicked out of RiverClan for something she had no control over?

He glanced over to see Brook staring quietly back at him, her eyes giving away nothing of what she might be thinking. Stormfur looked back over at Mistyfoot, taking in her guided expression. “Well…Brook and I…we want to come back to RiverClan. For good.”

Mistyfoot stopped mid-lick, and raised her head, her eyes widening. “You want to come back?” she meowed in surprise, “Did something happen in ThunderClan?”

Though Mistyfoot meant no harm when she said it, it still made Stormfur’s fur prickle. She had said it like he had lived in ThunderClan for his entire life! “N-no,” he meowed firmly, fighting the explosive nerve inside of his mind, “But now that Hawkfrost is dead, and the Clan seems to be settled down and ready…”

He was cut off by a raucous laugh from behind him. He spun around to face Blackclaw, his teeth gritting in fury. “You want to come back home now, do you?” Blackclaw meowed snidely, “Why? Need someone to hold your paw and hunt for you until the Tribe’ll take you back?”

Stormfur couldn’t take it any longer. All this taunting and sarcasm made his blood boil, and his eyes sparked with a blinding fire. “Take it back!” he snarled, pouncing at the warrior without warning.

The blood pounded in the gray tom’s ears, as he slashed Blackclaw to get a good grip so that he could hiss in his ear, “Take it back!”

“Not on your life, Traitor!” Blackclaw grunted, kicking as hard as he could to get Stormfur off of him, but Stormfur had him locked tight in a hold that stuffed his head into the ground and his hindlegs kicking uselessly underneath him.

“Stormfur!” Stormfur heard his name be gasped out in horror, but very faintly, as if the battle had knocked the two toms into a different grasp of time. He wasn’t prepared for the cannoned object that once again sent him flying squarely of his paws, landing in a heavy fashion into the slimy mud and water that soaked the entire patch of land. His breathing was heavy, and his eyes glazed with shock as he looked up at Mistyfoot, who now towered over him.

“Leopardstar was right!” Mistyfoot gasped, practically to herself, “H-he attacked Hawkfrost, his Clanmate, and-“
“But look where Hawkfrost is now!” Stormfur heard himself meow, his head still spinning from the attack. “He had no right to kick us out like that in the first place!”

“-And now Blackclaw?” Mistyfoot finished icily.

At those words, a hot flash of guilt spread throughout his body, singeing his fur and making his eyes water. What in the name of StarClan was he doing? He began to lift himself to his paws half-heartedly, not daring to look into Mistyfoot’s blazing eyes. He could feel her disappointment wash over him like huge crashing waves of the Sun-drown place. “Mistyfoot, I’m sorry. Blackclaw’s…right.” He meowed dully, “I really don’t have a place where I truly belong anymore. ThunderClan have helped a lot, and the Tribe was kind and welcoming, but…everyday I woke up in the Tribe’s cave and felt like I was a misfit. So we returned to the Clans, but no one wanted us, not even my own Clan. I was so infuriated at Hawkfrost for manipulating RiverClan into turning against us, when all I wanted was return to my home and to my old life again.”

His words were met with silence. Behind Mistyfoot, Voletooth and Beechpaw were staring at him with unwavering eyes, and Brook hovered a few tail-lengths away. Blackclaw was just a shadow besides Mistyfoot.

Mistyfoot stepped forward a pace, and leaned in closer so that she could murmur, “Stormfur, I just don’t know what to say. We really—well I really misunderstood you, more then I could ever imagine. I didn’t think things were that hard for you. I’m sorry too.”

Stormfur blinked in relief, feeling a cool, healing air spread over the burning heat of guilt. Everything that he had kept locked up inside of him had suddenly burst, in this unfaithful little patch of waterlogged soil. He felt a bit lighter on his paws, but it evaporated when Blackclaw spoke up once again.

“So that’s it?” Blackclaw spat, “He says his little apology and he gets accepted back into the Clan?”

“That would be for Leopardstar to decide!” Mistyfoot announced, turning on her heels to look at Voletooth, Beechpaw, and finally Blackclaw. “But I think that Stormfur has proven himself to stay in RiverClan as long as he wants.”

That's Chapter 1! I hope you enjoyed it! Chapter 2 will be on its way shortly, once I've finished typing it up and editing it.

[lilystar]

Chapter 2

Stormfur’s fur prickled self-consciously, feeling the stares of every cat in the whole of RiverClan burn into his pelt. Besides him, Brook hunched close to his flank, obviously as uncomfortable as he was. He squared his shoulders, staring determinedly up at the cat that stood upon a significantly thick and curved oak branch--Leopardstar. The tom swallowed nervously, recalling their way to the RiverClan camp.

Mistyfoot’s words had warmed him, but before he could reply to her reassuring statement, she had already began to crawl back through the marsh, leaving the others to follow more slowly. Blackclaw pointedly stalked away from Stormfur, his tail tip twitching as he came up besides his apprentice. “Like I’ve been saying, Beechpaw,” he meowed loud enough for the entire forest to hear, “Traitors always pair with other traitors, and become an even bigger nuisance to the Clans.” He glanced back to make sure that Stormfur was listening, but Stormfur had turned his attention over to Voletooth, in effort to completely ignore the welcoming taunt, meowing calmly, “Has RiverClan been doing well in their new camp?”

Voletooth hesitated under Blackclaw’s piercing glare, but managed a brief nod, quickening his pace to catch up with his deputy. Sighing deeply, Stormfur closed his eyes tightly, praying to StarClan that they were doing the right thing.

Now here they were in the well-protected barrier of the RiverClan camp, surrounded by running streams and thick vegetation. It was even quieter than before, and Stormfur was almost deafened by it. Was StarClan with them now? Did they hear his prayer?

Now back in reality, Stormfur stared in awe at Leopardstar’s glimmering fur with its full shine. Not a whisker was out of place. Her eyes were snappy and commanding, and her posture was tall and forbidding. Her tail tip twitched thoughtfully as she scrutinized the two cats. No one dared break her concentration.

“You have come back.” The leader mewed simply. “Why?”

Stormfur bowed his head respectfully, and looked upon the RiverClan leader with a nostalgic and calm gaze, “Brook and I wish to return to RiverClan.” He meowed.

Leopardstar didn’t move a muscle, “You come here to rejoin the Clan you solely betrayed?”

“Betrayed?” Stormfur couldn’t help but let a slip of outrage taint his voice, “How did we betray anything?”

“Attacking a Clanmate is against the warrior code Stormfur.” Leopardstar’s eyes were as friendly as a porcupine’s spikes, “Or have you already forgotten that once again?”

“That’s not fair!” Stormfur protested, “Hawkfrost lied to get us banned from every Clan in the forest when we did nothing wrong!”

“Incorrect, Stormfur!” Leopardstar snapped, “You fell in love with a Tribe cat, and left RiverClan to be with her! What, you think we’ll just allow you to come crawling back? A warrior makes his own decision Stormfur! You have made yours, and cannot change it!”

“Because no cat in this entire forest has ever made a mistake?” Stormfur retorted, “That Leopardstar, is the most mousebrained thing I’ve ever heard. And you know it.”

The entire Clan held its’ breath. It took a few moments before Stormfur got the hint that he might of went a bit to far.

There goes everything, Stormfur thought with a heavily sinking feeling growing in his chest. He braced himself for Leopardstar’s uncontrolled fury.

But then, a tiny voice spoke up from the very edge of the crowd. It was shaky with hesitation, and high-pitched with anxiety, but it still echoed through the clearing with a strong wisdom, “He’s right Leopardstar!” In one sweeping motion every head had turned to stare in befuddled confusion at the medicine cat apprentice, Willowpaw. Her paws were shuffling nervously, and her shoulders hunched up close to her neck, but her eyes wouldn’t break away from her leader. Mothwing, her mentor, was just as stunned as any other cat, and it showed plainly on the expression of her pretty golden-dappled face.

“Willowpaw, please don’t speak out like that without permission!” Mothwing was whispering in a breathless voice.

Stormfur couldn’t hear what Willowpaw murmured to her mentor, but she never kept her steady gaze off of Leopardstar. Mothwing recoiled, her eyes flashing with shock and fear. Curiosity pricked at Stormfur. What did Willowpaw say to her mentor to get her so worked up?

Leopardstar was also surprised by the Medicine Cat apprentice’s sudden outburst, “Well, Willowpaw,” she meowed icily, her claws gripping the tough bark in effort to control herself, “Did StarClan tell you this?”

“As a matter of fact,” Willowpaw replied boldly, “I think they want to tell you.”

“What do you mean?” Leopardstar’s eyes narrowed into wary and puzzled slits, “Do you think I shun our ancestors?”

“No, Leopardstar!” Willowpaw continued gently, “I think that you should ask of them at the Moonpool. If Stormfur and Brook can stay in RiverClan.”

The rest of the Clan broke out into shocked murmurings, and Stormfur strained to hear parts of their conversations, but it was all blended in like a buzz of a bee. But one voice rose above the rest, and Stormfur couldn’t help but let out a hiss of impatience when Blackclaw cried out, “Why waste your time? Didn’t you just say, Leopardstar, that Stormfur has to fix his own mistakes? Let him go figure it out for himself!”

“Silence, Blackclaw,” Leopardstar ordered tiredly, suddenly looking very worn. She glanced down at Mistyfoot, who hadn’t said a word throughout the entire meeting. She nodded to her, and murmured, “What do you think?”

Mistyfoot stood to address the Clan, clearing her throat quietly before meowing, “Willowpaw may be right Leopardstar. But she’s merely medicine cat apprentice.” Her gaze traveled over to Mothwing, “Do you approve of what your apprentice says, Mothwing?”

Mothwing looked nervous instead of supportive of her apprentice. But with one swift look at the determined Willowpaw, she replied without thinking, “Yes,” she squeaked.

“Then it is decided!” Leopardstar announced, quickly getting to her paws, “Tomorrow at the break of dawn, I shall leave for the Moonpool. Mothwing and Willowpaw will accompany me.”

“Are you sure that’s enough, Leopardstar?” Mistyfoot called up to her, “It’s a long way through WindClan territory. Shouldn’t you bring a few warriors?”

Leopardstar nodded briefly to show Mistyfoot she had considered her words, “It will be better if all warriors remain here,” she meowed firmly, “We cannot account for the other Clans, with two of the most important cats from RiverClan gone for an entire day. Risks will not be taken this time.” Her eyes glittered, and before anyone could say anymore, she pounced easily off the oak branch, her paws making an easy thudding noise as they hit the ground. Stormfur couldn’t help but feel a pain of anger. Because you’re just wasting your time making an extra trip? He thought, gripping the ground with sharp claws. Then it drained away as soon as it had come. What did I expect? I should be bowing at Leopardstar’s paw, in her debt. How she was convinced to do such a big favor for us, I shall never…- Then he remembered.

Stormfur watched as RiverClan dispersed into smaller groups, all whispering urgently to each other, their fur bristling with excitement as they spoke of the mysterious Moonpool. Stormfur peered through the crowd of cats, looking for one in particular. He spotted her familiar coat disappearing into the medicine cat’s den, and motioned for Brook to follow him. Slipping past the faces of his old Clanmates, he came up to the medicine cat den, almost colliding with someone coming out. It was Willowpaw, exactly who he was looking for. He was about to open his mouth to say something, but then took in her teary eyes, and flattened ears, along with her shivering structure. She saw them too, and immediately slid her tail tip over their mouths for silence. Follow me! She mouthed, spinning around and pushing past the slowly disappearing crowds towards the camp entrance, all signs of despair hidden in her swift movement. With a glance at Brook and a small shrug, Stormfur did as he was told.

Once at the entrance, Willowpaw nodded quickly, slipping through the barrier and disappearing to the other side. When Stormfur and Brook followed, they found Willowpaw standing a ways off, under a particularly thick Oak tree that edged the camp wall. “Over here!” she beckoned softly, her tail twitching. As Stormfur and Brook came up to her, she smiled meekly, answering the unsaid question, “Please forgive me for stepping in like that. I hope you aren’t angry.”

Brook smiled kindly at the apprentice, “You don’t need to apologize. You convinced the entire Clan to give us a chance. That’s all we could ever ask for, Willowpaw. Thank you so very much for your bravery!”

Stormfur nodded in agreement, “I can’t believe you actually got Leopardstar to go to the Moonpool, for our sake. We could have never done that on our own.”

“Well, I wasn’t lying when I said it.” Willowpaw stiffened in fear. “I really do think StarClan accepts your arrival…but not even Mothwing will believe me.” More tears flooded into the she-cats eyes, and she bowed her head in shame, “She scolded me for saying such foolish things in front of everybody, and for embarrassing her. She told me I couldn’t become a medicine cat if I can’t keep my priorities straight.”

“That’s not like Mothwing,” Stormfur frowned, “She’s usually very understanding about things like these.”

“I think she was just mad at me,” Willowpaw sniffed, “because I told her…because I reminded her that she made an outburst at the Gathering without Leopardstar’s position.”

“So that’s what you were saying to Mothwing during the meeting,” Stormfur meowed, and suddenly things started to click. “And that’s why she was so unsteady and nervous afterwards.

Willowpaw nodded miserably, “I didn’t mean to hurt her feelings or anything. She’s my mentor, and I respect her with my life. But I also respect and follow StarClan. And I felt they were telling me to say what I said to Leopardstar. Mothwing just won’t believe me.”

“Only because your an apprentice?” Brook asked sympathetically.

Willowpaw shook her head ‘no’. “Because she doesn’t believe in StarClan.”

And that's Chapter 2! It was much shorter than I expected it to be, but I felt it was much more exciting to write than Chapter 1, even though Ch.1 was more then double the size with double the threats (RiverClan and WindClan)! Chapter 3 is what I'm really looking forward to writing--turning points and mysterious happenings galore! ^^ Well, I may be overexagerating, but that's for you to find out...

[lilystar]

Chapter 3

I didn't think I would finish this Chapter on time, before I left town (thankfully I did)! I got sick with Walking Pnemonia, and has written this chapter through lots of coughing! I hope that it didn't get to my head, though! I'm not a very good writer, so I need all the focus I can get with writing a story. Again, comments and ratings are greatly appreciated! I don't like judging my own work! Does anybody? I hope you enjoy reading Chapter 3 of Storm's Arise! ~Lily


Willowpaw’s Point of View

I can still remember their mortified shock. Their emotions were unhidden, and their voices told their thoughts of shock and amazement.

“But that’s impossible!” Stormfur’s voice blotted out my growing fear, only to be replaced by a panging guilt, “Medicine cat’s are StarClan’s messengers! If they don’t believe in them, how can they truly help their Clan?”

I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t KNOW! My mind had screamed at me, and I quivered helplessly. My mentor never believed in StarClan. No cat would trust her if they knew that. I had just told that dark, locked-away secret to two cats who had come out of nowhere, begging for a place in RiverClan. Had I done the right thing?

“Don’t worry Willowpaw!” Brook’s voice echoes in my mind once again, “Her secret is safe with us. With you there to receive StarClan’s messages, everything will be okay.”

No, it’s not okay! My voice is bitter inside my mind, as I slink back to the shelter of Mothwing’s den, Not when I’m blindly following this strange feeling that StarClan wants us to travel halfway across Clan territory to find out if they can stay! I can feel hot tears sting at my eyes, and I’m thankful for the gloomy shadows that overrun our camp’s empty hollow as I scurry to my nest. Feeling hot and sticky, I flop down onto the cool, soft moss of my bedding, and let tears fall down my face. Before I know it, I evaporate into sleep, my mind still and dark.

* * *

“Willowpaw? Willowpaw, wake up!” Mothwing’s soft voice floats into my ear fur, and I shake it away irritably. A persistent prodding on my flank makes me open my eye a crack, and I glare blearily at the golden-tabby she-cat who looks down upon me.

“It’s time to go!” Mothwing was practically wailing with impatience, “Leopardstar wants to go right away!”

Then I remember, we were going to the Moonpool! At once I jump to my paws, shaking away the moss and dry leaves clinging to my pelt. I’m furiously embarrassed for oversleeping, and I know I can’t blame anyone but myself. “S-sorry Mothwing!” my voice is breathless and cracking, “I’m ready!”

“You’d better be!” Mothwing’s eyes stare at me with fear and anxiety, “You’re the one who convinced us to go!”

Thanks for the great reminder, I think dully to myself, Either I’m bringing sanctuary to Stormfur and Brook, or delivering StarClan’s angry disapproval to Leopardstar, the Clan, and Stormfur and Brook! I sigh with nagging worry as we hustle out of the den. This was going to be a long day.

Outside, Leopardstar is pacing the hard, packed earth that covers the camp floor. She sun is far from rising. The gray sky is pale with the sun’s faint glow, and I’m stifling yet another yawn. Leopardstar sure wasn’t kidding with the whole ‘early’ thing.
She spots us coming out, and pauses, nodding a brief greeting to us. “We’ll leave at once. We will be traveling through WindClan territory, the lake being our guide until we reach the small stream that lead us up to the Moonpool.”

Mothwing nods, “Lead the way Leopardstar.”

* * *

WindClan territory is scorching hot under the heavy beams of sunlight with no tall canopy trees to block it. The fur along my back is singed with heat, and I’m finding it hard to catch my breath. The air is humid and thick as smoke. Up ahead of me, I can see Leopardstar is beginning to lag a bit, obviously affected by the dangerous heat in the air. Mothwing is no better, and I can see her shoulder’s heaving in the effort to breathe.

“Leopardstar, may we rest?” Mothwing calls up our leader, her voice trembling with exhaustion. She glances up at the sun, which was sitting directly at the center of the sky. It was sun-high, the hottest part of the day.

“Do you see any place other than this dry wasteland that we can shelter in?” Leopardstar snaps, obviously not in a good mood, “We’re not stopping until we’re sure WindClan is off our backs.”

Taking another deep breath, I bound ahead, making sure that I don’t fall too far behind. The rest of the way is full of buzzing crickets, and other noisy insects. There’s no breeze in the air, so the grass is deathly still, and the air an impenetrable wall of heat. Finally, the crickets fade into the distant background, and I can hear running water. It’s the stream! The urge to jump into its cool depths washes over me, but I don’t dare do so. Leopardstar is making swift progress, and doesn’t want to waste anymore time than she has too.

Mothwing glances over at the stream with a look of longing, but follows Leopardstar without any further hesitation. The hike along the stream is even worse however, because by now my paws are dead tired, and my limbs are aching with misery. The heat has gotten to me, and I’m panting constantly. I’m a medicine cat apprentice with heat stroke flashing all over me! That’s got to be worse than a medicine cat who can’t cure his own cold, like that Runningnose!

My thoughts are interrupted by Leopardstar, who meows quietly from up ahead, “We’re almost there.”

Sigh! There it is! I can see some of the dark-leafed thorn-berry bushes that hides the landmark from unwanted visitors. I can almost picture the breathtaking pool of crystal water, pouring from a small crack in the stony outcrop that surrounds the hollow. The water dances with starlight, and an invisible mist surrounds the area. Leopardstar quickens her pace, with Mothwing at her heels. The image shatters in my mind as I bound ahead, only to be replaced by an even more breathtaking view that sits there right before my eyes.

“The Moonpool!” I breathe. There it sits, in its full splendor, dazzling my eyes till I thought I would be blinded by it. Leopardstar has already begun to pick her way down carefully to the water’s edge, and I check the sky once more. The sun is just disappearing over the horizon, ready to leave the world covered in a dark sky.

Leopardstar sets herself down neatly on her haunches, her eyes glued to the darkening sky. Mothwing paces on the opposite side of the pool, and I sit between the two, holding my breath.

After what seems like ages, Mothwing nods to Leopardstar, “It’s time to share tongues.”

Leopardstar returns the nod, and I watch with eyes wide with excitement as she takes a few gentle licks at the water’s unmoving surface. Her tongue causes the pool to ripple, and break into a thousand silent rings. Still kneeling, I watch as Leopardstar closes her eyes. She does not open them.

Realizing I haven’t been breathing during that entire scene, I take in a gulping breath of air, still in awe by how StarClan communicated with leaders—and me!

I let myself slide down to the cool earth, curling up into a ball as my eyes begin to grow heavy with sleep. I wish that I got to share tongues this time, but Mothwing told me the night before that Leopardstar said it would be a waste of time.
No fair. A medicine cat should never be held back from her calling…Then everything goes blank.

* * *

It’s time to wake up
There’s that voice again…I hear it!
Hurry, wake up!
It sounds so familiar….
Willowpaw, it’s time to wake--…up--…

I blink open my eyes for the first time, and I’m almost blinded by the crystal light that shines down directly on me. I realize that I’m lying down on my back, facing the sky above. Heaving myself to stand on my paws, I spot a glowing figure standing not to far away. Her friendly eyes are warm, and she smells of herbs washed away by a clear breeze.

“Spottedleaf!” I gasp, “You came to me, even though I didn’t drink out of the Moonpool!”

“Yes, young one. I have very important news to tell you, and it cannot bid any longer in the shadows.” Spottedleaf’s words are fluent, and flexible as liquid. I can almost see them curl off her gentle tongue. At the same time the words entrance me, I feel a bubbling confusion growing in the back of my mind.

“News in the shadows?” Whatever could she mean?

“Yes. And tonight I will reveal them to you, under the glow of a full moon.” Spottedleaf beckons me to follow her, but I remain glued to the spot. There was something not right about this.

“But Spottedleaf, tonight is not a full moon.” I don’t know why that seems like such an important factor, but I cannot push it away. The moon is only a mere crescent.

Spottedleaf smiles, a bemused expression appearing on her face, “You are very observant, young Willowpaw. You are right. In the Clan world, the moon is not yet full. But in this part of the sky, it’s a
different story.”
Before I can contemplate her words, a billowing wind blasts into me head-on, and I’m sent spinning through the air. Fear chokes me, and I lash out madly trying to make it stop. The wind grows fiercely, and it screams in my ears. Spottedleaf, where’s Spottedleaf? I manage to yell to myself as the wind spins me even harder. She’s nowhere to be seen. Blended into the gray color of the wind, I lose conscious once again.

* * *

Spottedleaf was not lying. This forest is alit with moonlight. For some strange reason, I don’t like it, though. The forest is still too dark for me, even if it’s alive with the moon. How did I even get here? And where’s Spottedleaf? This isn’t the same forest we were in before. I glance around, trying to find her familiar pelt through the thick foliage of this new forest. Scenting the air, I try to catch her herblike scent.

“W-Where am I?” Did I just say that? No, it couldn’t have been me. It’s too far away. Shh, Willowpaw. Listen!

I listen to the furious rustling of disturbed vegetation, as a creature rummages through this ethereal forest. I carefully drop into a crouch, scenting the air once more. I recognize the scent, but I can’t think of it through all this confusion.

“—are you there?” That voice again. It’s louder. It’s coming near me. I must hide! Quickly, into that nettle bush! Though it irritates my skin, I force myself to be still, watching as a cat cloaked with shadows appears from out of the fog that seems to surround the forest.

“We are over here.” This new voice makes my whole body quiver in shock. Mothwing! Mothwing is here! But she can’t be, she doesn’t believe in StarClan!

I feel enlightened with joy. My mentor is dreaming amongst StarClan with me! That’s all that matters now. Spottedleaf, and the news within the shadows disappear in a flash as I bound through the forest, crashing after my mentor’s voice. Suddenly, some invisible force jolts me to a halt. The breath knocked out of me, I collapsed to the ground, my heart racing in fear. W-what was that?

“Mothwing!” The cat whose pelt is as black as night is right in front of me! I recoil, burying myself deeper into the ground. Why am I feeling such fear from this familiar cat? I should know who it is! His scent is of my own birth Clan.

Of my own birth Clan…

I can feel my eyes boggle with disbelief, as I realize who stands before me, no more than two tail-lengths away. I know him, and I know him well. But why is my heart telling me not to be seen by him? Something’s wrong. I can feel it.

“He’s waiting for us, Blackclaw!” Mothwing’s voice is clear; she absoulutly has to be here! But…why is Blackclaw in StarClan with us? He’s not a medicine cat, or even close to one! Curiosity is stabbing at me; I need to know why he’s here. And who is Mothwing and Blackclaw waiting for? A StarClan warrior? I’m given my answer shortly, but my guesses are nowhere close. Terror seizes me, as I gaze upon a nightmare—a cat that has caused one. Pushing aside the heavy plants, and stalking into the clearing where my mentor sits, flanking Blackclaw, is none other than Hawkfrost.

His amber eyes are carbon copies of his father’s—filled with the pulsing fire of revenge and fury. I know now that this is not StarClan’s hunting grounds, at all. We’re nowhere close. This is where cats that have caused uprisings in the Clans are sent, to roam this endlessly dank and shadowed forest! I have to stop trembling, or they’ll see me. But I can’t stop; my mentor is in this dangerous place too, and she’s with her traitorous brother. Is Tigerstar here with them? Are they having a secret meeting? Why is Blackclaw here? Why am I here? All my instincts are telling me to run, to flee this treacherous place, but I’m frozen to the spot, now shaking madly with fear.

“This has gone too far!” Hawkfrost is yowling at his two visitors, “Mothwing, you should know better than to let your own apprentice walk over you like that!” I can’t help but let out a gasp of alarm. He’s talking…about me. About me! It echoes hauntingly in my mind, but yet I can’t seem to grasp it.

Mothwing cowers away from her brother, looking mightily afraid. “I-I tried to tell you Hawkfrost! This is not going to work. They’re not going to believe me!”

“They’re not going to believe me!” Hawkfrost’s voice is dripping with scorn as he mimics his sister. He finishes with an angry spit. “You pathetic excuse for a medicine cat! Of course they’ll listen to you! You are the communicator of StarClan, and they’ll believe every word that comes from your mouth when their leader is disabled from her duties eternally! They’ll crawl up to you, begging for an answer! And you shall give them the answer I tell you!”

Mothwing shrinks, and looks away. I feel a pang of sympathy for her. Imagine being taunted and lectured by your own brother. But it quickly evaporates as I continue to listen.

“Blackclaw. My only remaining follower.” Hawkfrost turns pointedly away from my mentor, and acknowledges the black tom. “You are the only hope of my father and I, for turning the Clans back into the greatness they once were. When my brother betrayed me, everything we worked for was destroyed. But now, I am back, and with an unstoppable path of revenge!” his eyes blaze at Blackclaw, who twitches one ear uncomfortably.

Hawkfrost ignores this, and continues, “Leopardstar will soon be enthralled in her own dream world. A place where she will never awaken! And by Mothwing’s words, you will be her worthy replacement,” Hawkfrost pauses to snarl in anger, “and not that weak-blooded creature, Mistyfoot! Only you, and you alone Blackclaw, can save the Clans from falling into soft-clawed fools!”

I feel my heart clenching in terror. Leopardstar… is in danger! The Clans are in danger! Hawkfrost is back, and he’s using Blackclaw to do all of his dirty work! And worse of all…Mothwing is helping them! My beloved mentor is turning back to the dark side! I start to feel woozy, and my vision blurs. This can’t be true! This has to be a nightmare, an unreal nightmare that I have to wake up from! I look around frantically, looking for a way to wake up, a way to escape from this terrifying world. I can’t help but overhear the rest of the conversation.

“Yes Hawkfrost!” Blackclaw meows obediently, “But what about them? They’ll never let us get away with it!”

I cannot see him, but through the deathly silence I can picture Hawkfrost almost perfectly in my mind. It makes me shudder in undeniable fear; icy claws are crawling up my spine.

“We must not let them in our way,” Hawkfrost’s voice is quiet and low, “We cannot let it happen. There will not be Storm’s arising!” His soft voice curls into a blood-chilling snarl that sends me into uncontrollable spasms. The blood is throbbing in my head and driving me senseless. I have to get out of here! StarClan help me! HELP!

* * *

“Willowpaw! Willowpaw!” A voice explodes into my mind, and I’m jolted awake. My breathing is heavy, my heart is pounding out of control, and sweat is soaking my skin. What a terrible dream! But one look at Mothwing sends my mind spinning through all that I had saw.

“It’s Leopardstar! She won’t wake up!”