Warrior Cats #1: The Battle of Thorns

Chapter Ten

Sky slithered around the forest floor like a snake, her paws barely making a sound as she crept forwards. Ahead of her, an innocent rabbit was watching a bug crawl along the soft earth. His ears twitched as the bug spread its wings and took off. Sky resisted the urge to leap back as the bug flew by, the rabbit now busily picking at some berries. All in one fluid movement, she leapt from her spot, her claws inches from the rabbit's back. In alarm, the rabbit turned on heel and took to the right. Sky grinned and jolted forwards, hooking her claws around its neck. A small snap broke through the air, followed by a sharp yelp of the prey as it went limp.

Sky set it down gently and looked around. Nothing was there, it was safe. Thankfully, she crouched down to take a bite of the prey before her, her belly growing with hunger as she inched closer. Before she could act, a large cat appeared. He calmly strode forward and made no gesture to alarm her in any way. "Welcome." He said softly. Sky tilted her head quizzically. "Welcome to where?" She asked absent-mindedly. The muscular tom grinned. "To wherever you wish, my friend. For here is the land that you will not abide by any rules, just follow." With that, he turned and started padding away. Sky considered following the cat, but held back. He's crazy... It's got to be a trap of some sort...

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Lionpaw woke to a sharp nudge on his shoulder. He looked up to find Thornpaw moodily shoving each apprentice. Mosspaw groaned and stood wearily, blinking the sleep from his droopy eye lids. Leafpaw stood as well, yawning sheepishly. Lionpaw growled and forced himself up, trying to hide his weariness. "What's going on?!" He demanded stubbornly. Leafpaw looked over at him and said nothing, quickly adjusting her interest on something else. Lionpaw flinched as Thornpaw shoved him roughly again. "Flamewing's ordered us all in camp immediately." He replied angrily, and padded outside. Leafpaw followed him quickly, with Mosspaw on her heels. Lionpaw followed Mosspaw and stayed a wary distance from Leafpaw. Nightpaw padded into camp just as all the other apprentices sat down. "What's going on?" She asked, padding up to Lionpaw. Lionpaw looked over at her and shook his head. "I'm not really sure." He replied. "Flamewing just wanted us to come outside immediately." Nightpaw nodded and sat down beside Lionpaw, her gaze focused intently on the High Tree.

Hawkpelt sat on one of the rocks below the tree with pride. Stonestar padded out of his den after a few moments of awkward silence, hopping on one of the limbs. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather here for a Streamclan meeting." His voice boomed around the clearing. "The prophecy has begun, and our hero has arrived just in time."