He watched Shadowstar call for a Clan meeting as Mudflower walked towards the medicine cat's den. He padded after her. Remembering the time when they were Lionpaw and Mudpaw, friends that went separate paths, he stopped outside the entrance.
"Hey, Mudflower. Preparing travelling herbs?" he asked. Lionheart breathed in the rich scent of the forest. Then a second later he breathed out, relaxing his broad shoulders, just as Mudflower came out of her den with three leaf bundles, all neatly tied together.
"Lionheart! It's good to see you again," Mudflower exclaimed, rushing to meet him. "I mean..." she stammered, "I see you everyday, but it's just not the same ever since you became deputy!"
Lionheart purred, clearly not offended by her comment. Just as he was about to ask her what she'd been up to, Shadowstar called from the distance. "Mudflower, it's time to leave," meowed Shadowstar.
Mudflower gave him a look of sadness, but soon changed to excitement as the young cat raced to meet Shadowstar. "I'm on my way!" she replied.
⊙ ◎ ⊙ ◎ ⊙ ◎ ⊙
Lionheart leaped on top of Highrock. IslandClan cats were already below him, so he didn't need to try and grab their attention.
"As you know, Shadowstar left our Clan at dawn, with Mudflower and Poppyheart to seek an allegiance with SunClan. Each task will carry on as usual. Borders will be carried out." He came down Highrock, and rasied his golden head so cats could hear.
"Smokeblossom, Icefur, Rainwhisker, and Brokenclaw will be on the dawn patrol. Ravenswoop will lead this patrol."
"Amberfrost lead the hunting patrol. Take Streamcloud, Flamebreeze, Cinderflight, and two other warriors with you," he continued. "Keep a look out for dogs." With a last glance, he went to hunt by the stream.
Lionheart pricked his ears and sharpened his senses. He could hear a distant rumbling in the distance. He peered in every direction, but couldn't find the source. Lionheart soon ignored it as he spotted a rabbit.
Crouching low and carefully, so the rabbit couldn't hear him, he crawled from behind the ferns, narrowing his eyes so his focus was only on the rabbit. He bunched his muscles and...
Suddenly, the rumbling in the distance was clearer, and the rabbit sprang away from Lionheart's gaze. Lionheart hissed and turned to see what might have caused this. Then he spotted something familiar; his eyes widened and his jaws opened to let out a yowl of alarm. He faced the intruders, ears hot and his fur bristling with fury. He growled, unsheathing his claws.
"What are you doing in our territory, Shadestar?"
Amberfrost padded away with Cinderflight,Flamebreeze and Streamcloud following behind her.
ReplyDeleteSmokeblossom turned and followed Ravenswoop out.
"Oh, my dear Kittenheart, just who I wanted to meet. I was just taking a little stroll. Early morning strolls are lovvvvvely you know." Shadestar purred with a wicked smile in her eyes.
ReplyDelete"However, I was really hoping that my sister would be home. 'Haven't seen her in aaaages and just thought I'd stop by." Shadestar mewed in a voice like honey mixed with deathberries.
Lionheart narrowed his eyes. "It's Lionheart," he growled, just as a ray of light caught his golden pelt, proving he was indeed Lionheart, "and I'm afraid Shadowstar isn't here right now."
ReplyDeleteHe was careful to give nothing more away. He lifted his head. "Come any further without a reason, and you'll find me as your opponent in battle," he warned.