Pepper Storm

Sequel to Rogue at Heart

Chapter One
A gray she-cat was padding through the woods with two cats behind her. "Pepperstorm, are we there yet?" Whined a young-looking one. "Almost," Pepperstorm reassured. "Keep that whining down, would you?" Snapped a black tom. "You actually like Crowstar's leadership, don't you?"

"Yes, we need more warriors," the tom replied. "Well, Blackfrost, why don't you go tell StarClan that kits should be warriors?" Pepperstorm snapped. "I agree," the young cat squeaked. "Silvernose!" Snapped Blackfrost. The cats argued on their way, until they stopped at a stream. "Silvernose, who should be an apprentice," she hissed with a glare at Blackfrost, "will collect the prey."

Silvernose nodded, dashing off. "What about me?" Blackfrost asked. "You, the useless one, will look for intruders," Pepperstorm instructed. "Useless?" She heard him mutter. She saw a silver streak flash across the bank, then it came to a halt, letting out a panic-stricken yowl. "I'm coming!" Screeched Pepperstorm.

She flung herself across the sand, leaping over scattered twigs and rocks. She saw what was attacking Silvernose. It was a huge dog, standing over him. Pepperstorm launched herself at it, locking herself into it's shoulder. It grunted in surprise, but shook her off. "Don't mess with Silver-" she was cut off.

She found herself flying in the air, blood trickling from her leg. She leaped right over the dog, but landed down its back. It's legs buckled and it fell, nearly crushing Silvernose. It let out a yelp, and then closed it's eyes. "Thanks," panted Silvernose. "It could have eaten you!" Pepperstorm was still stunned by the way she had knocked it out.

"Let's get out of here, before it wakes up," she suggested. Silvernose dashed off without a word. Blackfrost was already there. "What happened?" He asked as Pepperstorm padded up. "A dog," she replied. Blackfrost's jaw dropped. "What did you do to it?" He ventured. "Knocked it out, but it won't be down forever."

She started padding off along the bank. "Come on." She flicked her tail to gather her patrol. "Our Clan will be worried." She started to pad off. "I can't wait to tell them how we did it!" Silvernose's eyes glittered with triumph. "Yeah," Pepperstorm replied. But other cats had done that before. How extrodinary was it?