How The Wind Stirs The River

Author's Notes

This is a fanfiction written by Night and Hope. We hope you enjoy it, and leave a constructive comment in the comments below.

Chapter One (Night)

The gentle wind stirred the river, causing the minnow struggling against the current to feel the breeze on her thin body. She forced herself onwards, marveling that a small minnow like herself was able to make any headway at all against the rapidly flowing water. Perhaps it was her motherly instinct giving her strength... her eyes flickered to her bulging stomach. She must beat the current, must succeed in reaching her kinds ancient birthing ground, the area her egg had been layed, the area her ancestors had been layed.

A shadow flitted over the water, and she glanced upwards, instantly aware that something was over her... and that something was a cat. That thought was the last that ever flowed through her mind, as the pale furred cat scooped his paw through the water, and batted the minnow out, ending the small fish's life with a nip to the head.

"Good catch," mewed Suntail, padding over towards Beetletooth.

He glanced up, seeming rather surprised. "Did you forget I was here?" Suntail teased, running her thin tail along his spine.

"How could I forget..." He whispered, staring into her amber eyes, which she rolled heartbeats later. "You're such a flirt." She batted him playfully with a paw, and he rolled onto his stomach, forgetting his surroundings and falling straight into the river.

"Beetletooth?" mewed Suntail, suddenly serious, rushing towards the river where the tom had fallen. He resurfaced moments later, another minnow in his jaws. He dragged himself out of the river, and deposited the fish at Suntail's paws.

"Don't tell anyone what just happened," he panted, and Suntail purred softly. "Fine, fine."

He nodded, satisfied, then picked up his original minnow. "You thake tha oder one," he told her through a mouth full of fish. Suntail frowned. "I'm not taking credit for your catch."

Beetletooth spat the noticeably smaller minnow from his mouth, and glared at Suntail. "Oh yes you are. You know Fernstar will punish you if you don't bring anything back, right?"

Suntail stared at the minnow lying at her paws. "I... guess." Sighing, she bent her head, and picked up the small fish. Beetletooth nodded, satisfied, and retrieved his minnow. "Det's go den."

The two padded towards camp, Suntail occasionally casting glances at Beetletooth. Why is he so grouchy all the time? It's like trying to get close to a thornbush! And then... sometimes he drops the thorny wall... but those times are rather un-nerving.

They reached the bramble barrier that surrounded the camp, and Suntail ducked through first, depositing her minnow on the freshkill pile. Swiftberry, who was sitting beside the small pile of fish, glanced up at Suntail, green eyes glinting dangerously. "That minnow isn't very large... is that all you caught?"

Suntail ground her teeth, but nodded. "The hunting isn't very good at the moment."

Swiftberry made a small, disbelieving noise, but said no more, so Suntail backed away, glad to have escaped punishment. Although Swiftberry was not deputy, she practically was, as RiverClan's deputy, Finchface, was old and sickly.

Suntail's gaze flickered towards the old deputy, who was stationed beside the medicine cat den, posture straight, eyes moving steadily over the camp. Suntail veered towards the pale tabby, dipping her head respectfully.

"It's nice to see you are recovering, Finchface."

Happiness danced in the deputy's pale green eyes, and she spoke in a hoarse, croaky mew. "And it's nice to see you and Beetletooth hunting together-"

Suntail felt her pelt go hot, and she stared at her paws.

"Alone." Finchface finished, a knowing expression fixed on her grey flecked face.

Chapter Two (Hope)

Moonpelt lay down and rest her head. The wind rustled her black fur and she felt a sense of happiness. Her father padded over to her. "Moonpelt I was worried, I couldn't find you and I searched the whole camp and there was no trace of you." said her father worryingly.

"Father I am not a kit anymore!" said Moonpelt.

Her father nodded and he looked up at StarClan his eyes filled with sadness. Moonpelt knew that her father, Whitestripe still missed Breezefur, her mother. Breezefur had died in a battle when Moonpelt was young so she never really knew her mother.

"Father, she hunts with StarClan now. You can't change what had happened." explained Moonpelt.

Whitestripe nodded.

"Thank you Moonpelt, I just wished I could have saved her."

Moonpelt had a lot of sympathy for her father.

Moonpelt saw her sister padding into the clearing. Whitestripe turned his head to meet Moonpelt's gaze.

"Hello Suntail, I was looking for you." their father explained.

Suntail rolled her eyes and Moonpelt let out a mreow of amusement.

"Oh father, you have to let it go." thought Moonpelt

Moonpelt walked over to the warriors den and sat down next to Fallenfeather, her mate.

"Hey Fallenfeather, how are you?" asked Moonpelt.

"I am fine how is your father? I saw him talking to you." replied Fallenfeather as facial expression changes from happy to concerned.

"He is fine he just needs time to forgive himself."

Fallenfeather nodded. He to had lost his mother when he was young but at least he knew her.

The two sat in silence for a minute. Moonpelt looked at the sleek grey tom. They understood each other. They were perfect together and nothing could change that.

Chapter Three (Night)

Suntail ran her tongue through her pelt, then glanced up at Whitestripe, who had his yellow eyes fixated her. She sighed, and adopted a straight posture.

"Whitestripe, I'm not a kit anymore, I can take care of myself."

He sighed, and averted his eyes, leaving Suntail feeling slightly guilty. "You remind me so much of your mother sometimes."

Suntail immediately felt the flame of guilt heat her pelt. "I'm sorry..." Whitestripe nodded nonchalantly, accepting the apology, but Suntail could still see he was slightly hurt. "What was she like?" She whispered, curious despite herself.

Whitestripe raised his head, and grief shone in his amber eyes. "Breezefur, your mother... you look so much like her."

Suntail frowned. What? That didn't make sense. "What? What do you mean? I heard she had white fur." She glanced down at her own black pelt, confused.

Whitestripe waved a paw, dismissing this. "I don't mean fur colour. I'm talking about the way you hold yourself, the way you talk, the way you act, hunt... you are so much like your mother. I see her in you everyday."

"She's dead, Whitestripe." Perhaps it was a rather blunt way to phrase it, but Suntail couldn't think of a better way to put it.

The black-and-white furred tom sighed, and averted his eyes from Suntail's. "I know she's dead, Suntail. I'm not insane..." He padded away, finishing the sentence under his breath. "Not yet, at least."

Suntail watched him leave, quite aware of the last four words he had muttered. She frowned. Why does he have to be so difficult? The sound of pawsteps heading towards her made her turn.

"I was wondering if you wanted to share a finch with me?"

Suntail mentally groaned. Great. Thrushfur. Time with him was exactly what she needed. "No sorry," she mewed, getting to her paws. "I was going to eat with Moonpelt, I promised her I would."

Thrushfur's face fell, but he nodded. "It's alright, no need to apologize, I understand." He padded away, crestfallen, and Suntail sighed. Why didn't Thrushfur understand that she didn't love him? He was annoying, stinky, and annoyingly good-natured. Of course she didn't want to share a finch with him.

Her eyes strayed to Beetletooth, who was lazing in the sun beside Gorsefang, and a happy feeling swelled in her chest. Now that was the tom she wanted. As she watched, he stretched, getting to his paws, and muscles rippled underneath his smooth and luxurious coat. What she would give to be the one lying beside him... but she couldn't, not willingly.

She shook her head, and got to her paws, padding towards Moonpelt, who seemed to be sharing a moment with Fallenfeather. "Moonpelt?"

Her sister jumped, abruptly returned to the world of the living, and Fallenfeather turned, a protective gleam in his eyes. "Oh, it's you," he mewed. Suntail felt a stab of annoyance run through her. It wasn't a secret that Fallenfeather disliked Suntail, but there was no need for him to act so rude.

"Yeah, it's me. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to share a minnow with Moonpelt."

Moonpelt seemed reluctant, and didn't meet Suntail's eyes. "Um, actually... I thought maybe I could eat with Fallenfeather today? He caught a massive trout, and..." Her words faded into nothingness, but Suntail hissed, and stormed away.

"I see how it is," she muttered, lashing her tail angrily.

Chapter Four (Hope)

Moonpelt lay down next to Fallenfeather. He purred as there pelts touched. They looked at each other happiness gleaming n their eyes The trout lay in front of them. Fallenfeather nodded and Moonpelt didn't resist. She devoured it piece by piece.

"You must be hungry!" said Fallenfeather. Moonpelt could hear the amusement in his tone "At this rate there won't be any for me!"

Moonpelt swallowed and then replied with, "Here I saved some for you."

The grey tom dug in. He licked his lips and stood up. Moonpelt followed. "Where are you going?" questioned Moonpelt.

The grey tom turned and said "Don't you remember today is the day that Beekit and Waspkit are going to be apprenticed."

Moonpelt nodded. How could she forget, Those kits had been running around the camp telling every cat that they were going to be apprenticed. The two cats padded out of the warriors den. There stood Suntail giving Fallenfeather an icy glare. Fallenfeather flicked his tail and walked past her.

*****

"Good job Beepaw you caught your first fish!" approved Moonpelt.

"I did." said Beepaw bursting with pride.

Moonpelt licked the apprentices ginger pelt and the apprentice purred.

Wasppaw and Fallenfeather ran up to the two she cats.

"Look Wasppaw I caught my first fish." beamed Beepaw.

"Lucky, I had to clean the elders bedding." explained Wasppaw with disgust.

Fallenfeather let out a mreow of amusement.

"We must get back to camp now." stated Moonpelt.

The four of them padded back to camp.

The two apprentices ran off to the apprentice den.

"Moonpelt, come look! I caught a trout much bigger than Fallenfeather's" boasted Suntail.

"Do you still remember that?' asked Moonpelt.

"Yes I do! So will you eat with me!" requested Suntail her eyes shining with hope.

"You can sit with her Moonpelt II don't mind." said Fallenfeather.

Moonpelt nodded and said eagerly "Sure Suntail!"

The two sisters padded over to the warriors den and they sat down next to each other. They had the same black pelt so in the shadows they wouldn't be seen. The two sisters dug into the trout not taking a breath. After they had finished Suntail asked " We are sisters no matter what?''

Moonpelt nodded and responded with "Of course!"

Chapter Five (Night)

Suntail purred, reassured. “For a heartbeat, I thought you’d say no.”

Moonpelt snorted. “Why would I deny our blood? We can’t change the fact that we are related.”

Suntail rolled her eyes, and batted Moonpelt with one paw. Her sister purred, and rolled over, kicking out at Suntail, who dodged, and leaped at Moonpelt. "Caught you!"

Fallenfeather was there in an instant. "Don't you dare touch a hair on her pelt," he hissed at Suntail, back arched. Suntail blinked, surprised and offended. "We were just playi-"

"Go play somewhere else." The tom snapped, glaring at Suntail and proceeding to stand protectively in front of Moonpelt. Moonpelt got to her paws, glancing between Suntail and Fallenfeather, a confused expression upon her face. "Am I missing something here?"

Suntail forced the hair's on her back down, and glared at Fallenfeather, adopting a straight posture. "You explain, Fallenfeather."

The tom returned the glare, then nodded slowly. "Fine. But only because Moonpelt wants to know." He took a deep breath, and glanced at Moonpelt, who was seated behind him, eyes wide with curiousity. "Are you certain you want to know?"

She nodded. "I am sure."

This answer caused Fallenfeather to sigh, but he nodded again. "As you wish... so, what do you wish to know."

Moonpelt rolled her eyes, rather exasperated. "I want to know why you and Suntail are at each other's throats so often!"

Fallenfeather's eyes flickered to Suntail, and he hissed softly. "It's her fault. She can explain." He flicked his tail in Suntail's direction, then stormed away. Moonpelt watched him, then turned to Suntail, who had her eyes narrowed to slits. "What do you see in him?" He's an arrogant twit! AND he hates me. I thought she valued her kin over some dumb tom...

"I've told you that before, Suntail," mewed Moonpelt. "Now, please explain. I am sick of you two fighting!"

Suntail steadied herself, picturing herself swimming, feeling the calming sensation of fish swimming between her paws, and the cool temperature of the water before continuing. "When we were kits, he was always... flirting around you."

A purr rumbled from Moonpelt's chest. "I remember." Suntail suppressed a frown. Why does she sound so happy? Does she really want toms to run at her, to flirt with her? Doesn't she understand what that could cost her? She threw away these thoughts, dismissing them.

"Yes, yes, of course you do."

Hurt briefly flashed in Moonpelt's eyes, but Suntail ignored her sister. She had to get this over and done with.

"I assume you remember Echoheart?" Moonpelt nodded, and Suntail felt anger ignite inside her. How could she just nod like that? Had she forgotten the pale grey she-cat, the one with the twinkling green eyes and the friendly, teasing manner?

"When, you, me, Echoheart and Fallenfeather were kits, Echoheart and her brother, Fallenfeather, both... liked you, Moonpelt. If you remember, Echoheart would tease you, hang with you and flirt with you often." Suntail meowed softy, traces of anger in her voice.

Moonpelt shuddered. "What was she thinking!" She blurted out. "She was female, how could she possibly have liked me! Two she-cats can't be mates!"

Suntail turned her eyes to the sky. See, Echoheart? You shouldn't have bestowed your heart on her... Moonpelt didn't deserve or appreciate it. I would have been faithful, I promise.

"They can actually." Suntail's voice was cold. Echoheart... you were too young to die. He'll pay for what he did... I promise.

Moonpelt seemed rather surprised. "What? But- you couldn't have kits, an-"

"Love isn't about having kits." Suntail interrupted, mew colder still. "Love is about loving the other, wanting to spend the rest of your life with them." She lashed her tail angrily and stalked away, quite aware of Fallenfeather's gaze upon her back. She turned and stared at him, whispering the words, "You killed her. You killed your own sister, then steal mine. You... murderer."

Chapter Six (Hope)

Moonpelt watched as her sister ran off in anger. What had she done wrong? Moonpelt thought about what her sister said.

"Love isn't about having kits. Love is about loving the other, wanting to spend the rest of your life with them."

It rung in Moonpelt's ears. Her eyes shone with sadness. She never knew. What would Echoheart think of her! Fallenfeather flicked his tail angrily. "Echoheart liked me?" asked Moonpelt.

"Suntail has bees in her brain! Don't listen to her!"

"Don't you dare talk about my sister like that!" yelled Moonpelt.

She hissed at Fallenfeather and ran as fast as she could away from her mate. She didn't look back. She ran as far as her legs could take her. She wanted to find her sister who ran off this way. She found Suntail curled up in a ball under a bush. "Suntail, I'm-"

"Don't say sorry to me! It is Echoheart who you must say sorry to." interrupted Suntail.

"Sister please come back to camp! We must return before it gets dark. We can sleep in the warriors den as sisters. I will never be with Fallenfeather again. I promise. He is a mangy flea pelt! I can't believe I loved him!" said Moonpelt, blue eyes shining with anger.

Suntail got up and nodded. Moonpelt was relieved that her sister gave in.

When they got back to camp they saw Fallenfeather. He ran up to Moonpelt. "Moonpelt I was worried."

Moonpelt ignored him. She kept on walking. How dare he say her sister had bee's in her brain.

Once Suntail and Moonpelt got to the warriors den they found a place in the corner and snuggled together. It is was nice to have her sister with her. But once she snuggled closer she felt the sharp breaths that Suntail was taking. Was there something she wasn't telling her. Moonpelt lay her head on her paws and drifted off to sleep.

"Moonpelt." said a mysterious voice.

Moonpelt opened one eye to see a familiar cat standing in front of her. It was Echoheart!

"Echoheart... I'm sorry."

"Don't worry Moonpelt. There is something I must tell you." replied Echoheart.

"What is it?" asked Moonpelt.

."Two cats with black fur will meet on the brightest night'

'One with eyes shining with light'

'The other with eyes gleaming with spite'

'One of their paths is meant for darkness'

'The others is meant for light; oh, what starkness'

'One with the anger of the sun'

'The other with the patience of the moon'

'Do not let the sun die'

'Or else the moon will wither'

'Hope and despair are common'

'And without the sun they will rule supreme'

'Do not let the sun slip from your clutches'

'Do not let the enemy succeed'

'For life without the sun shining'

'Is hardly a life worth living."'

Moonpelt awoke, breathing heavily. Echoheart was beautiful. She had completely forgot how sleek her silver pelt was. But what did Echoheart mean?

Chapter Seven (Night)

Suntail pressed closer to Moonpelt, relishing the warmth of her sister. She had forgotten how comforting it was, how right it seemed curled next to Moonpelt. She felt sure that if someone was to stand over their entwined bodies, it would be difficult to make out where one sister finished at the other begun. Although they often seemed as different as the sun and moon, their pelts were both of the purest black, and Suntail knew that this was right. This was how it was meant to be.

Slowly, sleep drifted over her, comforting the torn, ragged edges of her mind, and soothing the scars that a certain silver she-cats death had ripped into her.

"Suntail."

Suntail blinked, and opened her eyes. Darkness rushed up to greet her, and she swayed slightly. She knew that voice, but... it was impossible.

"Echoheart?"

The sound of a twig breaking rushed to greet her, and the sound of a cat moving somewhere in the darkness. "Echoheart?" She cried again, hearing the note of panic in her voice, yet not caring to disguise it. This was sleep. There was no need to pretend to be someone she wasn't here.

"Yes, my dear?"

Although she was still blind, Echoheart felt her heart swell with joy. She knew that voice, she knew who it belonged to. "Echoheart... I missed you."

Slowly, dull colours came into view around her, and she could make out the blurry figure of Echoheart standing a few fox-lengths from her, two small shapes dancing around her paws. Suntail blinked, and the world sharpened, coming into focus. Now she could tell that the shapes at Echoheart's paws were kits, one with a pelt as dark as the night, the other with silver fur. But she only had eyes for Echoheart.

The she-cats pelt gleamed with health, her delicate facial features positioned in a way that showed her dancing spirit, and laughter, like they had always been in when she had lived. Laughter shone in her eyes, and the darker flecks of silver at the base of her tail seemed to shine. Her plumy tail twitched, a beckoning forwards, and Suntail rushed to greet her.

"Echoheart!

Echoheart purred, and twisted herself around Suntail, eyes closed so that she could relish the moment without seeing mundane things such as the starry meadow they were surrounded by. Suntail purred, and the grief that had always lurked in the semi-conscious part of her mind lessened slightly. Saying the silver she-cat's name, feeling her breath upon her face... this was better then any healing herb Suntail had ever come across.

She stepped back, although continued to run her eyes over Echoheart, drinking in the she-cat's appearance. Eyes brimming with emotion, she glanced down at the kits. "Who are these?"

Echoheart adopted a sad expression, and bowed her head, licking the top of the night coloured kit's head. "Moonkit and Nightkit." Her voice was soft and melodic, although there was a hint of concealed grief in her tone.

Suntail felt something snap within her. Moonkit and Nightkit. Of course. She had forgotten the affection Echoheart had felt for Moonpelt. How could she have forgotten...

"Who are they?" She asked again, anger audible in her mew. Echoheart seemed rather startled by the abrupt change in Suntail's mew, but answered. "I wasn't supposed to die. StarClan didn't see it, didn't think it was fair, especially because my death was at the claws of a Clanmate. They told me about my future. These would have been my kits..."

Hope flared within Suntail. Echoheart couldn't possibly have had kits with Moonpelt, as they were both she-cats. "A-and who would have been the father?" The tremor in her voice annoyed her, but she had to know this.

"A rouge," answered Echoheart, one ear twitching slightly. "A traveling rouge by the name of Claw. I would of raised them with Moonpelt though."

Suntail yowled with anger and fury, and a haze of red settled over her. A sensation, a need to sink her claws into Echoheart, to punish her for loving Moonpelt ran through her, and when the red finally lifted, she was on top of Echoheart, claws buried in the silver she-cat's neck, muzzle stained with blood.

"Two cats with black fur will meet on the brightest night

One with eyes shining with light

The other with eyes gleaming with spite

One of their paths is meant for darkness

The others is meant for light; oh, what starkness

One with the anger of the sun

The other with the patience of the moon

Do not let the sun die

Or else the moon will wither

Hope and despair are common

And without the sun they will rule supreme

Do not let the sun slip from your clutches

Do not let the enemy succeed

For life without the sun shining

Is hardly a life worth living."

Suntail sat up, rather confused. Blood dripping from her chin onto the still twitching body of Echoheart, and she glanced down regretfully at it. She noted that the silver she-cat's jaws were parted, and a new bubble of blood had burst from them, and realization dawned in her amber eyes. A prophecy. With her last breath, Echoheart had delivered a prophecy. A prophecy concerning her.

Chapter Eight (Hope)

Moonpelt lay their still. The only sound was the wind rustling the leaves. Their was a twitch from Suntail which became a squirm. She was dreaming.

"Suntail, wake up!" whispered Moonpelt, worry shining in her eyes with worry.

Suntail kept on squirming and let out a cry.

"Suntail wake up!" yelled Moonpelt.

Her sister didn't stir but all the other warriors woke letting out an annoyed mew.

"Moonpelt be quiet." exclaimed Greycloud.

"Sorry my fellow warriors, I was trying to wake up my sister. She is mumbling in her sleep."

Fallenfeather shot a glance at Moonpelt his eyes wide with fury. Moonpelt gave him a cold icy glare. He looked down at his feet eyes wide with shame. Greycloud padded over to Moonpelt. "Suntail please wake up." whined Greycloud, "Your sister woke us up because of you."

Suntail jolted up. Her eyes wide with fear and sadness. Her pelt didn't seem to glow like it used to.

"What happened?" asked Suntail confused.

"You were dreaming." explained Moonpelt.

Her sister nodded. Her eyes filled with sadness still. What had happened in her dream to make her so upset?

Time passed really quickly for Moonpelt. "Suntail it is getting dark. We should be going to sleep now!" explained Moonpelt.

Suntail nodded. She hadn't spoken at all. Moonpelt was starting to get worried. They snuggled up together. Moonpelt lay her head on her front paws. Her mind wandered to Echoheart. Moonpelt had forgotten how beautiful Echoheart's sleek grey pelt was. "I wish Echoheart was still here in RiverClan," thought Moonpelt "because I think I like her to!"

Moonpelt's awoke darkness around her. "Am I dreaming?" asked Moonpelt.

A bright light appeared. It was a white she-cat. Her eyes were as golden as Suntail's.

"Who are you?" questioned Moonpelt.

"Hello Moonpelt, I am your mother, Breezefur." explained Breezefur.

"My mother?"

"Yes Moonpelt. You have grown so much." said Breezefur, her eyes shining with pride.

"Where is Echoheart?" asked Moonpelt.

"Moonpelt, Suntail killed her!"

Chapter Nine (Night)

The wind waved the tussocks of grass, creating an illusion that the grass was flowing like a river. The tom stared out over the many varieties of grass, flowers and mosses, jaws slightly parted, scenting the prey rich air around him. He padded further into the moorland, and a small purr escaped him, although it was easily swallowed by the gentle breeze.

"Breezefur," he whispered into the wind, sure that Breezefur, although she was all the way in RiverClan's camp, would know he was thinking of her. "I'm coming home."

Beside him, Heathermuzzle gave him a warning look. "Silence."

He dipped his black and white head in agreement, and continued to stare out over the moor. It was so beautiful. Why couldn't RiverClan have the moor? They would defend it carefully...excitement suddenly swelled through him. That was the entire point of this meeting. If it went as planned, RiverClan would have a stretch of moorland...

Heathermuzzle stretched, and shot the tom a glare, even though he not uttered a single word. "Whitestripe, would you please shut up?"

Whitestripe shot Heathermuzzle a glare. "I never spoke."

Heathermuzzle stiffened, and the wind abruptly changed direction, bringing the scent of a cat. Whitestripe watched as the cat came into view, and horror dawned in his eyes. Breezefur. What was she doing here? His eyes fastened on her stomach, which was bulging with unborn kits.

"Breezefur!"

Her elegant head turned, and he saw that her amber eyes were lit with panic. "Whitestripe!" She yowled. "Heathermuzzle!"

Whitestripe felt as if his paws were rooted to the ground. How could she have been so stupid? Yes, she was reckless, but sprinting into the midst of WindClan territory carrying his unborn kits... no, he knew why. She hated being cooped up, hated letting others fight on her behalf. "Help!" She yowled, and Heathermuzzle ran forwards to meet her.

"What has happened?" The brown she-cat asked, yellow eyes glinting with concern. Breezefur didn't seem to see Heathermuzle, and her eyes found Whitestripe's own panicked green ones. "WindClan," she panted, breath heavily. "WindClan, attack, RiverClan camp."

Heathermuzzle drew a sharp breath, and she licked her chest fur, seemingly making her mind up. "Breezefur, are we losing?" Her voice was urgent.

Breezefur shook her head, but she still seemed scared and frightened out of her mind.

"How many of them are fighting?"

"Ma-maybe half of their warriors?" Breezefur whispered in response to Heathermuzzle's question.

Heathermuzzle frowned, then turned to Whitestripe, who was ready to bolt back towards camp, and spoke calmly, looking over the gathered warriors. "Whitestripe, Beetooth, Gorsefang, Thrushpaw, Beetlepaw, Bluepelt, Spottedpelt, Mottlefeather, Stripetail, Lilyleaf, Finchface. We are stronger then those scrawny rabbit chasers who call themselves a Clan, yes?"

Yowls of approval surged through them, although Whitestripe felt tension gnaw at his stomach. He thought he knew what was coming, and didn't like it one bit. Breezefur jogged over to stand beside him, and he glanced at her, reassured and scared by her presence. Heathermuzzle continued. "We could beat them if we were all blind, toothless, riddled with sickness, deaf, covered in blood, clawless and one pawed. They attacked our camp, so let us attack theirs."

Loud yowls of agreement followed these words, and Breezefur joined in enthusiastically. "Let's get them," she mewed, rather breathless. "You're not going."

Breezefur frowned at Whitestripe's words. "Yes I am. Just because I'm carrying kits doesn't mean I can fight. An expecting mother is fiercer then a badger."

Heathermuzzle beside them nodded apologetically at Breezefur's words. "I'm sorry Breezefur, but I can't allow you to fight. Maybe you could go back to camp and assist the battle there?"

Hurt flashed in Breezefur's eyes. "I can fight! I'm capable!"

"I never said you weren't," Heathermuzzle stated flatly. "But it is reckless. You can't endanger your kit's life as well as your own."

Breezefur hissed, and lashed her plumy white tail angrily. "It's not fair!" She wailed, but Heathermuzzle had moved on. "Then we attack."

Whitestripe nodded, and began to follow the ranks of warriors who were streaming over the hills towards WindClan's camp. Breezefur followed him, but he shook his head slightly. "No, Breezefur. You cannot come, you heard Heathermuzzle."

She ground her teeth in frustration, but nodded, and slipped away. He watched her leave, rather relieved to see her go. She can't get hurt... she can't. She means everything to me. He shook his head, and ran towards the hill, following his Clanmates. Time to go fight the wind itself.

****************************************************************************************************************************************

Whitestripe slipped away from WindClan's camp, dragging the heavy body of Heathermuzzle as he went. He could picture the tom who had struck the killing blow clearly, the white fur, the wide, innocent blue eyes.