Credits to Warriors Sunpaw and Birdflower belong to me Embersnake, Wolfshard, and Eagle'talon belong to @RingingBells Mellowkit and Wadekit belong to @Luckyy- --> Story <-- Embersnake looked out of the warriors den. Something smelled strange, but she wasn't paying attention to that. Firetail was sitting next to Birdflower. In the shade, the two of them, sharing a scrawny mouse. She snorted. She didn't believe that hunting patrols couldn't catch anything; the heat had grown worse, but surely it wasn't that hard. Embersnake flicked her ear. What did Birdflower have that she didn't? Why did he like her better than his best friend? At least she had Ravenblink. But he WASN'T THE SAME. NO. She narrowed her eyes and paced around in the shade. The rest of the Clan was asleep in the darkness, trying to cool off. What could she do to prove herself? No, she could never prove herself when Birdflower was in the way. So remove Birdflower from the equation, her mind whispered. "Yes," Embersnake murmured, as she sat down again. "That is an excellent plan." ----------------------------------------------------------- Spottedleaf urged Sunpaw up. She felt his ribs as she pushed him out of his nest. The Clan was dying in this heat. And she knew she had to go to the Moonstone eventually. But not today. Dusk was falling, and the cats dared to venture from their nests when the heat dropped. Redstar was perched on the Highrock when Spottedleaf came out of her den with her weary apprentice. These days, she trusted her own brother as much as she did Firetail and Tigerclaw. Part of the prophecy rang in her mind, still: beware the slow burn. What burn, she wondered; the burn of rot and anger that Firetail and Embersnake emanated, or the fierce heat of Greenleaf. But she had no time for that. She had to save StarClan and ThunderClan. "Spottedleaf, what are you doing, hauling out your apprentice?" Redstar snapped, and the Clan looked towards her. "I- I'm bringing him to the Gathering," She muttered, shocked and confused. "No, you are not. Do you want the other Clans to think we're weak? Weak and hungry?!" Redstar hissed. "No! No, Redstar. I just thought- well- he always goes." She stammered. "I will not allow this." Redstar hissed. Spottedleaf saw Tigerclaw whisper something in the leader's ear. She flicked her tail, indignantly. "Tigerclaw, Embersnake, Firetail, Ravenblink, Birdflower, and Sandstorm will accompany me to the Gathering." Redstar bellowed. Spottedleaf started to follow the chosen party when Redstar stopped her. "Where are you going?" He snapped. "The Gathering. Medicine cats always go." "Not this time. You are a liar and untrustworthy. You stay here and help at the Camp." Redstar bounded away before she could argue. She turned around to face the remaining Warriors. They were all hungry. And tired. "Alright, then," Spottedleaf cleared her throat. "I'll send out a patrol now, since I suppose I am in charge. Who is best fit to hunt?" Graystripe walked forwards, along with Goldenflower and Bluefur. Spottedleaf nodded as they walked out of camp. She could fix this Clan.
