Darkstorm's Code✔️

Chapter Eighteen

Darkstorm's fur prickled self-consciously as Thinfur finished. "I..." she mumbled. I know when I was a kit I wanted to be leader, but now... She glanced up at the sky. But now, I don't think I can handle it. I already have to deal with a prophecy.

"You may all go," Treestar mewed in a tone that allowed none to object. Darkstorm looked to him. Rage fired in his eyes. And I've just made an enemy. "Wait. I don't suppose any of you know a way to get to the gathering island?" As nobody spoke, he sighed. "I'll contact the other leaders and see what will happen. I'll go to WindClan. Shadeflight, you go to SkyClan with Yowltail. You may need protection. Grassfang, you'll go to RiverClan." Oh no! Don't realize that I went there, Grassfang, don't find out... "Darkstorm and Orangetail, you go to ThunderClan. Badgerleap, I know you're an elder, but can you scout for a camp."

"Yep," Badgerleap growled. "I'm not that old, I can help if you need me to." Treestar nodded gratefully.

"Thinfur, you stay here. If a clan shows itself, run and find us. He's better now, yes?" Treestar asked, looking at Shadeflight.

"Yes."

"Well then. Everyone, get back quickly. We don't know who may attack, and we have to be prepared. Maybe the Twolegs will scare them off, but we won't take any risks." His eyes glinted. "And Orangetail, I am trusting you to go to ThunderClan." Orangetail dipped her head. "Then we'll go now." The cats scattered, Darkstorm and Orangetail going alongside Yowltail and Shadeflight.

"We'll separate at the border," Darkstorm mewed. Yowltail flicked her tail.

"There's something wrong with Treestar," she began hesitantly. "I think he's worried about the prophecy." She looked at Darkstorm pleadingly. "Try not to challenge his authority, please. I know you don't try to, but you were born a leader, and that never changed." Darkstorm blinked.

"Okay," she promised. "I'll try."

"We should go now," Orangetail mewed. 

"Be careful," Darkstorm pointed her ears to Shadeflight. "SkyClan is dangerous." Shadeflight nosed his littermate.

"Don't worry. I'll be fine." Orangetail and Darkstorm made their way through SkyClan territory.

"Hey!" Rainstar. Why is he patrolling? Darkstorm cursed herself and looked up.

"We're five tail-lengths-"

"Get out of here!" he snarled. "ShadowClan spies!" Darkstorm looked to Orangetail, who was calmly continuing on her way. Darkstorm's fur bristled.

"We're allowed to be here!" she spat, rivaling his unsheathed claws. Rainstar glared at her and waved his tail threateningly.

"It's my territory. I will say if you can be here." He struck out at Orangetail, slicing her side. She spun around, hissing defiantly.

"There are two of us and one of you," she meowed. "Let us go." Rainstar let out a bark of laughter and bared his teeth.

"I told you. Get out!" He leaped at her, Darkstorm pushing him away with her side. 

"Stop it or we'll fight," she warned. Rainstar scowled.

"You both have one life. I have nine." No, you don't, Darkstorm thought, I'm sure of it. You're too quick to fight. She snarled and pounced on him, pinning the SkyClan cat down. He rolled away and scraped his claws along her leg. 

"Hey!" Orangetail yowled. "That's my friend!" she sneered, joining the fight. Darkstorm shrieked as the leader flipped her on her back, rearing back to bite her neck. Orangetail leaped, her claws penetrating Rainstar's soft belly, and he flopped to his side. As Orangetail backed away, he jumped to his feet and rammed into her, aimed for the kill. Darkstorm heaved herself up and bit his back, digging her claws deep. He turned around and sliced her neck.