The half moon dragged by in a blur of hard work, and fear. The whole clan was on-the-edge from RiverClan's dreadful warning, which nearly claimed the life of Sootcloud. Duskstar had increased border patrols, as well as spending extra time practicing fighting moves with the apprentices. Every cat was exhausted, and skittish.
Foxflame sat in a patch of shade, sweeping his gaze over the camp, large groups of resting cats remained huddled in groups, casting nervous glances around them, it was sunhigh, so the whole clan was in camp for the resting hour of their busy day. "You're looking tired my friend." Bumbleflash's meow sounded from beside him as the deputy sat beside him, giving his gold and black striped fur a few quick licks.
"You don't seem to be doing much better." Foxflame commented, not missing the young deputy's ruffled fur, and exhausted eyes.
Bumbleflash sighed, shaking his head, "It's this cursed waiting, RiverClan threatens war, sends us into frantic training and preparing, why don't they just attack already."
"Is it just me being paranoid, or does something seem... off?" Foxflame asked, unable to ignore the disturbing feeling of danger, which crawled through his pelt like ants.
"Fox-dung, I was hoping that was just me." Bumbleflash breathed, his eyes darkening. Foxflame shifted uncomfortably, and Bumbleflash narrowed his eyes, leaping to his paws. The deputy stepped into the sun, his body tense before he yowled, "Every cat be quiet for a moment!"
Foxflame looked at the young deputy, the puzzlement in his eyes matching that of most the cats gathered in groups around the clearing. The cats stopped talking, staring intently at the deputy, Duskstar poking his head from his den, anticipation thick in the air. For a few long heartbeats the deputy didn't move, deafening silence clung to the sun-filled camp.
"Its so quiet." Sorrelpaw breathed from the apprentice's side of the clearing, the other apprentices nodding in agreement.
"Exactly, its sunhigh, and yet the forest is silent, usually the air is filled with birdcalls..." Bumbleflash's meow sliced through the silent air. Foxflame felt the fur rise uneasily along his spine, unsheathing his claws and digging them into the soft soil beneath the grass. Duskstar padded into the clearing, his dark gray fur bristling along his shoulders, the clan looked at him expectantly.
"We do not know for sure that this is the attack, but we must check just in case. Sedgeberry, Ravenbreeze, Swiftfoot, Fallowfern, Robinwing, Shrewleap, Thrushstripe, Sorrelpaw, and Swanfeather, stay here and be on guard just in case, keep the kits and elders in the nursery out of harm." Duskstar meowed, keeping his voice calm and commanding.
"Honeyflower, Mothflight, Quailfeather, Foxflame, Morningleaf, Lilypaw, and Stormpaw you will come with me toward the left side of the clearing at the RiverClan border. Bumbleflash, take Brindlesky, Hornheart, Lionflame, Barktail, Icerain, Stormpaw, Blazepaw, and Sunpaw to the right side of the clearing, stay quiet and be aware for an ambush." Duskstar meowed darkly, fear-scent crowding the air as the clan silently followed their orders. Foxflame went to Lilypaw's side as they gathered around their leader, the silence deafeningly unsettling.
Fawnpaw and Ivyleaf were gathering together bundles of herbs as Duskstar and Bumbleflash set off, the groups moving somewhat slowly as every cat perked their ears, trembling in anticipation. Foxflame ran his tail comfortingly along his shaking apprentice's back, murmuring quietly in encouragement.
The groups hadn't even split up yet when Bumbleflash and Duskstar halted abruptly, every cat froze, the only sound was his heartbeat pounding in his ears. A breeze swept through the trees. All the cats stiffened in surprise, the wind carried the scents of cats, lots of cats, and not only RiverClan, but WindClan too. The next heartbeats happened unbelievably fast. Yowls sliced the air. Enemy cats poured in, claws glinting, teeth flashing. Chaos erupted everywhere, and ThunderClan found themselves fighting for their lives against two clans, the thickest area of WindClan and RiverClan warriors were blocking ThunderClan from going to ShadowClan. They couldn't send for help.