#plumpetal

Title: Deep Dive

Summary: In a world where ThunderClan absorbed ShadowClan seasons ago, young warrior Weaselface is tasked to rebuild the fourth Clan and take her place as leader. But how can she betray all she’s ever known and loved, all on the word of one ghost with a grudge?

Excerpt:

"Huh," meowed what sounded like Plumpetal. "I could've sworn I smelled-"

Fogfur stomped up beside her. "What are you doing, fluff-for-brains?"

"I smelled a cat!" Plumpetal argued. "It kind of smelled like Weasel."

The gray tabby snorted. "This far from camp? Yeah, right."

"She is due any day now," added Birchfoot. "Come on. Let's head back. We've got more than enough fresh-kill for the pile."

Weaselface strained her ears to listen. The hunting patrol's pawsteps slowly but surely faded out. That was too close! She wriggled her way out and kept moving. By Sunhigh, she had managed to make it into the long stripe of land WindClan had. The peat squished under her weight as she crept along the grass, eyes trained on even the slightest hint of movement.

Deciding to head as far from the camp as possible, Weaselface headed north. Her limbs ached, and she was absolutely exhausted by the time she got to a trail that winded up the rocks. Weaselface tasted the air, but found it almost impossible to know for sure if she was still in WindClan or not. I can't keep this up. I just can't. The queen ducked under a bush and curled up into a ball. She was too large for her tail to cover her nose. Just a five minute nap, she swore.

When Weaselface woke, night had fallen.

I promise I'll go back to Brightfur I PROMISE, I've just really looked forward to this chapter. A lot of concepts came and went for this chapter, actually- originally it was gonna be a slideshow of Weasel's memories with Antpaw, then I considered maybe visiting the ShadowClan Brackenstar once knew and having the warriors there "greet" her that way, but ultimately this felt most accurate.