Authors note" okay, I apologize if the first part of the story was a bit…hard to read. I didn't think you would all have such problems with it. So, here you are, all nice and spaced out for you.
Chapter 11
Shadestar was sitting on the trunk of a huge oak tree located in the back of Treeclan camp. It was under this oak that laid his den. No one was allowed inside without his permission; in fact hardly any cat had been inside the place.
Look at them he thought all running around like insects. I try to be a good leader to them and yet it is proving so difficult when incompetent fools surround me. Though it wisent stated out loud, it was always agreed Shadestar was the main leader of the Clan. Boulderstar, Oakstar, even his own kin Darkclaw were nothing more but pawns to him.
He had for a while grown tired of the old rules set by his forefathers. Why is it we need three to rule? He thought if left in my hands alone I could bring these miserable creatures to true greatness. But then again, pawns did have its uses and he felt he wasn't quite ready to rid of them.
Maybe later he figured. "Shadestar" he turned to see Darkclaw trotting to him "what is it Darkclaw" he said in a non-interested voice.
"One of our apprentices failed to show up for inspection".
"Who?" asked Shadestar, becoming mildly interested?
"Its Firepaw," he said. "Firepaw...orange colored she-cat?" he remembered her.
An insignificant roach he remembered. she and her parents. "That's not all" said Darkclaw "but a patroller of ours hasn't reported back in for a while".
"What?" said Shadestar, his interests now peaked "whom?" "Stripepelt" he replied.
Suddenly, his interest faded. Stripepelt, a good warrior but last he remembered he was old. Shadestar figured he probably had only a few moons left until he becomes a worthless elder and would be disposed of.
"Very well, they will be punished when they get back" he turned and was heading into his deck when Darkclaw called him back "what Darkclaw?" he said, his patience running thin.
"Here's the thing brother, it appears they left together and headed into Lakeclan territory. I ran into one of there warriors, Cinderoak. It appears they to have seemingly lost a warrior".
Shadestar suddenly became interested again "who?"
"He says it was a queen...Waterpelt I believe her name to be".
Odd he figured two warriors missing from his clan and another from Lakeclan "what do you figure?" he asked.
"We believe there may also be a missing warrior in Mountainclan to. We think they might have run away" Shadestar's fur prickled. They may be just roaches but that doesn't mean they can simply leave him.
"Find them" Shadestar said, "Do what ever it takes"
"Yes brother" the dark warrior then headed off.
They better hope I don't find them he thought it seems that the Creeper has been awfully hungry these past few days. Maybe a combination of young meat and old meat would satisfy its hunger.
Chapter 12
the company awoke the next morning and began there decent into the cave. The sides were dripping with moisture and at times the tunnel became so narrow Firepaw had to suck in her body to squeeze threw.
After what seemed forever, they exited out of the tunnel onto a rocky flat dotted with stone. All around them, more mountains shot into the air.
"How much longer?" asked Waterpelt.
"Still has ways yet?" said Twilight.
They decided to rest in a small dip in the shelf "so, what exactly is this new life about?" inquired Rockclaw.
"it very calm, my sister she says" Twilight answered, "they be four of them, clans to you, Shadow, Wind, River, and Thunder. This cat with sweet scent, she comes from Thunderclan. Very proud group of cats, leader most kind. He is called Firestar, legend to his clan mates. Born in life of twolegs-".
"Twolegs?" asked Waterpelt.
"Humans" replied Twilight "or highwalkers as you know them".
this caused Rockclaw to gag "you are joking? A pampered house pet? A leader? That's rich".
Firepaw couldn't believe it either. They were always instructed to kill any house cat that wandered onto any of the territories. To much less have them in a clan wasn't enough, they make him their leader?
"What did he do? Learn to fly?" said Rockclaw in a sarcastic voice.
"No" said Twilight "he save all clans from evil cat. Tigerstar, I think. He intended to rule all cats, even to go as far to enlist the clan of Blood".
Blood? That made Firepaw quiver. "He's still a house pet," said Rockclaw "no matter how many battles he's been in, he'll always be just that".
"Now come now Rockclaw" said Stripepelt "if we want to have a home once we get there we are going to have to...except some new rules".
Rockclaw snorted. She had only known him for a few days and Firepaw already disliked him. Way too negative for her.
"We be going now," said Twilight.
Darkclaw came bounding over to Shadestar who was talking to his fellow brothers. Apparently he was right, a warrior from Mountainclan was missing as well.
"Shadestar" said Darkclaw "yes?" he asked in his low voice.
"We followed there trail...it appears they've headed into the Divide".
This caused Shadestar to purr. So? They believe to head through the Divide? Probably hoped no one would think of following them in there. Oh, but they were wrong.
"Not to worry," said Shadestar. Darkclaw gave him a confused look "to catch the prey" said Shadestar "you must first follow its scent".
"You aren't actually thinking of...".
"I am Darkclaw" he said, "I am the best tracker in the forest. I'll simply follow their scent and memorize my path".
And he could, he had an excellent memory.
"You'll see" he said to his brother "its going to take more then some scary mountain to lure me off" .