Hey, it's VoleTooth with another short story for you! Hope you enjoy!

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The Traitor in Shadowclan

Mousestar hated Gatherings. She hated how the other clans always pointed at her and accused Thunderclan of stealing prey. Thistlepaw, a young Shadowclan apprentice was the biggest of them all. He particularly disliked Mousestar because she chased out Thistlepaw's closest Thunderclan friend, Birdpaw.

It wasn't like Mousestar had much of a choice. Birdpaw was an evil young tom.

Mousestar remembered it like it was yesterday. Mousestar's former apprentice Sharpclaw said Birdpaw was to be watched over. That he was a suspicious apprentice and that Sharpclaw feared Birdpaw was up to something dangerous.

Flickerpaw, who was Mousestar's new apprentice, also accused Birdpaw of being up to something wicked.

"He sneaks out at night," Flickerpaw whined. "I followed him all the way to the Shadowclan border. I know he stepped over because he didn't bother to conceal his scent."

Mousestar nodded. "Send Sharpclaw to me. Then you can join the hunting party with Frogflip."

"Yes Mousestar," Flickerpaw replied. She bounded out of the leader's den and hurried to fetch Sharpclaw. Soon enough, Sharpclaw entered the den alone. Hopefully, Flickerpaw agreed to Mousestar's request and joined Frogflip's hunting party."

"You sent for me?" Sharpclaw asked, sitting down carefully. "What is it you'd like?"

"I want you to spy on Birdpaw for me," Mousestar answered. "Report to me daily, even if all you have to say is: No action. Flickerpaw says Birdpaw leaves every night passed Shadowclan's border. Follow Birdpaw as far as you can, but don't get caught."

Birdpaw was acting strangely, Mousestar noticed. He was exhausted everyday, and his training was coming around poorly. Flickerpaw kept on whispering: "I told you so. He sneaks out at night, I tell you."

"Birdpaw," Mousestar mewed, "battle Flickerpaw for me. And do it without falling asleep." Mousestar knew she was being tough, that maybe Birdpaw was exhausted from a hunting party or border patrol, but no other cats acted like this. Not ever.

Birdpaw made a clumsy leap at Flickerpaw, who easily sidestepped. She used only one paw to push at Birdpaw's shoulder and knock him down. It didn't take strength to keep Birdpaw pinned down. The poor apprentice was exhausted.

"Go to sleep," Mousestar ordered. "You will watch the camp at night after Sharpclaw at night as your punishment."

Birdpaw didn't even groan. His paws dragged as he walked, and all he could do was stagger to the apprentice den.

The next morning, Sharpclaw did not go to Mousestar's den as she had ordered him to. Mousestar looked in the warrior's den, but could not find him. Jaywing, the deputy, reported that Sharpclaw wasn't told to go hunting and wasn't on the border patrol.

Then, Eaglefeather called for Mousestar.

"Mousestar!" Eaglefeather yelped. "Come quick! Sharpclaw would like a word in the medicine den."

Mousestar's stomach flip-flopped. "What's wrong?" she asked, her heart beating faster.

"Come along," Eaglefeather nervously replied. "He said he was supposed to report to you, but he was bleeding so much I wouldn't let him. You must have been looking for him all day. Sorry I couldn't tell you earlier. I was too busy putting spider webs on the poor cat's wounds."

Mousestar was the first in the medicine den. Like Eaglefeather had said, Sharpclaw was cut up pretty bad.

The warrior looked up at Mousestar entered. He rasped; "He's up to something. Planning to kill you, with only three lives left…he's got a whole band of Shadowclan warriors prepared to attack. They are coming tonight."

Mousestar wanted to yowl in despair. One of her best warriors was half-dead, thanks to Birdpaw, and now he planned to kill her? What had she ever done to him?

"Find Birdpaw. If he's not in camp, alert me at once," Mousestar ordered Eaglefeather. "Quickly!"

"Yes, Mousestar," Eaglefeather dipped her head in respect and whipped out of the medicine den at lightning speed.

"I'm so sorry, Sharpclaw," Mousestar said. She turned her head away so that Sharpclaw couldn't see she was upset as she really was.

"He's not in camp!" Eaglefeather burst into the medicine den. Her anxiety was rolling off of her in waves.

"Prepare yours—"

A battle cry exploded by just outside camp. An overwhelming scent of cats filled Mousestar's nose. Hissing and meowing, she exploded from the medicine den, her claws unsheathed, her ears flat on her head and her eyes narrowed to slits.

She saw about ten Shadowclan warriors and Birdpaw. That was a big amount – one Mousestar would never have wanted to face. But she had confidence in her clan.

Birdpaw aimed, of course, for her. Hissing, he slammed into her, clawing out tufts of her fur out. As he was earlier in training, he was exhausted and clumsy. His claws, however, were long, curved, and sharp, and drawing blood.

Mousestar snarled. She wouldn't lose one life to a traitor apprentice who got no sleep! She struck back, amazing at how easy it was to attack at her own clan mate. She struck Birdpaw's nose and wriggled under his belly, kicking up with strong back-paws. She rolled out from under him before he could sit on her and pin her down.

Birdpaw looked around. He realized that the Shadowclan warriors were losing as well. The Thunderclan warriors were a strong group, and not only were warriors fighting, but all the apprentices were. Mousestar noticed even Foxpaw, the apprentice with one eye, was fighting.

Mousestar struck Birdpaw a final time while he was distracted, and pinned him down. She didn't release him until all the Shadowclan warriors were chased out of Thunderclan territory.

Birdpaw was banned from the clan. He gave a final snarl before running off.

"If we ever find you in Thunderclan territory again," Mousestar warned, "I will let Thunderclan destroy you."

Birdpaw chuckled. "I wouldn't let them." With that, Birdpaw turned on his heels and ran.

So, that's the Traitor of Shadowclan.

The next story will be up by tomorrow :)