With exams finally over I can focus more on this story. I plan to flesh out this AU as much as I possibly can.

Thank you for the kind reviews, they're truly appreciated


Chapter 3

"I want to join ShadowClan!" She declared.

"What?" Both deputies questioned at the same time. Russetfur's growl had finally turned into a snarl.

Angrily Brambleclaw turned on the ShadowClan cats. "Was this the plan all along? Pretend to want peace then steal our apprentice away?"

"No!" Littlecloud cried out in shock and protest even looking offended. "This wasn't planned at all!"

Firestar leaped back to the border. His eyes grew wide with concern. "Dovepaw are they forcing you to say this?"

"Forcing her?" Blackstar growled, glaring at the ginger tom. His eyes narrowed, and he glared at Dovepaw. "You think we'd pull a trick like this?"

"We don't want her." Russetfur added. "We're not like you accepting every stray that comes begging at the edge of our territory."

Brambleclaw began to growl at the other deputy. He stepped forward with claws outstretched.

Dovepaw pushed herself between the growling cats. "No! They didn't force me to say any of this. I decided this on my own!" She tried to ignore the sinking feeling in her chest from Russetfur saying that ShadowClan didn't want her.

"Dovepaw." Jayfeather's voice was almost a whisper. He looked horrified. "Do you know what you're saying? Have you thought about what you're saying?"

Brambleclaw's eyes turned to her. "I won't allow another ThunderClan apprentice to be taken by ShadowClan. Think of your sister Dovepaw, think of what this would do to her." He seemed to be thinking of his own sister, Tawnypelt who had joined ShadowClan when they were just apprentices.

I am thinking of my sister. Dovepaw thought to herself. She gave Brambleclaw a sad glance but did not speak. What else could she say?

"Dovepaw," Littlecloud's voice was soft if not slightly strained. "Perhaps you should go home and rest. Think things through a little."

Blackstar was silent, he glanced up the same way he did when thinking about engaging ThunderClan in battle. "I think... I think that we'll be leaving here today with all our territory and an extra apprentice."

Firestar flinched at the blunt jab while Brambleclaw curled his lip.

Dovepaw looked at him surprise overtaking her face, she hadn't thought it would be so easy. She was almost sure that the ShadowClan leader would force her home. She looked to Firestar, it looked as if ThunderClan was fighting a battle after all and they were losing. Guilt grew in her chest as she realized that this was her fault. This battle was over her.

"No, you're not." Brambleclaw hissed. Dovepaw turned to face him alarmed, she didn't want a fight to break out.

She looked up, the sun was beginning to set. The first owl of the night called out. Didn't Blackstar tell Rowanclaw to bring a battle patrol if the ShadowClan Trinity wasn't back by the first owl call?

Russetfur looked in alarm at her leader. "Blackstar she's soft, and she has kittypet blood."

"Hmm." Blackstar tilted his head and stared at Firestar. His whiskers twitched, was that amusement Dovepaw saw? Was he enjoying this? "But ThunderClan can't take her back now. She's a traitor."

Her jaws dropped. "What?" She whispered. Blackstar began to circle around her. To Dovepaw it seemed that the ShadowClan leader was getting revenge for having to submit to Firestar.

"Dovepaw betrayed her clan by revealing secrets, important battle secrets to a rival clan," He stopped circling to look at Firestar. "You know our code. Exile is the most appropriate punishment. From there we can take her. This way she's still a clan cat."

Dovepaw trembled. What other code was there than the warrior code? Her mind ached, whatever code it was the punishment required that Firestar banish Dovepaw.

Firestar looked horrified. "Yes, I know the code but it's an old and—

"It is the law that binds us to StarClan and our nine lives!" Blackstar snapped, finally losing his temper.

The ShadowClan cats beside him flinched, Russetfur flashed a glance at her leader. For once her eyes looked soft with concern.

Regaining his composure, the leader sighed dramatically. "Unfortunate yes, but it must be done."

Firestar blinked and seemed to hazily stare down at Dovepaw. "Do you really want to leave ThunderClan?"

"You can't let her leave or banish her Firestar." Jayfeather hissed. "You know why!"

"She's just an apprentice. She doesn't know any better." Brambleclaw agreed through gritted teeth.

"I want to leave." Dovepaw repeated quietly. She didn't want to look into anyone's eyes as she spoke. Her heart was full of guilt and she feared that she might change her mind if she looked at any cat.

Firestar sighed deeply and looked down on the grey apprentice. She flattened herself to the ground. "Dovepaw…you have betrayed ThunderClan by revealing battle plans to a rival clan, from this moment on you are no longer a ThunderClan cat," His eyes closed. "If you are caught in our territory our warriors are free to chase you out."

Dovepaw was thankful he didn't add the 'warriors are free to kill you' part of the sentence. Her eyes watered slightly. She was in too deeply now and she wouldn't have time to say goodbye to her friends, to her parents and to her sister.

She felt a warm lick on her forehead. "But if you feel the need to come back," He whispered so quietly so no other cat could hear. "you're always welcome back. I'll tell your clanmates that you prevented bloodshed today."

Dovepaw smiled in gratitude. "Thank you." She softly meowed.

Firestar raised his head in alarm as a new scent overwhelmed all the cats who were not ShadowClan.

"Evening patrol?" He asked Blackstar cautiously.

"Yes." Blackstar replied. His body gave nothing away.

Dovepaw narrowed her eyes knowing that it was a battle patrol ready to attack if things went sour.

"Goodbye." Firestar dipped his head and with one last look at Dovepaw turned to leave. Jayfeather whipped around in muffled anger with coltsfoot in his jaws.

I'm sorry

Brambleclaw lingered for a bit longer and before he turned called out. "StarClan light your path Dovepaw, don't make this a decision you regret.

Soon all ThunderClan scent minus the border scent was gone. Only Shadows remained.

She turned to her new Trinity. Littlecloud was silent while Russetfur looked completely baffled, she stared for a long time at Blackstar who simply licked a black forepaw and drew it casually over his ear.

"What just happened?" Came Rowanclaw's voice from the shadows.


Blackstar had chosen to not explain his decision, simply saying. "We have a new apprentice."

Dovepaw followed Rowanclaw's patrol in silence. The warriors did not question their leader's decision but she noticed Russetfur give Blackstar a challenging glare every few moments.

Littlecloud walked steadily beside Dovepaw, every time she met his eyes she saw a wave of questions wash over his face but he never spoke. He only looked concerned.

She recognized a few of the warriors that paced around her. There was Pinepaw, a black she smaller than her and younger. She was the one who continued to sniff at Dovepaw's flank. Dovepaw ignored the feeling telling her to snap at the smaller cat.

Rowanclaw walked between Russetfur and Blackstar. He looked back and forth between his leader and deputy. His whiskers twitched in bewilderment. Russetfur caught his eyes but gave him a soft growl when he cocked his head. She then pointedly turned her face away.

Owlclaw was a younger light brown tom with darker stripes along his feet. His colder mannerisms reminded Dovepaw of Smokefoot. She wondered if they were related.

The next cat was a smoky gray she-cat with darker paws. Dovepaw didn't know her name but her behaviour reminded her of a panicked mouse. The warrior's tails and ears were constantly twitching.

The final cat was a skinny dark brown tom with a giant scar starting from his shoulder blades and ending near his tail. Dovepaw shivered. A lot of these cats are covered in scars. Do they battle everyday?

They soon reached the thorn tunnel and Blackstar let out a warning call. Snowbird peeked out through the thorn tunnel. She sighed in relief.

"Thank StarClan you're all safe…" She trailed off as her gaze landed on Dovepaw.

"What's this?" Snowbird sniffed at Dovepaw's head. The pretty white she-cat smelled of fresh morning dew.

"Apparently, we're allowing ThunderClan cats to join us now." Russetfur annoyedly meowed.

"Trust me Russetfur." Blackstar finally addressed his deputy. "This works in ShadowClan's favour."

His warriors exchanged unsure glances and Pinepaw growled softly in Dovepaw's ear. Dovepaw flinched. They're so hostile! But what did she expect from them? A welcoming party? She glanced down avoiding their faces. One by one warriors passed her and entered the thorn tunnel.

Littlecloud nudged her forward. "Come on little one. The clan needs to hear what happened."

Dovepaw nodded, feeling homesick but delighted that she was finally allowed to enter the tunnel. It was a short walk, only a couple of paw steps. She entered the camp and squinted. As strong as my senses are they still can't battle darkness. She felt blinded, where were all the warriors?

"To me Shadows!" She heard Blackstar call, he leapt onto to the flat rock where she had seen him before. His white coat shone in the moonlight.

She saw the eyes of the warriors first. Amber, blue, green, they all glowed in the darkness. She prayed that a pair of eyes belonged to Tigerheart. Soon she could just barely make out the forms of warrior pelts. She was surprised by how much they almost looked like ThunderClan cats.

"The apprentice is back?" She recognized Crowfrost's angry meow. "Why hasn't she left yet?" Beside him was a grey warrior whose fur stuck out at all angles. She looked irritated and began to stalk towards Dovepaw.

Littlecloud stepped between her and the warrior. "Relax Kinkfur, go rest in the nursery. We're safe. ThunderClan will no longer attack us."

The ruffled she-cat snorted. "I'm not leaving till we know why she's still here. I thought solving the problem would make her go away."

"Dovepaw!"

She whipped around eagerly, she knew that voice. Tigerheart! She could barely stop herself from running to the broad-shouldered tabby. His eyes shown in surprise and concern. He stood beside a mottled red and brown warrior who was taller than him. Redwillow. She knew him from gatherings, he wasn't the friendliest of cats but he still offered her a smile from time to time. So why was he looking at her like she was a badger?

As Tigerheart stepped forward to greet her, Redwillow grunted in disapproval and Tigerheart stopped. Growling indignantly at Redwillow he went ahead to Dovepaw anyways.

"It's good to see you," He purred ignoring the stares of his clanmates. His warm scent overwhelmed her and she smiled. "Are you the reason the senior warriors were so ruffled up?"

Before she could answer Blackstar cleared his throat. "Dovepaw come up here." He ordered. Obeying she stalked carefully trying not feel frightened by all the growls she heard. Russetfur and Littlecloud came with her, each taking a seat on either side of Blackstar on the flat rock.

"Shadows," Blackstar began "As the night begins, most of you are ready to catch prey for your clanmates and share tongues. However, I bring news—"

"Why is she here?" A young voice called out, the small tom who spoke was soon cuffed by an older warrior.

"Hush Starlingpaw," Applefur growled. The ginger tom opened his mouth to speak but a glare from the warrior made him close his jaws and dip his head in apology.

Blackstar ignored the interruption. "Earlier today one of our patrols found this young apprentice yowling for help. We were then alerted to the fact that ThunderClan was planning an attack on ShadowClan." Dovepaw noticed that he left out the reason ThunderClan wanted to attack.

Soon all eyes were gazing even more intensely at Dovepaw. She trembled a bit feeling out of place. There were so many new scents to take in and recognize, so many new cats she would have to live with. The look of scorn on many of the warrior's faces was evident and outnumbered the friendly faces.

"This apprentice turned her back on her birth clan and made herself an ally to ShadowClan." Blackstar meowed.

"So?" Crowfrost hissed from where he was sitting. Dovepaw noticed two she-cats flanking him. They nodded eagerly with his every word. "Are we going to reward her for treachery?"

My treachery saved you Dovepaw bit her tongue. Don't make him hate you more he already does.

She met Tigerheart's gaze, he was looking at her in admiration. She smiled at him, at least she knew she could find a friend in him. Maybe even more. Her face burned at the thought.

"This brave apprentice was banished from her clan for choosing to protect us," Blackstar meowed. "Yet I see in her the determination of a true ShadowClan warrior."

The clan went up in uproar. Blackstar allowed it for a few moments before raising his paw. The clan chatter soon died.

"What?" A gray tom stepped forward, one of his back legs trailing behind him. He was young but sat with the elders. "Blackstar is this wise?"

Another elder, a long legged she-cat backed him up. "We trust your judgement but," she trailed off. "I don't want us to be the next ThunderClan." Others agreed with her.

Blackstar nodded. "Cedarheart, Tallpoppy, I understand your concerns and trust me, we won't become the next ThunderClan." He raised his voice. "Every cat here is strong, proud and worthy of roaming the darkened pine forests that shelter us."

His praises seemed to calm the unsettled warriors. Dovepaw noticed a glint of something in the leader's eyes. He leapt off the rock and stepped into the crowd of warriors.

"We do what no other clan cat can do." He turned to Cedarheart. "Can ThunderClan sneak through the shadows as if they were one with it?"

"No." Cedarheart meowed, looking interested. "They couldn't see well enough to see which foot to put in front of them.

Turning to Crowfrost he meowed. "Can any RiverClan cat create clever and skillful ambushes as we do?"

Crowfrost snorted. "Of course not! They're too filled with fish to think clearly."

Racking his gaze over to Dovepaw and then to Starlingpaw and Pinepaw he meowed. "Could WindClan survive the coldest of winters as we do, struggle as we do?"

"Nope." Pinepaw chirped. "They're too skinny." Starlingpaw sat up proudly beside her, nodding eagerly.

Blackstar's clever Dovepaw decided. He's raising clan morale to get them to agree with him. No matter what they say he's going to let me stay but he must prove that I'm worth it.

"But that's exactly the point Blackstar," Rowanclaw meowed. "Our lives aren't softened with kittypet values, how could she survive here?"

"It has been done before Rowanclaw." The leader replied. Dovepaw followed his gaze over to a brambled strained her eyes to see past into the den. Three or four warriors were deep in sleep Tawnypelt being among them.

"Tawnypelt was hardened by the times." Russetfur meowed dryly. "She fought against BloodClan."

Snowbird's eyes shone. "And now she's one of the best warriors, she's even brought new skills to us! I used to think Oakfur was the best tree climber."

With her senses Dovepaw could hear Oakfur sniff from his guard post. "I was the one trained her." Dovepaw heard him mutter.

"She'll be tested." He meowed to his deputy then he turned to the rest of the clan. "Six moons! This apprentice will be trained long and hard and if she isn't up to par by then, she will be exiled to roam as a loner."

A tremble ran through her body as the clan slowly began to agree. Is this like an assessment?

"How will this test work?" Littlecloud questioned. Even his tail twitched in interest.

Dovepaw swore she saw a wry grin cross the leader's face. "She has to start all over again, her hunting techniques, her battle style, they all have to be retaught. To make sure that she is doing adequately, at the end of every moon she will be tested by a different member of the clan. She has six chances to prove herself, if she fails three of them she will be exiled."

"So, these are more like trials then?" Russetfur asked, curiosity glittered in her eyes. "And if she fails half of them she's gone." Blackstar nodded. The deputy made a small sound of approval.

It was a lot to take in. Six moons to prove herself to her new clan I suppose if I fail Firestar did say I could come back. Dovepaw knew that if she failed she would return to ThunderClan but things would be different. How would her clanmates be able trust to her again?

"She'll need a mentor." Blackstar looked into the crowd of warriors.

Cats were beginning to agree and most seemed excited at the idea of trialing the young apprentice to see how she would be as a ShadowClan cat but few seemed eager to take up the position as her mentor though.

Blackstar leapt off the rock again to climb up a tree whose branches hung just over two large boulders with an opening between them. He positioned himself on one of the lower branches.

That must be the leader's den. Dovepaw thought to herself.

"Rowanclaw." The white tom decided.

The ginger tabby met his leader's eye. "Me?"

"Yes, you are ready to take on another apprentice. You have received excellent training from Jaggedtooth." Blackstar's tone turned forceful as he mentioned the name of Jaggedtooth.

Dovepaw searched for a tom whose physical description could match the name but could find none. Why did Blackstar say the name with such scorn? She watched Rowanclaw's face, he was Tigerheart's father, surely, he'd be a good mentor?

Blackstar continued. "You have shown yourself to be courageous and patient, you will be the mentor of Dovepaw. I expect you to pass down all your skills and knowledge to her."

From his branch he looked to Dovepaw. "Dovepaw you have been graciously taken into our clan. You are a ShadowClan apprentice for now but you must promise to follow our rules and customs while remaining loyal to the warrior code. Do you accept?"

"I do." She meowed without hesitation. Rowanclaw cleared his throat and stepped forward. Dovepaw stepped of the rock and he touched his nose to hers. His eyes were a deep brown but they glowed amber in the light. Oh, so Tigerheart got his eyes from his father.

She wasn't surprised when no cat cheered her name but she did catch Tigerheart staring at her happily beside his sister, Dawnpelt and Redwillow.

"It is done." Blackstar declared. "Russetfur alert the dawn patrol in the morning. Continue on with your nightly duties." He leapt down from the tree and disappeared behind into the opening of the boulder.

Soon it was only Dovepaw and Rowanclaw and a few other cats, Tigerheart being one of them.

"Dovepaw! Dovepaw!" He cheered and nudged her shoulder. Looking from his father to Dovepaw he meowed. "I'm so glad you helped ShadowClan! Rowanclaw's a great cat I'm sure you'll pass all the trials."

Rowanclaw stared at his son for a second but then shook his head. "Dovepaw, I'm not sure how I feel about you joining ShadowClan but I'll do my best as your mentor to prepare you for the next six moons."

"It shouldn't be too hard." Tigerheart went on. "You're clever Dovepaw, I know you can do it, Tawnypelt did."

Dovepaw's cheeks burned as his praise. Part of her wanted Rowanclaw to leave them be. Just him and me.

"Tawnypelt…" Rowanclaw trailed off and admiration grew in his eyes for his mate. "She was already a shadow at heart, I could tell, she was brave, determined—

Tigerheart groaned loudly cutting his father off. Dawnpelt approached them and nudged her father "We get it Rowanclaw, you love Tawnypelt."

Rowanclaw purred but cut it short to stare sternly at Dovepaw. "I'm not sure what your challenges will be yet and who will be judging you but you should know the layout of the camp first before anything else."

"Poor thing should sleep first." Dawnpelt pitied. "She's not use to being up like us. She won't hear half of what you're saying if she's asleep on her feet."

Rowanclaw paused as if to think about it. "Yes, I suppose it will take a while for her body to get use to staying up so late."

"D-do you stay up every night?" Dovepaw stuttered. She detested the fact that her voice shook as she spoke. She needed to be strong in this new clan.

"Not every night." Tigerheart meowed sympathetically. He turned to the warrior's den. "Those going on the dawn patrol sleep until morning so that they're fit to patrol. It's also not necessary to do night patrols as long as you do day patrols to make up for it." He explained.

Dovepaw nodded in understanding as Rowanclaw gave his son another suspicious glance. He must be wondering why his son seemed so eager to help her. I have to act like we're not really close friends, otherwise Tigerheart might get in trouble.

"Well, Tigerheart might as well show you to your new den, you won't have a real nest yet, you'll have to build your own in the morning. I'm going to speak with Blackstar and figure out what he wants me to teach you exactly. I'll see you three in the morning. "He gave Dawnpelt and Tigerheart both licks on the cheek.

"Ugh Rowanclaw." Tigerheart stuck his tongue out in disgust as Dawnpelt purred. "We're not kits anymore."

Rowanclaw's eyes shown with pride. "I know that but you're still my precious kits."

Dovepaw's belly growled calling the attention of the warriors. Her face burned in embarrassment. Dawnpelt's let out a mrrow of amusement. Rowanclaw perked a brow but said nothing as he left the three young cats to themselves.

"Unfortunately, you're going to have to eat in the morning when our warriors think you deserve it." Dawnpelt told her gently.

"What?" Tigerheart protested. "We can't just starve her."

"It's okay." Dovepaw meowed. She didn't want to cause any more problems then she already had.

Dawnpelt nudged her brother. "Don't forget we're not sure if she's a spy or not." Her brother's pelt bristled at the idea of Dovepaw being a spy.

Tigerheart led Dovepaw away from his sister and towards a smaller den extending from the warrior's den. A thick wall of brambles divided the two dens.

She noticed a cream and gray tom curled up into a corner. She was surprised, why wasn't this apprentice out with Pinepaw and Starlingpaw? His eyes flashed opened as soon as Dovepaw poked her nose in.

"ThunderClan!" He hissed. Before he could pounce Tigerheart blocked his path and huffed at him.

"Ferretpaw this is Dovepaw, she's ShadowClan now." He told him sternly.

Ferretpaw looked up at Tigerheart and let out a confused sound. "But what if she's a spy…" His eyes widened and he scowled. "There was a meeting about this wasn't there? I missed it! This is why I hate dawn patrol I always miss everything."

"You can find out more in the morning. Please play nice." Tigerheart meowed. Before he left he gave Dovepaw a lingering look as if wishing to stay.

Soon the apprentice den was quiet and Dovepaw was about to curl up on the stone floor and block out any noises. She wanted to sleep tonight and think about consequences in the morning. Then strangely Ferretpaw began to speak.

"Isn't Tigerheart awesome?" He meowed suddenly.

Dovepaw blinked in surprise. "You're… talking to me?"

"Yes, I'm not afraid of you," the tom chirped almost arrogantly. "Because if you tried anything Tigerheart could kick your tail."

Dovepaw huffed, she doubted Tigerheart would even think about hurting her. The tom was fierce but gentle.

"Tigerheart's about the greatest tom there ever was." Ferretpaw continued sounding proud. "I wish he was my mentor, but Oakfur's okay too I guess, but I think he's had too many apprentices, he must be really good at making warriors because he mentored Tawnypelt, Ratscar and now me, that's three whole cats."

Dovepaw almost let out a purr. The apprentice was chatty but seemed friendly enough. She wondered if he was related to Starlingpaw and Pinepaw. All the apprentices seemed easily excitable. She frowned, but the warriors were all cold and hard to face. She wondered what happened between apprenticeship and warriorhood to create such a change.

"Tigerheart seems nice." Dovepaw meowed trying not to give anything away.

Ferretpaw's eyes brightened. "You want to hear stories about his greatness?" Before she could say yes, he rose to his haunches. "Maybe you Thunder cats aren't so bad after all. I was going to stay up the whole night and go on the dawn patrol but there's nothing to do in this stinky old den, now that you're here I can tell you all about Tigerheart."

Ferretpaw continued his tirade about Tigerheart and Dovepaw soon found herself drifting off to sleep. I rather see Tigerheart in my dreams

From this night on Dovepaw was a ShadowClan cat. She hoped she could be as useful here as she was in ThunderClan.


Dovepaw's officially a Shadow cat…well almost. She has six moons to pass the trials of ShadowClan. I have ideas about the cats who will be testing her. Before she has her first trial she's going to meet some more warriors.

Headcannons/Story key points

Medicine cats have their own code so I thought "why shouldn't the leaders?". During the nine lives ceremony, the Leader's code is spoken to the leader to-be after they're given their nine lives. They must respond with "I do" or their lives will be flawed. This code isn't spoken about and only the leader knows it. Warriors don't even know it exists. The Leader's code is supposed to prevent leaders from becoming tyrannical.

Jaggedtooth will be an important part of this story. His loyalty to Tigerstar was shown in Tigerstar's fury where he ripped out one of his own claws to fake a sign from StarClan and yet Tigerstar made Blackfoot his deputy instead. This comes to play in the story.

SkyClan has daylight warriors as shown in SkyClan's Destiny, the warriors sleep in the twoleg place at night but are active warriors during the day. ShadowClan has a similar concept. Sometimes warriors stay up all night and sleep until later in the day, while some warriors sleep all night so they can do the dawn patrol and guard the clan in the morning.

Double Bless-

XxSelfossObsidianxX