Chapter 3

The white and gray tabby tom ran out of the ThunderClan camp, keeping with the black-pawed deputy, he turned to his mentor, "Blackfoot, what exactly was the point of that attack?" he asked.

"Even I don't know Bloodpaw, our leader told us to attack ThunderClan." Blackfoot replied, not looking away from what was in front of him. "But, if I had to guess, it was to confuse ThunderClan. After all we didn't attack anything vital, just the warriors."

His apprentice nodded and fell back so his blue-gray friend could catch up to him, "Hey, is it me, or did those she-cats we attacked look familiar Black*Star?"

"Well, I only saw the light ginger she-cat I was attacking Soul. But now that you mention it, she did look familiar." Black*Star agreed, "Though, I can't put my fing- paw on it."

"Yeah, the light gray one I attacked looked familiar too." Soul shook his pelt and slowed down as the ShadowClan attack patrol neared the Thunderpath. "Maybe we'll see them at the Gathering tomorrow."

Blackfoot looked both ways and yowled, "Alright hurry up!" as he ran across the pavement, the rest of ShadowClan following.

They all slowed down as they reached ShadowClan camp. When they entered they were immediately greeted by a dark brown tabby, "Well?" he growled.

"The attack was a success Tigerstar, ThunderClan didn't know what to think of it." Blackfoot said as he led Tigerstar back to the leader's den. "Bloodpaw! Take the rest of the day off!" he quickly yowled to his apprentice.

Soul stretched and looked at Black*Star, "Where's your mentor? Shouldn't he give you the day off too? I mean we did just go on an attack patrol in our second day of joining this clan."

Black*Star nodded, "Yeah, I'm gonna go find him." he said as he ran off.

Soul yawned and walked over to the Apprentice's Den, "Well, might as well spend my day off coolly." he said with a smirk as he drifted off to sleep.

Soul's Dream/Flashback

Soul's POV

"Maka!" I shouted as I fell back into Sid's escape coffin. "How far does this thing go!" I met my answer as I landed on the ground, back-first.

I groaned, getting up, then blinking in shock, "What the... I'm pretty sure Sid's escape route shouldn't have taken me to a forest!" I got up to walk, then fell. I tried again but continued to fall, in a very uncool matter too. Growling in frustration, I looked around for something where I could get to see what was wrong.

I didn't get the chance to though, cause I was bowled over by... a cat? I heard the angry snarl of, "What do you think you're doing in ShadowClan territory!"

Looking at my attacked, I saw it was a kitten, maybe a little older. Wait, he doesn't look that small... He looks like how I would see another kid my age... I swallowed the lump in my throat as I put two and two together. Cause of Sid's escape plan, I was not only transported to forest but turned into a cat! "How uncool..." I said aloud.

The dark ginger tom growled and placed his paw on my neck, "Answer me kittypet!"

I narrowed my eyes and pushed the tom off of me with my back paws, before getting to my paws and growling slightly. The dark ginger tom bared his fangs and circled around me. But before we could get the chance to leap at eachother however, three more cats burst into the area I had woken up in, "What's going on!" a huge dark-brown tabby snarled.

"T-Tigerstar!" the dark ginger cat exclaimed, "I found this intruder on our territory. He smells like a kittypet so I was simply defending our territory."

The tabby, Tigerstar, frowned and turned his piercing amber gaze on me. It took all my will-power to not fold under the frightening gaze of this huge cat. He stared at me for a while before smirking in a way that sent chills up my back. I didn't like this cat, not one bit.

He turned and said something to the black-pawed cat next to him, before turning to the cat I was fighting with, "Good job Rowanpaw, you did the right thing when facing an intruder and a kittypet at that. Head back to camp with Blackfoot and Russetfur, I will be there shortly, after speaking with this kittypet."

Rowanpaw stared for a couple of seconds in shock before nodding and walking over to the other two cats, Blackfoot and Russetfur, and running off. I kept my guard up as soon as the three left, baring my fangs at Tigerstar. If he was going to fight then I would put up a good one. It would be uncool not to after all.

"Calm down young one." Tigerstar meowed coolly, sitting down and wrapping his tail over his paws. "I'm not going to attack you, seeing as it would make my warrior ancestors upset."

I raised an imaginary eyebrow at this and narrowed my eyes, "Warrior ancestors? What the heck are you even talking about."

"Ah, yes I guess I should explain shouldn't I?" he laughed slightly before composing himself, "As Rowanpaw might have said, you are in ShadowClan territory, one of the four clans that inhabit this forest. I am the leader of ShadowClan and received nine lives from StarClan, where the fallen cats of each clan go to."

I barked out a laugh, "Nine lives? So that means you have nine souls?" I asked.

"I suppose if that's what you call it yes. I have received a message from StarClan, telling me of your arrival. However, there was supposed to be another cat with you. He was loud and had blue-gray fur." Tigerstar said.

Black*Star... I thought once I heard "loud". That got me thinking though... Where was the knucklehead I called a friend anyway? Or Maka and the others for that matter? I shook my pelt and asked warily, "What are you getting at exactly?"

"I simply want to know if you wish to join my clan. Should your loud friend show up he is aloud to join as well." the tabby answered, drawing a paw over his ear.

My eyes widened at the sudden offer, then narrowed again, "Why all this all of the sudden. I was just attacked by one of your cats and you just ask if I want to join ShadowClan?"

Tigerstar paused mid-lick and nodded, "Yes, think of it as making amends. Of course, you're free not to. However, where would you go? I can tell that you are not a kittypet by the lack of collar and I doubt you would be one. I can sense your pride and you would not lower yourself to that level."

I froze when he asked me where I would go, it was a good question. Where would I go if I declined? I don't even know if Maka, or anyone else for that manner is even here. They could have ended up where Sid's coffin escape was supposed end up, while I got the freak accident. There were too many "maybes"... I mentally shook my head to clear my thoughts, "How's about I just stay for a while and see how clan life is. Then I'll decide if I join or not."

Tigerstar narrowed his eyes and flicked one ear, "Very well. However be warned, if you do not join, my cats will attack you and make sure you know to never come back into ShadowClan territory." he said, finishing with a dark growl.

I nodded in agreement, "Alright." and got to my paws as Tigerstar got to his. He turned and flicked his tail to follow. I followed and froze when I heard angry yowling. Tigerstar's eyes widened and he ran ahead, before stopping a few feet in front of me. I ran up to him and followed his gaze and blinked in shock.

There stood Blackfoot with a few bleeding wounds and a torn ear, snarling angrily at a blue-gray kitten about my size. I narrowed my eyes when I saw a familiar gray star-like patch of fur on the cat's shoulder. I already knew who it was but was further proved right when the blue-gray cat yowled, at the top of his lungs, "HAHA! YOU THINK THAT YOU CAN BEAT THE ONLY LIVING BEING THAT WILL SURPASS GOD?"

I sighed and got up walking over to the laughing cat, "Is it even possible for you not scream at the top of your lungs about surpassing God Black*Star?" I asked with an annoyed look on my face.

"SOUL! So you are here in this odd forest as well?" Black*Star exclaimed, wrapping his tail around my shoulders, "And about your question, NO! IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO SHOUT TO THE WORLD OF THE GREATEST THING ANYONE HAS EVER DONE!" he finished with a laugh.

Tigerstar walked over to Blackfoot and I heard him asking what had happened. Blackfoot responded with a curt answer, "I heard something and sent Russetfur and Rowanpaw ahead. When I went to check what it was, I was attacked by that kit."

Tigerstar turned to look at Black*Star and I before smirking, "I take it this is your friend?" he asked.

I nodded, then thought of an idea that could coax Black*Star into seeing how the clan was without much fuss, "Hey Black*Star, Tigerstar told me that he's able to talk with the heavens." I said coolly.

"What! A mere cat can talk to the Gods and not me? This is a wrong that must be righted!" he shouted in shock. It was times like these where I wondered how I hadn't lost my hearing in one of my ears when he yells so close to them. "Cat! I wish to see how you talk to the Gods themselves!"

Tigerstar seemed taken aback by this but kept his composure, "Very well. But, you will have to join my clan if you wish to do so."

"Very well!" Black*Star yowled instantly, "Let's get going then! We're burning daylight!"

I saw Blackfoot stare at his leader in shock and Tigerstar leaned over, whispering something I couldn't make out. The white-black-pawed cat's eyes widened and he nodded in understanding, "I understand Tigerstar."

Tigerstar nodded and turned towards what I would expect to be the path to his clan's camp. Blackfoot, Black*Star and I followed, a comfortable silence hung in the air. But I couldn't help thinking, If Black*Star and I are here... then does that mean Maka and the others are here as well? And if they are where are they?

I shook my head to clear my head, I would get my answers soon enough hopefully. For now I should focus on deciding whether or not I should join Tigerstar's clan. From there, I'll decide my next course of action.

End of dream/Flashback

Normal POV

Soul grunted awake as a paw prodded him in the side. Blinking open his red eyes, he turned to see Rowanpaw standing over him, "Tigerstar's called a meeting. You should hurry unless you want to be late Bloodpaw." and with that, the dark ginger tom ran out of the den.

Soul sighed, he was hoping to get more sleep. Yawning and stretching, he walked out of the den, seeing that the sun was beginning to rise. He must have slept the whole day away, lost in the memories of what had happened to him and Black*Star and the previous battle.

He sighed and took a seat next to Black*Star, wondering if any of his many questions would be answered today.

*is sulking in a corner sword in hand*

I have to do it... I have failed my promise... I don't deserve to live!

Ragnarok: Hold it! Isn't committing seppuku a little overboard just because you're late for updating? *grabs the sword from my hands*

Scourge: Besides, if you kill yourself then there's no way for the story to continue right?

I guess... I still have failed as an author of keeping to my hope of updating twice a week!

Scourge: For StarClan's sake! You went to PortCon, Driving School (and just finished getting your permit!), and went to New York!
Ragnarok: He's right, I would say you have a pretty good excuse for not being able to update.

*is too busy sulking to acknowledge what they say*

Scourge and Ragnarok: Well, Tiger's been really busy lately so forgive her for the updates and see you next time on, Soul Warriors!