Return of the Darkness

by Thistlethorn of Shadowclan

Thistlepaw, son of Thistleclaw, and Wingpaw, daughter of Iceheart, hate each other on first sight. Thistlepaw knows that the darkness is rising. How does he know? Starclan calls on the two apprentices. It's either work together, or die. Guys... I'm so sorry! I think I'm going to close this... having a writers block for a long time... might start something else

4. Chapter 4: Death and Peace

Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors! Do I look like Erin Hunter? First of all, I'm only ONE person _ I only own my characters.

Thanks to:

PurpleVNeck: Thanks for reviewing! Yes, I am younger than you (no offence but by a lot), and don't worry! I'm not offended! I usually pre-write, but so far all my chapters are straight from my head! (Which I guess isn't so good, but I'll try to start pre-writing again!) Sorry for my bad grammar! I stink at it, but I did type it in Word, so it should have picked up my mistakes… I think. Yeah, Thistlepaw is trying to be "brave." In the beginning he's like: I'm scared of my daddy! (LOL) because Thistleclaw is more powerful than Thistlepaw is and when he sees Viperpaw as a weakling, he tries being the "tough guy." Yeah, so far, none of my characters know why the battle broke out. It's more like an inside rivalry, if you know what I mean. I'm thinking of having Hawkswoop or Leopardfur's POV so I can explain the rivalry more. I know it's a little confusing, but I promise you'll understand later! :) Thank you for reviewing all my chapters so far! It means a lot to me since you're a really good writer :) Thanks for giving me tons of tips! You're AWESOME :D

Warriors Fan: Thank you so much for reviewing! You're close on the questions! Congrats! I liked your suggestions for Wingpaw's and I think I'll pick… Actually I'll save it for a surprise! But the warrior ceremony won't happen soon… maybe in 5 chapters?

Have some virtual cookies! :) Thanks to both of you for spending time to write a review and give tips! I really appreciated it :)

CHAPTER FOUR

D E A T H

A N D

P E A C E

T H E golden sun hung in the sky, ready to sink into the ground. The ThunderClan warriors slowly crept back to camp, congratulating each other and celebrating with happy mews.

Wingpaw padded alongside her mentor. Unlike the rest of the cats, she wasn't celebrating. For some odd reason, she felt like the battle had nothing to do with the two clans. She had seen the fury in Hawkswoop's eyes that couldn't compare to anyone else's hostility.

Wingpaw shivered. Right at the moment Hawkswoop had leaped onto Leopardfur, she had seen something… something that no one should be feeling in the battle. That feeling was love… In this case, forbidden love.

Wingpaw glanced at Leopardfur, a mask of anger covering her white face. (A/N sorry for short POV! It goes back to Wingpaw later!)

X X X

A sharp tug pulled at the back of her head, reeling in a memory.

.::Flashback::.

She was standing, tall and proud on the high-rock next to Dawnstar. Waspsting dipped his head to her as the clan cheered her name.

Dawnstar ended the meeting, flicking her tail.

She was deputy! Finally. Hawkswoop would be proud; after all, that was what they wanted. Power. And of course StarClan would be proud. They had promised the day would come.

She bounded to her small, white apprentice. Her apprentice congratulated her.

"Leopardfur's my mentor! The deputy's my mentor!" She yowled into the air, bounding around Leopardfur.

Leopardfur purred, "Come on Wingpaw, let's sort some patrols."

The white she-cat stopped bounding around and followed Leopardfur to the center of the clearing.

The sunlight pooled around Leopardfur as she sorted out the patrols. She was a young warrior, true, but no one dared to defy her.

Wingpaw sat next to her, puffing out her chest and telling every cat she was the apprentice of the deputy. It was unlike Wingpaw to boast.

Leopardfur snorted, "Come on Wingpaw! We're going hunting!" She gave her apprentice a friendly flick of her tail and bounded out of camp, Wingpaw following.

The small white apprentice caught up to the deputy, halting by an old oak tree. Wingpaw looked at Leopardfur expectantly.

"Watch and learn." She smiled.

X X X

Leopardfur curled up in a small neat ball in the center of the warriors' den. The hunting expedition had gone well and ThunderClan was strong. She closed her eyes, ready for the black wave of sleep to hit her.

Leopardfur woke in a forest, void of any living things. The place reeked of death. Leopardfur stood up. It was the grounds of StarClan. She still could not believe that this dark, chilling place was her ancestors' land.

"Leopardfur?" The golden spotted she-cat spun around, fur fluffing up.

"Hawkswoop?" The gray tom padded into view, purring.

"So you're the new deputy of ThunderClan?" Hawkswoop sat next to Leopardfur.

Leopardfur nodded, nose filled with his scent. His fur brushed against hers, sending a tingling sensation through the young she-cat.

"Congratulations," He purred, "You'll make a great deputy." His words sent a small prickle of doubt up Leopardfur.

"We should find Brokenstar." Leopardfur meowed, reluctant to move.

Hawkswoop gave a brisk nod and nudged her up. They padded side by side deeper into the forest.

X X X

"Just because you're deputy, doesn't mean you learned everything." Brokenstar snarled.

Leopardfur flinched, "Y-yes Brokenstar."

The brown tabby (A/N: I think he was) withdrew, glaring at the golden she-cat one more time.

"Now, today we will learn the killing bite." Brokenstar growled.

Leopardfur narrowed her eyes. The killing bite? This wasn't StarClan! What StarClan cat would teach anything like that? She was about to ask the questions on her mind before thinking better of it. She waited for Brokenstar to start.

Brokenstar's eyes sliced though the dead undergrowth behind Leopardfur. He took a threatening step forward. For a moment Leopardfur thought he would launch himself at her. Instead, he looked expectantly at the rustling leaves. "Spottedleaf." His growl sent chills through Leopardfur.

A cat emerged from the dry, brittle leaves, "Brokentail."

Brokenstar narrowed his eyes, "I am Brokenstar." He spat.

"StarClan does not acknowledge you by that name." The voice of the cat was sweet and beautiful.

Brokenstar looked like he would pounce on the stunning she-cat.

"Why are you here?" The tom unsheathed his claws while the two warriors glanced at each other. They both backed away a step.

"I have the permission of StarClan," The cat called Spottedleaf answered, "and I am here to give Leopardfur a choice." She turned to the golden she-cat, "Come back to StarClan with me Leopardfur. You will not have our blessing when Dawnstar dies."

Leopardfur looked around wildly, "What? I thought- I mean- I thought this was StarClan!" She caught Hawkswoop's gaze. He quickly looked away.

"StarClan?" Brokenstar scoffed, "This isn't StarClan! This is the Dark Forest. StarClan cats are too weak."

Spottedleaf growled, the stars in her pelt standing out against the dark shadows of the forest.

Leopardfur's eyes widened, "Wh-what do you mean?" She turned to the muscular tom beside her, "Hawkswoop?"

Brokenstar intervened, "This is where cats who are not accepted in StarClan come."

Leopardfur looked at Hawkswoop. He finally glanced up at her, "Don't go." He whispered. She glanced back at Spottedleaf, who glared at the gray tom.

"Do you trust these cats with your life?"

Leopard fur froze, thinking about it. Then she shook her head. Brokenstar had sliced at her fur many times. Only now she realized that she could have been killed, "No."

Hawkswoop gave a small wounded gasp like the word had bitten him.

"Come." Spottedleaf took the lead.

Before Leopardfur could walk after her, Hawkswoop murmured, "Don't go Leopardfur! I love you!"

She turned to him, "I love you too," the words lingered in the air, "but this won't work out Hawkswoop." She gave him a long look, "I love you." She whispered again. Then she bounded after Spottedleaf's retreating form.

"Don't think this is over deputy of ThunderClan!"

.::End of Flashback::.

X X X

(A/N: How did you like her memory? Ok, back to Wingpaw!)

Wingpaw staggered back. It had seemed like a long time since Wingpaw had dove into Leopardfur's memories. One question lingered in her head. Leopardfur had loved Hawkswoop? Her mentor, the ThunderClan deputy, had loved a bloodthirsty ShadowClan cat? It couldn't be true. Wingpaw gave one more shocked look at the golden traitor and bounded in front of the group of cats. She replayed the events of the day.

She had been attacked by that apprentice, Thistlepaw. Wingpaw frowned. How could I have forgotten about Jaypaw? The question shot through her head. Jaypaw!

Wingpaw raced into camp. Tigershadow, Darkwing, and Whitepaw were already there, checking on the injured Jaypaw. Wingpaw's heart painfully twisted when Whitepaw and Tigershadow glanced up at her. Tigershadow glared at Whitepaw.

Go. It seemed like Tigershadow was telling Whitepaw something with his eyes.

Whitepaw dipped his head to the older cats and padded to her sister.

"Are you hurt?" He asked, giving Wingpaw a small nudge towards the corner of camp, almost concealed.

Wingpaw shook her head, "Not really." She had a sneaking suspicion about what Whitepaw would tell her. "Is Jaypaw ok?"

Whitepaw ignored the question, "I think you need some cobwebs for that one." He pointed with his tail. The wound was minor, only a small scrape compared to what happened to Jaypaw.

Wingpaw glared at him, "Is Jaypaw ok?" She gritted her teeth, asking her brother again.

It seemed like a few seasons had passed before Whitepaw answered, "Wingpaw, Jaypaw is going to be ok," Wingpaw let a sigh of relief, "But he's not here. He's going to be ok in StarClan." Whitepaw jumped back, fearful that his sister might strike out.

"What?"

Disbelief. That was the first thing that came to Wingpaw's mind. Jaypaw, her best friend, couldn't be dead! They were going to go to the gathering together. Darkwing said that Jaypaw's warrior ceremony was close too! All of that, just thrown out, like a pile of dirt?

Wingpaw backed away, "Please tell me you're joking." Her eyes became wild as Whitepaw made no response.

She scrambled back, glancing towards Jaypaw's crumpled body.

The rest of ThunderClan had arrived while Whitepaw was breaking the new to her. Sootcloud and Mouseclaw huddled in the nursery, heads bowed. Jaypaw had been in their first litter of kits, the only survivor in the cold leaf-bare.

Wingpaw raced to the apprentice's den, hoping to find peace in there, and maybe smell Jaypaw one more time without the scent of death lingering on her fur.

She sank down in her nest and curled up, "StarClan, if you can hear me, please don't let Jaypaw be dead." Her voice cracked. Wingpaw closed her eyes; hoping peace might just finally come.

X X X

"Wingpaw!" A voice broke through Wingpaw's sleep.

"Uhh?" She mumbled something unintelligent and blinked open her weary eyes. A cat stood in front of her, golden with black spots.

"I'm up Leopardfur." Wingpaw slowly got up to her paws, "What's happening?"

Leopardfur flicked her tail, "Dawnstar's choosing who will go to the gathering!"

Wingpaw instinctively looked around for Jaypaw as she headed out of the den. Then, she remembered. Jaypaw was dead. They would never hunt together as warriors. They would never go to another gathering together.

"…death is sad, but we must join the gathering tonight." Dawnstar was in the middle of her speech, looking solemn, and "Leopardfur, Tigershadow, Iceheart, Brightpool, Darkwing, Nightfall, Wingpaw, Whitepaw, and Frostpaw will go to the gathering. We leave in a few moments." The meeting concluded as Dawnstar jumped down from her perch.

Wingpaw looked at her mentor. She remembered her memories in a flash and shrank back a little. Leopardfur didn't seem to notice, "Get something to eat." She commanded, heading towards Dawnstar.

Wingpaw watched her go, and then stared blankly at the fresh-kill pile. Jaypaw had died, and Dawnstar would not let her sit vigil? She gave a small growl remembering Jaypaw after Wildtalon had died.

"Sometimes warriors die. You have to deal with it. Besides, your clan needs you even more."

Wingpaw looked up at the setting sun. It was nearly time to go. She sighed, giving a mournful look at the crumpled body of Jaypaw.

"Good luck up there." Wingpaw whispered, almost inaudible.

"Come on Wingpaw!" Wingpaw's head snapped toward the noise.

"Coming Leopardfur!" She staggered to the entrance and raced out of ThunderClan camp.

X X X

Thistlepaw slowly padded back to camp with his clan. They had lost… to ThunderClan! He could not believe his ears.

His fur crawled with shame as he thought about it. Thistlepaw had been winning in the battle he fought with ThunderClan. So close to winning…

"You ok?" A voice made him jump. He turned his head and saw Viperpaw padding beside him.

"I'm fine." He growled glaring at Starfall. He was dragging the limp body of Ashstar with the help of Amberfang. Thistlepaw's long claws slid out of its' sheathe.

A black tabby tom slid next to him, "You don't sound fine."

Thistlepaw turned his green gaze on the tom, "I said I'm fine, Beetlepaw! Anyway, we would have won, but Ashstar told us to retreat!" He spat, suddenly alive with anger. Both cats flinched and Thistlepaw's glare softened, "Sorry." He mumbled.

Beetlepaw gave him a small nod, "It's fine." His meow was tart.

"You shouldn't say those things about Ashstar. He saw us loosing and he made a good choice." A deep meow rumbled behind the three apprentices.

They spun around, fur fluffed up. Thistlepaw bowed his head, "Sorry Hawkswoop." The tom's look cut into Thistlepaw.

"A leader's word is law, or have you forgotten that?" Hawkswoop sneered.

Thistlepaw blinked in surprise. Hawkswoop usually was not so mean. He was a friendly cat. Thistlepaw dipped his head, respecting the older warrior, "No Hawkswoop."

"Good." The reply came. Soon the gray tom was in front of them, heading towards Amberfang and Starfall. Ashstar was starting to wake up, blinking wearily up at the sky. He pulled himself up and started padding shakily next to the deputy.

Viperpaw let out a shaky breath, "I don't like Hawkswoop," she murmured, golden eyes narrowed. Thistlepaw noticed her eyes were the same color as the cat that he had attacked. Beautiful and deadly. What was her name…? Wingpaw.

Wait.

What?

Where had that thought come from? A thought about an enemy. Thistlepaw froze for a second before steadying himself.

No, you were just thinking about how you almost beat her in the battle. He thought forcefully, green eyes sharp.

Thistlepaw walked in ShadowClan camp last, dragging his paws tiredly. He saw Ashstar leaping up on his regular perch in the tree and called a meeting.

Thistlepaw sat next to the apprentices, looking up at his leader. Ashstar cast a sharp look at Hawkswoop, like they shared a secret.

"Today we have lost a battle against ThunderClan. As you know, I lost a life, but we must remain strong." Ashstar didn't seem very strong now. The clan exchanged nervous glances. "Today is the full moon. We will go to the gathering." His eyes narrowed, pinpointing Hawkswoop again. Did he know something the rest of ShadowClan didn't?

Ashstar looked around at the assembled cats, "Starfall, Russetheart, Hawkswoop, Lilypetal, Reedsong, Thistlepaw, Viperpaw, and Beetlepaw." He proclaimed, picking the cats with the least wounds, "The rest of you, get some rest and be ready in the morning." He dipped his head and jumped off the branch.

Thistlepaw perked up. He was going to the gathering! Despite the loss of the battle, he was eager to see the other clans.

Ashstar pause by Starfall, meowing something and then padded to the entrance of camp, "Come on!" He called. Thistlepaw glanced at Beetlepaw, then at Viperpaw. The trio plunged after their mentors.

Thistlepaw's eyes were wild with excitement as they raced silently through the forest. He felt alive. Thistlepaw's ears rang, wind whistling in and out of them. The soft pine needles gradually became sparkling green grass.

The ShadowClan patrol slowed down. Up ahead, Thistlepaw could see the warriors starting to leap over a narrow creek. A few, too short to leap over, had to swim through the currents.

Thistlepaw glanced at Beetlepaw. The black tom gave a small nod and flew over the creek gracefully. Thistlepaw narrowed his eyes. Leap! He jumped over the water, jumping gracefully. Then, all of a sudden, he dropped into the rushing water. Thistlepaw yowled in shock, trying to find the bottom. His paws hit the rocks. Viperpaw stood a tail-length away on the shore, eyes gleaming with amusement.

"Viperpaw!" Thistlepaw yowled and stomped over to her.

Beetlepaw was waiting a little ahead, smiling, "No time for revenge Thistlepaw! Let's go!" Viperpaw shot Thistlepaw a smug look and raced off. He sped after her, shivering. Beetlepaw fell in step with Thistlepaw.

The warriors had disappeared over a ridge, leaving only the faint scent of pine needles. The three apprentices dove after them.

"Wait for us!" Viperpaw yowled. Ashstar and Starfall did not turn around. They were already racing towards a clearing, four tall trees towering above the cats. Only RiverClan was there. Thistlepaw found himself squished next to another apprentice. Her pelt was fishy. He almost gagged. Eww! Fish!

Thistlepaw pulled himself away and searched for Beetlepaw and Viperpaw. They seemed to have disappeared.

A yowl echoed across the clearing. ThunderClan pounded in and Thistlepaw found himself searching for Wingpaw. The white apprentice met his gaze a heartbeat later.

Wingpaw's golden eyes narrowed. She looked about ready to tear out anyone's throat. She tore her gaze away and promptly began chatting with her clan mates.

Thistlepaw felt disappointed. He gave a faint shrug. Why should he be? Thistlepaw was a warrior, not a love struck rabbit. He moved in closer anyway, hoping to hear what she was saying.

"Yes… Right there. He killed him." Wingpaw growled.

Who was he and who was him? Thistlepaw swiveled his ears, trying to pick out more of the conversation.

"That apprentice? He killed Jaypaw?" The other apprentice gasped, eyes horrified. Wingpaw nodded, eyes fixed on her paws. Thistlepaw cocked his head.

A murderer was among the clan cats?

X X X

Wingpaw padded into the clearing with her clan, gazing down at the cats. Only ShadowClan and RiverClan had arrived, their foul scents lingering in the air. Her eyes met a pair of green ones. They were very familiar green eyes. His pelt was gray and white, still sticking up. He was wet all over, but drying out.

Thistlepaw's eyes met Wingpaw's. A killer's eyes...

Wingpaw felt a flash of fury. Jaypaw, her best friend, had been killed by him. She tore her gaze away from his green one's and starting talking to Whitepaw.

"So… How's life being the medicine cat?" Wingpaw asked, a bit awkwardly. She would never understand why her brother decided to become one. The only reason Wingpaw knew was because he was a wimp.

Whitepaw rolled his eyes, "Medicine cat apprentice! It's good, I guess, but that's a mouse-brained topic!"

"Well sor-iee!" Wingpaw gave a soft purr. They fell silent.

"You know how Jaypaw died?" She asked quietly.

Whitepaw gave her a quizzical look.

"How?"

"That apprentice, over there, he killed him," Wingpaw meowed, "Yes… Right there. He killed him."

"That apprentice? He killed Jaypaw?" Whitepaw looked horrified, eyes wide and horrified.

Wingpaw's eyes studied her paws. Finally, she gave a small nod.

X X X

(A/N: Uhh… I don't want to write the gathering scene _ But I will… Ok! From mysterious POV we go!)

His eyes gleamed mysteriously in the light as the clan cats assembled in the clearing.

Pathetic. He snorted, fur ruffled. StarClan doesn't have any power. They're just dead cats. For a moment, he could feel something tugging at the back of his mind. You're dead too…

The tom curled his lips. But we are stronger than those pathetic mice.

A dark gray tom stepped forward on the giant boulder, moonlight spilling over him.

"WindClan is thriving," He began, "We have a new apprentice, Twistpaw." His eyes fell on a small apprentice. The gray tom dipped his head and retreated back a few paw steps.

A gray and white she-cat replaced the WindClan leader. She looked around the clearing and meowed, "The other day, we found a fox on our territory. Fearstrike and Sunstrike drove it away." She turned to the gray tom, Cedarstar, "It went into your territory." Cedarstar dipped his head, eyes flashing.

"Prey is thriving in RiverClan and we are strong." The she-cat dipped her head and backed away.

The tom crept closer to the edge of the clearing. He scanned the crowd for the white she-cat, Wingpaw. His eyes narrowed as he found her, next to another white apprentice.

The tom smirked. She would be a valuable pawn in the final battle. All he had to do was convince her.

There was an outburst from the ThunderClan cats in the clearing. Wingpaw jumped to her paws, yowling with indignation, "Your clan killed Jaypaw!"

The tom's gaze flickered upward. Ashstar stood on the boulder, eyes gleaming. A murmur of surprise raced through the clearing.

The tom ignored the gray tom and thought about what the apprentice had said.

"Your clan killed Jaypaw!"

Jaypaw…

Jaypaw… who was he? A moment later, the tom smiled. He turned and raced out of the clearing.

Mission accomplished.

X X X X X X X

How did you like that? It's my longest one so far!

Seriously? ONLY TWO REVEIWS? I'm grateful for people who took the time to review, but only two? :(

Ok, so here's the question…

Who was the mysterious cat?

First person gets COOKIES! And a plushie of your choice!

Ok, now I hope you understand why Hawkswoop and Leopardfur are enemies!

I'm sorry for killing Jaypaw! I understand it's a lot of action for like the first 4 chapters, but that's me! I hate boring chapters, so usually my writing is full of action and adventure!

Ahh… So, Thistlepaw likes Wingpaw, huh? Well, that feeling is about to change!

Ok… if you like romance, you probably hate me in the next chapter… I actually don't know if I'll do a romance story… I changed it to suspense just in case… If I change my mind I'll turn it back… :)

REMEMBER!

R&R! Review= Updates!

-Thistlethorn of Shadowclan