Moonpaw sat on the lakeshore, leaning on Spiritpaw and taking in the beauty of the sunset. They were supposed to be in camp, but they had escaped through the dirtplace tunnel and resolved not to return until the following day.
Spending time with Spiritpaw was a priority now that she would be leaving soon. All she cared about was keeping their friendship as strong as possible. Or was it more than a friendship?
Moonpaw banished the thought from her mind. They were only apprentices! Nothing more than friends, she thought. For now, at least.
"Do you think we should head over to the abandoned Twoleg nest to spend the night?" she asked.
"Don't you think we should change our spot? We came here the other night." Spiritpaw had changed, but Moonpaw didn't mind. He had grown more mature, no longer bouncing around the den in the mornings, or spending every spare minute exploring. He now thought about things, much more than he did as a new apprentice.
"It'll be fine. They don't need us, so they won't come looking." Moonpaw hoped she was right.
"Okay," agreed Spiritpaw, "but if we get caught, it's on you."
They later arrived at the Twoleg den to find an angry Darkstar waiting for them.
"I knew you'd show up sometime," she said in an almost mocking tone. "Come with me."
They padded back toward camp without an argument. Moonpaw was worried that Spiritpaw might be mad at her for convincing him to go to the Twoleg den, but when they exchanged a silent glance, there was no anger in his eyes. Only humour.
She had a sneaking feeling she knew why Darkstar had come to search for them, and it was definitely more than just being in trouble. She had been thinking about what would actually happen when she was exiled. Would the clan be told, or would they figure it out themselves? She would find out soon, too soon.
As they reached camp, Darkstar bounded up to a high branch of the Highoak.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highoak for a clan meeting,"
Cats began to assemble. Some looked like they knew what was happening, solemnly padding towards the ring of cats, whilst others gazed around cluelessly. Some were whispering in small huddles, urgently mewing.
"Today is the day many of you have been waiting for. The day we rid ourselves of evil and danger. From now on, queens will need not worry for the safety of their kits, nor Hollycloud her herb supply, or even I, your leader, for Thunderclan's reputation."
Moonpaw trembled with anticipation and the sense of helplessness. She could not change what was about to happen. All she could do was wait.
"Moonpaw. As you may know, a prophecy was given to me when you were born. I remember it well. 'Beware the cat who is not what they seem, beware the cat who cries in their dreams. Beware the one whose gaze is icy, for the powers of darkness and shadow are rising.' It clearly speaks of you, meaning you are a danger to our clan. Therefore, it would only be right to rid us of you as soon as possible."
There was commotion in the watching cats. Those who hadn't gotten the idea at the start now had. Everyone knew what Darkstar would say next.
"Moonpaw, I hereby banish you from Thunderclan eternally. If any of my warriors catch you on our land, they reserve the right to hatm or kill you. Leave and do not come back!"
Cats gasped, even though they knew this would happen eventually. Moonpaw heard her mother, sobbing loudly, being comforted by Iceshard. She snorted at the fact that her own mother was the one to agree to her leaving.
"Leave now and don't return!" repeated Darkstar.
Looking at the mob of cats, she saw Spiritpaw, studying his paws and obviously trying to pluck up the courage to say something. Wondering what it was, Moonpaw got up on shaky paws and headed for the tunnel when she heard a cat behind her shout something that would change her life forever.
"I'm coming with her!" It was Spiritpaw.