Chapter Nine

Um... lol here's a note. About time I have a note as well. Anyway, this chapter is extra long for no apparent reason. So if you're going to sit down and time time reading this, be prepared for a long chapter.

"After Fallenpaw risked her life to save everyone else's from a pack of foxes, I have decided that it is time for Fallenpaw to be a warrior."

Blackstar stood atop the tree branch proudly.

"Russetfur would be so proud of you." He purred. Then he cleared his throat and continued, "Applefur, has Fallenpaw truely proven her worth to the Clan?"

Applefur grinned and said, "she's saved our lives. Of course she does."

I shuffled my paws and shivered. There's frost all over the ground and leaf-bare is basically here...

"Fallenpaw," Blackstar continued, "do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect ShadowClan, even at the cost of your life?"

I stepped forward and mewed proudly as my voice rung through the camp, "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Fallenpaw, from now on, you are Fallensky. StarClan honors your bravery and intelligence."

"Fallensky! Fallensky!" The whole Clan cheered. I stood up tall and proud at my new name. And I heard Flametail say my name loudest of all. I blushed and waved my tail around. I am now Fallensky of ShadowClan.

"Tonight, you will protect the camp in total silence, Fallensky. Clan dismissed." Then he leaped down the tree and trotted off. I pretended to get a thorn stuck in my paw and I limped to Flametail's den.

He purred when I entered and he quickly nuzzled me and we brushed pelts. I looked outside to make sure no one saw.

... No one saw.

"Hello, Fallensky." He purred. Then he cleared his throat and became serious. "Okay, I had a dream when I went to moonpool two nights ago. The area around moonpool was set ablaze and StarClan said to me that I had to protect this Clan like the flame around moonpool." Then he looked up. "I remember wanting to dive into the water so bad to get away from the fire. They even said I had to stand alone. Could this mean we have to end our relationship?"

I shook my head quickly. "You can protect the whole Clan without having to end our love." Then I twined his long fluffy tail with my ringed tail. "And I will try to protect the Clan the best I can to my abilities. Even if I was born human."

"Thank you, Fallensky." He meowed. "You better go before anyone gets too suspicious."

I was about to leave when I saw Pinepaw covered in snow and green stuff. She walked up to Flametail complaining and I rolled my eyes. She must feel so sour to me now that I got my warrior name before she did even though she's been around a lot longer than me.

I stretched my claws and walked outside feeling the cold snow on my paws. I could go hunting, I guess. So then I walked towards the entrance before Redwillow rushed up to me. I looked at him and he had a nasty looking scar on his chest. I narrowed my eyes.

"Where'd you get that scar?"

Redwillow stopped. Then he looked down at it. "I, uh, I guess that there was a branch in my nest or something. Anyway, want to go hunting with me?"

I shrugged and answered, "Sure, why not?"

Then he swished his tail and joined my side as we went out into the forest. There was no prey here! I padded in the snow as quietly as possible but Redwillow's ginger and brown mottled pelt stood out. I sighed and we slunk low in the bushes instead.

Just then, a sweet scent hit my nose and I purred. I looked to my right and I spotted a magpie plucking at the ground. Before Redwillow could say anything, I whispered to him, "I got this one." Then I started stalking the bird with even paws. I kept my tail just above the snow and when I was just in pouncing distance, I leaped atop the bird and snapped it's neck. It chirped once before it's spirit left the poor body behind.

I picked up the bird and said through a mouthful of feathers, "this bird is huge! Maybe we can find more birds!"

"I prefur lizards and toads..." hissed Redwillow emerging from the bush. I carefully parted some snow then buried it in the ground before setting off to hunt some more.

A large vole was clamped in Redwillow's jaws and in mine I held a mouse and a magpie. I trotted carefully into the snow covered camp and set down my prey on the fresh-kill pile. I wanted to go talk to Flametail as soon as I could! I sprinted to the medicine den ignoring Redwillow's protests. But when I entered, I didn't scent Flametail's sweet flowery scent. I saw Littlecloud in there talking to Rowenclaw. They both turned to me and I blushed fiercely. I didn't think of any excuse, I wasn't thinking at the moment. Our little cheesy love actually blinded me for a bit.

"S-sorry. Wrong den." I muttered before twisting around and leaving the den. When the warmth escaped my pelt, I shook my head and swung my tail back and forth, making tiny snow burms where my tail left it.

I glanced around suddenly realizing that nighttime was approaching quickly. I turned around and saw Applefur talking to Tigerheart. I walked up to them and cleared my throat. Applefur twisted around to face me and she smiled. "Well, Russetfur would be proud of you. Anyway, Fallensky, why don't you sit outside with Rowenclaw and guard the camp tonight for your vigil. At dawn, I'll tell you when you can get some rest."

I dipped my head and walked out to the camp entrance, with snow crunching beneath my paws. I shivered and sat down in the snow. A minute or so later, the ginger tom deputy walked out and sat next to me on the other side of the entrance.

No words, just silence.

I felt the night slowly begin to get colder and colder as the frost nipped at my nose. I shivered and flicked my tail. Just then, I felt an icy claw tap my back. I tried to scream but no words came out. A moment later, darkness swallowed me completly. I felt so cold and lost right then. What's going on?

Then the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes were the watery blue eyes of a she-cat and her silvery muzzle.

Bluestar.

I scrambled to my paws and I looked around. I was still in ShadowClan territory, that's for sure. But I should be outside of the entrance, keeping my silent vigil!

I looked down at my paws and saw that they were transparant and wispy. Then I looked back up at Bluestar. Her frosty gaze penetrated my pelt.

"What were you thinking?" Growled the blue cat as her fur bristled up like thorns, "you were taken in by the wrong Clan!"

I didn't say anything. However much she spoke to me, I was determined not to break my vigil.

She rolled her eyes. "You're a ghost right now, twoleg. You're still on the vigil, but I broke half of your spirit so you could listen to me. They won't be able to tell that you're gone."

"What the hell do you want then?" I hissed in confusion while swinging my tail in the snow, "what do you mean I was taken by the wrong Clan?"

Bluestar narrowed her eyes and flicked her ear. "Follow me." She mewed softly for a change. She trotted outside of the camp. I followed her footsteps and I stopped, staring at myself on the vigil. Part of me still felt that frost building up on my fur and my droopy eyelids. It felt amazing to actually see myself. I spotted Rowenclaw glance at me for a moment before going to look back out into the darkness of the winter.

"Come on."

I looked back to see Bluestar waiting for me in the dense pine trees. I stumbled after her and tried to keep up with her beautiful glowing pelt. I wove through the shadows and the marshes in the territory. While we trotted in the woods, I felt tireless. Like the weight has been lifted off me breifly. I felt so free and wonderful!

We reached the territory between ThunderClan and ShadowClan. We passed easily knowing that the boundries don't really apply to wandering spirits. I passed easily through the brambles like they were a mere mist. This made travel a lot quicker, and eventually we skidded into the ThunderClan camp. I looked around but then growled when I spotted Lionblaze covered in blood. Bluestar put her tail on my shoulder.

"You were supposed to be the fourth." She sighed.

"Fourth?"

She didn't answer when a stocky grey tabby she-cat with glowing sky blue eyes exited a den. She froze when she saw Lionblaze covered in blood. "Lionblaze?" She whispered in horror. She sprinted up to him. For a moment, I felt a little concerned for them both. The look in the grey tabby's eyes revealed a love I have seen reflecting from Flametail's eyes. She sniffed Lionblaze's wounds. "What happened? Are you hurt?" She backed away and her tail was shivering. "I-I'll get help!" She then turned tail and sprinted into a giant rock with a crack in it.

Dovepaw, Lionblaze's apprentice was near him. I just noticed her grey pelt. She sighed and looked at Lionblaze's bloody pelt. Then I looked closer. For the first time, I realized that he wasn't hurt at all! That was another cat's blood! He had no open wounds in his skin at all.

"We better hurry." Lionblaze muttered shuffling his paws in the snow.

Dovepaw blinked. "You better clean yourself up first."

I looked at Bluestar, wondering why she was showing me this. Maybe she knew that I felt a strong firey burning hatred for that golden tom. Then I faced Lionblaze again. This time, he was rolling in the snow. A moment later, Firestar and that dark brown tabby approached Lionblaze and Dovepaw. They spoke for a while, talking about some fox that was intruding in their territory. I breifly remembered the fox pack I was fighting. I only killed one fox, so it'd make sense if one of the foxes made it to ThunderClan and terrorized them. Then they convinced Lionblaze to go into the medicine den and talk to Jayfeather about those wounds- no, blood stains.

When everyone left the main area in the camp, I faced Bluestar frusteratingly, "why are you showing me this?"

"ThunderClan needs your help as well." Bluestar said quietly, "and I know you hate Lionblaze for killing Russetfur. But you just need to know you aren't the only one with a prophecy shadowing you."

I didn't respond. I thought for a moment, and then pieced it all together. So, what this insane blue cat is trying to hint to me is that Lionblaze is part of a prophecy too!?

I refocused on the camp. I saw the grey tabby sitting outside of the medicine den worrying. She lashed her tail and twitched her ear as she patiently waited for Lionblaze to come out. At last, he emerged from the den and the tabby stood up. "I wasn't sure you'd be out so soon." She murmured. She sniffed the streaks of ointment now of Lionblaze's pelt. "I can only smell the ointment. I don't smell any blood."

Lionblaze backed up a little. "It was really strong ointment." He mewed, "the herbs blocked out most of the blood scent."

The grey she-cat's eyes got wide and she flicked her ear in annoyance almost, "you sound like nothing happened today." She actually sounded really irritated. "You just took a fox, single-pawed." She shook her head. "I swear you were drenched in blood."

Lionblaze didn't make eye contact and she shrugged. "I was trained to fight."

I wanted to hiss, 'well, duh! So was I!'

The grey tabby had tears shining in her eyes and she stood face-to-face with Lionblaze. "You looked like you were bleeding to death!" She cried out, "I thought I was going to lose you!"

Lionblaze sighed and he reached forward to press his muzzle against her cheek. He waved his tail and purred softly to the she-cat, "Cinderheart, you'll never lose me, I promise."

Cinderheart pulled away from him. She sniffed back sobs. "No, I-I can't do this. I can't feel this way every time you go into battle."

Lionblaze's eyes shone with disappointment. For a moment, I actually thought he might have feelings like a cat or maybe even a person. Or that he actually loved this cat named Cinderheart. "Don't say that." He whispered, "all warriors go into battle and that doesn't stop them from having mates."

"Most warriors don't hurl themselves right into the middle of every battle," she insisted, "or go out hunting foxes while everyone's asleep!"

I could tell Cinderheart felt strongly about this statement, and I felt embarassed about throwing myself at those foxes. But I easily made it out without any scratches.

"But I'm okay!" Lionblaze's eyes got wider and he lashed his tail, "just look at me!"

"You can't be!" Cinderheart cried in protest, "all that blood..." I saw her tail begin to tremble a little. I felt really sorry for her now, I didn't know that Lionblaze actually loved anyone. I thought his heart was made of cold stone and iron. But apparently I'm wrong.

Then I saw Lionblaze look around for a moment, as if seeing if anyone was listening.

"He will explain." Bluestar promised me. I listened intently like my life depended on it.

He leaned in and whispered something to her.

Bluestar looked at me. "Go forward, twoleg. They cannot see or sense you in any way. They will just feel a chill."

I nodded and took a few steps forward until I felt Lionblaze and Cinderheart's warm breath in the night air. I swore I spotted Cinderheart shiver.

"There's something you need to understand." He murmured. "Something that will reassure you that I will never get hurt."

Cinderheart blinked her warm blue eyes and shuffled her paws.

Lionblaze took a deep breath and said, "I can't be wounded."

Cinderheart snorted disbelievingly. "You've certainly been lucky so far." But I thought differently. No matter how many times I would swipe or claw of Lionblaze at that battle for the clearing, he wouldn't get hurt.

Lionblaze shook his head and continued, "no, there was a prophecy given to Firestar many moons ago. It was about cats who'd have more power than any others in all the Clans."

Cinderheart blinked again and tipped her head while she listened. So there was a prophecy. Bluestar wasn't lying to me.

"I'm one of them." He sighed, "I'm one of those cats."

Am I one of them then? If Bluestar said that I was a forth, would that mean I am one of those cats? I searched through my memories of what I could do. Maybe I should do some tests on myself tomorrow...

"I can't get hurt." He continued, "not in battle, not with foxes, not by anything."

Then he held his breath. It was pretty easy for me to believe. But for Cinderheart to swallow? That'd be a little more difficult. She sat back and stared at him. "There's a prophecy? About you?"

Lionblaze nodded and smiled.

"And... and you'll never get hurt." Cinderheart glanced at the ointment smears on his pelt again.

"No."

"So that you can protect the Clan." Cinderheart murmured.

Lionblaze leaned forward, seeming happy she took it so calmly. He pressed his cheek against hers and said sweetly, "you never need to worry about me again. It's going to be all okay." He purred loudly like thunder and he began to twine his tail with hers until surprisingly, Cinderheart jerked away angrily.

Her eyes were glowing with sadness and her tears finally began to stream out, "No! We can't do this! I can't be your mate. Not if StarClan has given you this power."

I sat down and looked down at my paws. Maybe having a power would be bad. I can't believe I considered testing myself tomorrow.

"Wh-what do you mean?" Asked Lionblaze sadly backing away.

"I mean that you have a much greater destiny than me." She whispered starting to walk away but not turning away from him, "w-we can't do this anymore." Then she began to sob as she sprinted away and into the warriors den.

I saw Lionblaze sitting in the snow with a broken shattered heart. His large amber eyes were glazed open with greif. Then he hunched over and stared at the snow.

I suddenly felt a cold frosty pelt brush mine. I turned to my left and spotted Bluestar staring at Lionblaze.

"He is one of them. Jayfeather and Dovepaw are the two others."

I looked at her. "Them?"

Then she narrowed her eyes. "You were supposed to join ThunderClan. But you just had to wander off to ShadowClan territory where you didn't belong."

I stood tall and bristled up to twice my size, "who are you to tell me what Clan I belong in? My heart lies in ShadowClan. Not WindClan, or RiverClan and never in my life for ThunderClan."

"You have a power, Fallensky." Sighed Bluestar, "and you should know by now. Think back to when you fought those foxes. Did you ever feel fatigued or the will to give up?"

I shook my head.

"Of course not. That is your power. However Lionblaze can fight without getting hurt, he can get tired. Did you see how exhausted he was when he came back?"

I paused for a moment before asking quietly, "so is my gift the power of tireless energy?"

Bluestar nodded. "You can use to your own will. There is a darkened shadow approaching the Clans and you must be ready for it." Then she faded away and left me in the cold, shadowy, darkness.