Chapter 9! Thanks for the reviews! :)

Upon reaching camp, Nightpaw realized how tired he was. He'd barely gotten any sleep, and relief filled him when he realized that not much time had passed since he left camp. He would be able to sleep for a while more. He curled up into his nest, his tail resting peacefully upon his nose, until he finally drifted to sleep.

Nightpaw stretched open his eyes to find himself in a dark place. The forest around him was strange. The green foliage of normal forests was nowhere to be seen, and Nightpaw saw not a star in sight as he stared around at his dreary surroundings. A heavy, dark-gray fog clouded most of his view, but what he could see wasn't pretty. The only ferns were dry and tainted a dark gray-ish brown. The bramble thorns were twice as big as they should be, and they were long, and hooked, sort of like claws. Nightpaw's sight couldn't catch the tops of the trees, but he could tell from the dark, charred bark that they must have very few leaves, if any.

Suddenly a loud twig snap echoed from the dark depths of the forest. Nightpaw whirled around, his fur on end, his fangs bared. He pricked his ears, trying to find another sound to tell him where the sound had come from. He could hear a heavy footfall as a cat walked in circles around him. The cat was somewhere deep in the fox, and Nightpaw knew that he wouldn't be able to see the dark cat.

"Nightpaw, is it?" A demonic voice echoed in the shadows. "The cat who can't speak… So what are you doing in this dark place?" The voice chuckled. Nightpaw looked around frantically, but the voice seemed to be coming from all around him. He tried to find the cat with his nose, but the only thing he could smell was a putrid scent. The stench of crow-food hung in the air. The evil chuckle came again. "Don't even try. Your attempts are futile."

Leave me alone! Nightpaw hissed in his head, even though he knew the strange voice could never hear him. The strange voice laughed evilly. "I suppose you want me to leave you alone?" He chuckled. "Well I'm not about to do so! There is a debt that must be repaid. And you are part of it!" The evil chuckle transformed into a menacing hiss as a large tom darted out of the shadowy depths of the mysterious forest. Nightpaw swerved to one side, and the tom bashed headfirst into a tree.

Ha! You can't even fight someone as small as me! Nightpaw began to laugh, and when he did, he found that he could not stop. Soon the large tom had Nightpaw tight between his jaws. He shook his head rabidly from side to side.

Nightpaw felt his brains scatter as the world spun around him. He hit the ground hard, and he couldn't even tell if he had landed or if he was still falling. He couldn't tell up from down. Nightpaw scrambled to his paws, and wobbled a couple paces, before he fell again. The end, this is the end! He thought as he caught a glimpse of a large figure barreling toward him. The world was still spinning when he closed his eyes and felt the dream slip away.

"Nightpaw, please wake up!" Sagepaw shook him vigorously with her paws, trying to awake him from the gory daymare he must have been having. Nightpaw's eyes flickered open, and relief caused the clouds of worry to disappear from her eyes. However, the worry returned as Nightpaw struggled to his feet. He was gasping for breath, and looking around as if he didn't know where he was. "Are you okay, Nightpaw?" Sagepaw mewed worriedly.

Nightpaw nodded as soon as he had gathered his bearings. Nightpaw looked at Sagepaw. That dream… It felt so real… Wherever I was… I felt like that cat could have done a lot of damage to me. Sagepaw… She might have just saved my life… But what that tom said… 'A debt to be repaid'… What did he mean? Nightpaw couldn't have an answer… And he might never be able to find one. "Thank StarClan you're okay!" Sagepaw mewed with relief as she nuzzled up to Nightpaw. She was purring loudly, and Nightpaw looked into her eyes…

"What's going on in there?" Scorchpaw growled as he stomped into the apprentice's den. He stood rigid when he saw the two apprentices next to each other. Nightpaw jumped, and his head turned so he was eye-to-eye with Scorchpaw's rage-filled eyes. His fur stood on end and his hackles raised. What's his problem?

"N-nothing…" Sagepaw's crestfallen gaze fell to the floor, and her purring stopped dead. She quickly stalked out of the den, past Scorchpaw. Nightpaw gulped as Scorchpaw padded up to him slowly, until he was breathing in Nightpaw's face. Scorchpaw's unsheathed claws tore at the moss bedding in Nightpaw's nest.

"You list-" Scorchpaw was interrupted by a call from Owlfrost, his temporary mentor until Tigerblaze was aloud out of the medicine den. He grumbled to himself before yowling back a reply. "Coming!" He turned back to face Nightpaw again. "We'll finish this later!" He growled. Scorchpaw turned and stormed off, his tail lashing behind him. He forced his fur flat and his claws sheathed before exiting the den. F-finish what?

Nightpaw stumbled out of the apprentice's den. He yawned, suddenly realizing that he had barely gotten any sleep. With him seeing Brightpaw, and then the nightmare he had took away the chance for him to sleep peacefully. He shook away his tiredness as he looked around for Sourfang.

"Sourfang went on the dusk patrol." Shadestar mewed after spotting the young apprentice. He padded over to Nightpaw. "He instructed me to tell you to go hunt, and meet him back here at moonhigh." Shadestar mewed before flattening his ears. "I wouldn't want to send you hunting alone, but we don't have any free warriors…" Shadestar shook his head. "But I'm sure you'd be fine on your own. Stay away from the borders. Try hunting by the Great Pine." Shadestar nodded in approval with his own words, then padded off.

Nightpaw waited until he was out of camp to flatten his ears. What am I supposed to do now? Disobey direct orders from Shadestar? Brightpaw is waiting for me at the border… If I don't show up… What would she think of me? Nightpaw didn't like the idea of disobeying direct orders from Shadestar, but he didn't want to lose Brightpaw, so he slunk through the forest, in the direction of the border.

Nightpaw soon reached the border. When he arrived, he opened his mouth and let the scent glands on the roof of his mouth tell him where Brightpaw was waiting. His heart beat faster as he picked up her sweet scent. He found her sitting at the base of the Charred Oak. Brightpaw's head swiveled around, her ears pricked, her eyes alert. She calmed down when she realized it was just Nightpaw.

"You actually came!" Brightpaw mewed happily. Nightpaw smiled and nodded. I wouldn't miss this moment for the world! He wished he could purr, or at least let her know his feelings. She smiled at him. "I know I said we should practice fighting moves… But the stars are so beautiful!" Brightpaw looked up at the brilliant stars. The warriors of StarClan are up there… Each star represents one warrior who has given their life to protect their clan. Nightpaw gazed at the stars. He turned his head to look at Brightpaw, who was gazing up at the stars with the same awe that he was. She looked at him. "Each one of those stars represents a StarClan warrior..." She mewed as wonder sparkled in her eyes. "Some cat who gave their lives for their clans… Like Acornnose…" Brightpaw sighed.

And Toadleap… Nightpaw mewed sadly. He looked at the ground, as the regret, and hunger for vengeance pumped through his veins. He fought those feelings down with every ounce he had. If I try to take my revenge… It will hurt Brightpaw… and… and I care about her more than I care about avenging Toadleap. Nightpaw didn't notice that Brightpaw was staring at him. She had noticed the pain in his eyes when she mentioned the StarClan warriors…

"Nightpaw?" Brightpaw mewed softly, and he looked into her eyes. Their eyes froze there, and suddenly a vision flashed in Brightpaw's head. She saw blood, a lot of blood, and the body of a black, white and brown warrior who lay unmoving in the middle of a clearing of mourning cats. She blinked away the vision, shook her head against the sorrow, as she looked back at Nightpaw. "You… You lost someone… in that battle… Someone important to you?"

Nightpaw nodded. He was my father and mentor, Brightpaw. Nightpaw sighed silently. He was the first cat I ever became close to… And… I miss him so much… Nightpaw closed his eyes and remembered some of the times when him and Toadleap were playing in camp. Toadleap's favorite game was Warriors vs. Fox… Nightpaw liked hide and seek… He was good at hiding. Then Nightpaw remembered some of the times when he trained with Toadleap. He always kept his claws sheathed, and after every attack, he asked if Nightpaw was okay. Nightpaw would always nod, because Toadleap never hurt him…

Nightpaw buried his face in his paws, and he shook viciously as the memories flooded his head. Brightpaw stared wide-eyed as she saw the memories. The laughs, the games, and the training sessions that never ended badly... Then she heard the yowls. The blood, the bodies, the pain… She saw Sourfang's hate-filled glares. She finally closed her eyes, and even though she hadn't moved since the visions, she started panting. Nightpaw was watching her worriedly, until she finally stopped panting and shaking. She looked up, into Nightpaw's sad eyed.

"Nightpaw, I saw-" Brightpaw was cut off as Nightpaw placed his tail over her mouth. He nodded. I know… He looked up at the stars. Thank you StarClan… Thank you for letting me show Brightpaw how I feel… Thank you for letting me show at least one cat… How I feel. Nightpaw looked back at Brightpaw, who was staring at him, wide-eyed. "Nightpaw, I'm so sorry…" She almost choked on those words. "I must seem so selfish, complaining about Bramblethorn, when I didn't even realize what you'd been through!" Brightpaw took a few paces back. "Please, don't be mad at-"

Nightpaw leaned forward and licked Brightpaw on the cheek. Don't worry… I could never be mad at you. Brightpaw smiles and nuzzles into him. As they sit next to one another, their tails intertwine, and the two apprentices look at the stars together. Mouse dung! Nightpaw jumped up in a panic. It's almost moonhigh! He looked at Brightpaw. I-I'm sorry! I have to go! Nightpaw thought urgently. Brightpaw nodded.

"I understand." She mewed. She looked around. "We should meet again soon… In two sunrises." Brightpaw mewed quickly, before hurrying into the woods.

Nightpaw nodded, then raced off. This time he managed to catch a squirrel and a toad on his way back. He padded into camp to come face to face with Sourfang, who seemed upset. "After all morning… That's all you could catch?" Sourfang snarled. His tail lashed from side to side.

Nightpaw flattened his ears. You have a problem with it? Nightpaw thought grumpily as he returned Sourfang's glare. For the first time, Nightpaw glimpsed something behind the hatred in his eyes. Past the dark stares, evil thoughts and malicious plots… Pain. He saw pain. Pain, loss, and hurt, greater than anything he could have imagined. He shook his head, banning the thoughts from his mind. Sourfang never felt pain… He doesn't know the meaning of pain.

"Whatever…" Sourfang spat. His tail stopped lashing. "Are you ready for some more fighting practice?" Sourfang smiled deviously at Nightpaw. Nightpaw gulped. No… I'm not ready… I'll be ready in… Never! Nightpaw thought frantically, but he just nodded. Sourfang smiled. "Good."

Nightpaw flattened his ears as they walked along the path to the sandy training hollow. They walked the long way around… again. Doesn't anyone know about the dirtplace tunnel? Nightpaw wondered as he once again thought back to when Marshpaw and Russetpaw were secretly training with Shadowclaw. He didn't think about it long, for they had arrived at the training hollow.

"This time… you can have the first move." Sourfang taunted. Nightpaw crouched down and lashed his tail, wondering what technique he should use. If Sourfang can use his voice to his advantage… Then I can use my silence to my advantage… Nightpaw thought. After he had finally decided what his move would be, he began to execute it perfectly. He simply dashed forwards, and just as he had predicted, Sourfang leaped out of the way. Nightpaw kept running, until he reached the edge of the clearing, where he dove into a patch of ferns. He didn't make a single noise as he moved silently through the thick foliage surrounding the training hollow.

He peaked through a patch of brambles downwind of Sourfang, who was looking around furiously and hissing to himself as he searched for Nightpaw, who waited patiently for Sourfang to come closer to his hiding spot. When Sourfang was close enough, Nightpaw leaped. He landed on top of Sourfang, causing the senior warrior to yowl in surprise. Nightpaw's claws sunk into Sourfang's shoulders as he was knocked to the ground. Nightpaw tried to keep him pinned, but Sourfang easily managed to shake Nightpaw off. He charged at Nightpaw with full speed, sending him crashing to the ground with a thud.

Nightpaw winced and tried to struggle to his feet, but Sourfang pushed him over. He towered above Nightpaw, and held him to the ground with his claws at Nightpaw's throat. Nightpaw closed his eyes, praying that Sourfang wouldn't kill him. It's against the warrior code, but I wouldn't put it past Sourfang to kill me right here and now… This is it for me… Sourfang unsheathed his claws and climbed off of Nightpaw.

"In a real battle, you would have been killed. Just because you have the element of surprise, doesn't mean you can win easily." Sourfang hissed. "Never underestimate your opponents, and never underestimate yourself." Sourfang growled as he padded toward the exit of the training hollow. "Catch what you can on your way back to camp. The clan needs to be fed. Greenleaf is almost over…" Sourfang mumbled as he trudged out of the training hollow.

Sourfang… actually taught me something? Maybe… Maybe he does want me to become a warrior after all… Nightpaw shook his head. But that's crazy… Sourfang… Sourfang said so himself. 'I'll do whatever it takes to make sure you don't become a warrior!' But there was something else in his eyes when he said that. Something implying that perhaps he never finished that sentence… Nightpaw shook his head frantically. I'm crazier than Rosetail!

Nightpaw let the scents of the forest drift into the scent glands on the roof of his mouth. He could smell the scent of toads… his favorite prey. He dropped into a hunters crouch and began to creep through the marshland reeds. He heard a toad croak, and he remembered the trick Toadleap told him about catching toads. The toad will jump as soon as you try to get close to it. You have to get as close as you possibly can without the toad noticing you. Nightpaw crept forward. He prepared himself to leap…

He jumped, and caught the toad easily. With a swift bite to the neck, the toad went limp in his jaws. Nightpaw buried his prey then continued to hunt. Lizards were easy. Even if they smelled you coming, they were too slow to run away in time, but they actually climbed extremely fast. The trick was to stop them before they could reach a tree. Nightpaw caught a lizard too.

Mice and rabbits were a different story. They were a rare sighting in EclipseClan territory. Nightpaw hadn't seen many, and the few he had seen were difficult to catch. A mouse could feel your footstep, while a rabbit could hear your heartbeat. Squirrels could do neither of those things, but what they lacked, they made up for with speed.

Nightpaw could scent something different. Perhaps a kind of prey he hadn't seen before? He smelled feathers… But it wasn't magpie, or raven… He couldn't smell blackbirds or sparrows… But he could smell something else. Crow-food. Wait, that means… A crow! Nightpaw remembered seeing a crow on the fresh kill pile before. They were quite large birds, about as big as he was now. He followed the scent until he saw it. The crow was picking at an old, rotted log, perhaps searching for bugs after it failed to find anything else worth eating?

Nightpaw dropped into the hunters crouch and he felt himself melt into the shadows of the night. He didn't take his eyes off of the crow as he crept up behind it, then he leaped. The crow squawked in surprise, and it began to thrash about. It frantically lashed out with its talons, and flapped its wings, but it was too late. Nightpaw bit hard into the bird's throat, and it fell limp immediately. He heaved it onto his shoulders, and retrieved his other catches as he made his way back to camp.

Sourfang stalked up to Nightpaw grumpily. "In two moonrises we go to the Moonlit Springs." He spat. "Shadestar will be joining us. And before you get the wrong idea… This was not my decision!" Sourfang hissed as he stomped off to the warrior's den. Nightpaw rolled his eyes and dumped his prey on the fresh-kill pile. He decided he would deliver the crow to Raggedpelt. He hadn't visited the elder in a while. He hadn't had much time since Toadleap's death.

Raggedpelt stared at the crow. "That thing's nearly bigger than you are!" He laughed. Nightpaw smiled proudly as Raggedpelt tore a chunk of meat off the crow, threw it in the air, and then caught it. Nightpaw didn't let his laughter show, but he still hadn't gotten used to the way Raggedpelt ate. It was weird. Nightpaw turned around and came face to face with Sagepaw. She was beaming.

"Nightpaw, guess what?" Sagepaw enthused. "Molefang told me that if I keep up the good work in fighting practice, I might get to go to the Moonlit Springs with you!" Sagepaw seemed overjoyed, but Nightpaw flattened his ears. As soon as Sagepaw was gone, he began to think. Oh, great… Sagepaw can't stop talking. We're friends, but… She just gets way too close sometimes…

Nightpaw yawned upon reaching the apprentices den. He sniffed the air as he entered. An odd presence filled the den. Scorchpaw. Just as Nightpaw caught the scent, Scorchpaw charged out of the shadows, aggressively slamming into Nightpaw. Scorchpaw pinned the much smaller apprentice beneath his large, muscular paws.

"Listen!" He hissed viciously. "You stay away from Sagepaw, if you know what's good for you! She's mine!" Scorchpaw snarled. He got off Nightpaw. "Is that clear?" Nightpaw nodded. "Good!" And with that, Scorchpaw was out of the den. Nightpaw stared wearily after him, as the large apprentice approached Sagepaw.

Nightpaw rolled his eyes. It's not like I'm interested in Sagepaw, anyways. We're just friends. I love Brightpaw, and that will never change. Nightpaw thought. He curled into his nest, and fell asleep with thoughts of Brightpaw in his head, when suddenly something hit him.

I'm supposed to meet Brightpaw in two sunrises! But how can I if I have to go to the Moonlit Springs at the same time? Nightpaw began to panic. This is not good!