Chapter 8
"Remember your training, don't let any cat surprise you," Darkshadow rolled his eyes as Voleheart continued lecturing him about his upcoming journey. The group of cats would be leaving at dawn and every member of the Clan was busy with one task or another. Woodstar was talking with Sandfire and Grayleaf about the journey while Gingereye had been persuading the young Birdheart to rest, but the brown she-cat kept insisting to be of some use to JayClan. Darkshadow glanced as Reedtail, Maroonfeather, and Birdheart filed through the entrance of the camp, all three of them carrying prey. At least the SkyClan she-cat was making herself useful.
Talonclaw was busy preparing traveling herbs for both JayClan and SkyClan, asking Lakesky to help him with his task. Lakesky was the only warrior- besides Orangepelt- who had the patience to sort herbs and since Orangepelt was resting in the nursery, Lakesky was chosen. Darkshadow glanced towards the nursery where Orangepelt was talking with the elder, Songbird. Seeing his mate, Maroonfeather trotted over to her, pride in both cats' eyes. Annoyance flared in Darkshadow's chest. Who knew how long they were going to be gone? Orangepelt's unborn kits might already be apprentices by the time they got back. So much for becoming a mentor, Darkshadow growled to himself, jealously wondering if Lakesky would get an apprentice. Or would Reedtail and Maroonfeather be given the honor? After all, their apprentices were heading to SkyClan territory.
Speaking of his siblings, Darkshadow glanced at his kin who were relaxing in front of the apprentices' den. Airpaw was devouring a squirrel in rapid bites and Darkshadow remembered that he should eat something before their journey began. Waterpaw was sharing tongues with Cloudpaw, but while the gray she-cat chattered happily, Darkshadow thought her saw a flash of worry in Cloudpaw's eyes. Did she know something about SkyClan? Something about the danger the Clan was facing? Darkshadow wouldn't be surprised. After all, Cloudpaw had known about the SkyClan cats before anyone else. Maybe her dream from StarClan told her more than she was letting on.
"Darkshadow?" Darkshadow turned away from Voleheart to see Lakesky's warm gaze staring at him, his bundle of traveling herbs at her paws. "Talonclaw asked me to bring you your travel herbs."
"Thank you and thank Talonclaw for me as well," Darkshadow bent down to lick up the herbs, but stopped when he noticed Lakesky was still standing over him. Glancing up at her, Darkshadow meowed, "Yes?"
"I just- I just-" Lakesky glanced away, embarrassment, flooding into her warm eyes and Darkshadow's interest heightened. What had Lakesky so tongue tied? Usually she could talk a cat's ear off.
"What is it, Lakesky?" Darkshadow prompted, dark eyes flashing with concern, "I'm your friend. You can tell me anything."
"Do you want to know what I said to my mother right before she died? I don't remember. I don't remember if I said goodbye when I went out to play with you and Maroonfeather," Lakesky whispered, her fur bristling in embarrassment, "That's the funny thing about goodbyes. You never know when you'll get another one." Lakesky then looked, eyes flashing in alarm, "Sorry that's the wrong words! Of course, we'll see each other again, I'm just trying to say- be careful. I don't want this to be our last goodbye." Lakesky seemed to be babbling and it took Darkshadow a moment before he realized she was waiting to be stopped.
"Lakesky," Darkshadow whispered, brushing his tail along Lakesky's muzzle, "Shut up. I'll be fine."
"I know you will just please come home," Lakesky mumbled and looked as though she wanted to say more, but Talonclaw called her name. "Well that's my cue. I'll talk to you later, Darkshadow." And with that Lakesky padded away.
"Bye," Darkshadow whispered and practically jumped out of his skin where he realized he was face to face with Maroonfeather. Growling in surprise, Darkshadow hissed, "Great StarClan, Maroonfeather, you gave me a fright!"
"Not my intention, Darkshadow," Maroonfeather meowed before purring, "Boy have you got it bad."
"What in StarClan's name are you talking about, mousebrain?" Darkshadow growled, blushing underneath his pelt as he realized Maroonfeather had watched his interaction with Lakesky.
"No need to get all defensive, Darkshadow, you know I feel the same way about Orangepelt."
"I have no idea what you are talking about and if you excuse me, I have some things to do." Darkshadow growled briskly before stalking away from Maroonfeather and over to Woodstar, Sandfire, and Grayleaf.
"We'd like to leave as soon as possible," Grayleaf was saying and all cats looked over as Darkshadow approached them, "Oh hello, Darkshadow! Are you ready to leave soon?"
"Yes," Darkshadow meowed with a dip of his head and glanced over to his younger siblings, watching as Lakesky gave them their traveling herbs. "The apprentices just had their herbs. We're ready to leave now."
All cats glanced at Woodstar who nodded, "I think it's best if you leave as soon as possible. You can probably make it to the mountains by nightfall if you leave now." All the cats nodded in agreement and Woodstar sprang up on top of HighTree, "All cats invited on the journey please report underneath HighTree for a debriefing." Although Woodstar only called for the apprentices every cat showed up. Voleheart padded over with Sunfoot and Reedtail while Talonclaw trotted over, Lakesky hurrying behind him. Orangepelt and Maroonfeather padded over while Gingereye guided Songbird with her tail. The apprentices were last to come even though the announcement was for them and they sat together, eyes wide with excitement and a hint of fear.
"We have decided that since our schedule has moved forward quite a bit, you will all begin your journey now," Woodstar meowed, leaping down so that he was in front of his kits, "Be careful, you four. This is the first time something like this has even happened for JayClan. You are pioneers and while you are out there away from camp for the first time since the time of the four great Clans, remember that every problem has several choices that can lead to several different endings. Choose whatever path will bring you to your future." Darkshadow stared at Woodstar in confusion. What was he talking about? Had he had a dream from StarClan? Did they show him something? Darkshadow didn't know, but he wondered what they would face before their journey came to its end.
Everything then happened so fast and the next thing Darkshadow noticed was that he and his kin were beginning to head out of camp. They padded slowly away and before they even reached the treebridge, a cat yowled, "Darkshadow!"
Expecting Lakesky, Darkshadow was shocked to see Talonclaw racing towards him. When he stopped, Talonclaw panted, "I just wanted to say good luck to all of you and you must come back! For your mother's sake." Darkshadow watched as Talonclaw raced back home before glancing at the SkyClan cats and his own Clanmates.
"That was odd," Airpaw commented and every cat nodded in agreement before beginning their journey. Darkshadow glanced behind him at his home he knew for so long and wondered when- and if- he would ever see it again.
Author's Note: Sorry this chapter is so short, but I'm going to see the New Moon midnight showing and I wanted to upload this chapter real fast. I'm supposed to be doing homework so shhhhhh Anyway please review and I hope you enjoyed it.
PS. Just thought I'd drop a little hint: one of our cats won't be returning to JayClan. mwhahaha --- my suckish evil laughter lol