I Didn't Do It!

It was the new moon, and my achy breaky heart knew exactly what that meant. A whole night in camp deprived of a special blind cat who hated everyone. 'Cept me of course, apparently I was the exception to every rule.

I sighed for the tenth time, brushing a dead leaf absently. Ever since Leaf Bare had come upon us, Jaypaw and I hadn't been able to get out much. I was almost constantly hunting, and he was curing cats with colds. There weren't any herbs to go looking for because they were all dead or collected. Jaypaw and I got our kicks when we met at the fresh-kill pile alone, or we stopped for a short conversation every four days.

It hurt a lot to not be with him. Every day I would reminisce of the time we spent at the Clearing he showed me. All of our play fights, stories, and sleepy cuddling seemed very far away sometimes.

Gradually I started to wander the forest as I hunted. Going back to camp gave me very little satisfaction, and Graystripe never noticed. He had become very proud of me lately, for taking on so much responsibility. Graystripe said he would ask Firestar to make me a warrior when Newlef came around. That sparked my creativity at least, and gave me something to ponder about.

What could he possibly name me? I wondered. Racelegs? Oh StarClan no! Racefur?…eh, maybe Race…claw? Foot? Ear? How does Firestar come up with these things?

Shaking my head I padded further into the pitch black woods. Oh, I forgot to mention. My sleepless nights have gotten steadily worse as Jaypaw and I saw each other less and less, so I've been wandering the forest at night regularly.

During these trips I would remember longingly the freedom of being a rogue. No one to worry about at camp. No fussy elders to feed or bossy warriors to be pestered by. Just me, all alone, running around the territory.

I've been considering actually leaving ThunderClan territory and wandering beyond the hills at night, just to get a taste of really being outside the clan. But the moors beyond the territory seemed too far for me to wander to and froe in just half the night. I would go and test it tonight, but with the medicine cats up at the Moonpool I might be scented and found out by Leafpool.

So tonight I thought I'd go by ShadowClan's territory, maybe get a glimpse of the scattered clan. I still hadn't seen a ShadowClan cat, remember?

I also wanted to know if those cats were wandering over our border for prey. I seemed to be the only logical cat in the entire Clan besides Jaypaw. Didn't they realize that a bunch of rogue-like cats were hunting right next to our territory? I've been a rogue before, and if all of those cats are over there hunting for themselves then they are definitely going to come over to our territory for even the skimpiest mouse.

Why didn't I tell Firestar my opinion? Honestly, I just wanted the glory of being the cat who stopped the intruders from stealing our prey.

I haven't made any kind of legacy while I've been here, besides winning over Jaypaw. And no one knew about that nor will they. I think it's fair to want some kind of glory attached to my name, right? Besides, the other three clans have to start doing something about this pack of rogues on our border. It doesn't take an omen from StarClan for the cats to know it's just a War waiting to happen.

My pelt pricked at the thought of an all out war between all four clans. That would just rip this lovely little clan lifestyle apart, wouldn't it?

I stopped at the edge of the clearing right next to the border. I sniffed deeply, detaching myself from reality a little bit as I searched for intruders. ShadowClan scent was extremely faint. Aren't they marking their own borders? I thought. ThunderClan scent was almost overpowering ShadowClan's.

We might end up taking over their territory simply because the border will fade completely.

There were no fresh cat smells so I turned away and padded down toward the lake. I thought they were night hunter, I thought frustratedly. StarClan punish these cats for making me wait!

I'm going crazy, I thought to myself. I'm talking to myself and hoping that ShadowClan will invade our territory. Graystripe would swoon if he knew I was thinking this.

I miss Jaypaw.

The thought was so sudden, so sad amongst my other thoughts I stopped dead and sat down.

Jaypaw. I have to see that cat again; I might die from loneliness if I don't.

I bowed my head, whining a little in grief.

"Racepaw?"

I almost died of fright. My heart lodged my throat as I spun around, claws unsheathed and fur sticking up in several directions. Emerging from the undergrowth behind me was—Berrynose?

My eyes got even wider from disbelief as Berrynose looked at me, a small trace of amusement in his pale brown eyes.

"B-Berrynose!" I gasped. "What in the name of StarClan do you think you're doing?" I kept my voice at a low hiss, barely swallowing my yowl of confusion.

Was this cat stalking me?

"I came out here to ask you the same thing," he mewed quietly.

I flattened my fur and sheathed my claws, annoyance now prickling at my fur. Great, now he knows that I've been sneaking out of camp. He'll probably blackmail me.

Berrynose stared at me, waiting. I looked at him and shook my head. I can tell him…part of the truth.

"I'm patrolling," I mewed stiffly. Even to me, my gaze felt hard.

Berrynose tipped his head curiously, "All alone?"

"Obviously."

Berrynose snorted, "It's dangerous you know. A ShadowClan cat might attack you if they see you out here all alone."

"I'm sure I can take care of myself," I snarled.

One of his ears flicked and he looked a little…hurt? No, it wasn't that. Maybe…annoyed at himself? Agh! This cat was so annoying!

"Sorry. You're right; you can take care of yourself just fine."

Berrynose looked down for a second. I gaped at the tomcat. Did he just apologize?Who is cat?

"If you don't want any company, I guess I'll just go back to camp." Berrynose turned around to leave, tail dragging dejectedly.

Whoa, whoa, WHOA! What in…in…what is going on?!

"Wait!" I called out to him, wincing as my voice rang in the trees. Berrynose stopped and looked over his shoulder.

I flicked my tail uneasily. I guess he's just trying to be nice. He's been pretty cool lately. Maybe I can let him tag along…

"Do you…do you want to come with me? I'll be going back soon but, well, I'm a little lonely. I guess." I gritted my teeth; half-hoping he'd say no.

Berrynose's eyes were soft when I looked at them. He looked kind of happy. "Sure."

That's the story of when I started feeling a little fond of the mousebrain.

He walked in silence down towards the lake with me. It was comforting to be standing next to someone, I won't lie. Even if that someone was a sharp-tongued, hot-headed, jerk. Sounds kind of familiar, I thought absently.

Suddenly, I stopped.

He's kind of like Jaypaw! My eyes grew wide as I turned to stare at Berrynose. He looked at me, his face unreadable.

"Racepaw?"

I shook my head, trying to chase away my thoughts. Oh no. That's not a good thought. Stop it Racepaw! I've got to get back to camp quick and process this information.

I glanced at him, "Oh, nothing. I just thought I smelled…fox."

Berrynose sniffed the air. Of course there was no fox scent in the air. Berrynose gave me a weird look.

"I think you're hallucinating," he told me. I chuckled nervously, "Yeah, I guess I'm just tired. Let's go back to camp before someone figures out we're gone."

"Okay."

We took three pawsteps into the woods before a small splash stopped us in our tracks. The sound had come from the stream by the ShadowClan border behind us. I crouched low and whipped behind the nearest bush, peering earnestly at the ShadowClan border.

A small shape was lying half in the stream. It was too dark to make out anything about the cat. The bushes along ShadowClan border rustled as two cats padded back into their side of the woods. The wind picked up and breezed in our direction.

On it carried the faint smell of ShadowClan and…RiverClan? My ears twisted in confusion. What's a RiverClan cat doing in way over here?

I suddenly remembered Sol's proposition at the Gathering that seemed an eternity ago. Any cat who wants to join me…

I looked over at Berrynose. He met my eyes and silently told me to wait. I kneaded the ground irritatedly. I wanted to know who that RiverClan cat was.

We crouched behind the bush for a long while until we were absolutely sure that the two cats would not come back. During that time the small shape at the edge of the water never moved. Finally, the anticipation grew too much for me and I slid forward, lying close to the ground.

I glanced up and down the stream and then jumped across easily.

I landed for the first time in Shadowclan territory. Tantalizing excitement rushed through my paws as soon as they struck the ground. I'm trespassing on another clan's territory! Awesome!

Berrynose slunk up on the other side of the limp body of the cat lying in the stream. Carefully we sniffed at the wet fur.

The cat was male with glossy black-grey fur. He stunk of RiverClan. His eyes were closed and his lips drawn back in half of a snarl. He was very, very dead.

He looks familiar. I scoured my mind to put a name to the face. Oh right! He's that apprentice that snapped at me at the Gathering.

My eyes opened wide. He betrayed his Clan to become a rogue. Wow.

"This is Sneezepaw," Berrynose mewed in disbelief.

What an unfortunate name. "Who killed him? Can you tell?" I breathed.

"No, I can't tell."

My stomach dropped suddenly. It was very sad to see the dead apprentice so far away from his clan mates, so far away from the grief his Clan would bestow upon him. Why would he come to ShadowClan? He was a clan cat born and raised. Even I wouldn't betray my Clan to follow Sol.

Berrynose shook his head. "Maybe a fight went on between him and a few ShadowClan warriors and he was killed accidently."

I looked at the mortal wound on his neck. "That doesn't look accidental to me," I mewed.

Berrynose sighed. "We've got to get him back to his Clan."

My eyes widened, "Berrynose, RiverClan will smell our scent on him. They'll think that ThunderClan did it! They might invade us if we bring him back!"

"Well then what do you suggest we do? Just leave him here?"

"Yes!" Berrynose stared at me, shock clear in his face. I went on eagerly to explain my logic to him. "A ThunderClan patrol will find him tomorrow! Then someone else can take care of it and no one has to know we found him first!"

Berrynose considered it for a moment and opened his mouth to say something when a rustling of leaves interrupted him.

A cat stepped out of the bushes, stopping suddenly at the sight of us. I unsheathed my claws at the sound, preparing for the yowl of battle sure to come. Berrynose also crouched down in his battle stance, preparing for an attack.

"What are you two doing here?" A tawny colored she-cat stepped forward, glaring at us and then the body.

"We're wondering why a RiverClan cat was murdered by some of your clanmates, Tawnypelt." Berrynose hissed.

The amber-eyed she-cat glared at us, "ShadowClan cats didn't do this. I don't know who did. I just saw them take away his body."

"Why are you here then?" I growled, never moving my gaze from her face.

Tawnypelt's eyes got mournful, "I'm here to take his body back to his clan."

The bushes rustled again as another cat stepped forward. This one was a large, ginger color tom cat. He stood protectively at Tawnypelt's side. Berrynose and I exchanged glances and moved from our battle positions. We stood back as the two cats leaned over and picked up the limp body.

Slowly they carried Sneezepaw away. They faded from sight within moments, leaving Berrynose and I alone.

"Are we going to tell anyone about this?" I murmured to my clanmate.

Berrynose's fur was ruffled uneasily. "I—I don't know. No, I don't think so. Leopardstar will say something about it in the next Gathering. Hopefully, we won't be dragged into it."

I nodded, taking a deep breath in.

Life wasn't nearly this malevolent when I was a rogue.

Berrynose led the way back to camp. We both snuck in our own ways without another word to each other. I didn't want to sleep, but I ended up trapped in dream darkness without too much resistance.

I dreamt about my rogue days. The days mother was alive, the day she tried to kill me and died. I dreamt of the day I was pursued by a gang of large rogues who were angry at me for hunting in "their territory." I dreamt of Berrynose, the warrior older, larger, and weirder than me.

Finally I dreamt of Jaypaw, and that was when I woke up.

"Racepaw," a cat's voice hissed in my ear.

"Mmph," I growled, burying my head in my paws.

A paw prodded my head. "Racepaw, wake up."

"I don' wanna," I whined.

The cat who was rudely taking me from my sleep breathed in my ear. "But we have the chance to spend the whole day together."

I jumped up out of my nest, looking wildly at Jaypaw. He mrrowed with laughter. "Come on, Leafpool's letting me get out of camp for a little while and I want you to come with me. I have to tell you something that happened last night, it's important."

His tone was light-hearted but had an underlying seriousness to it.

I nodded, "Yeah, me too."

A/N- I don't have anything personal against Sneezepaw, but hey, I wanted to kill a RiverClan cat.

To my reviewers, I love you all. Really! I'm so happy this story is successful. It honestly wasn't supposed to be, I didn't think many people would like it. Obviously I was wrong.

I need you to do me a favor this time around. What should Racepaw's warrior name be? I can't come up with any really good names, and if you suggest a name for me in your review, I'll choose my top three favorites, give you an honorary mention in one of these fancy-schmancy author's notes. Then I'll choose the winner when it comes time to name Racepaw.

:D Thank you sooooo much for your reviews! Please review again and I'll try to post more quickly!