CHAPTER NINE:

Skypaw refused to be left behind, despite Coldtail's arguments that there was really no need for her to come. He let her leave camp while he was still on guard duty, then switched with Falconclaw at moonhigh. Hiding in the bushes, Skypaw watched as Coldtail muttered something to the tom before padding calmly towards her. "Come on," he muttered. "Let's get this done."

"I didn't force you to do this," she muttered back as they slunk quietly away.

"No. But I'd rather be alone."

Offended, Skypaw veered away from him and sniffed for prey. Nothing. But Coldtail's familiar scent drifted around her as he came up behind her. "I'm sorry," he meowed softly, his breath tickling her ear fur. "I just want you to be safe."

Skypaw pulled away, trying to ignore the shivers running through her fur. "Just find some prey. We don't have much time."

Coldtail nodded and disappeared through some ferns. Skypaw found a mouse, but her weight unbalanced her on the take-off and the creature darted away before she could snag it. Sighing, she settled down to wait for Coldtail, hoping he'd had better luck.

The moon was nearly to the horizon by the time the tom appeared with his jaws full of prey. A sparrow and two voles. He jerked his head towards ShadowClan territory and, queasy with nervousness, Skypaw followed him.

Smokestripe and two other cats were waiting for them. Skypaw gulped; one of them was Tanglethorn, a senior warrior who never said much at Gatherings. But even from a distance, the cream and white patched fur identified the third cat as none other than the ShadowClan leader. Dawnstar rose as the two ThunderClan cats approached. "You came," she meowed quietly. "I was not expecting that."

"We promised we would help," Skypaw replied, looking Dawnstar straight in the eye. "We don't intend to break that promise."

Dawnstar nodded. Her blue eyes were thoughtful. "I can see that."

Coldtail dropped the prey on the ShadowClan side of the border. "This is for you," he meowed gruffly. "We'll come again two days from now."

Tanglethorn and Smokestripe picked up the prey and vanished into the dark pines in moments. Dawnstar hesitated, then nodded briefly. "StarClan watch over you," she murmured, and then disappeared after her Clanmates.

There was a moment of silence as the two young cats stared after their would-be rivals. Then Coldtail meowed in a low voice, "This is crazy, you know - feeding an enemy Clan. And leaf-bare will be here soon, and there won't be enough prey even for us."

"I know." Worry pricked at Skypaw's heart, and she bowed her head to hide her uncertainty. "I know."

The next day felt slightly surreal to Skypaw. Thunderpelt had finally forgiven her for sneaking out the day before, but she was pretty sure that he'd requested that Seedpelt keep an eye on her. And although she knew what his intentions were, it only made her feel more jumpy. Restless and tired of feeling the queen's stare on her, Skypaw decided to get out of the nursery and visit Cloverpool.

The pretty medicine cat was sorting herbs when Skypaw arrived. She looked up, her eyes warm. "Hi, Skypaw. How're you feeling?"

"How do you think?" Skypaw meowed drily, rolling her eyes. "I'm stuck in camp all day."

"I hear you weren't yesterday."

Skypaw glanced sharply at her, waiting to hear the medicine cat's reprimand. But Cloverpool merely looked amused. "I wondered how long Thunderpelt would be able to keep you in camp," she went on. "Actually, I'm surprised you lasted as long as you did. You're not exactly easily tamed; I'd have thought he'd have realized that."

"You'd think," Skypaw managed. But a part of her was thinking about her lawless promise she'd made to ShadowClan. Thunderpelt would never have allowed it, particularly in her condition. Coldtail had not only agreed to keep her secret, but joined with her to keep her safe, realizing that she'd probably do it anyway. The thought made her wince.

"Are you okay?" Cloverpool looked concerned. "Is it the kits?"

"No. I'm fine." Skypaw forced out a purr. "I just scraped a paw yesterday when I was in the woods."

Cloverpool shook her head. "I don't suppose there's any use in telling you not to go out again?"

"None at all. Although there's no need, either, because I've now got Seedpelt on my tail." Skypaw sighed. "I'm currently on a very, very mediocre escapade."

"That's tough. But you'll have kitted soon enough, and then you can go out again," Cloverpool reminded her sympathetically. "In the meantime, why don't you put yourself to use and help me with these herbs."

"When did you get so bossy?" Skypaw teased as she crouched down and began picking juniper berries out of the burdock roots. "I remember you being quieter."

"What can I say," mewed Cloverpool mischievously. "I take after my mentor."

Skypaw purred and cuffed the she-cat's ear. Clovertail opened her mouth to object, but there was a polite cough from the entrance and they both straightened up immediately. "Sorry, Fogstar," they chorused like a pair of over-eager apprentices.

"I'd expect more maturity out of my former and current medicine cats," Fogstar scolded them. But then the amusement broke across her face. "On the other hand, it's good to see that Skypaw has found ways to amuse herself besides confronting ShadowClan."

Skypaw groaned. "Does every cat know about that?"

"Probably," meowed Fogstar cheerfully. "Thunderpelt is determined to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Mutinous, Skypaw hooked an oak leaf onto her claw and started a new pile. Cloverpool purred at her friend's irritation and then asked, "Did you need something, Fogstar?"

"Oh, yes. I was coming to warn you that ShadowClan is acting quiet aggressive along the border. I don't want any repeats of what happened with WindClan..." Fogstar's face clouded at the memory.

"Did you meet them on patrol this morning?" asked Skypaw quickly. ShadowClan had been increasing their scent marks for a moon; something must've happened to trigger this warning.

"Oceanstone's hunting patrol did," Fogstar meowed. "Apparently ShadowClan chased a squirrel into our territory and Firefur caught it. Magnoliaclaw wanted it back." She shook her head. "There was nearly a skirmish over a simple squirrel. The upcoming leaf-bare is making everyone nervous, but ShadowClan is being unreasonable."

Skypaw flinched. A squirrel could have been the difference between life and death for one of their cats. "What if ShadowClan does have a reason?" she mewed tentatively.

Fogstar shook her head again. "I can't believe they'd have a reason good enough for bloodshed. Cats could die if it came to a fight."

"Yes, Fogstar," she murmured. But her throat clenched as she thought, Yes, Fogstar, but cats could die if they don't fight for their food. And then, even more frighteningly, And if it did come to a fight, whose side would I be on? The one to whom I've sworn my loyalty, or the one whose cause I actually believe in?

Author's Note

Confession time: My favorite Clan has always been ShadowClan. I'm not entirely sure why, but it is. Anyway, how did you like this chapter? Did you like how torn she's feeling, between both Thunderpelt and Coldtail and ThunderClan and ShadowClan? Love y'all. Thanks for reading and reviewing and following/favoriting!