Chapter 11

"Willowpaw," I mewed softly in her ear. It was the next morning after the Gathering. The sun wasn't up but the camp was busy. Mothwing and Willowpaw were preparing packets of herbs and berries for the battle. Pouncepaw and Minnowpaw were fighting each other; the warriors were raking with claws on the Great Fir for sharpening. Blackclaw and Mosspelt were the only ones that were sitting around and that was because they were waiting for me and Leopardstar.

"What do you want?" Willowpaw grumbled through the stems of the leaves. "Didn't Leopardstar want all of the senior warriors plus you to go to ShadowClan?" I nodded, trying to push away the guilt.

"What's wrong? Aren't you happy?" I nipped the leaf she was holding and Willowpaw let it drop before I ripped it, just like I wanted her to do. "I thought you'd be happy." Willowpaw stared eye-level at me.

"Stealthpaw, I am happy for you."

"You've got a funny way to show it," I shot back at her. "You act like I did something wrong!"

"But you did!" Willowpaw lowered her voice. "You lied about StarClan!" Willowpaw's tail lashed on the ground so hard it brought up some dirt. Willowpaw stopped. "I promised that I'd lie for you, remember? It was the first time I had seen Hawkfrost since he died. I visited Hawkfrost and Tigerstar daily to talk about what they were doing. I didn't approve but they tried to talk me into it. I stopped going and I started going more toward StarClan. The side of Feathertail, Crookedstar, Mudfur and Silverstream. They showed me where my faith was and now you've got to show them where yours is."

"My what?" I asked confused.

"Your faith. I believed in Tigerstar and Hawkfrost and what they were doing but I caught myself before it was too late." Willowpaw's low tone went up higher. "If you don't stop and think, you may be in the Dark Forest for forever!" I rolled my eyes.

"Willowpaw, that's a bunch of crow-food. I'm going to StarClan!"

"Not if you keep hanging out with Tigerstar, you're not." Willowpaw retorted and she picked up the fallen leaves.

"Why not?" I demanded. Willowpaw dropped the leaves again.

"Because Tigerstar's leading you away from StarClan. You and Hawktail are both being tricked." I narrowed my yes. Was this some kind of joke? Was Rainstorm and Willowpaw testing me in some new way? Willowpaw gathered her herbs and left, leaving me confused.

"Where is Stealthpaw?" Leopardstar's voice was agitated. "We have to leave now." I dashed out of the medicine cat den and ran right towards Leopardstar and the patrol.

"Let's go," Leopardstar flicked her tail. "I'm going to talk as we walk." Leopardstar slid out of the camp entrance. Blackclaw motioned for me to go first so I did. Leopardstar was walking through the river at a high speed. I stopped. It was still leaf-bare. I hesitated and while I did, Blackclaw and Mosspelt hurdled themselves in the water. I clenched my teeth and slid in. The water wasn't that cold but it still was freezing. I swam across quickly, wanting to get out as fast as possible. Leopardstar just kept walking; she didn't even stop to shake the water from her fur. I wanted some cat to wait for me. But they didn't, not even my mother. All three of them just went on. I had to leave the cold water dripping from my pelt. I shook my head and followed them. Leopardstar was talking.

"I don't want any fighting. We are there to make peace, not start another fight between the Clans. Besides, if we really want to drive out ThunderClan kittypets then we'll need all the help we can get." I couldn't believe my ears. Leopardstar was calling us weak. She was saying we needed help from other Clans to win a battle.

"I know we could take on the whole ThunderClan itself but ThunderClan is bound to make alliances with WindClan and if it's two Clans against one, the chances of us getting out of it are slim." Leopardstar turned to face us.

"No fighting," Leopardstar repeated. "Get that?" Blackclaw and Mosspelt said nothing but just flicked their tails in agreement. I nodded my head. I didn't want to be caught arguing with my leader in front of ShadowClan. Leopardstar nodded. "All right, let's go, I just wanted to make that clear because I don't want any fights between that Clan. Whatever they might do."

We reached the border in a matter of heartbeats after Leopardstar had stopped us. I didn't realize that we were so close to the border. Leopardstar sat down on our side of the border and stared on the other side. "Hunt," Leopardstar ordered. "Their patrols are fresh, that means there won't be another patrol for a while. Besides, I don't want ShadowClan to think RiverClan can't feed themselves." Mosspelt and Blackclaw nodded their agreement and raced away. I walked away, sniffing just in case something was mouse-brained enough to come out. I didn't smell anything so I kept wandering around. I finally gave up. I went back to the border where Leopardstar was laying. Her paws were tucked under her and she was munching on a fish.

"Stealthpaw," Blackclaw mewed. "Hurry and eat. Leopardstar thinks that the patrol is coming soon." I just butted him in the head and took the half-fish that Blackclaw had just eaten off of. I gulped it down and licked my lips. Making a small hole, I flung the bones inside and covered them up.

"I smell fresh scents of ShadowClan," Leopardstar hissed. She got to her paws and Sat up right. Her head tilted back just a bit with arrogance. Two cats slid out of hiding. A creamy brown she-cat and a small brown tom started at us.

"You're right, Leopardstar," The small brown tom mewed. "But what are you doing? You're obviously waiting for something." The little tom was Littlecloud and his apprentice, Hawktail. "You've been sitting there for a long time. Is there something wrong?"

"No, Littlecloud," Leopardstar meowed, dipping her head to the two medicine cats. "But I would like to speak to Blackstar."

Littlecloud flicked his tail. "Sure," He muttered something to the creamy she-cat. Hawktail dipped her head at last, muttering something under her breath. "Come one." Leopardstar stepped over the border and Blackclaw and Mosspelt went after her. I stepped behind them all so I could be with Hawktail. Littlecloud was leading and Leopardstar was a little behind him. Mosspelt and Blackclaw were on either side of Leopardstar. I waited for them to get some distance away before I spoke to Hawktail.

"Have you been avoiding me?" She demanded at once, before I had time to speak. "You haven't been coming to the meetings that Tigerstar and Hawkfrost have been having. I've been there all alone for moons now and I haven't seen you at all."

"Sorry," I muttered. "you know that little flea-head, Rainstorm? She's trying to convince me that I shouldn't see Tigerstar anymore! Can you believe that?"

"Kind of," Hawktail shrugged."But it doesn't really matter because when you're leader you're going to rule with Bramblefur. Then you can get rid of that cat once and for all. Tawnypelt was really bugging me earlier in like leaf-fall. She's gone now, though." Hawktail sped up. "Littlecloud is getting suspicious about where all my dream have been coming from."

"Really?" I mewed. I stared walking faster, we were going so slow I could hardly see the rest of the group.

"Speaking of dreams," Hawktail mewed deviously. "That dream last night, it wasn't really a dream from StarClan, was it?"

"I'm pretty sure it was," I mumbled.

"No need to be like that!" Hawktail mewed coolly. "I've told many dreams that are fake." Hawktail pressed her nose to my ear. "That one you made up wasn't bad either." Hawktail quickened her pace. "If we want to have lives, then we better pick up the pace." We were almost sprinting when we caught up to the others. They were just outside the camp entrance. It was a little hole in bramble that was guarded by two cats. Littlecloud nodded to the two cats. I noticed the gray cat on the right side that was guarding. Her eyes reminded me of some cat but I couldn't remember who.

"Hey there, Stealthpaw," The gray cat mewed. "did you attack Littlecloud this time?" It hit me. I knew who that cat was.

"Hi, Ravenwing," I dipped my head to the warrior and sauntered in the camp. I sniffed. It had ThunderClan scent in it. It was super faint but I could smell it.

"Russetfur," Leopardstar mewed politely. "Is Blackstar here? I'd like to talk with him." Mosspelt and Blackclaw sat down. ShadowClan's warriors were circling us, making sure if we did anything we would pay with claws and teeth.

"What is it?" Blackstar growled. "Leopardstar this had better be good." Leopardstar stared evenly at Blackstar and there was a long pause before Leopardstar began.

"Last night, we witnessed ThunderClan at its best. Stealthpaw had a dream about them, we need to drive out the kittypets and make Clan-blood pure again. StarClan has spoken. We need to drive out every kittypet except Firestar, but RiverClan can not do it alone, because Firestar will send some cat to get Onestar and WindClan." Leopardstar spoke sharply and emphasized a lot of words.

"Why should we be troubled?"

"Because!" Leopardstar hissed. "If you do not make the kittypets leave it means you are favoring them. By favoring them, that means you want them to stay and make Clan blood un-pure!" The spotted tabby glared at Blackstar.

"Do you want to form an alliance to get rid of ThunderClan's Kittypets?" Blackstar thought and I heard Blackclaw whisper to Mosspelt. "There's nothing to think about! The answer should be clear!" Mosspelt nodded and Leopardstar gave Blackclaw a look. Russetfur and Blackstar were talking together in hushed voices. Oakfur and Smokefoot joined them.

"Very well," Blackclaw agreed. "We will not attack your Clan, so long as your Clan does not attack ours. Patrols will be taken off on our border to make sure we get in full time practice. ShadowClan and RiverClan will become one. Three days from now, your Clan will meet on the WindClan border. We will be on the ShadowClan border. At exactly moon-high we'll both lead our patrols to their camp. We'll run into their camp and kill the kittypets." Blackstar seemed to have had time to think this plan through.

"Why not kill Firestar as well?"

"We both know killing him would mean dishonoring the warrior code! You never kill a leader in cold blood! StarClan obviously thinks he's a warrior. He got nine lives, didn't he? Besides, Firestar gave us leadership when he killed Scourge." Blackstar didn't look ready to admit it even though it was true. Without Firestar, Scourge would be in charge of the forest and the Clan cats would be rogues or kittypets.

"Moon-high." Leopardstar agreed. "We will tell Firestar to stop bringing in strays and to follow the warrior code."Leopardstar dipped her head. "Let's go," She meowed to the three of us. Blackstar narrowed his eyes. The white tom didn't say anything else. He just flicked his tail.

We were on our way our when the apprentice, Owlpaw spoke up. "Don't you want a patrol to take them our like we do when ThunderClan comes?"

"There is no need; RiverClan is a strong pure Clan. Their Clan is filtered from thieves and filth." I knew Blackstar wanted the kittypets out of ThunderClan. That's why he was being so generous. But when we were out of the camp I heard a paw step. They were following us.

***

The next two days were full of battle practice. I was fighting every cat in RiverClan. I fought Mistyfoot, Beechfur, Sparrowfur, Mothwing, Leopardstar, Blackclaw, Cherryheart, Mosspelt, Rippletail and Robinwing were the most frequent. Leopardstar clearly didn't trust ShadowClan enough to not make patrols, sent out six patrols a day. Three patrols to each border. But they were small, congaing two warriors and maybe an apprentice. ShadowClan obviously didn't trust us either because they sent out patrols too. Hunting patrols were a little more frequent, if you weren't in the clearing practicing, you were out hunting for the Clan. It was exhausting. The day before the big fight with ThunderClan, there were no fighting practices, only the usual hunting patrols and border patrols. It was easy. Every cat was assigned at least something. I was assigned a border patrol to the WindClan border. Every cat was supposed to rest if they weren't on a patrol. It was very fun in my opinion because it was relaxed and there was really no hard work like there normally was—except in the medicine cat den it was a different story. Because of the fight, Mothwing and Willowpaw were busier than ever. Trying to stock up on herbs as well as collect as many herbs for healing. It must've been very stressful but Mothwing insisted that she and Willowpaw could take care of everything and that that Clan should rest.

The next day, Leopardstar and Mistyfoot were getting back from dawn patrol. The Clan was still sleeping; every cat was snuggled in their nests. Every cat except me. Tigerstar was in every one of my dreams now. He was always saying he'd help me but then a terrible storm cloud would bring a bolt of lightening that would hit Tigerstar. Needless to say, I hadn't slept well.

"Stealthpaw," Mistyfoot mewed. "Why are you up? It's just past dawn." The deputy looked concerned.

"Just have the pre-fight jitters," I lied. I licked my dark brown paw, unsheathing my claws after I was done. I examined them. They should've been sharper. I ran to the Great Fir and stretched up. I grabbed some bark and brought my claws against the bark. "That's better," I muttered. The Clan was starting to wake up and Mistyfoot was ordering patrols to go and hunt. The warriors were excited or nervous, but whatever emotion, they were jumpy too. I rested under the reeds by the entrance to the apprentice den. I was listening to Tigerstar give me advice. He said he'd help me and to never fight anyone bigger than I was without another apprentice. He also gave me some last minute tips.

"Warriors and apprentices, let's go! It is nearly sun-high!" Leopardstar yowled. "There will be no need to guard our camp. In order to get to it, you have to get in water and no cat in the other Clans wants to do that!" Every cat knew Leopardstar was right. RiverClan was the only Clan that lied water in their paws. The Clan was quivering with excitement. Almost all the cats except for Mistyfoot, and Echosong, both were chosen to watch over the camp even thought it wasn't needed.

"Let's go," Leopardstar ordered. She flicked her tail and we all filed out of the camp. We raced across WindClan territory, staying two fox-tail lengths away from the lake. It was the rule no matter what and Leopardstar wasn't going to break that rule. We charged into ThunderClan territory after gliding right through the river. It was exactly sun-high and we ran at full speed into their camp. It was guarded heavily with like six warriors, three warriors from ThunderClan and three from WindClan. ShadowClan was almost there too. Leopardstar ran right at the pack of six cats. She leaped on the closest and started fighting with her. ShadowClan started trying to get through. They managed and eight cats were fighting the six guards the rest of the cats were filing into eh camp. I sped into the camp. It was a stone hollow with bramble and thorns everywhere. Fighting cats were everywhere. I leaped at the apprentice Poppypaw and started raking my claws down her side. She squealed and leaped back to fight me.

"Wait for her!" Tigerstar and Hawkfrost whispered. "She'll come towards you first if you wait." Tigerstar was right. Poppypaw was running right at me. "Trip her!" I stuck out my paw and Poppypaw hastily leaped over it. I took a glimpse around. Cloudedwind had Ashfoot pinned down. Bramblefur and Rippletail were taking turns clawing a white warrior. I glanced around and out of the corner of my eye I saw Poppypaw leap right at me. I rolled on my back after Tigerstar said so and I flipped her off of me. The cat wouldn't give up. I felt my sides get raked with claws. I yowled and looked to see who it was.

Berrynose. A warrior and apprentice. I couldn't possibly beat them both. Mintfur leaped on Berrynose's back and started clawing his fur off. Berrynose yowled and rolled on his back. It took me a while to notice there were few ShadowClan cats and fewer WindClan cats. Some RiverClan cats were gone as well as other ThunderClan cats. Poppypaw got what she asked for. I flicked my hind legs in the air and leapt backwards. Poppypaw looked astonished. I reared up and I raked Poppypaw's flank. She was too startled to notice, she just kept staring. I leaped at her and ran my claws against her once more, this time she was paying attention. She took a swipe at me and got the end of my tail. Poppypaw ran out after I used another Tigerstar move on her. I looked to see who was left. It was mostly ThunderClan and RiverClan. Leopardstar was bleeding on her shoulder and Firestar his back and shoulder but the both of them kept on fighting. I counted; there were two ShadowClan cats and three WindClan. We were about even. I spotted something I didn't think I'd be seeing. Rainstorm, she was supposed to be in the mountains with the Tribe. Rainstorm was fighting Dapplenose. It looked like she was about to lose. I raced over and leaped on her back. Holding on tight with my claws. Tigerstar was whispering something to me but I couldn't hear. Holding onto Rainstorm with three paws and raking her shoulder with my forepaw was harder than I thought it would be. I had to leap off and then swipe.

"Were the mountains too scary for you?" Dapplenose mocked to Rainstorm, slashing her claws out.

"I don't see you risking your tail up in the mountains either." Rainstorm shot back, she rolled to get me off of her back.

"Yeah, but that's because we're loyal to our Clan, not to the Tribe." I sneered, swiping at her in mid-air. I felt my claws make contact but just barely. The cut I had made was small but at least it was bleeding a little. Dapplenose had run over to pin Rainstorm down after Rainstorm had rolled but the two she-cats stopped at stared at their leaders. I did too.

Standing together were Leopardstar and Firestar, both bleeding and panting. "RiverClan," Leopardstar mewed sharply. "Back off." The RiverClan warriors looked astonished but didn't argue. The warriors stepped off of the ThunderClan cats, their tails lashing furiously.

"ThunderClan," Firestar twitched his tail. "Get off." The simple order and the ThunderClan warriors got off.

"We decided to talk about the dream from StarClan." Leopardstar meowed loudly. "It is a dream from StarClan so it is like a puzzle and we don't want to shed and blood if we don't have to."

"The dream might be saying something like a band of rogues are attacking somewhere."

"Wait!" Rainstorm mewed. "Stealthpaw, this dream came from Feathertail, right?" I stared at her.

"Yes," I grumbled.

"Well, you see, there are rogues attacking the Tribe. Feathertail lives in the Sky of Endless Hunting so she'd know about that. Maybe Stealthpaw saw something like that." Rainstorm looked tat Firestar and Leopardstar.

"Maybe it meant that she was supposed to go up with the other cats," Leopardstar suggested.

"It does sound more likely than what she had before," Firestar grunted.

"There is no way I'm going to the mountains!" I exclaimed. "Not even if StarClan themselves came from the Silverpelt and begged me to go." I flicked my tail stubbornly.

"Yes," Firestar mewed. "I think we should stick with that." Firestar narrowed his eyes. "Leopardstar, do you really think that if StarClan didn't approve of the heritage of my warriors, they'd send them away somehow?" Leopardstar didn't answer. "StarClan is not stupid, Leopardstar. They know who has the heart of a true warrior. If they didn't want a cat or they didn't think that cat should be in the Clans, they'd do something." Firestar's reasoning made sense. Leopardstar nodded.

"Good-bye, Firestar." Leopardstar flicked her tail and started to walk out the clearing. "Let's go home," She mewed. The flame leader was staring at me. I blinked innocently. Firestar's gaze became blank and I gave a little shake of my head. I needed to get some more rest. I left the messy, bloody stone hollow. I didn't envy the ThunderClan warriors for when they had to pick up everything and do repairs. The ThunderClan warriors that had fled from the camp gave us dirty looks and returned to their shattered home.

"Bye!" Dapplenose mewed. "Have fun repairing your camp!" the scent of ShadowClan was fresh and leading towards the side of their border and WindClan's was heading over the border as well. I couldn't wait to get home to get some healing for the scratched I had received. I knew I would have to wait a long time though. A lot of the warriors were hurt more. I slid up to the front where Leopardstar was talking to Blackclaw.

"I heard Firestar lost two lives when he was fighting Blackstar. After he lost the seconded life, Firestar clawed Blackstar's ears off and sent him running home." Leopardstar's tone didn't have any amusement in it. It was bitter and cold as the river outside our dens.

"Two lives?" Blackclaw mewed. "At once?"

"Yeah, like Tigerstar and Scourge." Leopardstar's tone had a definite light, carefree tone to it. I didn't notice we were back on our territory. I was thinking about what Leopardstar had said. 'Like Tigerstar and Scourge', every cat knew that Scourge had killed Tigerstar in once easy heartbeat but Leopardstar sounded as though she was happy about it. I slid into the ice water that led us into camp. It felt good against my cuts and it was washing away dried blood. I hoped that I would be able o get it healed soon.

There were a lot of cats in the camp clearing. Willowpaw and Mothwing were rushing around, trying to put herbs on everyone's cuts and wounds. I was almost last because I had stayed in the water so long. Mothwing came by and laid a smooth, chewed leaf of marigold on it. I winced and had the urge to jump up and scream but I stayed put. The herb had made it nice and numb.

***

Three days after the fight, I was talking to Minnowpaw about the fight and how we could've won it, when Mistyfoot came over and said Leopardstar wanted to see me. I stood up. I had a feeling that she wanted to yell at me for carried away with the dream. Leopardstar was outside her den. I dipped my head towards her after I had reached her. Leopardstar merely returned my dip of the head with a slight twitch of the tail. She leaped onto the speaking rock and yowled. "Let all the cat who can catch their own prey gather here for a Clan meeting." I just stayed where I was. Now she's going to punish me. I don't think looking after the elders will be too bad. It might be fun. When the whole Clan had joined Leopardstar at the speaking rock, Leopardstar looked at me. My jaw dropped at the next few sentences.

"Blackclaw and I think it is time for Stealthpaw to get her warrior name. She has trained longer than any RiverClan apprentice. I, Leopardstar, leader of RiverClan call upon my warrior ancestors to look down at this apprentice, she has trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code and in return I demand you make her a warrior." Leopardstar had stopped talking and was looking at me. "Stealthpaw, do you promise to always uphold the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," I managed to choke out. My fur was quivering with anticipation. My time had come at last. I was the star right now. I was becoming a RiverClan warrior.

"Then, with the powers of StarClan, from this moment on, you will be known as Stealthcloud. StarClan and RiverClan honor your intelligence and bravery." Leopardstar had leaped off the speaking rock and rested her head; I barely could lick her shoulder. I managed somehow but I wasn't sure how.

"Stealthcloud! Stealthcloud! Stealthcloud!" Dapplenose yowled. Every cat in the Clan yowled it too, and I lifted my head up proudly. I was a warrior. The cats came up to congratulate me.

"Now, as a tradition, you must sit a silent vigil." Leopardstar's amber eyes were glowing and I was shaking with pleasure. I took my place in the center to the camp, ready to stay up all night, not that I would be able to sleep anyways. I sat with my tail curled over my paws, not feeling the cold because my happiness kept me warm. In my head I repeated the same word over and over. Stealthcloud. Stealthcloud. That was my name and I had worked hard to earn it.