RISE OF THE CLANS #1: SCARLET MONSOON
CHAPTER 12

"What did you say, you piece of fox-dung!"

Enraged, Oak Shade stood face to face with a SkyClan tom; the black-and-orange tom-kit's golden eyes had turned into furious slits and his tail powerfully swung in different directions, portraying mad anger.

"You heard it the first time," the older, striped yellow tom flashed back, mockingly.

A growl erupted from Oak Shade's throat, "I'll turn you into scraps!"

"Why don't you head back to the nursery, kit?"

Tensing his muscles, he was about to leap onto the SkyClan tom.

"Oak Shade!" called a familiar voice. Oak Shade abandoned his stance as Lighting Tail bounded up towards them, dislodging clumps of turf with his paws as he raced towards the Bark Trail. Oak Shade could see the worry and apprehension in his racy movements. Within heartbeats, Lightning Tail came to a stop at Oak Shade's flank. The tom's eyes were wide with concern. "Are you okay? Noticing the SkyClan tom, in a tense tone, he added, "What's going on?"

Lip curled back, the striped yellow tom was sneering at him; it was an obvious sign that the SkyClan cat was disrespecting him.

"That mouse-brain insulted me!" Oak Shade hissed, refusing to back down. The fur on the back of his neck was still bristled up and his claws were unsheathed. He was ready for a fight.

Before anymore insults could be exchanged, there was a rustle on the other side of the Bark Trail. From a neatly chopped bush, three more SkyClan cats emerged. The hackles on Oak Shade's back and neck rose even higher. A gray-and-white she-cat led the way, parting the leaves of the bush with her small frame. Two cats followed her, but they preferred to stay watching, disclosed in the shrubbery. Relieved at not recognising Skystar's scent, Oak Shade's fur fell slightly.

"Greetings, Lightning Tail." The gray-and-white she-cat lowered her head. "I'm sorry about the behaviour of Honey Pelt," she calmly meowed. "He's still young and has a lot to learn," she added, glancing at the back of his head.

"As am I, Quick Water," Lightning Tail answered, returning Quick Water's earlier gesture of greeting. "We'll be on our way," the black tom acknowledged. "May StarClan light your paths," he ended.

Oak Shade had kept his eyes pinned on Honey Pelt. But as Lighting Tail poked him with his tail, he spun around and followed the older tom back into the forest.

Once the SkyClan cats were out of earshot, Lightning Tail indicated for him to stop. "You can't go around provoking cats like that," he warned. "It'll only lead to trouble."

"It was nothing I couldn't handle!" Oak Shade retorted. "Besides, he was−"

"I'm tired of your excuses," Lightning Tail disciplined. "You know that you aren't old enough to handle a proper fight. It's unnecessary!" Lightning Tail exclaimed. "The Clans are at peace. We should be happy for it to remain that way," the black tom's lecture rambled on. "You need to control your anger better," he advised. Growing calmer, Lightning Tail began to head off further into the forest, flicking his tail over his body for Oak Shade to follow. "Let me show you something," he called. "It should help."

Knowing he'd get in trouble if he didn't, Oak Shade padded after Lightning Tail. The green forest extended out before him as he followed Lightning Tail through thick undergrowth. He had grown more familiar with how to handle the overgrown environment, and it was easier, than previously, for him to manoeuvre through it. Although as they progressed towards their destination, he became lost in his thoughts from earlier in the day.

Despite still being unsure about his loyalties, Oak Shade wished that Thunderstar or Violet Dawn had taken him out into the territory. But they had been busy. His mother, Violet Dawn, had told him that with Thunderstar being the Clan's leader, he can't be going off with him all the time. He was at least glad that Lightning Tail had offered to take him out hunting. The black tom was close with his father and had always treated him fairly and nicely. Even if he was still stinging from Lightning Tail's words, there were plenty of cats in ThunderClan that would have irritated him more.

Lightning Tail was waiting at the roots of an aging tree, hunched over. The black tom's eyes darted up as he heard Oak Shade coming closer. "I shouldn't have gotten so angry with you," he apologized, eyes glimmering with regret. "You're still just a kit."

Oak Shade felt a further stinging pain as he squirmed under Lightning Tail's words. I hate how everyone thinks less of me because I'm still a kit! Indignation forced his jaw open. "Soon enough, I'll be more than a kit!" he yowled, puffing out his orange-patched chest.

His Clanmate's eyes filled with amusement, and he bent downwards to touch noses with Oak Shade. "One day, you will be. But for now, you must accommodate your lesser strength," Lightning Tail wisely advised.

Oak Shade's fur began to settle down. Then, his eyes fell upon the tree; it was bent over with age, and it looked as though it would tumble any heartbeat soon. "What's this meant to be?" he wondered aloud, already feeling bored. "When are we going to do some hunting?"

"This is a crucial lesson for any young cat," Lightning Tail explained. The black tom pointed his tail at the roots of the tree. "Collect the moss."

Moss covered the roots; it looked compact and soft and dry. Must be because of the hot weather recently, Oak Shade thought. But it didn't faze the boastful tom-kit. "Easy," he snorted.

The black-and-orange tom-kit neared the roots of the tree. Observing the moss, he hastily leaned forwards. Instinctively, Oak Shade raised an unsheathed forepaw and slashed his claws down one of the tree's roots. Bundles of moss started to litter the forest floor. Numerous smaller strands also fluttered around, drifting off at random angles.

"Can we hunt now?" I'd rather be doing something more challenging," Oak Shade mewed. "It's quicker than saying mouse!" he added, rebelliously.

Lightning Tail pointed to the shredded moss with a black forepaw. "Look," he told Oak Shade, "at how scattered and broken the moss is. Your clawing method lacks precision and control. Do you get what I'm saying?"

With a slight uncertainty, Oak Shade slowly nodded.

"Try it again, more slowly, and keep your cutline straight," Lightning Tail urged him.

Oak Shade rested a forepaw at the bottom of another root, thinking about how he would keep his claw movement under control. First, Oak Shade reigned his claws in and out, to test his level of control. Second, slowly raising his forepaw into position, he sliced the moss, making sure he could always feel the root with the edge of his claws. The moss stayed intact; this time no bits were fluttering around the clearing, though the pile of moss was still a little messy.

"Good!" Lightning Tail praised. "That was a lot better!"

"If only I could try this on some real prey," Oak Shade sarcastically responded.

Lightning Tail's black tail softly slapped against the side of his muzzle. "Good try," he joked. Lightning Tail's expression became more serious as he meowed, "Try it again – practise makes perfect."

Disappointed, Oak Shade's tail snaked along the forest floor, sending white dandelion fluff swirling into the air.

"Don't worry," Lightning Tail reassured him. "You'll get to test what you've learnt later on."

That made Oak Shade become more positive. "Okay," he mewed, brightening up.

Time passed as Oak Shade was taught how to perfect his clawing technique. Eventually, as the sun had risen high into the sky, the young black-and-orange tom-kit had grown competent in his ability.

"I think that's good enough for now," Lightning Tail told him. "Are you ready for some real practise?"

"Definitely!" Oak Shade mewed, excited for the hunt ahead.

- SCENEBREAK -

From Oak Shade's eyes, the hunt had been an utter disaster. Frustrated, he lashed his tail against a tendril vine. In the time spent hunting, he had only managed to catch one measly starling.

"It's not even a full meal!" he mumbled underneath his breath. High above in the unreachable canopy, vibrant birdsong raked like claws against his ears. Patronised, Oak Shade yowled, "Shut up, you stupid birds!" For a heartbeat, the birds fell silent. But it didn't last long; their birdsong soon continued. "Even the birds aren't afraid of me," he grumbled to himself.

The thin, humid air sapped his energy as he padded towards camp. Lightning Tail had told him to go off on his own and hunt, whilst he did the same, and return to camp afterwards, so they could go back out later. But Oak Shade was reminded of his failure by the swinging starling in his jaw. It made Oak Shade's tail continue to lash in irritation as he prowled through a clump of bracken. Soon enough, he'd be back in camp, and it wasn't hard for him to imagine the victorious sneer that would cross Morning Fire's face.

"I'll show that she-cat," Oak Shade mumbled through the starling's light brown quills.

In his solitude, Oak Shade's thoughts went back to the events of last sunrise.

A day had passed since his confrontation with his father, Thunderstar, and he still felt unsure about Thunderstar's past. A knot in his stomach made it feel worse so than that sunset. It all seems wrong, Oak Shade had repeated many times over in his head. Can he be solely loyal to ThunderClan? Oak Shade wasn't sure. He'd heard plenty of stories about his father. In those stories, it was clear the respect Thunderstar held for the other Clan leaders. Would his respect for the other Clans hold him back? Would the mighty orange tom really be reliable in battle against his former Clanmates? Oak Shade adored his father, but he wanted proof of his father's loyalty to his Clan.

There was also Blue Whisker. Oak Shade had found out at the Gathering that she was one of Moth Flight's kits that had been scattered across the rest of the Clans. How on earth will they manage to stay loyal to their Clans instead of each other? he dubiously mused. If Spider Paw was about to rip my throat out, what would Blue Whisker do? Oak Shade had trusted the white-and-yellow she-cat. But everything had now changed; he didn't feel he could trust someone, who could easily betray him. I must find out whether or not she's loyal, Oak Shade decided. Maybe… Just maybe… I'd be able to accept her as a Clanmate.

A warm call sounded from deeper in the forest, breaking into his thoughts. "Oak Shade!" Hazel Burrow greeted, joyfully. The black-and-white tom bounded towards him, brushing blades of grass into the air. "How much have you caught?" Hazel Burrow eagerly asked.

Ashamed, Oak Shade looked down at the limp bird, which was feebly hanging from his jaw. "Only a starling," he muttered through a mouth of feathers. "It literally fell into my paws," he admitted.

"That still isn't bad!" Hazel Burrow encouraged, giving him a friendly shove. The warm black-and-white tom spun around. Over his shoulder, he mewed, "I'll see you back in camp, once I've collected my prey."

All of a sudden, a black tom prowled towards them. "We'll go back to camp now and come back out later," Lightning Tail mouthed through the pelt of a plump squirrel. As he saw Hazel Burrow, he added, "I hope you're doing something useful?"

"Of course, Lightning Tail. I'm hunting with Milkweed and Snail Shell." The black-and-white tom dipped his head, respectfully to the senior cat. With a flashing look at Oak Shade, Hazel Burrow hurried back into the forest to gather his prey.

Oak Shade turned his attention to Lightning Tail. When comparing his starling to Lightning Tail's fat squirrel, Oak Shade felt further disappointment well up inside of him. The squirrel was stoat and juicy, whilst, in comparison, his starling seemed small and scrawny.

If only I was bigger, I'd have even more power to rip my prey to shreds!

"I only managed to catch a starling," he told Lightning Tail. Defensively, he lied through clenched teeth, "It was a good catch!"

Lighting Tail glanced back at him. "I'm sure it was," he purred. "Anyway, the Clan is well-fed at the moment, so it doesn't matter too much."

Oak Shade blinked. "How long do you think it'll be till I've grown properly?" Looking down at his paws, Oak Shade realised how gangly and lanky he appeared. But he also felt proud, to see growing muscles forming underneath his still fluffy pelt.

"About six moons," Lightning Tail estimated. "You know, Oak Shade, you should enjoy these younger moons whilst you can," he encouraged. "You're only a kit once, you can't be serious all the time!"

"I suppose," Oak Shade responded, his golden eyes glowing. "But I just want to serve my Clan to the best of my abilities."

Lightning Tail's green eyes shone back at him. "I'm sure you will!" he agreed. "If you're even half of your father, you'll be a great cat!"

Oak Shade was surprised by Lightning Tail's comment. I didn't realise cats expect me to live up to Thunderstar's reputation.

- SCENEBREAK -

They headed back to camp, with Lightning Tail in the lead. It didn't take long for them to make their way down the ravine and into camp. Once in camp, Lightning Tail meowed, "Have something to eat and don't take too long. We'll go out again soon."

The broad-shouldered black tom dropped his squirrel on the fresh-kill pile and sat down in a shaded part of camp, which was partly covered by the camp's bramble wall. Similarly, Oak Shade deposited his starling on the pile. In its place, the black-and-orange tom-kit took a plump mouse and settled down in a patch of grass. Rays of sun warmed his pelt as he laid down to eat.

Halfway through his meal, Hazel Burrow returned to camp. The black-and-white tom gently placed his prey down on the fresh-kill pile. Then, blackbird in jaw, he padded over to Oak Shade. Hazel Burrow dipped his head in greeting, Oak Shade did the same, and sat down alongside Oak Shade. The toms were busy eating, so they didn't talk much, preferring to let the heat of the sun soak their pelts.

Gradually, after they had finished their prey, Blue Whisker came over to join them; she had just come back from a patrol. "Greetings," she mewed to them, softly flicking her tail along Hazel Burrow's flank.

It made Oak Shade's spine tingle. Beginning to feel uncomfortable, he scuffled his paws along the baked, sandy soil and tufts of grass. Blue Whisker had been nicer to him than Morning Fire and Shivering Rose had ever been. But Oak Shade's newfound knowledge about her had distorted his perceptions of his Clanmate.

Blue Whisker's translucent blue whiskers were glinting in the sunlight. "Did you catch anything good?" the white-and-yellow she-cat asked them.

Hazel Burrow shrugged. "Just the same old stuff," the black-and-white tom casually mewed.

As the conversation went on, Oak Shade thought he could smell a gorse and heather scent that sometimes drifts over from the direction of Fourtress. It's the same scent from the Gathering! Alarmed, he shivered. WindClan! Those rabbit-munchers!

Blue Whisker, picking up on Oak Shade's uncomfortableness, asked, "Are you okay, Oak Shade?" The white-and-yellow she-cat looked concerned as she glanced at him. "You seem a little jumpy."

She's as good as Hazel Burrow's sister. But, for the good of all my Clanmates, I must find out whether or not she's loyal.

"How do you feel about being born in WindClan?" Oak Shade suddenly blurted out.

Hazel Burrow's expression transcended to shock, whilst Blue Whisker's whiskers just twitched. "I feel like I was born here," she casually answered. Hazel Burrow's foster sister seemed to be unperturbed by Oak Shade's unanticipated question.

"But don't you remember things from WindClan?" he countered.

"Not really," Blue Whisker murmured. "It was a long time ago. Other than the smell of heather, my mother, and littermates, I can barely remember much."

Before Oak Shade could challenge her further, Lightning Tail came padding up. "Time to go," he stated, interrupting any further questions Oak Shade could interrogate Blue Whisker with.

Oak Shade gathered himself to his paws, readying to join Lightning Tail.

"Can I come, too?" Hazel Burrow murmured.

"Of course," Lightning Tail warmly replied. He peered at Blue Whisker. "What about you?"

"I'm okay here," Blue Whisker replied, her usual tone suggesting she wasn't bothered by Oak Shade's enquiries. "Thanks for the offer though."

"No problem." Lightning Tail turned to Hazel Burrow and Oak Shade. "Let's go. We'll go mark the border first."

- SCENEBREAK -

Lightning Tail, Hazel Burrow, and Oak Shade were now deep in the forest, heading towards the border that faced away from Fourtrees. Ever since leaving camp, Hazel Burrow hadn't said a word to Oak Shade. The black-and-orange tom-kit presumed it was because of how he'd questioned Blue Whisker. I had no choice! he told himself. What if she betrayed us in battle? How would Hazel Burrow feel then?

It didn't take them long to reach the border. Oak Shade could spot the plain and weirdly straight shapes of the Twolegplace in the distance. Protected by the overarching trees and deep undergrowth, Oak Shade thanked StarClan that they weren't any closer. As a monster made a loud, disgruntled noise on the Thunderpath, the three cats sprayed the border in ThunderClan scent and were about to go hunting.

But there was movement from the other side of the border, the bushes swishing and shaking. All three cats' ears perked up, and they twisted around to fix their eyes at the source of the noise.

Lightning Tail sniffed, drawing in scent. Instantly, he recoiled. Lightning Tail's broad head was shaking in disbelieve. Oak Shade inhaled scent for himself. It was cat scent!

At that moment, a scruffy black tom with jagged white markings appeared through the dense shrubbery; his green eyes were glazed with intense worry. The scruffy tom glanced over his shoulder. An orange tabby she-cat was slowly following him; the unkempt she-cat was unsteady on her paws. Panting with exhaustion, she swayed from side to side. Both cats were extremely tense as they slowly approached the three Clan cats.

Oak Shade could hear the start of a snarl coming from Lightning Tail's throat, but he ignored it. Compelled to find out who these cats were, Oak Shade asked:

"Who are you?"

Tenseness fading, the black-and-white tom drew closer. The tom's green eyes evenly matched the golden gaze of Oak Shade.

"My name is Splinter."

Author's Notes:
I've been really looking forward to writing Splinter's return in this chapter & the next, and I just had to end on a huge cliff-hanger. It was longer than I thought, and I did one extra edit for this. :P Anyhow, I had fun including the scuffle at the start, Lightning Tail, Hazel Burrow, and Blue Whisker. So I hope you enjoyed all that business! :D I'll probably post the next chapter on Sunday, so it isn't a long wait for you guys. Stay tuned to see what'll happen with Splinter & his mysterious companion. I wonder if anyone can guess who she is and what's wrong with her! And did you guess it was Splinter before the big reveal? I did add that Splinter has jagged white markings to explain his name. :D Feedback/comments always appreciated, regardless of length. Thanks for reading, peeps! :)
3,137 words / 12,857 words for Oak Shade's PoV / 38,910 total
-UKEAGLECLAW-

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