Shadestar had been right about the border by the stream. LightningClan had triple marked the borders very recently, as if they were trying to make a point. They had made it, and Shadestar didn't like it one bit. As the EclipseClan cats trekked closer to the Tree Circle, Shadestar's hackles began to rise, and he was struggling to force them flat. The EclipseClan cats finally arrived, last as usual. They padded nonchalantly through, and as they did, Nightpaw noticed that the cats from the other clans shrank away, as if they were afraid that the EclipseClan cats would kill their apprentices too. Nightpaw searched the crowds frantically for Brightpaw, but he couldn't see her anywhere. He did see Jaypaw, who was sitting next to Crimsonpaw. The two of them were exchanging hushed whispers.
Nightpaw looked up at the great mushroom tree. Lilystar was watching them calmly, but even her claws worked on the soft mushroom. Cloverstar had finally returned to the gathering, her deputy Hawksoul was sitting in his rightful place next to the other deputies, Riverfrost and Shadowclaw, who was filling in for Lunarclaw, but the LightningClan deputy was perched in Adderstar's usual spot. He was a gray tom with white paws and speckles. Nightpaw recalled him being called Hailstorm.
"I'm surprised you had the courage to show your faces at this gathering, murderers!" Hailstorm snarled. Nightpaw briefly wondered what had happened to Adderstar.
"We're not murderers!" Shadestar screeched as he leaped onto the Great Mushroom, facing Hailstorm as his claws slid out. "Nightpaw was captured by Twolegs. He escaped, and he came back to his clan." Shadestar explained. He flicked his tail for Nightpaw to step forward. Nightpaw stepped forward slowly, and the cats from the other clans looked at each other with wide eyes, many of them filled with guilt or anger. Nightpaw noticed Jaypaw staring at him wide-eyed. He nudged Crimsonpaw, and Nightpaw strained to make out what he was saying, but to no avail. As he let his eyes search further, he noticed that the cats of the other clans now looked around nervously, as if they were about to be punished for a great wrong that they had done.
"Whatever. You'll never get back the territory we took from you. It's ours now. If you want it, you'll have to come and get it!" Hailstorm snarled menacingly. Shadestar looked as if he was fighting the temptation to claw Hailstorm's eyes out, but he kept himself from doing so. Hailstorm then continued with his report as If nothing was wrong. "Adderstar couldn't be here because of her newborn kits. There are two she-kits named Daykit and Birdkit, and the tom is Thunderkit. Wildkit is now Wildpaw and Dawnsplash is his mentor. Brightpaw has a new mentor, since an EclipseClan cat viciously murdered Bramblethorn. Cherryfoot is her mentor now. Also, the medicine cat apprentice Gingerpaw is now Gingerfur. Mintdapple rests in the stars"
"My three kits," Cloverstar butted in, "Are now apprentices. Their names are Eaglepaw, Duskpaw and Spottedpaw. Sunfeather is mentoring Eaglepaw and Twigtail mentors Duskpaw. Spottedpaw wanted to be a medicine cat apprentice, so she went with Barleytuft to the Moonlit Springs to get approved by StarClan." Cloverstar explained. "In addition, one of our queens, Pigeonlight is expecting Coalface's kits." Cloverstar finished.
"FloodClan has recently lost an apprentice. Mousepaw fell through the Leaf-bare fishing hole and drowned. The clan mourns for the loss of an apprentice who could have been a great warrior for her clan." Lilystar dipped her head, and Nightpaw noticed how none of the other leaders accused FloodClan of murdering one of their own apprentices. He flattened his ears. A FloodClan cat drowned? Doesn't that seem even the slightest bit far-fetched to you? Nightpaw narrowed his eyes at Lilystar, wondering if that really was what actually happened. "I have nothing else to announce." Lilystar mewed. Finally, Shadestar stepped forward.
"EclipseClan is growing stronger. We have two new warriors, three new apprentices, and four new kits." Shadestar hissed. "Marshfur and Russetfoot completed their training, and Sagepaw and Nightpaw will be finished with their training soon. Our three new apprentices are Blackpaw, Honeypaw and Leopardpaw. Lunarclaw has given birth to four kits, two toms and two she-cats. The toms are Fogkit and Jaggedkit, whilst the she-kits are Rowankit and Moonkit. In addition, two of our senior warriors have retired to the elder's den. Goldencloud and Oddeyes are the elders."
Shadestar rushed through the announcements, as if they weren't even important, and when Nightpaw looked at Marshpaw, she was in quite the frenzy. Her fur was sticking up, her claws were out, and rage burned like a fire through her eyes. "I want to address one more thing before this gathering is adjourned." He hissed slowly and bitterly. "If I see any cats from any one of the clans on the wrong side of the border, I will personally rip their pelts off." He threatened before leaping down from the Mushroom Tree. The EclipseClan cats followed, but Nightpaw broke off from them. He crept through the forest, towards the border, searching for his love. A familiar scent encompassed him. He followed it to the charred oak, where he saw Brightpaw sitting on a branch at the top of the tree, their branch at the top of the tree… He pricked his ears as he hid in the thick foliage.
"Nightpaw…" Brightpaw sighed as she gazed at the stars. "I wonder which star is meant to represent you… You could visit me in my dreams any time you want. I need the company. I've been so lonely since you left me; lonelier than I ever thought was possible. I've been lonely before. Every day that I couldn't see you before was like a thousand years of loneliness, but now my grief is not for the fact that our love is forbidden, it is the fact that my love is dead. You are my love, Nightpaw, and… I want to see you again, I really do, why haven't you come to me…" Brightpaw's eyes began to water as she spoke to the stars, the empty stars that would not listen to the declarations of her love. "Every day it feels like thorn sharp claws are ripping through my heart, I'm bleeding from the inside out…" Brightpaw stopped talking, but she continued to gaze at the stars. Nightpaw trotted out of the thick foliage. Brightpaw was too engaged with the stars to notice his presence, even as he began to climb the tree. The branch that him and Brightpaw usually perched upon was rather sturdy, so it didn't sway as he finally reached it. Brightpaw saw nothing moving in the corner of her eye for Nightpaw's pelt matched the night sky and the pitch-black trunk of the charred tree. Brightpaw didn't know he was there until he joined her on the branch. Brightpaw's head darted to the side. Her eyes widened as she gapped at him. The shock caused her to lose her balance and she teetered on the edge of the branch. Nightpaw managed to grab her by the scruff and pull her back into the tree.
"N-N-Nightpaw?" Brightpaw gaped at him in shock. "How are you-" She stopped as bushes started moving on the edge of the clearing. "Nightpaw, hide!" She urged, but it was too late. Nightpaw leaped down from the tree to come face to face with Crimsonpaw. He sighed with relief. Jaypaw was following close behind her, but he hadn't seen Nightpaw yet.
"Brightpaw, Nightpaw is-" Jaypaw started to explain, but Crimsonpaw interrupted him.
"Save your breath, Jaypaw." Crimsonpaw hissed, narrowing her eyes at Nightpaw, and stepping aside so Jaypaw could see him. "He's already here."
"What?" Jaypaw hissed. "Do you know how far in our territory you are? This isn't the border anymore!" He snarled as his fur began to stand on end. His claws worked on the bare ground beneath his paws. He looked as if he was about to jump forward and attack Nightpaw, but Brightpaw hurried down the tree, darting in between them. She faced Jaypaw.
"You won't hurt him." She hissed firmly. For a short while, Jaypaw returned her look, but he eventually forced his fur to lie flat and he sheathed his claws. He watched as Brightpaw turned towards Nightpaw. "Nightpaw, I missed you so much!" She wailed as she nuzzled into him, taking in his sweet scent. "I've had trouble sleeping at night, and I've fallen way behind in my training. I was thinking about joining StarClan, Nightpaw… But now that you're back, none of that matters anymore." She purred as she licked his cheek. Nightpaw licked her cheek as well.
"Ugh, why don't you take that to the border?" Jaypaw hissed. Crimsonpaw was staring at Brightpaw and Nightpaw longingly. She flicked her tail towards them, and then looked at Jaypaw, but he didn't pick up her hint. She sighed as he began to trot off, but he turned around. "You coming Crimsonpaw?"
"Uh, uh… Oh, yeah!" Crimsonpaw stammered before she padded over to join him, leaving Nightpaw and Brightpaw to themselves. They crawled into the small cavern under the Charred Oak, and there they spent the night. They stayed there until they could smell the fresh scent of dawn. Brightpaw sighed before looking at Nightpaw.
"I don't want to say goodbye, Nightpaw…" She whispered into his ear. Her purr was slowly fading. Nightpaw nodded in agreement. He stared at Brightpaw with sad eyes. He stretched and got to his feet. He turned around to look at Brightpaw. She sighed. "I'll see you at the half moon, Nightpaw." Nightpaw nodded before he finally padded away from the Charred Oak. He managed to creep to the border without any interference. He leaped across the stream, and he immediately felt like someone was watching him. He scented the air. A familiar scent wafted into the scent glands on the roof of his mouth. Oh no… He thought, as he looked around frantically. This can't be- A large creature leaped out of bushes, crashing into Nightpaw with great force. He opened his mouth to yowl. The world had gone silent, except for the creature's snarling. Nightpaw looked up at the creature that was pinning him. It was about three times his size, it's huge black paws and long sharp claws were bigger than Nightpaw's head. The large creature was pure muscle, save for its thick gray fur. Black stripes lined its white muzzle, and saliva hung like strings from the creature's long yellow fangs. It's breath reeked crow-food, it was ten times worse than Sourfang's. Nightpaw knew instantly what this creature was. It was a badger. He closed his eyes, wishing he could yowl for help. As he did so, he remembered something Raggedpelt had told him. 'Nightflower couldn't speak, either... It was her silence that killed her...She couldn't call for help when the badger attacked... and then they found her body the next day.' Nightflower's silence killed her… My silence will kill me as well! Nightpaw opened his eyes again. The badger lifted one of it's huge paws into the air.
"No!" A loud shriek split the air as another cat charged through the foliage, crashing into the badger at full-force. The badger stumbled backwards clumsily as the new cat's claws tore through its pelt. The thick fur didn't part well, and the claws never reached flesh. Nightpaw stared wide-eyed as he realized who had just saved his life. Sourfang was desperately clawing at the badger. He ducked to avoid a swipe from the large creature, and jumped over another swipe, straight towards the badger's snapping jaws. He stretched out his claws, slashing at the badger's muzzle after somehow avoiding the creature's fangs. Nightpaw was too scared to move. What is Sourfang doing here alone? He thought, but Sourfang wasn't alone. Molefang and Sagepaw leaped out of the bushes after Sourfang. Molefang's eyes widened. "Go get help!" Sourfang shrieked. Molefang nodded and dashed off as fast as he could. Sourfang leaped onto the badger's back. He clawed at its ears as he did so, and the badger roared in pain. Sagepaw and Nightpaw both took a step forward, ready to attack, but Sourfang leaped off of the badger. He briefly took his eyes off of the badger to tell them to stay put, but as soon as he did so, the badger lifted one of its paws.
"Sourfang, watch out!" Sagepaw cried, but it was too late. The badger's paw swiped Sourfang aside effortlessly. Sourfang flew through the air. A loud crack echoed through the air as Sourfang's body hit a tree. He lay still by the roots of the tree. The badger began to lumber towards Sourfang's broken body. Nightpaw's eyes became clouded with a red haze as he realized that Sourfang wasn't breathing, at least not as far as he could tell. Nightpaw lunged forward as a surge of adrenaline coursed through his veins. His claws pierced through the badger's throat. The badger opened his mouth to let out a shriek of pain, but he coughed blood in Nightpaw's face instead. Nightpaw ripped his claws out of the badger's throat, and the creature teetered before falling to the ground, blood gushing from the wound on its throat. Nightpaw stood over the body. The red haze faded, and Sagepaw trembled from the spot where she had been watching.
"Nightpaw…" A creaky voice sounded from the roots of the tree where Sourfang lay. Nightpaw rushed over to his side. He crouched over his mentor's body as the breath grew slower. Sourfang turned to look up at Nightpaw, but he winced in pain. Nightpaw's eyes widened, and he moved to pick Sourfang up, but Sourfang stopped him. "Don't bother. There is nothing Sorrelwhisker can do for me… I still don't know where I'm going when my breath fades but-" Sourfang stopped and trembled, convulsing almost. In his eyes, Nightpaw was beginning to get blurry, and the sounds were fuzzing out. He was leaving this world. "Nightpaw, listen, there is something I need to tell you." He convulsed again, and with each convulsion he lost more of his vision and more of his hearing. His voice was lowering to a whisper as he continued on, and Nightpaw had to prick his ears to hear what Sourfang had to say. "I'm sorry I was always so hard on you during training, but I wanted you to be stronger. Everything I ever said to you… I only ever said it so that you would become stronger." Sourfang convulsed again, and he struggled to continue onward, but this had to be said, he couldn't leave Nightpaw hanging. "Because, Nightpaw, you are like the son I never had, and the kit that I never got to raise… You… are… like… a son to me… You will make… a fine warrior… Don't… Don't… forget… me…" Sourfang finally stopped struggling. He had said what needed to be said, and he had hung on to his last breath so he could say it. The moment was over, and he breathed out for the last time. Nightpaw looked down at Sourfang as tears dropped slowly to the forest floor. All along… Sourfang just wanted me to be the best warrior I could be… all those things he said, he was just trying to toughen me up… And I was like a son to him… Sourfang… You were like my father too. Both you and Toadleap wanted me to be the best I could be… You each had a different approach, but you both had the same goal… And now… Both of you are gone. The realization overwhelmed Nightpaw. He almost broke down into tears, but one thing stopped him. Sagepaw padded over and put her tail on his shoulder.
"I… I miss Tigerblaze." She mewed sadly. Nightpaw put his tail on her shoulder as well. They sat there, until Nightpaw scented a patrol. Shadestar crashed through the bushes. His eyes widened at the sight before him. He saw the bloodied body of the badger, and he saw Nightpaw and Sagepaw crouched over by a tree at the edge of the clearing. He slowly padded over, until he stood behind the two apprentices. The rest of the patrol that had come with him was Molefang, Scorchflame, Owlfrost and Fernleaf and they were exchanging nervous glances. Shadestar looked down at Sourfang's body. He closed his eyes and sighed. Shadestar then turned around and faced his patrol.
"We need to get Sourfang back to camp. Molefang and Scorchflame, you can carry him. Owlfrost and Fernleaf, see to it that your kits get to Sorrelwhisker as soon as we return to camp." Shadestar then proceeded to lead them home to camp, after Molefang and Scorchflame had picked up Sourfang's body. They reached camp fairly quickly. The clan was beginning to awaken from their slumber. Warriors padded out of the den. As soon as they saw Sourfang's body, they returned to the den. Soon, the entire clan was awake. Shadestar instructed Molefang and Scorchflame to set Sourfang's body down. Shadestar padded up to Sagepaw. He whispered in her ear. "Did you two kill the badger?" He asked. Nightpaw nodded. Sagepaw opened her mouth to protest that she didn't, but Shadestar leaped onto the tree stump. He didn't have to call the clan. They were already gathered. "This is a sad day for our clan." Shadestar announced. "We have lost a senior warrior who gave many faithful moons to his clan. Sourfang's spirit now rests with StarClan." Hushed whispers spread throughout the clan, until one question aroused.
"Who killed him?" Leopardpaw asked.
"A badger." Shadestar sighed sadly. Immediately after Shadestar uttered those words, worried words were whispered through cats of the clans. Shadestar quickly hushed them. "Fear not. The badger is dead. Two apprentices brought down the mighty beast, single-pawed. Nightpaw and Sagepaw, step forward." Nightpaw's blood went cold as he realized what was happening. Nightpaw looked at Sagepaw. Her eyes went wide as she noticed what was going on. Shadestar continued. "Never have I seen two apprentices who were more worthy of their warrior names." Shadestar paused before beginning the ceremony. "I, Shadestar, leader of EclipseClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these two apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Sagepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." Sagepaw's voice had a new certainty to it. This time, she was ready.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Sagepaw, from this moment you will be known as Sagespot. StarClan honors your spirit and perseverance and we welcome you as a full warrior of EclipseClan." Shadestar finished Sagepaw's warrior ceremony, but this time, the cheering would be after both ceremonies had been completed. Shadestar looked towards Nightpaw. "Nightpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Shadestar asked. Nightpaw nodded confidently. His heart felt like it was fluttering out of his chest. This is it… My warrior name… Nightpaw flicked his ears, sensing a strange presence. He looked around, and three starry figures watching him from the edge of the clearing, but no one else seemed to see them. They were the figures of Toadleap, Sourfang, and Nightflower; there to watch him become the warrior he was meant to be. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Nightpaw, from this moment you will be known as Nightwhisper. StarClan honors your silent bravery and we welcome you as a full warrior of EclipseClan."
"Sagespot, Nightwhisper! Sagespot, Nightwhisper!" The clan cheered. Nightwhisper pricked his ears to take in loud cheering. He was a warrior. He was finally a warrior. Him and Sagepaw would sit vigil until dusk. According to tradition, that was the way things were supposed to be done. He padded to the edge of camp. He sat down, and watched the sun rise. He closed his eyes, letting the warm sun wash over his pelt. Nightwhisper didn't feel like a warrior. He still felt like an apprentice…
"Nightwhisper?" Sagespot trotted over to join him. "I… I've been wanting to tell you-" Sagespot stopped as Shadestar began to make his way over.
"Must I remind you that this is supposed to be a silent vigil?" He chuckled. "Don't worry, Sagespot. I'm sure that whatever it is, it can wait until dusk." Sagespot nodded, but afterwards, she looked at the ground sadly. Nightwhisper sighed a silent sigh of relief. Thank you Shadestar… I have a feeling that I know what Sagespot was trying to say… And I just can't deal with that now, not now…
Nightwhisper waited through the daylight, thinking about what would happen now. His biggest dream had always been to be a warrior. Now that he had fulfilled it, what would he do now? He could never raise an apprentice, or become deputy. He would always be just another warrior in the clan, and wouldn't meeting Brightpaw get harder as the days went on? More cats would be relying on him, looking up to him. How could he remain a loyal warrior to his clan, but continue to meet Brightpaw? Slow down, Nightpa- err… Nightwhisper. You don't need to think about that now. Right now, you need to concentrate on being the best warrior you can be…