Another chapter for everyone!!! I'm really neglecting my main series which hurts my soul!! But Heart of Water is just coming more easily to me! Also this one-shot-that-somehow-turned-into-a-freaking-series-of-it's-own is having a much larger plot development then I was expecting. It might actually take a while to finish it. Like, I'm talking about extending through books! Currently at this point in time it's still in "Into the Wild '' crazy!!! And unfortunately I've got another one-shot-that-somehow-will-turn-into-a-freaking-min-series-I-just-know-it! So…yeah…enjoy!
Review, favorite and follow!
P.s. Thank you Eter for wishing me a happy birthday!!! I love all my readers!!!
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"...and that's why we're sneaking into ShadowClan territory."
After a brief but highly informative explanation on why both Morningpaw and Whitepaw are planning on sneaking into dangerous enemy territory. Silverstream had taken a deep breath, looked the pair straight in the eyes and point blank invited herself to accompany the trio.
Morningpaw had expected the silver-and-black tabby to come up with a well thought-out determent, as expected of the Clan leader's daughter, but then again, Oakheart was Silverstream's uncle.
"But it's not just the four of us, is it?" Silverstream meowed, causing the RiverClan cats to look towards Ravenpaw.
The ThunderClan apprentice's green eyes were narrowed down into near slits as he seemed to be going over his options.
Morningpaw couldn't imagine just what options he would be having to consider.
Then something sparked in his gaze and his tail perked up to stand tall behind him. "I know just who to bring." Ravenpaw gestures for them to wait as he slips back into the bushes.
Leaning down towards them, Silverstream whispered between their ears, "Are you quite sure we can do this?"
Morningpaw simply glanced back up at her worried friends, and gave them a nod of reassurance. "Together we will."
The RiverClan cat's waited for what felt like forever. Though really it couldn't have been more than the time it took for the sun to dip beyond the trees before Ravenpaw was returning. With a companion in tow.
"I don't know why you're being all secretive all of a sudden, Ravenpaw."
Morningpaw stiffened as she recognized that voice. She recognized that voice.
"Graypaw, y-you might wanna-"
The bushes rustled as two ThunderClan apprentices slid out from underneath the short stem branches. One was Ravenpaw, the anxious and worried filled jet-black tom was darting his gaze between the trio of RiverClan cats and his now frozen companion. The other was--neither one of them had seen more than six moons when a dark gray tom with a stripe of darker gray fur running down his back had first found Morningpaw, Rusty in a past life, in the forest. This tom had been the first forest cat that Rusty had ever met and had become one of the greatest friends that a cat could have. They had been through their apprenticeship together, had become warriors together, had become leader and deputy, and had grown old having fought side by side, from leaf-bare to new-leaf, through sorrow and joy, through death and new life.
Graypaw. Morningpaw thought as she attempted not to stare longingly at her lifelong and bestest friend.
She tried not to take it personally when Graypaw reared back in alarm, his claws sliding out, while his fur began to bristle as his yellow eyes filled with hostility aimed at the opposing Clan cats.
"RiverClan!" Graypaw spat venomously, "what are you doing on ThunderClan territory? Trying to take more of it?"
"Graypaw-" Ravenpaw tried to butt in, but Graypaw wasn't listening as he pushed the smaller tom back.
"Go get back up!" Graypaw hissed before flinging himself upon a surprised Morningpaw.
The flame-pelted she-cat rolled with the force of the sudden attack. Over moons of living in Riverclan, Morningpaw's pelt has morphed to a sleek, glossy fur texture which was now slick as ice, a great attribute gained from eating a heavy fish based diet. This caused the attacking ThunderClan apprentice to gain no grip on Morningpaw.
The jade eyed she-cat was able to slither out from underneath the fat, very fat, apprentice body. Graypaw, on the other paw, had a thick fur mane that Morningpaw took advantage of. The flame-pelted she-cat dug her claws into Graypaw's neck fur and dragged him face forward, into the dirt, and practically sat upon his head as he wiggled beneath her.
Morningpaw balanced carefully upon her once-in-a-past-life friend's head. Making sure she kept his nose uncovered and wasn't putting too much pressure on his neck so he wouldn't choke to death.
Morningpaw felt a little ridiculous sitting atop the head of someone she was once closer to than blood, but she could also find amusement out of it too as Graypaw wiggled underneath her like a sad stuck little beetle.
Morningpaw flicked her sleek plumy tail and gestured for Ravenpaw to come closer, instructing the jet black tom without words to explain the situation to his Clanmate.
"C-calm down, Graypaw." Ravenpaw began nervously, "they're just trying to h-help us."
Graypaw let out a smothered grunt of disbelief.
"A-and they know about the kits." Ravenpaw quickly continued, "I told them about ShadowClan taking them. They want to help us get them back."
A muffled response came after a moment, "they could be lying."
Ravenpaw's ear flicked as he turned wide green eyes on Morningpaw. In turn, Morningpaw stared back reassuringly.
Taking a deep breath, Ravenpaw continues. "I d-don't think they are Graypaw. RiverClan has their own issues with ShadowClan. They dislike them as much as we do. Just because ShadowClan isn't following the--the warrior code, doesn't mean that the other Clan's have forgotten."
Ravenpaw glanced back up at Morningpaw, who nodded and went to address Graypaw herself. "We're not looking for a fight. Far from it." With a bit of reluctance, Morningpaw scrambled off Graypaw before he could make a swipe at her. She nimbly weaved herself between Whitepaw and Silverstream to stand beside them.
Graypaw quickly jerked away, shaking his head as he scrambled backwards, out of anyone's reach, and glared suspiciously at them, "You say you don't want to fight but then sit on my head."
Whitepaw was quick to jump to Morningpaw's defense, "You attacked her first!"
"You don't belong on ThunderClan territory!"
"You should be more grateful!" Whitepaw spat, his back arching and fur rising. "After all, we've decided to help save ThunderClan's stolen kits."
Graypaw looked taken aback by Whitepaw's statement. Morningpaw didn't fault him. The flame pelted she-cat would be just as surprised if a rival Clan came to aid RiverClan in saving their kits.
Graypaw seemed hesitant to believe that their support was truly genuine, but that's when Silverstream stepped in and gained the dark gray apprentice's attention, "All we want to do is help."
Morningpaw watched with unimpressed eyes at the moonstruck look now overtaking the dark gray ThunderClan apprentices face. Though their meeting was different, Graypaw still managed to fall head over tail for Silverstream. Glancing beside her, Morningpaw could see Silverstream's face softening little by little as she gazed back at Morningpaw's former best friend in another life. They were both hopelessly in love in this lifetime as well it seems.
Morningpaw wasn't the only one to catch on to the budding romance between both cats. The flame-colored she-cat could see Whitepaw's jaw drop open in shock as Ravenpaw stiffened in surprise.
It was nice to know that Morningpaw wasn't the only one to know about their forbidden secret relationship this time around.
Shifting paws awkwardly, Ravenpaw was the one to break up the moment, "ugh, so are you in g-Graypaw?"
The trance was broken as the other ThunderClan apprentice turned to his friend and Clanmate, though still unsure, he nodded, "If what their saying is true, then let's do this."
Morningpaw was instantly relieved. It was great that Graypaw was now onboard with their plan. Though actually pulling it off may be a challenge.
"Great. Now that that's out of the way," Whitepaw butted in, giving Silverstream and Graypaw a strange look. "How about we get going before we're all caught speaking to each other?"
Everyone was in agreement.
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"But we don't know where ShadowClan's camp is located."
"We'll worry about that when we're in ShadowClan."
"This isn't much of a plan." Graypaw murmured.
Morningpaw didn't say anything to that. Morningpaw knew that they didn't actually have a plan. They were leaving it more up to luck and StarClan. However, with her knowledge of the future, Morningpaw knew those kits wouldn't last long if they didn't act now.
The ThunderClan apprentices helped navigate the RiverClan cat's through the forest without being seen or caught by their other ThunderClan Clanmates.
Being back in the forest, it was as nostalgic, also terrifying, every little sound or moving shadow could be a lurking ThunderClan patrol, lying in wait to stop them. But they weren't stopped or caught. They managed to reach the Thunderpath border, separating ThunderClan's territory and ShadowClan's.
"When we get across the Thunderpath, we'll have to act quickly to track down the kits." Morningpaw meowed, trying to hold her breath to try and keep out the worst of the stench. Morningpaw forgot what the Thunderpath smelled like and hadn't been prepared for it. Revolting.
"We'll all cross the Thunderpath together." Silverstream meowed.
"There you are."
All five of their heads snap in the direction of the new voice. A grizzled, battle-scarred dark gray she-cat with wide-set, rheumy, and rounded orange eyes stalked out of the shadowed underbrush, startling the group.
Morningpaw was left speechless as she knew this cat: Yellowfang.
"Did you really think you could sneak off unnoticed, Ravenpaw, Graypaw?" Yellowfang rasped, glancing between Ravenpaw and Graypaw. "You both couldn't be more sneaker than two lumbering badgers. Surprised nobody else noticed."
"Yellowfang, what are you doing out here?" Graypaw gasped.
Yellowfang stared unimpressed at the solid dark gray apprentice. "I should be the one asking you that."
Both Ravenpaw and Graypaw looked embarrassed at being caught, however there wasn't much time to waste. "We're going to rescue ThunderClan's kits." Morningpaw interrupted, drawing Yellowfang's attention.
"And how does this concern RiverClan?" Yellowfang challenged, looking over the group of RiverClan cats.
"Perhaps it's because we have the same concerns." Morningpaw meowed, blinking slowly and trying not to seem too challenging. "Brokenstar is making enemies of every Clan in the forest. You see for yourself just how far he's willing to stoop for power. If we don't rescue those kits now, then there won't be any left to get back later."
A dark shadow casted over Yellowfang's eyes as Morningpaw spoke. "I fear that you are right." Yellowfang rasped, glancing over the group once more. "But you won't make it far if you are just wandering around ShadowClan's territory. I'll come with you."
Morningpaw felt instant relief. The group didn't hesitate to accept Yellowfang help. Not that Yellowfang would accept a no if they didn't. And the anxious filled group of now six quickly and cautiously crossed the Thunderpath through a secret tunnel that Yellowfang showed them.
Once on ShadowClan territory the group was on high alert. Focusing entirely on their surroundings as Yellowfang guided them onwards.
"Normally at this time of day, border and hunting patrols will be out scouting, they should be keeping the kits somewhere inside the camp." Yellowfang hissed to the group, leading them through the murky swamp. "Since it's less guarded it will be easier to get into camp."
"But then we'd have to look out for all the patrols." Graypaw pointed out.
Silverstream nodded, seeming to have the same thoughts. "If we get them out quickly enough and get across the border then we'd be safe. This will take a lot of stealth and having to move fast. Not all of us can move quickly through the swamp parts."
"We'll also have a distraction." Yellowfang assured, surprising the rest of the patrol.
"What do you mean?" Whitepaw hissed, seeming confused.
Yellowfang glanced over at the young RiverClan tom. Taking his words into consideration. "There's nothing that Brokenstar would love more than to see me at his mercy."
"You're not saying--" Morningpaw's jade green eyes widened in alarm, but Yellowfang shook her head at the flame-colored she-cat's train of thought.
"I'd made sure to scent mark parts of the border, by Carrionplace, but I didn't set my scent too close seeing as I didn't want my scent to be overshadowed by the Twoleg rubbish." Yellowfang explained. "Though it won't distract them for long. They might even go straight to Brokenstar to report it. Though hopefully their patrol will spend time searching around Carrionplace first."
All the apprentices, Silverstream included, stared at Yellowfang as if the medicine cat had hung the stars in Silverpelt.
"You are the most amazing ancient she-cat I've ever met." Graypaw meowed in awe.
Yellowfang glared at Graypaw in annoyance. "I'm not that old!"
If this had been a more appropriate time and not a life or death situation, then perhaps Morningpaw would have loudly snorted in amusement. However this was not an appropriate time as they snuck their way through enemy territory.
"We're getting close." Yellowfang hissed.
The group slowed down and hid underneath a fallen moss covered log. They listened to the sounds around them and tried to scent the air. "I'm going to take a look ahead," Yellowfang meowed, giving the younger cats a firm orange stare. "I don't come soon then you all leave, no hesitation, finding the kits are important but your lives matter as well."
No one objected to the older medicine cats' orders. They were then left alone to wait in a state of anxious uncertainty.
"Morningpaw," Whitepaw whispered the she-cat's name, gaining the flame-colored she-cat's attention, the dark brown tom crouched closely beside her. "If-if something were to happen to either of us. I want you to know that--I like you."
Morningpaw's whiskers twitched at Whitepaw's sudden strong declaration about their friendship. It was miraculous enough that Whitepaw would follow her into a potential battle that they were horribly outnumbered against if caught, even though it was over another Clan's stolen kits, something Whitepaw had every right to back out of if he wished, but the fact that he'd go this far because of their friendship, which had been cultivated over such a short time, was heartwarming.
Morningpaw softly purred as she rubbed up against his side. However before she could return the sentiment their vulnerable respite was broken by a harsh shove from behind.
"Get a move on youngsters." Yellowfang grunted, "you can do all this mooning over each other when you're safely back in your own territory after saving those kits."
Morningpaw tilted her head in confusion. Not truly understanding what the elderly dark gray she-cat meant. Though whatever she said it seems Whitepaw understood as he hastily ushered Morningpaw forward, his pelt bristling in embarrassment, but his amber eyes were shining bright in the dark gloomy territory.
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Fun Facts:
Graypaw's introduction to the group was way harder than Yellowfang's. Yellowfang's came easy but Graypaw was a struggle. (I think it has to do with the fact that I don't really care much about Graystripe as a whole. I know many of you like him but I just don't.)
Yes! We got our team; Silverstream, Whitepaw, Morningpaw, Ravenpaw, Graypaw and Yellowfang! (Of course this isn't my dream team! That won't come till later!)
Morningpaw is still being her clueless self when it comes to love. (Seriously, even in canon Cinderpelt had to be the one to point out Sandstorm's feelings to Firestar!)
I had so much fun with this chapter!