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Chapter 7: Wild at Heart

"Shadowpaw!" Brightfoot called. Shadowpaw loped over to her and sat down, curling her tail around her paws. "Yes, Brightfoot?" Shadowpaw asked solemnly. "What is it?" Brightfoot took a deep breath to calm herself.

"Do you remember, on the day that Smallpaw…you know, did you see anyone else besides our Clan members go into the nursery?" Shadowpaw cringed at the mention of Smallpaw, but nodded slightly in answer.

Brightfoot nodded. "Who was it? Did you see him before?" Shadowpaw closed her eyes in concentration. Then she nodded and opened her eyes. "I saw him before. Me and my brothers used to play tag with him. His name is Bramblespot," Shadowpaw paused. "Why? Did he take your pups?"

Brightfoot's eyes clouded with sadness, then she nodded slowly. "Let me tell you why. He and another queen were together. And when she had his pups, they all died, including her. Her name was Snowear," she murmured. "Now, he likes taking pups from other Clans and pretending that he is their father."

"Oh," Brightfoot said softly. "How could someone go through so much pain of losing the love of your life and your newborn pups?" Shadowpaw shrugged. "I don't know. Having never met my mother is just as hard as losing Smallpaw and Nightpaw." She sighed.

Brightfoot nuzzled her. When they heard Lightningstar call for a meeting, they walked to the clearing slowly. "I have an announcement. Three wolves from ShadowClan will be joining us. Their names are Rainpaw, Bramblespot, and Wildpaw."

There were murmurs among the wolves in the clearing. When Shadowpaw heard the names being called, she raced toward them. "Rainpaw! Bramblespot! Wildpaw! I never thought I would see you ever again!" she exclaimed. In his mouth, Bramblespot held two pups and another four beside him.

"I brought them back. Rainpaw convinced me it was wrong and to join you," Bramblespot explained. "I'm glad to see you too." Rainpaw crashed into Shadowpaw in joy and licked her muzzle. "I have missed you so much," he sighed. She licked him back. Wildpaw glared.

"I've missed you too. How's the Clan?" she murmured while putting her head on his. "They're fine, but Tornstar isn't very happy." Shadowpaw watched as Brightfoot walked over to Bramblespot, lick his muzzle in forgiveness, and pick up her pups.

Lightningstar walked casually over to Rainpaw and Shadowpaw. "I see you two seem to get along. Do you know each other?" They nodded happily. "Good. Shadowpaw, can you please show Rainpaw and Wildpaw to the apprentices' den and around the camp?"

Shadowpaw nodded, explained to both of them, and walked around with them.

"My paws hurt. Can't we rest and eat?" Wildpaw complained. Shadowpaw sighed for the tenth time. "No. I have to show you the camp and go hunt with you. Okay?" Rainpaw jumped to her side. "Is that the nursery? Wow, ours doesn't look that good."

Shadowpaw nodded. "I remember when I first came here. There were seven queens in there." "Seven!" Rainpaw exclaimed. "We never had that many!" Wildpaw's attitude faded to curiosity. "What were the other ones' names?"

Shadowpaw smiled. "Their names were Littletail, Smallnose, Swiftfur, and Runningear. Swiftfur was originally from ShadowClan," Shadowpaw said proudly. "From ShadowClan?" Wildpaw asked curiously. "But I thought most of our queens died." Shadowpaw nodded.

A wolf and she-wolf, Bramblespot and Brightfoot, were sitting together, sharing tongues. "I also heard that Wildmask, my mother, was a very great warrior and was the Clan's deputy before she had pups. Then my father became deputy," Wildpaw said softly. "What happened to her?"

"What happened to my mother?" Shadowpaw snorted. "Did she die?"

"Shadowpaw!" Mooncoat called. She had not seen him all morning, but there he was. "Who are they?" His ears swiveled and his tail flicked toward them. "Mooncoat, this is Wildpaw and Rainpaw. Over there," she nodded to Bramblespot, "is Bramblespot. Where's Rogueear and Suntail?"

Mooncoat stared at the other apprentices, then looked back at Shadowpaw. "They're on patrol. Two apprentices and a warrior," he said thoughtfully. Shadowpaw nuzzled him and walked off. An image of a small red-and-black pup flashed into her mind.

"Do you know where the apprentices' den is?" she asked Rainpaw. He nodded. "Go there. I'll be back later." Little did she know, Bramblespot was watching. He followed her through the forest and waited.

Shadowpaw had no idea where she was going, but she kept walking. At first, she thought she was blind, but she then realized that she kept away from anything dangerous. "Where are you going?" growled a voice. She whipped around.

"Who's there?" she demanded. When Bramblespot stepped out of the shadows, she gasped. "Why did you follow me? Bramblespot, answer me!" She started to panic. "Well?" Bramblespot narrowed his eyes. "To protect you," he said simply.

"Protect me? You brought me to the ShadowClan camp where they tried to kill me!" she barked. "Now could you just leave me alone? I'm not a pup! I'm not your daughter! I'm not Snowear…" Bramblespot's expression softened. "I know, Shadowpaw. I just…" his voice trailed off and he sighed.

"I just don't want to lose anyone else." Shadowpaw lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry I yelled at you. I just wanted to find out what my dream meant." A soft breeze ruffled their fur, making Shadowpaw shiver. She looked back up at him, her eyes cloudy.

"You won't tell anyone that me and the BloodClan warrior keep seeing each other?" she whispered. He shook his head. "No. Rainpaw would be devastated. I will not tell anyone. I swear on Aniyou's name," he murmured.

"Okay. Do you want to know his name?" Bramblespot nodded quickly. "His name is—" She did not get to finish. Rainpaw burst out of the brush and crashed into her. "Rainpaw! What are you doing?" Shadowpaw laughed.

"I just followed Bramblespot's scent. What are you doing?" Rainpaw growled playfully. "I'm just taking a walk with Bramblespot. We were talking about how the Clans were when Firestar was leader," she growled back. "What did he say?"

"Well," Shadowpaw began, "when Firestar was leader, he fought TigerClan! Roar! And one of his former Clan-mates was ShadowClan's leader! His name was Tigerclaw!" Rainpaw gasped. "Tigerclaw? Wow! He must have been really strong to earn that name!"

"Yeah! Tigerclaw became ShadowClan's leader after he was driven out of ThunderClan! I thought that was really cool." Rainpaw nodded and leaned closer when he realized Bramblespot wasn't there. Their noses touched for a moment, but she pulled away too fast.

"What's wrong?" Rainpaw whimpered. Shadowpaw closed her eyes before speaking. "I'm seeing someone from BloodClan. I'm sorry," she sighed. "B-BloodClan? Why? How could you do this to me, Shadowpaw?" Just then, four warriors exploded out onto the cliff.

"Well, well, well. Two little traitors. This is going to be fun!" one of them growled menacingly. Shadowpaw stared into their eyes. "Rogueear…" she murmured. Shadowpaw hurled herself at him in rage, bowling him over.

"You're the traitor!" she spat. Meanwhile, Rainpaw was struggling with the other three warriors. "Shadowpaw!" he howled. She kicked Rogueear into the bushes and lunged at them. "Let him go, all of you!" She scratched Leopardmask across the eyes, sending her yelping away.

Sawtooth sank his teeth into the back of her neck, missing the spine by inches. "Stop! Let me go! I hate you!" she howled. She saw Darkrock claw at Rainpaw. She grabbed Sawtooth's ear and twisted it, making him yelp. She then flung herself for Darkrock's throat sinking her teeth deep into it.

She saw Rainpaw go completely limp in his mouth. She ripped the warrior off her friend, making him run away. "Rainpaw! Rainpaw!" she cried, digging her claws into his soft fur. "Rainpaw…don't go. Please don't go…I need you." He didn't move.

"I love you, Rainpaw. I love you. Please don't go…" Snowstorm raced toward her. "Are you okay? I saw how you fought, but Rogueear held me down. Is Rainpaw okay?" he asked hurriedly. The apprentice turned away from the limp body and looked up at the other warrior.

"He's dead. Darkrock killed him," she choked, fighting the tears that threatened to come. "I'm okay. But he's dead." Snowstorm sighed deeply, looking at the small apprentice. "Come with me. I think that Dewleaf would like to check you out," he murmured, glancing at the other apprentice.

Bramblespot sat at the edge of the ThunderClan camp, waiting for Shadowpaw to return. When he saw her come out with Snowstorm only, he almost fell. "Shadowpaw, are you all right? Where's Rainpaw?" he asked. She glanced at him, but turned away.

She was dragging her paws on the rough ground, making his ears lower. Why had he left? Why hadn't he been there when they were attacked? She was walking to Dewleaf's den, where the young medicine she-wolf sat waiting.

When she entered the den, he lost complete sight of her, but he did see Snowstorm speaking with Lightningstar. As he walked over to them, Lightningstar nodded and let Snowstorm continue speaking. Her ear swiveled in his direction, and he hesitated.

"Yes, Bramblespot? What is it?" she asked. "Lightningstar," he said while dipping his head, "I am terribly sorry that I left them alone. Can you forgive me for my rash actions?" She stared at him, then nodded. "She will be given her warrior name very soon, when she has recovered."

The sun was setting for the fourth time since Rainpaw's death. Lightningstar had now called a naming ceremony. Shadowpaw was late, for Lightningstar had just finished speaking. Once she had settled herself beside Wildpaw, Lightningstar spoke again.

"Shadowpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Shadowheart. StarClan honors your bravery and strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." Lightningstar touched muzzles with her. "I am so proud of you, Shadowheart." She was surprised, but happy. Suntail licked her good ear.

"I am also very proud of you, my friend," she murmured. Shadowheart looked at her, her tail swishing. She nodded. "Thank you. Both of you. I'll always remember that and you," she whispered.

"Shadowheart! Shadowheart!" The wolves of the Clan, including Wildpaw and Bramblespot, chanted her new name. Snowstorm trotted over to her, touching his muzzle to hers. "You fought bravely. For two Clans, Shadowheart," he sighed. "You will always be remembered."

Her vigil of silence wasn't fun, but it was pleasing. Whiskerpelt and Mousefang called to her. "You can go to sleep now, Shadowheart," they said. "Thanks!" she called back, trotting toward the warriors' den. Suntail lay beside Mooncoat, their bodies pressed together.

She chose a bed beside them, away from the door, and next to Bramblespot. Her movement made them stir, but they sighed with their eyes still closed. She smiled. The warriors' den looked bigger than the apprentices' den.

"Hello, Shadowheart," Silverrock whispered. "Hi, Silverrock," she whispered back. She gave a great yawn and lay down, curling her tail around her. "Night."

She woke to pearly-white light streaming through the low branches. She noticed that Spottedear was still asleep, along with Bramblespot. Mooncoat and Suntail were probably on patrol, and Silverrock was probably hunting somewhere.

Snowstorm entered, in his jaws a fat vole. Shadowheart's mouth watered. "How was it, Shadowheart?" he mumbled through the vole. "Great. How much food is left?" Her mouth was watering so much that she could barely speak, but she managed.

"Enough," Snowstorm answered while dropping the vole. "For a day." Shadowheart's ears flicked. "Can I go hunt?" she asked. Snowstorm nodded. Shadowheart raced out, but not before listening to his call: "Be careful!"

Tallpines was easy to race through, only it hurt her paws. Leaf-bare was coming, and they had to get enough food to last. She found a strange territory, one that she had never seen. She heard a wailing noise, one like a pup's. She looked around and saw a small shape lying on the ground.

"More food for me!" a wolf growled. Shadowheart recognized him as Rogueear. "Leave him alone! What did he do to you?" she shouted. Rogueear looked up. "So you survived. What about your so-called ShadowClan friend?"

She growled and leapt at him. He ran away as fast as he could, his paws scrambling up the hill. "We'll meet again!" he called over his shoulder. Shadowheart looked at the squealing pup, and picked it up in her mouth.

"It's okay," she mumbled through the thick fur. "It's going to be all right." She stumbled on the wide path she walked on, her fears and doubts beginning to ebb away. Another wolf skidded to a halt on the path in front of her.

"Shadowheart, thank you," he said. She realized it was a hybrid instead of a pure wolf. "What's your name?" she asked. "Lakota. Thank you for saving Goldpup." With that, he hurried away. Her eyes widened. Who was that? Was he a loner? Was one of her dreams coming to life?

Snowstorm stared at the newest warrior and the writhing pup in her mouth. "What or who is that?" he asked, confused. She gently put the pup on the ground. "I think his name is Goldpup," she replied with a snort. He nodded slowly, not appreciating the fact that Shadowheart brought back someone unknown to him.

"Okay. Go to Brightfoot. See if she will take him." Shadowheart nodded and hurried away.

The nursery was dark and warm, and it felt good on her fur. "Hello, Shadowheart. What have you got there?" Brightfoot sighed. Shadowheart explained how she found him ,what happened after that, then now about why she was here.

"Can you please take him?" Shadowheart pleaded. Brightfoot sighed again. "Okay," she replied. "Sure I'll take him."

Shadowheart entered the clearing, unknown to the other wolves, or maybe they just didn't care. She saw the dark wolf and the two pups she cared so deeply about. "Shadowheart," the dark wolf murmured while pressing his muzzle on hers.

"My love…" she whispered. "Why can we only see each other here? I don't understand." The dark wolf stared into her eyes. "You know they would hate us for this. I love you, and until ThunderClan and BloodClan decide on their choice, we have to see each other here."

"But our daughters…how are they?" Shadowheart whimpered. "Fine, fine. I'm giving them mice to help them survive," the wolf sighed. He pressed his body into hers and licked her good ear. "You have to go soon before my father comes back."

"I know. I love you. Goodbye."