So Whitepaw is dead. This chapter is long, and perhaps, exciting, for once.

Chapter10, battle

Shadowpaw walked slowly back to camp with the body of Whitepaw griped tightly in her jaws.

The sun had risen, and the camp was full of busy cats.

At first nobody noticed her. Finally Ashfur turned around from were he was speaking with Brackenfur. When he saw Whitepaw his expression was one of shock, then it instantly changed to cruel hatred.

Ashfur walked over to her and stopped.

"You killed her," he snarled simply.

"No I-" Shadowpaw began, but Ashfur leaped on her with a cry of "ATTACK!"

Six ThunderClan cats leaped onto whoever was nearest them.

Shadowpaw and Ashfur rolled together. Shadowpaw claws whisked out and she raked them down his flank with an angry snarl.

Ashfur seemed not to notice. He backed away, and then leaped, his weight knocked her down. He had more strength and size then her. Shadowpaw new she could never beat him.

Then her brain whirred into action. She now new she could beat him with brain and speed.

Shadowpaw felt Ashfur's claws sink into her shoulder and she wiggled out from beneath him. When he leaped again her paws went out-claws unsheathed- and pushed him rolling into the dirt.

Shadowpaw was bleeding heavily; she was exhausted and was covered in dirt and dust. She had once seen her cats Cody and Smudge fight, but she had never thought that it would be so hard and tiring.

Shadowpaw wrinkled her nose and drew her lips back in a loud snarl that made a few battling cats look over at her briefly.

Shadowpaw plunged at Ashfur. Her teeth sunk into his shoulder and her claws scared his sides.

Ashfur kicked up and she went sailing away. A second later he leaped on her.

Shadowpaw struggled as Ashfur's sharp claws tore away the skin on her shoulder. A second later he sunk his teeth into the wound and it was all Shadowpaw could do from screeching in pain.

Suddenly Shadowpaw's claws went out and scratched Ashfur's face.

Blood dripped into his eyes and he put up a paw to wipe at it. Instantly Shadowpaw wriggled away.

Ashfur suddenly realized he know longer had Shadowpaw pinned down. He lunged, but there was still a paw to his eyes and he crashed down empty pawed. "Retreat!" he yowled and raced out of camp.

A few cats flashed past Shadowpaw after Ashfur. Brambleclaw, Brackenfur, Ferncloud, Thornclaw, and Dustpelt where fleeing.

Shadowpaw's shoulder felt like raw meat. She began to lick it quickly, but it was know use.

Cinderpelt limped over to her slowly, carrying a bundle of herbs in her mouth. She examined the wound then chewed up a few leaves and worked them into the wound. She then pressed some cobwebs to it and the wound began to feel better.

"Thanks," Shadowpaw murmured as she limped off.

Firestar jumped slowly onto the Highrock. There was a deep wound on his chest and he was covered in scratches.

Firestar was to weary to call the Clan, so they gathered together on there own.

Firestar spoke in a weak, unstable voice.

"Ashfur was secretly plotting," He rasped "And he gathered together some of our warriors to attack. But the question is why?"

Nobody answered his words.

Finally a voice cried, "Shadowpaw will need a new mentor!"

Firestar broke into a bought of coughing. "No need," he finally choked, "Shadowpaw is –cough cough- ready to become a warrior… She fought… well."

A slight breeze ruffled Shadowpaw's fur. She remembered talking to Whitepaw about becoming a warrior. So know she was about to become one. If only Whitepaw was here to see it.

Firestar tried to raise his voice. "I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code and I commend her to you as warrior in her turn."

"Shadowpaw, do you promise to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Shadowpaw considered this question. She would only say yes if she would stay with this Clan forever.

"I do," She meowed finally.

"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. Shadowpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Shadowflight. StarClan honors you for your smartness and speed, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."

"Shadowflight! Shadowflight!" The crowd cheered her new name.

Shadowflight nodded her thanks to Firestar, who looked very sick and she walked over to the front of the camp to begin her vigil.

The camp was quite and only a single star was out. As happy as Shadowflight felt, she new that the trouble in her prophetic dreams wasn't over.

Well? R&R!