A/N: Woohoo! Chapter One is now up! What do you guys think so far?
Secret feathers- Thank you for your review! I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far!
Chapter One
Frost crunched under Shadowheart's paws as he walked across camp. One moon had passed since his first patrol with Ravenpaw as his apprentice. The omen Pinefrost had received unsettled everyone, and Foxstar had been on high alert since then. Nosing through the fresh-kill pile, Shadowheart tried to push away the anxiety that hung to his pelt.
"The gathering storm is nearly past. Soon a dark horizon will dawn, and the forest will run red with blood..."
Flattening his ears, Shadowheart pulled a measly shrew from the pile. He didn't want to think about any omens for once. He just wanted life to be normal again. Plopping down sulkily under a tree nearby, he picked at his shrew absentmindedly. Tiny mewls caught his attention, and his gaze drifted towards the nursery. Half a moon ago, Yellowsky had given birth to her and Rainfall's kits; Batkit, Volekit, and Mousekit. Cloudflight's own litter had grown since then, and were already venturing out of the nursery and getting into mischief.
The Clan still carried on like normal, despite the growing tension in the air. Sleetwhisker and Pinefrost were gathering old dried herbs and putting them in a pile outside their den. Dawnrise, Sagepelt, Hollycloud, Larkpaw, and Alderleaf were leaving through the log tunnel to go on patrol. Meanwhile Amberfur, Timberfall, and Ivyfrost were returning to camp with fresh prey for the pile. Redfur and Silverleaf practiced battle moves outside of the warriors' den, while Softstep and Lionclaw shared tongues nearby. Rainfall carried a vole into the nursery to Yellowsky, and Cloudflight groomed her long white fur while her kits played outside.
Jayeyes, Frosttail, and Nettleleaf were outside the elders' den while Sparrowpaw and Ravenpaw cleaned their nests. Shadowheart frowned, grief stabbing his heart when Oaktuft wasn't among them. The sickly elder had passed a few days ago, her mysterious illness taking her silently while she slept. Finishing his shrew, Shadowheart looked around for Firelight. He hadn't seen his friend for most of the day. Foxstar was laying under the Highoak with Longwhisker, and she caught Shadowheart's eye.
"If you're looking for Firelight, I sent her out on a border patrol with Snowfoot, Brownclaw, and Sandpool."
Longwhisker's eyes gleamed mischievously from beside her. "You can't always spend every second together, you know."
Ears burning, Shadowheart looked away sharply. "We don't spend every minute together," he defended himself.
Foxstar gave a slight purr. "Don't tease him, Longwhisker."
Worried Longwhisker would imply anything else, Shadowheart quickly stalked off towards the elders' den. Perhaps he could take his apprentice, and Sparrowpaw out hunting once they were done tending to the older cats. Nettleleaf saw him approach and blinked warmly at him.
"Hello Shadowheart," she greeted, shifting her crippled leg to a more comfortable position. "Have you come to check on your apprentice?"
Shadowheart dipped his head. "I was planning to take her and Sparrowpaw hunting once they were finished."
"Shouldn't Firelight be the one to take Sparrowpaw out?" Frosttail mewed pointedly.
Trying to keep his fur from bristling, Shadowheart returned her gaze evenly. "Firelight is out on a patrol," he explained. "She will be fine with Sparrowpaw coming along."
Nettleleaf gave her mother a meaningful look. "Shadowheart is perfectly capable of handling a couple of apprentices. They'll be fine."
Snorting with contempt, Frosttail laid her head in her paws. Jayeyes laid his tail across his mate's back, his blind blue eyes shining apologetically towards Shadowheart. Ravenpaw poked her head out the den, her ears covered with strands of moss.
"Your nests are ready!" she announced cheerfully. "Sparrowpaw is just adding a few more pieces of bracken."
Nettleleaf purred. "Thank you, dear. I'm sure they're very comfortable."
"They better be!" Frosttail grunted, slowly rising to her paws. "My old bones can't handle much in this cold."
Yet I'm sure you wouldn't complain much as long as they're Clanborn, Shadowheart thought bitterly. Despite everything, the old she-cat still held the fact that he was an outsider against him. Sparrowpaw stepped outside with Ravenpaw, as they let the elders go back into their den. Shadowheart purred as he swept the loose strands of moss off of Ravenpaw's ears.
"Any more moss on your pelt, and I'd have to make Foxstar rename you Mosspaw," he teased.
Ravenpaw purred. "Mosspaw isn't too bad of a name though."
"I still like the name Ravenpaw better though," Sparrowpaw chimed in.
Shadowheart nodded to them. "Since you're both done with the elders, I think it would be a good idea to take you out hunting."
"What about Firelight?" Sparrowpaw asked.
"She's out on patrol right now," Shadowheart told her. "But she won't mind if I bring you along."
Ravenpaw shifted her paws a little. "I was going to help Sleetwhisker and Pinefrost organize their herbs."
Shadowheart blinked. "Why? You're not a medicine cat apprentice."
"I-I know!" Ravenpaw defended herself quickly. "I just thought they would need the extra help is all."
Frowning, Shadowheart shook his head. "I'm sure they can manage. You need to work on your hunting skills, especially before leaf-bare fully hits."
Looking disappointed, Ravenpaw gave a tiny nod. "Okay Shadowheart."
What was that about? Shadowheart fretted. Did his apprentice not like having him as a mentor? He pushed the thought away.
"Let's go," he told them quickly, leading them out of camp.
The two apprentices bundled after him, and the three emerged out into the forest. Cold air stung Shadowheart's nose, and he fluffed out his fur. The forest was much colder than the camp, having less shelter. Sparrowpaw bounced ahead, Ravenpaw at her heels.
"So where are we going to go?" Sparrowpaw asked.
Shadowheart thought for a moment. "It's been a while since the flower field had been checked. We can try there."
"Okay! Race you, Sparrowpaw!" Ravenpaw yelled, rushing ahead.
"No fair, that's cheating!" Sparrowpaw yowled after her as she ran.
Shadowheart purred and ran behind the two she-cats. A strange feeling overcame Shadowheart then, and he froze. The two apprentices were up ahead, completely unaware that the mottled warrior had fallen behind. Panic welling in his chest, he rushed ahead.
"Ravenpaw! Sparrowpaw!" he yowled, racing towards them.
The feeling had gotten stronger, and soon Shadowheart knew exactly what it was. They were being hunted. The overwhelming stench of fox filled his nostrils, and fear pushed him to run faster. He had to get to the apprentices before the fox did.
"Get up a tree!" he screeched to them. "Quickly!"
Ravenpaw and Sparrowpaw stopped, turning to stare at him with wide eyes. Just then, a huge fox burst from the brambles towards them. Yowling with fury, Shadowheart flung himself at the fox. Ravenpaw and Sparrowpaw stared at them in horror, frozen against a tree. Shadowheart let go of the fox and stood protectively in front of them.
"Go!" he spat at them. "Get up that tree now!"
Shaking out of their trance, the two she-cats scrambled up the tree trunk. Shadowheart faced the fox, his fur bushed out twice his size. He hissed menacingly at it, hoping to distract it long enough for the apprentices to get up the tree to safety.
"Shadowheart!" Ravenpaw yowled in terror.
Another fox had come running from the other direction, cornering Shadowheart against the base of the tree. The two apprentices sat on a tree branch, their eyes wide with horror. Glancing back and forth between the two foxes, Shadowheart realized there was no way he was going to get up the tree to safety. If he wanted to live, he had to fight.
Adrenaline pumping, Shadowheart leaped at the first fox. He sunk his teeth into its scruff and clung on as it shrieked. The other fox came to the rescue and grabbed Shadowheart by his haunches. Burning with pain, Shadowheart let go of the first fox to claw the one that had him. Slashing at its eyes in desperation, the fox threw him into the tree trunk. Hitting it with enough force to knock the wind out of him, Shadowheart crumpled to the ground.
His vision was edged with darkness, and he struggled to breathe. Panic gripped him as he realize he was about to be killed. Oh StarClan, please make it quick, he prayed, closing his eyes shut tight. I'll be with you soon...