A/N: Yay FINALLY you guys get an update! This chapter is special. How so you ask? It's special as it's a flash-back chapter! This takes place before the very first chapter of the series. Meaning, this will explain a few things, and also show what Shadow and his life was like before joining LeafClan. I hope you guys enjoy!

Chapter Eleven

One moon before being found in river…

"Shadow!" a sharp prod caused him to growl in protest. "Come on, it's time to wake up! You know father doesn't like waiting!"

Groaning, Shadow lifted his head to glare at her. "Go away, Cinder. I don't need you of all cats to come stumbling in here waking me up."

His sister rolled her eyes, turning away from him to leave the den. "Don't blame me when father comes looking for you himself!"

Shadow snorted. The smooth stone walls inside his shared den with Cinder glowed orange in the morning light. Scuffing the cool sandy floor of the cave, Shadow stepped out into the gorge. The rogue camp was fairly quiet; as many of his campmates had yet to wake. Weak sunlight bathed the gorge in a golden hue, the small stream that ran through camp shimmering with white sparkles.

"Good morning, Shadow!" his mother called from across the gorge.

Walking over to touch noses to her in greeting, he looked around. "Where's father at? Is he still patrolling?"

"It seems so," she replied, gently grooming her soft tortoiseshell fur. "He should be back any moment though."

A prick of annoyance ruffled Shadow's fur. What was the point of being woken up, if his father wasn't even back yet? The sound of rocks clattering down the rocky ramp near the exit of camp caught his attention. Dune, his father's second in command, was returning from what appeared to be hunting. Carrying a large rabbit in his jaws, he gave a slight nod to Shadow and Lily before disappearing into his own den across the gorge. Deciding he didn't feel like waiting for his father to return, Shadow bounded up the ramp and out of the gorge.

The musty scent of the forest welcomed Shadow as he placed his paws through the cool grass. Feeling the warmth of the early morning sun in his fur, Shadow tasted the air for prey. Picking up on a scent trail of a shrew, he began to track it down. Remembering what his father had taught him about stalking, he crouched low to the ground and softly made his way closer to the scent of the shrew.

Seeing something scuffling under fallen leaves caught his attention. Success! It was the shrew he had been tracking! Licking his lips, Shadow crept forward quietly. Bunching his hind quarters, he leaped and landed squarely on the shrew. Giving it a swift killing bite, he relished in the taste of the warm blood. After he finished eating his fill, Shadow left the remains behind to look for his father.

To his relief, he could see the dark tabby pelt of Hawk just up ahead. His father seemed to be deep in thought, and only simply acknowledged Shadow's approach with a twitch of an ear. Padding up to stand beside him, Shadow gave a mew of greeting.

"Shadow," his father turned to look at him. "I see you're up early."

Shadow huffed. "Yeah, because Cinder wouldn't let me sleep."

"Training will be continued shortly," Hawk replied, ignoring Shadow's complaints. "Today you will be sparring with Dune. It's about time I properly assessed your skills."

Shadow opened his mouth to reply, but was cut off. Cinder had leaped out of some nearby bushes, her ice blue eyes filled with excitement. "Can I come? I want to show you what I've been practicing!"

Narrowing his eyes, Hawk slowly turned his sharp yellow gaze to her. "You know she-cat's don't participate in fighting. That's not your duty."

"Why can't it be?" she protested, eyes blazing. "Why should I have to be confined to camp or hunting?"

Shadow rolled his eyes. Why did his sister have to be so difficult? She knew what her duties were. Their father needn't remind her daily.

"Go back to camp," Hawk ordered, turning his back to them. "Shadow, come along."

Bristling with indignation, Cinder curled her lip up in a frustrated snarl. Shadow pointedly turned his back on her as he followed Hawk. His sister's stubborn temper wasn't his problem. If she wanted to constantly challenge their father's orders, that was her problem. As far as he was concerned, Cinder was just trying to stir up trouble.

Hawk led Shadow to a clearing, where Dune was waiting for them. A large boulder sat near the edge, where Hawk usually watched the training sessions. Padding on the soft springy grass, Shadow dipped his head to Dune. The large ginger tom was sitting patiently, his yellow eyes gleaming as they approached.

"Dune," Hawk greeted curtly. "I would like for you to assess Shadow's skills so far. I will be observing overhead."

"Oh, certainly Hawk," replied Dune, slowly getting to his paws.

Shadow narrowed his eyes. He was never really fond of Dune. The dark ginger tom always seemed to think highly of himself. Unsheathing his claws, Shadow crouched. Let's see if I can wipe that arrogance off his muzzle!

Dune sprung forward, barreling Shadow over. Kicking at the larger tom's belly with his hind paws, Shadow bit Dune's foreleg. Yowling with pain, he reeled back enough for the smaller cat to slip out from under him. Shadow turned and leaped onto Dune's back, sinking his teeth into his scruff. Dune snarled and fell back, squashing Shadow underneath him. Gasping for air, he laid stunned, while Dune pinned him down with his front claws.

Hissing and trying to break free, Shadow writhed under Dune's claws. Hawk leaped down from the boulder, his expression unreadable. "That's enough."

Dune loosened his grip, turning to face Hawk. Shadow rolled to his paws, burning with fury. He didn't want to meet his father's gaze, and instead stared at his paws.

"Dune, you did well during that spar," Hawk praised. "Perhaps it will teach my son a lesson or two about his reckless fighting skills."

Furious, Shadow glared at the two older cats. As Dune turned to look at him, Shadow slashed his front claws across the tom's face. Letting out a screech of fury and surprise, blood sprayed across the ground. Claws glistening with blood, Shadow stared defiantly at his campmate. Blood was pooling from his right eye, which was sealed shut in pain.

"Argh! My eye! I can't see!" Dune yowled, his one good eye scrunched up in pain.

Hawk gave a snort. "Quit yowling before you scare all the prey. Go back to the gorge and get that eye cleaned up."

Hissing in pain, Dune obeyed as a trail of blood dropped along the grass. Shadow stared after him, his eyes narrowed. Even if none of his campmates liked what he had done, Shadow could care less. A great sense of triumph had flooded his senses. That will take him down a peg or two for sure!

A sharp blow to his head sent Shadow spiraling to the ground. Glaring up towards his father dizzily, he let out a hiss of defiance. "Don't be mad at me! You were the one that taught me to take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself!"

Hawk narrowed his eyes into tiny slits. "Even if that means deforming a campmate?"

"Of course!" Shadow snapped, shakily getting to his paws. "You said so yourself that Dune needed to be taught a lesson. And guess what? It was taught! By me!"

"I see," Hawk grunted, a glint of approval in his eyes. "Perhaps I was right to test your skills after all."

Shadow let himself relax. "So did I pass then?"

"You have a long way to go, but you are learning. Soon you'll be ready."

Glowing with his father's praise, Shadow raised his chin proudly. As he followed Hawk back towards the gorge, Shadow couldn't help but relish his sense of victory.

Shadow was in a forest. Leaves glowed with sunlight overhead, casting soft shadows across the ground. A part of this forest was familiar to him, yet he could not recall ever being here before. The whispers of a gentle wind caressed his fur, while bringing along a warm scent Shadow very faintly remembered. Padding on, Shadow came to a stop near the edge of a ravine. Curiously he peered over the edge; but only a dense fog greeted him, as it hid the view down below.

"You've come at last," a soft voice behind him murmured.

Bristling Shadow spun around, claws unsheathed. A silver tabby stood a few feet away, her silver eyes watching him with an unreadable expression. "Who are you?" he demanded, curling his lips into a snarl.

The she-cat didn't answer him at first, merely seeming to observe him. "The path you take is one of darkness," she warned.

Shadow raised his head. "So what? Who are you to tell me how to live my life?"

In a flash, the she-cat was beside him. Yowling in shock, Shadow lurched back as his back paws slipped out from under him. Slipping off the cliff, Shadow dug his front claws onto the side of the ravine. Clinging desperately to the edge, he looked up helplessly while the strange she-cat stared down at him. Heart thudding in his chest, Shadow tried to scrabble back up from the cliff; his back paws churning uselessly against the rock below.

"Only the tide of river below can wash away the darkness in your heart," the she-cat told him, lowering her muzzle to his. "Only then will you see the truth."

Eyes glowing ominously, Shadow let out a yowl of horror as his claws slipped. Falling down in the dark depths below, only the mysterious she-cat's silver eyes cut through.

"Shadow! Hey, Shadow! Wake up!"

Jolting awake, the young leaped to his paws. Claws unsheathed and fur bristling he looked around in fury. Cinder stared at him in surprise, her blue eyes wide. Realizing it had only been a dream, Shadow felt himself ease with a sigh.

"What has you scared out of your pelt?" Cinder asked, staring at him. "You were yowling in your sleep!"

Both embarrassed and frazzled from his dream, Shadow ignored her as he went to groom his pelt. The last thing he wanted to do was tell his annoying littermate about the strange dream. What future leader gets so upset over some stupid dream?

Deciding to continue on, Cinder huffed. "I hope you haven't forgotten that you're supposed to help me with hunting today."

"Keep your fur on, will you?" Shadow snapped. "Can't a cat get some peace around here?"

His sister gave a snort. "Geez, who put dirt in your fresh-kill?"

Muttering to herself, the dark gray she-cat left Shadow alone in the den. Trying to shake the uneasy feeling from his dream, Shadow finished grooming before leaving his den. Cinder was waiting for him nearby, in a conversation with Pine and Leaf; two cats the same age as them. Walking over, he grunted a brief greeting to his campmates.

"Oh, good morning Shadow," Leaf meowed, his light brown tabby fur sleek and freshly washed.

Cinder licked her paw and drew it over her ear. "You don't want to talk to him," she mewed pointedly. "He might just claw your ears off."

Pine frowned, the small russet-furred she-cat gave a tiny shudder. "Like he did to Dune's eye?"

Leaf's eyes widened. "Oh that's right! You know you probably blinded him in that eye."

"So?" Shadow snorted, hiding the hint of satisfaction in his mew. "Maybe next time he'll learn to be quicker."

Pine flinched, inching closer to her brother. Shadow ignored her, and started to climb the ramp leading out into the forest. It didn't matter what his campmates thought; as long as his father had praised him. Cinder followed after him, and soon the two young cats were in the forest.

"Mother is upset with you, you know," Cinder told him. "She doesn't like what you did to Dune."

Shadow turned his steely blue gaze on her. "So? She's a she-cat. Like any of you would understand what it takes to survive. You know what father says; your jobs are to have kits and hunt. That's all."

Cinder growled, unsheathing her claws as she whirled to fix him with a sharp glare. "We can fight if he'd just let us! Why should only the toms be allowed to fight? I bet I could easily beat you in a fight if father would just give me a chance."

"I highly doubt that," Shadow retorted. "Now, are we here to hunt or to listen to you complain?"

Growling angrily at Shadow, Cinder stalked off to hunt alone. Happy at finally getting some peace, Shadow turned to hunt on his own. By the time the two cats met up again, they had managed to catch enough prey for themselves, Lily, and Hawk. Satisfied with their catch, the two of them headed back to the gorge to deliver the prey.

Grooming his fur after sharing prey with his kin, Shadow kept his gaze on the ledge leading out of camp. Hawk had yet to return, but Shadow imagined it wouldn't be too much longer before he did. Cinder had gone over with their mother, who was laying beside Splash—Leaf and Pine not too far away. Distracted for a brief moment, Shadow hadn't noticed Hawk coming down the ramp. A loud yowl rang out in the gorge, and Shadow was instantly on his paws.

The large tom was already on the large boulder above his den, staring down at his cats as they gathered around. Shadow gazed up at his father in awe. One day that would be him. He would someday lead the rogues, as promised to the heir of the leader.

"I have an announcement to make," Hawk growled, his yellow eyes raking across the gorge. "Starting tomorrow, all cats will begin battle training."

"What?" Shadow stared at his father in outrage. "Why?"

Hawk shot him a look. "We don't have enough toms to fight. Until I can recruit more cats, this decision still stands. With none of our she-cat's nursing kits, this is the only option we have."

A sharp breeze swept through the gorge, bringing the scent of rain. Furiously, Shadow stormed off to his den; not willing to hear anymore. What kind of leader let his cats become weak? Angrily curling up in his nest, he forced himself to sleep.

The next moon passed quickly, with training regimes being pushed more and more. With the constant rain, this only made things harder on the rogues. Shadow still had not gotten over his father's sudden decision to train she-cat's to fight, however his protests were ignored by Hawk. Instead, Shadow put all his frustration into his sparring sessions. While furious with his father's new orders, Cinder on the other paw took to battle training with bright optimism. As much as Shadow hated to admit it, his sister showed promise as a fighter.

When he grew tired of watching his campmates sparring sessions, Shadow decided to head towards the river that cut through their territory. Hoping to catch a vole or shrew, he sniffed around the riverbank. A strange creaking sound caught his attention. Lodged a little ways downstream, a large tree branch connected both sides of the river. None of the cats back in the gorge had been beyond the river's edge, as no cat could swim, however the prospect of new territory enticed Shadow.

Getting closer to inspect the branch, he placed his paw on the edge. It wobbled slightly, but still remained firm. Perhaps if he were able to explore this new area of forest, Hawk would be able to find more cats to join them. Alight with excitement, Shadow scrabbled up onto the branch. It creaked a bit under his weight, but otherwise stayed in place. Just as he was about to continue on, a yowl of alarm called from the behind.

"Shadow! What are you doing?"

Growling with frustration, he turned to look at his sister. "What does it look like? I'm going to cross this branch to see what's on the other side."

"Are you mad?" Cinder's eyes were wide. "The branch isn't going to hold with these flood waters!"

"Shut up!" he spat, turning on his sister. "I'll go wherever I want. I'm the one that will be leader one day, remember. Not you!"

Cinder lashed her tail. "Who cares about that? Just come back over here before something bad happens!"

Ready to offer a stinging retort, Shadow suddenly felt the branch sway under him. Heart lurching, he noticed water beginning to surge down the river. The branch dislodged, sending him plunging into the dark water below. Breaking the surface, Shadow clung onto a part of the branch as he was swept along.

Racing along the riverbank, Cinder yowled his name. Her eyes were wide with horror, and she was desperately trying to keep pace with the river. Using all his strength to keep hold on the branch, Shadow panicked as he was being swept further and further away from the gorge. Cinder was beginning to slacker her pace, unable to keep up. She stared at him with a mixture of guilt, anguish, and fear. More of the branch splintered apart as a fresh wave burst through, and Shadow was sent spiraling under the water. Just as he was about to break for the surface again, a heavy piece of the branch was pushed under. Eyes wide with horror, Shadow could only watch as it was sent flying down towards him. As it struck him, he felt his head burst with pain. The last thing he saw before blacking out, was the soft outline of the silver she-cat from his dream.