Okay, I lied when I said a bit of Dewpaw x Seedcloud… I meant a lot xD It's actually pretty much the basis of this chapter and for that, I am ashamed…
...Just kidding xD
The second, actual basis of this chapter is the Dark Forest. Which explains the title of this chapter… also, please read those if you don't already, it helps with the chapter if you don't feel like finding the main plot of that specific chapter in the text. :D Well, anyways…
I was going to upload this chapter when I got a new laptop. It stopped working on Easter, and I've been upset ever since. But I decided to transfer stuff to my computer and I suppose that worked… xD
Well, now for the review replies!
Lightningstar-of-NightClan: Yes, last chapter actually was important ;) Here's the next chapter!
LOVE IT (Guest-Chapter 1): I'm glad you liked it so much! :) Hope you liked the whole story too, haha.. xD
Anyway, sorry for this super long auther note. I made up for it by making this a super long chapter. :) So, here's chapter twelve!
Chapter Twelve
"Here, Firepaw!" Dewpaw meowed, dropping a thrush by her paws. It had been exactly one moon since Firepaw had nearly drowned, and after three days worth of being sick, she had gotten better. She then resumed her warrior training, Blossomfall being as mean as ever, but she never did try to hurt her again, which she was thankful for.
Seedcloud sat beside Dewpaw, her fluffy ginger tail wrapped around her paws. The dark gray apprentice spared her a glance before turning back to Firepaw, raising his voice. "We have to be ready!"
"Thanks," Firepaw purred, looking at the prey hungrily. Tomorrow at sunhigh, her, Bramblestar, Snowpaw, Dewpaw, and Amberpaw would all be going to the Moonpool. Excitement tingled in her paws. She had been awaiting this moment ever since she was just a kit. Knowing that StarClan was just a day's travel away always sent joyful shivers down her spine.
Seedcloud purred at her. "You must be really excited, Firepaw. I remember when I went to the Moonpool with Lilypool." The pale ginger warrior slightly turned her head, looking at the medicine den. "She was training to be a warrior back then. I still don't know why she chose to become a medicine cat…"
"I'm excited too!" Dewpaw cut in before Firepaw could say anything.
Seedcloud turned to Dewpaw, her fur prickling slightly. "That's great," she meowed apprehensively.
Dewpaw ignored her hostility and blinked lovingly up at her. "I'll keep watch over everyone in the whole group!" he said, puffing out his chest. "Even Bramblestar!"
The ginger warrior rolled her eyes in annoyance while Firepaw barely managed to stifle a purr of amusement. The apprentice still thought it was hilarious that Dewpaw had a crush on Seedcloud, and Seedcloud wanted absolutely nothing to do with him. The thought had, surprisingly, helped her sleep when she was still sick.
"Dewpaw!" The dark gray apprentice looked up to see Amberpaw and Snowpaw standing side-by-side near the exit to camp. Amberpaw had been the one to call to him. "Come on! Our mentors said we could all take a walk!"
Dewpaw's ears twitched in excitement at this, and he called back, "Okay! I'll be right there!" He turned to Seedcloud, his amber gaze bright, and he got a moony look in his eyes. "Do you wanna come with us, Seedcloud?" he asked.
"No," the warrior meowed rather rudely. Seedcloud turned around and padded off towards Squirrelflight so she could get assigned to a patrol. She didn't look back once.
Firepaw turned to Dewpaw, and saw his tail drooping. But when the dark gray tom caught her gaze, he brightened up again. "Hey! Maybe I'll see Seedcloud on patrol on my walk!" he said in excitement, but there was a low tone of disappointment in his voice.
The ginger apprentice just nodded at him, and then lowered herself to the ground so she was eye-level with her thrush. She took a bite out of it, savoring the warmth that spread through her body. Purring, Firepaw took another bite of her prey.
She was snapped out of her thoughts by Dewpaw's voice. "...Do you want to come with us, then?"
Firepaw blinked, slightly astonished, before quickly finishing off the thrush. "Sure!" she meowed, spitting out a few feathers in the process. She jumped to her paws, licked her muzzle, and padded towards Amberpaw and Snowpaw, Dewpaw following behind.
Snowpaw flinched back when he saw Firepaw approaching, and Amberpaw merely blinked kindly at her. Feeling slightly unnerved, the ginger apprentice glanced at Amberpaw, who had given her a kinder reaction. But before she could even make a sound, Snowpaw turned and raced into the forest.
"A-ah…" Amberpaw muttered in confusion, "I guess he wanted a head-start."
Firepaw and Dewpaw exchanged a bewildered glance before the trio of apprentices set off into the forest after Snowpaw.
A few moments later, they caught up to him. Snowpaw was gazing at something intently, his muscles bunched up as if he was about to spring. Firepaw stepped forward to see what he was looking at, but only saw a maple bush swaying in the wind, its leaves scattering everywhere.
"What is it?" Amberpaw asked from behind them, her tone curious.
Firepaw glanced at Snowpaw, but his dark amber eyes were unreadable. His gaze never wavered from the maple bush.
"I-I… don't know," Firepaw meowed, looking at the maple bush again as if she was going to see a sign. But nothing changed. It was the same bush, with the same pointed, green leaves floating through the gentle breeze.
Dewpaw nudged Snowpaw, but it was to no avail. The white apprentice's intense gaze never changed, and it seemed as if the air around him was filled with tension. But what for? There's nothing hostile about a maple bush…
Suddenly, Snowpaw's expression changed, and his tail twitched anxiously. "Sorry!" he meowed, taking a small step back.
"What was that about?" Dewpaw demanded, his fur fluffing up. "And why did you run off?"
Snowpaw turned to face his brother. His face was emotionless, but his eyes told a whole different story. He looked… Firepaw squinted a bit. He was… panicked? Panicked about what?
"It's nothing," the white tom meowed finally, turning away. He started walking, looking over his shoulder casually as if nothing had happened. "Come on, let's go!"
The three apprentices blinked in slight shock before heading after Snowpaw.
"Firepaw… Firepaw!" A paw prodded her side sharply.
Firepaw gave an audible groan before opening her eyes sleepily. Moonlight streamed into the apprentice's den, lighting up the cat who had awoken her. Dewpaw's pelt glowed a light silver and his amber eyes lit up the slight darkness around him.
"Great, you're awake," the dark gray tom meowed quietly. He padded towards the exit of the den and then halted, flicking his tail. "Come on, let's take a walk."
A walk? What is Dewpaw playing at? Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Firepaw reluctantly got to her paws and padded after the other apprentice.
They slipped out through the dirt-place, since being apprentices, they couldn't leave on their own. Wrinkling her nose, Firepaw accidentally sneezed at the disgusting scent wafting through the tunnel. Dewpaw flicked her nose with his tail sharply, which just prompted her to sneeze again. Grumbling in slight displeasure, the dark gray tom picked up his pace.
The two apprentices emerged into the open. Firepaw breathed in the cool air in relief, while Dewpaw seemed virtually unaffected by the scent of the dirt-place at all. The dark gray apprentice turned towards her. "Let's go to a clearing, or something," Dewpaw meowed. "...This is kinda private."
Firepaw inwardly flinched at his tone. It was more serious and demanding than his usual light-heartedness he seemed to add into all his words. The ginger apprentice nodded slowly, the fur along her spine prickling uncomfortably. I mean, Snowpaw was acting sorta weird too but this is ridiculous…
Dewpaw headed off towards the bushes, Firepaw in tow. The tom occasionally stopped and checked the area to see if anyone was following them. When he came up blank, he continued on.
Firepaw couldn't help feeling unnerved at all of this. Just where was Dewpaw taking her that was so private? And couldn't all of this wait until morning?
After walking for a few moments, Dewpaw suddenly swerved towards the ShadowClan border. Firepaw's golden eyes widened in shock. What is he doing? Swallowing back her misgivings, she continued following him, but more cautiously. The ginger apprentice carefully sniffed the air to make sure none of her Clanmates were following them. What exactly would they say if they saw two apprentices heading near enemy territory?
As they crossed on to the side of ShadowClan, Firepaw couldn't help the shiver that ran up her spine. But when Dewpaw showed no signs of stopping, the ginger tabby felt a small flash of annoyance, confusion, and anger all at once. "Just what are we doing?" she hissed.
"Calm down, great StarClan," Dewpaw muttered. "What does it look like we're doing?"
"Crossing another Clan's territory, that's what!" Firepaw spat. "What about the warrior code?"
"This is much more important than the warrior code." Firepaw was startled when Dewpaw suddenly halted. He whipped around, his dark amber eyes narrowed to slits. "Can't you see, Firepaw? If we don't talk about this right here, right now, then we never will!"
The ginger tabby flinched back, trying to find words but failing. Her tail flicked anxiously behind her, stirring up some of the leaves that had just started to fall off the trees. Dewpaw's burning amber gaze reminded her of Snowpaw's…
Ugh! I need to stop thinking about him so much! Shaking her head irritably, Firepaw snapped, "Fine."
With that, Dewpaw turned around and started walking again. Firepaw moved at a much faster pace now, desperate to hurry whatever this little "talk" was going to be so they could leave quicker. Not only was the marshy grass underneath her paws uncomfortable, she was also troubled they'd be spotted by a ShadowClan midnight patrol. Glancing upwards, Firepaw saw the crescent moon smothering the pine trees in a silver sheen.
Well, Firepaw thought slightly anxiously, at least we'll be able to see anyone.
After a few more minutes of walking, the grass had gotten less damp and was now dry to the touch. Firepaw tasted the air and realized they were just outside of ShadowClan territory now. She breathed a sigh of relief, but froze upon realizing what was in front of her. A tall twoleg nest loomed in front of her, obscured by shadows from the pine trees.
"What-"
"Shh!" Dewpaw hissed, flicking his tail sharply. "Come on. Let's go inside that twoleg nest."
Fear washed over Firepaw and it definitely showed. Her paws trembled uncontrollably, and her ginger tabby pelt bristled. But she swallowed her fear, and forced herself to move forward towards the tall nest. Multiple times, she had lost sight of Dewpaw, with his dark pelt and all. But a moment later, she'd spot him again, and he'd still be right in front of her, like usual.
Finally, they reached the smooth stone that rose in front of the nest. It was cool to the touch, and Firepaw involuntarily shivered. Dewpaw, as usual, look undeterred by this. He continued on, pausing for a moment at the entrance to the nest. Firepaw perked her ears slightly, looking past him. The entrance was closed, but there was a smaller way in embedded inside of it.
Dewpaw seemed to notice too. Flicking his tail again, he started off again, entering through the smaller entrance. Her whiskers twitching anxiously, Firepaw shot after him, nearly flinching as her nose made contact with the cool, smooth texture.
Dewpaw continued walking into the dark shadows, his form disappearing. Firepaw swallowed nervously, and mumbled, "Dewpaw, honestly, what do you have to tell me that's such a secret?"
The dark gray apprentice must have turned around, because Firepaw saw a flash of amber in the darkness. "Well, I suppose we're far enough now," he murmured, although she detected a hint of hesitance in his voice.
"So, tell me what's on your mind," Firepaw said carefully, sitting down. She was mentally prepared for the longest conversation of her life.
"It's Snowpaw," Dewpaw meowed after a moment of silence. "He's been acting weird, don't you think?"
Despite the seriousness in his tone, the ginger tabby apprentice's ears twitched in annoyance. "I'm the one who told you he was acting weird."
But Dewpaw ignored her words. "Well, I think I've figured out why," he meowed. A patch of moonlight glowed through one of the stone squares in the wall, finally lighting up where Dewpaw was located. His fur was bristling, and his eyes were wide in worry and concern. "I think he's been doing some sort of training in his dreams."
...What? Firepaw squinted at him in confusion. But before she could say a word, Dewpaw continued without missing a beat.
"Amberpaw was supposed to be here too," he admitted. "But she trains in her dreams too. It's so weird… I don't know how they do it…"
"Do you train in your dreams?" Firepaw asked, twitching her whiskers in slight amusement. Really, he expects me to believe this mouse-dung?
"No," Dewpaw muttered. "But that's what confuses me," he continued swiftly, "if my littermates are training in their dreams, shouldn't I be doing it too?"
"You know, maybe you're just crazy," the ginger tabby meowed, her tail lashing. "How does training in your dreams even make sense?"
"I've seen Sandstorm and Graystripe talk about it," Dewpaw retorted. "Something about the Dark Forest, or whatever."
"The only Clan with a dark forest is ShadowClan." Firepaw snorted. "Those two are going crazy and everyone knows it. Jayfeather even said they might be getting a bit too old."
"Wow, you sure treat the elders with respect," Dewpaw meowed lightly, amusement glimmering in his dark amber eyes. After a short pause, he added, "Sorry for being so serious on the way here. I thought it was something you'd like to know about."
"Yeah, maybe. I suppose I'll look into this 'training in your dreams' thing," Firepaw said, giving him a weak smile. "But it sounds stupid."
Dewpaw looked at her, slightly annoyed. But he smiled brightly at her. "Thanks anyway."
Feeling the conversation was over, Firepaw moved back toward the exit, but suddenly, Dewpaw's voice rang through the air. "Wait!"
The ginger tabby apprentice stopped, whipping around hurriedly. "Yeah?" she asked in slight concern.
Dewpaw shifted his paws nervously, and he licked his chest fur in embarrassment. "Well… you know how I'm becoming a warrior a day after tomorrow?" he asked.
Firepaw remembered that-he and his littermates had taken their warrior assessment a few days ago, and that was why they were going to the Moonpool tomorrow. Bramblestar just let her tag along for the experience. And then the day after that, they were getting their warrior names.
After a pause, Dewpaw hurriedly continued. "Well, I was going to tell Seedcloud right after my warrior ceremony that I…" He swallowed, his tail twitching anxiously. "That I love her, and I want to be her mate."
Firepaw was tempted to laugh at his embarrassed expression, but forced it down. "What does that have to do with me?" she asked instead.
"If I can't go through with it…" Dewpaw looked down at the ground, studying his paws nervously. "I… want you to do it for me. Can you?"
Firepaw jumped in astonishment. "W-what? Why?" she demanded. "Why can't Amberpaw or Snowpaw do it?"
"They're training in the Dark Forest, remember?" Dewpaw looked at Firepaw closely, ignoring her scornful look at the mention of the Dark Forest. "I trust you almost as much as I love Seedcloud! So will you? Please?" He held her golden gaze for a moment before rushing past her into the night.
Firepaw just sat there in stunned silence.
As a pale pink mixed with gold blended in with the dark sky, Bramblestar called into the apprentice's den. "It's time to wake up! We need to leave early!"
Firepaw got to her paws groggily, not being able to have gotten a wink of sleep. Dewpaw's late-night walk had kept her awake all night. She blinked her golden eyes, desperately trying to clear them. When she could finally see everything, she noticed Amberpaw and Snowpaw sitting tiredly by Bramblestar's side. They looked ragged and worn out.
Firepaw twitched her ears slightly, looking over at Dewpaw. He had a knowing look in his dark eyes, and the tabby apprentice mumbled incoherently in annoyance. Firepaw was convinced that Dewpaw was wrong, there was no 'training at night', and that the Dark Forest clearly didn't exist.
And yet Snowpaw and Amberpaw's appearances begged to differ.
Firepaw walked outside of the den, trailing after Bramblestar. As she stared hard at the back of her father's head, she remembered her promise a moon ago.
I was going to ask him if he knew what that prophecy thing meant, wasn't I?
Firepaw gazed at Bramblestar curiously as he turned towards the medicine den and went inside. Snowpaw, Amberpaw, and Dewpaw halted before they entered, but Snowpaw gazed in interest inside the den.
After a few moments, one in which Dewpaw had wandered off towards the warriors den, Bramblestar came out of the medicine den. He was carrying five leaf bundles, two in his jaws and three tucked against his chest carefully. Amberpaw made a face at the bundles, and gagged slightly dramatically.
"Why do we need herbs?" she complained. "We're just going to the Moonpool!"
"Yes, and it's going to be a very long journey," Bramblestar meowed after placing the leaf bundles down. "So, unless you want to be tired, I'd recommend the herbs."
Snowpaw cast another curious look inside the medicine den before padding over to one of the bundles of herbs and crouching beside it. Amberpaw was a lot more harder to convince. She was defiant, sharply contrasting from her usual calm behavior.
"I won't get tired!" The gray and white patched apprentice snorted disdainfully. "I have more stamina than most of the warriors here!"
Bramblestar sighed, his fur ruffling slightly. "Listen," he said sharply, "I don't know what fantasy you've got in your head, but I know that you aren't that strong."
Amberpaw scoffed, narrowing her light amber eyes in slight anger. But after a moment's pause, she crept towards one of the leaf bundles, sitting beside it grumpily.
Who put a thorn in her nest? Firepaw thought, surprised. Amberpaw was much more calmer than this-it was a well-known thing in the Clan. She didn't think anything could bother the gray and white she-cat like this-
Maybe the Dark Forest is real…
No! Firepaw thought angrily. It couldn't be the Dark Forest, because the Dark Forest wasn't real, and never would be…
"Where's Dewpaw?" Bramblestar asked, interrupting her thoughts.
Firepaw looked around carefully, scanning the camp for any sign of her dark-pelted friend. After a moment, she finally spotted him talking to Seedcloud in front of the warriors den. The ginger warrior looked dead tired, her fur fluffed up and her usually bright green eyes hazy. In contrast to her lazy behavior, Dewpaw bounced in front of her, his dark amber eyes glowing with enthusiasm.
"Over there," Firepaw meowed, trying to stifle a laugh at Dewpaw's antics. Only he would do something this ridiculous.
Bramblestar, however, wasted no time chuckling at the situation. "Hey, Dewpaw, stop flirting and get over here!" he called across the camp.
Dewpaw stopped jumping, slouching in what Firepaw could only assume was embarrassment. He murmured a few words to Seedcloud, in which the warrior only nodded in annoyance, and then padded back over to the group.
"Yeah?" Dewpaw asked. "Seedcloud and I were talking!"
Pfft, Firepaw thought in amusement. At this rate, Seedcloud already knows he likes her.
"Eat these herbs," Bramblestar instructed, pushing a leaf bundle towards him. "It's so we don't get tired on the way to the Moonpool."
Dewpaw happily obliged, crouching down beside the bundle. "Anything to get me back to camp faster so I can finally get my warrior name," he meowed in absolute excitement. But it was only Firepaw who truly understood the motive for his feelings-Seedcloud.
Firepaw headed towards another bundle of herbs, crouching and then looking at the contents inside. There were many different herbs, in different colors and varieties. The aroma of medicine hit her nose, and slightly gagging, Firepaw slowly swallowed every single herb.
After finally eating all of the herbs, she got to her paws. Firepaw noticed that everyone else was done eating their herbs as well. Smiling lightly, she turned to her father, her eyes bright. "Can we go now?" she asked excitedly.
Bramblestar jumped when she addressed him directly, and slowly turned his dark brown tabby head towards his daughter. "Yeah, sure," he meowed, uncharacteristically turning away from Firepaw's expectant golden eyes. "Let's go."
Firepaw blinked at her father's unusual behavior before shaking her head. As Bramblestar padded towards the exit of camp, Amberpaw and Snowpaw in tow, she fell into step with Dewpaw.
"I-I… might believe your Dark Forest theory now," Firepaw meowed quietly, just loud enough for Dewpaw to hear. "Amberpaw's snappy and you know she's always calm. And not to mention her and Snowpaw look really tired."
"See, I told you," Dewpaw meowed, flicking her with his tail teasingly. "Now, tell me again about how you thought it was stupid."
Firepaw growled in mock annoyance, shoving him playfully. "Oh, shut up!"
Dewpaw laughed, causing Firepaw to ease up and laugh with him. They didn't realize exactly how long they were walking, just laughing like that, until Firepaw accidentally ran into Snowpaw.
"Sorry!" Firepaw meowed quickly, jumping back.
Snowpaw turned towards her, looking angry for a split second before blinking in realization. He stared at Firepaw for a moment before smiling shyly and then turning back around.
"This is a Thunderpath," Bramblestar meowed from a little farther ahead. Firepaw peeked over Snowpaw's head and saw a black surface dotted with yellow lines in the middle. "We have to cross it. But don't take too long. Even though it's early, monsters are still up and about," the dark tabby leader continued, his voice dropping slightly.
"Got it!" Dewpaw said brightly, bouncing on his paws. "No monster's gonna get me!"
With that, the group of five headed onto the Thunderpath. Firepaw tensed slightly at the cool surface underneath her paws, but tried hard not to flinch when she saw the other four not having a problem.
They must have gone on Thunderpaths before, Firepaw thought ruefully. As she stepped on to the other side of the path, she couldn't help but sulk about her unhelpful mentor. Blossomfall was not ideal for anything, only teaching her how to fight and rarely showing her hunting skills. Maybe she didn't need them…
Suddenly, a low rumble shook the ground. Firepaw jumped, startled. "What's that?" she asked in a panicked voice.
"A passing monster," Bramblestar meowed. "But we should be safe since everyone's on this side."
Firepaw blinked thankfully, turning around. But what she saw made her blood run cold.
The monster was approaching very quickly. Firepaw could see the bright yellow lights illuminating the black Thunderpath. But there was a cat standing there, frozen in what seemed like fear and confusion.
"Dewpaw!"
Whoa, cliffhanger D: Will Dewpaw escape? Well, only I know… xD What do you guys think though? Tell me in a review! :)
Anyways, see you soon with the next update! :D
~Orangeflight of ShadowClan