Chapter 5

Whitepaw was in the same forest where she had met that strange tom some time ago.

Instead of looking about, this time she sat down and waited.

From the shadows came the dark furred tom, his yellow gaze as bright as the first time she met him.

"You never told me your name" Whitepaw mewed, glaring at the tom. This time she didn't feel afriad of him.

"You weren't ready" the tom stated and he sat down in front of her.

"So am I now?" asked Whitepaw, frowning slightly.

"I suppose so, nothing can stay secret forever" the tom mewed "you already knew I was a leader. If I say the clan you are in is named after me... then you should realise who I am"

"Nightstar" Whitepaw hissed and got to her paws, backing away from him.

"Oh give me a chance to explain, you have only ever heard one side of the story. Those who knee the truth about me were obviously silenced, so they could spread their lies. But nothing stays secret forever, as today you will learn the truth" Nightstar mewed, flicking his tail in a motion telling her to sit.

Reluctantly Whitepaw sat down. There was was point in running, he'd probably catch up. She also had the feeling that he controlled this dream, so he could keep her asleep for as long as it took to tell her what he wanted.

"I was born into Eagleclan, a poor and weak clan" Nightstar began "They were threatened by cjty cats, rogues.. loners. Eaglestar was our leader. That foolish tom had idea that they constantly plotted against us. He thought they had been driven out. As an apprentice I led some into the heart of the city and killed the leader of the city cats, a white tom"

Whitepaw looked at him, unimpressed "What gave you an excuse to kill Eaglestar, corrupt the clan and kill so many others?"

"Lies, Whitepaw. Lies" grumbled Nightstar then he continued "Eaglestar was furious. I was a disgrace to the clan, disobedient"

Whitepaw looked at her paws when he said disobedient.

"True, you may be on a path like mine. I made mistakes, sure... I admit that. But now I realise them and will help you avoid doing the same "I became a warrior and a fire broke out into the forest. In the blaze the medicine-cat claimed she saw a vision. Smallberry had always hated me, even when I was young. She said I would destroy the clan like the forest was destroyed by the fire. It was a lie, yes a lie. I only had intentions to make Eagleclan strong. I wanted leadership, not for myself. But for the clan."

Whitelaw remained silent and then Nightstar continued "Eaglestar didn't cast me away, but he didn't trust me. We found a new home, claimed the territory but had trouble with the clans. Eaglestar refused to attack back. That's what killed him. Our deputy secretly had an affair with a Sunclan cat and his loyalties soon changed. He killed Eaglestar, stripping his remaining lives from his body. When I arrived to see what the deouty had done, it was too late. Eaglestar lost his final life. We fought and I drove him away. It was terrible. I told the clan and they decided that I became leader. We became stronger. But at the next gathering the deputy announced my 'treachery' and claimed I had slain Eaglestar. A war broke out, and even some of my clan turned against me, joining with Sunclan. The other two clans didn't join in and left. Eventually we lost and I took the survivors home."

"Yes, I punished the traitors. Disloyalty deserves punishment. I decided on a new name for the clan, Nightclan. To put the old times behind us. Eventually we thrived, though cats were wary of me. Tornpaw was suspicious, a traitor. He attacked me in and I ripped half his tail off. But I spared his life. That was a mistake, because later Torntail spread rumours and lies. He turned most if my clan against me and I was killed. Betrayed. The stories you hear... they were all told by cats who had been manipulated"

Whitepaw stared in shock. She was surprised at how honest he sounded.

"I... I believe you... I don't know why... but I do" she whispered.

"Good. Now I can help you fulfil your destiny" Nightstar mewed, smiling oddly.

He led her to a dark pool. The water in it was black.

"Lionstar. For you he is almost like the deputy" Nightstar mewed bitterly "He has divided loyalties"

Whitepaw's eyes widened "T-that can't b-be true" she stammered.

"The pool never lies" Nightstar growled and he touched his nose to the pool "You do the same"

Whitepaw touched her nose to the pool and shivered. The pitch black water was icy cold.

She felt her eyes closeand soon she was standing in Streamclan territory, beside Nightstar.

"W-what is this?" she asked, looking around.

"A sort of vision. Of what is happening right now" Nightstar mewed then looked towards two cats.

Lionstar and a she-cat.

She saw Lionstar lick the she-cat's cheek and heard her purr. They left each other, promising to meet again in a few days.

Soon the image faded and she was back in the shadowy forest, gazing at the pool.

"Now you see why you must become leader. You know the clans are tense around each other now, a leader cannot afford to have divided loyalties" mewed Nightstar and he added "I can give you extra battle training lessons if you'd like then"

Whitepaw smiled "I would like that"

"Good" Nightstar purred "Your destiny is to become leader, and I will make sure that you achieve that rank. And that it won't end the terrible way that my leadership was ended"

The dream faded around Whitepaw and the last thing she could see was Nightstar's piercing yellow gaze.

Whitepaw rolled over in her nest and yawned. Bright ight shone through the entrance of the den, making Whitepaw blink rapidly.

She got out of her nest, and shook her pelt.

All of the other apprentices were gone, probably training.

Meanwhile I have to spend most of the day removing ticks and changing bedding Whitepaw thought scowling becoming leader seems ages away.

She saw Lionstar pad out of his den, smiling. Whitepaw curled her lip.

He gets angry and punishes me for something he is doing too Whitepaw thought Except his is doing it to meet a she cat, not to spy.

Whitepaw noticed Timberpaw talk to his mentor then pad over to Lionstar.

What's he doing now Whitepaw thought He's being trying to apologise but it's just... not enough.

Whitepaw decided to listen to the conversation that Timberpaw had began with Lionstar.

"The truth is Lionstar... I was with Whitepaw when she went into Sunclan territory"

"Timberpaw, is this the truth? How come they didn't catch you"

"When Whitepaw fell I got scared. I... abandoned her Lionstar. And I can't stop feeling guilty about that. So that's why I'm telling the truth, so I can also get punished. Since also trespassed, then didn't tell the truth. I'm sorry for that"

Lionstar looked at Timberpaw and Timberpaw continued "I won't go to the gathering in 2 days time. I should also take over Whitepaw's duties to make up for abandoning her and trespassing"

"Fine, but you will only be helping her. Since you didn't own up immediately it will then be your job after Whitepaw's punishment ends to, for a week, continue with caring for the elders"

Whitepaw was astonished, she didn't expect him to do that. Timberpaw walked towards her "I really am sorry about... abandoning you, you know?"

Whitepaw looked at her paws. He sounded upset and completely honest.

She then lifted her head and touched her nose to his "Thank you"

Timberpaw's eyes, formerly dull, seemed to light up with happiness.

It was then Whitepaw decided that she forgave him completely. Timberpaw was truly her best friend, anyone could see that. It was okay for him to get scared, not every cat had to be completely brave. He felt guilty about leaving her there and that was all that mattered, that he cared about her.

Together they changed bedding, cracked ticks and then rested. Neither of them decided to train afterwards so when the sun set they shared a rabbit and talked.

It was good to just relax and talk to Timberpaw again. She could forget her worries and have fun. Without Timberpaw it had been a bit dull. Frostpaw was no fun, same with Owlpaw. Leafpaw and Mouselaw were nice but when taking care of the elders alone she had little time to relax and talk to them before heading off to train.

She was glad to be his best friend again.

AN :

Oh Nightstar, stop manipulating poor Whitepaw...

Hope you enjoyed this chapter xD

I will be drawing a cover for this story, like I did for Eaglestar's Reign. It will feature Night, Eagle, Timber and White xD