AN. Thanks for all the positive reviews everyone! Enjoy! :D

Chapter Twenty

The sun's blinding radiant light began to disappear behind the tall, grand trees of the forest as the moon rose for its shift in the sky. Shadowpaw squinted, blinking as the sun went down for the tenth time since the warrior ceremony of her friends and fellow apprentices. She laid on the flat stone surface of the cold cave located high on the mountain cliffs with her head placed gently on one of her paws with her other paw further away and her tail wrapped around her hind legs that laid on the side. Chocolate sat straight up not far behind her gazing at the she-cat with both admiration and guilt. For ten sunrises Chocolate and Shadowpaw got to know each other. For ten days Chocolate felt like she couldn't express her thankfulness enough to Shadowpaw. For ten sunsets Chocolate felt guilty for getting Shadowpaw in this cave prison. For ten suns and moons Shadowpaw kept saying the same thing: "Chocolate, I did it for my Clan as well as you. Never would I submit to Bone as a warrior. This is for the best,"

Although both she-cat prisoners knew that eventually Bone will use them for warrior ceremonies, and if the apprentices will actually kill them cannot be said. But, despite the shivers that are visually seen on Chocolate when the thought comes to mind, Shadowpaw felt little fear. If she died she'll be showing support to her Clan and encourage her Clan to help themselves from Bone. If she died, she'll go to StarClan and watch over and protect all the Clan cats and guide them to glory once again.

Shadowpaw shifted her gaze to the cats who were guarding the entrance of the den, two apprentices of Star Forest and who were discovered to be two of three of Bone's kits. Navypaw and Midnightpaw stood on both sides of the cave entrance, alert. Shadowpaw perked her ears to hear their conversation.

"This is getting boring. Why does lucky Eclipsepaw not get to guard the mouse dung prisoners?" Midnightpaw complained with a grunt.

Navypaw gave her sister a glare, "Stop complaining! Father ordered us to guard so we guard! Who knows what they'll do after she tried to overthrow Father?"

Shadowpaw then flattened her ears, she didn't try to overthrow Bone even though she'd very much like to. But then Shadowpaw perked her ears again as she heard a new voice from outside the cave.

"Navypaw, Midnightpaw, you may be released from guard duty. I'll take it from here,"

Shadowpaw let out a sigh of relief when she realized it was Leer's voice.

Midnightpaw took the opportunity and scurried down the mountain/ Navypaw gave Leer a respectful nod and went after her sister; they did not know of the tension between Leer and their Father.

Leer entered the den, his long glossy night black coat flowing smoothly against his lean body. A limp squirrel rested in his jaws along with a small rabbit. He placed the freshkill down, saying, "I'm sorry I couldn't come until now. It's difficult for me to reach this area nowadays with Bone breathing down my back." He eyed Shadowpaw's and Chocolates scrawny bodies, "You haven't eaten for days, go ahead and eat the prey,"

Shadowpaw gave Leer a thankful smile, "Thank you so much Leer!" she said lifting her head and taking a bite of prey. Chocolate took the bunny and began to gulp down the dead animal.

"What's been going on down there?" asked Shadowpaw.

"The Clan cats were all shocked at your capture. All the new warriors were outraged and felt guilty for you being the only one. Sunshaft nearly tried to break into the prison himself," answered Leer.

"Everything else if fine then?" questioned Shadowpaw hopefully.

Leer's eyes narrowed, "Seemingly yes, however Cloverwing just had three kits she named Puddlekit, Tearkit, and Lakekit. But after Moonsong's kit's were confiscated by Shadowsoul she's frightened of what will become of her own." Leer sighed, "Moonsong is still in great distress, I believe the kits are currently being taken care of by Shadowsoul and Eve on a lower cliff of this mountain, but separate from the rest of Dread Camp. Moonsong was sent over to be in Terror Camp and they gave the cats no explanation why."

Shadowpaw looked down sorrowfully. She remembered the queen when Firefang introduced her to the pregnant she-cat back when Shadestar lead them all to WhisperClan to seek help when the rouges first attacked. She sent a silent prayer to StarClan that Cloverwing will be able to keep her kits. Shadowpaw knew that the kit's father was most likely Dawnglow.

Leer wasn't finished, "Also, Shadowpaw, but your deputy, Phoenixfeather, is dead,"

Shadowpaw leaped to her paws at the mention of Sunshaft's mother, "What? How?"

Leer scowled, "After protesting Bone when the new warriors came back saying they had to kill the elders, she was found dead in Cloudtrees the next day. Stareyes and Sunshaft were devastated and now Sunshaft blaming himself for too many things. Bone's rule is chaos." He then glanced behind him, "I better start acting like I'm actually guarding you; Vixen is supposed to be bringing new prisoners soon," Shadowpaw nodded and Leer took place by the cave entrance.

Soon enough, Shadowpaw could hear cats padding up the steep cliffs. Appearing at the entrance were Vixen, Eagle, and Screech. Behind them was a kittypet and three rouges. And…….Dawnstar?

They were shoved by Vixen into the cave. Vixen glared at Leer, "Why are you guarding by yourself Leer?"

Leer glared back at Vixen, "If you'd like more, go ahead and leave Screech and Eagle behind. I'm sure Mourn Camp will need their deputy back. Cliffshadow will need your help won't he?"

Vixen smirked, "Yes, yes they would. Alright! Screech! Eagle! You two do as he says and stay here!" And with that Vixen broke into a run down the cliff and back into the forest.

Eagle raced up to Shadowpaw, "Shadowpaw! You're alright!"

"Well don't bulldoze her over Eagle! She won't be alright after then!" snapped Screech.

Shadowpaw turned towards Dawnstar, "Why did Bone put you here?"

Dawnstar sighed, "Like Phoenixfeather, I went against Bone. I've always respected elders no matter what Clan they were in and killing wasn't right. I was extra cautious when Phoenixfeather was found dead. But eventually they decided to throw me in here saying that because I defied Bone's judgment earlier, I didn't deserve freedom,"

Screech snorted, "Like they have any freedom as it is!"

Eagle padded over to Leer, "What are we going to do about it?!"

Leer gazed at Eagle, then at Shadowpaw, "Eagle, Screech, remain here, I'll be back before dawn,"

Before any of them could ask where he was going, Leer vanished beyond the cliffs as the sun went down, darkening the night with only the crescent moon gleaming above.

AN. Much shorter than last chapter huh? Please review!