Sorry it has taken me forever to update! I was busy with two new stories I've started writing. But I finally got some muse when a got a burst of reviews from Tommi Girl (thanks!) and I was able to finish the next chapter. This one is from Mudstreak's POV, so you ge to see inside his head a little.
Mudstreak glanced at Passionpaw. Her tail drooped, brushing the ground softly, her eyes fixed on the ground beneath her paws. He longed to reach out and comfort her, but how could he when he didn't understand? He flicked his tail at her shoulder and she looked up at him, her deep blue eyes filled with grief.
"I've left everything I know, Mudstreak," she mewed softly. "My family and my friends… I've abandoned my Clan. What kind of cat am I if I can't stay loyal?"
Mudstreak stared at her, searching for the words to silence her worry. But she was already speaking again, looking upwards at the sky, where silverpelt shone coldly.
"StarClan must be angry with me…" she whispered.
"No," meowed Mudstreak in a smooth voice, licking her ear. "Would StarClan wish you to be unhappy in WindClan, where they cannot accept you for who you are? NightClan is a different kind of Clan, Passionpaw, for cats who find themselves being held back. You and I grew up in WindClan, but did you ever feel like you truly belonged?"
She closed her eyes and did not answer. There were only the sounds of crickets in the undergrowth and the wind whistling distantly on the moors. The strong moonlight gave her fur a silvery sheen; he couldn't help but admire her lean form. She was the most beautiful cat he had ever known.
"I shouldn't have spoken to Sablefrost like that," she whispered unexpectedly. A burst of rage and jealously made Mudstreaks paws itch… Sablefrost! Why was it always Sablefrost?! The black and white tom had always caused problems with Mudstreak's friendship with Passionpaw. Now they had an entire territory between them and Passionpaw was still worrying about what her former mentor would think! He had to force himself to keep down a sharp remark. He slowly stood and started walking again, Passionpaw following him slowly.
It did not take them long to arrive at NightClan's camp. He showed Passionpaw how to nudge beneath a large bramble bush to find the tunnel entrance. She seemed delighted at the stealth, her sky-blue eyes lighting up as she padded through the narrow entrance. The camp was surrounded by a few trees, creating a weak canopy above their heads. There was a wall made of gorse and barley stalks hiding the camp from the outside. He glanced at Passionpaw, who was gazing around with curiosity. A few of his Clanmates looked up at her unfamiliar scent, narrowing their eyes at the sight of a new arrival.
"What are you doing, bringing old Clanmates to our camp, Mudstreak?" hissed a voice. It was Dampfoot, a former RiverClan warrior. The dark gray tabby had always disliked Mudstreak, though it was probably because he was a firm hater of all WindClan cats. Mudstreak glared at the tom and ignored his inquiry, leading Passionpaw through the camp towards Onyxstar's den. Onyxstar lived in a hollow under the roots of a chestnut tree. He was standing outside his den, bright green eyes fixed on Mudstreak and the young tabby. Mudstreak confidently dipped his head and meowed a greeting.
"Onyxstar, this is Passionpaw. She wishes to join our growing Clan," he meowed, looking at the large black cat. He was about to say more, but Passionpaw cut him off.
"Onyxstar… I've heard many things about you," she mewed. Mudstreak shot her a glance, but she was not looking at him. Her sky-blue gaze was fixed upon the NightClan leader, muzzle dipped earthward in a gesture of respect.
"If you will accept me in your Clan, I promise you won't be disappointed… I-I…" She seemed to lose her train of thought as a disapproving hiss came from behind her.
"The promises of WindClan cats are meaningless!" spat Dampfoot. Mudstreak bristled and turned to face his Clanmate.
"Then it's a good thing she's not a WindClan cat any longer, isn't it?" he spat. He felt no loyalty towards his former Clan, only to Passionpaw. How dare Dampfoot plant doubts in Onyxstar's mind about him and his friend?
"That's enough," growled Onyxstar suddenly, placing himself between the two toms. Mudstreak felt a twinge of annoyance as the former RiverClan cat smirked and stepped away. He placed himself at Passionpaw's side again, pressing his pelt against hers. Onyxstar looked the russet apprentice over, green eyes betraying nothing of his thoughts.
"Passionpaw, Mudstreak has told me much about you. You are lucky to have such a loyal friend," meowed the pitch-black cat. He turned away and padded towards the low branch that hung above his den. He hopped onto it so his piercing green gaze could sweep across the clearing.
"Mudstreak believes you do not belong in WindClan… but what about you? Are your loyalties still within your birth Clan?"
Mudstreak felt a surge of worry, though he tried to push it away. He had pushed Passionpaw into joining NightClan, though he would never admit it to anyone. But what would she say, faced with Onyxstar's question? He flattened himself to the ground, trying to tell Passionpaw with a pleading glance to deny her connection with her old Clanmates. Don't hesitate!
Yet she still was not looking at him, and her hesitation was unmistakable. A hushed murmur spread through the clearing and Mudstreak felt himself go hot under his fur.
"I won't deny that I'll miss my old Clan, Onyxstar," she spoke at last. The clearing was silent once again, except for the blood pounding in Mudstreaks ears.
"But I cannot say I will miss my Clanmates. My loyalty to them was worn away long ago and I will never want to return to them again. No… My heart no longer lie within WindClan." Passionpaw punctuated her speech with a defiant hiss. Mudstreak felt himself let out a breath that he had not realized he was even holding. He rasped his tongue over her ear to let her know he was proud of her and she acknowledged his silent praise with a smile.
Onyxstar's expression was unreadable, though his deputy, Flamestrike, seemed impressed. Mudstreak could hear Dampfoot whispering disbelievingly to his neighbor. Passionpaw seemed unconcerned about the reaction of the Clan as she licked her forepaw and drew it over her ear. Mudstreak admired her detached air at this crucial moment… He was impressed by everything she did. He smiled, feeling a burst of pride swell in his chest. He had gotten to her first – Passionpaw was going to be his mate.
Onyxstar stood, drawing Mudstreak back to the present. He padded towards the end of the branch as if he were going to think more about it alone. But the black cat paused before jumping down and meowed, "I have decided to let Passionpaw stay, so long she is loyal to NightClan." Without waiting for the reaction of his Clan, Onyxstar jumped down and entered his den.
A discontented growl rose from Dampfoot and a few others Mudstreak didn't care to identify, but most of the Clan didn't seem to mind. Meows rose from the crowd as they welcomed the apprentice to NightClan, a few of them coming forward to introduce themselves. Mudstreak entwined his tail with Passionpaw's, feeling pleased with himself.
"Welcome, Passionpaw!" mewed a cream-colored apprentice. Passionpaw smiled, somewhat shyly.
"My name is Milkpaw. It's good to know there's going to be another apprentice in the den! So far it's just me, Blackpaw and Shadepaw, and they're boring." Milkpaw grinned, flicking her tail invitingly. "Come on, I'll show you to our den… Onyxstar hasn't given you a mentor yet, but I think Eveningflower will let you come along on our training until he does. How far are you into your training? Have you learned…"
Passionpaw glanced back at Mudstreak as Milkpaw led her to the apprentice's den, waving her tail goodbye. He was glad to see that she looked excited to start her new life, but felt a stab of annoyance that she was making new friends already. He tried to push it away, telling himself that Passionpaw's happiness was all that was mattered. As he laid down in the warriors den, ignoring a glare from Dampfoot, he couldn't help but wonder if her new friends would keep her away from him… What had he hoped to accomplish by bringing Passionpaw here? Back in WindClan she would always be with either himself or Sablefrost, she had never spent much time with the other apprentices. Things are going to be different now, he thought. Not that it really matters. I know she'll still spend time with me…
What do you think? Mudstreak dosn't seem the evil cat of all evil cats, right? Well, he gets more interesting... (hint hint) Hopefully I'll update again soon! Not too busy this week, so keep an eye out! And don't forget to review!