A/N HALLOS!! Sorry I haven't updated lately, my cousin has been staying at my house. I will have Darkstripes POV on the rest of the chapters he's in. If u don't like it, meh. Enjoy!
Chapter 5 Trouble
(Whitewing's POV)
I looked up to see a hunting party return with Birchfall in it. He had a strange cat with him, with sinister blue eyes. He was very observant. Too observant if you ask me. I didn't like him. "Whitewing!" Birchfall called motioning me with his tail.
The dark stranger's eyes lit up. "Who's this?" I asked plainly.
"This is Shade. I didn't know what to do, so I brought him here." Birchfall answered looking at Shade.
Thornclaw looked scornful at the apprentice. "Let's just hope Firestar doesn't eat him."
He was obviously trying to scare Shade, and surprisingly it worked. His eyes were bright with panic and…memories? This cat is weird. But friends with Birchfall, so he must be ok. Shade looked at me and asked. "Are you Whitewing?"
I blinked. "Yes, I am. You must be Shade. Don't worry, Firestar is a just cat, he won't hurt you."
The dark cat merely nodded. Firestar appeared on the Highledge summoning the clan. Birchfall nudged Shade. "C'mon now," he mewed encouragingly, "we have to talk to him."
He scooted Shade over to Firestar. "Shade, if you would like, I will allow you to join Thunderclan. Will you accept?"
Shade looked toward the audience and I hissed in surprise. His eyes were full of malice and hatred towards Firestar. Please say no. Please say no! I silently yowled toward him. "I accept." He answered.
Birchfall purred beside me.
"Shade, from this moment until you receive your warrior name, your name will be Shadepaw. Birchfall, it seems appropriate that you should mentor Shadepaw. Teach and mentor him the way you were taught."
Birchfall dipped his head, eyes bright with excitement. Shadepaw reluctantly walked over and touched noses with him. I cocked my head curiously. How would he know he was supposed to do that? I shook off the suspicion.
I rubbed against Birchfall's flank. "Congratulations." I purred.
He smiled back. "I'll meet you in the warriors' den." He whispered, and walked over to Shadepaw, who was conversing with Thornclaw.
"Birchfall! Just because you have an apprentice now doesn't mean you can ignore your punishment! Fetch me some new bedding!" Mousefur yowled across the clearing.
Clearly embarrassed, he whisked past me meowing, "Show Shadepaw to his den, ok?"
I nodded, shaking with silent laughter. I turned to see Thornclaw leading Shadepaw out of the camp. I better go see what Thornclaw's up to. I stalked behind them, being ever so quiet. They continued through the forest until they got to the abandoned Twoleg nest. Shadepaw was motioning to Thornclaw to sit down.
"So what are you proposing?" Thornclaw asked.
"Simple", said Shadepaw in a cold voice, "We take over Thunderclan."
"What?!" Thornclaw meowed. "Why would I do that?!"
"Because idiot", Shadepaw snapped in a condescending voice, "What side do you think Birchfall will be on? The ones who rebel will be slaughtered. Except one."
"Who?" Asked Thornclaw, interested about the dead Birchfall comment.
"Your precious Whitewing. Once you're ruler, Birchfall dead, you can have her all to yourself, with no one to stop you."
I bit back a scream of horror. This Shadepaw is evil! Birchfall dead? Thornclaw leader? And me his mate?! It was almost too much to bear. But Starclan would stop this. I knew they could. I f they had enough power to bind me and Birchfall, they'll have no problem stopping that ambitious apprentice.
"I'm in." Thornclaw said eagerly.
Ok, now I ran. I ran all the way back to camp, running into Birchfall.
"Whoa," He gasped, "What's wrong? Where's Shadepaw?"
I gulped down a breath and said gently, "Something happened."
I quickly explained the conversation I overheard. His eyes shone wide with surprised, but darkened with suspicion. "Whitewing how could you?"
"WHAT?! What are you talking about?!" I practically yowled.
He tsked at me. "Whitewing, it's a bit obvious what you're doing. Trying to make me spend less time with my apprentice so I could spend more time with you. It's cute. But drastic. Just because you don't have an apprentice anymore doesn't mean I can abandon mine. Oh." He mewed looking over my shoulder. "The evil Shadepaw is killing everyone with his unconscious mind." He meowed in mock horror.
I spun around to see Shadepaw crashed in his nest, snoring loudly. "Honestly Whitewing, I thought you'd be better than that." Suddenly, he took a step back and collapsed.
"Birchfall!" I screeched, flailing to his side.
Today was too much for him, he needed to recuperate. But suddenly, just as if his fainting never happened, he got up a shoved me aside. "Great Starclan Whitewing, are you always this touchy? Go away!" I reeled back in hurt and betrayal.
How could he be this harsh and cold, unlike a few moments ago? "Give me space, she-cat, stop bothering me and go seduce some other tom."
WHAT? How could he have said that? Was I just a tool in his game? Do I mean nothing to him? Am I just another she-cat to him? Either way, I'm not letting him talk to me like that.
"How dare you." I snarled. "What would your mother say if she saw you? Show me some respect tom before I shove it down your throat."
"No", he sniffed scornfully. "I don't show any respect for a two timing she-whore."
It felt like he struck me across the face. My insides crumpled. My heart died. "So that's what you think," I mewed through a strangled whisper. "If that's the case I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOUR ROTTEN FACE AGAIN!" I wailed at him.
As I turned to sprint away, I caught the faint blue gleam in his eyes.
"Starclan save me", I whispered as I collapsed on the ground, out of breath.
Forgive us child, a voice in my ear mewed, but some things are too powerful, even for stars.
My hope shattered.
(Darkstripe's POV)
I woke in a familiar, gloomy place. A large dark tabby greeted me. "Greetings Darkstripe."
I dipped my head in respect. I must be dreaming. He continued. "I'm proud of you. You possessed a body, infiltrated the camp, and started an alliance with just the right cat and possessed yet another cat for sabotage. His name's Birchfall, right?."
I was confused. "What do you mean, just the right-"
"Silence you fool!" Tigerstar snarled. "I do all the talking."
He calmed down and continued. "While I was stalking the Starclan border I heard Spottedleaf-" His voice cracked when he mentioned his beloved sister, but continued "I overheard Spottedleaf repeat a prophecy.
When thorn slashes birch, darkness will prevail, and the stars will die in the failing light." He repeated smugly.
"Explain." I meowed, confused.
Tigerstar sighed. "Honestly, you're so stupid sometimes. I'll explain later. Right now I have a plan that you will carry out."
I nodded. "This Thornclaw has many friends, which means many followers. Build up the rebellion until it reaches its peak. Then I will kill Firestar and lead Thunderclan! How? Thornclaw has a nice, strong body. I can posses him for a lifetime."
"Umm, there's a little problem, boss." I mewed meekly. "You see, I promised Thornclaw this she-cat he loves when we win. It was the only way through him."
"Show me the she-cat." Tigerstar commanded into the murky pool in front of him.
What he saw was heaven itself. The most beautiful creature he had ever seen, fives times greater than Goldenflower, and one hundred times greater than Sasha. Her pure white pelt took his breath away. "The light." He breathed.
He regained his composure and turned to me. "She'll do." He said simply.
"We're planning the rebellion on the half-moon." I mewed. "Be ready"
"Oh I will be." Tigerstar answered in a way that unsettled me.
He was still thinking about Whitewing. Without another word, I plunged into the pool and returned to Shadepaw's body.
I had to plan.
A/N Ooh, creepy Tigerstar! Sorry about the swearing, it felt essential to the scene. Story will be up between Tuesday and Sunday. I'll be focusing more on Whitewing for next couple chappies cause Birchfall isn't important enough yet. Twistey out.