A/N: Thanks, reviewers! Dewflower, looking back on it, I agree with you; I didn't follow Sunfire in the last bit of the chap. Sorry for taking a bit to update once again; writer's block snuck up and hit me with a mallet.
Chapter Fifteen
"Is Shadowfur in the warrior's den?" asked Lightningstar, padding over to Sunfire and Morning.
Now that she thought about it, Sunfire wasn't sure. She knew she'd been sleeping next to Icestorm, and Raintail had been on her other side, but she hadn't noticed if the black tom had been in the den before Morning woke her up.
"Don't know," answered Sunfire, a strange feeling mingling with the anger from what Morning had told her moments ago. Without waiting for the command, she turned and ducked under the broad leaves that sheltered the warrior's den. She saw two black pelts, Nightwhisker and Darkcloud, but not the third that should have been there.
"He's gone," she said, backing out of the den. "And his scent's stale. Yesterday evening's, I'd guess."
Lightningstar's eyes flashed, but with fear, not anger. "The Clan is in danger," he said, scanning the clearing. Turning to Morning, he meowed, "Wake Treeshadow, the elders, and the queens. Sunfire, wake the rest of the warriors."
"What are we to be telling them?" asked Morning, wide-eyed.
"That I have called a Clan meeting," said Lightningstar distractedly, his eyes darting around camp.
Uneasiness mounting with every passing second, Sunfire turned to the warrior's den again and slipped inside. Weak sunlight was filterong in through gaps in the leaves; Darkcloud raised his head, woken by the light that struck him in the face. Stepping over sleeping bodies towards him, Sunfire said, "Help me wake everyone up. Lightningstar's called a meeting."He nodded and rose, nudging Snowwind.
Prodding Badgerclaw, who was nearest, Sunfire waited for him to lift his head before repeating what she'd said to Darkcloud. The mottled gray tom's eyes glittered with dislike as he registered who was speaking to him, but he remained silent as he roused Nightwhisker.
Disturbed by the voices and movements, the rest of the warriors were plucked out of sleep. One by one, they filtered out of the den, some murmuring confusedly; Clan meetings were rarely called this early.
Raintailran a forepaw over her ears nervously, her pale blue eyes plainly showing her worry. "Shadowfur's gone," she commented, her gaze roaming over the gathering cats. Looking at Sunfire, she asked, "Is that why Lightningstar's calling us? Has Shadowfur done something?"
"I don't doubt it," replied Sunfire, but she ran her tail over Raintail's shoulder comfortingly. Uneasiness was still growing within her, made worse by the tension of the Clan. Icestorm pressed against her for a moment; he could probably sense her discomfort.
"Cats of ThunderClan," called Lightningstar from the Hightree, "When I traveled to the Silverstone, StarClan showed me that one of our own has turned traitor against us." The murmurings of the Clan grew louder, and Lightningstar waved his tail for silence. "Our ancestors showed to me that Shadowfur has been a second leader to the Tribe for two moons now."
Cries of outrage, surprise, disbelief, and fear all rose from the Clan. Raintail began to bristle, her eyes holding more worry than ever. Icestorm growled low in his throat, but Sunfire couldn't honestly say she felt anything other than cold hatred. Shadowfur had been her enemy since the day she was born; he was the one who Firestar warned her against. Beware the shadows; no other Clan cat had the name 'shadow'. Some moons ago, she'd had that dream where Shadowfur and the fox had been sitting side by side, allies.
Listening to the barrage of yowls around her, Sunfire wasn't surprised many of her Clanmates spoke in defense of Shadowfur. He was nothing less than cruel to her, but he, unlike Hawkclaw, had managed to make himself popular with other cats. Sunfire was woken from her thoughts when Raintail nudged her and pointed with her nose. Following her gaze, Sunfire saw a flash of black at the top of the slope.
Feeling a jolt shoot through her belly, Sunfire stood and let loose the most eery, shrill wail she had in her. At once, every cat stopped talking and turned to her, their tails fluffing out, their eyes hugely round. Feeling satisfied at how quickly she'd gotten their attention, Sunfire gestured to the top of the slope. The Clan turned to see Shadowfur standing at the slope's crest, his dark orange eyes emotionless. He spoke, his voice carrying in the early dawn.
"I'm touched to see such a reaction," he said, his eyes sweeping over the Clan.
"Is it true, what Lightningstar says?" called Sparrowbeak. "Have you been a second leader to the Tribe?" Sunfire felt a ripple run up her spine; Sparrowbeak did not sound disgusted or angry, but keen.
Shadowfur nodded calmly. Snarls came from several cats; some gasped in disbelief. Sunfire growled, tensing her shoulders. More than one of her Clanmates gazed up at Shadowfur with only interest. Lightningstar stared down at Shadowfur, his yellow eyes blazing.
"How could you have done this?" he snarled. "How could you so easily fight against the cats you have grown up with?"
Shadowfur glanced up at Lightningstar, flicking an ear as though he found the black-and-white tom barely worth answering. "I have what I want in the Tribe," said Shadowfur, shrugging. "I can issue commands and have them obeyed. I can watch other cats grovel before me, recognizing my power. I am a joint leader with Nero." At this, Morning made a noise that sounded like a cross between a gasp anda hiss. Many cats exchanged puzzled looks. Sunfire, however, knew who Nero was; it was obvious. How can they be so clueless? There was only one other leader of the Tribe.
And she appeared behind Shadowfur, her blue eyes glinting hardly.
The reaction was immediate. Instinctively, Sunfire, Icestorm, Raintail, and the other warriors stepped forward, shielding the elders and queens. Despite her move forward, Raintail was shaking, her eyes fixed fearfully on the midnight-coated fox. Sunfire now felt no trace of discomfort or fear; strength and courage pounded through her veins. She was a warrior of ThunderClan; she would fight to the death to defend her home and friends if she needed to.
But the black vixen–now identified as Nero–showed no signs of attacking. She calmly seated herself beside Shadowfur. The two black figures looked as they had in Sunfire's dream, and it was this that gave her a small jolt. The air felt tense, ready to break. Glancing at the sky, Sunfire saw the blood-red streak had stretched farther across the sky and had grown wider.
"This is touching," said Nero in her tree-being-ripped-up shriek of a voice. "The brave warriors standing up to defend the weaker." Sunfire repressed a shudder; the fox's voice gnawed at her ears and made her fur stand on end. Starting down the slope, Nero continued: "But how brave will the warriors be when we come walking into your home and demand you leave?"
"You've already done that," said Lightningstar, who had jumped down from the Hightree to join the line of warriors. "Moons ago. You threatened to kill us unless we ran, and did we run? The threat failed the first time; it will fail now."
Nero flicked her bushy tail, as though Lightningstar's words amused her. "Are you so sure, leader of ThunderClan?" She spat the words mockingly at him. "I have, after all, persuaded the brave Waterstar of RiverClan to join our ranks. Once I took a life of hers, she was quite willing to comply with my needs." Nero took a step closer to Lightningstar. "I'm quite sure you will be equally willing with just as much persuading."
This was the first thing the vixen had said that truly scared Sunfire. She could hear the frightened murmurings of her Clanmates, and Raintail was quaking harder, but she–and Treeshadow, she remembered–were the only cats who knew Lightningstar was on his last life. If he was killed, he would not wake up again.
Jaywing shifted, his claws fully extended. He was clearly eager to fight, and was just as clearly having difficulty restraining himself. Lightningstar had not given the order to attack. From the corner of her eye, Sunfire saw Softkit curiously poke her head out of the thick brambles of the nursery. The pale cream she-kit had started to step out of her shelter when a tabby leg–Waterdrip's–pulled her back inside. Orangestripe nudged Yellowflower, and the queen scooted over to the nursery.
"The warriors will not attack unless you order them to,"Nero commented, examining Lightningstar closely.
"Wouldn't your cats do the same?" asked Lightningstar politely, his tone light.
"Yes. But what would happen if you were to lose your final life?" Sunfire swallowed hard; it sounded like Nero knew how easily she could leave ThunderClan leaderless.
"My deputy would take over the Clan," answered Lightningstar calmly.
"What would you do if your kits were taken?" asked Nero, changing the subject. She was watching the nursery, where five pairs of kit's eyes gleamed from behind the brambles.
"We would get them back. Bargain." With every word ThunderClan's leader spoke, the Clan grew more tense. Sunfire was torn now; she wanted to attack, to drive the fox and Shadowfur away, but instinct told her to obey Lightningstar, who had not given the order to attack.
Nero swished her tail and started to walk along the line of warriors, looking each one in the eye. "I'm afraid I don't bargain, Lightningstar," she said, shaking her head and not sounding regretful at all. "I take what I want. No exchanges." She stopped in front of Raintail, who, though her shaking had mostly abated, still gave off a strong fear-scent. Nero looked over her, then moved on.
Icestorm was next. He showed no sign of attacking nor fleeing, but stood still, his head held high. Sunfire, standing as still as he, was ready to strike if Nero showed any sign of attacking him. Relief washed over her for a moment when the fox moved on wordlessly.
"Ah," sighed Nero, halting before Sunfire. "The warrior Sunfire. I've heard much about you from Shadowfur." Sunfire said nothing. Her claws burned, ready to tear the fox apart, but Mudspeckle, standing on her other side, nudged her warningly. "I know you are impulsive, and a cunning fighter," continued Nero. "You would make a powerful addition to my line of fighters." Curling her lips back to show her glinting fangs, the midnight-coated fox leaned forward, her sharp muzzle less than a whisker away from Sunfire's.
Sunfire snapped. Rearing up and extending her claws fully, she raised a forepaw and brought it down on the muzzle that had been thrust in her face. With a sharp yelp, the fox jerked her head away. Droplets of dark blood flew as Nero shook her head, rubbing at the long slashes that adorned her muzzle. Many of the other cats shifted, encouraged by Sunfire's move, but Lightningstar stepped forward.
"Hold the line!" he commanded. He turned to Nero, who stared at Sunfire, her pale eyes burning with pain and fury. Sunfire, likewise, was half–crouched, her claws still unsheathed, fire burning through her. "You will leave now," said Lightningstar in a low, even voice. "If one warrior made you recoil, think what all the cats in this Clan can do." Nero, looking furious, backed towards the slope. Now looking at Shadowfur, Lightningstar told him, "If you are seen in ThunderClan territory after sunhigh today, you will be killed." Shadowfur shrugged, looking completely unconcerned. He turned to leave as Nero joined him.
"Wait!" Startled, the Clan turned as one to see Sparrowbeak stepping forward. The streaked brown-and-white she-cat stepped up to the two black figures that stood and dipped her head to the ground. "Let me join your numbers," she begged, staring up at them. Nearly every cat either gasped or grunted in surprise, but Raintail was the loudest; Sparrowbeak had been her mentor, and the two were close friends.
Nero gave a barking laugh. "You see, Lightningstar? Your warriors are smarter than you. They know which is the better path to follow." Looking at Sparrowbeak, she continued, "Well, it would be foolish to refuse the help of those who come willingly to us. Shadowfur, what is she like?"
"A strong fighter, and obedient to her superiors. She'll do."
Sunfire felt sick as well as furious. To have an individual described like that! Shadowfur was speaking to Lightningstar.
"It is your need to see good in everyone and your belief that none of ThunderClan would dare go against StarClan that makes you weak," he said. His voice was expressionless, but his eyes shone with hatred as he looked at Lightningstar. "I have chosen to step away from the path of StarClan. And see what I have become? Iam a second leader to the most powerful fighting force."
The Clan stood in shocked silence. His eyes gleaming, apparently pleased with the reaction he had caused, Shadowfur turned and started to slip away. Before his tail disappeared, Sunfire called him back.
"Shadowfur!" He turned and met her gaze. "All great leaders will fall, struck down by those they consider inferior to themselves." A flicker of something she couldn't identify appeared in Shadowfur's eyes before he turned and melted into the forest. Nero followed. Sparrowbeak was the last to leave; she did not look back, but hesitated for a moment before she, too, left ThunderClan behind.
;-;-;-;
"I just don't understand," said Raintail, her eyes downcast. "Sparrowbeak was one of my best friends. Why would she–?"
"She was probably afraid," cut in Darkcloud, his eyes dull. "Fear is a large motivation."
"Goes to show you never really know a cat," said Sunfire, looking up from grooming a burr out of her tail.
"Shadowfur is my son," said Darkcloud after a long silence. "I know he's ambitious, but I never thought he would do this."
"Not all sons follow their fathers," meowed Icestorm, looking grim. "Just as kits born of the same litter rarely have the same personalities."
Truer words have never been spoken, thought Sunfire, looking over at Mudspeckle and Hawkclaw. ThunderClan's deputy was loyal and steadfast, and he cared for all in the Clan. His brother was a cold-blooded killer, caring for himself, looking for things that would benefit Hawkclaw and Hawkclaw alone.
Finally pulling the burr out of her tail, Sunfire examined Hawkclaw. She was surprised he hadn't followed Sparrowbeak's example and left; he plainly hated his brother for being a well-liked deputy, and he'd never showed any real connection to other cats.
"Morning?" asked Snowwind, looking over at the pale gray she-cat. "Is Nero–trying to find you? She must know it was you who saw her kill your old leader."
Morning started at the sound of the vixen's name, but she answered steadily. "She is knowing I live here now. She has seen me during the fights she initiates. It is control of all things smaller than herself, that is what she wants. She is always enjoying the fighting."
Sunfire saw Treeshadow slip under the willow branches of Lightningstar's den. She stood up abruptly, suddenly needing to know what the medicine cat and the leader were saying. As she stepped out of the den, she felt Icestorm's tail touch her shoulder.
"Where're you going?" he asked quietly.
"Out," she answered, leaning into him as he stepped up to stand shoulder-to shoulder with her. "I need to think." Which wasn't true, but he wouldn't let her leave the den if he knew she wanted to sneak up on Lightningstar and Treeshadow and eavesdrop.
"Can I come with you?" he asked, looking at her carefully. "It's not safe out there, now that–"
"I'll be fine!" she snapped, more sharply than she'd intended. "I'm a warrior. I can look after myself," she reminded him in a gentler tone.
He held her gaze for a few moments, his deep blue eyes unreadable. Then he nodded and turned back into the den. Sunfire looked after him, feeling slightly guilty and wondering if she'd hurt him. Shaking herself, she made her way up the slope, her scent mixing with those of the cats who had been sent out on patrol earlier. Fox scent still clung to the ground like a tick. A damp scent also hung in the air, foretelling a rapidly approaching storm.
Making a left, Sunfire stepped carefully down another part of the slope. This way was more difficult than the main entrance; there was no rock path, only ferns and slippery bark that had sloughed off from the surrounding trees.
A short, but long, granite boulder jutted up from the ground, shielding one whole side of Lightningstar's den. Taking a breath, feeling slightly nervous about listening in to a conversation between her leader and medicine cat, Sunfire crept up the rock and hoped neither cat could see her pelt, which shone brazenly against the stone. Voices drifted over to her; pricking her ears, Sunfire could just make out their words.
"That's all they've told you?" asked Lightningstar. Sunfire noticed black clouds were creeping over the sun.
There was a pause. Treeshadow spoke."All they've told me since the first Tribe attack. Every time I visit the Silverstone they repeat it, the exact same way." Thunder rumbled.
"'Remember the sun's birth.'" Lightningstar muttered it so quietly Sunfire barely made it out. "Maybe we're misinterpreting," he said after a moment, but he sounded as if he doubted his own words.
"We're not," replied Treeshadow sharply. "We just don't know where 'fang' comes in."
"Maybe the fox's name means 'fang'," suggested Lightningstar. The light faded as the storm clouds completely shrouded the sun. Lightning flickered as rain began pelting Sunfire, the drops falling fast and heavy. It became harder to hear their words over the drumming rain.
"It must. It's the only bit of the prophecy that doesn't make sense." Sunfire's pulse quickened; she didn't know there was a prophecy in the forest.
"'Shadow, ice, and fang will come together and form a darkness that may be penetrated only by the fire of the sun.' Lightningstar, did you plan it that way? By the fire of the sun? Sunfire?" Suddenly, Sunfire felt dizzy. She stared at the granite without seeing it. A prophecy about her? For a fleeting second, she felt proud that there was a prophecy about her. Then it passed, and she felt cold. Why had no cat told her? From the sound of it, the prophecy had risen many moons ago, before or very soon after her birth.
Lightning flashed again, and as it did Sunfire heard a cat calling her name. Numbly, still shocked about the prophecy, she turned and hurried away from the den, going into the forest a little before doubling back. Squinting her eyes against the rain, she saw a pale shape standing. Weaving through ferns and saplings, Sunfire padded over to where Icestorm stood. His pelt, longer than hers, was already getting matted from the rain.
As she met his gaze, a faint, black flicker appeared over his shoulder. Time stopped as Sunfire watched a pale outline of the fox, rather like the spirit of Firestar, stalk up to stand beside Icestorm. Alarmed, Sunfire opened her mouth to call out when the shadow-fox disappeared. Icestorm blinked questioningly at her, silently asking why she wasn't coming. Shaking herself, Sunfire walked up to him, shoulders hunched against the rain, and, wordlessly, started back down the slope.
;-;-;-;
Things aren't always what they seem. –Traditional