Authors note: Yeah, by now I hope you know Darkclan is not nice... And also, sometimes I make up cats randomly, so look up updates in the clans and stuff.

Chapter 9: Sleep!

Owlpaw didn't seem surprised, but the very sudden leaving stunned him for a moment. But he quickly recovered. "Now he's Darkclans' problem." He growled.

Pinepaw leaned close to him, "But if he's as strong as they say, won't it be a bad thing?"

Owlpaw shrugged off his sisters' concern, he was sore. He at least had a full belly for the coming day. "As long as he stays away from me I'm happy." He meowed.

All he wanted to do was rest; his bones ached to the marrow. Just standing was more effort than he could expend. It would be easy for him to relieve himself of his worrisome sister, but with a flick of his gaze he found Maplestar trotting over to him. He sighed inwardly; a leader is hard to get rid of.

Pinepaw noticed the old leader, and quickly dispatched herself. Owlpaw wished she would've stayed so he wouldn't have to talk. Reluctantly he forced a small smile of greeting for his mentor.

Maplestar gave him a warm smile, his blue-grey eyes checking him over. After he finished his inspection he spoke. "You look like you've run from here to Silverclan. I'll let you take a nap till sun-high and I'll show you the borders." The leader mewed to him.

Owlpaw gave Maplestar a tired grin; he always knew what he wanted and what could be done. The young cat gave his leader another fleeting glance of thanks and began padding over toward the Apprentice's Den. It was the moment he always wished, but as soon as he saw the moss and feather made nests, he crashed down into one like a stone on water.

It was delicious to just lay down, his sore limbs relaxed and he fell into a peaceful slumber.

Owlpaw opened his wary eyes; he tried to shake off the haze of his peaceful sleep. Searching the quiet cave, he wondered why he was in the apprentice den. Then he remembered it all at once, he was an apprentice, chosen by Dusk and Raggedstar to become an owl and right wrong deeds.

He squinted against a defiant beam of light coming from the caves' entrance; he presumed it to be a little past sun high. With a grunt he lifted himself from the sandy bedding. Now that he was fully awake and alert, he could look at his den for carefully.



It was layered with thick cold sand; it worked its way between his toes as he walked. It was a hollowed out stone with various entrances and exits. Clumps of thick moss, covered with light feathers littered the ground. One other was in the cold den, Snakepaw, blending in almost exactly in the tan sand. Her relaxed breathing told him, she was deeply asleep.

After taking in everything he could, Owlpaw squeezed into the weak sunlight, angry clouds hovered above the camp. The dark grey colors showing their true intent. Rain was near.

The air was cold; he ruffled his thick soft fur to get better warmth. Owlpaw's tail still ached when it touched the ground but he tried to ignore its annoyance.

Maplestar sat not very far away, talking to Orangefur. The deputy's brilliant green eyes seemed to have shadow concern of some level. Owlpaw came closer with a smile, and dipped his head in respect to his leader and deputy.

Maplestar gave his a wistful smile, "I see you've had a good rest, ready to see the boundaries?"

Owlpaw nodded excitedly, it would be the first time he had ever gone out without the worry of punishment! Kneading the ground, he waited for Maplestar to lead him out of camp. Before Maplestar could take a single paw step closer to the entrance, a swift blur of grey leaped from the high ridge.

Owlpaw was positive the small cat would kill himself in the fall. But it proved wrong, as the vicious looking cat snapped himself in front of the leader. Without a second thought, Owlpaw was sprawled out across the ground, sad gritted in his teeth. His leader flung the smaller cat easily away from himself.

Now Owlpaw could really see the cat, small and swift. He looked like an assassin caked in wet mud. He could barely make out the amber slits for eyes under the mud. Glinting claws unsheathed the murderer launched himself again at Maplestar. Owlpaw noticed the cat did this all very quietly.

But Owlpaw knew he was trying to kill his leader. A bloodcurdling snarl came from his clenched teeth, and with paws extended he attacked the intruder. Owlpaw dug his fangs into his neck; warm blood welled from the wounds.

Not being able to hold it in any longer the tom cat screeched in agony and rage. The camp had been alerted by the foreign cry, and powerful warriors began to circle the small cat. With closer inspection, the cat was truly a dark brown tabby. It was not who Owlpaw had wished for. Growling, Owlpaw released his teeth from the tom's neck.

Blood oozed from the miner wound, the cat lifted his head and snarled at Owlpaw. He looked very familiar in some sense.

"You will die with your leader, kit!" He snarled viciously to Owlpaw.



Serpentclan warrior surrounded the cat, and Sparrowbeak came closer to the cat.

"Froglegs?" The warrior mewed, as some of the others swatted mud from his dirty pelt. Then Sparrowbeak sighed, "It's an assassin from Darkclan! They sent their own deputy!"

Maplestar scowled, and walked closer to Froglegs. He stood tall showing no weakness, he spoke to the intruder, "Tell Bogstar, Serpentclan is strong and you won't get rid of this leader that easily!" He growled.

Froglegs snarled, "Go to the Dark Forest you mangy flea-bag!"

Some of the younger warriors gasped, others were shocked by the cat's great disrespect. Lizardfur slashed his shoulder, it made the deputy stumble and it caused some blood to flow through the mud.

Orangefur head butted Froglegs to the ground, "Return to your fox-dunged clan! And bring with you the message from Maplestar!"

Froglegs sneered up at her and heaved himself up. "As you wish!" He laughed to himself, "Darkclan will prevail, for we now have a weapon of our own!"

Owlpaw didn't know what he had meant by this, but nearly everyone else had a horrified look on their faces. Pinepaw from the other side of the clearing had an equally confused look about her face.

Maplestar looked at Owlpaw again his worry vanishing in a twinkle, "So, let's go out to those borders then!"

Owlpaw nodded, and followed his mentor, he had questions but not until they were alone.