Hey guys! Well, I'm just on a roll, aren't I? Two chapters in the same week! I've been trying to write more and more often, and it took me a little bit (because of personal troubles) to get the hang of this chapter. When I did, though, I really started to like all of the characters as they turned out. I hope you like them, too! :) Enjoy!
ShadowClan warriors did not sleep.
They were night hunters. They slipped into darkness as easily as a fish moves through water. A ShadowClan warrior is a master of surprise, ready to strike at the opportune moment. They are strong, cunning, swift, and intelligent, giving them a more unique style compared to the brashness of ThunderClan, the fluidity of RiverClan, and the flightiness of WindClan. They are strongly feared because of the fact that they are unseen - always there and always watching.
ShadowClan warriors did not sleep.
Moonkit yawned.
The tiny silver she-kit glanced wearily up at the sun; it had just begun to rise. This was about the time that the warriors came back from their hunting trips and the others started taking patrols. Since the other Clans were mainly up and about during the day, ShadowClan made positive that at least a few of their warriors sacrificed some cat-napping (ShadowClan warriors did not sleep) for the security and safety of what little territory they had. Their reputation wasn't one to be admired - but they were strongly bound together because of it.
A blow to the back of the head snapped her immediately out of her thoughts, and she spat as she toppled over.
An amused purr sounded from behind her. "A ShadowClan warrior should always be alert," A voice meowed mockingly. "Oh, wait. You're just a silly rogue that Shadowstar took pity on."
Moonkit straightened herself and shook out her fur, turning a sharp green gaze on her denmate. His smoky black fur was fluffed with excitement and his amber eyes were narrowed. She didn't bother to reply, starting to lap down her ruffled fur.
Batkit's whiskers twitched. "Don't you have anything to say, filth?" The pale gray tom-kit beside him stayed silent, making no move to assault Moonkit as well, though he didn't defend her either. His yellow eyes were slightly bored, staring off in another direction, as if this were a regular occurence for him.
Which, it was, sadly.
"No one likes you here." Moonkit's general attention snapped back to Batkit in a heartbeat, shoulders tensing slightly at his words, though she continued to refuse to acknowledge his presence by keeping her gaze on her fur. The tom continued, taking a step closer with a small sneer on his features. "You should run back to twolegplace while you have the chance, and before you're driven out of here yourself."
At that, green eyes snapped up, glaring heatedly into amber. In a flash Moonkit was bowling Batkit over, a silent ball of silver fury unsheathing sharp, tiny claws on her tormentor.
Batkit, ignoring his brother's protests as well as the new arrival of Mothkit (who happened to be extremely protective of his adoptive sister), fought back in earnest, attempting to use his larger size and strength to his advantage by pinning Moonkit down. To his surprise, however, she slithered right out of his grasp like a snake and turned quickly, snapping out with a forepaw.
The blow caught the smoky tom across the face, who growled with frustration. "You-"
"Enough."
The booming voice was enough to still both kits. Batkit scrambled off of Moonkit, panting slightly, and the tiny silver kit slowly rolled over and onto her paws. Both stared at the ground, looking guilty.
Shadowstar looked pleased.
"While it is enjoyable to see our kits becoming such strong little warriors, fighting amongst Clanmates in unacceptable." Her voice purred at the beginning, then turned stern as her dark emerald gaze studied the two kits. "If I ever see this kind of behavior happen again, it will not be tolerated. ShadowClan is known for its discipline. We cannot have our reputation blackened by a couple of kits who couldn't control themselves." Her eyes narrowed. "Understood?"
"Yes, Shadowstar," The two kits meowed immediately, voices strong and clear.
The large black she-cat nodded. "Very well." She turned her gaze on the nursery, where Poppyfur sat watching the kits. The pretty she-cat's eyes were cold as she studied Moonkit with obvious distaste.
She had let the fight progress on purpose. Anger flashed in Moonkit's chest, but she did not voice it.
"Poppyfur," Shadowstar called, moving over to the queen. "Where is Tawnyear?"
The gray queen's yellow gaze rested calmly on Shadowstar. "She needed a break from the nursery, Shadowstar." Her eyes flickered over to Moonkit, contempt shining in their depths, before they returned to her leader. "She went to take a walk in the woods."
Narrowing her eyes, Shadowstar growled, "You should have been more alert, Poppyfur. I do not like conflict within the Clan, not when so many are against us." A threatening tone entered her voice. "Bad blood or not, she is still a part of the Clan, and she will be trained as a warrior. Get used to it."
Poppyfur's expression seemed to blacken, as if she were about to argue, but she chose instead to simply incline her head slightly.
With a swish of her black fur, Shadowstar turned to address the four kits that now stood side by side. "You're all becoming too independent for the nursery. Such strong cats shouldn't be wasting their time in such a place." The she-cat flicked her tail. "You will be awarded your apprenticeship at moonhigh. Be prepared." With those words she began to pad away, leaving a dark cloud of excitement over the four kittens.
Mothkit, temporarily forgetting his anger towards Batkit, nudged his adoptive sister in the shoulder. "Did you hear that?" He squeaked merrily, bright yellow eyes sparkling. "Apprentices! We're finally going to learn how to be warriors!" His light brown tabby fur was puffed out in excitement.
Moonkit's whiskers twitched, and the she-cat spoke for the first time that morning. "I know!" She meowed in reply, eyes shining. "I wonder who our mentors will be?"
A dry, teasing voice interrupted them. "Whoever they are, they aren't going to be impressed with the lot of you. That is, not unless you get any rest."
Moonkit and Mothkit turned at the same time, seeming to brighten even more once they realized who had spoken. "Tawnyear!" Mothkit crowed, rushing forward to nuzzle his mother. "Tawnyear, did you hear? We're becoming apprentices!"
The she-cat's light green eyes shone. "So I heard, little one," She mewed, nuzzling her son back. "I'm so proud of you." She turned her gaze on Moonkit. "I'm so proud of both of you!"
Moonkit twitched her tail and stood a bit straighter. A compliment was rare, and though Tawnyear loved her just as much as Mothkit, she knew that the she-cat didn't praise others often. "Thanks, Tawnyear. I'll try my best to be the best warrior I can be."
"Me too! Me too!" Mothkit bounced up and down, radiating energy. "I'll be the strongest and fastest and quietest-"
Tawnyear rolled her eyes, shooting an amused glance at Moonkit as she started to corrall her son into the nursery. "Alright, alright, settle down now. You'll want that kind of energy tonight. Knowing our warriors, they're going to want to start your training as soon as possible - and they won't go easy on you, either."
Moonkit followed the two tabbies into the nursery, pausing once to glance around the camp and take a deep breath in.
She thought she saw a pair of dark amber eyes flash in the shadows nearby, but didn't have time to investigate as Tawnyear was pushing and prodding her into her nest for one last time.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the Lowstump for a Clan meeting!"
The shadows around camp seemed to flow forward, all meeting at the center of the camp before the large stump of an old pine tree. The moonlight radiated from the sky and touched the camp silver, a soft and unearthly light shimmering on the pelts of all cats. At the front of the crowd sat the four kittens, awaiting ceremony.
First went Batkit and Rainkit. The former was given to Mudwhisker - a calm, kind tom to balance out the rambunctious and aggressive nature of Batpaw. Rainpaw was given to Ravenpelt; a good match, in Moonkit's opinion. Her brother went to Lizardtail willingly; the she-cat was hot-tempered, witty, and quick - the two would get along stunningly.
Then, it was Moonkit's turn. The silver she-cat took a step forward, ignoring some of the hostile stares that burned into her back. ShadowClan was a tight-knit group; they didn't appreciate outsiders, but she didn't mind. She would make sure to prove them wrong.
Shadowstar stared down from her perch on the Lowstump, fluffy tail curled over her paws. "From this day, until you recieve your warrior name, you will be known as Moonpaw. I ask StarClan to guide you and watch over you until you find it in your paws the loyalty and cunning of a warrior." The black she-cat studied the crowd, green eyes narrowing as they landed on a familiar shadow. "Foxfoot, step forward."
The darkness broke and a cat prowled out and into the moonlight. Her blood-russet fur washed silver in the moonlight, but her dark amber eyes shone out brilliantly in their true colors. Moonpaw felt a chill run down her spine at the she-cat's feral looks; she seemed so familiar, but she couldn't quite remember why.
"Foxfoot, you've requested Moonpaw as an apprentice, and rightly so. As the warrior that found this rogue as a kit, it is your duty and responsibility to train her in our ways and turn her into a fierce and loyal cat. I trained you well, young one. I expect you to pass on all you know to Moonpaw."
Foxfoot bowed her head deeply and turned to take silent, swift steps over to Moonpaw. She studied the silver cat with expressionless, burning eyes for a moment before leaning down and touching their noses together.
Moonpaw barely stopped herself from flinching back, obviously intimidated by her new mentor. She ignored what few cats were calling out her name and waited for her mentor to speak, standing at attention even as the cats dispersed.
The russet she-cat before her seemed to study her new apprentice, head tilted to the side. "...Are you surprised that I'm the one who found you?" Her voice was sharp, cutting, like a broken shard of ice.
Moonpaw's whiskers twitched hesitantly. "A bit," She admitted. "I... I guess I didn't expect you to offer yourself to train me."
Foxfoot narrowed her eyes. "It's only logical," She growled, flicking her tail and turning to trot over to the camp entrance. Moonpaw realized the signal a second late and had to bound forward to catch up with her mentor - the she-cat was fast. "Besides, no one else was going to be willing to train a /rogue/ kit."
Moonpaw's shoulders stiffened, and she opened her mouth to retort. She was cut off, however, by her mentor once more.
"I like you, Moonpaw. I've seen you interact with - who is that tom, Batkit? - over at the nursery. He's bigger than you, stronger than you, but you're smarter. You won't put up with anything he tries to do. I admire that." Foxfoot turned to stare hard at Moonpaw over her shoulder, though a slight glimmer of excitement could be seen in her eyes. "I'm going to teach you how to use your smarts and your passion and channel that into your duty - to be the best warrior for ShadowClan that you can be. Is that understood?"
Moonpaw blinked. "Perfectly, Foxfoot."
The russet she-cat flicked her tail. "Great. Let's get started."
A bloody flash, and Moonpaw found herself scrambling to catch up.