The moon was still high in the sky, casting a brilliant silver glow upon the unfamiliar territory. Moonpaw's breath came in harsh gasps as she sprinted, trying as hard as possible to keep up with her swift mentor. There were times where she thought she had lost Foxfoot completely, only to see a flash of red fur and take off running after it.
Then, all sight of the older she-cat ceased.
Moonpaw skidded to a halt, panting as she tried to recognize her surroundings. When she failed to do so, she closed her eyes and felt a deep hopelessness surround her. What was she going to do? She couldn't believe she'd already lost her mentor on the first day. Maybe her rogue blood didn't make her quite so cut out for being a warrior.
"You're on your own." Foxfoot's voice echoed through the small clearing she had stopped in. Flinching slightly in surprise, Moonpaw swiveled her ears and opened her eyes, trying to pinpoint the location of the other she-cat.
"To a true ShadowClan cat, this wouldn't be a problem." Pawsteps here, a glimpse of russet there. "But you're not a true ShadowClan cat, are you?"
Moonpaw's eyes narrowed, her claws digging into the ground. "I can be," She called out. "If you'd just come out and teach me."
A bush rustled behind her, and she whirled around, ears flattening against her head. "Ah," Came the chuckling voice of her mentor, "But that would defeat the purpose of the lesson." There was a slight pause, and then, "Tell me, Moonpaw, what do you feel when you're out there alone and vulnerable, knowing that there is a potential enemy – a threat - you cannot see?"
The silver she-cat's eyes narrowed. "I... I feel..."
"Afraid?" Out of the corner of her eye, she swore she saw a pair of amber eyes blinking slowly at her before they were gone.
"...Yes."
"ShadowClan is known for being this way – for being this threat, lurking in the shadows until your back is turned. But we know what it's like to be watched. We've become the darkness so that the darkness cannot consume us – but how do they know that it won't come for us one day, to take back its rightful place?
Moonpaw, we're trusting you with a very specific secret by letting you join this Clan. It's not about the majority. It's not about honor, or bravery, or strength in numbers. It's about each individual cat striving to achieve one goal – survival. It's about doing anything to give your kits one more meal. It's about keeping your own breath, your own step, your own pride in your own Clan. For we're not living for each other – we're living for what's ours; this territory, this Clan, these bodies, and these hearts, beating without synchronization until the day we can no longer carry on. That is what ShadowClan is, and always will be."
Finally, Foxfoot stepped out of the shadows in front of Moonpaw, amber eyes blazing. "Now follow me."
They took a tour of the territory. There really wasn't much to see, other than the Carrionplace, where in leaf-bare they would gather scraps and bring them back to the Clan. Moonpaw wrinkled her nose at the horrid stench – how could they even think of doing such a thing?
"Because," Foxfoot answered, flicking her tail, "The prey normally doesn't stay for very long. It comes generously in greenleaf, but by the time leafbare comes along, all that is left are the rats and the crowfood."
They continued their journey, and Moonpaw tried to memorize every stump and stone that crossed her path. Foxfoot showed her the best places to hunt and to hide – at one point, she even showed her how to slip noiselessly into the shadows.
"Pretend you're light as air," Foxfoot murmured. "Watch for anything that might get in your way. Let your paws sink into the ground with each impact... and..."
Moonpaw watched as her mentor disappeared.
"Now you try," Foxfoot meowed near her ear.
Though she was getting used to the older she-cat's antics, she still jumped a bit at the sound of her voice. Shaking out her silver pelt, Moonpaw slunk forward easily, feeling proud as she barely made any noise.
Her mentor's whiskers twitched as she came back around. "You're a natural, but you'll still need to practice."
After that, Moonpaw started using the methods Foxfoot taught her constantly, trying to get it imbedded into her subconscious.
Finally, they stopped at the Thunderpath. "This is the border," Foxfoot murmured, flicking her tail. "This Thunderpath cuts us off from all of the other Clans; isolates us. Because of this, we are left alone."
Moonpaw peered at the sticky ground before her before raising her gaze to the trees. "Is that ThunderClan territory?" She asked quietly.
Foxfoot nodded. "Beautiful, isn't it?" The russet she-cat ran a tongue over her whiskers. "Such juicy prey, I bet. But since it's against the warrior code, I suppose we can't get a taste." After stretching a bit, she turned a serious gaze on Moonpaw. "Seriously, though. Don't get any ideas. That land belongs to someone else, and we'll respect that. If we need it, we'll put up a fair fight."
Moonpaw nodded hastily.
The sun was just rising, she noticed. Were they really out all night? As soon as the thought came to her she felt exhaustion hit her like a brick wall, and she barely suppressed a yawn.
This didn't escape Foxfoot's notice. "Come on, let's get back to camp. We have a long night ahead of you after this." With a flick of her tail the ginger she-cat disappeared into the shadows.
But something compelled Moonpaw to stay for a moment and look. She peered across the border, where a ThunderClan patrol suddenly burst out of the undergrowth. The she-cat leaped back, stunned, before moving forward again to take an eager look at her rivals.
There were many cats, but a tom about her age with a blazing golden pelt caught her eye. She thought he looked silly; with such a bright pelt, he would scare away all the prey. Her whiskers twitched in amusement.
Then, his eyes met hers and she was amazed at how familiar they seemed.
"Moonpaw?" Her mentor's voice called from the shadows.
After blinking slowly at the cat across the border, she turned and started to follow Foxfoot back to camp.