Hello my friends! I think I updated earlier today but I can't remember. :D
Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING! . Except for Leafpebble. I OWN her.
Enjoy. Oh! So many people are guessing and they are soooo close! Of course I kind of made it unfair to guess. XD And so it is revealed in this chapter. This is why I excepted Darkstripe as an answer.
The kit look up at Tigerpaw and mewed, "For saving me. You didn't have to... but you did." He rubbed up against Tigerpaw once again before smiling a toothy grin. "Stay with us for the night!" He half asked half stated happily.
Tigerclaw jolted awake from his dream. He was breathing heavily and his pelt was thick and heavy with sweat. Breathing hard and trying not to wake his clanmates, he slowly got up and climbed his way out of the den.
He noticed it was dawn. Soon his other clanmates would be waking.
"But Darkstripe! I did what you told me to do! You said we could be together after this!" a she-cat's angry voice rang.
Tigerclaw's ears perked up. He knew that voice. It belonged to Leafpebble of Shadowclan.
"I told you not to come close to the camp! I know what I said you mouse brain! No one expects you killed Redtail! You did great and I love you for that! But my plan isn't complete yet. Now leave before the others wake." Darkstripe snarled out.
Tigerclaw backed up into the warrior's den as Darkstripe came out of some large ferns a few fox tail lengths away.
Tigerclaw let the new information sink in. No. No no no no no! His best friend! He shoke his head and slowly climbed out of the den once again.
"Oh! Hello Tigerclaw. You're up early!" Darkstripe strode over to him with a smile.
Tigerclaw nodded at Darkstripe and moved out of the way as a yawning Mousefur exited the den.
"Get a move on you two. We are starting the day soon." She yawned once again and sat down before licking at her brown pelt.
Tigerclaw rolled his eyes at the bossy she-cat but silently agreed. He left Darkstripe to talk to her alone. He needed to let this information simmer.
Tigerclaw let out an angry yowl. "How long are those two going to take?"
Lionheart rolled his green eyes. "Have some patients Tigerclaw. They probably just woke up."
Tigerclaw flexed his claws in the warm sand beneath him. Stupid apprentices. He heard some scratching sounds and looked up to notice Graypaw and Firepaw running toward them.
"In the future, I expect you both to be punctual," growled Tigerclaw.
"Don't be to severe, Tigerclaw, it was a busy night last night. I expect they were tired," meowed Lionheart gently. "You have not yet been assigned a mentor, Firepaw," he went on. " For now, Tigerclaw and I will share your training.
The kittypet nodded enthusiastically, his tail raising high. His face broke out in delight as well.
Tigerclaw glared at the two before turning around and leaping out of the sandy hollow. The others bounded out after him.
Tigerclaw slowly fell back so Lionheart was leaduing them. He took in a long breath and smelled the two leg path he knew was located ahead.
They stopped and Lionheart asked Firepaw what he smelled. Firepaw listed a few things and then Lionheart asked him if it was safe to cross. With Firepaw confirmation the group stalked out from beneath the ferns they were hiding in and crossed the narrow two leg path.
When the trees turned to pine, Tigerclaw and the other two clan borns stiffened. Tention went out in waves as they walked farther into the pine tree.
Fairepaw watched them in curiousity. Lionheart explained how the two legs put these trees in the forest and how they cut them down with creatures who spew fumes that make kits go blind.
After a little more explaining the cats continued on their way through the pine forest.
They passed another Twoleg path and came across a treeless mound of boulders.
Lionheart sat down by a flat gray rock and explained how this was the boundry of RiverClan.
"Lionheart? Can we stay here for a few minutes? Please?" Graypaw begged the older warrior.
"Err...Only for a few moments. Then we must head toward Fortress."
Graypaw gave a triumphent yowl and bounded over to Firepaw. "Come on! I will show you the best place to warm your pelt!" The two apprentices headed toward another bunch of rocks and climbed on them, talking the whole way.
Tigerclaw stared after Firepaw, oblivious to the looks Lionheart was giving him.
"Curious. Very curious."
Tigerclaw whipped his head to look at RiverClan's side of the border. "What? Are they trying to attack again?"
Lionheart gave out a chuckle and shoke his head. "Calm down Tigerstar. I just noticed that for someone who hates kittypets, you sure have been watching Firepaw alot."
Togerclaw narrowed his eyes and let out a growl. "What are you saying Lionheart?"
Lionheart smiled and in his eyes a twinkle formed. "I'm just saying that a certain she-cat that is expecting you as a mate-" Lionheart gave Tigerclaw a look "is going to be upset when she finds out you have developed a crush on an apprentice."
Tigerclaw blinked then realized he was reffering to Goldenflower. Tigerclaw shifted in discomfort when his pelt started to heat up do to embarassment. What was he thinking? Firepaw was an apprentice for StarClan's sake! Goldenflower had been getting more confident as of late now that he thought about it. He didn't know if he wanted her as a mate though. She was soft, almost to soft. And by the way his thoughts were headed he had a feeling he wouldn't choose her.
Tigerclaw sighed in frustration and turned his gaze back to Firepaw. The kittypet had deffinately caught his attention. He would have to be even more subtle. If Lionheart noticed then the more wise cats, like the elders and senior warriors, would have either noticed or become suspicious.
He stood from his sitting position and meowed out, "Lets get a move on you two! We still need to see Fortress!"
He bounded away from the Sunningrocks at a quick pace. He was thinking the whole time. Did he plan to make Firepaw his mate once he was a warrior? Then another thought struck him. What about Darkstripe and Leafpebble? Would they finish their plans before Firepaw even becomes close to being a warrior?
They reached Fortress and Graypaw took the lead and explained it to Firepaw. They headed down past to the ShadowClan borders and showed Firepaw the thunderpath that seperated the two clans.
Once that was done with they headed back to camp.
Tigerclaw stretched and blinked his eyes a few times. He quickly rose and left the den. He yawned widely and inhaled some of the morning air. The gathering the night before had went on as usual. Nothing interesting had been told except for Firepaw's apprentice naming.
He padded over to the freshkill pile to grab a mouse when Darkstripe stopped him. "We need to talk."
Tigerclaw glanced at the pile of food in front of him and sighed as his stomache rumbled in hunger. "What about training the apprentices?" and eating breakfast., Was left unsaid.
"I got Lionheart to take care of them for the morning. Come." He turned and headed toward the clan entrance.
Tigerclaw glared at the back of the warrior as he followed him. What could be so important?
They walked through the forest until they reached the thunderpath.
"Why are we here Darkstripe?"
Darkstripe glanced across the thunderpath then smiled. "You need to stay out of my way."
Tigerclaw looked at him in shock. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to follow him. "W-What?"
"I know you heard me and Leafpebble talking Tigerclaw! Don't deny it! I need to get rid of you." Darkstripe sneered.
This was not going to end well. "So what I heard was true. You did kill Redtail!" Tigerclaw let his eyes widen. Even though he always told the apprentices never to panic in danger, his advice wasn't helping him.
Darkstripe chuckled darkly. "Yes. And I killed you too."
"What?" But Darkstripe didn't hear him. A monster was coming down the thunderpath. Darkstripe lashed out at Tigerclaw and they tumbled on to it.
Darkstripe sunk his claws into Tigerclaw before he(Tigerclaw) knew what was going on. He smirked down at the surprised Tom and spoke one last time. "Goodbye Fire lover." He jumped off Tigerclaw and bolted off the thunderpath.
Tigerclaw scrambled to get up but the pain in his stomache was intensifying. When he finally stood on all four paws it was two late. The monster was only two tail lengths away.
In a nearby bush a black and white cat and a white and gray kit watched in horror as the monster hit the brown tabby tom.
Yes! Finally the original stuff kicks in! Cliffy! My first one ever! X3 I made it longer then usual do to me not updating on Wednesday. Sorry. I got grounded. I will actually probably update tomorrow so be prepared. See ya!