Chapter 4.

The bright light that filtered through the bracken woke Shadefrost. It warmed her pelt and made her want to purr in delight. She lay there for a while, relishing the unusual warmth that soaked her fur.

Opening her eyes, she was nearly blinded by the intensity of the light. She mewled with happiness and pushed herself to her paws. Today was bright; a bright new dawn when she could leave Rustpaw and Flamefur behind and start her new life as a WoodClan warrior.

Shadefrost shook stray pieces of moss from her pelt. Light still filled her eyes, making her vision hazy. Taking a step forward, she gasped as her paw connected with another cat's tail. "Ow," complained Foxwhisker. "What in StarClan..." He looked up and saw her. "Oh." His whiskers twitched happily. "How are you, my love?"

Shadefrost's day brightened further. "Fine," she purred, her heart beating hopefully. Maybe Foxwhisker had been telling the truth. Maybe he had just needed to catch up on sleep. "Sorry about your tail."

Foxwhisker flicked his tail over her ear. "No problem." He eyed her nervously. "Hey, um, Shadefrost, I'm sorry that I snapped at you last sundown. I've just been worried about something."

"What?"

His eyes darkened. "I'd rather not go there."

Shadefrost sighed, exasperated. So there was something that he was keeping from her. "Tell me," she encouraged him. "I can help."

Foxwhisker shook his head. "I really don't think that you can."

"Try me."

He shifted uneasily. "Please Shadefrost, I don't need this right now." He got to his paws.

"Foxwhisker," Shadefrost mewled, her voice pleading. "What's wrong?"

"It doesn't matter," he insisted. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm expected on patrol." He turned and walked briskly out of the den.

"Foxwhisker, wait." Shadefrost sped after him but by the time she had stuck her head out of the den's exit, he had gone.

She sighed and her stomach rumbled. She couldn't remember the last time she had eaten. She headed over to the fresh kill pile. The sky was clear and the sun beat down strongly, blasting through the cold of leafbare. But Shadefrost could not appreciate the warmth anymore. Her day had darkened.

The fresh kill pile was not a pile. There were only three piece of prey there. Disappointed, she turned away. She could not eat that prey. It had to go to the queens, kits and elders, not warriors. Shadefrost padded towards the camp entrance. The unusual heat of the day would bring more prey out from their nests. It was a good day for hunting.

As she neared the entrance, she heard a cat call her name. "Shadefrost!"

She turned to see the skinny black warrior, Sootwhisker. "Hey," she mewed.

"Hey." Sootwhisker's fur was fluffed up as usual. The tom was always so nervous. "Where are you going?"

"I thought I'd get a bit of hunting done," Shadefrost answered. "It's a good day for it." She waited anxiously for Sootwhisker's approval. The tom was the only cat in the clan who matched her skill at hunting and she had much respect for him.

Sootwhisker nodded. "That's a good idea." He eyed her thoughtfully. "Could you take Lilacpaw with you? It'll be good for her to get some experience with such a good hunter."

Shadefrost suppressed a groan. She not at all want to take Sootwhisker's apprentice hunting. Lilacpaw had not been very nice to her when she was an apprentice. Early on in her apprenticeship, Lilacpaw had become close to Swiftclaw, who had filled the apprentice's head with bad thoughts about Shadefrost and Rustpaw. Lilacpaw had been mean ever since, although she had said a few kind words to Shadefrost at her warrior ceremony. Sighing, Shadefrost meowed, "I could but why?"

"Hollyfrost told me to keep Shadowheart company," Sootwhisker explained. "She said the she was a bit depressed. I thought I'd take her tracking and try to cheer her up. I hate it when other cats are upset."

"Ah, of course." Shadefrost dipped her head. "Ok, I'll take Lilacpaw hunting if you promise to cheer Shadowheart up."

Sootwhisker looked at her gratefully. "Thanks Shadefrost. I'll try my best with Shadowheart."

Shadefrost nodded and padded towards the apprentice's den with heavy paws.

Lilacpaw and Lynxpaw were basking outside, taking advantage of the warmth. They looked up as Shadefrost approached. "Hey Shadefrost!" Lynxpaw mewled.

"Hey." Shadefrost smiled at the golden tom. He was a lively cat and always seemed happy.

"Have you come to take me training?" he asked hopefully.

"No, sorry Lynxpaw."She swiped her tail over his nose and turned to Lilacpaw. "Lilacpaw, Sootwhisker wants me to take you hunting today." She braced herself for the harsh words.

But none came. "Okay," Lilacpaw merely said, getting to her paws. "Where are we going?"

For several seconds, Shadefrost was unable to speak. Lilacpaw was never nice to her. "Um," she mumbled, regaining her voice. "I thought around by the Four Oakes."

"Sounds good." Lilacpaw padded towards the camp exit. "Let's go."

Shadefrost exchanged a bewildered glance with Lynxpaw, before rushing after Lilacpaw and out of the camp.

Okay, I'm in a bit of a rush so I can't thank my reveiwers induvidually like I normally would. Sorry:(

Thanks anyway if you reviewed:)

I'll update ASAP!