Chapter One
Shadowheart P.O.V
Watching the black she-cat distastefully with narrowed eyes, I can't help but snort as she stands up, ready to address the Clans.
"HazelClan is well. However, a fox was chased off our territory, so I advise CloudClan and BirdClan to keep an eye out for it." The she-cat meows confidently, not a sign of a threat dripping from her sweet voice.
I hate her.
She's the powerful one.
StarClan chose her to become Leader.
What's so special about her?
"Thank you, Silentstar." The pale grey tom beside her purrs, not a hint of hostility or sarcasm from his body language or tone.
Silentstar smiles before dipping her furry head and re-taking her place on the splintered stump surrounded by sharp thorns.
I wish she wasn't my sister.
Boredom takes over throughout the rest of the Gathering. As I become less and less interested with what else is said, the voices become muffled and I can't help but find a leaf blowing on the soft breeze to be more interesting. Not taking my eyes off the golden plaything, I smirk each time it gets caught in a cat's fur, leaving them no choice but sit still until it blows off or risk interrupting the Gathering.
"CloudClan! We're leaving!"
Brackenstar's unmistakable voice hits my eardrums, immediately making me pad up to my Clanmates, undeterred by the fact that their gazes drop when they make eye contact.
Well, all but one.
"Hi Shadowheart!"
StarClan, really?!
"What is it Goldenfur?" I meow in monotone, ignoring the fuzzy tom.
"You looked lonely! So I thought that I'd come talk to you!" He cries, not noticing my hostility.
Sighing in agitation, I quicken my pace to escape from the over-excitable tom. "I like being alone."
"Why?"
"Because I do."
"But... Why?"
"Just because."
"There's gotta be a reason! Hmmm..." Leaping out in front of me, the tom crouches into an attack position, playfulness glowing in his dark amber eyes.
Unfazed by his kit-like behaviour, I freeze, glaring at the tom quizzically. "What are you doing?"
"Let's play!"
"No."
"Why?"
"I don't want to play!"
"But... Why?"
Not this again.
Ager bubbling in my veins, I skirt around the confused tom to pad next to Brackenstar.
The creamy brown she-cat glances over her shoulder, her dark green eyes glittering in amusement. Following her gaze in agitation, I growl as I notice the pale brown tabby stalking me, his stomach low to the ground and tail swinging from side to side in amusement. Letting my rage out, I bowl into the young tom. Shrieking in glee, the tom rolls into the undergrowth, clinging onto my short fur as if his life depended on it.
"This is fun!" He cries, jumping up so I can scramble to my paws.
"No. This is not fun!" Hissing in fury, I try to re-join my Clanmates when a voice stops me dead in my tracks.
"Shadowheart, Goldenfur. I've been expecting you."