So, this will probably be my last update in awhile because I'm going to be pretty busy.. But holy omg. 132 people have visited this story so far. That makes me like, super happy. :3
Anyhow. I see we have some new reviewers as well as some older ones! Thank you Tallstar07, Spottedfern, xxXCalmingMelodyXxx, samredlamb7, & Lawlstar of DerpClan~ If I could type a heart for you guys I would.
Lawlstar of DerpClan ; Sorry, I don't usually take special requests.. I also have a lot of this written out too so.. We'll see. (; I appreciate you taking the time to review!
Chapter 21
Maplepaw entered the den; it was dim and cold and musty, and she had to blink a few times before her eyes focused on outlines in the corner. There he was, hunched over a something she couldn't quite see. Maplepaw didn't want to interrupt whatever he was doing, but she shuffled her paws and murmured, "D-Darkstar?" At the sound of her pawsteps, he turned around and Maplepaw gasped in shock: His eyes were bloodred; his muzzle stained crimson.
"What have you done?" Maplepaw whispered in astonishment.
Darkstar chuckled. "I had to. Just another one in my way." He licked his lips, smiling at Maplepaw, and moved away from the body. "Would you like to know who it is?"
The cat lying there was snow-white.
"No!" cried Maplepaw. "Mother!"
She woke up with a start, thoughts of deputy-Darkfur and her kittypet mother still swimming in her head. Sleep last night was short-lived.
"The half-moon," she breathed in sudden realization.
"What did you say?" chirped Silkpaw, awake and bubbly. She sat in front of Maplepaw's nest, cocking her head.
"The half-moon," Maplepaw meowed a little louder, sitting up and yawning.
"What about it?"
"I told Shadepaw I'd meet him at the Thunderpath at the half-moon – we're going to save Moonfur."
Silkpaw's green eyes got as big as saucers. "Aw, can I come? Pretty please?" the apprentice pleaded, gazing at Maplepaw with the absolute most adorable expression. "I really want to save Moonfur!"
It was kind of hard to resist her . . . . Maplepaw sighed. Her friend was reliable, but when it came to things like adventures she got kind of, well, distracted.
"Uh, well, Silkpaw, the thing is . . ." Silkpaw's eyes got all disappointed and she looked down at her paws. "You get distracted at times. How do I know you won't wander off on your own? I need you to focus on saving Moonfur – and only saving Moonfur. Got it?"
The apprentice dipped her head then, realizing what had been said, whipped her head up again, wide eyes glittering with anticipation. "Does that mean I'm going?"
Maplepaw heaved a sigh, quietly mewing, "Yes, Silkpaw, you can go."
"Yes! Thank you, Maplepaw! You won't regret it!" she cried, leaping into the air with joy. I hope not, Maplepaw thought.
"Hey, Maplepaw!" Shadepaw exclaimed, revealing himself from the bushes. Then he saw Silkpaw. "Oh," he said disgustedly. "Silkpaw."
"Shadepaw," Silkpaw acknowledged, curling her lip back in a snarl.
The ShadowClanner hissed, "Maplepaw, why is she here? This is between us." He gave Silkpaw a hard glare; she returned it with a menacing growl.
"Stop it!" Maplepaw ordered. "She's here because she was finally convinced of what Darkfur's done."
"Told you!" exclaimed Shadepaw, looking pleased. He gave Silkpaw a smug glance. "Told you Darkfur took Moonfur!"
"Whatever," Silkpaw scoffed. "I didn't believe you only because you're untrustworthy. For all I know, right now you could be plotting with Darkfur!"
"I am not! Maplepaw, tell Silkpaw I'm not plotting with Darkfur!"
"Stop it!" Maplepaw yowled. There was a silence.
Silkpaw murmured, "Awkward."
"Look, Silkpaw and I are going to save Moonfur. Shadepaw – this is none of your concern." Before he could protest, Maplepaw silenced him with a glare. "If you tell Duskstar you're going on a journey to save another Clan's deputy, she'll be furious. If you leave without telling anyone, your Clan's going to be very worried. Therefore, I suggest you stay. Meanwhile, Silkpaw and I will go and rescue our Clan's deputy. Once we reveal Darkfur's plans, Moonfur will take her rightful place and all will be settled."
"Agreed," Silkpaw mewed, bowing her head. Maplepaw glanced at the ShadowClan apprentice.
"Fine. Is there anything I can do to help?" Shadepaw meowed through gritted teeth. Clearly he was displeased.
Maplepaw shook her head. "I don't think so."
Shadepaw nodded slowly. Then his eyes lit up with confusion. "Who is the deputy now?"
Maplepaw and Silkpaw exchanged a glance. At the same time they mewed, "Darkfur."
Shadepaw practically jumped out of his fur. "What? You're kidding, right?" He worriedly paced back and forth, laughing nervously. "Y-you don't really mean that. You're joking! You're trying to confuse me . . ." Shadepaw looked up with desperate eyes. "I can't believe it."
Maplepaw nodded miserably. "It's true."
"We have to do something!"
"We will. For now, keep your eyes open – we don't want Darkfur killing any more cats."
Silkpaw suggested, "How about Smokepaw keeps a lookout? He knows about Darkfur." Maplepaw cocked her head, giving her friend a questioning glance. "Don't ask me how I know these things!"
"Well, I guess that would work. If there are any deaths, Smokepaw can meet you here," Maplepaw told the ShadowClan apprentice.
"Got it," Shadepaw meowed. "Until then, goodbye, and good luck!" With a flick of his tail, he disappeared into the brush.
Maplepaw turned to Silkpaw with glowing eyes. "C'mon, Silkpaw! We've got a deputy to save!"
Hopefully that wasn't too bad.. I'll try to update again before I get too busy. Review review review! I'm sure there are some ghosts reading this. c;