Chapter 12, Proving

Icepaw looked at Snakepaw's amber eyes as Petalstar announced, "Then Icepaw, from this moment forward you shall be known as a member of ShadowClan!" her words rang around the pine clearing as Icepaw turned her gaze back to Petalstar. She felt like this was the most important thing she had ever done. I'm changing the course of my life! She realized with a start. And I think it's the right thing to do. She let herself bask in the dappled sunlight and the warmth of Petalstar's announcement. "Your mentor will be Fishshadow."

The black tom nodded and stepped forward. They touched noses. It was after they parted that the protests started. "But she's half ThunderClan!" one cat called out.

Silverpaw rose to her paws. Icepaw felt relieved - the silver shecat would surely side with her kin against the others. "She is halfShadowClan," she began. "But she is also half ThunderClan! Will we allow traitors in our ranks?" she snarled. "All she knows is will betray us, mark my words!"

Petalstar stepped forward on the ledge, looking down at the furious sounded calm. "If all she knows is ThunderClan, then she must be taught the ways ofShadowClan. Her decision and my decision stands."

Silverpaw stepped back and sat down sourly. But not all the cats were quite so keen to give up. Fishshadow, although he didn't speak, looked as if he was about to protest. A brown she-cat stood up, looking nervously up at her leader. "I won't disobey your orders, Petalstar. ButSilverpaw has a valid point - having torn loyalties is a concern. Imagine if in a battle with Thunderclan she could not fight her friends and family. I would not wish killing on any cat, especially not the killing of is young, and I doubt she realizes how hard it will be for her." The brown shecat looked at the ground and sat back down.

A frown reached Petalstar's face. Her amber eyes looked down at the speaker. "You are right, Mudsplash. But the times with ThunderClan are peacefull, and the Clans should not war between themselves. The different Clans will always be separate, but that does not mean that we should constantly be fighting. If we have a member of our Clan that is part ThunderClan, it will give us not to war with another Clan. And warriors do not kill to win battles - that is our way." The white shecat looked around with her amber eyes. The cats below her were silent for a moment, until Moonpaw stepped up. Petalstar suppressed a sigh. "Yes, Moonpaw?" Petalstar asked, regarding the shecat with some odd sense of amusement.

"I think Mudsplash and Silverpaw are right. She doesn't belong here. She will always belong in ThunderClan, with the smell of oaks. Not in the dark, pine woods. Only true ShadowClan cats can live here." Moonpaw mewed, yellow eyes meeting Petalstar's amber ones.

"I have made up my mind, Moonpaw. The code declares that the Clan Leader's word is law." Petalstar was about to jump off the High Ledge and end the meeting, but Moonpaw had something else to say. "I know the code, Petalstar. But I propose a challenge. If she can think like us, then she belongs here. Her heart is ShadowClan."

Petalstar looked warily at the apprentice. It was a good idea... but would Icepaw fail? "What was your idea for a contest?" she prompted.

"Two contests," Moonpaw said without realizing it. "If she can figure out which dens are which in the camp will test if she can think like us. I think if she could find her way around in this woodland would be a good test - in the dark." Moonpaw added, eyes gleaming.

Suddenly the clearing seemed much darker to Icepaw. What if she failed?

"Let the contest begin!" Petalstar declared. "The night is falling. If you can find your way back to camp from the farthest edge of our territory, you will have passed the first test. Hollyfire, Silverpaw, Owlsong, and Sleetflash will accompany her."

Sleetflash nodded, while the tan shecat Icepaw assumed to be Owlsong tarried, then padded over to the entrance of the camp. A black shecat joined her, holding her head proudly in the air. Silverpaw and Sleetflash also came to the entrance. Icepaw started, and raced over to them - kicking up pine needles as she went. She winced but didn't say anything as they left the camp.

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The pine forest was dark and foreboding. The company of five seemed to tread noiselessly through the shadowy trees, but Icepaw could hear every noise she made like thunder rolling. Her breath seemed ragged although she tried not to think about how frightened she was. If I fail, will Petalstar back me up? she wondered, heart drumming in her chest. Her paw scuffed a root. She hopped on, trying not to let the others notice.

Finally, the other four stopped. "This is the farthest edge of our territory," Fishshadow told her informatively.

Icepaw nodded, gulping. She should have paid more attention to the trees. Looked for landmarks. Noted how far she had gotten from camp. She shook her head slightly, telling herself It's too late now, mousebrain! You have to follow up on it. Stop being such a coward. "I'm ready," she mewed.

The others nodded and began to dissipate like shadows amongst the pines, all going different directions so she couldn't follow. A vague thoguht of following their scent trails came to her mind, but something held her back. I'll prove it the right way, she told herself.

All alone, in the dark forest, a strange confidence came to her. I will prove myself.

A twig snapped. Was she really alone in the forest?

Hi I've got something to say which I would appreciate if you read... I've noticed that a lot of people read, but don't review. Well I don't like that! It's just common courtesy to review for every chapter or story you read, and it's something everyone should get in the habit of doing it. I'm trying to promote people reviewing stories - polls, forum topics, author notes, you know the sort of thing. There are several people that have reviewed this story more than twice, but then haven't come back! Are you still reading, SnowstarX, Snowstar of BlizzardClan, Sunmist, Amber342, Mintfrost29 and others? Post a review and let me know! It would take people about 30 seconds to write a short review. 60 minutes for a longer one. Maybe five minutes to write a professional review... so why don't people? If you're reading this and agree, promote the idea of reviewing. Share your opinion in author notes, forum posts and topics, reviews, polls asking people if they review - spread the word! Make a better place by reviewing after you read, make authors on it happy with your feedback! Make their stories better by suggesting improvements. In my mind, it's the right thing to do. Not that I've reviewed every story I've read - but now I definitely make an effort to do it. Do the same!

In response to reviews:

Violetsong: Glad you like it! Just curious, are you a new reader? I'm always puzzled when you're a couple of chapters into a story and someone new shows up... anyways, hope you enjoy!

Miryam Lea: I'm happy you like it, but only Snakepaw was happy, the rest of the Clan hasn't reacted yet. (Well, they have now, but hadn't in Chapter 11)

Koraki: I agree - wait, Petalstar says she is very proud of her decision. She isn't very humble, is she? Anyways, I agree with you... wait, since I wrote that I'm not being very humble either, am I? Anyways, I'm glad you enjoyed it - I actually used a place near my house for ShadowClan camp so it was really easy to describe. I hope you feel better soon...

Drakan722: Indeed, I have Snakepaw planned out to be an important character!