Hey guys, sorry for the late update. This week was havoc for me. I can't really announce them because they're events that happened in my family. I was also wrapped tight in a writer's block all week until Saturday, so I had two days more to work on it. Well, here I am, posting it on Monday morning. I have no school today because it snowed (well, we got ice) Saturday, and it still hasn't melted all the way, so now we're having Monday off. Because of that, I had time to finish Chapter 10. Hurray for the first 10 chapters of the book finished! :P; Anyways, there's a poll located on my account that I'd like for you guys or girls to vote on. Thanks and I hope you enjoy reading and please review!
AN: Yes, this is another very long chapter. Please read it anyway, it's not as long as you think it is. n_n
Another AN: I'd also like to put this out; whatever project I start, I finish. Also, if I say something is going to be finished, I mean it. I don't care if my mind thinks it'll be impossible, I'm a proud young writer who'd like to be a fictional author when I get older. (Yes I already have a good plot and idea for my first book Dematra to be released when I get older.) I also have a very interesting plot for this series, and hope you guys pull through to reach that part. This first book is trying to fill everything in, then it'll get to the most interesting parts. Alright, again I hope you enjoy reading and please please review because I haven't gotten any reviews since Chapter 8 was released. Thanks. :]
Approximate words in Chapter 10: (5,795)
Chapter 10
Rain trickled down from the aphotic clouds, rapid luminous rain droplets pounding onto Dawnpaw's pelt as he padded after Ashstar, Grayfur, and Snowtail. They were on night patrol. They had just passed the river by RiverClan, the bank seeming to be overlapped with built up water from the raging storm. The storm was dying down, but still remained fierce. Lightpaw's warrior ceremony would be held tomorrow and Dawnpaw's body was fully submerged with eagerness.
Ashstar came to a halt as they approached the Thunderpath, where the ShadowClan border is located, and faced toward the cats with him on patrol, gazing at them with anxiety. "Do you smell that?" Ashstar meowed, gaping his jaws to take in more of the scent.
"Yes." Grayfur lifted his muzzle. "It's a cat scent," he continued, "None I've ever smelt before- not from any of the clans."
Dawnpaw began to stir with uneasiness as he lifted his head to take in the scent. He could smell the damp leaves that were fully engulfed in the storm's rain, along with a cat scent that lingered with it. It was stale, but clearly could be identified. The scent seemed to be familiar, but strangely distant. Dawnpaw turned his gaze on Ashstar, who was scraping his claws on the mucky soil that had been created by the fierce storm.
"I smell it too." Dawnpaw stared at Ashstar, but turned his bright orange gaze on Snowtail who had remained silent. Snowtail gave him a brief nod to notify that she had smelt the scent, then fixed her eyes on Ashstar.
"I can scent it too," she mewed, "It's stale. It smells like a rogue or a loner has hunted on our territory." Dawnpaw's heart made a massive leap. Memories of the rogue attack began to flood through his mind hastily, making Dawnpaw grit his teeth. Then the memory of the decision he had made began to subdue it. He was going to make a journey to find the murderous rogues after his warrior ceremony because he believed that the name "Flare" was the sun in the prophecy. Dawnpaw had chosen to stay quiet about the prophecy until he had an idea of what it meant. What would the clan think about me if I tell them about a strange prophecy that I don't even understand? Dawnpaw couldn't shake off the thought of why StarClan had chosen him. He wasn't Clanborn. But Firestar, who had been a legend to the four clans in the forest, wasn't Clanborn either. He was a kittypet.
Dawnpaw's thoughts began to stir back to reality, bringing back the vision of the damp forest. He fixed his eyes on Grayfur, then upon Ashstar for his reply.
"It's strange how the scent is only available near the ShadowClan border," Ashstar prompted, abruptly turning his head to face the other side of the Thunderpath. "Their patrols must have scented the scent as well. We should ask ShadowClan about it at the next Gathering, even though it'll be hard to tell when that'll be due to this flinty storm." The memories of Dawnpaw's conversation with Grayfur began to bound back into Dawnpaw's mind. He was a kit then, who had just finished his welfare as a loner. If he hadn't joined ThunderClan, he could have starved. Grayfur had told Dawnpaw that the Gathering was when all the Clan cats met at Fourtrees to exchange their accomplishments with the other four clans, or troubles.
Grayfur padded over toward Ashstar, flicking his tail over Ashstar's shoulder, and murmured something in his ear. Ashstar's ears pricked as if Grayfur had told him something frightening, but Ashstar flattened his ears once more, flickering an uneasy glance at Dawnpaw. Dawnpaw predicted that Grayfur had reminded Ashstar about the rogue invasion, and started to grit his teeth. The thoughts of it being his fault began to arouse itself passionately in his mind, sprinkling ice cold guilt over Dawnpaw's spine. Shadekit was injured severely, and his adopted kin had been brutally murdered in search of Dawnpaw. Remembrance of the sight of their blood-spilled bodies made Dawnpaw's fur bristle with regret.
"You're probably right." Dawnpaw heard Ashstar's rasp blare from his thoughts, relinquishing Dawnpaw from the scornful memory. Dawnpaw wondered what Ashstar meant, but Dawnpaw didn't want to understand because he knew it involved about the rogues and Dawnpaw. "Let's head back to camp. We should get some rest and wait until this storm is over before we try and find out who's scent this is. We'd be better off discussing this in my den." With a flick of his tail toward Snowtail and Grayfur, he added, "You two head back to camp; I need to speak to Dawnpaw."
With a brief nod from each of them, they bounded toward the direction to the camp, their scent drifting away briskly.
Anxiety cliched at Dawnpaw's heart with icy claws, warily awaiting for what Ashstar had to say to him. With an unsteady glance at Ashstar, he positioned himself on the damp leaves that his paws had been sinking into, tilting his head toward Ashstar. Dawnpaw's throat felt too stiff to summon up words, but forced them out abruptly. "What do you want?" Dawnpaw choked.
"Grayfur told me that Jadepaw had told him that the rogues were after you, causing the violent death with Dustheart and Swiftpelt's kits," Ashstar rasped, his voice tense with seriousness. "Is this true? If so, I'd like for you to tell me why."
Dawnpaw felt like fire had just burnt the last remains of his heart. How could Jadepaw tell Grayfur that! That was something I wanted him to know, not anyone else! His throat remained stiff, but he forced words out of his throat like bile. "It's true. . ." Dawnpaw croaked desperately, scraping his paws on the muddy undergrowth.
Ashstar made his body erect, and menacingly spat out a question Dawnpaw couldn't answer. "Why?"
"I don't know!" Dawnpaw squeaked with melancholy. "The rogue attacked me!" Forcing himself to settle down, he added, "He said a cat named Flare wanted me alive. . ."
Ashstar's ears pricked with interest. "Why would a rogue invade our territory, kill a few cats, and attack you while telling you a cat wants you alive? That's mouse-brained!" Ashstar meowed. Noticing Dawnpaw's unsteadiness, he quickly added, "They wouldn't try and take you to a murderous cat if you didn't do anything to harm them. It just doesn't seem right." With the words summoned, a low rumble of thunder rumbled from the vague clouds overhead. "We should head back to camp and get some rest. And by the way, I'd like you to go to the next Gathering. You will be the only apprentice to go, since you were on the patrol when we caught the unknown rogue scent. Do not speak a word to the clan about this discovery."
Dawnpaw nodded his head to notify that he had understood. It was difficult to be delighted about going to the Gathering after what the conversation Ashstar and Dawnpaw just had. "Thanks," Dawnpaw meowed, "And I don't know why; I'm struggling about this as much as you are."
Ashstar nodded. "It's okay," he meowed, "Now lets get back to camp. If I stay out here any longer, my fur will freeze!"
"Alright," Dawnpaw meowed to Ashstar as Ashstar bounded into the bracken toward the direction of the gorse tunnel. Dawnpaw sighed, glad to be distancing himself from the acrid tang of the Thunderpath. The Thunderpath had been strangely silent and not even a monster stirred by.
Dawnpaw raced after Ashstar toward the gorse tunnel, the memories of the conversation playing in his mind like motion pictures. Jadepaw had released to the ThunderClan deputy and leader that it was Dawnpaw's fault for the invasion, and made it impossible to push the rancorous feeling of guilt out of his mind.
Dawnpaw leaped over the fallen tree trunk near the gorse tunnel, nearly flooded by the pounding water droplets. Dawnpaw's pelt was soaked from the menacing downpour from the deep, spiteful storm clouds that destroyed chances of daylight. The word daylight began to run a marathon in his mind, bringing back the memories of the prophecy. Sun and daylight will rise and moon and dawn may never come.
Oh, StarClan! Please help me!
Dawnpaw made his way through the gorse tunnel, trotting into the empty clearing. Dawnpaw managed to catch Ashstar's tail vanishing inside his den, seeking warmth from within his den. Dawnpaw turned his eyes at the apprentices' den, the glanced away, wrinkling up his nose in disgust. Jadepaw and Twilightpaw are in there. I'd rather sleep in the darkness and coldness than be in the same den as them...
Dawnpaw padded over toward the middle of the clearing, then dropped his scrawny body on the muddy puddle that lurked around his paws. The muddy puddle splashed from under his weight, staining his fur with oozing mud. Dawnpaw laid in the middle of the clearing, wrapping himself in a ball. The raging, glacial winds and frigid water droplets flung themselves upon his dark, mud-stained pelt. Dawnpaw allowed his tail and head to droop, allowing all the mucky mud puddles to engulf themselves on his fur. Guilt and dejection swallowed his spirit, only allowing his mind to be lingered off in depression. Dawnpaw's belly let out a loud rumble, but he ignored it. He didn't care about his hunger, he only cared about how he could fix all the messes he forged. He lifted his head, and let out a short, silent wail before he drifted off into sleep in the middle of the clearing, the fierce winds clashing onto his fur.
***
Dawnpaw awoke from the sweet grasps of rest, blinking his eyes rapidly with uneasiness. He wasn't used to waking up being drenched in mud and rain, along with being as cold as stone. Dawnpaw scrambled onto his paws and began to attempt to shake off the water that clang onto his pelt. Dawnpaw despised Jadepaw and Twilightpaw now. He didn't want anything to do with them. Dawnpaw allowed the thought of hatred play in his mind, I hate them. All they do is cause me stress and pain. I don't care about them anymore. I'm done trying to put up with them and they should of realized that I was trying my best to keep our friendship the same, but now Jadepaw made me see that would be trying to compete with the impossible.
Dawnpaw swiped his tongue over his paw, and then continued to clean himself from the damp, moist ground. The clouds had cleared, and the sun was visible in the horizon, it's rays reflected itself off the water on the leaves, glittering brighter than the stars in Silverpelt. The storm had subsided, only leaving behind only the chills of the slight breezes. Lightpaw's warrior ceremony will be held today, he murmured in his mind while gazing around the clearing, awaiting for Ashstar to emerge from his den to assign the dawn patrol, or Snowtail so he could resume his training sessions.
The squalls of wind began to die down, and heat began to take its place. Dawnpaw arched his back, making it erect. No matter what happened today, he was going to enjoy it. He was done worrying about Jadepaw and Twilightpaw. He was used to being alone due to his kithood, and wouldn't mind how long Jadepaw would be hostile to him.
Suddenly a silver shape began to form at the corner of his gaze, it streaked itself across the clearing. Twilightpaw... he groaned miserably in his mind. You're the only one... no cat is like you. Dawnpaw had already discovered that his love wouldn't matter. It was just as distant as a dream. A living torture.
Twilightpaw arched her back in an attempt to stretch, but was relinquished from her chances when she noticed Dawnpaw and his miserable shape. His fur mud-stained and water clinging onto his fur like thorns would in his bedding. Twilightpaw gaped her jaws in awe as if she could never imagine Dawnpaw to appear so terribly. Twilightpaw lifted a paw to start to dart toward him, but stopped hard on her paws, and turned her destination toward the fresh-kill pile to fetch a starling.
The thought of food made his belly growl, but Dawnpaw continued to ignore it. His heart began to grow stale and acrid as worse as the Thunderpath as he watched Twilightpaw stalk away with the starling clinched in her jaws, then setting herself down at the entrance of the apprentices' den, tearing into the flesh of her prey.
Dawnpaw shook his head with fury, then made his anger die down and his fur began to lie down. He had something to look forward to today and he wouldn't allow Twilightpaw to break through his wishes.
Dawnpaw noticed more movement from the entrance of the apprentices' den, placing themselves next to Twilightpaw. It was Jadepaw. Jadepaw shot a hot stare at Dawnpaw, then turned his gaze on Twilightpaw and began to share-tongues as if Dawnpaw appeared to look normal.
Dawnpaw looked away, unable to stand the sight of the pair. Instead of waiting for the dawn patrol to be assigned, he shot his direction toward the gorse tunnel. I'll go hunting, he decided, glancing back at the clearing before darting inside the tunnel and into the forest.
The sun was blazing, it's rays beaming on Dawnpaw's pitch black pelt as he stalked toward Sunningrocks. All his mind was on hunting for prey, all other thoughts evaporated from his thoughts. Sunningrocks would be a good place to hunt since it wasn't too dry or too damp. It was perfect weather.
When he arrived at Sunningrocks, he immediately dropped into a hunters' crouch when he caught the scent of prey nearby. The sun glittered in the sky, wrapping the warmth around Dawnpaw's muddy and damp pelt, slowly submerging the drenched and mucky pelt away.
Dawnpaw skidded on the damp ground and peered through the bracken to spot a vole scurrying along the undergrowth. Dawnpaw continued to skid across the earth toward his heedless prey. He bunched his hind muscles in preparation to leap. With a massive collaboration with his legs, he repelled from himself from the ground and jolted toward his defenseless prey.
The vole let out a silent shriek of shock before Dawnpaw snatched the voles neck with his fangs, quickly deliberating it's life with a massive sweep with his unsheathed claws. Dawnpaw observed as the life died away from the helpless vole while the body was swaying in his clinched jaws. Deciding that this was all he would catch, he turned his direction toward the gorse tunnel that led back to the ThunderClan camp.
Dawnpaw rushed toward the tunnel and rushed inside, awaiting to witness the sight of the sun blazing down upon the clearing of the camp. Lightpaw's warrior ceremony should be soon, he remembered while he stalked over toward the fresh-kill pile to place his catch proudly among the pile. His stomach let out a loud wail, but once more Dawnpaw ignored it. He had better things to do than waste the day by eating.
As soon as he placed his prey amongst the pile, he turned his gaze toward the apprentices' den, which appeared to be empty until Lightpaw prodded near the entrance. She had just awoken, and obviously didn't realize how late it was. A pang of bitter realization hit him when he realized he wasn't supposed to go out of camp alone. It didn't matter, no one had noticed his absence, so they shouldn't have a reason to discipline him.
Lightpaw turned her green gaze from Ashstar's den to the clearing where Dawnpaw was located. With one look at him, she gaped her jaws open in shock and distress, and padded toward him as if no sleep had lingered with her.
"What happened!" Lightpaw demanded with alarm, swiping her tongues over Dawnpaw in an attempt to clean the bedraggled muck on his fur. "I wondered where you were since you weren't in the den last night. I was worried sick!"
Dawnpaw's mind raced with an attempt to make an excuse. "I was. . ." Dawnpaw trailed off in search of an answer. "I was out hunting."
"What!" Lightpaw sounded bewildered. "How could you be hunting that late at night? And with this weather, it would seem impossible!" Lightpaw examined Dawnpaw one more time before adding, "It looks like you were outside the whole night."
Dawnpaw resisted to explain why he had slept out in such horrible weather, even if he had to sum up a totally ridiculous explanation. "I thought the camp needed it, since the pile wasn't that full. And due to this weather, I knew it would be a challenge to find more prey. I was just trying to feed the clan, no matter what the weather seemed to be like."
The worry in Lightpaw's bright green eyes seemed to fade slowly, but still looked uneasy. "I suppose you're right. Look at you, thinking like a true, loyal warrior!"
A massive pang of regret stabbed at Dawnpaw's heart as cold as ice. Would a true, loyal warrior lie? Dawnpaw thrusted the thought out of his mind and continued to listen to Lightpaw with interest. "Thanks, but you're the real warrior. Your warrior ceremony will be held soon, while I have to wait four more moons!" Dawnpaw tilted his head, lowering one of his ears on the side where his head was tilted, clearly showing that he envied her.
"Don't worry!" Lightpaw squeaked, amused by the way Dawnpaw was acting. "It'll come quicker than you think. It seems as if I was just apprenticed yesterday! I remember my apprentice ceremony. I was so excited!"
"Yeah, Ja-" Dawnpaw broke off when he realized he was about to announce his nemesis's ruthless name. "I was excited to," he finished, correcting his choice of words steadily.
Lightpaw was aware of Dawnpaw's sudden stop, but ignored it. "My warrior ceremony should be held after the dawn patrol comes back, I think."
"I think so too."
"Yeah." Lightpaw gave her paw a swift lick before speaking more. "They should be back soon."
The blazing sun was flickering in the sky much brighter now, and the threatening clouds had vanished, exposing the dazzling blue sky. The weather showed no evidence that a storm so distraught had been upon the camp the day before. The sun's heat cushioned itself inside Dawnpaw's black and gray fur, glittering brightly, removing the sludge and water that was suckled inside Dawnpaw's pelt.
"Where's Jadepaw and Twilightpaw?" Dawnpaw asked, curiosity prickling at him at the thought of where they were.
"I seen Grayfur assign them on dawn patrol." Lightpaw sounded completely unaware of Dawnpaw's overflowing curiosity.
"They always seem to be on patrol with each other," Dawnpaw meowed. The thought of Jadepaw and Twilightpaw being together so much, and the growing thought of them becoming mates irritated him.
"You're right." Lightpaw finished with her grooming. "They're getting along quite well."
A snarl began to rumble in his throat, almost losing control of his thoughts. "Well, I-" He broke off when he noticed shapes emerging from the tunnel. He seen Ashstar, Twilightpaw, Emberpelt, and Jadepaw stroking their way through the clearing. Jadepaw glanced at Dawnpaw with an exasperated glance, then turned back to Twilightpaw, who happily absorbed his affectionate warmth.
Dawnpaw bit back his lip in a low snarl, half to himself, then forced himself to calm down. Lightpaw's warrior ceremony is going to be held today and he wasn't going to allow anything to penetrate his audacity.
Ashstar repelled himself from the patrol and rushed over toward the Highrock with his gaze locked on Lightpaw and Dawnpaw. When Ashstar made himself on top of the Highrock with his body erect, he chanted the familiar words that addressed his clan.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting." Ashstar's yowl was stern and serious.
Pride surged through Dawnpaw as he observed the cats emerging from their dens and collecting themselves around the Highrock. Swiftpelt, the mother of his murdered adopted kin, had emerged from the warriors' den. Ashstar had allowed her to resume her warrior duties until Shadekit had recovered. Shadekit would be made an apprentice as soon as she recovered, but she'd need a cat to look after her until then. Dawnpaw slid the disturbing scraps of memory. Dawnpaw allowed himself a soft purr of pride when he glanced at Lightpaw as her bright green eyes glittered, eagerness reflecting off of them. More and more cats began to pile themselves at the base of the Highrock, including Ferntail and Maplefeather, his hostile rivals.
A sudden realization blasted inside Dawnpaw's mind like a raging fire. The Clan seemed to be short on warriors and apprentices. Was Ashstar promoting Lightpaw as a warrior just because they were such in need of more warriors? Dawnpaw shook the possibility out of his mind as he watched Grayfur take his place at the side of the Highrock, along with Eclipsefoot, who positioned herself beside Dawnpaw.
"How's the prey runnning, young one?" Eclipsefoot greeted.
"Fine," Dawnpaw mewed. Dawnpaw knew he was lying. Instead, he was dying inside.
"That's all well," Eclipsefoot meowed, keeping her tone calm and stern. "Shadekit is doing fine in my den. She's making outstanding improvements, and I think she'll be recovered soon."
"That's great!" Dawnpaw squeaked happily. He always had a bond with Shadekit that he couldn't understand, and he always adored her achievements.
"Yes," Eclipsefoot meowed. As soon as the words were out, Dawnpaw realized that he had missed the moment when Lightpaw found her way at the base of the rock; Emberpelt escorting her to her warrior ceremony, as he was her mentor. Her golden brown fur was well-groomed, and her bright green gaze burned on her leader, pride flickering off of her face.
Ashstar leaped down from the Highrock to meet her. He plummeted a few tail-lengths from where she stood, and padded over toward her. Dawnpaw noticed that under Lightpaw's pride that glittered in her eyes, he noticed a serious expression that hid among them.
Ashstar summoned up the words that had been mouthed to every apprentice in the forest. "I, Ashstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn." Ashstar quickly flashed his gaze off of Lightpaw, and onto the crowd of cats, then set his eyes upon Lightpaw once more. "Lightpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Lightpaw made herself erect. "I do." Pride shook her voice, but she remained completely still, listening to Ashstar with excitement.
"Then by the powers of StarClan," Ashstar continued, "I give you your warrior name: Lightpaw, from this moment you will be known as Lightpool. StarClan honors your compassion and your loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."
Lightpool's eyes exchanged from excitement to thrill. Ashstar took a pace closer, resting his muzzle on the top of Lightpool's head. Lightpool licked Ashstar's shoulder in response, then withdrew, her green eyes sparkling.
"Lightpool! Lightpool!"
The Clan greeted her with her new warrior name. Lightpool seemed to be overflowing with happiness, but sharply kept herself steady and controlled. Dawnpaw padded over toward her to chant her new name in greeting. "Hey, Lightpool!" Dawnpaw meowed happily. "Congratulations!"
Lightpool bounded over toward Dawnpaw in response, pressing her muzzle in his fur. "Thanks!"
Dawnpaw felt her sweet and warm scent drift in his nostrils, but still couldn't end his envy for her. The prophecy rang violently in his mind as she warmed him with her sweet aroma. Sun and daylight will rise and moon and dawn may never come. What could it mean?
Dawnpaw shook the cobwebs that remained with the thought, and resumed to share-tongues with Lightpool without noticing that Ashstar still remained on the Highrock.
"I have further news," Ashstar announced. "The Gathering is tonight, and I have chosen who shall come. Make sure you're ready when it's time to leave." As soon as the words were brought out, he retreated into his den.
The memories of Ashstar inviting him to come to the Gathering played back in his mind, allowing it to wrap eagerness around him. He had something else to look forward to. Lightpool was made a warrior on the same day of the Gathering. She's supposed to sit vigil tonight.
***
The evening was burning hotly, the sun blazing in the sky. The day had remained warm, and hunting patrols had ran back and forth rapidly. No cat had taken this weather for granted, neither did Dawnpaw. He had tagged along in a hunting patrol with Emberpelt and Pinestripe.
Snowtail had brought him out for more hunting and battle training, and the apprentice was improving rapidly. Pinestripe had also brought out Jadepaw for some more training, but was seperated from Dawnpaw's assessments. Lightpool had remained silent throughout the day, not wishing to speak a word.
Remembrance of Twilightpaw flashed into Dawnpaw's mind. She'll be made a warrior soon as well. She started her training at about the same time as Lightpool.
Dawnpaw had just arrived back in the camp from a hunting patrol, but still hadn't eaten. He stomach wailed as Dawnpaw had the prey clinched in his jaws. When he arrived in the clearing, he made his way toward the fresh-kill pile to add his prey to it, and retrieve prey of his choosing. He chose a mouse and headed toward the apprentices' den to eat it. Jadepaw and Twilightpaw were out hunting, allowing Dawnpaw to eat in peace.
Dawnpaw quickly finished the last bit of flesh on the prey, and stalked inside the den that seemed so unfamiliar. He hadn't slept in the apprentices' den much nor had he ever spent his past time inside it. Quickly allowing the warmth of the den to fully engulf him, he dropped himself on the ground. He'd been on his paws all day and desperately wished to relax a little bit before the sun dropped beneath the horizon.
Comfort engulfed him with ardor, and his limbs began to relax. He had a lot on his mind, and he didn't take his luxurious comfort for granted.
Jadepaw made his way through the den, along with Twilightpaw. Jadepaw curled his lip in a snarl. "What are you doing laying around all day? Today is a wonderful day to hunt or train. You're acting like a kittypet."
Dawnpaw's heart lurched. He scavenged his voice for sarcasm, but all he found was hostility. Quickly, he scrambled onto his paws, fixing a glare among Jadepaw's white fur, then burned his gaze on Twilightpaw's silver sleek fur. "I was just relaxing for a bit," Dawnpaw snarled. "Perhaps you should be doing something else to support the clan besides drilling a cat who has been working their tail off all day!"
Jadepaw let out a loud growl. "How about you try and make me?" Jadepaw sneered. "Or will you get your little rogue friends to help you?"
Dawnpaw's eyes widened with shock, his anxiety building up rapidly. "Fine!" Dawnpaw yowled as he made a massive leap at Jadepaw, his claws unsheathed.
Jadepaw retaliated by skidding to the opposite side of where Dawnpaw's direction was pointed to, allowing Dawnpaw to land on the hard, dry earth. Quickly, Jadepaw leaped at Dawnpaw, clawing Dawnpaw's black-and-gray pelt while they rolled out in the middle of the clearing.
Dawnpaw's wounds blazed like a fire, but refused to allow Jadepaw to get away with the wounds he'd given. Dawnpaw attempted to bite at Jadepaw's leg, succeeding on the first try. Jadepaw, who was completely unaware of Dawnpaw's action, let out a shrill wail as Dawnpaw's fangs sank in his leg deeply.
Dawnpaw could hear Twilightpaw yelling in the background of the fight, but he ignored it. It was too late to end this battle and still be able to change her opinion on him. As Jadepaw brought his head down in an attempt to lick the blood away from his wound on his leg when Dawnpaw released his grip, Dawnpaw jolted at him in another attempt to pin him down. Anger overwhelming him, he raked his claws on the side of Jadepaw's head.
Waves of blood spewed out of Jadepaw's head, and Jadepaw's body dropped onto the ground. Twilightpaw shrieked in horror at the sight of Jadepaw's motionless body as blood gushed out of the side of his face.
Blood ran around Dawnpaw's paws, a feeling piercing at his heart like a ball of ice. Jadepaw laid underneath his paws, and he could make his life vanish. His life was in his paws.
Suddenly, he heard Ashstar let out a loud yowl. "Jadepaw! Dawnpaw, what happened!" Ashstar's tone was more serious and stiff than usual. Almost ignoring what Dawnpaw had to say, he darted over toward where Twilightpaw was.
"Twilightpaw, get Eclipsefoot!"
Twilightpaw nodded at Ashstar's command, darting in the direction where Eclipsefoot's den was located. Ashstar flashed his gaze fiercely from Jadepaw's motionless body to Dawnpaw, making Dawnpaw flinch.
"What have you done!" Ashstar rasped. "You could have killed him! What started this?"
Dawnpaw scraped his blood-stained paws on the blood-dampened ground. Dawnpaw explained the start of the fight with honesty to Ashstar, refusing to lie to his respected leader. "And I . . . Accidentally clawed him on the side of the head. I didn't mean to hurt him! I swear by StarClan!" He finished, regret raked across his heart as he realized that he had just lied.
As soon as Dawnpaw finished, Twilightpaw rushed back to Jadepaw's motionless body with Eclipsefoot tagging along behind her, herbs clinched her jaws. Eclipsefoot flashed a menacing glare at Dawnpaw, but immediately ended it as if she just remembered that she shouldn't get involved in Clan conflicts. Dawnpaw guessed Twilightpaw had already told her what happened.
"Get him in my den at once," Eclipsefoot meowed with distress.
Ashstar nodded briefly, hastily glaring at Dawnpaw menacingly, then released his hostile gaze and retreated with Eclipsefoot to her den, dragging Jadepaw's blood gushing body to the medicine cats' den. Twilightpaw flashed Dawnpaw with a saddening look before departing after the two cats who had retreated in Eclipsefoot's den.
Guilt and regret slashed at Dawnpaw's heart, a cold feeling grasping at his heart with icy claws. What have I done? He yowled in his mind, Twilightpaw and I will be impossible now that she witnessed me injure Jadepaw to the thought of death.
Before his thoughts vanished, he noticed a bright green gaze flash at Dawnpaw in horror. Dawnpaw's heart became as foul as the stench of the Thunderpath. It was Lightpool. Oh, StarClan! Please forgive me!
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