Chapter 9

Jaypaw crouched behind the rabbit, watching with amused eyes as it twitched on of its long ears; clearly it didn't realize the danger it was in. Jaypaw's mouth watered as the prey's scent flooded into her open jaws and her stomach rumbled quietly. Jaypaw hadn't eaten since the night before, but she knew better than to eat before the Clan was feed. Today, Squirrelflight, Hazeltail, and Poppyfrost had sent Jaypaw, Rosepaw, and Toadpaw out hunting for the elders near the ShadowClan border.

Jaypaw took a step forward and felt her paw step on a twig. The stick snapped and the rabbit took off at full speed. Snarling, Jaypaw pelted after it, her paws barely skimming the ground. Jaypaw lunged forward, but suddenly the rabbit disappeared and she crashed into Rosepaw, knocking the ginger apprentice over. Rosepaw didn't recognize Jaypaw's scent and turned onto her friend, her ears flat against her head. Rosepaw lunged on top of Jaypaw and Jaypaw shrugged her off gently.

"Stupid furball, it's me!" Jaypaw growled gently and watched with amused eyes as Rosepaw recognized her friend. Rosepaw's ears pricked up again, but Jaypaw noticed that her friend's eyes were still troubled. There was something else bothering Rosepaw. "Rosepaw? What's wrong? You look as if you have seen Tigerstar's ghost?" As soon as Jaypaw said Tigerstar's name, she wished she could have taken it back. Tigerstar's name always left a bitter taste in Jaypaw's mouth.

"It's Toadpaw! After I caught a couple mice, I decided to go look for him to see his progress, but I couldn't find him anywhere! I tracked his scent to the ShadowClan border and that's where it disappears! ShadowClan have kidnapped him, I know it! When Berrynose was an apprentice, ShadowClan were cruel to him too! They kidnapped him to show kittypets don't belong in ThunderClan! If anything happens to Toadpaw, I will never forgive myself!" Rosepaw yowled.

Jaypaw's ears twitched. Jaypaw tasted the air and could defiantly smell Toadpaw crossing the ShadowClan border, but she knew it wasn't for the reason Rosepaw thought. Maybe Toadpaw wasn't kidnapped… maybe he had gone over to see a certain ShadowClan apprentice. Jaypaw's eyes narrowed and she realized she would have to bring Toadpaw back before the Clan noticed he was gone. Turning to Rosepaw, Jaypaw meowed, "Head back to camp and see if you can find Firestar or Brambleclaw. They would be the best to cross ShadowClan territory with. I'm going to find Toadpaw."

Jaypaw turned and suddenly Rosepaw was in her way. "Oh no, Jaypaw, I'm going with you. Toadpaw is my brother and if you are going to rescue him then I want to be apart of it. We may be only a couple of apprentices, but I remember Stripepaw telling me of the battle with ShadowClan. She said you managed to drive away Rowanclaw on your own and help with another ShadowClan warrior. The three of us- me, you, and Toadpaw- should be able to fight our way out."

Jaypaw swallowed nervously wondering if she was leading Rosepaw to her death. Suddenly ThunderClan scent flooded her nostrils and Jaypaw looked around, expecting to see one of her clanmates. When no cat came, Jaypaw looked at Rosepaw, but the ginger apprentice didn't look like she had smelled anything. That was when the voice whispered in Jaypaw's ear: Do not make a sound; just listen. In the flames, sky and darkness will journey together. Then when the flower dies, water will eventually quench the burns and two names will echo around the hollow.

Jaypaw's pelt prickled and she looked at Rosepaw, who gave no signs she heard the voice. In a raspy tone as though she was choking on fresh kill, Jaypaw coughed, "Okay, Rosepaw. We can try to fight, but if things get bad, I want you to run when I say too. You are to find a warrior and come straight to ShadowClan territory. I don't like crossing borders, but if they have Toadpaw then maybe it's time for the warrior code to be broken if just for a day."

Rosepaw yowled in agreement and the two of them crossed ShadowClan borders- Jaypaw sending silent prayers to StarClan that she was doing the right thing. Once they had tracked Toadpaw's scent to the depth of ShadowClan territory, Jaypaw noticed another smell that filled the air with a scent even worse than ShadowClan. FIRE!

Jaypaw raced forward, Rosepaw hard on her heels. Suddenly they broke threw a group of trees and suddenly they were surrounded by flames, smoke, and the screeches of a dozen cats. Jaypaw saw Russetfur and Littlecloud nudging a dazed ginger apprentice to head towards the lake while Oakfur was helping Rowanclaw to follow them. Jaypaw's eyes strained to see Toadpaw and then she spotted his black-and-white pelt running beside Blackstar and Flowerpaw. Seeing his clanmates, Toadpaw headed towards them while Blackstar and Flowerpaw followed. Panting, Toadpaw gasped, "What are you two doing here?"

Jaypaw didn't get a chance to respond before a shrill voice shrieked, "Snowbird's kits are still in the camp!"

Blackstar abandoned the apprentices and raced over to a tortoiseshell queen who was yowling, "I noticed it when Snowbird headed towards the lake thinking her kits were following her. Some cat needs to go in there and rescue them! If they die, Snowbird will surely give up the will to live. Don't forget her first litter were killed by greencough!"

Blackstar nodded and snarled, "Russetfur! Oakfur! Come with me! Littlecloud, make sure the rest of the cats get out safely!"

"They aren't going to be able to get in that way," Flowerpaw gasped and then turning to the three other apprentices meowed quickly, "I was one of the last cats out. No warrior will be able to fit into camp; not even small Oakfur, but maybe we can! Come on! I know a secret way into camp! We can rescue the kits and be back in a rabbit hop!"

Rosepaw and Toadpaw nodded and then all eyes turned to Jaypaw. What was the right thing to do?!