Chapter 9

Airpaw awoke with a start, momentarily forgetting where he was. It took him a moment before he remembered the camp that he and the other chosen cats had set up. It was in a small secluded area of woods just a couple badger lengths from the start of the mountains. Airpaw and his littermates had protested when Grayleaf suggested they stopped for the night, but when Sandfire told him of the dangers of walking blindly through the mountains, Airpaw agreed. Darkshadow didn't though and had gone hunting to control his anger that he felt towards the SkyClan warriors. Apparently Darkshadow thought that since JayClan was helping SkyClan, a JayClan warrior should be in charge of the patrol. And since everyone else was apprentices... Darkshadow had probably been excited about his first taste of power. As long as it doesn't consume him, Airpaw thought to himself, remembering the dark stories of the ShadowClan leader, Tigerstar whose ambition made many cats enter StarClan. Airpaw thought it was amusing that a cat from the ancient Clans still caused fear in JayClan. Some things are never forgotten.

Airpaw glanced at his companions. Darkshadow was snoring quietly, resting his head on Waterpaw who was sprawled underneath a tree. Airpaw had never seen his brother look so peaceful; like the young warrior he really was. Glancing around for his sister, Airpaw spotted Cloudpaw talking to Sandfire a little while away, Grayleaf and Birdheart sleeping nearby. Airpaw crept up towards them and heard Cloudpaw whisper to Sandfire, her voice rough with concern. This surprised Airpaw. What had his sister so confused?

"You camp is nestled in a gorge, right?" Sandfire didn't say anything, just nodded. "Then I think my vision was more than a mere dream. I think it was a sign from StarClan." Sandfire still didn't say anything, but from the way his stance was, Airpaw predicted that he agreed with Cloudpaw. "There is something I want to share with you, Sandfire. When I had the dream Mintstar was arguing with Ratpelt-" Airpaw was confused about the names and just guessed that they were members of SkyClan. "Could he be behind the attacks? If these rats can speak cat then perhaps they can become allies with them too. Ratpelt seemed really angry that-"

"Ratpelt is an ambitious tom, but he knows better than to disobey Mintstar," Sandfire growled, "Ratpelt's grandfather was Sharpstar, our leader before Mintstar. He is under too much pressure to follow in his kin's footsteps to betray SkyClan. Also-" Sandfire went on, "The cat- if there is a cat involved with these rats- would have to have a lot of brains to avoid the detection of StarClan. I don't believe Ratpelt is smart enough to do that."

"I guess you're right," Cloudpaw sighed and then straightened up, calling, "Come on out, Airpaw! I can see!" Fur hot with embarrassment, Airpaw padded up to the two cats while Cloudpaw hissed, "Cats who listen uninvited hear things they don't want to hear."

"Sorry Cloudpaw, I just-" But before Airpaw could continue, the rest of their small group began to stir. Waterpaw was getting to her paws, jolting Darkshadow out of his sleep. Grayleaf and Birdheart were padding towards Airpaw and the others while the JayClan apprentice watched his siblings trudge slowly behind them. Sandfire gathered the cats together with his long tail, surprising Airpaw. Wasn't Grayleaf the deputy?

"Today we journey up the mountains, my friends," Sandfire began, "It will be a hard journey, but if everything goes according to plan than we will be back on regular ground in two days time. We've already journeyed up them so please apprentices stay close to one of us. Darkshadow I can no advise you for I am not your mentor and you are not an apprentice, but please tread with caution." Darkshadow's black eyes narrowed, but he gave a curt nod. "Okay everyone move out!"

*

Airpaw followed Darkshadow and Birdheart slowly, Grayleaf and Waterpaw trudging beside him. Sandfire and Cloudpaw were bringing up the rear and every so often the ginger tom would stop and make sure they were heading the right way. Airpaw's paws felt like they were going to drop and as he glanced at the boiling sun overhead, he realized they had been walking from dawn to sunhigh. Airpaw was exhausted, not to mention hungry. The last time he ate was the night before and it had been a skinny squirrel, he had shared with Waterpaw. There hadn't been time to hunt in the morning so now, Airpaw was going hungry.

When Airpaw was about to ask if they could rest for just a moment, a giant shadow fell across him. Grayleaf tensed beside the brown apprentice while Birdheart yowled, "Hawk!"

Sandfire's voice joined his Clanmate's, "Everyone run!"

Airpaw ran forward, following Darkshadow, his brother leading Birdheart up a path. Airpaw turned around to call words of encouragement to his sisters and the other SkyClan warriors, but what he saw made his heart stop. The feeble path they had been taking began to shatter and the four cats were tossed into the river roaring below.

"Waterpaw! Cloudpaw!" Airpaw yowled and braced himself to jump in the river after his sisters, but Darkshadow thrusted in front of him.

"Airpaw, we can't go after them!" Darkshadow snarled and Airpaw sighed, knowing his brother was right. It would be pointless to follow the other cats until they got their own strength back. As of now, Waterpaw and the others were lost.

*

Airpaw opened his eyes, turning to ask Waterpaw a question, but his heart fell when he remembered the day before. Flashes of Waterpaw and Cloudpaw's terrified faces were burned into his mind and Airpaw hoped that his sisters had made it out okay. They have to be okay. StarClan wouldn't pick cats for a prophecy if they knew they were going to die. The thought comforted Airpaw slightly, but he knew he would never be fully comforted until he saw Waterpaw and Airpaw again. Hopefully alive.

"Airpaw!" Birdheart called from where she was sharing tongues with Darkshadow, her eyes troubled with fear of losing her Clanmates. Darkshadow sensed her feelings and gave her a comforted lick, surprising Airpaw. Darkshadow usually never shared tongues with anyone in JayClan. Except for Lakesky. Was he just looking for comfort about his sisters? Or was something going on in the dark warrior's mind? Airpaw didn't know, but he sensed something brewing on the horizon.

Airpaw laughed out himself. He sensed something brewing on the horizon? What was he a medicine cat? Airpaw padded over to Darkshadow and Birdheart and watched as the two warriors got to their paws. Giving himself a shake, Darkshadow suggested, "Ready to find our missing cats?"

Airpaw nodded.

Author's Note: What happened to Waterpaw and the others? Are they with StarClan or are they searching for their Clanmates as well? And what is going on between Darkshadow and Birdheart? Tune in next time! --- haha i had to do it, but seriously please review. gracias! :]