Hey there! Guess what? You've caught me in a good mood. And I'm sorry for the late update, there was some confusion and crap, but hey, I'm here. So thanks for reading, please review. Thanks! (:
Chapter Thirteen: DarkClan
The sun was setting, sending vibrant red and gold flames across the sky like a claw had penetrated the sky and it was bleeding slowly. The jungle was calmer now; though cool winds continued to frost the air, and send small animals to their caves, the green, exotic trees sprouting eagerly against the darkening sky.
Lionpaw was crouched over a part of a deer with Brightpaw and Frostpaw at his side, the three apprentices eagerly gulping down their meal. The day had brought questions and more exciting yes exhausting fighting lessons, and not to mention care-taking of the elders. So they were pretty much blank of energy.
Enjoying the warm juices flow through his mouth, soaking his lean muscles like starshine, Lionpaw swallowed, swiping a tongue around his muzzle. His fur brushed against Brightpaw's, and he fondly touched his tail to his best friend's striped flank; he'd found his friends returning from their practice after he'd left Pebbleheart's den, and had stuck to their side since then.
"That was the tastiest meal I've ever had," Frostpaw sighed, sitting up and beginning to wash herself.
"Nah; I've had better. It was called Lionpaw," Brightpaw replied, playfully sitting back and snatching Lionpaw's leg with his jowls as they abandoned the cleaned piece of carcass. Lionpaw laughed and fell back, rolling atop his friend and batting at him. He was pleasantly surprised by how tough the smaller apprentice's muscles were under his rough skin; despite being the runt of the litter, he was making up for his size very well.
"Hey!" Frostpaw complained as the two males nearly crashed into her. "Watch it, will you?"
Brightpaw and Lionpaw just laughed as they broke apart, breathing heavily. Lionpaw was cheered up to see Brightpaw less bitter than the other night since their punishment; though still bummed by the fact he would be missing the Gathering tonight, at least he had old Brightpaw back.
"I'm sorry, Queen Frostpaw," Brightpaw growled, lashing his tail playfully.
Frostpaw snorted and shook her head, curling her tail curtly around her forelegs. Her ears pricked and eyes focused on something behind her two friends, and Lionpaw followed her gaze. It was Blackscar, sitting at the mouth of the large, shadowy warrior's den, half-hidden by the tall, stiff grass sprouting before it, his shaggy face rueful as he watched Brightpaw play.
"It's been days since he told you about... well, you know. Littlecloud," Frostpaw said in a low murmur. "Are you ever going to apologize for saying you hate him? He's still crushed, Brightpaw."
Brightpaw straightened up and flicked a bit of grass off his shoulder as the light died from his eyes, and he refused to stare at his father. "I still hate him."
"No, you don't," Lionpaw growled, flicking his tail. Despite the fact he had little respect for Blackscar, as the rejected warrior didn't ask for much, he felt deep sympathy for the scraggly lion, and couldn't imagine what his sadness of losing his close bond with Brightpaw must feel like.
"How do you know my feelings?" Brightpaw demanded.
"He regrets what happened, and you were a little mean to him, you know," Frostpaw reminded him gently, eyes sad for a heartbeat. "You should really fix things with him."
Brightpaw sighed, annoyed. "How can I? What happened can't be fixed."
"But it can be helped," Lionpaw pointed out with a flick of his tail. He batted his friend over the ears. "Go on. You'll feel better."
"Oh really?"
"Brightpaw..." Frostpaw sighed, a little tired of his backtalk.
"Fine!" he exclaimed, muttering, as he slowly stood up and shook himself. Casting a half nervous, half reproachful look back towards his friends, the striped apprentice slowly padded across the clearing. As he neared
Blackscar, the skinny warrior's ears pricked with surprise, and he lifted his head.
Lionpaw took a step back, brushing his tail around Frostpaw as he settled close to her, their eyes trained on Brightpaw. He thought she uttered a quick purr, but couldn't be sure. He was too focused on what Brightpaw would do to fix things with his father.
They were too far off to hear, but Brightpaw slowly dipped his head. Relief and sadness pinched Blackscar's eyes as he hesitated, then touched his nose to Brightpaw's head as the two exchanged soft words.
After several heartbeats, Brightpaw took a step back, and blinked at his father uncertainly before turning around, and trudging towards his friends.
Frostpaw glanced worriedly at Lionpaw before turning to Brightpaw. "So?"
Brightpaw kept walking past them, gaze trained on his paws. "Happy now?" he growled.
Lionpaw sighed. He could tell things were better between Brightpaw and his father, yet something was still wrong. "Brightpaw, wait for-"
"Lionpaw!" came a sudden deep voice.
Lionpaw blinked, and whirled around. Snowstar sauntered toward him, Longfang close at his leader's shoulder, yellow eyes burning.
"What's he want?" Frostpaw murmured as Brightpaw disappeared into the apprentice's den.
"No idea," Lionpaw muttered.
"Lionpaw, we need to speak with you alone," Snowstar rumbled as he came up to his apprentice. Briefly, Lionpaw's thoughts flew back to the shadows of Pebbleheart's den, when she confirmed his faint suspicions: that the great Snowstar was indeed his father. Feeling a flicker of awe and deep respect stir in his chest, Lionpaw sat up straight and hoped his fur wasn't messy.
"Yes, Snowstar," he meowed, touching his tail to Frostpaw's flank as she stepped back, probably to join Brightpaw in the den and see what was wrong. She was gone in a blink, and Lionpaw found himself alone under the darkening sky with his leader and deputy.
"I need something of you," he growled, shaking his great mane.
Lionpaw blinked, wondering what Snowstar could possibly need. "Yes?"
"Buzzardpaw has gotten a cold, one that Pebbleheart says only a certain herb can cure. One that grows by DarkClan territory."
The apprentice couldn't help but glance at Longfang when his leader mentioned Pebbleheart; yet there was no trace of hostility in his endless eyes. Just a calm, burning peace, for once.
"Amberpaw is still out collecting herbs all the way by the SwiftClan border," Snowstar went on, "and Pebbleheart cannot leave Buzzardpaw alone. She needs an apprentice to go and get the herb."
Lionpaw's ears pricked. A mission? Excitement sizzled in his fur like flames. "Yes?" he eagerly prompted.
"We want you and Rowanpaw to go collect the herb, and bring it back before dusk," Longfang finished for his leader, lashing his tail.
Lionpaw's heart instantly dropped. Rowanpaw? He may be good friends with the cub's sister, but the prickly apprentice disliked Lionpaw deeply, and the feeling was mutual. Couldn't he go with Cricketpaw or Frostpaw instead? Yet he bit back the question. A leader's word is law.
"Are you sure he has to come along?" Lionpaw asked uncertainly. "I mean, it only takes one mouth to carry supplies."
"This is DarkClan we're talking about," Longfang said impatiently. "They might ask why you're close to the border."
"So you could need an extra pair of claws, and Rowanpaw's not going to the Gathering tonight, so he's free," Snowstar growled, blinking gently down at Lionpaw. "Are you up to the mission?"
Lionpaw pricked his ears; Rowanpaw or not, it would be nice to get out of camp again and stretch his legs. He finally nodded. "Yes, I'll do it."
Snowstar purred gratefully before turning away. "Good luck, and stay safe. We'll be at the Gathering soon."
Longfang tossed Lionpaw a look. "Remember to find Rowanpaw. You two set out immediately."
Lionpaw blinked. "Right now?" He'd half-hoped he'd get a chance to go talk to Brightpaw before leaving.
Longfang growled. "Now."
Lionpaw sighed. "Yes, Longfang," he muttered, trotting away, tasting the air to find Rowanpaw.
He found the apprentice with his mentor, Redflower, as the pretty lioness clearly had just finished scolding him for something; Lionpaw felt a twinge of satisfaction as Redflower offered him one last growl before stalking away, brushing past Lionpaw.
Looking dejected, Rowanpaw sighed and turned around, eyes glittering when he nearly bumped into Lionpaw. "Lionpaw? What do you want?" he snapped.
"Don't jump out of your fur," Lionpaw said crossly, twitching his whiskers. "I just came to tell you that Longfang and Snowstar want us on a mission; Buzzardpaw's got a cold that can only he healed by these herbs by
DarkClan territory, and since she or Amberpaw can't get it right now, we have to go get it."
Rowanpaw looked faintly excited at the prospect of a mission, but he looked as annoyed as Lionpaw by the fact he'd have to do it with him. "Well, alright then. When are we leaving?"
"We have to find Pebbleheart first; then we leave."
Rowanpaw rolled his eyes. "Come on; I suppose we better go find her."
Annoyed at the amount of scorn in his tone when talking about Pebbleheart, Lionpaw followed him stiffly towards the dark medicine-lion den. Lionpaw tasted the air, and knew she was in there, as well as Buzzardpaw. He felt a pang of sympathy for his older friend, and hoped the apprentice felt better soon.
"Pebbleheart?" Rowanpaw asked loudly, lashing his tail. "You in there?"
Pebbleheart stepped from her den, eyes wide. "Lionpaw? Rowanpaw? Are you going to find the herbs?"
"Yes," Lionpaw answered curtly, glaring at Rowanpaw, daring him to say something rude.
Relief and gratitude washed over her tired face. "Thank you, this is very important to me... alright, now listen closely. The herb I'm looking for is called feverfew; since I believe Buzzardpaw's come down with a mild fever, it needs to be treated early. It's a small white flower that grows in patches along the mossy land of DarkClan." She stopped, gazing anxiously at the two apprentices. "Understand?"
Rowanpaw rolled his eyes, and Lionpaw inwardly sighed, but nodded. It was going to be a long trip with old Rowanpaw.
"Thank you. Now be careful; remember my instructions," she said hurriedly. "Does Snowstar know where you're going?"
"Of course," Rowanpaw said indignantly.
Pebbleheart cast him a shallow look, and Lionpaw fought a sneeze of laughter as she slipped back into her den and to her patient. Rowanpaw growled low in his throat as he padded after Lionpaw, ears flat.
The two apprentices padded side-by-side through the darkening camp, and plunged through the thicket as they began padding under the jungle trees, tails lifting and ears flicking.
Lionpaw hadn't been out much before in the jungle at night. It was strange; yet exciting. He raced eagerly between trees, raking the turf with his claws.
"Calm down, furball, you're going to waste your energy," Rowanpaw growled.
"Oh, come off it, Rowanpaw," Lionpaw replied, chuckling, as he circled back round and trotted right up to his den-mate's nose. "You're just jealous because you can't run like me."
"Really?" Rowanpaw sneered. "Watch this!" He tore off suddenly, a blur against the pale shadows. Lionpaw was frozen in surprise for half a heartbeat before he, too, was gone, flitting after Rowanpaw. The wind tore at his fur as he clawed swiftly after Rowanpaw, racing through the trees and bushes.
Memories of when he first toured the territory as a young apprentice flashed back to Lionpaw, and as the trees began to thin out and the shadows grew longer, finally they had left the thick of the jungle behind.
Lionpaw screeched to a stop, whirling around, heart racing. Night had fallen quickly, and with less trees and more blank, bushy ground, it should have been easier to see Rowanpaw. Yet the apprentice was nowhere in sight.
"Rowanpaw?" he called out.
There was a hiss, and Lionpaw flashed around just in time to see a brown blur rushing at him from the bushes. He hissed and unsheathed his claws as Rowanpaw tumbled over him, raking his claws over him and nipping his ears.
Lionpaw had no idea why his den-mate had attacked him, but as fire burned in his blood his mind grew blank, only focused on his opponent's every move. He fell back, swiping at Rowanpaw, and kicked the apprentice away from him. Rowanpaw spat and fell on his back, and Lionpaw flew at him, pinning him down and raking his claws over his belly.
Frustration and old antagonism seemed to fuel the fight as they clawed and spat. There was the light of fight in Rowanpaw's eyes, and Lionpaw was the first to wake up from his fighting trance when he realized he felt blood on his claws.
"Rowanpaw!" he yelped, falling back and lashing his tail.
As sudden as the fight had started, it was over, and Rowanpaw lay in the dirt and grass, sides heaving. Lionpaw stared at him, heart thudding painfully, as he cautiously took a step towards him.
"Are you okay?" he growled. He knew his claws had inflicted blood on his den-mate's belly, and despite his growing anger with Rowanpaw, he felt a flash of guilt and shame flood him. Snowstar had sent them to help a den-mate, not hurt each other.
But it was Rowanpaw's fault. He had attacked first.
"I'm fine," Rowanpaw spat, hauling himself to his paws and rasping a tongue over his belly.
Lionpaw swallowed hard. There was still blood on his claws. But he was quiet. He refused to apologize, and instead he took a step back, tail lashing, and turned his eyes to the bushes around them.
"We're almost to the border," he murmured, voice rough.
Rowanpaw gave no answer.
"Feverfew," Lionpaw said to himself, twitching his whiskers and doing anything to not think about his fight with Rowanpaw. His sides still stung a bit from his scratches. "Grows along their border..." He shook himself. "Come
on, Rowanpaw."
Not bothering to check if the apprentice followed, Lionpaw ducked into the bushes and crept through the shadows until the stank of DarkClan filled his nostrils. He scrunched up his nose and curled his tail in disgust as their border line reached right under his muzzle.
"We found it," he muttered. There were rustling noises behind him, and Lionpaw knew Rowanpaw had followed after all. His gaze flicked around the border, through the water-soaked grass and shadowy turf, and there, in a shaft of moonshine, were the flowers Buzzardpaw needed.
Suddenly the rustling grew more violent, and Lionpaw's head shot up, claws unsheathing. That wasn't Rowanpaw.
And then he felt a body smash into his, muscled and shaking with fury. Lionpaw spat and screeched, clawing at the attacker, and whirled around to see a flash of night-dark fur. A panther- DarkClan apprentice!
"Get off our territory!" the apprentice spat, voice muffled as he raked Lionpaw's ears.
Lionpaw snarled and kicked the apprentice off of him, rearing up and leaping at the small panther. "I wasn't in your territory!" he retorted furiously, the fur along his spine bristling.
"Oh yeah?" the apprentice hissed before slipping into the shadows. Glittering eyes flashed at Lionpaw right before the panther attacked again, tail lashing, bowling Lionpaw's over and smashing his head against the ground. Lionpaw yowled in pain as he felt blood begin to trickle, and his mind felt dizzy as the apprentice clawed at his throat...
There was a sudden screech, and suddenly the apprentice was thrown off of him. Lionpaw heaved himself up, breathing ragged, to spot Rowanpaw on top of the apprentice, clawing out tufts of his dark fur. Lionpaw shook the blood from his face, realizing how odd it was to be saved by the LightningClan apprentice he'd been fighting with just moments ago.
Letting out an angry cry Lionpaw threw himself at the panther, and finally they overwhelmed the apprentice until he had clawed his way back to his side of the border, tail lashing, eyes gleaming in the moonlight.
"We were never in your territory!" Lionpaw spat.
The panther's eyes gleamed. "You were close enough! What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the Gathering?"
"We could ask you the same thing," Rowanpaw snarled.
The fight slowly dulled in the apprentice's eyes, and he shook himself, dark scarlet drops of blood scattering from his face. "Did you get in trouble too?" he growled.
Lionpaw's hackles began to fall, and he twitched his whiskers, torn between the glowing moon hung in the sky above reminding them of the peace between all Clans tonight, and the fact this stupid apprentice nearly bit his throat out.
"Yeah, who cares? Get," Rowanpaw snapped.
"It's my territory," the panther retorted hotly. "I'll go and stay as I please."
Lionpaw bit back a furious retort, and instead edged along their border, nearing the feverfew. "We came because we need these herbs," he growled, eyes flashing. "An apprentice is ill and-"
The panther snarled, leaping at Lionpaw. Rowanpaw bristled, and Lionpaw found himself nose-to-nose with the apprentice. "Those are our herbs, mousebrain!"
Lionpaw stared incredulously at the DarkClan apprentice. The flowers were clearly on LightningClan's side of the border; this apprentice was just being stubborn. "It's on our side!"
"Wanna bet?" the panther growled.
Rowanpaw angrily swiped at him, sending the apprentice back several feet. "Go away, foxdung. All we're trying to do is help a Clanmate."
The panther scoffed, and sat down on his haunches. "I'm staying right here."
Lionpaw sighed, and nodded to Rowanpaw. The apprentice shot him a look before padding over and biting a mouthful of the white flowers, tugging them easily from the ground and stepping back, tail lashing.
"Why keep staring?" the panther growled at Lionpaw, who never took his eyes off of the troublesome apprentice.
"I don't trust you," Lionpaw said simply, flicking an ear.
The panther snorted, flattening his ears. "What is it with you LightningClan warriors? Always blame the panthers; sure, go ahead."
Rowanpaw tried to say something around the flowers, but furiously found himself choked by feverfew, and shook himself, embarrassed and annoyed.
Lionpaw sighed and swung his gaze back to the panther. "When have we accused you for anything?" he asked wryly, sheathing and unsheathing his claws.
"Why, I don't know... oh yes, now I remember!" the panther meowed mockingly, stomping his foot. "The death of your precious Firerunner!"
Lionpaw's eyes widened at the mention of the dead warrior. "But your Clan ambushed him," he snapped. "In the dark, like the cowards you are."
"Ambushed?" The apprentice's eyes stretched wide and he curled his lips in a snarl. "See? You blame us for everything that goes wrong. We tried telling you, but no, the great Snowstar wouldn't listen. We never killed
Firerunner!"
Rowanpaw dropped the flowers, eyes slitted. "Then why was DarkClan scent all over his body when we found it?" he demanded.
The apprentice sighed impatiently, lashing his tail. "It's like we told Snowstar: we're the ones who first found the body, and he wouldn't believe us when we told him he stank of another LightningClan warrior!"
Lionpaw froze. This was a part to the story of Firerunner's death no one had mentioned. "What?"
The apprentice's hostility wavered for a moment, and Lionpaw knew he was not lying at all. There was bitter truth in his eyes. "That's right. Guess your great leader kept it a secret from the new generation, huh?" He shook
his head. "Forever will they blame us for a murder we'd never do; we are fierce, proud warriors, and would never kill an enemy in the shadows like that!"
Lionpaw was silent, mind thrashing. This was the key he needed: another bit to the story he'd been looking for. DarkClan had never killed Firerunner; they found the dead warrior with the scent of another LightningClan warrior. Did this mean a LightningClan lion had murdered Firerunner?
Mind spinning, he missed Rowanpaw's defensive retort, and the panther hissed, taking a step back.
"Whatever. Believe me or not, you have no reason to blame us for anything. Now run back to your precious camp, where the shadows won't hurt you." He finally looked like this fight was over, and he turned away, tail disappearing into the tall, wet grass and streaking darkness.
When he was finally gone, the jungle grew strangely quiet, and Lionpaw found himself listening to his heart beat painfully in his cheat like a hollow stone.
"Was he lying?' he finally asked Rowanpaw, swallowing hard.
Rowanpaw gazed at him, eyes narrowed. For the first time, Lionpaw saw uncertainty sparking in the hostile apprentice's eyes, but he said nothing.
Before they had to leave the border, Lionpaw knew what he had to do. He took a deep breath, and said, "Thank you for... saving me back there. That apprentice was stronger than I thought."
Rowanpaw just stared at him blankly, and shrugged. "What else could I have done?"
Let me get wounded, or worse. Lionpaw felt friction in the air, and as their brief alliance against the bitter DarkClan apprentice began to fade, he felt a pang of regret. Rowanpaw would never be his friend, but the apprentice was loyal, and no matter how much he openly disliked Lionpaw, he guessed he wouldn't let him get hurt at the claws of other warriors if he could help it.
Unless he wants to hurt me first, he thought, remembering their brief, confusing struggle before they had confronted the DarkClan apprentice.
Feeling suddenly exhausted, Lionpaw began to lead the way back to the tall, curving trees, while Rowanpaw dipped his head and scooped up the feverfew for Buzzardpaw. It had been a long night, full of confusion and
pain. But as they padded farther from the DarkClan border, Lionpaw couldn't get the DarkClan apprentice's words out of his mind.
Was it possible one of Firerunner's clanmates had murdered him, and had pinned the death on DarkClan's conscience to be free of the dark blame?
Wow. That was a long one. But interesting... things are starting to come together, huh?