Chapter 44: The Lesson

Shatterbreeze turned over in her nest, listening to the continuous chirps of crickets and other nighttime insects. She couldn't' sleep, despite being worn out from the tracking. It's just the jitters. You're just nervous. She turned over again, closing her eyes tight. Her face scrunched up, and then relaxed, letting out an exasperated sigh.

Maybe a walk will do me good. She stood, shaking the bits of moss and feathers off of her pelt. Carefully stepping over sleeping bodies, she made her way out of the shadowy den. She headed up and out of camp, nodding toward the guard. She broke into a sprint, slowing toward the Thunderpath. She looked down it both ways, and then trotted down to her right. Soon, she smelt a cat.

Curious, she took in another lungful of air. There was definitely a cat there. She dropped down, stalking forward. She looked around, seeing nothing. Soon, what she thought to be a rock shifted. A brown tom looked up from his little dip in the ground.

"Who are you, missy?" He croaked, blinking slowly. He looked her over. "Too soft to do much harm."

"You're pretty close to Bloodclan territory, loner. I wouldn't be so confident I'm as soft as you presume." Shatterbreeze growled.

"I'm as old as the soil under your paws. I won't cause you much harm." He flicked his tail, extremely calm for one being threatened. "You never answered my question."

"What?"

"My question. Who are you?"

"Shatterbreeze. Yourself?"

"Cats call me many names, but I prefer the title 'Truth'."

"What a charming name." Shatterbreeze remarked sarcastically.

"It is because I tell stories, teach lessons." Truth narrowed his hazy yellow eyes at her. "You look troubled."

Shatterbreeze shifted from paw-to-paw. "I guess you could say that."

"Tell me, young one, what is wrong, and I will give you the truth." Truth gave her a warm smile. Shatterbreeze hesitated before letting out a sigh.

"Well, tomorrow I battle one of my clanmates, I have the pressures of being a leader on my shoulders, and I'm caught in a horrible love web. Oh, and we're going to war. I feel like I'm making too many bad decisions."

Truth chuckled. "Let me put my two mouse-tails in. You just need to relax. I can tell that everything will work out. Everyone will experience surprises and heartbreak, and I know you will too, but that's life. Bad decitions make for great stories. Go tell your own." He gave her a slight nod, then started to shuffle off.

"But how do you know?"

"I told my friend Brokenthicket the truth, and I have told you as well."

Shatterbreeze's mouth dropped. "You knew about Brokenthicket?"

"Yes. I know about everyone's future, and yours will be ok. We will meet in the future. Goodbye, Shatterbreeze, or should I say, my Archon." He gave a chuckle before slipping away. Shatterbreeze frowned, then turned-tail and headed back to camp before she would be missed.

Not my best chapter. Not even close. I just put this in so you guys wouldn't think I was dead or something. School started. XC wears me out. I've gotten worse.

Mom noticed I've been sleeping a lot, and she thinks it's Iron deficiency or anemia or something, so I might have to get blood work. But it's really because I'm always sad. Awesome. -.-