CHAPTER NINE
My paw pricked in numbness and I looked up at Strikefang who was leading me to the twoleg nest in our territory. He was obsessed with some cat named Hiss. I'd never heard of the blind cat but Strikefang insisted we find him so I could make sure. We hadn't found him yet and we'd been all over ShadowClan territory, excluding the new part that the other outgoers had been exploring very lightly. I think Strikefang was waiting for his mate to get out of the nursery to get to into the exploring.
"Hiss?" Strikefang called as some bushes rustled nearby. "Is that you? Come out, I just want to talk."
But instead of a tom's voice, I heard a she-cats, "Hiss? Oh my, he'll be glad to have visitors!" she purred, something weird about her voice. It was different from ours.
"Who're you?" Strikefang asked as a yellow she-cat slipped out of the bushes, a collar around her neck. "A kittypet? There's no way Hiss is a kittypet!"
She laughed, looking at me with shining eyes. "You'd be surprised. Come on now!" She led the way towards the twoleg nest, her tail waving back and forth in excitement and then we reached it and she called out, "Hiss, some Clan cats are here to see you!"
A white tom's head popped up from the other side of the fence and he climbed onto it, smiling. "ShadowClan cats. Something smells familiar about one of you," he commented and his blind blue eyes landed on me. "Ah, you're Jinx aren't you?"
Strikefang growled lowly but cleared his throat. "It's Cloudpaw now. We've come to ask you a few questions: Did you ever see Cloudpaw being attacked by dogs? Did you ever help her? Why or why not?"
Hiss pricked his ears in interest. "No, I did not see Jinx being attacked by dogs," he responded calmly, jumping down from the fence and padding over to us. "Clan cats, tell me about them," he mewed, walking around us curiously, sniffing and mumbling to himself.
There was a pause and my mentor glanced down at me. "Cloudpaw, we should invite these two to our camp," Strikefang observed and looked at them. "Come on now." He flicked his tail and led the two cats through the forest and I trailed after, feeling uneasy.
When we'd reached camp, a few cats were eyeing us curiously and Rowanstar met us in the middle of camp, his eyes wide.
"What're two kittypets doing in ShadowClan camp, Strikefang?" he asked, looking at Hiss with concern. Dandelion, however, was purring up a storm looking at all the cats gathered around us.
Wasptail stepped forward. "That's Hiss! The blind cat who has dealt with the dogs before!" she told Rowanstar, her eyes shining in wonder and Beestripe was peeking out from the nursery.
Rowanstar nodded at Wasptail and turned back to Hiss. "Welcome to ShadowClan camp. You may stay as long as you like!" he welcomed the kittypet and then eyed Dandelion. "Who is your friend?"
"This is Dandelion," Hiss mewed, looking at the leader as if to meet his gaze. "We want to see ShadowClan in its true form. And maybe in the future, join."
Surprise went through the ShadowClan cats and they began to mumble to each other quietly as we waited for Rowanstar's reply.
He looked doubtful that the blind tom would be any help to us. "Very well. Add both of them in border and fighting patrols. Include them. You may sleep in the elder's den," Rowanstar agreed and padded away, Crowfrost rushing after him, beginning to talk quickly.
"Hiss, Dandelion, Cloudpaw and I were about to head back out again. You are welcome to come," Strikefang purred. "Hunting patrol and I can teach you about the Clans."
They nodded and followed Strikefang out of camp and I padded after, excited to hunt. I'd never actually caught anything yet, I always messed up. But this time I was determined. These two would be a good contribution to ShadowClan if I could show them how we're trained.
My mentor was telling them about ShadowClan and about the two groups we'd been divided into. Dandelion would be a good pine runner but Hiss new the territory outside of ours, he'd make a nice outgoer.
I, however, was focused on our surroundings. A bird chirped nearby and I heard some mice scuffling about, I put my focus on the mouse. I didn't have enough skill to catch a bird yet but mice should be easy enough.
Parting my jaws I picked up their scent and slipped away from the group, following their scent silently. I paused, seeing two mice nibbling on something they'd found on the ground and they paused, smelling the air but I ducked away before they could pick up my scent. I couldn't mess this up!
Silently, I skirted around the edge and got down low, narrowing my eyes and lunging out at them, feeling one of their soft little bodies under my claws and I watched the other two scatter. I ended the one that was in between my claw's life and then followed on of the other mice's scent, seeing it had went down a hole I shoved my claw down there and felt it hook into the body and I dragged it back up, killing it quickly and then picked it up. Time to go show Strikefang!
I had forgotten all about my numb paws even though I had fluffed out my fur to keep from shivering. Hunger clawed in my stomach and I itched to eat one of the mice I carried but didn't. That was against the warrior code.
"Nice catches, Cloudpaw!" Dandelion commented and looked at Strikefang who glanced back at me, seeming unconcerned that had caught some prey.
He shrugged. "You can head back to camp, Cloudpaw and get something to eat," he told me and turned to Hiss against. "Let's practice your hunting skills, you too Dandelion." He pretended like I wasn't even there.
Sadness tugged at my heart but I pushed it away, proudly raced back to camp, holding my catch high in the sky for everyone to see. The pile of prey was lower than usual, everyone was more interested in the two kittypets now living in our camp. First me, now them. I dropped one of my mice onto the pile that only held a bird, and padded over to the nursery, excited to see her and her kits.
"Cloudpaw!" one of them called before I even entered and I smiled, slipping inside with the mouse. "You brought prey!" Shadowkit licked his lips, looking at it was wide eyes.
I looked at Beestripe in question. She hadn't told me if they were eating prey yet. "Of course!" I set it down and heard paws pounding against the ground and I pricked my ears. "Stay here," I ordered and exited the nursery, seeing Hiss, Dandelion, and Strikefang burst into camp.
"RiverClan is on their way over here!" Strikefang alerted us. "Get ready for an attack!" As he spoke cats stood up from grooming and eating and rushed over to wait for the RiverClan cats and I noticed that they were still split into two groups: the pine runners and outgoers. Rowanstar and Crowfrost in the middle and I quickly slipped in beside Strikefang and Yarrowfur.
"Rowanstar," Mistystar greeted with a smile, RiverClan cats pouring in after her. "I see you have let two more rogues slip into your Clan." Her eyes rolled as she looked at Hiss and Dandelion who had joined the Clan with claws unsheathed. "We warned you," she growled and her tail tip moved a little and the RiverClan cats jumped forward, attacking.
I glanced at the nursery and saw no one near it and watched as the two Clans fought, fear striking me. This was because of Hiss, Dandelion. and I. The other two were fighting bravely but I barely knew any battle moves! I was panicking now.
"You," an unfamiliar voice growled and I turned my head to see a dark brown she-cat who was covered in blood glaring at me. Blood was oozing out of her wounds and she looked in rough shape. She was already beaten, I just had to chase her away. "You're the reason this fighting his happening!" she growled and darted forward, her claws stretched out to drag them across my pelt.
A battle cry echoed around me as I dodged her attack by moving as but I felt her teeth clamp into my tail and I turned my head to see Prickleclaw darted towards me. I recognized her from a border patrol. This much be her sister, Shadestream. She barreled me over and pinned me down while I clumsily batted the soft part of her stomach with my back paws.
Shadesteam laughed and I felt a chunk of fur ripped out of my pelt and I flashed back to the day Beestripe had saved me, I was under brambles and the dogs were trying to reach me. She had given me kindness and I gave her my trust. My whole time here, my bond with Beestripe was the greatest bond I'd ever known. Leaving her here alone, even with her kits, I knew was a mistake and I felt a burst of energy.
I dug my claws deep into Prickleclaw's belly and pulled out, feeling blood stream out and I kicked her off, whipping to Shadestream and not even thinking, her dark brown pelt turned into the dogs and I felt rage surge through me as I raked my claws deep along her pelt and jumped onto her back, bringing her to the ground.
"This is what you get for torturing me!" I growled into her ear and sunk my teeth into her shoulder and she screeched, throwing me off and I tore some of her skin as she raced to the entrance, following her sister.
Now I was back in reality, staring at the entrance where they'd disappeared in shock. I was going to kill here.
Something tackled me and white fur made me choke as I recognized Icewing, her blue eyes flashing in rage as she tore at my pelt. She was a much stronger warrior, I stood no chance.
"Cloudpaw!" Hiss growled and he hooked his claw in Icewing's leg out from under her and drug her away, ripping into her fur and tearing into her skin. She raced away and he looked at me with his blind eyes. "It's okay! I'm here!" He ran to me and I leaned against me, feeling my scratches burn.
Mistystar's yowl echoed around the ShadowClan camp, "RiverClan, retreat!" The RiverClan warriors flooded out of our camp, leaving blood behind and then it was silent.
"Get your wounds looked at," Rowanstar ordered and Puddleheart exited his den, carrying herbs in his jaws while Rowanstar and Crowfrost whispered to one another and the medicine cat walked right up to me and looked me over.
He was shaking his head. "Oh Cloudpaw, you took on way more you could handle," he mumbled and applied something to my wounds. It made it itch and burn but I said nothing, just breathed through it. "You'll be okay. just take it easy for the next few days," Puddleheart advise and padded away to see to Lionpaw's wounds.
"Everyone, I have an announcement to make!" Rowanstar yowled. "Hiss, Dandelion, you both fought well and you've been providing for the Clan with prey. It's time for you to become part of ShadowClan. Since you're both skilled and too old to be apprentices, you will be put under advisement of Crowfrost and Yarrowfur until they think you're ready. Hiss, I name you Whiteeyes. StarClan honors your hunting skill and courage. You are an outgoer since you know a lot about the outside territories. Dandelion I name you Flowerstem. You are a pine hunter since you have such swell knowledge of the Clan's territory already." Rowanstar dipped his head to both of them respectfully. "Welcome to ShadowClan." He slipped into his den.
"Flowerstem! Whiteeyes!" the Clan called in approval.
Excitement fluttered in my paws but I was too tired to really think about anything other than my nest. My new nest, in the apprentice's den with Birchpaw, Lionpaw, and Slatepaw. I padded to the apprentice's den and slipped inside, the three apprentices already resting soundlessly.
"Cloudpaw?" Slatepaw mewed, raising his head to look at me. "Come on, you can have the nest next to me."He smiled warmly and I got into it.
"Thanks," I whispered and snuggled up, feeling his warmth next to me and drifting to sleep.
RiverClan border was totally empty. Their border marker hadn't been moved or recently sprayed, no patrols had come back today or yesterday, but the river had been broken through, there was no ice covering it. The weather was definitely getting colder and the trees that weren't pines had lost their leaves. It hadn't started to snow yet but rain was coming in every day. Today there were gray clouds in the sky but it hadn't rained yet.
"Cloudpaw, come mark this bush over here!" Strikefang ordered, nodding at the bush as he marked a rock.
I padded over, spraying the bush and glancing around. I was a little worried about RiverClan and I knew that Beestripe would be worried too. I was a rat brain, I knew those kits weren't Strikefang's. They looked more like the RiverClan warrior, Nightfur. I had made sure no one had said anything about RiverClan's disappearance to Beestripe or around Beestripe's kits. I was trying to be a good friend.
The outgoers and pine hunters still weren't getting along but I definitely got more respect since I wasn't actually going outside of the territory yet, Beestripe and Strikefang too. I could tell my mentor was itching to get out of the territory and the patrol going out there were slow. It had only been a few days since Flowerstem and Whiteeyes joined the Clan but they'd made a lot of progress.
Both of them were skilled hunters and trackers, Flowerstem was getting along with the pine hunters and Whiteeyes was getting the outgoers further into unknown territory. I wanted Beestripe to be out of the nursery but she had about four and a half more moons. Everyone could tell Lightkit was going to be an outgoer and Shadowkit a pine hunter, I was excited to work side-by-side by Lightkit.
As I marked another bush I caught movement on the other side of the border and dropped down low, watching as two RiverClan cats emerged, both looking exhausted.
"Havenpelt? Curlfeather?" I mewed, sitting up and looking at them in surprise. They didn't look so good.
Havenpelt looked up at me. She was skinny and her eyes were dropping, her paws and tail were dragging on the ground. When she saw me she flicked an ear. "Cloudpaw, right?" She marked the other side of the bush I had marked.
"Right. What happened to you guys? Where's the rest of your patrol?" I glanced behind them, half expecting to see another cat come out of the bushes but there was no one.
Curlfeather bared her teeth at me but sighed. "There's a disease going through RiverClan camp. Someone ate a bad fish." She sprayed the border too and sneezed. "We're getting stronger though. So don't even think about attacking!" she hissed.
I dipped my head and saw Strikefang and the other cat on our patrol, Needleflower rush up to us. "What's going on? Did they threaten you, Cloudpaw? Cross the border?" Strikefang asked, looking at the RiverClan cats and obviously seeing they were sickly. He pushed me away from the border and Needleflower stepped back as well. "Let's get back to camp," Strikefang ordered, saying goodbye to the sick RiverClan cats.
"They all have a disease," I told Strikefang. "Someone ate a bad fish and it spread." I glanced back at the border but we were getting too far away now for me to see. "It's leaf-bare too…" Poor RiverClan cats, I thought but kept walking through the pines, noting that Strikefang and Needleflower had fallen a little behind and were whispering. Were they talking about Beestripe's kits?
Fear jumped in my stomach but I quickly pushed it away. He was too blind with happiness to see they weren't his. The Gathering would be tomorrow night but Strikefang already told me I must wait until Beestripe is my mentor to go.
"Cloudpaw, we're going to practice battle moves while Needleflower hunts. Come on!" He raced passed me and I laughed. You want to race, don't you Strikefang? I darted after him, jumping over a root of a tree and picking up my speed. I wasn't as old as him or as big but I was catching up. My strides were big and I'd been practicing. Trees whizzed by and I could see ShadowClan camp, but we were going to the outside. So I changed my course, aimed for the small clearing full of pine needles covering the ground while he kept running towards the entrance and I quickly sped up before he noticed I'd switched.
I bursted into the clearing and laughed, rolling onto my back and staring up at the sky through the pine trees.
"Cloudpaw! Cloudpaw did you hear?" Slatepaw bursted into the clearing, eyes shining. "We're going to train together today!"
I jumped to my paws and bounced up and down as Tigerheart and Strikefang entered the clearing. I get to train with an older apprentice! I was excited, clearly.
"Both of you, get into a crouch," Tigerheart ordered and I quickly dropped down low and Slatepaw did too. I could feel myself struggling to stay balanced and I quickly lowered my tail before they would point it out. "Very nice," he mumbled.
Strikefang chimed in quickly, "Now, pounce."
My eyes narrowed as I focused on a flower a tail length away and I wiggled my haunches, using my back paws to soar right on top of the flower and I crushed it with my paws, looking up at the two mentors in pride. Slatepaw had made it to his goal too.
"Now do that on each other," Tigerheart purred, stepping back and Strikefang did too, glancing at Tigerheart with worry.
Blood roared in my ears as I faced the older, larger apprentice who was already in attack position and I dropped down in a battle crouch too, flicking my tail.
Suddenly, he jumped at me but I slid to the side and he was ready, jabbing his paw out at me I whipped towards him and hit his paw away, remembering Whiteeyes' move during the battle with RiverClan I hooked my claw gently in his leg and pulled up, watching him fall over and I jumped on him, pinning him down.
But Slatepaw expected this and instantly began battered my stomach with his paws and I felt myself struggling not to throw up. I hadn't eaten anything today, my stomach was completely empty.
Quickly I jumped off him and didn't wait for him to rise to his paws, instead I yanked his tail and he let out a yelp and jumped up, swiping at my nose and I hissed dropped down low as he swiped at me again and I raced forward, going right underneath but and Slatepaw let out a shriek as I threw him up in the air and he landed behind me on his back.
"Nice move!" he commented and I purred and then he darted forward, aiming for my shoulder I slid to the side but suddenly he changed course and I felt his paw going down my side.
"Enough!" Tigerheart mewed and stepped forward, eyes shining proudly. "You both fought brilliantly." He glanced back at Strikefang who was nodding in approval. "Tomorrow we'll practice some real battle moves. Now let's get something in your bellies." Tigerheart turned and left the clearing and the rest of us padded after him, to camp.
Back in camp, in was buzzing with activity: Beestripe was with Puddleheart and he was checking over her kits, Rowanstar was sitting in the dark under the hazel branch with Tawnypelt by his side, Crowfrost entered the clearing with Sleekfeather and Birchpaw, carrying prey. Whiteeyes and Flowerstem were with the elders, talking and eating a bird, Yarrowfur, Spikefur, and Wasptail slipped into the clearing, there pelts coated in dirt, Junipernose and Lionpaw were practicing battle over at the edge of camp and Needleflower was sitting nearby, watching Junipernose closely, and Grassheart had just padded in camp, a mouse in her jaws.
"Go on, get something to eat," Strikefang ordered and padded over to Beestripe who met him with a smile.
I followed Slatepaw to the prey pile, there was a frail old bird, two mice, and a lizard. I snatched up one of the mice and padded to the edge of the clearing, away from everyone and settled down, sinking my teeth into my mouse and watching the sun sink in the sky.
Everything on me was sore. Strikefang was working me hard lately. Tigerheart went over and sat by Flowerstem who seemed happy to see him. More kits! I thought joyfully, taking another bite.
"Can I eat with you?" Slatepaw interrupted my thoughts and I looked up at him, nodding.
He settled down next to me, eating the frail bird from the pile. "Sorry you can't go to the Gathering tomorrow, Cloudpaw. Don't worry though, you won't miss a thing, everyone will be talking about it the next day all day if something interesting happens." He spat out a feather and laughed.
"It's okay. I'll be happy and warm in my nest," I teased, finishing my mouse and purring softly. "Do you ever wish the Clan wasn't split into outgoers and pine hunters?" My eyes flickered over to him. He'd definitely noticed his brother and sister were sleeping on the other side of the den for a reason.
Slatepaw nodded firmly. "Of course, all the time. But this way we can have more prey and a secret camp. Don't worry, Cloudpaw. No one could hate you!" His eyes shone in amusement.
"I just can't wait until I can actually go out of the territory," I mumbled and then stood up. "See you in the apprentice's den, Slatepaw!" And then I padded away, slipping into the empty den and laying in my nest, watching as everyone else slowly went to their nests too as it got colder.
I closed my eyes and let sleep overcome me, feeling the den rustle as the other's entered.
"Almost done," Beestripe breathed, looking at me with a smile and then turning back to her kits who were playing with a mossball. "I'm thinking in half a moon, when they're three moons I'll take over your apprenticeship and have them hang around the elders." I could see the worry in her eyes. "Let me go talk to Rowanstar." She padded away and I walked up to the kits with a smile.
"Hi Cloudpaw!" Lightkit purred, throwing the mossball and watching Shadowkit race to go get it. "Beestripe told us that soon we're going to have to hang around the elders a lot." She watched the mossball soar over her head.
Shadowkit padded up, his eyes shining. "We love the elder's stories though! So we don't mind!" He tilted his head at me and puffed out his black fur. "I can't wait to see the snow!"
I knew the kits really didn't mind that their mother wanted to train me, they didn't really need her anymore since they ate from the prey pile and played with mossballs all day.
"You'll stand out as clear as day, Shadowkit!" I purred at him and looked at Lightkit who was white as snow. They were so different yet so alike, they both looked rat, they both learned quickly and were quick to try new things, they both treated others with kindness and respect. They were not shy at all. Nothing like me but I was okay with that, a lot like Beestripe.
"Rowanstar!" Sleekfeather and Birchpaw charged in, a few scratches on their pelts. "Dogs, near the twoleg nest! Wasptail insisted she could handle them while we got help, you have to hurry!" The she-cat met my gaze, she knew they were the same dogs that attacked me.
Our leader looked around the clearing. "Okay, take Whiteeyes and… and-" He stopped, eyes meeting mine. "And Cloudpaw."
I felt my claws dig into the ground beneath me. I was ready to face those dogs. "Let's go!" I growled and darted out of camp, stretching my legs to run faster and hearing the others pounding after me. I was ready. I couldn't wait to tear their ears off!
I dodged a root and ran through a bush, seeing the nest ahead and hearing Wasptail fighting. I bursted into the clearing, quickly taking in my surroundings and seeing Beestripe's mother being mauled. Fear went through me and I darted forward, dragging my claws along the brown one's pelt and then the mutt turned to me, eyes gleaming. I was ready.
The dog tried to whack me with his paw but I doded, my eyes gleaming and seeing the others hadn't caught up yet and I realized Wasptail was still struggling with the black dog. I dart over to her and pushed her out of the way, swiping at it's nose and seeing blood.
"Oh my StarClan, Wasptail!" Birchpaw gasped and they all charged over to help, Whiteeyes stumbling a little but he quickly jumped onto the brown dog. He was skilled for being blind.
I ran to the side of the black down and shoved him, his large paws stumbling over each other and Sleekfeather dragged her claws along the other side of its pelt and I nipped at his paws, feeling like it deserved worse I jumped onto it's back and sunk my teeth deep into it's neck and it let out a yowl of pain.
"Let it go, Cloudpaw!" Sleekfeather called but I wasn't done yet. I took a chunk right out of it's neck and it was jumping around in pain. I sunk my claws deep into it's back to hold on and then dragged them all the way down, hopping off and watching it run, the other dog had already fled.
Everyone gave me a look but said nothing, knowing that I had a bone to pick with the dogs. Wasptail, however, was covered in blood and laying on the ground, her breathing ragged.
Panic struck me. "We have to get her back to camp!" I told them and grabbed her scruff. "Beestripe needs to say goodbye!" I felt my tears welling up as everyone stood there, looking at one another. No one came to help me. "Help me!" I pleaded and Whiteeyes stepped forward, grabbing hold of Wasptail and we traveled back to camp quickly. When we entered camp I set Wasptail down in the middle of the clearing and ran to the nursery. "Beestrip! Come out quickly, leave the kits!" I ordered and paced until she slipped out of the nursery. "It's your mother, Beestripe." I moved aside to reveal Wasptail's blood soaked body lying limply in the middle of camp. "Say goodbye," I whispered.
Beestripe raced to her seeing she was still breathing. "Oh no, Wasptail. No, not you too!" Tears welled up in her eyes. She sniffed her mom and then buried her face in Wasptail's pelt. "I love you, I love you so much." I could see her body shaking and quivering. She was sobbing.
I watched Wasptail go completely limp and her breathing stopped. I could feel Beestripe's pain and sadness. Puddleheart touched his tail to his sister's shoulder and Needleflower touched her nose to her mother's pelt. Yarrowfur was on the other side, his head ducked down low.
All of them shared the same sadness, I could feel it. Poor Beestripe, she'd lost Stonetooth, Bluekit, and Wasptail. Who next?
My eyes flickered to the elder's den where Oakfur and Kinkfur were sitting. Oakfur sneezed and his eyes closed a little. Him, he was going to join StarClan this leaf-bare for sure. Puddleheart had already warned us.
We'd lost four cats in the last year. ShadowClan wasn't known for losing cats so we were doing okay.
I couldn't stand looking at Wasptail's dead body anymore so I padded away, sitting next to Strikefang.
He looked down at me. "Beestripe is taking over your training now," Strikefang mewed and dipped his head respectfully. "It was an honor working with such a skilled apprentice." The tom stood up and padded away and I noticed Beestripe was looking at me from across the clearing and she nodded at me. Because of Wasptail's death she was ready to explore the outside areas. And from Whiteeyes' last report, they weren't doing so good.
The sun was sinking in the sky and I knew we'd start tomorrow, the night of the Gathering. Maybe I'd get to go.
Beestripe and I slipped out the back entrance to camp, the one Whiteeyes had discovered the day before, when Wasptail had passed. it was at the back of the camp in the shade, covered by brambles which we'd moved to reinforce. After eating Beestripe and I headed out to join Whiteeyes and Yarrowfur who were working on making a path. They hadn't gotten more than seven fox lengths over the border and they desperately needed our help.
We crossed over our faint border marker and into unknown territory. We'd only been marking it once every quarter-moon, Beestripe had informed me. After she had caught up with everything the outgoers had been doing and stuff it was her job to teach me.
Lightkit and Shadowkit had gladly joined Oakfur and Kinkfur in the elder's den and Puddleheart said he'd go check on them from time to time. Beestripe said if I did well today that I'd get to goto the Gathering tonight.
I was focused on doing everything I was told and Beestripe's mew made me jump, "What do you smell?"
My jaws parted to scent the air. "Faint scent of fox, probably three days old, we should beware. A sparrow in that tree over there, I think she has babies, and I can very faintly smell something gross… Like crow food and-" I cut off, trying not to gag.
Beestripe scented the air carefully. "You're right, I think it's a Thunderpath. We have to warn the others!" She raced forward and I followed her, following the ShadowClan scent and I was watching her to make sure she wasn't going to fall over. She hadn't been outside of camp in three moons, she was a bit rusty.
"Hey!" Yarrowfur called and I pushed forward, skidding to a stop and Beestripe skidded to a stop, seeing Whiteeyes and Yarrowfur. "Why the rush?"
While Beestripe caught her breath I explained, "Somewhere ahead there's a Thunderpath. I just want you to be careful." My eyes darted to Beestripe who had caught her breath and nodded.
Yarrowfur laughed. "Oh yeah, Whiteeyes told me that yesterday. We're being careful. We think past the Thunderpath there is bound to be a base somewhere."
I swallowed heavily, feeling excited. There were still pine trees all around us and it all felt familiar. It couldn't be though, I'd never been out of ShadowClan, but the warm wind was blowing through my fur and it felt amazing. Like freedom.
"So here's what we're doing," Whiteeyes chimed in. "We're clearing a path to the Thunderpath and if we all work hard we'll get there before we have to leave for the Gathering." He nodded firmly. "Clear brambles and try to make it straight."
Beestripe padded forward and began to push brambles out of the way and make room. I followed after her, making sure there weren't in sharp rocks or thorns left on the path. Didn't want a cat to scratch their paw.
I could hear Whiteeyes and Yarrowfur in front of us, also clearing brambles. We'd be to the Thunderpath by sunhigh if we kept working this hard. I could already hear the rumbling of the monsters. Kinkfur and Oakfur always had gruesome stories about the Thunderpath and monsters. Though I'd never seen one.
"Cloudpaw I need you to be extremely careful on the Thunderpath. Listen to me okay?" Beestripe told me, eyes shining in worry. Whiteeyes and Yarrowfur had stopped ahead and the rumbling got louder.
"Of course, Beestripe," I mewed firmly and we stopped beside the two warriors. "Is it through these bushes?" I asked.
Whiteeyes nodded and clawed at the bushes, making a path and then slipping through, seeing the hard black surface. I felt my paws tingle and I touched it. It was cold.
The warriors got down low and I copied. "Ready?" Beestripe whispered and then she glanced around. There was a gap. "Run!" she yowled and darted across and I followed, glancing back to see Yarrowfur guiding Whiteeyes. I could hear the next monster rumbling towards us and I pushed forward, my head pounding quickly in my chest. I began to panic until I jumped and felt the wet grass underneath my paws. Yarrowfur and Whiteeyes slid in right next to me and Beestripe was already here.
"We're all okay," Yarrowfur breathed and shook his fur out. "Come on, we can keep going for a bit." He started throwing brambles out of the way and I was checking the ground again. We had a good system.
Finally, we decided to head back to camp where Rowanstar was waiting for us yet making announcements.
"Needleflower is having Junipernose's kits and has moved to the nursery!" When we entered he smiled. "Going to the Gathering tonight is: Crowfrost, Puddleheart, Whiteeyes, Flowerstem, Beestripe, Cloudpaw, Sleekfeather, Birchpaw, and Grassheart. Let's go!" He jumped down from the hazel branch and gathered his patrol.
"Cloudpaw, make sure you tell me all about the Gathering," Slatepaw purred to me and I nodded, watching as Rowanstar charged out of camp and I raced after, excitement in my paws.
I had forgotten how cold it was outside. All the excitement of finally being considered an outgoer was keeping me warm and now, going to my first Gathering was going to keep me warm as well! Plus Beestripe was here. I wonder if the RiverClan cats would be there?
As we ran through the wet grass, right over RiverClan border I could already hear the river rushing loudly. Would I have to swim across it?
Rowanstar was way at the front while I was way at the back of group. I watched him jump over the river and my panic rose. Could I make that jump? I hoped so because I was approaching quickly. I watched Whiteeyes clear it and I ran faster, using my hind legs to push off against the bank and I lunged across, stretching out my body but under all four paws, I felt the earth and I kept going. I had cleared that jump!
Beestripe was running beside me, breathing heavily and I could see she was struggling with the effort. I knew she was excited to be there for my first Gathering.
I could see RiverClan cats huddled up, waied. The log was right up there, then I'd be on the Island. I watched the RiverClan cats climb up and over the og. There weren't a lot of them and the ones that were here look sick still.
Nightfur was here and as soon as Beestripe spotted him, she slipped over and began to whisper to him. She was going to make it so obvious but I said nothing, waiting for my turn and slipping in behind Whiteeyes who was shrinked down low to the ground. He knew these cats didn't like his existence.
We jumped onto the log and started across. I had to dig my claws into the log to keep from falling off and Whiteeyes was slowly inching across. He was scared and I didn't blame him.
Then he jumped down onto the ground and I jumped down after him, feeling very watched but I ignored it and entered the Island, gasping. It was beautiful! Bushes and brambles surrounded the edge of the clearing. A great big oak sat on the other side with four branches for the leaders. The grass, even though it was leaf-bare, was green and beautiful. I couldn't believe my eyes.
RiverClan was already in the clearing as was WindClan. I could hear ThunderClan talking with the ShadowClan cats behind me.
"Excuse me?" a deep voice mewed behind me. "Would you mind if I sat with you?"
I glanced behind me to see a gray tabby about him was different, familiar. Was he once a kittypet too? "Oh, um, yes, of course!" I purred and scooted over, letting the ThunderClan cat sit beside me. "If it's not rude to ask, were you once a kittypet or a rogue?"
He laughed loudly. "Why yes, yes I was. You must be Cloudkit then? Well, Cloudpaw now I assume." His eyes shone in amusement. "I'm Stormcloud."
Stormcloud, I thought and nodded. "Yeah I am!" Everyone in the other Clans knew me. They should since I'm the reason they're all fighting. Fear struck me at the thought. "You aren't mad at me, are you?" I asked curiously. I hadn't even thought about the other Clan's opinion on me. All I knew was RiverClan would ignore me and WindClan would probably grumble about how I smelled like a rat.
The ThunderClan tom tilted his head. "Why would I be mad…" He trailed off and nodded slowly. "No, no I'm not mad at you, Cloudpaw! I'm just like you. ThunderClan is on your side, you needn't worry," he purred softly and glanced over at the Great Oak. "Looks like we're about to start." He turned his head to the Great Oak and so did I, curling my tail around my paws neatly.
"Let the Gathering, begin!" Rowanstar yowled, jumping onto his branch while the other three leaders settled down.
Mistystar began, but I could see she was still sick. "RiverClan ran into a little disease but we've handled it and we're pulling together nicely," she lied, putting on a warm smile. "The river's are still flowing and fish is plentiful. The borders are being mark thoroughly and constantly. We also have a new queen: Shadestream!" She glanced at Rowanstar and Bramblestar. "ShadowClan, you are still keeping the kit from the twoleg nest, correct?" She didn't wait for a response. "You are, and RiverClan still is disagreeing on your choices. We will keep giving you warnings until you get rid of her." Her eyes landed on me, narrowed and angry.
I felt Stormcloud scoot closer to me and his pelt brushing mine reassured me as Onestar stood up to speak, "WindClan is resigning from the fighting. We are not taking RiverClan or ShadowClan's side on the fight." He dipped his head to the leaders. "Larkwing gave birth to two healthy kits and they're all doing just fine. The prey is running as leaf-bare comes down on us." He nodded to Bramblestar.
Bramblestar dipped his head to Onestar. "We lost one of our elders, Purdy. May he run with StarClan… We also have three new warriors: Leafmoon, Honeyblossom, and Larkfall." He shook his head slowly and continued, "Prey is plentiful in ThunderClan territory. Our borders are checked regularly and we chase out any trespassers." Bramblestar glanced at Mistystar. They must've attacked him too. He nodded to Rowanstar.
Rowanstar rose to his paws. He was much larger than the other leaders, I noticed. But he was the youngest and I could already see scars going up and down his muzzle as wall as his sides and throat. "ShadowClan has a new apprentice: Cloudpaw! Beestripe has given birth to two beautiful kits." I glanced at the she-cat who was sitting next to Nightfur who smiled widely. "We have two new warriors as well: Flowerstem and Whiteeyes. And we lost Wasptail in a horrible battle with dogs. We managed to chase them away but beware they might try to explore your territory." Rowanstar looked down at me and I felt my pelt grow hot with uncomfortableness. "The prey is definitely running, we've had lots and our borders will be checked every day. If anyone dares to cross it we will not hesitate to rip them to shreds." He didn't even looked at Mistystar but he jumped down from the Great Oak, as did the other leaders.
He didn't mention the outgoers and the pine hunters. Probably for the best, I thought silently and turned to Stormcloud with a smile. "It was very nice to meet you. I'll see you another time!" I turned away from the tom and padded to Beestripe and Nightfur with a glare.
"Hi, Cloudpaw! Have you met Nightfur of RiverClan?" She looked at her forbidden lover with happy eyes.
I narrowed my eyes to slits. "Yes," I hissed. "I've met him." I nodded to Nightfur and glared at my mentor. "Do you want to get yourself and your kits kicked out of ShadowClan?"
Nightfur's smile disappeared. "She knows?"
Beestripe nodded. "You can trust Cloudpaw," she whispered and touched her nose to his ear. "Get back to your Clan. You'll see your kits in three moons when they're apprentices." She watched him walk away. "Are you rat-brained?" she growled at me.
"Are you?!" I snapped back. "I'm looking out for you and you're prancing around with Nightfur like this is some kind of game!" I knew that it wasn't wrong for them to have friends but someone could put it together those kits weren't Strikefang's. "Just be careful, please," I pleaded.
My mentor glazed at Nightfur and clenched her jaw, nodding in agreement. "You're right. I'm sorry."
I shook it off and pricked my ears as Rowanstar summoned ShadowClan and I led my mentor over to the group of cats who'd gathered.
"Let's get home," he mewed gruffly and took off, leading us back home.