Chapter 2
Cinderpaw's POV
Cinderpaw ran through the trees, weaving through them. She was born to do this. She was faster than a running squirrel! She was like the wind!
No, wait. Not like the wind. That reminded her of WindClan.
She was loyal to ThunderClan all the way! Hmm…
Cinderpaw slowed down to think. She was like the trees! No… trees couldn't move.
The breeze! She was like the breeze! That was better. Satisfied with her comparison, she began running again. Too bad Bluestar had greencough and she couldn't get the message. But she could! Maybe Bluestar would even make her a warrior! Fireheart would be so proud.
Wait. The Thunderpath. Why was she here? She sniffed. The trail was running cold. Why had Tigerclaw led her here? Her eyes widened.
The ground began to shake.
Tigerclaw's POV
Tigerclaw laid in wait. The plan had worked, and he could see a grayish pelt on the Thunderpath, eyes wide in fear.
He watched from the bush. Yes, it was working, her lives would be ripped from her, and he would be leader soon.
It had taken ages, but he had finally worked out a pattern, a time of day that the monsters came, and it had been perfect timing. Bluestar wouldn't have time to get away.
Wait. Bluestar. That pelt was gray, not blue. Bluestar's pelt was a lot lighter than that.
Words echoed in his head. "You must save her…"
And suddenly Leopardfoot's meaning became horribly clear.
He remembered how Bluestar had been coughing the day before. She must have been sick, the way Yellowfang was searching for catmint. And when you needed a message, you sent an apprentice.
Bluestar had a cough. And she'd sent Cinderpaw in her place.
"You will live an eternity of guilt…"
He could see it now, the white monster streaking towards the gray apprentice, frozen in fear.
There wasn't time to decide. He had to act.
Tigerclaw leapt out of the bush. "Look out!" he yowled urgently. Cinderpaw swiveled her head, and he saw the pale outline of the monster reflected in her eyes.
Snatching her up, he pulled her away, barely hearing the yowl of pain that followed. He dropped her on the ground, fear clouding his vision.
Cinderpaw's eyes were closed tight, and she was shaking. Blood covered her back left leg.
He'd failed, hadn't he? He barely noticed when Fireheart burst through the undergrowth.
"Cinderpaw!"
He paled when he saw his apprentice on the ground. "A monster nearly hit her," Tigerclaw explained, trying not to think about it. Truth be told, he wasn't sure if it had hit her or not.
He could see Fireheart struggling to not scream at him. "We'll address what happened when she wakes up," he hissed. "Let's get her back to camp.
AN: Yay, two chapters in one day! This is going well. Is Cinderpaw crippled or is she not? ONLY THE STARS KNOW. (Actually that's not true. Only I know.)