To Guest: I am aware some of my chapters aren't in chronological order, I made quite a few mistakes . (GaAH re-reading Warrior books) I've been trying to improve! And I know Bluestar actually has two lives left, but we're talking from TIGERCLAW'S PERSPECTIVE and he doesn't know that :P
And to TheMouseofAwesomeness: Of course Tigerclaw's good at convincing, he managed to trick pretty much the whole of ThunderClan right? ^^
Chapter 27: New warriors
Time to train Ravenpaw and Greypaw.
Tigerclaw had went to sleep after his talk with Darkstripe and Longtail. They had agreed they needed to rid of the troublesome apprentice.
They are not ready for the truth about Redtail. They will spill it, or argue with me, and I can't afford to lose them. The sooner I get rid of Ravenpaw the better.
Ravenpaw's voice floated from the apprentice's den. "... Going to wake him up?" Tigerclaw reached the den in time to see Ravenpaw gesturing to Greypaw.
"I hope so! Training is going to start." Tigerclaw growled. Firepaw and Ravenpaw both jumped. You two should have scented me, I was right here!
Tigerclaw withdrew his head. He heard Firepaw telling Greypaw to wake up, but they still didn't come out.
What's taking so long? Tigerclaw called from outside, annoyed. "Are you ready yet?"
Tigerclaw heard the sound of the crackling moss and the movement of pawsteps, before Ravenpaw and Firepaw came out. "Is the other one coming?" He meowed.
"He's just woken up." Firepaw said defensively. Hmph, still moaning about Lionheart no doubt. "Training will do him good," Tigerclaw growled. "He's grieved long enough."
Tigerclaw glared at Firepaw, daring him to contradict him. The apprentice looked back at him. Just because my main priority is Ravenpaw now doesn't mean I'll forget about you.
Finally Greypaw padded out of the den, yawning, and Firepaw turned to look at him, breaking eye contact with the deputy.
"Bluestar will be ready for you in a moment, Firepaw." Tigerclaw addressed the apprentice abruptly.
"Greypaw," Tigerclaw went on, "you can join my training session. Do you think you're up for it Ravenpaw? After all, you got some pretty nasty nettle stings while the rest of us were fighting those rats." He mocked.
Make him feel as uncomfortable as possible. Tigerclaw then motioned to the two apprentices to follow him, and they headed out the camp, leaving Firepaw to wait for his mentor
• • •
"I take it easy on you both, you have some scratches and you have some nettle stings like I mentioned earlier." Tigerclaw sneered. As if. I just need you hunting today...
Greypaw shot a worried glance towards his friend while Ravenpaw hung his head.
"So instead if battle training, we're going to be hunting." He announced. Greypaw, head to the riverbank. Try fishing, maybe you'll be good at it. If you find that you can't fish, go get land prey instead."
The apprentice nodded, and stayed, waiting for him to tell Ravenpaw's hunting area before he went. Ugh, no, go away!
"Go now Greypaw," Tigerclaw snapped. "You're wasting your time." Greypaw looked rather startled, but nodded and hurried off to the river.
Tigerclaw made sure he was out of ear-shot before continuing. "Ravenpaw." The apprentice had his tail tucked tightly between his legs.
"I want you to go hunting on ShadowClan territory." Ravenpaw widened his eyes and let out a squeak of terror. "Oh suck it up!" He snarled. "Be glad I didn't send you to hunt on the Thunderpath or something."
Ravenpaw was shaking, mouth moving as if he wanted to speak. "Don't argue! I'm your mentor Ravenpaw! Do you want me to get Bluestar involved?" Tigerclaw spat.
Ravenpaw shook his head. "So go! Now!" Ravenpaw stumbled shakily off.
Good! That will get his scent on ShadowClan territory and when ShadowClan smells him and recognize him... Cats will wonder what he was doing there and I can give my accusation! He will be to frightened to contradict, this will go perfectly!
• • •
Tigerclaw didn't follow Ravenpaw. He needed to let all evidence point to Ravenpaw going on his own accord, with no other cat scent near.
Which means I have to stay away and look at Greypaw. How thrilling, he thought sarcastically.
Stepping quietly around, he scented the thick-furred apprentice. Greypaw was staring at the water. The apprentice slowly raised a paw, and plunged it into the water.
As he did so, he slipped, and let out a startled yowl and hiss of pain. Tigerclaw smelled blood.
Ha, cut your pad on the stones did you? You should look where you're stepping.
Greypaw sat down and licked his paw vigorously, muttering under his breath.
Perhaps I should go wait for Ravenpaw instead of watching this furball stumbling like an idiot. Tigerclaw mused, bored.
Turning silently around, he headed back from where he came.
Once the ShadowClan cats find his scent, they'll come storming in to accuse us, and they will point out which cat's scent it had been. It will be Ravenpaw's scent, and then I can tell the clan Ravenpaw could've told ShadowClan when to attack.
His plan rolled through his head once more. He sat down at the place he was suppose to wait for Ravenpaw and Greypaw.
Soon a rustle signaled the arrival of Greypaw. "I cut my paw on the stone!" He complained. "The bleeding is slowing but it's still kinda dripping out." He shook his paw gently and a few drops fell to the forest floor.
"Shut your whining," Tigerclaw spat. "It's just a small scratch." Greypaw fell into mutinous muttering.
Ravenpaw stumbled into the clearing where Tigerclaw and Greypaw were sitting.
Ravenpaw was looking very proud of himself. "I caught a squirrel, and mouse!" He exclaimed.
"Great!" Greypaw purred. Ravenpaw looked at his friend's paw. "Where did you cut yourself?"
Oh yeah, just have your conversation, I'm not here at all. Greypaw winced. "I cut myself on the stones. Where did you go to hunt-"
"Come on Greypaw let's get you back to camp Ravenpaw bring back at least one other piece of prey go near the Great Sycamore." Tigerclaw hissed very quickly without pausing.
He shoved Greypaw roughly forward. Greypaw let out a startled meow and Ravenpaw, who was about to reply, stared after them. Tigerclaw hurried quickly towards the ThunderClan camp.
I can't let anyone know I sent Ravenpaw to ShadowClan territory!
• • •
Tigerclaw had went out to look for his apprentice, hunting as he did so. He had found Ravenpaw stalking a robin, left him to it, and brought back the prey he had caught.
Tigerclaw had just dropped off his prey on the freshkill pile when Whitestorm hurried over to him, a small rabbit in his jaws. "Wanna share?" He meowed, voice muffled by the prey's fur.
Tigerclaw nodded and sat down beside him.
"We aren't going to talk about Goldenflower." Tigerclaw growled instantly. Whitestorm looked frustrated. "It's time you should start thinking about settling down a little, not saying you're old or need to stop fighting for the clan, bu-"
Tigerclaw tore into the rabbit and began chomping noisily on purpose, drowning out Whitestorm's words. Whitestorm fell silent, and took a bite of the freshkill.
• • •
Tigerclaw began washing his fur. He smelled rain, it would probably come soon.
A day had passed since he had sent Ravenpaw into ShadowClan territory, and he was very frustrated at why no ShadowClan cat had come storming into the camp, demanding why they had scented a ThunderClan cat on their territory.
Even with that unsatisfying lack of a ShadowClan patrol coming to the camp talking about Ravenpaw, Tigerclaw was spreading rumours throughout the camp.
"I have... A terrible feeling that Ravenpaw could be in contact with ShadowClan." He had murmured to the queens. Speckletail gasped loudly. The rumour had spread, growing more wild as the day had progressed.
"And Ravenpaw can teleport from ShadowClan to ThunderClan!" Tigerclaw had heard one of the kits squeaking to her sibling. Rubbish, teleporting cats! Still, that means the rumours have gotten to the kits as well!
A sudden howl of horror came from he nursery. Tigerclaw shot to his paws, bristling. A small prickle of hope trickled into him, had ShadowClan finally come to ask about the ThunderClan scent?
But it was Frostfur, dashing into the clearing, her eyes stricken with fear. "My kits! Some cat has taken my kits!"
Tigerclaw quickly hurried over to her. "Quick, search the camp! Whitestorm, stay where you are. Warriors, patrol the camp boundary. Apprentices, search every den!" He ordered. Pride warmed his pelt as he saw cats following his directions without question.
Tigerclaw began searching along the corners of the camp, every bush and bramble thicket being rummaged through. The calls of "Cinderkit!" and "Brackenkit!" Echoed through the camp.
Tigerclaw suddenly smelled blood. Have the kits been killed?! He shouldered through the bushes that were behind the nursery. He stopped himself from shrieking in a high-pitched voice like a kit, but couldn't stifle a yowl or shock.
Why would?! And she never had an apprentice! Who will be-?
Spottedleaf's body lay bloody and unmoving on the forest floor.
• • •
Tigerclaw saw more cats crowding around, and gasps of horror sounding. Bluestar pushed her way through, and a wave of devastation rippled through her.
"She has been killed by a warrior's blow." She murmured. Tigerclaw shuffled to the back of the crowd. It appeared that the whole clan was there.
Wait... Tigerclaw looked sharply at the group of cats. Yellowfang! She's not-!
Longtail suddenly hissed to Tigerclaw, "I can't find Yellowfang!" Darkstripe whipped around at this.
"What?!" He spat. "Yellowfang? Not here? I knew we couldn't trust her!"
Darkstripe screeched to alert the clan, "Yellowfang is gone!"
Frostfur sprinted to them. "Yellowfang has killed Spottedleaf and has taken my kits!" She shrieked hysterically. A group if queens immediately swarmed around her, trying to calm her down.
See Bluestar? Not every cat can be trusted just because they fought on our side once!
"Yellowfang!" Tigerclaw snarled. "I always knew she was a traitor. Now we know how she managed to fight off the ShadowClan deputy. It was a setup to let her trick her way into our Clan!"
There were shocked meows among the crowd. Darkstripe raised his voice to be heard above the wind that was growing stronger. "Bluestar! What do you have to say?"
Bluestar's gaze, which had been clouded with grief for the medicine cat, now glittered fiercely. "If Yellowfang has killed Spottedleaf and stolen Frostfur's kits, she will be hunted down without mercy."
Yes! Finally! Seeing the truth now Bluestar! Tigerclaw thought, relived and gleeful.
"But," Bluestar meowed, "We must wait."
Why?! The sooner she is slaughtered the better!
"There is a storm coming, and I am not prepared to risk more lives. If ShadowClan has our kits, they will come to no immediate harm."
No immediate harm! Is she mad? Tigerclaw flexed his claws.
"I suspect Brokenstar wants them as recruits for his own Clan, or as to force us to let him hunt in our territory. As soon as the storm has passed, a patrol will follow Yellowfang and bring back our kits.
No way! We need to kill her now! "We cannot waste time, or the scent will be lost in the rain!" Tigerclaw argued.
Bluestar lashed her tail, pacing in place. "If we send out a hunting party now, our efforts will be wasted anyway. In this weather the scent will already be lost by the time we are ready. If we wait until after the storm, we stand a better chance of success."
There is truth in that but I still think you're being too soft. Tigerclaw thought furiously.
"I'd like to discuss our plans with you, please, Tigerclaw." Bluestar spoke directly to him. She waved her tail to the direction of her den, telling him to go there. Tigerclaw obliged.
He sat in the den, waiting for Bluestar, all the while he was outraged at his leader's order to not search immediately.
If you really want revenge, you do it now, not just allow the traitor to escape! He felt like sprinting out of camp, find Yellowfang, and shredding her pelt until she begged for mercy... That will show her the price she has to pay!
You should only kill with a good reason. The death of Redtail flashed in his mind. If Ravenpaw ever tells...!
Bluestar finally came in. "It's going to rain." She muttered. Tigerclaw asked briskly, "So what's the plan?"
"You must guard the camp, the rest of the kits. I don't want Yellowfang or ShadowClan harming more of our cats." Bluestar ordered.
Tigerclaw felt frustrated once more. I want to go fight Yellowfang! I'll get revenge, I'll never let any cat harm ThunderCl-
"Of course." He replied out loud. Bluestar dismissed him with a wave of her tail. Tigerclaw padded out.
Tigerclaw suddenly noticed Firepaw, Greypaw, and Ravenpaw all whispering urgently and heading towards the entrance. Oh no, what are they planning?
"You three! Where are you going?" He snarled. The trio froze and spun around.
Tigerclaw scented Bluestar behind him. He looked. The leader had a face of approval which he didn't like.
"I see you've persuaded your two friends to go with you." Bluestar addressed Firepaw. "ThunderClan has brave apprentices, Tigerclaw, if they are willing to run an errand in weather like this."
What errand? What did you two plan? "Surely this is not a time for errands?" Tigerclaw growled.
Bluestar contradicted him. "One of Brindleface's kits has a cough. Firepaw has offered to fetch some coltsfoot for her."
I may buy that excuse but he doesn't need his friends as protection! Or is he too weak to defend himself from wind and rain, which is technically just air and water?! "Does he really need his friends to go to?"
"In this storm, I think he's lucky to have the company!" Bluestar purred. "Off you go you three."
It's just a small storm! Firepaw must be weak even for a kittypet to need to apprentices to guard him from wind and rain!
"Thank you." Firepaw meowed. There was something suspicious about the way he and Bluestar looked at each other. The flame coloured apprentice turned and left the camp with his friends.
• • •
"Don't worry, I'll be guarding the nursery." Tigerclaw assured the queens. Speckletail's relief showed plainly on her face. Frostfur still paced anxiously around the den, muttering worriedly under her breath.
"I heard one of Brindleface's kits has a cough?" Tigerclaw meowed to Frostfur. Just stop pacing already it's kind of distracting and annoying!
"Wha?" Frostfur seemed to have woken up by some trance she had been in. "Oh, um, no. Her kits are pretty healthy." She continued her pacing, occasionally looking around the camp with flashing eyes.
Really! Tigerclaw felt suspicion flood him. So. Bluestar, Firepaw, Greypaw, Ravenpaw, are all lying? So they aren't getting herbs for Brindleface?
Interesting... So what are they doing?
Tigerclaw shrugged it off. Whatever, maybe they'll get killed by a ShadowClan patrol; that would make my day.
• • •
Frostfur had finally stopped pacing, and lay in the middle of the clearing, head bowed down to look at her paws.
The fresh scent of ThunderClan warriors came from the entrance. Tigerclaw narrowed his eyes and pricked his ears.
Frostfur's head shot up. Firepaw and Greypaw were leading the kits ahead of them.
"My kits!" She cried. The kits hurried over to their mother, mewling and the family began purring loudly, Frostfur frantically licking them.
Whitestorm, Darkstripe, Willowpelt, Runningwind, and Mousefur were following close behind.
Bluestar never told me she sent out a second patrol! Tigerclaw thought furiously. What else is she keeping from me?!
The blue-grey leader padded up to Whitestorm. "Are they all alright?"
"They're fine." The warrior replied. Bluestar purred in approval, "Well done Whitestorm. ThunderClan honours you."
If I had gone on that patrol I would've fought twice as well, looked twice as hard, found the kits twice as fast, and would've gave Yellowfang a twice as dangerous opponent to fight!
"But it was thanks to this apprentice that we found them."
Tigerclaw looked to see who he was indicating. Did they bring Sandpaw or Dustpaw along? And not me?!
Disbelief shot through him. Firepaw! Whitestorm was talking about Firepaw!
That stuck-up apprentice, soaking up pride for things he never should've done!
A flash of matted grey fur caught his eye. Wha?! They didn't kill Yellowfang?!
"Why did you bring back the traitor?" Tigerclaw demanded, joining the conversation. Firepaw glared boldly at him. "She is not a traitor.
'Not a traitor'?! Are you kidding me? Longtail called from across the clearing. "She killed Spottedleaf!"
Firepaw didn't seemed fazed by the accusation, and Greypaw spoke up. "Look between Spottedleaf's claws, you will find the brown fur of Clawface, not Yellowfang's grey fur!"
Bluestar nodded to Mousefur, who quickly dashed over to Spottedleaf's dead body.
"Greypaw is right!" Mousefur announced. Are you serious? Tigerclaw felt his plans that could've been useful with that piece of information become useless. "Spottedleaf was not attacked by a grey cat!" Mousefur continued.
Maybe there is still hope! "But that doesn't mean she didn't take the kits!" He growled.
Firepaw whipped around to face him, defiance and anger flashing in his green eyes.
"She knew that a ShadowClan warrior had taken them. She was hunting for them when I found her. She risked her life returning to the ShadowClan camp. It was Yellowfang who thought up the battle plan that got us into the ShadowClan camp and gave us a chance to defeat Brokenstar!"
Silence greeted his words. Fox-dung! Another chance that slipped away!
"He's right, Yellowfang is a friend." Whitestorm agreed. Bluestar dipped his head to Firepaw. "Glad to hear of it."
Frostfur asked from the centre of the clearing. "Is Brokenstar dead?"
"No, he escaped but he will never lead ShadowClan again." Whitestorm responded.
No no no no, this isn't how things were supposed to go! Tigerclaw groaned inwardly.
" Yellowfang,I wish you to replace Spottedleaf as medicine cat to ThunderClan, I'm sure you'll find all her supplies as she left them." Bluestar addressed the grey she-cat.
Oh now she's medicine cat! Great, just great. "Thank you, Bluestar. ShadowClan is not the Clan I once knew. ThunderClan is my Clan now." Yellowfang dipped her head in acceptance.
"Where's Ravenpaw?" Bluestar suddenly asked.
Ravenpaw! Tigerclaw realized his apprentice was no where to be seen. Aha! Yes! Did Ravenpaw leave with Brokenstar? I can still make every cat believe he's a traitor!
"Yes, where is my apprentice? Strange that he should disappear along with Brokenstar." Tigerclaw hissed. Yes, give every cat that idea...
Firepaw flared up again. "If you think he might've been helping Brokenstar, then you're wrong!"
Meddlesome apprentice! Tigerclaw glared at him, eyes flashing. Explain why he isn't here then!
Surprised, Firepaw bowed his head and flattened his ears in sorrow. "Ravenpaw is dead. We found his body in ShadowClan territory. From the scents around him, he must have been slain by a ShadowClan patrol."
YES! That will make sure no cat knows about Redtail for sure! Ecstasy filled, him, but he made sure to look shocked and sad, though it was a little hard to.
"I'll tell you everything later," Firepaw promised his mentor. Tigerclaw unsheathed his long, curved claws. "I never said Ravenpaw was a traitor." He spat. He just needed to be gone so my plans could work.
Now remember, your apprentice died. Look like you're actually grieving. I should probably say something... To 'honour' him or whatever...
"Ravenpaw might have made a fine warrior. His death has come too soon, and his loss will be felt by many of us for a long time." Tigerclaw drooped his head, and faked a sigh.
"We will miss Ravenpaw, but we shall mourn him tomorrow." Bluestar was speaking. "First there is another ritual"-What other ritual? -"that must be performed. One, I know, that Ravenpaw would have taken pleasure in."
Oh no. Tigerclaw felt rage beginning to boil up in him again.
"Did they fight well Whitestorm?" Bluestar asked.
"Like warriors." He meowed approvingly.
Bluestar! You didn't ask me! I trained Firepaw for a bit too!
"I, Bluestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these two apprentices."
No! Firepaw didn't even have the full six moons of training! This is an unfair, undeserved ceremony that has been given to him!
Tigerclaw remembered his hard training, and how he still had to wait an extra moon for his warrior name, just because he showed good fighting skills at a gathering.
"They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn."
"Firepaw, Greypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?"
"I do." The two apprentices replied.
"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior names: Greypaw, from this moment you will be known as Greystripe. StarClan honors your bravery and your strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."
Bluestar rested her muzzle on Greypa- Greystripe's head. The new warrior gave a swift lick on her shoulder.
Bluestar turned to Firepaw and studied him for a long time. What are you waiting for? Give him any name, like Firestupid or whatever!
Bluestar finally spoke. "Firepaw, from this moment you will be known as Fireheart. StarClan honors your bravery and your strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."
Cheers echoed through the camp. "Fireheart, Greystripe, Fireheart, Greystripe!"
Fireheart! Ugh. I have to address him with his warrior name. Undeserving, lazy, mediocre, meddlesome-
Wait. Fireheart left with Ravenpaw and Greystripe. Alone. Fear rushed through him. Did Ravenpaw tell them?
"It is nearly Moonhigh. In the tradition of our ancestors, Fireheart and Graystripe must sit in silent vigil until dawn, and guard the camp while we sleep." Bluestar announced.
Tigerclaw remembered how Fireheart had stood so defiantly and boldly against him. He doesn't like me. And I can guess the reason why.
Tigerclaw waited for the crowd to go away. He went over to Fireheart, hoping it only seemed to the other cats he was going to congratulate him.
"Don't think you can outwit me kittypet. Be careful what you tell Bluestar." Tigerclaw hissed threateningly in his ear. Tigerclaw smelled Fireheart's fear scent grow strong with a twinge of satisfaction.
He headed back to the warriors den. Slipping into his nest, it felt much warmer than the cold chill of the clearing.
His eyes widened in horror and suspicion when Fireheart headed towards Bluestar. No! He made to get up, but Bluestar shook her head and pointed with her tail to the entrance. The flame coloured warrior dipped his head and went back to Greystripe.
Ha. No confessions for you kittypet. Kittypet suited Fireheart more in Tigerclaw's opinion.
Tigerclaw continued watching him. Don't do more funny business. Fireheart was looking around the camp, and jumped slightly when he saw Tigerclaw's gleaming amber eyes looking at him.
Fireheart lifted his chin glared back at him, green eyes meeting the amber ones.
You may be a kittypet, but I think I can take some of my time to make you my enemy.
Please check out my other Fanfiction, Raining Feathers!
Review!