To Shiverdream of WindClan: Argh am I making Tigerclaw sound too childish? ;^; aah must make him manlier XD
Chapter 29: A New Guidance
The clan had just came back from the gathering. Tigerclaw headed to the warriors den. Fireheart, Greystripe, Darkstripe, and Willowpelt were already there, settling into their nests. Tigerclaw headed to his own nest, near the back where the senior warriors slept.
Tigerclaw tucked his nose under his tail, closed his eyes, drifting off into sleep.
• • •
"Heh. Long time no see."
Tigerclaw opened his eyes. Dark trees stretched high into the shadows, moss glowing eerily. No stars or moon were shining in the sky.
The Dark Forest! A sense of home-coming flooded him.
A thick furred tortoiseshell she-cat was standing above him. Mapleshade.
"Where's Thistleclaw?" Tigerclaw growled, pushing himself to his paws. The Dark Forest warrior's eyes narrowed. "That lovey-dovey traitor? Well, I taught him a lesson... He swore he would kill some fading old cat in StarClan just to prove he was loyal."
"Did he kill...?" Tigerclaw began but Mapleshade was already answering his unfinished question. "He killed some random cat from the Dark Forest."
"From here? I thought he was going to kill some cat from Star-"
"Snowfur, with the help of her StarClan friends, put a barrier or something and now we can't go to the border anymore. So Thistleclaw killed some cat from here. Useless thing she was anyway, so faded she could barley do anything. That won't happen to me for a long time yet, I have plenty of time to..." Mapleshade trailed off.
"Anyway. Thistleclaw, I find, is not worthy enough for you. He doesn't deserve to guide and teach you our ways, it would be a shame to let you go to waste... I will be your... Guidance, so to speak." Mapleshade purred silkily.
"Like... Mentor." Tigerclaw meowed. The she-cat nodded, eyes gleaming. "But I think you are good enough to be out of apprenticeship, dear."
Don't call me "dear"! Mapleshade looked upwards at the sky where no moon or stars shone. "Dawn will soon be here for you, you'll be waking."
"That quickly?"
"It seems short, but we will have more visits. Not in your dreams as often now, sometimes in the day where I can speak to you when no cat else can hear or see me..."
Mapleshade's voice faded away. The Dark Forest swirled in a blur of shadow and dull colour as a Tigerclaw dimly saw his new "mentor" disappear into the darkness.
• • •
Dawn light was filtering through the branches of the warriors den. Tigerclaw opened an eye, blinking in the dim brightness.
Arching his back in a long stretch, he padded carefully around his sleeping clanmates and outside.
Bluestar was stretching outside of her den. Spotting her deputy, she quickly went over to him.
"Come to my den, I need to talk to you there." Bluestar meowed briskly. Tigerclaw nodded, following the leader to the cave where she had come out of.
Brushing past he lichen that draped over the entrance, Tigerclaw sat down next her nest while Bluestar settled in the moss and bracken where she slept.
"As you can obviously tell from last night's gathering, Crookedstar and Nightstar have made a small connection together. They will no doubt try and hunt on WindClan's land." Bluestar began.
Why should we care whether or not they hunt on WindClan's land? Tigerclaw flicked his tail. "So what can we do about it?"
"WindClan must return. They must be brought back. Once they know Brokenstar is gone, they may come back. Then they will be more determined to defend their territory from Crookedstar and Nightstar, probably to show they aren't weak."
Even if they are scared little weak mice. "So how are we going to bring them back?" He growled.
"We need at least two cats to bring them back." Bluestar meowed.
Two? "How about Longtail and Dar-"
Just as Tigerclaw was speaking Bluestar was also talking. Words clashing against one another, Bluestar gave him a questioning look. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
Tigerclaw dipped his head for her to go on, "it's fine you go first."
Bluestar paused, before continuing. "Yes, as I was saying, the two cats I want to send to get WindClan back will be Greystripe..."
And the kittypet?!
"... And Fireheart."
• • •
Fireheart this, Fireheart that, Fireheart "I-get-to-go-on-all-the-missions", Fireheart "I-am-perfect-and-get-a-million-chances", Fireheart, every cat loooves Fireheart...
"Greystripe." Tigerclaw hissed to the thick-furred warrior. Greystripe lifted his head sleepily.
"Wake your friend and come to Bluestar's den." He spat. Greystripe, looking slightly reproachful at his harsh tone, nodded and turned to the ginger tom laying beside him.
Tigerclaw went back to Bluestar's den. The heartbeat he got there he asked as casually as he could in such a temper, "Why, are you sending two inexperienced, new warriors, on an important expedition like this?"
"Inexperienced?" Bluestar licked a paw and began to wash her face. "They know the route across the WindClan territory from their trip to the Moonstone-"
Here her eyes flashed momentarily at him. Tigerclaw felt a wave of unease as he was reminded of his flight from the Moonstone.
"- Are sensible enough not to get into unnecessary fights, and won't stray from their objective, as they will be eager to complete their first warrior mission well. Besides, we can't spare too many warriors."
"Very well." Tigerclaw strained to keep the growl out of his voice.
Pawsteps sounded beyond the lichen that covered the entrance. "We're here!"
"Enter!" Tigerclaw called. Fireheart and Greystripe stepped in. Greystripe looked around, he had never been in here before, and Fireheart stared at Tigerclaw, a kind of strained horror in his eyes.
Tigerclaw looked coldly back at him.
"Fireheart, Greystripe, I have a mission for you." Bluestar announced. Fireheart looked surprised yet relived at the same time. "A mission?"
Which you don't deserve to go on! Bluestar explained the objective of the mission, and Greystripe and Fireheart exchanged excited and determined looks.
You have no need to look so ecstatic. It's just a small mission. If perhaps I could get them scared enough to back out... Tigerclaw was very doubtful it would work though.
"Before you get too excited, bear in mind this could be very dangerous, we don't know where WindClan has gone, so you will have to follow what is left of their scent–probably into hostile territory." Tigerclaw informed them, trying not to sound too threatening in front of Bluestar.
"But you've been through WindClan territory, when you traveled with me to the Moonstone," Bluestar added. "Their scent will be familiar, as will the Twoleg territory beyond the uplands."
Fireheart tilted his head questioningly. "Will it just be us?"
Why? Do you want more warriors to look after your little pelt? "Our other warriors are needed here, Leaf-bare is coming, and we need to gather as much fresh-kill as possible. Many prey-poor moons lie ahead." You should finally be able to experience hunger kittypet, with your ridiculous twoleg feeding from your past.
"Tigerclaw will help you prepare for the journey. You must leave as soon as possible. Good luck." Bluestar dismissed them with a flick of her tail.
"We'll find them." Greystripe promised, and Fireheart nodded.
Tigerclaw went out of the den with the two. "Do you remember how to get to WindClan territory?"
"Oh, yes, Tigerclaw, we were there only-" Greystripe began, but was cut off by Fireheart's rushed meow, finishing his sentence. "Only a few moons ago."
The emphasis on 'moons' made Tigerclaw hesitate, feeling a prick of unease. Is he hinting about when I fled from the Moonstone?...
Pushing the Moonstone to the back of his head, he asked, "and can you recall WindClan's scent?"
The two warriors nodded.
"You will need herbs for strength and to keep your hunger away. Fetch them from Yellowfang before you leave." Tigerclaw paused, wondering if he had missed anything to tell them. Bluestar won't have it if I don't advise them correctly.
"And don't forget that Nightpelt is planning to travel to the Moonstone tonight. Keep well out of his way."
"Yes, Tigerclaw," Fireheart mewed obediently.
"He'll never know we're out there," Greystripe added.
"As I would expect," I don't want Fireheart thinking I despise him now do I?... But really can two inexperienced warrirors get WindClan back?
"Now, go!" Tigerclaw meowed more sharply. He turned and headed away, not waiting to see if they had any more questions.
• • •
Tigerclaw opened his eyes. He had gone to sleep, and had waken up to see the familiar glowing moss, crooked trees, and flickering shadows.
"Tigerclaw. How good to see you." Mapleshade greeted him.
"Yeah, yeah." Tigerclaw muttered. Stop treating me like a kit!
"Now, Tigerclaw... Thistleclaw did a lot of training you up on battle skills. A bunch of claws and teeth approach on power." Mapleshade meowed softly. "But power does not come only in physical strength and killing an opponent, though violence does seem to solve things quickly."
Tigerclaw narrowed his eyes. Thistleclaw did always tell him battle was the way to power, but here Mapleshade was implying a different power. A different kind of strength.
"What other way does power come in then?" Tigerclaw growled. Mapleshade smirked. "Well. Battle is always nice of course. But that's like the standard level of domination."
Just get on with it! Tigerclaw twitched his tail impatiently. Mapleshade didn't react to his annoyance.
"But first... tell me your objective." Mapleshade took a step closer to him, a slightly threatening move.
What? "Objective in what?" Tigerclaw hissed. Mapleshade glared at him. "Your goal, in life and death you idiot!"
"Well I-" Tigerclaw broke off. My goal? In life and death? Is it just to be leader?
"Yes, is it just to be leader?" Mapleshade sneered. Tigerclaw started, unnerved. "Wha?! ARE YOU READING MY M-"
"Silly kitty, it takes seasons of practice to get into this level of faint mind reading in the Dark Forest. Stupid StarClan cats get to do it more easily. Anyway, what is your objective?"
"My obje- What's yours?" Tigerclaw snarled, determined not to be wrong-footed. Mapleshade smirked, sharp teeth showing.
"Mine? Well Tigerclaw... I've vowed to turn the warrior code to filth for it is a soft and weak way to live. Things like 'an honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win his battles.' And 'elders and kits must be fed before apprentices and warriors. Unless they have permission, apprentices may not eat until they have hunted to feed the elders.' It's a bunch of useless fox dung. The StarClan fools have made these rules to limit us from showing our true power."
Tigerclaw had stayed silent throughout her whole speech.
"So Tigerclaw. It's about time you've considered how you really want to earn your place here. Killing Redtail to become deputy won't be good enough."
Tigerclaw gazed deep into Mapleshade's gleaming yellow-orange eyes.
He looked beyond the faded she-cat, Tigerclaw took in the dank trees, with it's sickly glowing fungus growing everywhere. Dead ferns grew around the trunks, and the trees were so tall it was impossible to see the tops. The sky was inky black, with no stars or moon shining. A grey mist fogged up the forest, dead dry grass were underneath his paws.
Despite the flickering shadows, darkness everywhere, and it's general ominous nature... It felt the closest to home to Tigerclaw.
"My... Objective..." Tigerclaw meowed slowly. Mapleshade nodded.
He stiffened as the forest seemed to become more blurry and out of focus. Mapleshade tensed as well. "You're waking. Think about your goal. I will visit you in two nights time."
Tigerclaw tried to nod, but it seemed like he was unable to move. The Place of No Stars became a whirl of dark colours...
• • •
"Patrols!" Tigerclaw called. "Longtail lead a hunting patrol. Bring Swiftpaw and Mousefur. Darkstripe, you can test Dustpaw on his skills and refresh the scent markers at the ShadowClan border."
The cats nodded and quickly formed groups, heading out of the camp.
"I'll lead a patrol to check the RiverClan and WindClan border. We can also check for Fireheart and Greystripe's arrival there too. Willowpelt, Whitestorm, and Sandpaw, come with me."
The three cats nodded, and Tigerclaw led the way out.
Soon, they had reached the borders. Tigerclaw sent Willowpelt and Sandpaw to refresh some scent markers, while Tigerclaw and Whitestorm went along the other side of the border.
"Tigerclaw, you should really think about becoming Goldenflower's mate I've seen her eye-"
Tigerclaw sped up his pace, flattening his ears, making it clear to Whitestorm he did not want to talk about that subject now. Or ever.
Sandpaw and Willowpelt quickly caught up with them. "No trouble at the border, Tigerclaw." Willowpelt told him. The deputy nodded approvingly.
A screech sounded, faint, but yet not sounding too far away. The whole patrol stiffened.
Following the screech was more yowls and hissing of fighting cats. "What in the name of StarClan is happening?!" Sandpaw gasped. Whitestorm tasted the air, sharp eyes searching.
"Come, let's find out what's going on!" Tigerclaw ordered. He and the rest of the patrol charged to the direction of the noise.
They were near the falls, the water crashing down loudly. Tigerclaw widened his eyes when he saw two WindClan cats fighting a whole patrol of RiverClan cats.
WindClan! But that means...
Tigerclaw spotted Fireheart and Greystripe spitting furiously, clawing at the RiverClan warriors on WindClan's side.
A thrill of anticipation ran through him as he thought of battle, though it was almost drowned out by a furious hatred to Fireheart and Greystripe. Why did they think to go through RiverClan territory?! Those idiots! He lashed his tail, ordering the patrol to attack with a fearsome yowl.
Willowpelt, Sandpaw, and Whitestorm on his tail, he sprinted over to the cats and launched himself into battle.
Tigerclaw pinned a grey warrior down, biting down harshly on his leg. He shrieked in pain, writhing to free himself from Tigerclaw's grip. Releasing him, the RiverClan warrior raced away into the bushes.
Whirling around, he saw a WindClan warrior, Deadfoot, struggling with Leopardfur.
A WindClan warrior. Ugh, I guess I have to fight on their side. Tigerclaw slammed into Leopardfur, knocking her away from the WindClan deputy.
Leopardfur scrabbled to her paws and instantly sprang at him, hissing furiously. "ThunderClan scum!" She spat.
Tigerclaw was ready for her. Dodging to one side, he let her fall onto the ground where he had been moments ago.
Before she could turn back around to face him, Tigerclaw unsheathed his long, curved claws, pinning her down and clawing her pelt.
Spitting in agony, she bit his leg, but he shook her off. Eyes gleaming, she used her hind paws to knock the ThunderClan deputy off. Tigerclaw landed on his paws, blood running down his fur from his wounds. He kicked back and heard her hiss of rage cut short as he caught her on the muzzle.
An agonized shriek made every cat freeze.
The battling cats stopped fighting to look at Greystripe, claws out to grasp some cat who had evidently fallen to their death into the roaring gorge.
Leopardfur struggled to her feet, dappled fur ruffling in the strong wind. "Whiteclaw! No!"
The RiverClan cats glared, loathing showing in their eyes more than ever. Leopardfur growled, looking Tigerclaw straight in the eye. "This has gone beyond a border fight," the RiverClan deputy meowed breathlessly. "We shall return to our clan. It has become a matter to settle at another time and in a different way."
Tigerclaw stared back at her, amber eyes level and cold, giving a minuscule nod. Leopardfur signaled with her tail, gathering her patrol, and the RiverClan cats padded slowly back to their camp, an occasional warrior looking back warily.
"We should leave," rasped Deadfoot. "Your two young warriors served us well, and my Clan thanks you." His word were dull after the death of Whiteclaw. Tigerclaw nodded to him.
The WindClan warriors headed back to their territory.
We'd better get off of their RiverClan territory as quickly as possible too. "Follow me!" The ThunderClan deputy growled.
Tigerclaw raced off, not checking to see if all of the ThunderClan cats were following him.
• • •
The ThunderClan border loomed ahead. Sandpaw reached it first, followed quickly by Whitestorm, Tigerclaw, and Willowpelt.
"Wait, where's Fireheart and Greystripe?" Sandpaw meowed worriedly. Tigerclaw growled in annoyance. "I ordered them to come!"
"Let's stop here then and wait for them, hopefully they weren't taken by a RiverClan patrol or whatever." Willowpelt suggested.
Tigerclaw sat down, licking his wounds. That RiverClan deputy sure is a good fighter... He admitted grudgingly.
Soon enough, Fireheart and Greystripe came.
"I thought I told you to follow me." He spat. Ignorant kittypet.
"Graystripe was–" Tigerclaw cut Fireheart off. "The sooner Graystripe gets back to camp, the better."
Fireheart bristled, defending his friend. "Whiteclaw's death wasn't his fault!"
Pfft, I don't care about that. I'm only concerned about how RiverClan will react to this... "I know, but it's done. Come on, and this time keep up!" Tigerclaw hissed harshly.
Stupid kittypet. Why is Bluestar so blind?! Can't she see how annoying and arrogant he is? He is super perfect to every cat in every way, every cat loves him...
An unbearable, bitter jealousy swept over him as the patrol raced past the trees and lush undergrowth, heading back to their camp.
Aww noo my Spring break is ending and i haz to go back to school... .
Check out my other Fanfiction, Raining Feather's!
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