Cloverpaw's Shadow

Chapter 11

"Needlenose!"

Poolpaw shot up. Nightfeather was standing in the entrance with a look of terror on her face.

"Nightfeather?" Needlenose asked, struggling up. "What happened?"

Nightfeather's voice shook. "Dawnkit is dead."

Needlenose closed his eyes. "Oh, Starclan!" He cried. He rushed out of the den, and Poolpaw followed, grabbing some poppy seeds and thyme.

She lost all sense of time, watching as Marshflight comforted Briarwhisker. Her remaining kit, Sparrowkit, was trembling. Cats were gathering around a small, frail body in the center of the clearing.

Poolpaw kept her head down as she wandered into the forest. She reached the clearing where she found Cloverpaw broken by the badger, and she sighed.

"Starclan, keep her safe." She whispered. She still hadn't made a full recovery, and it would only get worse with the training.

Rain began to fall and she found shelter under a tree root. Curling up, she fell into a deep sleep.

***

"Poolpaw," A voice whispered. "Wake up."

Poolpaw yawned and glanced around in confusion. "Poolpaw," The voice said again. Whipping around, she saw a silver cat standing behind her. The cat had the most striking forest green eyes she'd ever seen. She felt confused, thinking it was Cloverpaw. Then she saw the faded grey stripes running along her back.

"Who are you?" Poolpaw asked in wonder.

The cat smiled. "I'm Junipercloud." Then her smile faded and she took a pace closer. She lowered herself until she was face to face with Poolpaw.

"Listen to me," She said with a warning in her tone. "Cloverpaw is in danger."

Poolpaw opened her mouth, but Junipercloud cut her off. "Shh," She said softly. "This is a danger she's been in for a while, and only she can save herself."

Poolpaw tilted her head. "What does that mean?" She asked, a hint of frustration in her voice.

Junipercloud sighed. "All will be made clear. But Cloverpaw has a decision. She will know when the time is right to make it."

Junipercloud started to fade.

"Wait!" Poolpaw cried. "Don't leave me!"

But it was too late. Junipercloud was gone. Sighing, Poolpaw emerged from her shelter and started to head back to camp.

***

"Now see if you can reach his throat," Deathshade instructed. Cloverpaw paused, watching as Twistedbrook paced back and forth. Then she leaped.

Twistedbrook lifted his head, but he was too late. Cloverpaw landed on top of him and they toppled to the ground. She rolled him over and in one quick movement, had him pinned to the ground with her teeth at his neck. Twistedbrook shook her off and let out a meow of amusement.

"Nice job," He said. "You're almost ready."

Cloverpaw tilted her head. "Ready for what?"

Deathshade and Twistedbrook shared a look. Then Twistedbrook smiled his twisted, crooked, smile.

"You want revenge on Thunderclan?" He asked. Cloverpaw nodded. She would never forget the moment when Finchstar had spoke those words.

No one banishes me and gets away with it.

Twistedbrook leaned in closer. "We are going to attack the clans in three days, when the moon is full. We want you to lead it."

***

Cloverpaw trained harder than ever in the days leading up to the attack. Deathshade finally told her she was ready, and the day of the attack, they gathered in the clearing.

Twistedbrook leaped up on the log. Cloverpaw sat beside him, looking down on all of the cats.

Darkness is coming.

"Tonight at moonhigh, we will attack. Cloverpaw will lead it, and I want everyone to give it their hardest." He nodded at Cloverpaw, whispering "Good luck," before leaping down. She glanced one more time at all the cats, then followed him. Crashing into a tree, she blinked open her eyes to a bright morning.

"Ouch," She hissed. "Why is it always the tree?"

She shook her head and poked it out of the makeshift den. She had run past the Thunderclan border and found a hollowed out tree she chose to sleep in for the night.

She trotted out in the clearing, dropping into her hunting crouch. She caught a mouse and quickly devoured it. Then she straightened up and closed her eyes, letting the sun warm her face.

"Tonight's the night," She said aloud. She sneered at the closest tree. "Lets see how weak Thunderclan actually is. I doubt they'll even suspect a thing!"

Darkness is coming.

A soft whisper echoed in the forest. She lifted her head and scented the air.

Thunderclan.

***

Finchstar emerged from the trees and came upon a clearing. He barely had time to think before a white she-cat leaped at him.

She leaned in closer, baring her teeth at him. No matter how hard he struggled, Cloverpaw had a good grip. She snarled.

"Let... me go," Finchstar rasped.

Cloverpaw sneered. "And why should I? If you're so powerful, why don't you escape yourself? Or perhaps you could ask your precious Starclan?"

Finchstar sighed. "I came here to tell you I made a mistake. I wasn't thinking clearly. I shouldn't have banished you."

Cloverpaw hesitated. Then she dug her claws in harder and Finchstar held in a yowl. "No, you shouldn't have. But I'm not coming back." She lowered her face to his ear. Whispering, she said, "I didn't have a choice then. I don't have a choice now." She paused and closed her eyes.

"I wish I didn't have to do this."

She said it so softly Finchstar wasn't sure if he imagined it or not. He took in a shaky breath.

"You do have a choice. There's always a choice." He told her.

Cloverpaw stiffened. "No," She said. It took Finchstar a second to realize she was crying. Then her teeth sank into his neck and everything faded to black.