Cloverpaw's Shadow

Chapter 20

Cloverpaw opened her mouth but no words came out. What should she say? It was obvious from the looks she was getting from her former clanmates that they didn't know about her decision to join Shadowclan.

What else was their leader keeping from them?

"Cloverpaw has decided to join Shadowclan. She's actually been with us for over a moon now." Heatherpelt said. Silverpaw gave a despairing look at Cloverpaw and she stared back at her, unblinking.

Shaking her head, Cloverpaw backed away. She couldn't stand this any longer. The hatred and anger was clear in the Thunderclan cats eyes. She couldn't...

Starlingpaw put his tail on her shoulder. "Follow me," he whispered. He led her into the trees away from the two patrols.

It took her a moment to realize that her guard wasn't behind her. "I let him know, don't worry. Father will let it slide." Starlingpaw assured her before she could say anything.

Cloverpaw blinked. She hadn't know Cedarstripe was Starlingpaw's father. That made Jaystar his uncle, Cedarstripe being the grey pelted leader's brother.

"We're here," Starlingpaw said softly. Cloverpaw looked up from her thoughts. They were standing in front of a giant pine, and the smells of prey caught her senses. A small brook curved around the trees and led into the ground under the pine.

"What is this place?" Cloverpaw asked. It felt so peaceful here, like nothing could ever bother her again as long as she stayed within the shade of this massive tree.

Starlingpaw smiled. "I found it one day when I was out exploring. I come here whenever I feel upset or just want some alone time."

Cloverpaw ducked her head. "I'm sorry." she whispered. "But seeing them... I just..."

"Its alright," Starlingpaw said gently. "I understand." He sat down under the pine's low-hanging branches and after a second Cloverpaw joined him.

"If you ever want to come here again, its available." Starlingpaw said. Cloverpaw nodded.

Neither of them spoke for a long moment. Cloverpaw knew that there was something she had wanted to tell him. What was it?

"We'd better get back." Starlingpaw said. Cloverpaw followed him out of the grove and towards the direction of the camp.

***

"There you two are!" Cedarstripe hissed. "Come here."

Starlingpaw reluctantly let his father groom out the scraps of moss and pine needles stuck in his fur. He could feel Cloverpaw growing restless behind him.

"Okay, thank you father, bye!" Starlingpaw said, dashing into the bramble entrance. Cloverpaw was right behind him.

Uh oh.

Rosepaw, the bossy cream colored she-cat was waiting for them just outside of the apprentice's den. Starlingpaw wrinkled his nose.

"What are you doing with her?" Rosepaw said in her prim little voice. "You should stay away from Thunderclan spies."

There it was. The taunt. Most of the clan still felt that Cloverpaw couldn't be trusted. But Starlingpaw knew better. He trusted her. He felt like she would never betray Shadowclan, especially since Jaystar had taken her in.

Besides that, there was the dream. The first night she had come, Starclan had sent him reassurances. He wasn't quite sure what it meant yet, but he had immediately tried reaching out to her.

Her green eyes glinted in the rays of the setting sun. She had a sharp tongue, Starlingpaw knew that.

"You should stay with your kind, kittypet!" Cloverpaw snarled back at her.

Ah, that hit home. There had been rumors that Lilyfoot, Rosepaw's mother, had been a kittypet before she came to Shadowclan. But none of the younger cats could confirm it, and the older ones didn't like spreading gossip. So no one really knew for sure.

Rosepaw seemed to shrink back, but then in a flurry of rage, she leaped on the white she-cat. Starlingpaw let out a yowl of horror. "Rosepaw, stop!"

But Rosepaw didn't hear him over the roar of blood in her ears. She had hated Cloverpaw since the moment she had come to Shadowclan, hated her with her entire soul. She deserved to die.

Cloverpaw was an exceptionally strong cat, but she had been in a bad position when Rosepaw attacked. So she was quickly overcome by the cream colored apprentice. Without hesitating one second, Rosepaw slashed her claws over Cloverpaw's muzzle and bit into her neck.

Rosepaw backed off of Cloverpaw's body and Starlingpaw stared, shocked, as Cloverpaw shut her eyes and fell still. 

"No!"