The Lost Trail: Fury Of The Forest

Chapter 7

The shock of Jadepaw having kits subsided, and the Clan came to love the new kits. Especially Halfkit, who they felt pity for. But the three-legged she-kit was strong and bold, sometimes beating the older kits when they play-fought. Stonekit, on the other hand, was a giant. He was the biggest one in the nursery, and had the biggest mouth. Jadepaw nor Wildpaw knew how he was that big, as they were both small cats.

But the RainClan cats hardly cared that an apprentice had kits. Expect for Badgerstripe, Bearfur, and Skypelt. They thought it was nonsense, and that StarClan forbid it. Even so, none of them said it when Stormstar was near. The gray leader loved the kits, and didn't seem to notice it was Jadepaw who delivered them.

And Hawkpaw nearly forgot about the news his mother had given him almost a half moon ago. That was, until now.

"Hawkpaw, listen to me," Tallspirit pleaded. "Your father loves you, he's in pain that you don't know he is your father."

"It was his fault! He made it all happen, and you did, too!" Hawkpaw spat back. Luckily, they were out in the forest, at night...was that a little fishy?

The bushes shuddered and crackled, and out popped a large tabby cat. Hawkpaw felt his hackles raise and his fur bristle. This was a NightClan cat.

"Hawkpaw, it's me.." he studdered. Then Hawkpaw recgonized who it was. Thistleflash.

"Get away. I don't want you here," Hawkpaw snarled.

"Please, listen to me," Hawkpaw stood his ground, but didn't lunge at him. Part of him wanted to, the other told him to listen. "Hawkpaw, I love you. You don't understand the pain I go through, watching you grow up in a different Clan. A rival Clan, Hawkpaw. I can't lick you behind the ear without arousing suspicion. I have to face my own son in battle, Hawkpaw."

Then Tallspirit came up from behind Thistleflash. She gently licked his ear and pressed her swollen side up against his.

"And yet, you did it again!" Hawkpaw retorted hotly. "These kits will grow up in shame of their father! The father that doesn't deserve his kits!"

"No, Hawkpaw. These aren't my kits," Thistleflash replied, almost sadly. "We didn't want to arouse anymore suspicion...so your mother mated with another cat. That was something that pained her more than anything."

Tallspirit's head drooped slightly. "But the cat knew about me and Thistleflash. He willingly did it, for us."

"Who..who is it?" Hawkpaw asked quietly.

"Redclaw," Hawkpaw was taken aback. Never in a million seasons would he have guessed his mentor. "Hawkpaw, you must understand. Redclaw begged Stormstar to let him mentor you. He wanted to make sure that no other cat found out about your heritage."

Hawkpaw's heart was stuck in his throat. He couldn't speak, only move. So that's what he did. But this time, he didn't run away. He walked up to Thistleflash and dipped his head.

"I'm sorry," is all he could muster.

"Don't be."

-----

Time had gone by so fast, it was full-moon. Hawkpaw had met up with his father 6 sunrises ago, and he secretly sent a prayer to StarClan to go to the gathering. He wanted to see Thistleflash again, just see that fatherly gleam in his green eyes. As Hawkpaw sat in the middle of the clearing, he almost missed the words.

"-Hawkpaw," Stormstar jumped down from the Branchtop, a group of cats following him as he padded out of the camp. He had missed all the other names of the cats that got to go, but somehow caught his own name.

He raced after Stormstar as the pace of the cats around him quickened. His heart was racing, he wanted to see his father at the base of the NightClan's Ancient Rock, then a pang of realization hit him. Ripplestar had banned NightClan from going to the gathering until one of the Clans confessed from stealing their prey. Hawkpaw nearly stopped in his tracks as he recalled the last gathering. But somehow, he managed to keep going.

As they reached Skyrocks, they leaped down the ravine and into the familiar clearing. He sniffed the air as they got in. SunClan, BreezeClan, and NightClan. Wait...NightClan! Hawkpaw was overjoyed at the thought, and the least bit confused. But as Hawkpaw looked up at the Ancient Rocks, he saw Thistleflash, not Ripplestar.

Before he could even meet with any of his friends, a light yowl sounded from the Ancient Rocks. All of the Clan leader exchanged a nod, and Thistleflash came up first.

"Ripplestar is dead," yowls of dismay filled the clearing, and Thistleflash raised his tail for silence. "He was killed by something bigger than a badger, and the claw marks are unknown. Sunstorm and Bladeclaw were on a patrol with him, but Sunstorm was killed. Bladeclaw, tell us."

A massive gray tom stood up boldly and began speaking clearly. "It was the biggest thing I've ever seen. It was bigger than a twoleg and stronger than a badger. It stood on four legs, or sometimes two. It was black..blacker than the night sky. I'm not sure what to call it..." his voice faded slowly.

Then Featherstar stood next to Thistleflash. "I have seen massive footprints on the edge of my border, leading out to SunClan territory."

"And SunClan patrols have reported of giant pawprints all over our territory. They reek of urine, skunk, and berries." Lightstar reported.

"RainClan has seen none of this," Stormstar stepped forward, his eyes full of worry and confusion.

Then Hawkpaw realized what Bladeclaw had said. He described almost exactly what was in Hawkpaw's dream. He looked over at Runningpatch, and she was already looking at Hawkpaw. This shocked him slightly, seeing the proud gleam in her eyes.

As worried wails came from the crowd, the entire gathering was a big mess. Every cat was yowling and calling over to other cats. As all of the leaders huddled in a group to discuss something, the cats got even more loud. The panic in their voices increased. Then the group broke apart and leaped off of the Ancient Rocks, signaling their Clan to follow them.

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