The Darkest Moons (Warrior Cats)

42. Spreading The News

     “Attack me! Give me everything you’ve got!” Redwing snarled, baring her teeth. Scorchpaw side-glanced at Blackstar, who judged him from the ledge. Bunching his muscles, Scorchpaw launched himself at his mentor and barreled into her, throwing her to the ground. When she swiped at him, he forced himself forward. He took the blow, but his weight kept him going, and he smashed into Redwing’s side and flung her again. The she-cat spat and dashed around him, landing a hit on his flank, and he reared back, falling onto her and squashing her against the ground. 
     “Enough,” Blackstar ordered. Scorchpaw lifted himself and allowed Redwing to slither out from under him. Rage burned in her eyes, but it flickered out when she saw the pride in her leader’s expression, and she sat to the side. 
     Scorchpaw did the same, following her and settling down. Blackstar had requested that the Clan’s two warrior apprentices show their abilities in the camp, where their Clanmates could watch and judge. When Palepaw stepped forward, Shadowclaw at his side, Scorchpaw could see the harshness in Blackstar’s gaze. He won’t show any mercy. 
     Guilt hit like claws when Scorchpaw saw the new scars along his friend’s forehead. The reached down to his eye, matching the scratch-marks along his other. Blackstar had delivered the blow, and ordered that Palepaw he kept from patrols. It had been only yesterday. 
     Blackstar nodded, and Palepaw rushed his anger. Scorchpaw watched his friend’s every move, from the faint shift in his back paws to the twitch of his ears, which he held back to protect them; a lesson he had learned the hard way. Shadowclaw was hard to move, as he was a large cat, and very strong. The only cat larger was Froststrike. Scorchpaw had found himself even with the Clan’s deputy. 
     Palepaw was thrown to the ground like a twig, but he recoiled like a snake and snapped with long, unforgiving teeth. Shadowclaw scrambled back and reached out to cuff his apprentice on the cheek, but Palepaw was quick to slip under him and bolster himself upwards, tipping his mentor over. He was pulled to the ground alongside Shadowclaw though, but the fight continued, only ending when Rainfall’s hunting patrol returned. 
     Hostility rose from every cat, especially Shadowclaw, who ran to the patrol. A strange, familiar cat was with them, looking curiously at every DarkClan cat. “Nero,” Scorchpaw mewed. Redwing sent him a curious, harsh glance. “I saw him when I was on patrol with  
Shadowclaw a few days ago.” 
     “Who is this?” Blackstar growled, climbing down the rocks.  
     “This is the rogue we met at the border, Nero,” Shadowclaw answered. 
     A growl rumbled in Froststrike’s throat. “Why did you bring him here?” 
     Rainfall cleared her throat. “He saved Echopaw from a fox. He asked to speak to you, Blackstar.” 
     Boldly, the rogue stepped forward. “So, you’re Blackstar?” He said. “I was hoping to get an audience.” 
     “We don’t have the time, or the reason, to have one,” Blackstar challenged. “I’m about to lead a patrol.” 
     Nero lowered his head in submission. “It’s about the rogues troubling your Clan.” 
     Blackstar’s ears perked. “You know about them?” 
     “Only what I’ve heard: the cats in the twolegplace and your neighbors in WaterClan are a thorn in your tail. I might be able to help.” 
     Scorchpaw shifted uncomfortably. Does he really want to help?  
     “Nero? Is that you?” Disbelief hung in every word that came from Helen’s mouth as she moved through the crowd.  
     Nero looked sweetly at her. “The very same.” 
     “Back,” Froststrike hissed to the she-cat. “He and Blackstar are-“ 
     “You know him?” Blackstar questioned. “Is he trustworthy?” 
     Helen looked startled, and Scorchpaw didn’t blame her. All eyes were on her. “I- I knew him a long time ago. He left just after Troy started gathering his group up.” 
     The name “Troy” was familiar, but only faintly. Scorchpaw ignored it. 
     “I don’t know him now. He left for some . . . grand adventure or something.” Helen was staring at her paws. 
     Blackstar showed little improvement of mood. “For all we know, you’re a spy.” He was looking back at Nero now. 
     “They seem to run rampant amongst the Clans, if you’re so anxious about me being one.” Nero shook his head. “I’m no spy. I simply want to offer help and learn about the Clans.” 
     “You’ll leave. Yellowfoot, Ashtail, and Stormstripe. You’ll show him to the border.” Blackstar flicked his tail.  
     Nero stared at Blackstar for a moment before twitching his whiskers. “I won’t bother your Clan again. I have what I need.”  
     Blackstar’s ears laid back. The entirety of the Clan watched as the three warriors led the rogue out of the camp. Before cats could disperse to begin their midsun duties, the leader called out. Shivers crawled up Scorchpaw’s spine as every cat turned to the tom. “I mentioned that I was going to lead the patrol. I’m going to FireClan’s camp to speak with Briarstar.” 
     He’s going to tell them about mine and Palepaw’s plan! 
     “I’ll be taking Birchtail, Scorchpaw, and-“ Blackstar paused for a moment and sent a disdainful glance towards the other apprentice in the camp. “-Palepaw.” 
     “Why two apprentices?” Tidefoot asked. “And not a warrior?” 
     “I’ll explain in the morning. By the time we return, we’ll have to rest. Shadowclaw, I want you and Froststrike to check that the fox is no longer in our territory.” Blackstar padded towards the camp’s entrance. “Come on!” 
     Scorchpaw couldn’t help but bounce with excitement. He looked back to be sure that Palepaw was following, and was answered with a dark stare. His excitement vanished. Is he even my friend?