The Secrets in the Shadows

Prolouge

Lightningclaw's P.O.V

I ran through the forest and saw Spottedwish and Blueheart talking to Bluecloud and Runningwing in the battle training area. I hid behind a bush and listened. I knew I shouldn't have but the last words I heard were, "Or else." I looked over Bluecloud and Runningwing and they had fresh scratch marks on their legs and flank. I decided to leave and ask them what happened later when my apprentice Amberpaw came running through the bushes.

She tackled me and I almost slid through the bushes I was behind. "Amberpaw get off and be quiet please. I told you to wait for me at the Sky Tree." I whispered.

"I know but I wanted to do battle training. We always go to the Sky Tree and train."

I heard all the cats from the battle clearing come out behind me. "Lets go Amberpaw we have training to do." I said before Blueheart could say something. I led Amberpaw into the clearing and we trained from dawn to sun-high.

"Great job Amberpaw. The clans lucky to have a loyal cat like you in the clan. Your strong and a great leader."

"Do you think I'll be leader someday?"

"Who knows all you need to know now is that your have a great life. You didn't have to see the battle between the clans and the Dark Forest."

"Was the battle scary?"

"Yes Amberpaw, it was scary. If we didn't fight our hardest they would do anything to kill each and everyone of us who was still on Starclan's side. We fought back though and we beat the Dark Forest once and for all."

"So the Dark Forest doesn't exist any more?"

"Well kind of. It's still there and cats can still go there but they won't bother the clans as long as I live."

"So if you died we might have another battle with them? And why you?"

"You might and it was me who helped save the clans along with other cats in a prophecy. We hardly talk to each other now. Well to the ones who are alive or who state in the clans. We should head back to camp now. You must be getting hungry."

"Yup. Should we hunt for some prey too?"

"First cat to catch a piece of prey wins." I shouted and we raced to find prey. I saw a squirrel at the top of a tree. I started to climb up when another cat caught it first. It luckily wasn't Amberpaw. I jumped down and scented the green-leaf air. A rabbit's burrow was at the bottom of another tree. I found it and waited. It was strange that the rabbit made its home in our territory. It came out of its hole and I waited until it was a few paw lengths away. I stalked forward and pounced as it started to run for its hole.
I quickly killed it and went back to camp.

Amberpaw was already sitting down beside Spottedwish, Blueheart, Runningwing, Bluecloud, and Ashpaw.
I growled softly and saw all the prey was gone. I was the only one not eating out of the cats in camp. Most of the cats were out on patrols. I decided to eat in the shade of the apprentices' den since no one was sitting there.

I looked around camp and saw Bramblestar basking the sun with his new mate Squirrelflight. Bramblestar lost two lives because of me before the second great battle. He only had four lives left. I finished half my rabbit when Raintail, Redclaw, and Brackenstorm sat beside me. Raintail ate the rest of my rabbit and Redclaw and Brackstorm ate two mice. We sat in silence and I watched my former friends talked to Runningwing, Bluecloud, Ashpaw, and Amberpaw. Amberpaw looked over and shrugged as if she didn't care about me any more. Squirrelflight called over the three toms and sent them to help Runningpool collect fresh herbs.

When they left I stretched and saw Amberpaw and Ashpaw talk to Bramblestar. He looked at me and turned away quickly. So did Squirrelflight. Whatever Blueheart and Spottedwish told those two was nothing but them wishing they had a heart that wasn't spotted or blue. (lol)

After they finished talking to Bramblestar, Amberpaw and Ashpaw walked past me talking about their mentors, including me. As Amberpaw walked by me she muttered to Ashpaw, "She started this battled and I'm going to end."

I felt crushed. Tears formed around my eyes and Spottedwish and Blueheart started to laugh at me. I growled at them. I hated them. They want me to leave so Spottedwish can become leader and Blueheart can be deputy. I would never.

Bramblestar had said something about Squirrelflight having to step down possibly if they were to have kits. He said after I trained Amberpaw he said he might appoint me deputy. I was so overjoyed. I didn't know what to say to them but now that Amberpaw has suddenly turned on me, I didn't know who to trust any more.

Hey guys Lightningstar434 here. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I enjoy writing it. The whole book will switch between Lightningclaw, Amberpaw, Spottedwish, Blueheart, Redclaw, Raintail and Brackenstorm. Each chapter will start and end with one cat. I will not be switching between cats in the middle of the chapter. I hope you enjoy the second book in the series and if you haven't read my first book you should check it out. It is called Taken. The beginning of Lightningclaw's journey. Enjoy the book and I'll update as soon as I can this summer.