CotS #1: The Dark Path (currently being rewritten)

Chapter Two

"What? No!" Sunbright and Spidertail cried. They were Littlecloud and Minnowtail's parents. Their faces were anguished as naturally, they did not want their son to go away. It was a shame, I thought. He was a brand new warrior and had just sworn his oath! Had his oath become meaningless?

"It's just – I can't stop thinking of her!" Littlecloud cried. "Hazelshade. She's a kittypet I met" He cut off, gulping nervously as he looked from his mother to his father. They both looked severely disappointed in him.

"Littlecloud, she's obviously a former SeasonClan warrior," Sunbright sighed. "Hazelshade is a warrior name! I know Hazelshade left, right after her warrior ceremony, the day you were born. Hazelshade is ten moons older than you, Littlecloud." She seemed to be hoping that the large age gap would make him think twice, but he was indifferent. If anything, he was enraged.

"I'm fine by that!" Littlecloud snapped. "I love her. I love her so much, and nothing or nobody is going to keep me from her." He held up his head stubbornly. I tried to give him a wink or something but he wasn't looking at me. Nobody was. I wanted to say goodbye to him but the words wouldn't come out of my throat. He'd never been kind to me, we had hardly ever spoken, and now he was going to be gone. I reigned in my emotions, as for some reason, I was feeling a deep sadness and regret. He had been a good apprentice and a quiet roommate so he had never made much noise. The den had been peaceful with him around.

Stonestar and Iceflame's eyes were extremely pained. Naturally, they didn't want to see their newest warrior gone. Sunbright was crying too, but they finally let Littlecloud go. Iceflame looked as frustrated as frustrated got and she stormed away, her eyes smoking with rage. I heard her mutter something about wasting his mentor's effort and time. Accurate, though. A kittypet would never need the skills of a warrior.

Most of the Clan was pretty sure they'd never see Littlecloud ever again. I was, too, although I could probably just pop by Twolegplace and see him. Not that I wanted to; what would we even talk about? I hardly knew him at all. And he hadn't exactly been friendly to me.

"Hazelshade," Iceflame muttered. "If she hadn't left, we'd have two more warriors." There was something more to Iceflame's voice. A bit more depth than when she spoke hatefully about Eagletail. There was something more there, a deep sadness that she wasn't showing on her face. 

"Hazelshade is who?" I asked curiously. I'd never heard of this Hazelshade before she'd been brought up today, and she piqued my curiosity. Iceflame seemed to know her quite well.

Iceflame whipped around, any tinge of sadness quickly changing to righteous fury. "I don't have time for you now, Stormpaw!"

Feeling hurt, I ducked away. Maybe Iceflame wasn't as motherly as I'd thought her to be. She certainly wasn't kind when she was frustrated, not with Hazelshade. I couldn't help but think that something had gone on between Iceflame and Hazelshade, but I couldn't place it.

Then it hit me.

Was Hazelshade ... Iceflame's daughter?

In that case she would be my aunt. Littlecloud, who was my age, was mating with my aunt? Wow. Well, not assuming Hazelshade was Iceflame's daughter, because, well, Iceflame had been deputy for moons and she was too dedicated to have kits while doing that. That was SO WEIRD! I didn't want Littlecloud to mate with my aunt!

"Well, how does it feel?" the sneer came from Minnowpelt as she walked over. Her usual snark was back, huh? The moment she and I were alone?

"To what? That you're a warrior and I'm an apprentice?" I asked, pretending to be clueless. I liked playing dumb around Minnowpelt. It made her feel superior, and then she left earlier.