Warriors: A Dangerous Path - Book Five (Completed)

Chapter Six

Shadowpaw tried to sleep, but just couldn't. He kept thinking of all the possibilities that could happen to him and his Clan. He shook his head to clear it and decided that maybe a walk by himself would do him some good.

Sandstorm was already in the warriors' den. The other warriors were pretty much settled down in their nests as well. The only one up was Fireheart. He sat at the edge of camp, looking out into the distance. His ears were alerted and they twitched as sounds all around him were heard.

Shadowpaw thought of sneaking around him, but knew Fireheart's senses were very sharp and he would get caught anyways. He padded towards him and Fireheart immediately whirled around, his bright green eyes wide with alarm. Then he relaxed when he saw it was just Shadowpaw.

"Can't sleep?" Mewed Fireheart.

Shadowpaw sat down next him and wrapped his fluffy tail over his front paws. "Is Tigerstar really that dangerous as ShadowClan's leader?"

Fireheart softly sighed. "He tried to kill our leader."

Shadowpaw was rather small when Tigerstar, Tigerclaw at the time, and some rogues raided ThunderClan and tried to kill Bluestar. He didn't remember much about the old deputy, but he did know that Tigerclaw had huge claws that stuck out all the time. He was rather intimidated by him and rarely came out of the nursery when Tigerclaw was near.

"You saved her, right?"

Fireheart softly nodded his head. "Yes, but it wasn't easy. He is a strong warrior and fighter. I would not want to go into battle with him again."

Shadowpaw sat silently, not knowing what else to say. He thought of just going, yet enjoyed sitting by Fireheart's side. He could hear Fireheart's soft breaths and it calmed him.

Fireheart glanced down at the young apprentice and he reminded him of himself when he was young and restless. "Something is troubling you." He murmured softly.

Shadowpaw looked up at Fireheart, amazed on how he could have read of his mind. He hesitated for a moment before responding. He shuffled his paws, clearly wrestling with his thoughts. "I... my mind is filled with so many thoughts, and I don't know what to do with them." He stumbled over his words and thoughts, but knew that Fireheart was wise.

"What sort of thoughts?" Fireheart now sounded worried.

"I saw Shadepaw sitting alone by the river. She seemed lost. And then when we ran into Blackfoot, it just made me worried that we would all go to war with one another." He confessed.

Fireheart closed his eyes, dipped his head and listened silently to Shadowpaw's words. Once he had finished, Fireheart opened his eyes again. "I know you're scared." He meowed, trying to sound comforting. "Bluestar will not attack anyone unless they attack first. We must be battle ready though."

"Bluestar hasn't even been down here to see what has really gone on." Shadowpaw hissed. He narrowed his eyes, frustrated that even Fireheart didn't seem to understand his feelings. Did everyone want to fight?

Fireheart flinched at his words. His eyes were wide, but worried for his young friend. "I know it can be hard to accept what is to come." He blinked slowly then looked out into the distance once more. "But we must follow what our leader has planned. And as of now, we must be prepared for the worst."

Shadowpaw looked over at Fireheart and he stood proud and tall. He was glad to call him his deputy. He softly sighed then looked down at his paws and shuffled them. "I don't know if I can." He mewed, almost too softly for Fireheart to hear. "Would you mind if I took a walk outside of camp? I just need to clear my mind before dawn."

Fireheart dipped his head. "Very well. Just be back by dawn."

Shadowpaw widened his eyes in dismay. Fireheart was really about to let him leave camp unaccompanied. He bounded out of the camp entrance and through the gorse tunnel. He didn't stop until he reached Sunningrocks. He noticed his surroundings and began padding slower as he neared the river that bordered ThunderClan territory and RiverClan territory.

To his surprise he saw Shadepaw padding to the stream on the side of RiverClan. He pricked up his ears and twitched his nose in confusion. Did she want to speak to him as well?

"Hi Shadepaw." He mewed. He stood on the opposite end of the river of her.

Shadepaw alerted her ears, then relaxed once she saw it was Shadowpaw. "It's Shadepelt now." She purred, standing a little taller.

"Oh wow! That's great!"

"So what brings you over here?" Her voice was cool, but strong, as of she was suddenly weary of his presence.

"I couldn't sleep." He wanted to say more and spill out everything he was thinking, but that was all that came out of his mouth.

Shadepelt nodded, her expression turned from weary to understanding. "I expected as much." She murmured. 

Shadowpaw's gaze met hers, and he mustered the courage to continue. "I can't help but think there's going to be a war between all Clans."

"Why should that surprise you?"

Shadowpaw rounded his eyes in alarm. Did she want to fight the Clans as well? "Because we're supposed to help one another, not constantly want to fight."

Shadepelt's eyes glimmered with dissatisfaction. "I will not just stand by the side if the Clans decide they cannot get along with another." His once soft voice became cold and harsh. 

Shadowpaw sighed, a mixture of hope and frustration. "I want to honor our traditions, to protect my Clan, but I also want to find a way to bridge the gaps between the Clans. It's like I'm torn between two paths."

"Protecting your Clan is most important above all else, Shadowpaw." She softly sighed, seeing that Shadowpaw looked crushed and defeated as if he was in battle for far too long. "It's not that I don't sympathize with you, but we have our own paths to follow - our own responsibilities."

Shadowpaw looked down at his paws and shuffled them awkwardly. He wanted support from at least one cat, and the one cat he expected to be his friend, refused to help. "Well thanks for at least talking with me." He meowed softly.

He padded away, with his tail dragging behind him. Shadepelt then stood taller and shouted out to him. "Wait!" Shadowpaw turned his head and looked back at her with sad eyes. Shadepelt then continued. "I will try to help, but we'll need to keep seeing each other in secret."

Shadowpaw widened his eyes in surprise. She was willing to help him after all! "Really?" He meowed in shock. His voice was a little higher than he had expected. "I'll meet with you tomorrow night if you can make it."

Shadepelt nodded her head in agreement then bounded further into RiverClan territory and out of sight. Shadowpaw softly sighed and watched her leave. He felt relieved that at least someone was on his side. Though she was a RiverClan cat, he knew they would be able to at least make the two Clans listen to them.