Leafshade's Revenge

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

Leafpaw sat sadly by the prey pile. She had just gone hunting...and hadn't brought back anything. Or the last time...or the one before that. She knew everyone was worried about her. She knew she was already breaking the promise she had made to Darkfang. But the grief was too much to handle.

She ignored Thornfrost as he came over beside her, looking nervous and worried. He pawed the ground, sitting down and looking at her. "Leafpaw...everyone's worried about you. I'm worried about you." He waited, but she didn't respond. She kept her gaze fixed on the prey: small, scrawny mice, voles, and squirrels in the snow-covered ground.

"Leafpaw...you can tell me anything. I'm here for you. I'll try to help as best as I can. But you have to tell me what's wrong."

Tigerpaw is doing fine. He's sad, but he does what he needs to and he hunts and trains just fine. But I sit out...and let myself be a burden to this clan.

She raised her head, finally looking at him. "The only thing you could do to help is bring Splotchpaw back," she snapped, "and I don't see that happening anytime soon. So, go away." Her fur bristled. I can't believe I said that to him, she thought. But I don't want to talk to anyone right now. Or ever.

Hurt flashed in his eyes, but he didn't leave. "Leafpaw. Swallowfur says he can't give you your warrior assessment when Tigerpaw gets his, unless you get yourself together soon. Please. You have to try. We all miss Splotchpaw, just like you. But once something's gone...you have to move on. Not forget. But move on."

Leafpaw tensed as she stopped a thought from entering her head. Thornfrost doesn't have any family. They're all dead. I guess I'm lucky. She nodded a little bit. "You're right," she mumbled quietly. She got to her paws, feeling guilt creep through her. While I sat by grieving, putting off jobs, not hunting, my Clan tried to manage through this leaf-bare. And I've been selfishly sitting here, letting my own problems melt into theirs.

She dug her claws into the earth. I have to make it right.

She sighed. "Ok," she mewed softly. "I'm sorry. I'm going to try harder." She hoped she could keep what she just said...she couldn't imagine being made a warrior later than Tigerpaw! That would be so embarrassing.

Thornfrost's eyes glowed. "Great! Then—" he cut himself off from saying whatever he was going to say next. "Thanks, Leafpaw. I'll try to help you any way I can." He gave her a firm nod, and she couldn't help but let out an amused purr.

+++

Skystar stood tall on the high rock, his tail raised for silence. He waited until all the cats quieted down to speak. "Tonight is a gathering," he told them. "As you all know, none of the clans have been able to go to the last ones because of the twoleg problems...but with them gone, we can now continue on with the Gatherings." He paused, letting the cats murmur around him for a bit, and then flicked his tail before continuing. "Sorrelfur, Mintfern, Swallowfur, Mothlight, Thornfrost, Ambersight, Tigerpaw, Leafpaw, Darkfang, Deerskip and Frogleg. Everyone else can stay and guard the camp." He gave a nod, and then leapt off the rock, landing with a small thud and shaking his fur off.

She padded over to Tigerpaw. "That's more cats than he usually sends," she commented, curious why he was bringing so many. She tilted her head to the side, keeping her pace quick as they went to catch up with everyone.

Tigerpaw glanced at her. "I think he wants to show everyone that we're strong enough to bring more warriors than needed to a gathering, and are camp will still be fine if anyone—or anything—attacks." His muscles rippled beneath his dark pelt as he strode beside her, his tail high off the ground.

"Oh." Leafpaw nodded. That makes sense, she decided. She kept her feet moving quickly, though they were pretty much completely numb from the snow-dappled ground. She looked up at the leafless trees, blinking up at the dark, pearly black sky, pricked with shining stars.

The breeze made her shiver, and she pressed closer to Tigerpaw for warmth, and he wrapped his tail around hers. Swallowfur and Mothlight trotted over to them, and she tipped her head to the side. Swallowfur looked sternly at them, like he always did. "Remember, no getting into any fights, and you can talk to other cats, but don't get close to them." He nodded and went ahead, but Mothlight stayed back.

"Don't give any information to anyone," she told them. "Even the nicest seeming cats can betray and harm anyone if they even have the smallest piece of information." Her fur moved with the night wind, and she kept their pace.

"We won't," Leafpaw promised, and Tigerpaw gave Mothlight a nod.

Leafpaw let her jaw fall as she saw a cleared area with a tall oak tree, with four lower branches and a bunch of moss below it. Two cats sat at two of the branches, and they waved their tails as Skystar went to join them. "Is that all the leaders?" she asked in awe.

"Not all," Mothlight told her. "Shadowstar, the MistClan leader, isn't here yet. Probably trying to be fashionably late again," she added, rolling her eyes. "Well, stay close; but go find some apprentices to hang out with."

They watched as Mothlight left.

+++

Leafpaw waited anxiously by Tigerpaw, her tail lashing on the as Skystar called them both up to the front of the crowd. "I, Skystar, leader of BirchClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these young apprentices. They have trained hard to understand your noble ways, and I commend them warriors to you in their turn." He paused, breathing, and then continued. "Tigerpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and serve and protect your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Tigerpaw spoke firmly, his voice thorough with meaning. "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. From now on, you will be known as Tigerflame. StarClan honors your courage and bravery, and we welcome you as a full member of BirchClan!"

Tigerflame happily went forward to lick Skystar's shoulder, then taking his place back beside Leafpaw. She gave him an encouraging nod, happy for him, and even more excited for herself.

Then Skystar went on. "Leafpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and serve and protect your clan, even at the cost of your life?" he asked, his voice thick. Something glinted in her eyes, and she frowned, confused. I wonder what he's thinking? She thought.

Forgetting about the way he looked at her, she gave a nod. "I do," she mewed, her voice tight. Splotchpaw...I hope you're proud of me.

"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. From now on, you will be known as Leafshade. StarClan honors your courage and empathy, and we welcome you as a full member of BirchClan!"