Silvershine's Destiny

Chapter 9

Silvershine heard an owl hoot in the distance. She glanced around the warriors den, a twig poked her in the side. The warriors den was very crowded. 

Silvershine got to her paws and left the den. The night air was cold and fresh.

A layer of frost covered the ground, it would start snowing in a few days.

Movement on the other side of camp caught her eye. Silvershine froze, she pressed herself to the ground forcing herself to stay still.

She relaxed as she recognised the calico pelt of Mapleleaf. Silvershine wanted to call out to her but from the way Mapleleaf was keeping in the shadows she didn't want to be seen.

Mapleleaf didn't seem to have spotted her sister as she crept around the clearing.

As Mapleleaf reached the medicine cat den she slid behind it and dissapeared from view.

Silvershine followed her stealthily, Mapleleaf was heading in the direction of the Ivyclan border. Surely she isn't going to trespass on Ivyclan territory?

Mapleleaf reached the ravine and crouched in the shadow of a bush. She looked excited and kept lashing her tail enthusiastically.

Just when Silvershine was about to go back to camp she saw a flash of yellow on the other side of the ravine.

"Who's there?" called Mapleleaf warily, "If you cross the border I'll slit your throat!"

"Oh I doubt that, especially since we both know I'd kill you first."

Sandpelt padded out into the open, "And I really don't want to kill you, I quite like you in fact, enough to sneak out to see you."

"Well I had to check you weren't some random Ivyclan cat didn't I?" said Mapleleaf, "Why are you so late?"

"I had to do a night patrol." explained Sandpelt, he crossed the tree bridge and twined his tail with Mapleleaf's.

Silvershine bit back a gasp, she slowly backed away but she tripped over a tree root.

"Who's there?" snarled Sandpelt.

Silvershine padded out of the trees.

"Silvershine!" said Mapleleaf, "How long have you been there?"

"I followed you, what do you think you're doing sneaking out to meet with him?"

"You should go Sandpelt," said Mapleleaf softly, "I'll talk to my sister myself."

Sandpelt nodded and shot an angry glance at Silvershine before crossing the tree bridge onto his side.

"We aren't doing any harm." said Mapleleaf defensively.

"This is against the code Mapleleaf!"

"Please don't tell Hollystar!" begged Mapleleaf, "Sandpelt means everything to me, you should understand that Silvershine. Sandpelt used to be a Hollyclan cat, he left because he didn't fit in here. Being with him feels right, I'm happier than I have been for moons."

"It isn't right if you have to sneak around in the shadows and decieve your clanmates."

"I've lost every cat important to me, do I have to loose Sandpelt too?"

So I'm not important to her? I should have known, she probably blames me for Rosekit and Ripplefrost's deaths.

"Don't meet with him again."

"What are you going to do to stop me?"

Mapleleaf pushed past Silvershine and went back to camp.

Silvershine sat there staring at the sky until the sun started creeping up the sky.

Should I tell Hollystar? It would be for her own good if she stopped seeing him. What if Ivyclan attacked again and Sandpelt fought with her?

Eventually Silvershine got to her paws and decided to catch some prey to take her mind off things. She returned to camp with her catch and dropped it on the fresh kill pile.

"Hi Silvershine!" said Dapplewish, "I'm expecting another litter of kits!"

"That's great!" said Silvershine, forcing a smile, "Do Blazesong and Snowfeather know?"

"Yes," said Dapplewish, "These kits are only their half siblings though, Blizzardclaw will father these kits."

"Who were the father of Blazesong and Snowfeather?"

"I prefer not to say." said Dappleleaf, changing the subject she added, "Do you ever wonder who your father is?"

"Sometimes."

"If you're ever curious, you can go talk to Lilypool."

Silvershine said goodbye to Dapplewish and padded to Hollystar's den.

"Can I come in?" asked Silvershine.

"Yes."

Silvershine padded into Hollystar's den.

"Well? What do you need to tell me?

"I just thought you should know, Mapleleaf has been meeting Sandpelt in secret. I told her to stop, but I don't think she's going to listen."

"Thank you for telling me Silvershine, I have suspected this was happening for a long time, you are dismissed."

Silvershine left Hollystar's den.

Mapleleaf was waiting outside, "I know you told Silvershine, so I'm leaving! I'm leaving with Sandpelt and I'm not coming back!"

She whipped around and raced out of camp without another word.