The Flood Of Power Book 1: New Moon

Chapter 6

She'd been stuck in the ShadowClan camp for the past half moon.

Ashstar had escorted her there and explained that she would be brought to the Gathering and given back to her own Clan.

Skypaw still didn't understand why he hadn't just brought her there for a day and returned her a little but later. He seemed kind and understanding, but his methods of how to do anything confused her.

The only prey she was given were frogs and small lizards. At first, she'd refused to eat anything, hoping that they'd return her to her own Clan, but Ashstar simply said she'd be returned on the night of the Gathering. After so long of eating frogs, they no longer tasted as gross, but quite similar to fish, just more meaty.

Her guards, Doefoot and Volebreeze were quite friendly, chatting about Clan life and their ancestors. Whenever they switched watches with Duckmist and Rootflower, Skypaw was given a bit of time to stretch her legs and watch the Clan's daily life.

Despite wanting to go home to the marshes, life here was much more peaceful and welcoming. If Skypaw had had a choice, she might have wanted to have been born here.

The two kits visited her sometimes, admiring her with large green eyes. One of them, a white tom with ginger paws, asked countless questions. The other, a ginger and white tom, didn't say a word the entire time. Skypaw didn't know if he was just shy or if he couldn't talk at all.

"What are your names?" She asked the second time they visited.

"I'm Nightkit, and that's my brother, Mistkit. Mistkit doesn't like to talk." The white tom with ginger paws mewed, craning his neck to look into her face.

"Oh? Do you know why he doesn't like to talk?" Skypaw asked, twitching her ears.

Nightkit shook his head. "Nope, but that's okay. The less you talk in battles, the more intimidating you are, right?"

"I'm not sure, maybe. I haven't been in any battles yet."

"But you're an apprentice, so you must have been in a battle before!" Nightkit protested.

Skypaw shook her head. "I'm not that old yet. Also, the Clans are in a time of peace right now, so there aren't as many battles as we'd have during a time of war. It's probably a good thing that I've never been in a real battle."

A ShadowClan warrior padded over, it was their deputy, Rowanfoot. "Small border skirmishes are fine, as long as no one is badly injured. Thankfully, the only border problem we've had was you, Skypaw."

She ducked her head in embarrassment. "Yeah, I'm sorry about that."

"It's alright, after all, you seem to have had a fun time here." He purred.

"Can't she stay? She can become a ShadowClan apprentice! Then we can train with her when we become warrior apprentices." Nightkit mewed.

"I'm afraid I can't stay. I have family and friends in RiverClan. We can see each other at Gatherings and on patrol once you become apprentices too." Skypaw meowed, holding back a mrrow of laughter at Nightkit's disappointed expression.

"Alright, you should probably rest up before the Gathering tonight. It might be a long night for you." Rowanfoot advised and turned away to pad across the clearing to what Skypaw had learned was the warriors den.

Skypaw headed back into her small bramble den. Duckmist and Rootflower took their places in front of the den and the two kits scampered away, back to their mother.

Oh, just let this Gathering be peaceful. StarClan, please let RiverClan welcome me back. Skypaw closed her eyes.

The ShadowClan cats were all gathered in the center of their camp, listening to what Ashstar was saying.