The Shadow Glare

Chapter 7

Ashpaw was eating a mouse. Beside him, Windpaw told her story.
"I'm half-clan." She started. She didn't even seem to mind. "And I'm proud. I know most other cats think being half-clan is bad and all and that the kits are a mistake, but I don't think so. Cats tell me you don't choose who you love, but your heart does. So maybe some cats hearts tell them to look somewhere else. And that's what happened to my mother. She fell in love with an IvyClan cat- Blackwhisker."
All the apprentices around the mouse gave a gasp of shock.

"Ashpaw, you know my mother well." He continued.

"I do?" Ashpaw asked.

"Yes. She's Greenstem."

Ashpaw was surprised. His own mentor had kits with a cat from another Clan?"
"I didn't know that . . ."

Cloudpaw snorted. "Windpaw we both know that's not how it happened. Technically were not half-clan because Blackwhisker was living here when we were born. He just left because he's a mange-ridden excuse of a warrior who thought he could get away with it. If I ever meet him in battle, I'll take him down."

"What do you mean? Blackwhisker used to live here?" Shadowpaw asked.

"Yes. He's Brownwhisker's brother. And Brownwhisker is a better father then he ever was."
Cloudpaw was looking at the large brown tom with a look in his eyes that Ashpaw could understand. It was love.
"Are Greenstem and Brownwhisker mates now?" Emberpaw asked while at the same time, Ashpaw muttered. "Why did Blackwhisker leave?"

Cloudpaw sighed. "Yes, Emberpaw. And I wish Brownwhisker was our father instead. Ashpaw, he left because he was a big fox-heart and thought Windpaw and I were to ugly."

"Seriously?" Shadowpaw sounded surprised. "I'm sorry. I can't imagine what it would be like not to have a proper father."

Both Windpaw and Cloudpaw bristled at this.
"We do have a proper father!" Windpaw snarled.

"We have Brownwhisker!" Cloudpaw hissed before stalking away, pulling his sister with him.

A heartbeat later Brightpelt, Windpaw's mentor since Chickfluff had moved into the nursery, burst into the den, her fur bristling and then asked, "what is going on in here?"

"Shadowpaw said something to Windpaw and Cloudpaw." Riverpaw who had arrived a minute ago, told her.

"What did you say?" Brightpelt asked.

"I said the wrong thing, that's all." Shadowpaw mewed.

"Seriously, Shadowpaw, just tell her!" Emberpaw mewed tensely.

"I said that I felt bad they never had a proper father." Shadowpaw signed. "Like I said, it was the wrong thing to say! I didn't want to hurt their feelings."

"Well you did so you can go and say sorry to them, right now." Brightpelt ordered.

"Ok." Shadowpaw muttered before padding out of the den, her black tail dragging on the ground.

Ashpaw sat in his nest, slowly breathing. The other apprentices were around him, including Windpaw and Cloudpaw who had came back, still upset and huffily lay down in their nests.
When he closed his eyes, he soon feel asleep and awakened in a starry world.

"Hello?" He called, wondering if any cat was around.
He was in a huge field of flowers of all colours.
In the middle of the field, a huge tree sat.
Just like the Tall Birch, He thought. Leaves were falling from the tree in a swift, clean motion. It looked like the leaves were cutting through the air.
A branch clattered to Ashpaw's right and he jumped.
A deer bounded across the field, stopping to prick its tall ears in every direction before moving on.
When it reached the edge of the field it paused again.
It's big brown eyes looked around until they spotted him, and then the strangest thing happened. The deer bowed.
As it left, a sparkling trail of stardust spilled from its feet and as it made its way into the forest, it vanished completely.
Then, he heard a call.
A silver tabby was pounding towards him.
"Ashpaw, Ashpaw!" It yowled.
Ashpaw didn't know what to expect as the silver tabby hurled herself towards him.
What is happening to me? I feel as if . . . I don't even know. This place isn't reality though, is it?
"I'm Silverecho," the silver tabby stated. "I have to tell you something," her voice broke a little and her bright eyes seemed sad. "Young Ashpaw. You have a hard destiny. Something will happen that you can't reveal, no matter what happens. She can't tell anyone either."

Before Ashpaw asked who "she" was Silverecho was trotting away. Ashpaw didn't even call after her.
Suddenly a paw prodded his side and he mewed. "Silverecho, stop! Just 'cause I'm still here doesn't mean you have to poke me!"

A voice around him sounded confused. "Silverecho? Who's that?"
Suddenly Ashpaw blinked open his eyes to see Greenstem standing above him.
"Seriously, Ashpaw. You need to wake up for training! And don't tell me this Silverecho is a cat from another Clan."

"Sorry." He grumbled. He got to his feet and padded after Greenstem.
When they reached the Training Hollow, Ashpaw was ready to do whatever they would be doing.
"Are we practicing battle moves?" Ashpaw asked eagerly.

Greenstem nodded. "Yes, we'll be training with the other apprentices."
Ashpaw yowled happily and padded into the training hollow