Shadows in the Night

Chapter Twenty

Hey guys! It's Alliehuang :3 Yes, i'm finally back, sorry guys :(

I know this chapter is super-duper-pooper-scooper short, and i'm already working on the next chapter so hopefully that will make up for it ;u;

I just really wanted to finish writing this so that I could finally update! *Yay*

Anyways, if you're still reading this book then I just want to thank you so much for sticking by me and not giving up on me uvu 

I'll stop waffling on and here's the next chapter! :3

"Nutpaw! Wake up!" The calico she-cat moaned as she felt a paw prodding her flank. Squinting her eyes open, she made out a faint trickle of moonlight in the night sky.

"It's moooon....mooonhigh, let me sleeeeeeeep...." Nutpaw mumbled, tucking her muzzle under her paw while whining in protest.

"Nutpaw!" This time, the voice sounded angry. Furious, even. Uh-oh. "Get up, you useless furball! Or we're going to be late for the meeting!"

Nutpaw sighed and rose to her paws, keeping her eyes sealed shut, snickering as she heard Stormpaw sigh in frustration. "Really, Nutpaw?"She opened one eye to gaze at the older apprentice, who was obviously trying to keep from purring.

"Yeah, Speak for yourself, Stormpaw! I'd be surprised if you even got up early enough for the evening patrol!" Nutpaw meowed in amusement, using her tail to flick her denmate on the shoulder.

In a nearby nest, Stormpaw's littermate, Dawnpaw, began to stir. Nutpaw held her breath as the creamy she cat's paws jerked in her sleep, as if she was running in her dreams across the shimmering fields of StarClan. Dawnpaw laid still, but Nutpaw didn't say a word until she heard gentle snoring coming from the older apprentice.

Purring in amusement, at the edge of her vision Nutpaw saw Stormpaw's silver-and-white pelt flash by the entrance of the apprentices' den. Stepping lightly and being careful not to disturb her sleeping clanmates, Nutpaw slipped out into the clearing. The moon hung high in the sky- it must be moonhigh. If we don't hurry, we're going to be late!!

"Quick," Nutpaw muttered under her breath, racing after Stormpaw into the forest. Duskfoot had fallen asleep on watch, and Nutpaw couldn't help but roll her eyes.

Duskfoot's always grumpy when he doesn't sleep enough!! I'd bet a month of dawn patrols that he'd never-

Nutpaw's train of thought broke off as the thought of leaving her everything, every cat, and the only place she had ever known, to venture out into the unknown.

"Nutpaw?" Stormpaw called out, turning back when she realised Nutpaw wasn't following her. "Is something wrong?"

Nutpaw looked up at Stormpaw, and for the first time, she noticed powerful muscles rippling under the powerful she-cat's pelt. Her intelligence was also not to be overlooked- Stormpaw was often called to help with planning battle tactics, and was the only apprentice ever privileged enough to be trusted by Nightstar to work with the senior warriors. She was fearless, and never shied away from the prospect of battle-plus she'd do just about anything for her clan.

Tailfur was witty, and was great at thinking on his feet. His SwiftClan blood made him the fastest of all the cats in the group, and Nutpaw was sure that this would come in handy on the long and perilous journey.

Hawkfeather was the most experienced warrior, and his wisdom was a good change from the younger warriors and apprentices' naïve-ness. He was an extremely skilled hunter, and being from StalkClan, very good at stalking silently through deep undergrowth.

And who could forget Riverleap, the bubbly and enthusiastic cat in the group. She always seemed to be full of energy, and her enthusiasm was infectious, making any difficult task seem less daunting.

These cats were all very capable of pushing through whatever hardships faced them up ahead, and deep down in her heart, she knew that they could do it. They would find out where Leaf was hiding, and save the clans. Their legacy would forever be left in the clans, even long after they raced in the starry fields in the sky.

With a decisive shake of her head, Nutpaw continued padding towards fourtrees, her eyes glinting in the moonlight. We can do it. I don't know where our paws will lead us, but I have faith in StarClan and believe that somehow- we will save the clans. 

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please leave any feedback in the comments below! Every comment means so much to me :> If you enjoyed it please vote for this chapter, it'll make my day!!

-Alliehuang