Shadowstripe's Treachery

Chapter 4

((^^Cinderpaw^^))

The cool leaf fall breze blew on Shadowpaw's pelt, reminding him of his terrible dream. He shuddered, staying hidden in the shadows cast by the tall pines that surrounded him. The first rays of sunlight were shining weakly though the trees, and there was a slight mist in the air. The walk had worked for the most part, and he felt like he had calmed down enough to return back to camp.

If I keep having dreams like that, I'll go insane! He thought to himself, shaking his head. A rustle in the bushes made his eyes dart in the direction of the noise. He opened his mouth to try and pick up a scent. Mouse! He concluded, getting into the hunting position that Badgerclaw had tought him just yesterday. He got within sight of the mouse and then leaped. The small creature made a squeak of surprise before Shadowpaw clasped his jaws around it and snapped its spine.

He smiled, that was an easy catch. I'll take this back to camp and Badgerclaw is sure to be impressed. He picked up his mouse and slowly padded back through the forest. On his way back to camp, he noticed a strange scent mixed in with the normal smells. He parted his jaws and stiffened, that smells like a badger! He sniffed some more and shrugged, eh... it's probably stale anyways. It's nothing to worry about. He continued his on with his walk.

He loved the feel of the pine nettles between his paws, and the shady trees sheltering him. What better clan is there than IceClan? I'm going to be the best leader they've ever seen. Even Larkpaw will have to do what I tell them... he daydreamed all the way back to the camp entrance.

He didn't rush as he walked through the thorn tunnel with the mouse in his jaws. The sun was already shining above him in the sky. Wow... that walk went longer then I thought. Oh well! He proudly carried his mouse to the fresh kill pile and dropped it in, ready to head back to his nest.

"Shadowpaw!" He turned around when he heard his name.

"Yeah?" He saw that Badgerclaw was stomping towards him, obviously angry about something.

"Where in Star Clan have you been all day?" He growled.

"I took a walk." He mewed calmly.

"A walk?! You were out there lollygagging for half the day?!" He furiously scolded.

"But... but I caught a mouse!" Shadowpaw defended himself, pointing towards his catch.

"Ooh, pardon me! You caught a mouse?" He gasped sarcastically, "Well then, forgive me for ever criticizing you for staying out in the forest for HALF A DAY just to catch ONE STUPID MOUSE!"

Shadowpaw stepped back, "I... I..."

"You were supposed to go on the dawn patrol, and go hunting, and do combat training, but no! You had to take a walk without telling anyone where you were going!" Badgerclaw yelled.

Shadowpaw's ears flattened, "Well it's not my fault!"

Other cats were turning their heads at Badgerclaw's furious rage. He looked down at Shadowpaw and growled, "Well then, who's fault is it?"

He narrowed his eyes, "I don't know, but I wasn't aware that taking a walk would make you angry enough to rip my pelt off!"

Badgerclaw took a deep breath and said in a cold, quiet tone, "Training hollow. Now."

He wasn't about to disobey him, especially when he was that angry. He stomped angrily in front of his mentor, what's his problem? All I did was take a walk! I even brought back a mouse for the clan. You'd think he'd be appreciative.... he looked up when he reached the training hollow, and saw that he wasn't going to be alone.