Shadowstripe's Treachery

Chapter 5

Shadowpaw quivered in excitement as he followed his mentor to the crowd of cats that were leaving for the gathering. He couldn't wait to meet all of the cats from the other clans and see how much stronger and more awesome IceClan was than all of them. He could see his sister standing with Cinderpaw and Sharppaw, who were staying behind, and she stuck her tongue out at him. He smirked in satisfaction as he watched her limp to join her mentor.

A few days had passed since he had met the mysterious she cat in his dream, and he had done exceptionally well in his training ever since she had trained him that one night. She hadn't come back, like she had told him, and he assumed that it would probably be the last time he ever saw her. I don't need her anyways, he nodded to himself, I was able to beat Larkpaw pretty easily. He had remembered what the she cat had advised him to do, and he could always find a weakness when Larkpaw attacked him. The last time they fought, Shadowpaw had gone "too far" and bit Larpaw's leg. Thrushpelt and Duskheart took Larpaw's side, along with everyone else, though Shadowpaw thought it was perfectly fine.

Shadowpaw sat in awkward silence next to Badgerclaw, who was clawing the grass. Shadowpaw shifted uncomfortably when Badgerclaw turned his head and stared at him. He cleared his throat and looked in the other direction, but he could feel his mentor's eyes burning into his pelt. They had not been on good terms lately because of Shadowpaw's constant violent behavior during training, and so it was even more awkward than normal.

"Uh... Shadowpaw.... I just wanted to tell you..." Badgerclaw looked at his paws, "Well, I've seen a lot of improvement in you the past few days. You may not exactly know how to control your strength in the right way yet, but I know that you will do great in battle."

Shadowpaw looked up, his eyes bright, "Really?!" Did he just compliment me?

"Yeah... uh you are a pretty good-"

"Hey Shadowpaw!" A voice from behind them interrupted Badgerclaw.

Shadowpaw turned around and winced, "Oh... hey Snowpaw..." he fought the urge to snap at her, since this may be the only time that his mentor would ever compliment him. He waited for Badgerclaw to continue.

"Well, I'll leave you two alone then," Badgerclaw got to his paws and followed the rest of the group.

Wait! No! Take me with you! He silently pleaded, and then glared at Snowpaw, "What do you want?"

"Well," she moved up closer to him, "I was just wondering if you'd like to sit together at the gathering..."

He tried his best not to gag at the offer, "Uh... well... sure?" Stupid! Why did you say yes? Now your first gathering is going to be ruined, he scolded himself in his head.

"Yay!" She squeaked, scooting even closer to him until they weren't even a paw length apart. Shadowpaw shuddered.

"Okay, let's go!" Called Birchstar from the front. He signaled with his tail for the cats to follow.

Shadowpaw grumpily stalked forwards, and Snowpaw scrambled over to catch up with him. This was going to be the worst gathering ever, he decided. The cats trekked silently in the shadows of the pine forest. Shadowpaw didn't stop to take in any of the beautiful sights on the way, and he barely even glanced at the glittering lake that reflected the bright moonlight. He was in a terrible mood and it didn't help that Snowpaw was right by his side every moment.

The mingled scents of so many cats caught Shadowpaw off guard as he looked up. They were already at the island, and there were cats everywhere! He shrunk back in fear, but then he immediately shook his head. Fear is your enemy, he reminded himself, walk in there with confidence.