Cougarstripe's Shock (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 9

[Feel free to point out any mistakes, I'm WWWWAAAAY too tired to go through this whole chapter and find all the mistakes. Proofreading. Ugh.]

*One Moon Later*

Cougarpaw padded into camp boastfully, dragging a large, snow white rabbit behind him. Clawflank looked proud enough for his apprentice. He deposited the creature on to the fresh-kill-pile. Darkpaw, Lightpaw, Silverpaw, and Tigerpaw greeted the tan tom.

"Dang, you caught that?" Darkpaw inquired, looking at the rabbit.

"Yep! All by myself," Cougarpaw boasted, puffing out his chest.

"Of course he caught that!" Tigerpaw exclaimed, then lowered his voice. "We all know Cougarpaw is the best hunter..."

"Wait, did you just admit that Cougarpaw is the best hunter?" Silverpaw snorted.

"No I didn't!" Tigerpaw argued, his ears flattening. They all burst into laughter, except for Tigerpaw of course.

It had been a moon since Cypressfog had died - no, Cougarpaw hated comparing the past moon like that. Even if he hadn't really known Cypressfog, he still missed her. It had been a moon since Clawflank had talked with Cougarpaw, and he had made friends with Lightpaw, Darkpaw, Tigerpaw, and had apologized to Silverpaw and was now friends with her as well. They had been helping Cougarpaw through this past moon, which meant a lot to him.

But something else had been going on. Every cat in the Clan had noticed Greenstar's sudden depression. Wildjay, the deputy, had been thankfully taking action of what had needed to be done. Greenstar had been mainly staying in his den, hardly coming out. Never going to gatherings, and never allowing anyone to see him. Though, no cat knew why Greenstar was so depressed. Cats had recently asked when Wildjay would appoint the new deputy, but he refused.

Another thing; although, it was probably only noticed by Cougarpaw. Anyway, something else had been going on with Appleheart's behavior. He hadn't really ever been joining patrols unless forced, and seemed to have a lack of really wanting to do anything for ThunderClan. He just didn't care anymore, which was very odd.

Now, Cougarpaw watched as Shadowpaw padded over to Appleheart, and they talked quietly. No other cats happened to notice except for the tan apprentice, and he grew very suspicious. Anything going on with Appleheart and Shadowpaw means trouble.

Appleheart suddenly nodded at Shadowpaw and broke away from the black apprentice, exiting camp. Cougarpaw attempted to follow but was called by Lightpaw, Silverpaw, Darkpaw, and Tigerpaw to share the rabbit with them. He reluctantly agreed and padded over, digging into the rabbit, not realizing how hungry he'd been.

Surprisingly, he heard Greenstar call a Clan meeting. Cougarpaw raised his head and watched intently.

"I have gathered you all here today to simply thank Wildjay for his hard work. He has done everything I haven't been doing. He has been taking everyone to gatherings. He has put up with my behavior. I... I know how great of a leader he will be." Greenstar looked over his Clan for a moment before stepping back. The large brown tom whispered something to Wildjay, although the apprentice couldn't hear it. Cougarpaw watched Darkpaw and Silverpaw exchange glances. Words spread through the Clan like a wildfire after Greenstar entered his den.

"What does he mean?"

"He must be going crazy!"

"No leader would say that except when they're going to die."

"Wait... Greenstar is going to kill himself!"

The Clan turned into chaos, cats yowling in panic. Eagleshadow, Stormbrew, and Jackalfrost attempted to run into Greenstar's den. Wildjay stopped the warriors, calling Twilightshock over to help him. Cougarpaw narrowed his eyes and pushed his way between the panic-stricken cats. I must talk to Greenstar, even if he doesn't want me to. He managed to make it through and reached the ThunderClan deputy.