Shadowstripe's Treachery

Chapter 17

((Cat above is Darkpaw))

"Okay, now you show me the countermove." Shadowstripe meowed to Toadpaw, who was learning his battle moves very quickly. The little apprentice was eager to try new things, and Shadowstripe was very proud of his own mentoring skills.

He looked over at Ravenfeather and held back a small laugh. She had been attempting to teach Greypaw stalking skills for most of the morning, but he always made some sort of loud noise that would have to make them start all over. It didn't help that he was heavier than most cats his age.

Darkpaw, however, was excelling in the matter of stalking since she was already so quiet in the first place. She didn't do so well with fighting, though, because she wasn't very strong. Rosepaw was very impatient and she was constantly complaining to Larkflight that she was tired. Shadowstripe smirked and sighed, glad that his apprentice wasn't too difficult to teach.

Toadpaw was already good at moves that had taken Shadowstripe forever to learn. He will be a great warrior one day. I might even choose him to become my deputy when I'm leader. Shadowstripe thought. Toadpaw was smiling and his eyes were shining brightly.

"Okay, I think I'm ready." Toadpaw mewed.

"Alright," Shadowstripe mewed. "remember your battle position?"

Toadpaw looked confused for a moment, but the look immediately changed into understanding. "Oh. Right!" He got into the right position and Shadowstripe nodded.

"So what happens when I jump on you?" He quizzed.

"I flip you over?"

"Right." He meowed. As he prepared to jump, another cat came into the training hollow. It was Badgerclaw.

Toadpaw immediately got out of his position and jumped to his feet, "Look! It's the deputy!" He squeaked.

Shadowstripe rolled his eyes, "Yep." He said flatly.

Badgerclaw nodded his head in greeting, "Hello, Shadowstripe." He meowed.

"Hi, Badgerclaw..." he sighed to his former mentor, whom he was still jealous of.

"I see training is going well." Badgerclaw commented.

"Yeah. Perfect." Shadowstripe gritted his teeth. He just wants to brag that he's the deputy.

"I am about to leave on a hunting patrol, would you like to come and take Toadpaw with you?" He asked.

Shadowstripe flicked his ears, but before he could open his mouth, Toadpaw jumped in front of him. "Of course!" He squeaked happily.

Badgerclaw smiled, "Good. Come on, let's go."

Shadowstripe followed after him, and Toadpaw was right next to him, though he could tell that Toadpaw wanted to sprint ahead. Shadowstripe shook his head, I don't remember being this excited about any hunting patrol, but then again, Larkflight or Snowfall was with me most of the time.

Shadowstripe was the last one out of the thorn tunnel, and he followed passively along as they went deeper into the woods. He let his thoughts take him away as Badgerclaw started to show Toadpaw hunting tips even though it was Shadowstripe's job. What a control freak... he will be a terrible leader. I wonder when Birchstar is going to die. It's got to be soon... But then I will have to wait for Badgerclaw to die nine times... and he might not even choose me for deputy! The only way to get him out of the way will be to take all of his nine lives at once. But how in the dark forest will I do that?! I'll think of something... maybe I could-

"Shadowstripe!"

"Shadowstripe are you there?!" Came the sharp whisper of Toadpaw.

Shadowstripe shook his head, "Huh? What? What's happening?"