The Shadow Glare

Chapter 36

Shadowleap's brain was overloading. Should she go? Or not. Was it a safe bet? Or was it not. Would they really protect her from Hawkstar- could they even? Were they strong enough to face the ShadeClan empire?

Her mind continued to race as she woke to Ravenkit's claws. They pierced at her shoulder fur, snagging it, dragging it back. The little kit always did this.

Shadowleap pulled herself to her feet and looked at Ravenkit. "Hewwooooo!" Said the kit.

"Hello, my favourite kit." Shadowleap said. It was at that time she made her decision. "We're going to play a little game today."

"What kind of game?" The shining blue eyes pleaded.

"It's this game where we run away from ShadeClan- and Hawkstar. Forever!"

"For real forever? That's a really long time, Momma. Are you sure you want to do that?" Ravenkit was smarter than she seemed.

"Well, there's this goal. We have to get to EchoClan, who's right across the border. They offered to take us in. Ok?"

Ravenkit, who was all for adventures, leapt to her feet, and scurried out the den.

"Don't forget, we have to be super quiet!" Shadowleap told her baby, who immediately stepped softly.

So they went. They stalked out of the camp and through the tangles of ivy and shrubs. Ravenkit bragged, for she had only snagged two leaves on her fur.

Shadowleap was nervous about what could happen. Would her home Clan really welcome her? Or would they push her away, call her a traitor and take her kit?

Once they were in EchoClan territory, Shadowleap paused. She inhaled all the smells, including her ex-Clanmates.

They crossed the old patrols scent trails, Ravenkit curiously sniffing at it. Shadowleap informed her daughter. "That's the patrols trail."

When they were getting close to the camp, a voice spoke. "Who's there?"

Shadowleap recognized the male voice as Cloudswirl. Her true love, mate and her kits father. She opened her mouth. "Hello, my love."

Cloudswirl let put a growl and came into view. "Is it really you? The one who betrayed me and broke my heart? What do you want?" He let out a ferocious hiss.

Shadowleap hesitantly pushed the cowering kit in front of her. "This. . . . " she motioned towards her kit. "Is also yours. She's not really Hawkstar's. I'm really sorry. I caused so much trouble. I wanted inside information from Hawkstar, that was honestly all. I just didn't know what to do! It's so weird and different there, I hated it the first day. The only cat who even welcomed me at all was Oakpool. She was their medicine cat."

"Woah woah woah," Cloudswirl meowed. "This kit is mine? You mean, this is partly me? Are you serious?" The tomcat seemed completely mesmerized.

"Yes." Shadowleap sighed. "And if you don't mind, I want to come back to EchoClan and raise her with her proper father."

"What's her name?" Cloudswirl completely skipped her question.

"Ravenkit."

"Beautiful. Now come with me. I need to tell the whole Clan before patrols leave!"

They raced to the camp. Cloudswirl jumped to the leaders den- to inform Pebblestar, Shadowleao guessed.

Then he came out with the silver leader.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the High Peak for a Clan meeting!"

The old leaders eyes met with Shadowleap's and she nodded. As cats began to gather, she heard murmurings of; "What could be so important this early?", and "why is she calling a meeting?"

Shadowleap was told to get on the High Peak, and so she did. Pebblestar was excited to start her ceremony.

"This morning Cloudswirl was out hunting for the Clan. He didn't bring back any prey, but he did find Shadowleap and her young kit, called Ravenkit. Shadowleap wanted to come back, and this is supposedly going to help us against Hawkstar or something. It is also said that she was only in ShadeClan to get inside information. It's confusing, but can you please yowl if you want Shadowleap to stay!"

Many yowls were heard. Shadowleap had always liked to think that she was important to EchoClan, but she never suspected they would be this excited, especially after she had just left for two moons.

When Pebblestar asked if any cats didn't want her to stay, only a few cats spoke up.

Weaselgrowl was one of them. "She left us for that mangy leader. I don't think she should be welcome."

Shadowleap had nothing against them, though. They were just being completely reasonable. That was exactly how she'd react to a Clanmate leaving.

When it was confirmed she stay in EchoClan with Ravenkit, a wild messenger came rushing in through the camp entrance. It was Oakpool.

"Hawkstar left us today to go looking for Shadowleap and his kit." She gasped. "We found his body floating in the stream. There is no wounds to suggest a cat did it. We think he drowned."

Oakpool looked to the High Peak. When she saw Shadowleap, she widened her eyes.

"I knew you'd go back to EchoClan eventually, but I didn't suspect that Hawkstar would drown trying to find you."

"I'm sorry." Shadowleap dipped her head.

"I cared for Hawkstar, I did, but you've left us in the pass of a better leader. She wants everything better for our Clans. All hail Mothstar!" Oakpool said, her voice quivering a bit.

Pebblestar bounced with excitement. "Shadowleap, you just solved the prophecy! It said only you could save us! And you did just that. Hawkstar was going to kill us all, but he's dead now, because you came back to EchoClan. Thank you."

Shadowleap had never expected she would be standing on top of the High Peak, being thanked by her Clan, but she'd also never suspected that she'd live in ShadeClan for two moons. Life was a crazy ride for Shadowleap and her friends.

And she could only hope it wouldn't be the same for her dear kit.