Warrior Cats: In the Shadows

Chapter 8

     Shadepaw came back into the meadow with a squirrel in his jaws. It had been 3 quarter-moons since he had been discovered by Raven, and his injuries had healed. 

     Everything was so simple in this meadow, no conflict between the cats and no one to boss him around. At least until Branch came up to him.

     "Hey Shadepaw, I have something to teach you. Go ahead and drop that squirrel in the pile over there, and follow me," Branch walked off, cautiously looking behind him to see if anyone had found interest in where he was going.

     Shadepaw shrugged and dropped the squirrel. He then picked up his pace until he trotted evenly next to Branch.

     "A true cat shows no mercy, Shadepaw," The tom said once they were out of earshot of the others.

     "None??"

      "None."

     "But in my Clan, we don't kill a cat unless necessary," Shadepaw objected.

     "You aren't in your Clan anymore, are you?"

     Shadepaw shook his head.

     "That's what I thought. I need to train you, the way I did with the others, we must always be prepared for battle. This is a rather peaceful meadow, but whenever danger lurks, it's deadly. You'll probably be staying here a good ol' while, so we might as well raise you as we would."

     Shadepaw thought about what Branch just said-could he possibly give up Clan life for the peaceful life down here? Perhaps...

     "I see you're quite the thinker?" Branch mentioned once they entered a forest.

     "I guess. But something troubles me, Ol' Branch."

     "And what is that?"

     "That gorge I fell down-"

     "Please, the gorge is none of your worries. Get to the point or shut your jaws," The surprising attitude from Branch startled Shadepaw. He had never expected something so harsh to come out of such an old and gentle tom.

     Listening to Branch's orders, Shadepaw got to the point,"I was pushed down, right? By... Stormfur? I think that's his name. But he was so loyal to everyone, I'm still surprised."

    Branch thought contently,"Many, many cats take their time to plot a sudden attack of evil. I've known a cat who was 144 moons once he laid his plans in action, he died 4 days after he finished. They usually take their time because they need to gain the trust of the cats who love them.."

     Shadepaw remained silent for the rest of the trip, Ol' Branch has given him enough to think about.

~

     The day was more than half done by the time they stopped walking. Shadepaw's legs were too weary to walk anymore. He plopped down on the ground, not paying attention to his new surroundings.

     "This, is Training Grounds. You will be trained for 12 moons, and never to leave this place until you're done. Just take in the sights before you freak your muzzle off." Branch sat down and took a deep breath.

     Shadepaw reluctantly opened his eyes to see the beautiful sights. But what he saw made him sit straight up.

     Water, and several islands along the way until you could see a very distant, and bigger land. The water was a dark blue, but very clear. He could spot several hundred fish from how high he was. The forests' trees no longer surrounded them, but only grassy plains and water.

     The sights were beautiful... outstanding. Shadepaw went back to what Branch had said, then narrowed his eyes in anger.

     "You can't keep me here for 12 moons, are you insane?!"

     "No," Branch smiled.

     "What do you expect me to do here?"

     "Exactly what I told everyone else to do. All those cats in that meadow had been trained here, this exact area, Training Grounds."

     "What did you tell the others to do? I like it when you're specific."

     Branch laughed,"Ah, you sweet apprentice."

     Shadepaw drew his ears back and grimaced.

    "Swim."

     Shadepaw's ears perked up,"WHAT?"

     "Swim to that island you see in the distance, eat, then swim back. You should take no longer than 2 quarter moons." 

     "You.. WHAT? I can't do that!! The average cat would take a moon to do that! And I'm younger than the average cat!"

     "Training Grounds is supposed to make you better than the average cat. See you in 2 quarter-moons." And with that Branch turned back around and headed home.

     Shadepaw gaped in disbelief at the large body of water. Here went nothing..