Book 1 - Warriors: The Shadow Outcast

Chapter Twelve

As if I'd let you die!

Rainpaw's eyes opened and grew wide as he realised who it was, and then he gasped. Something was happening to him, something that would only happen once. More blood seemed to leak out of his wounds, though instead of being red it was purple almost.

Then, just as Rainpaw felt like he was going to die, he felt fine. And there, right in front of him, stood an exact copy of himself, smiling widely. Well, it wasn't an exact copy. Where Rainpaw had white, this cat had grey, and where Rainpaw had grey, this cat had white. The cat's eyes were also a dark blue, and he still had a star-shaped scar, though it was glowing yellow. This cat was also very ghostly looking, just like the StarClan cats were. Right then he knew just who he was looking at.

The demon within him.

"W-what did you do?" asked Rainpaw, his eyes wide. The cat in front of him grinned widely, as if to be happy to answer that question.

"I'm saving you, mouse-brain," the demon replied. "What did you think I was doing?"

"I thought you hated me!" Rainpaw reminded him, standing to his paws. "I thought you hated it when I gained control!"

"I do hate you," the demon said simply. "But if you die, as do I, and I really don't want to die right when your life is getting interesting. I mean, if you died, I wouldn't be able to see how far I can evolve within you." Rainpaw's eyes widened. He must have been dreaming — he must have! This was just too weird. . .

"E-evolve?" asked Rainpaw, his voice showing his shock. The demon nodded, a sick grin on his face.

"Ever since you used me for the first time, I have been changing," the demon replied. "First I was just a disease type thing, but then I grew into my own personality. When you started the special training with your second mentor, I couldn't help but take that to my advantage. Remember when you felt different? When the urge to kill wasn't as demanding? Well that's because it isn't you anymore, it's me. You're just watching, without any control whatsoever. I just never showed this to your mentor, mostly 'cause I hate him." Rainpaw was still shocked, his body was shaking now.

"W-what?" he asked disbelieving every word. "That's impossible! At this rate you'll gain your own body and slaughter the whole forest!" The demon shook his head and frowned then.

"Unfortunately, no, that won't happen," the demon replied, disappointed. "Remember, Rainpaw, that I am nothing but bottled up memories from your past. I know everything you've been through, everything that happened before you came to the Clans. I am the reason you do not think of your past life so many times." Rainpaw shook his head.

"That can't be true!" Rainpaw protested. "It can't be!"

"Ah, but it is," the demon said with a smile on his face. "I'm the reason you are happy with your mate, and happy with your new life. I am the reason you have so much strength, for a kit your size. I am the reason you made it through the blizzard, the gathering, the rogues, and every other life threatening situation you've been in. Without me, you would have ended up as your murderer, becoming suicide out of your own guilt. You've wanted to die too much, and now that I have grown, we will soon have to come to an agreement."

"What?" asked Rainpaw, with a shocked look upon his face.

"Soon, I shall be your strength and soul," the demon said dramatically. Suddenly Sharpfang lunged forward, attacking the demon. Unfortunately, his mentor only went through the demon.

"Yeah, sorry about that," said the demon, though he didn't really mean it. "You can't hurt me unless you hurt your apprentice, and that's impossible. Besides, I think I've done enough damage here. See ya, suckers!" The demon then looked to Rainpaw.