Nightclouds Heartache

Chapter 13

  Clear sky's were bright and beautiful, shinning over the moor. All though the weather was lovely, Nightcloud did not get to bask in the beautiful weather. Instead of plentiful prey and full-bellies, it was tired paws and hungry bellies. It had been two days since Nightcloud and Owlpaw had told Tallstar about the two-legs ripping out the moor and Tallstar had banned any cat from going any where near that part of the territory. That didn't leave much hunting ground, considering that was there best spot to hunt. Every cat had to work double as hard to get a survivable amount of food. Nightcloud found less and less time to spend with Owlpaw. Nightcloud longed to just bask in the warmth with Owlpaw and worry about nothing. Though as a loyal warrior Nightcloud worked as hard as she could for her clan.


Nightcloud woke up with a start. She had been dreaming about her mother. Grief tightened her throat at the memory of Breezeheart. I must move on! Shaking off her thoughts, she got up and padded out of the den. She headed to the prey pile her stomach acing. On the prey pile was a scrawny mouse and a half a black bird. She bent down to pick up the mouse when she stopped at the sound of voices behind her.
"My belly hurts! I'm starving!" Seedkit mewed in despair.
"I know but you must be strong little one." Mistflower told her kit sadly. Sighing, Nightcloud lifted her head and padded away with nothing. Painful aching in her stomach made her regret her choice. No! Some cats need it more then me, Nightcloud told herself thinking of the kit. A gentle brush on her shoulder interrupted her from her thoughts. She turned around, greeted by the purr of Owlpaw.
"'Morning!" She said, putting on a bright face.
"Good morning. Do you want to share some prey with me?" He asked, flicking his tail over to the fresh-kill pile.
"No thanks, I'm not hungry." She said, praying her stomach wouldn't rumble. It didn't, but Owlpaw seemed to know better anyway.
"Nightcloud, I know you are. Please share a mouse with me?" He said, his eyes round with concern.
"No, I'm going to go hunting." She said, hoping he'd drop it.
"Okay, but you promise me you'll eat after?" He said, sighing. Nightcloud nodded her head, but doubted that if she didn't catch any thing she would eat. She padded out of the camp silently.


She sniffed long and deep hoping to detect the sweet smell of prey. Shrew! She crouched down as quietly as she could and slowly started to stalk. A rumble of a branches told her that the shrew was in the bush ahead of her. Slowly lowering her tail, she stalked closer. The shrew quickly hopped out of the bush, not seeing her. Quickly and nimbly as she could she leaped on the shrew. Satisfaction warmed through her as she gave it the killing bite. Nightcloud picked up the shrew and headed back to camp, knowing she wouldn't find any other prey.

"Good hunting, I see." Mudclaw praised as she dropped the shrew in the pile.
"Thanks. Did you catch that?" She asked, pointing to the large black bird in the middle.
"That I did." Mudclaw said, puffing out his chest like a proud apprentice. After complementing him on his catch she limbered off to the warriors den. She halted, when she saw that waiting at the entrance was Owlpaw.
"I see you didn't keep your promise." He said, his eyes sparkling with concern and annoyance.
"Oh that." Nightcloud meowed.
"Yes that! Nightcloud please I cant stand to see you grow weak and hungry. Cats have died of starvation!" He said desperately.
"I know, that's why I want to leave it for the kits and the elders!" Nightcloud said frustrated. Couldn't he see that she was doing this for the good of the clan?
"Nightcloud, you are the most noble warrior. But I'm begging you, please share something with me!" He said.
"Okay, fine." Nightcloud said, giving in. Side by side they padded over to the fresh kill pile. Owlpaw leaned over to pick up the big black bird before Nightcloud stopped him, "Wait, take this instead." She said, pointing to her smaller shrew. Owlpaw hesitated and then nodded, grabbing the shrew. Owlpaw shoved it toward her, insisting that she had the first bite. Not wanting to argue, She took a gulp and passed it back to him. After two small bites from each cat the shrew was gone. The aching in her stomach had gone, but Nightcloud new that wouldn't last long.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, I passed my assessment. I'm gonna be a warrior any day now!" Owlpaw said cheerily.
"What?! When?! Why didn't you tell me?!" said Nightcloud, admittedly jumping up in shock.
"Uh I just forgot, sorry." Owlpaw meowed apologetically, "I passed yesterday." He added, his voice once again bright.
"That means your ceremony is today!" Nightcloud gasped. Owlpaw nodded, his eyes shinning.
"Toms! Don't think to tell you a thing!" She meowed in fake exasperation. She knew that he could tell she was happy for him in every way possible.


"Cats of Windclan please join under the high rock for a clan meeting!" Tallstar called. Nightcloud knew what it was about. After all it had only been a a while ago when Owlpaw told her.
"Today, I have the honour of naming a new warrior." Tallstar started, after all cats had gathered around.
"Owlpaw, please come up." Tallstar beckoned. Owlpaw padded up, his fur sleek and groomed.
"I, Tallstar, leader of Windclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn. Owlpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?" Tallstar asked solemnly.
"I do." His voice quivering with excitement.
"Then I name you Owlwhisker. May Starclan light your path." Tallstar finished, nuzzling Owlpaw. Ever cat cheered his name. Nightcloud was the loudest. As soon as the cheering stopped Nightcloud padded over and nuzzled him.
"Congratulations." Nightcloud said lovingly.
"Thank you, Nightcloud." He said, nuzzling her back, "Thank you for every thing." He added into her shoulder.