Warrior Cats #1: The Battle of Thorns

Chapter Nineteen

     Birdclaw bunched his muscles and leapt onto the large rock, his claws scrabbling frantically across the smooth surface. His glossy pelt glistened under the afternoon sun, his eyes showing no fear. Silvershadow was watching him skeptically as he struggled to gain his grip, her eyebrows raised slightly. "Birdclaw, what are you trying to achieve by doing this?" She asked as his paws slipped once more. The tom grunted as his jaw slammed against the rock, gritting his teeth in pain. Silvershadow nudged his shoulder comfortably. "Don't over due yourself." She murmured softly. "I know you want them back, but I also know that you're getting older. It won't be as easy as last time." Birdclaw nodded, his tail drooping in defeat.

     "Last time I wasn't looking for them, Silvershadow. Last time I was finding them." His voice trembled with fear. "If they meet Bane..." SIlvershadow hushed him and pressed her flank against his. "If they meet Bane, they'll be reunited with their true parents. That makes us no less their family." She pointed out. "Star will help them. She's nicer than what meets the eye." Birdclaw frowned. What she said was true, but did he really want them reunited with their real parents? His thoughts traced back to his old life in Sunclan.

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      "FeatherWind and I just wanted to say how happy we are for you!" LeafSun meowed, her gaze soft and welcoming. Birdpaw puffed out his chest proudly. "Yes, we all know you'll be a great apprentice." FeatherWind meowed in unison. Birdpaw looked around and noticed Shadowpaw waiting at the camp entrance. He was gazing up at the sky distractedly, his brown fur shining in the sun light. Birdpaw broke away from the crowd of cats and padded over to the tom happily. "We're finally apprentices!" He meowed. Shadowpaw smiled. "Finally." He repeated the word wistfully. 

     "Are you thinking about Nightpaw again?" Birdpaw asked the question quizzically. Shadowpaw blushed. "She likes Mosspaw." He said shortly, although small tents of longing shone in his eyes. Birdpaw grinned with amusement. Behind him, Starpaw and  Nightpaw had been talking as well.

     "Shadowpaw's been really quiet lately." Starpaw meowed suspiciously. "Especially around you Nightpaw." The black she-cat frowned. "It's obvious he likes you." Starpaw pressed on. Nightpaw looked away. "I like Mosspaw, remember?" Her voice shook uncomfortably. "Plus, Shadowpaw's obviously not my type." Starpaw frowned.

     She had always thought Shadowpaw was an ideal apprentice. He was quite tall and muscular, considering that he was the biggest in his litter, and his eyes were a pretty light blue. She didn't know him well enough to judge his personality, but he didn't seem hostile or negative. He just seemed a little timid was all. Nightpaw, you're one mysterious cat. Starpaw thought. I wonder how'll you'll turn out.

     Birdpaw cocked his ears with interest as his name was called. "Windclaw, Berrysun, Nightpaw, and Shadowpaw!" The deputy, Cloudsky meowed, his white fur shining brightly in the sun. "I want all of you to go on a border patrol. Be sure to watch out for Riverclan, their not our friends."

     Nightpaw padded alongside Shadowpaw quietly, keeping her gaze set straight ahead. Shadowpaw frowned. "So, Nightpaw, how have you been?" He asked, hoping to get on a topic. Nightpaw shrugged. "I've been fine." She meowed shortly. Shadowpaw opened his jaws to speak, but he was stopped as Windclaw raised his tail in silence. "Fox!" He whispered angrily. "Be as quiet as you can!" Shadowpaw nodded and crouched low, Nightpaw copying him perfectly.

     Suddenly, Nightpaw let out a sharp howl of pain. Shadowpaw looked up and realized that the fox had lunged on her from behind. His claws were digging deep into her flank, her eyes full of pain. Shadowpaw let out terrified yowl and barreled forwards, knocking the fox backwards. The fox was shocked at the young cat's strength, but quickly recovered. Shadowpaw swiped his paw at the fox menacingly, piercing its flank. The fox le tout a startled yelp and fled, Shadowpaw baring his teeth as it left. Nightpaw laid limply a few tail-lengths away, her eyes glazed with pain. She had already lost a lot of blood, and Shadowpaw realized with terror that she was no longer breathing. Nightpaw!

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     Birdclaw shuddered. "I'm so sorry Shadowpaw! It wasn't your fault, the fox did it!" He howled out the words, flailing his paws helplessly. Silvershadow watching him uncomfortably.