A New Horizon Book 2: The Dying Forest {COMPLETE}

Chapter 5

Nightpaw walked away from her brother and stepped into the apprentice den. Her nest was in the back of the den where she liked it, it was warm and sheltered. She was the oldest apprentice, so she got to choose where she wanted to sleep. Part of her missed it when it was just her in the apprentice den, then Haresong's four kits joined, making it much, much more crowded. Timberpaw snored, Leafpaw talked in her sleep and Rabbitpaw was twitchy. The only cat who slept soundly was Dustpaw. She respected him for that.

The other four apprentices weren't in there yet, but she knew they would be soon and she wanted to be asleep before that. Nightpaw curled up into her nest, but found that sleep wouldn't come. Instead, she thought about Blackpaw. Something was off about him, it's been like that for the past few days. She thought, since Blackpaw's return from the moonstone he had been acting a little distant. We tell each other everything. Nightpaw thought, feeling a little hurt that Blackpaw wouldn't tell her.

It could also be some important medicine cat stuff that I'm not allowed to know about. Nightpaw considered. Still, I want to help. That's all Nightpaw ever wanted to do, to help. She wanted to make sure that all of her Clanmates were safe. AshClan had barely any warriors, at least they had five apprentices, two kits and more kits on the way. AshClan is strong. Nightpaw told herself. AshClan will always remain strong.

Nightpaw opened her eyes, but she was no longer in the apprentice den. She was in a shadowy forest, it was cold and sent chills up Nightpaw's spine, making her fur stand on end. Where am I? She questioned and sniffed the air, she could only smell dead plants, no prey. She took a step forward, the dead grass crunching underneath her pawsteps.

She stopped. I don't know even know where I would be going? Behind Nightpaw, she heard another set of pawsteps. She whirled around, unsheathing her claws and facing the shadows. The tall trees loomed overhead, not revealing anything. "Who's there?" Nightpaw called into the darkness, she struggled to keep her voice steady.

"No need to be scared, Nightpaw." Nightpaw stumbled back, even though she called out she wasn't expecting a response. She watched in idle fear as a shape formed in the shadows, stepping into her view. She instantly recognized the tom and let out a hiss filled with disgust.

"Thornstar!"

"There's no need for that, Nightpaw." Thornstar had a calm look on his face, Nightpaw didn't trust it. "I'm not here to harm you."

"You've already done that enough." Nightpaw growled. "You tore my Clan apart!" Thornstar's ear twitched.

"Please, Nightpaw. Hear me out. I made mistakes, but I never intended to hurt AshClan. I loved your Clan, just as I loved your mother."

Nightpaw tensed at the mention of Echoheart. "Echoheart isn't my mother. She's a traitor who killed her own sister, I want nothing to do with her and nothing to do with you."

Thornstar winced. Is he actually upset by that? "I apologise for everything I've done to you and your Clan, Nightpaw, really. I never wanted that much death to befall AshClan, I only wanted to guide them. Just as I wanted to guide SunClan before they're exiled me."

"I'm not buying it." Nightpaw growled, flexing her claws. "You only wanted power, I've heard it plenty of times before." She looked away, avoiding his intense amber gaze."

"I did want power, yes." Thornstar lowered his head. "And I made poor choices to get my power, but that is in the past. AshClan is under the noble leadership of Riverstar and with your brother as a medicine cat, the Clan is surely in safe paws. And then there's you, a warrior who will give other Clans more than a challange."

Nightpaw whipped her attention back to Thornstar. "What are you talking about?"

Thornstar stood up. "I've been watching you, Nightpaw. Very closely, you are already advanced for your age. You fight with purpose and conviction. You know what you're fighting for, and you know you will do everything to get it." Nightpaw found herself locked in his gaze. "And that is protection, you want to protect your Clan. You want them to be safe under your watch." He stepped closer, Nightpaw tensed. "Nightpaw, with that kind of emotion you could fight off multiple enemies without wasting any energy. You'll be a warrior that AshClan will be proud of. Your name will wipe away both mine and your mothers."

Nightpaw stared, her eyes wide. What he's saying...is exactly what I want with my life. I want to protect my Clan...She shook her head. "Why are you telling me all of this?" She demanded.

"Because Nightpaw, I want to help you."

"Help me?" Nightpaw echoed, feeling skeptical.

"Yes, because I see great potential in you. I see a cat greater than myself, a cat who won't make my mistakes. I want you train you to be the best, to train you how to be the guardian that you Clan deserves."

Nightpaw felt swayed, but immediately shoved the thoughts away. I can't accept this! Can I? He's a horrible, horrible cat! He killed Lionstar, he killed so many... Still. Nightpaw couldn't shake the idea of his offer. As evil as he was, Thornstar was praised for his fighting skills...if he mentored me, taught me to fight like him...

"Do you have an answer for me?" Thornstar questioned, interest sparkling in his amber eyes. "If you chose to let me train me, you won't regret it. But if you say no, I'll leave you be."

Nightpaw stared at her white paws, they nearly glowed in the dark atmosphere of this forest. He's not going to teach me to be like him...just to fight like him, right? If he tries to sway me to think the same way he did it won't work. It won't... Nightpaw lifted her head, taking a deep breath. What could he possibly do to me?

"Yes." Nightpaw's voice shook slightly. "I'll let you train me, but," She quickly added. "Only because I want to be the best warrior I can be. I still think you ruined my Clan."

"I understand." Thornstar dipped his head. "Training you is my way of making up for what I did to your Clan, it's the least I can do to help."

Something didn't sit right in Nightpaw's heart, but she nodded. "Fine, when do we start training?"

"Not tonight," Thornstar replied, turning away from Nightpaw. "But soon, my dear apprentice. And it will be unlike any training you've ever had, but it will make you stronger."

"It better." Nightpaw said quietly, then watching Thornstar vanished into the shadows. Did I make a mistake? He said he wanted to train me, to make up for what he did...maybe he's telling the truth. Nightpaw closed her eyes, trying to think clearly. She was alone in this forest and felt like that someone was watching her.

Just as she was starting to get really uneasy, Nightpaw opened her eyes and was back in her nest in the apprentice den. Sunlight was starting to shine through the den's entrance and Dustpaw and Timberpaw had already left. Nightpaw stood up and climbed over Rabbitpaw and Leafpaw, stepping outside into camp.

It was early morning and it was chilly, Nightpaw shivered as the cold air embrace her. I don't know if I'm ready for the cold seasons. Nightpaw thought, she hated the cold. But I have to, so I can help my Clanmates. If Thornstar's training can help me with that than it will be worth it. Nightpaw swallowed her doubts and forced herself to be optimistic. What's the worst that could happen?