ShadedOak's Story

Chapter Nine

Several moons later, both Bluespark and ShadedOak had settled into their new clan. Most of the cats in DuskClan trusted them by now, but a few would take longer. The small warrior shook out her pelt, gazing up Honeystar. Recently, One-ear had announced that she was moving the elders den, and now it was time for a new deputy to be chosen.

"The time has come for me to choose a deputy," Honeystar began. "I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. ShadedOak will be DuskClan's deputy."

Shock and pride shone in her eyes as she stepped forward, "Thank you...I would have never expected this honor. But I promise I will do my best to protect this clan."

"ShadedOak!" The clan cheered. Over the few moons she had been there, she had grown quite popular within her clan. One-ear nodded in approval, head dipped respectfully.

The sun shone overhead, but it would soon be hiding. Quickly freeing herself from the crowd, she made her way back to her daughter.

"You'll make a great deputy," Bluespark purred.

Huh, I wonder if she got Stormrunner's wisdom...she pondered for a heartbeat. "I hope so!" She answered. Glancing over at the fresh-kill pile, she noticed it was low. "I think I'd better send out a hunting patrol."

"Alright then," Bluespark chuckled, "I'll be resting."

Hearing her, the other cats had begun to gather around her. "Ok, I'll take Twigstem, Featherdawn, and Storm."

The cats she had called out followed her out of the camp, the rest dispersing. Stalking quietly through the forest, the patrol spread out. Pricking her ears to listen for prey. Spotting a flicker of feathers through the leaves of a tree, she climbed up silently.

Approaching the branch, she carefully avoided making the branch creak and sway. When she was as close as she could get, ShadedOak got ready to pounce. But the bird noticed her, and started to fly off. The small warrior lunged, launching herself into the air after it.

Snatching it up by the throat, she bit down in mid-air, then landed on a branch opposite to her. She jumped down, the robin in her jaws.

"Nice catch," A voice sounded behind her. She jumped, turning around to see Blackshade, the ShadeClan deputy.

Oh StarClan...I didn't realize how close I was to border...

"Thanks..." She murmured shyly. "My mentor from a long time ago taught me how to hunt like that." Heat flushed beneath her pelt.

"Maybe you could teach me how to hunt like that sometime," He answered.

"But we're from different clans. How do you think they'd react if they caught us?" She warned.

"Well...I have a secret place where we could meet," Then he turned to go back to his clan, "Meet me here tonight and I'll show you." He then disappeared into the forest.

I'd better catch some more prey and get back to camp...She turned to follow another prey scent.

When her patrol returned to camp, she sent out a border patrol to finish for the night. The prey pile was filled up again, and she had curled up in her nest by the time the border patrol she had sent out returned.

She took a deep breath, making sure that everyone was asleep. Am I really doing this? Am I really going to meet an enemy that I've fallen in love with? She padded silently out of the den, resolved.

Leaping into one of the trees at the edge of the camp, she began to make her way to the border. Scanning for the tom, and for her clanmates, she jumped down silently. No one was in sight.

Looks like I got here first. She sat down, curling her tail over her paws. ShadedOak closed her eyes, listening for paw steps. Noticing his scent, she chuckled softly to herself.

"Hello, Blackshade," She stood up and padded over to greet him.

"Hi," He purred. "Let's go!"

Racing through unknown territory, she followed. ShadedOak had hidden her scent by rolling in the ShadeClan scent markers, so no one would suspect. Soon, the undergrowth opened up into a clearing surrounded by thorn bushes.

"Here we are," He stepped into the center of the clearing. "Before you start teaching me, I have a question for you."

"Ask away," She sat down beside him. They had been seeing each other at the Gatherings for moons, and knew each other well.

"ShadedOak, will you be my mate?" Blackshade asked softly.

She gasped, eyes full of surprise. The small warrior shook herself, then answered, "Before I say yes...I need to know something. You must promise to me you don't already have someone else."

"I promise," He murmured, voice truthful.

"In that case, then it's yes," She purred, leaning against him.

Several moons later, she was waiting for him up in a tree. Her eyes narrowed, suspicious.

He's late. She lashed her tail. What's he hiding now?

ShadedOak had no intention of telling him about his kits. If he told her what she thought he was hiding, their relationship was over. A rustle in the bushes told her he was here.

She jumped down, eyes narrowed. "Your late, Blackshade."

"Sorry...I had to deal with something," He apologized.

"Just what was that, 'something?'" She pressed, eyes blazing. "I know you're hiding something!"

"Whoa! Calm down. I'm not hiding anything," He tried to calm her, but failed.

"Then who's that?" She flicked her tail at Vixenflame, who had just emerged, and was very angry and hurt.

"So this is who you've been running off with?" The she-cat hissed, glaring at Blackshade. "I thought could I trust you to be true."

ShadedOak growled, eyes narrowed to slits, "And I thought I could trust you as well. Why would you hide something like this? I made you promise me you didn't already have someone!" She snapped. "Then you lied."

Without warning, she lunged at him, claws unsheathed. Pinning him down, she shoved his muzzle into the dirt. "Your kits are never going to know the cat I did!" She glared at him, raking her claws across his muzzle and belly.

ShadedOak leaped up into the trees, wanting to get away from him, leaving him staring after her in shock. When she had crossed the border, and was safe, she dug her claws into the branch. Tears threatened to overwhelm her, and she closed her eyes.

"Hey...it'll be alright," A gentle voice sounded beside her. It was Nettle.

"He lied to me, Nettle," She hissed, her pain and anger escaping.

"I know...I saw everything," The tom answered softly. "I will help you through this."

She looked up at him, ice-blue eyes full of tears, "Can I trust you? Can I truly trust you?"

"Yes. Yes, you can," He nudged her to her paws. "Now let's get you home."