Wild Shadows (Book Two; Series One)

Chapter 1

The sun shined brightly on the AlderClan camp. Almost everyone seemed to be out. Even Lilystorm crawled out of her nest to bask in this rare sun shine. Branchpaw was cleaning out the medicine cat den, old herbs were being tossed, while Pebbleheart looked for more herbs. Badgersight was making her way around camp, checking for colds or early signs of one.

Branchpaw was envious of his previous den-mates getting their names before him, but he couldn't be mad. He chose this career. Branchpaw finished cleaning out the den, the old herbs laying outside for the young kits to try and throw outside of camp.

"I bet I can throw this farther outside of camp than you Bearkit!" Mosskit purred, grabbing a crumpled and dried up daisy leaf. "Oh yeah? I bet I can throw this berry the farthest!" The dark brown kit huffed. Branchpaw smiled. It had been a couple moons since Silvermoon brought these kits over. No one knew where they came from. But here they are. Rowankit was the strongest kit. She was a russet color, with faded black highlights. She was the only she-kit, and the loudest of the bunch. Rowankit reminded him of young Silvermoon. Nowadays, Silvermoon always seemed to be on walks. Hopkit was by far the sweetest. He was extremely shy. He was a nice brown, almost like the dirt in the Earth. He had very subtle stripes. And than Bearkit was the Clan-Comedian. He made everyone laugh. Bearkit was a dark brown with lighter brown speckles. Almost like that Dustpaw from StoneClan. He had very rounded ears, even as a newborn. He never grew out of them.

There was seven kits, with Rosefoot expecting there would be more. Everything was perfect. "Brother," Bramblekit mewed. Branchpaw looked down. Bramblekit was slightly odd. He just had a weird personality. He used large and complicated words for a kit. "Yes, Bramblekit?" Branchpaw asked with a simple purr. "Mother said Sister has gone.. and she hasn't gotten back. She went to walk the forest." The tiny gray kit mewled. "She suggests you look for her." Bramblekit finished.  Branchpaw nodded, resting his tail tip on his younger brother's head.  "Thank you for telling me. Tell Hollyeyes I'll look for her." He murmured, turning to the camp exit. He accidentally stepped on a berry as he walked out. "Aw mouse-dung!" Bearkit huffed. Branchpaw looked at the berry on his paw. It's liquid spilled out. His eyes widened. It looked like.. blood.. 

 He didn't worry too much about it. It was only a berry. Branchpaw followed his sister's scent, his paws feeling the Earth under him. It was moist and soft. It must of rained at night. Branchpaw followed the scent to the meadow, that bridged onto the Two-leg place. "Silvermoon?" He called. He saw the gray she-cat's ears from over the top. Branchpaw pushed through the grass, seeing his sister, sitting there peacefully. He sat next to her. Branchpaw looked around. There was a black crow beside Silvermoon, it's feathers floating in the blood pool from it's neck. Branchpaw was concerned. Silvermoon just sighed. "He's still out there.." She murmured. "He's out there, preparing for me.. wanting to kill me.." Silvermoon uttered, her lip curling in disgust. "Silvermoon, he isn't coming back. He's gone.. He left. You know that. Multistar sent patrols all over the territory checking. They checked every inch and corner!" Branchpaw replied. "They didn't check my dreams!" Silvermoon barked out, showing her teeth. "Blackfeather is still there! He's in my head!" She cried, collapsing under the weight. Branchpaw felt his heart break. Blackfeather destroyed his once preppy and happy sister. Sure, she was loud, ambitious, and kinda annoying and bratty, but he'd rather that than this. Silverpaw was gone. He didn't even know Silvermoon. "Silvermoon.." Branchpaw whispered, pressing his nose to his sister's head. "I can't trust anyone.. Blackfeather said everyone could be working for him.." Silvermoon cried out. 

 Branchpaw just laid with his sister, his head on hers. "It's okay.. You can trust me." He murmured. Silvermoon pulled away, looking at him. "How?" She whispered. "Because.. I'm going to take you to the Star Pool." Branchpaw said firmly. "Why.. How will that help?" Silvermoon murmured. "It'll help us.. to destroy Blackfeather." Branchpaw meowed. Silvermoon was shocked, but nodded. "When?" She asked. "After I get my medicine cat name. I can't go alone yet. For now, I'll supervise your dreams." 

 "You're a good brother." Silvermoon murmured. "Anything for you.. you're my sister.. My first one." Branchpaw smiled. Silvermoon smiled back, before hesitantly grabbing her crow and leaving for camp. Branchpaw followed. He hoped everything would be okay.