Warriors: Divided Loyalty

Chapter Twenty-Six

"By the powers of StarClan, I grant you your warrior name." The mew of Spiderstar made Nightshrike glance at her apprentice, something washing through her. What is this? She wondered but watched silently. "From this moment on, you will be known as Goldenfire. StarClan honors your skills in hunting and fighting and we welcome you as a full member of OakClan." Spiderstar touched the new warrior's forehead with his nose and in turn, Goldenfire licked his shoulder.

"Goldenfire! Goldenfire! Goldenfire!" Cheered Nightshrike's Clanmates and she saw Goldenfire's chest puffing out with pride. He better not think that just because a warrior, he doesn't have anything else to learn. She thought darkly as the tom sat down next to Redstripe and Blueheart.

"Before you return to your duties," Spiderstar went on. "I must appoint a new deputy in replacement of Tawnywillow, who died much too early." The cats around Nightshrike straightened and she found herself doing the same, waiting for her leader to announce the new deputy. "I say these words before the body and spirit of Tawnywillow so she may hear an approve my choice. The new deputy of OakClan will be Halfthroat."

Nightshrike felt resentment boil her blood as her former mentor rose to his paws and padded forward, every hair on her pelt burned with anger and jealousy. Halfthroat looked pleased and he turned to address the Clan.

"I am greatly honored by Spiderstar's decision and I know I will never be half the deputy Tawnywillow was." His tone was laced in mock grief and Nightshrike bristled. "But I vow to do as best I can."

Nightshrike seethed in rage, tail lashing. Why was Halfthroat chosen to be deputy and not me? Her claws unsheathed and she pressed them into the ground. As Spiderstar dismissed the Clan, Nightshrike padded towards Halfthroat. "Are we still going to meet with the others?" She asked, struggling to keep the anger out of her voice.

Halfthroat licked a gray paw and washed his ear, looking at Nightshrike as if he was bored. "I was wondering when you would ask me that," he mused, raising his paw and unsheathing his claws. He studied his claws, annoying Nightshrike. "The Gathering is tomorrow, we'll see them then." He turned his head to Nightshrike. "Run along now, Nightshrike."

Nightshrike curled her lips back into a snarl but her growling stomach pulled her away from clawing Halfthroat's pelt. Turning away, she stalked towards the fresh-kill pile and snatched up a starling and sat down underneath a willow tree.

Pawsteps approached her and Nightshrike looked up to see Swiftsoul padding up to her. "Hey, Nightshrike," he mewed, gesturing to her starling. "Wanna share?"

Nightshrike growled quietly in annoyance and nodded reluctantly, shifting away as he sat down next to her. "Go ahead, I'm not hungry." She lied, looking away from the black and white spotted tom.

"You sure?" He asked, pushing the bird towards her with a spotted paw. When she glared at him, Swiftsoul held her gaze calmly. "You need to eat, Nightshrike." The young warrior pressed softly, nudging the bird closer to her.

Fed up with his insistence, she snapped. "I'm not hungry, Swiftsoul!" He looked at her in shock as she rose to her paws and stormed away, tail slashing the air. Squeals came from the elders den and Nightshrike watched as Graykit, Wolfkit, and Ferretkit were chased out of the den by a rather angry-looking Cloverleap.

The three kits looked excited and mischievous as they took cover behind Voletuft, who was basking in the sun outside the nursery. Graykit hid in her mother's tail while Wolfkit and Ferretkit hid behind her back, poking their heads up to watch Cloverleap.

"Voletuft, those rascals of yours keep bugging me while I'm trying to rest!" She growled, glaring angrily at the two visible kits. Nightshrike detected slight amusement and begrudging love for the three kits.

Voletuft purred. "Now, what did I tell you three about pestering the elders when they're trying to have a nap?" She raised her tail, exposing Graykit. She let out a squeak and hurried to join her siblings, who sprinted into the nursery. Nightshrike's mother chuckled and looked up at Cloverleap. "You know you adore the kits, Cloverleap." She teased.

The elder purred with amusement. "That's quite true," she meowed. "Well, I better see if I can go see Vixenpool and Amberpaw. I hear Amberpaw has been training hard to become a warrior." She stretched and let out a yawn. "See you around, Voletuft."

Nightshrike padded away, not wanting to be around her mother. Maybe Reedfrost wants me to collect some herbs. She headed towards the medicine den, hearing voices inside.

"-alf-Clan." That was Spiderstar's voice and the fur along Nightshrike's neck and spine rose. "We can't be sheltering a potentially dangerous cat."

Reedfrost sighed. "She can't be any more suspicious than a hungry fox that stole prey." Nightshrike crouched down next to the entrance of the den, listening closely. "Since Tawnywillow's death and her and Goldenfire not being in camp, suspicions are higher than the Tall Tree."

Nightshrike froze out of fear. They're talking about me. But, I can't be half-Clan, can I? She stifled a hiss and she shifted closer to the den, pressing her ear to the wall.

"What will you do with her?" Reedfrost's question was soft and quiet, making Nightshrike bristle. "If you are right, she cannot live within the confines of the camp with so many kits in the nursery."

Spiderstar was silent for a moment before he spoke. "I'm afraid I have only one choice." The whole world held its breath as Spiderstar went on. "I must exile Nightshrike from OakClan."