Warriors: Uprising (Book 1)

Chapter 27

Shred had told Shredflash that he should try to sharpen his claws more often. So he did on rocks whenever he got the chance to. Shredflash doesn't get sleep as much as the rest of his clans do. He knows it's important, but it bothers him when he sleeps. He feels like Blacksting could attack and kill him at any moment, which is why he has to kill him before Blacksting even has a chance of getting to him. Shredflash has also been training himself on his own time to deliver the killing blow when he needs to. He's also been clawing at the trunks of trees outside of Vertexclan territory so other members of his clan would not notice.

Shredflash looked over at his father, Blacksting. He was sleeping. He could attack him right now while he's sleeping, but that wouldn't be smart because Shred told him he should wait for a good opening. Shredflash was trying to think to himself until a set of paws stood in front of him. He looked up to see Cloudthorn, the youngest of Greenscar's three daughters. She was blushing as she stared at Shredflash.

"H-Hi Shredflash!" She meowed.

"Hello." He meowed back, licking his paw and then rubbing it over his head.

Cloudthorn looked away. She was still blushing. "I was wondering if you would want to share a piece of prey with me and sit with me by the Ocean Side?"

"Uh, sure? But what if we have to hunt or-"

Cloudthorn quickly cut him off. "I already have that taken care of! I told Birdstar and Skybelly I would be on every dawn patrol after today!"

"Okay... Let's go eat that piece of prey then," Shredflash meowed and got up. Cloudthorn gave an enormous smile as she and Shredflash left the Warriors' den.

Blacksting was just silently watching as the two cats left.

*

Shredflash and Cloudthorn had shared a nice and juicy squirrel was in the fresh-kill pile. But before they left the camp, Shredflash saw as Skybelly padded over to Blacksting. He couldn't tell what they were talking about, but Blacksting headed to Birdstar's den afterward.

I can only wonder what Birdstar needs Blacksting for... Shredflash thought before his thoughts got cut off by Cloudthorn yelling. "Hey, Shredflash! You coming?" She meowed.

"Yeah, I am now!" He meowed back and headed over to Cloudthorn. Then they both left camp.

*

Blacksting padded into Birdstar's den. He had no clue what he needed, but the tom knew what it would be about. Once he got in there, Birdstar looked up at him with anger in his eyes. "Blacksting, did you mess with the goatweed?" he questioned.

Blacksting rolled his eyes. "No, if I did, then it would be with meaning." He meowed.

"I can only suspect you, you're the only one besides me who knows where the goatweed is!" Birdstar exclaimed.

"Am I the only one who knows?" Blacksting smirked.

Birdstar was quiet for a moment.

"I'm just kidding, anyway. Was my scent even there? If it wasn't, then how could it have been me?" Blacksting said.

"N-No... But there weren't any scents there that I could smell! Besides a little of Driftclan, of course... The bush it was behind got moved, so I assumed it was you..." Birdstar looked away.

"Driftclan cats could have found your little farm already, didn't you think of that?" Blacksting shot back.

"Well, I-"

"They probably have smelled your scent more than you've smelt theirs. Now they probably know why you're over there all the time!" Blacksting exclaimed.

Birdstar went quiet again, still looking away from Blacksting.

"I'll be going back to the warriors' den now." He headed back out to Birdstar's den. "Oh, and also, I want you to make me the new deputy of Vertexclan instead of Skybelly. I'll be waiting until tomorrow. If not, then you will face my wrath." Blacksting laughed to himself while completely leaving the den.

Birdstar did not know what his next move would be.

*
Shredflash and Cloudthorn have been strolling down the Ocean Side for a while. Cloudthorn had talked about how being a warrior is fun and her sisters and her visit their mother in the Elders' den a lot.

You know what she wants from you, right? Shred said in his head. Shredflash got confused, but he continued listening to Cloudthorn. She then stopped and turned to him. "There was a reason I brought you out here, Shredflash..." She mewed and blushed heavily.

"Why is that?"

"I... want... to be your mate, Shredflash!" Cloudthorn blurted out.

Shredflash's eyes widened. He had no words at all for what this she-cat had told him.

You already know why you can't Shredflash. Don't be too harsh on her now... Shred's voice echoed.

"Cloudthorn... I'm flattered, but-"

"Please don't say no!" tears were falling out of her eyes. "Ever since you became a warrior, I've had my eyes on only you! I want to have kits with you and I'll protect you and them both if I have to!" she cried.

"Cloudthorn, I cannot be your mate," Shredflash meowed, now getting a serious look on his face.

"W-Why? Do you already have a mate...? Am I not good enough for you..?"

Shredflash sighed. "It's neither of those things. I cannot explain why I can't be mates with you. I will not push this any farther than it has to be and I suggest you don't either. I'm going back to camp, I'll see you there." Shredflash turned away from Cloudthorn and headed back to Vertexclan camp. Cloudthorn sat on the sand with tears falling onto it as she watched Shredflash pad away.

You did the right thing... Shred said.

Shredflash knew he couldn't be mates with her, it was for her safety.

He knew what he would do tomorrow:

Kill Blacksting.