The Darkest Moons (Warrior Cats)

12. Plans For Tomorrow

     Yowls filled the air, the scent of blood filling Palepaw's nose. He clenched his eyes closed as pain rippled through his flank, and he twisted and lashed out with claws extended. Warmth washed over his paw as blood spattered on his fur, and he stumbled and opened his eyes to look at his foe. Horror settled in his heart and disgust made him reel, and he scrambled back at the sight of the gray and black tabby. A stream of red trickled from the cat's throat, their amber eyes glassy as they stared upwards. 

     "Scorchpaw!" Palepaw gasped, and he felt as if he would retch. 

     "Kit of rogues!" A voice screeched, and as Palepaw turned to see the source, claws raked over his face, and all went dark. 

     "Palepaw! Palepaw, wake up!" 

     Palepaw batted weakly at the air, writhing in his nest as paws shoved him. He whimpered loudly as he opened his eyes. Shadowclaw loomed over him, green eyes filled with glittering concern. "Shadowclaw?" Palepaw mewled, sounding like a young kit. 

     "You were dreaming," the deputy meowed, backing away from Palepaw. "It's sunhigh now. We need to get to training. Froststrike is waiting for us in-" 

     "Why do you always choose Froststrike?" Palepaw asked hoarsely, standing and stretching.  

     Shadowclaw simply shrugged his shoulders and padded out of the den. Palepaw sighed and sat in his nest, quickly giving his chest a few licks to flatten his ruffled fur. He carefully began teasing knots of moss from the rest of his pelt, casting a glance towards Scorchpaw's empty nest as he did so. 

     That dream was so real. His chest tightened. I'd never do that to him. He thought of the fight between he and his friend after the gathering and shook his head. That's why I had that dream. 

     I should go meet Shadowclaw and Froststrike. Palepaw hopped out of his nest and padded out of the den, opening his jaws into a wide yawn. Redwing passed him, shoving him and slipping into the apprentices' den. What's her problem? 

     "Where's Scorchpaw?" The she-cat demanded, stomping out of the den. She glared at Palepaw with deep irritation, and she lashed her tail. "Well?" 

     "I just woke up," Palepaw mumbled, turning away and walking towards the middle of the camp. He ignored Ashtail, who was chatting happily with Rainfall, and he spent only a moment watching Echopaw as she rushed to the new medicine den with an old mouse for Clearwhisker. The den, woven with sticks and old brambles, quivered in the cold wind. At least there isn't a bunch of snow today to collapse it. It seems flimsy. 

     Palepaw turned his attention to the ledge of Blackstar's den, where the leader sat with Helen before him. They spoke in agitated whispers, Blackstar's ears flattening and his whiskers twitching angrily. Helen looked just as frustrated, but much more desperate. What in StarClan's name are they talking about? 

     "Palepaw, come on!" Shadowclaw ordered, standing by the camp's entrance. Palepaw huffed and ran towards his mentor, forgetting instantly about Blackstar and the rogue. Instead, he turned his mind towards the training ahead. It's probably more about ambushing. They seem obsessed with that. As he entered the forest, he listened to the faint crunch of the frost beneath his paws. Only as he focused on the cold against his pads did he realize just how chilled he felt. A cool wind blew, ruffling his fur and making him shiver. Newleaf seems so far away. 

     The training clearing, surrounded by newling brambles that could easily be leapt over – save one patch to the furthest side – was nearly frozen. Palepaw had to fight back a snort of amusement at the thought of Froststrike falling into the brambles. A light in the darkness, he thought with a purr. "Palepaw," Shadowclaw huffed, nudging Palepaw towards the center of the clearing. "Show me your best crouch." 

     This is for beginners! Palepaw trotted up to the middle and crouched, tucking his paws carefully and staring ahead intently, looking poised to lunge. He kept his tail above the ground and completely still, pressing his ears back.  

     Shadowclaw stalked in front of him and gave a faint nod, and a yowl split the air. Palepaw leaped to his paws. Startled, he twirled around to see Ashtail gasping for breath. "Blackstar's called a Clan meeting. He seems really mad." 

     "He's always mad," Froststrike hissed, stepping out from behind the bramble thicket. 

     So he was going to ambush me. Palepaw flicked his tail tip irritably.  

     "Let's go," Shadowclaw ordered, running past Ashtail. Palepaw groaned and hurried after him. The run to the camp was short, and all of the Clan was gathering. Blackstar was poised on the ledge, Helen beside him with a solemn look. Palepaw slipped into the mass of the group, settling between Tinypetal and Yellowfoot. As the last of the Clan gathered, Blackstar cleared his throat. 

     "I have chosen to take a chance with Helen, and have listened to what she has to say," he began. 

     "Finally," Yellowfoot grumbled. "She's been here for days." 

     "I thought Blackstar was smart," Patchback sneered from behind Palepaw. 

     For once, I agree with Patchback.  

     Blackstar's ears fell back as his Clan muttered to themselves. "She is willing to guide us to the rogue's camp." 

     "It's changed," Helen added before anyone could argue. 

     "I am sending a patrol to scout the way to the new camp. I believe it would be best to settle this dispute with the rogues before it grows into something worse. I would rather not allow this to drag out like last time," Blackstar explained. 

     "Sending a patrol is highly unwise!" Patchback snapped, jumping to his paws. "Can we even trust Helen? She came from the twolegplace! She could be one of the rogues!"  

     Blackstar bared his teeth at the warrior. "We will do what we must to prevent this threat from growing!" He puffed out his chest and sighed. "Helen will lead the patrol. Who else will go?" 

     "I will," Shadowclaw offered, stepping forward immediately. 

     Froststrike hastily rushed to the front of the group. "So will I," he meowed, looking to Shadowclaw. There was a flicker of worry in his eyes. 

     Shadowclaw has just recovered from a wound from the rogues. He needs the best. Palepaw moved through the crowd and stood beside Shadowclaw, glancing up at his mentor. I'll avenge my ear too. 

     Patchback slipped to Palepaw's side, glowering down at him accusingly.  

     Next, Ashtail bounded to the group. Blackstar gave an approving nod. "I believe that's enough. You'll be leaving tomorrow."