Enemies in the Shadows

Enemies in the Shadows is a fanfic written by Emberkit (Emberfang). It was started on December 5th, 2015.

Prologue
The moon shined into the clearing. Blood stained the ground and formed in pools. In the center of the clearing, a group of ragged-furred cats stood defiantly, their eyes gleaming with hatred. The cats that sat around them stank of blood and fear as they turned their eyes towards a large gray tom that stood before them.

The gray tom hissed at the group of cats in the middle of the clearing. “I can’t believe a Clan cat could be capable of such a treacherous act!”

The largest cat of the group, a muscular tortoiseshell tom, curled his lip in contempt and sneered, “Well, Ican’t believe that any cat would listen and obey orders from such a feeble, crowfood-eating pile of fox-dung!” The other cats gasped in shock as the tom hurled insults at the most respected cat in the Clan.

“If you have nothing more to say,” mewed the muscular, gray tom, seemingly oblivious to the other cat’s barrage of insults, “then I now condemn you and your friends to exile. From now on, any one of you caught in our territory have my permission to kill you.”

The tom could barely suppress his laughter at the cat’s speech. “When one of your warriors meet one of my group, we’ll see who’ll kill who,” spat the tom.

“Enough talk. Get out of my territory now,” snarled the gray tom.

As the group of cats limped to the camp exit, the tortoiseshell tom turned to glare at the cats he was about to abandon. “You better remember this, Stonestar,” he mewed to the gray tom, “because I’ll be back.” With his final threats spoken, he and his cats shambled away, leaving the cats of their Clan behind him.

Allegiances
ShadowClan

Leader: Jumpstar – Black-and-brown tom

Deputy: Marshflame – Gray tom with yellow eyes

Medicine Cat: Puddlespots – Gray tom with white patches

Warriors ———— Crowtalon – Black tom with long, curled claws, Apprentice: Tanglepaw Mossberry – Tortoiseshell she-cat Lizardpelt – Brown-and-white tabby tom Pinebranch – Black-and-brown tom with green eyes Mistfire – Gray she-cat with shredded ears Creekshade – Black-and-white tom, Apprentice: Runningpaw Flametooth- Ginger-and-white tom, Apprentice: Podpaw Applepool – Cream-colored she-cat with blue eyes Newtstripe – Brown tabby she-cat Blackwhisker – White tom with black muzzle, Apprentice: Lightningpaw Rainblossom: Silver she-cat with green eyes Swallowsong: Brown-and-white she-cat, Apprentice: Driftpaw Oakclaw – Jet-black tom Hollybird – Tabby-and-white she-cat, Apprentice: Dawnpaw Bloomflower – Tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat

Apprentices: Tanglepaw – Orange tabby tom with amber eyes Podpaw – Dappled gray tom with striped legs Runningpaw – Gray-and-brown tom Driftpaw – Golden brown she-cat Dawnpaw – Brown she-cat with green eyes Lightningpaw – Black-and-white tom with yellow eyes

Queens: Nightberry – Black she-cat with green eyes (mother of Darkkit and Poppykit)

Elders: Scorchstorm – Bright ginger tom with yellow eyes Thornstripe – Black tabby tom Goldenwind – Golden she-cat with white patches —————- ThunderClan

Leader: Palestar – Large silver tom

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Deputy: Hawkeyes – Brown tom with piercing yellow eyes

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Medicine Cat: Dapplelight – Tortoiseshell she-cat with black patches, Apprentice: Spikepelt —————–

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">RiverClan

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Leader: Brightstar – White she-cat with yellow eyes

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Deputy: Splinterfang – Yellow tabby tom

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Medicine Cat: Bluenose – Blue-gray tom ——————

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">WindClan: Flightstar: Black-and-white tom

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Deputy: Hareclaw – Red tom with amber eyes

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Medicine Cat: Sparrowfoot – Pale brown tabby she-cat

Chapter 1
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Catch the ball, Lightningkit!”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Lightningkit heard the squeal of his sister, Dawnkit, as she threw the ball of moss in his direction. Wiggling his haunches, he leaped up into the air and caught the ball with his claws. Lightningkit heard a gasp of admiration from the nursery, and as he turned around, he spotted the black pelt of Darkkit, the tortoiseshell fur of Poppykit and their gaping jaws as they saw him catch the ball.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">The two kits rushed over to him and bounced up and down and asked, “Can we play? Pleeease?” Lightningkit’s whiskers twitched with amusement. How could he say no? “Okay,” he said, “Darkkit, you can be on my team, and Poppykit? You can go on Dawnkit’s team.”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">As the kits rushed over to their sides, Lightningkit heard the brambles near the entrance of the ShadowClan camp rustle, and he saw a familiar gray-and-white shape pad out.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Hey, Puddlespots is back from the Moonstone!,” Dawnkit exclaimed.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Hi, Puddlespots!,” Darkkit mewed, “What happened at the Moonstone? Did you dream?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “I can’t wait to go to the Moonstone when I’m done my apprenticeship!,” he babbled on.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Sorry, kits,” Puddlespots meowed, “I have to go pick some herbs for my store. If,” he added, “there’s any left. I wouldn’t be surprised since it’s leaf-bare; y’can’t expect plants to grow in this cold.” With his words spoken, Puddlespots rushed off to his den to count his herbs.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“I’m getting bored!,” squeaked Poppykit suddenly, “And cold! I’m going back to the nursery.” Lightningkit noticed her nose turning pale, and her fur shivering. He suddenly felt how cold he was. Lightningkit fluffed up his black-and-white fur. “How about we all go to the nursery to warm up?,” he suggested. Darkkit and Poppykit pelted towards the nursery without hesitation, but he saw the brown shape of Dawnkit hesitating near the entrance. “Hey, Lightningkit!,” she called. “Do you smell something…weird?”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Weird?” Lightningkit sniffed the air. “What are you talking abo-”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Then he smelled it.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">The scent of blood.

Chapter 2
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Dawnkit pricked her ears as the entrance brambles rustled. Heartbeats later, a patrol bursted into the ShadowClan camp

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Dawnkit’s eyes widened. Applepool, Mossberry, Creekshade and his apprentice, Runningpaw, stood at the camp entrance, covered in wounds and smelling of blood and rat-scent. She heard her Clanmates gasp in shock and horror as they stared at the battered patrol.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Jumpstar, alerted by the noise, bounded from his den into the clearing. “What happened?,” he gasped. “Rats attacked us,” Applepool hissed with fury.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Rats did this?” Jumpstar gaped with surprise. Dawnkit understood his confusion; the hunters had never been attacked by prey.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“What are you waiting for?!,” Nightberry yowled. “Fetch Puddlespots!” she yowled at the leader. Dawnkit knew that she was yelling at her leader just because her mate was injured.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Lightningkit shifted his paws nervously. “Um… Puddlespots is out fetching herbs,” he stammered.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“I know what to do.” Dawnkit did a small jump in surprise. Looking behind her, she saw Driftpaw standing behind her. Dawnkit remembered Driftpaw telling her that she had trained as a medicine cat before becoming a warrior apprentice. Without hesitation, Driftpaw rushed into Puddlespots’ den. Dawnkit wondered what herbs Driftpaw would find. No plants grew in leaf-bare, and Puddlespots himself said that his stock was low.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">She could tell that Jumpstar was thinking the same by seeing the worry in his eyes. “Crowtalon, go fetch Puddlespots!” Jumpstar ordered. The black tom sprinted out the entrance at his leader’s order.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Nightberry sprinted over to her mate, Creekshade, and began to lick his fur vigorously. “Are you hurt?,” she fretted. Creekshade flattened his ears in embarrassment as his mate fussed over him. I don’t know what’s harder for him, Dawnkit thought in amusement. Having to fight the rats or being fussed over by his mate in front of the entire camp!

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Dawnkit turned her head towards the nursery as a familiar scent touched her nostrils. Bloomflower, her mother, was sniffing her daughter’s fur. “Are you okay?” the tortoiseshell mewed. She was saved from having to reply when Lightningkit padded over. “Relax, Mom,” he mewed. “We’re okay!” “Whew!” Bloomflower sighed in relief. “When I smelled blood, I thought you two were hurt in another one of your adventures!”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Driftpaw returned from the medicine cat den, holding a few wrinkled herbs in her jaws. She beckoned for the injured warriors to come closer for treatment. “Stay still while I put this cobweb on…,” she mewed softly to her brother, Runningpaw.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Suddenly Marshflame’s ears twitched and he turned his eyes to the entrance. A few heartbeats later, Crowtalon and Puddlespots rushed into camp, Puddlespots holding a few chervil roots in his jaws.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Thank StarClan you’re here!” Jumpstar exclaimed. “Driftpaw needs help to treat the warriors.”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">As Puddlespots rushed to help his former apprentice, Crowtalon shredded the ground with his claws. “Jumpstar, you need to hear what I have to say!” he mewed. Jumpstar leaned forward, his ears pricked with interest. Dawnkit found herself anticipating the black warrior’s announcement.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“ThunderClan has invaded!” he yowled.

Chapter 3
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">ShadowClan gasped. Marshflame and Nightberry leaped to their paws in fury. The claws of Mossberry and Hollybird were unsheathed. Everyone’s pelt was bristling in anger. Only Jumpstar, Puddlespots, the elders, and a few other cats were remaining calm. Lightningkit felt his own black-and-white fur fluff up in anger. In the tension of the moment, he no longer felt the chill of leaf-bare. Instead, the heat of battle warmed up his body.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Where were the scents?” asked Jumpstar.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Near the Thunderpath,” Crowtalon responded. “There was fresh-kill with their scent on it.”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Pinebranch, Lightningkit and Dawnkit’s father and Jumpstar’s brother, spoke. “They might’ve found the Thunderpath tunnel,” he muttered.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">The Thunderpath tunnel was a secret tunnel under the Thunderpath, surrounded by grass and brambles. It was one of the many secrets of ShadowClan’s territory. If ThunderClan find out about it…, Lightningkit thought. He didn’t want do finish the thought.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Pinebranch’s words had obviously awoken the same thoughts in his Clanmates. “They can attack us through the tunnel!” Lizardpelt shrieked. The Clan gasped in shock and fear.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Now, let’s not jump to conclusions,” Puddlespots interrupted the Clan’s outburst. “Just because they were near the Thunderpath doesn’t mean that they found the tunnel. All of you know how well hidden it is.”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Yes,” Jumpstar acknowledged the medicine cat’s words. “But they’ve still stolen prey from us. It’s leaf-bare, and we have none to spare. I’ll take it up at the next Gathering. But no one is to mention this before then. You all know what Palestar would do.”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“So no attack?” Mistfire asked. “Is that a good idea? They’ll keep stealing if we don’t stop them.” Lightningkit winced as she challenged her leader, until he reminded himself that Jumpstar should be used to the she-cat’s challenges. She had been the leader’s apprentice, after all.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“No attack,” Jumpstar confirmed. “ThunderClan would see it as an unprovoked attack, and, if we brought up the prey-stealing, they would just deny it. Palestar’s would never admit that his warriors broke the code, even if they broke it in front of his eyes. Besides, Puddlespots is low on his herb stock. If we had injuries, how would they be healed?” Mistfire reluctantly agreed with a nod.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Also, I wanted to do something else today, other than an attack,” announced Jumpstar. “Today, we have an important event to carry out. Today, two of our kits have reached the age of six moons and are ready to be apprenticed.”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">  He means us! Lightningkit realized.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Dawnkit, Lightningkit, step forward,” Jumpstar ordered. The two kits padded forward to face the ShadowClan leader.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Dawnpaw, your mentor will be Hollybird.” Hollybird padded forward to touched noses with Dawnpaw. “Don’t worry,” Lightningkit heard the tabby-and-white she-cat mew. “You’ll be a great apprentice.”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Hollybird, you are a loyal and dedicated member of ShadowClan. Teach all you know with Dawnpaw.” Hollybird dipped her head. “I’ll do my best,” Hollybird promised.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Lightningpaw,” Jumpstar mewed. “You will be apprenticed to Blackwhisker.”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Lightningpaw shuffled forward, his fur tingling with nervousness and excitement, as he went to touch his mentor’s muzzle. “You’ll be great,” Blackwhisker promised, his blue eyes glittering with happiness as his apprentice touched noses with him.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Blackwhisker, you’re an amazing hunter and fighter. Teach your apprentice to follow your pawsteps,” Jumpstar meowed, finishing the ceremony.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Lightningkit’s head felt light with joy as his Clanmates called him and his sister their new names.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">  Lightningpaw! Dawnpaw!

Chapter 4
<span style="color:rgb(56,56,56);font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;font-weight:normal;line-height:21.06px;">  "Congratulations! You're an apprentice <span style="color:rgb(56,56,56);font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;font-weight:normal;line-height:21.06px;"> now!” said Podpaw as he greeted the new apprentices, Dawnpaw and Lightningpaw. “It’s great being an apprentice!; you get to patrol, hunt, fight for your Clan, train for battle, did I mention that you can hunt now? Oh, yeah, you also get to go on patrols, have battle training, go to Gatherings…”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Dawnpaw had only been listening with half an ear until Podpaw had brought up Gatherings. Gatherings!, Dawnpaw thought excitedly. I get to go to Gatherings! Dawnpaw had always wondered how life was outside the borders of ShadowClan; what did ThunderClan do all day? How did RiverClan hunt for fish? How could WindClan run so fast?

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Lightningpaw was clearly thinking across different lines. Dawnpaw noted how her brother’s yellow eyes shone at the mention of fighting and battle training. Dawnpaw remembered with a wince how easily Lightningpaw had pinned her on the ground whenever they play-fought, and how he had won with ease against Darkkit and Poppykit – both who were only one moon younger than him – when they had fought him two-on-one. He’ll be a great fighter, Dawnpaw reflected, admiring her brother’s skill in battle.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Anyways.” Tanglepaw interrupted Dawnpaw’s thoughts. “Let me show you where you two are going to sleep.” He guided the two new apprentices into the den, which was a large, hollow boulder surrounded by bushes. Dawnpaw recognized the large, curved roof of the den from when she and Lightningpaw had once snuck into the den at night when they had been kits. In the middle of the den, there were six nests lined with moss, leaves, and grass. Tanglepaw flicked his bright orange tail towards two nests near the edge of the den. “Those two are yours,” said Tanglepaw before heading to a nest closer to the middle of the den.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Who do those two nests belong to?” asked Lightningpaw, prodding Podpaw’s shoulder with his paw. He was talking about two nests near the center off the den. The scent of the cat sthat slept in there was stale; Dawnpaw could only smell a small whiff of the scent that was in the nests.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Podpaw turned around to look at the two nests, then looked at Lightningpaw with a cold stare. “Those belong to Driftpaw and Runningpaw,” he responded stiffly, before turning his back pointedly to Lightningpaw and heading over to his own nest. Dawnpaw was confused at how different his behavior was from his jolly personality when he had greeted Lightningpaw and Dawnpaw to the apprentice’s den.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Lightningpaw blinked, his eyes glittering with hurt. “What did I do?” he wondered. Dawnpaw thought she knew the answer. “He must be sad that his brother is hurt.,” she answered. Runningpaw, Podpaw’s brother, had been ambushed by rats when he had been on patrol. “After all, Runningpaw was his brother. They did everything together.”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“I guess.” Lightningpaw still looked hurt, but he didn’t seem as sad as he had been a few moments ago. He curled his tail over his eyes. “Good night, Dawnpaw,” he mewed.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Good night, Lightningpaw,” Dawnpaw purred

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">++++++++++++++++++++

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“WAKE UP!”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Dawnpaw blinked open her eyes, still sticky with sleep. She stood up on her paws, her legs trembling slightly. She felt as though she had gotten no sleep. She padded slowly out of the den. Outside, she saw an furious glare from Hollybird, her mentor.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“There you are,” Hollybird mewed irritably. “Where’ve you been? I was calling for you for hours! Lightningpaw’s already out with his mentor, and he left while you were sleeping.”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Dawnpaw was stung by her mentor’s fury. “I’m sorry, but-”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Don’t worry, Dawnpaw.” Dawnpaw jumped at a voice behind her. Turning around, she saw Flametooth behind her, smiling and his eyes glittering with what seemed to be amusement. “I remember when Hollybird was first apprenticed; she nearly slept the whole day away!”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Dawnpaw giggled, forgetting her mentor’s anger. She could hardly imagine Hollybird, one of them Clan’s strictest warriors, sleeping through the whole day. Behind her, Hollybird was glaring angrily at Flametooth but made no attempt to deny his comment.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Anyways,” Flametooth meowed, clearly ignoring Hollybird’s furious stare,”I was just going to take Podpaw out for a hunting lesson. Do you mind if we join you?”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Hollybird was just about to open her jaws for a retort, but she clearly thought better of it. Dawnpaw suspected that she didn’t complain because Marshflame was nearby, listening to the conversation. “Fine.” Hollybird’s forehead was furrowed in a scowl, but she lead the three cats outside the thorn barrier.

Chapter 5
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">  "What can you smell?"

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Dawnpaw gazed around the pine forest. She could hear a lot – singing birds, chirping crickets, croaking frogs – but Hollybird had asked what she could smell. Not sure if I can smell much in here.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Next to her, Podpaw was twitching his ears as though he could hear a piece of prey in every direction. Hollybird scowled. “You must be able to smell something.”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">  I can smell the damp wet forest, that’s for sure.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Don’t stress her.” That was Flametooth. He turned his head to Dawnpaw. “Don’t worry,” he soothed. “It’s always hard the first time.”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Dawnpaw shifted her paws in embarrassment and annoyance. She was hoping that she would be able to please her mentor without Flametooth’s help.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“I can smell some frogs,” mewed Dawnpaw uncertainly, half-guessing.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“Good! Very good!” Dawnpaw’s pelt felt warm when her mentor praised her, melting the frosty air of leaf-bare.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">But Dawnkit smelled something else. She heard some twitching sounds and a meaty scent. Mouse! The elders loved the juicy, warm taste of mouse. This rodent would make a tasty treat for the elders. Dawnpaw pinpointed the creature by sound. The mouse was plump. It was hiding under in a small patch of withered flowers, nibbling a tiny seed that it held in its paws. Perfect! The mouse was plump for so late in leaf-bare. Dawnpaw itched to leap and kill it on the spot, but she knew it would do no good.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">In a flash, she recalled how she had seen the apprentices practice their hunting crouches when she had been a kit. Slowly, she ducked low and moved quietly towards her prey. Hollybird’s eyes gleamed in surprise when she saw Dawnpaw stalking the mouse. Slowly… Slowly… NOW!

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Dawnpaw leaped forwards onto the mouse. It turned around, eyes bright with terror, but it knew it was as good as dead. Crunch! Dawnpaw bit down on the mouse’s neck. She carried it back to her mentor, whose eyes gleamed with happiness.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“I knew you could do it!” Hollybird mewed in triumph. Flametooth’s ears twitched in surprise. “That’s a plump creature for so cold in leaf-bare!” he exclaimed.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Podpaw’s claws ripped at the ground. “Can I try now?” he asked.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“No,” Hollybird replied. “We’re all cold, and I don’t hear anymore prey around here. They’re must be deep in their burrows by now. Let’s go back to camp.”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">++++++++++++++++++++

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">When Dawnpaw reached camp, she knew there was something wrong. Everyone was in the middle of the clearing, their heads bowed in grief. The scent of death reached Dawnpaw’s nostrils. Dawnpaw rushed into the clearing.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“What happened?” Podpaw gasped.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Creekshade lifted his head. “Runningpaw died,” he croaked.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“NO!” Podpaw collapsed onto the ground. Puddlespots rushed over, holding some herbs in his jaws. Dawnpaw stared in disbelief at the gray-and-brown body that lay in the clearing. Runningpaw’s pelt was splotched with blood, his amber eyes blank, staring at nothing, his tail limp.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">“He died from his wounds.” Jumpstar meowed. “He was weakened by his wounds. He could barely walk, let alone survive a day in the cold.”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Dawnpaw shambled over to her brother, Lightningpaw. “I can’t believe he’s gone,” Lightningpaw mewed weakly. Dawnpaw couldn’t believe it either. Runningpaw’s gone forever.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:24px;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:21.06px;font-family:'OpenSans',sans-serif;color:rgb(56,56,56);">Marshflame lifted his head weakly. “We will sit vigil for him tonight. No one in ShadowClan will ever forget him.” Murmurs of grief and agreement were spoken. The elders carried out Runningpaw’s body for the vigil. ShadowClan gathered in the clearing to share tongues with their dead Clanmate for the last time.