Chapter 6

Nightpaw screwed her eyes shut as ShadowClan sat vigil for their fallen leader. The moon hung bright in the sky, and the stars twinkled with extra brightness. Nightpaw desperately hoped this was a good omen. In these past moons, ShadowClan had suffered. Was StarClan angry with them? Is this why Oakstar died?

Shadeclaw, now Shadestar, had gone to alert the other Clans with Blazefur.

Leaftail was quietly grieving for her mate, her kits huddled around her. Sunkit looked the saddest of his siblings, the shock plastered on his face, giving him an older look.

Nightpaw's ears pricked as Shadestar quietly re-entered the camp, Blazefur close behind.

"Cats of ShadowClan!" Shadestar yowled from the Dark Rock. "We grieve for our fallen leader. Oakstar will be remembered as the great cat he was, loyal and determined. In his words, our faith in StarClan must not waver. We must travel towards the dawn, not flee from it. So now, while his body still lays among us, a new deputy must be chosen. The new deputy of ShadowClan is Mistflower."

The gray she-cat looked absolutely shocked, and Nightpaw couldn't help but share her surprise. The obvious choice seemed to be Addertooth or Pebblepelt.

However, the two were still the first to cheer.

"Mistflower! Mistflower! Mistflower! " The cries rang through the camp, as loud as thunder.

Mistflower dipped her head to her Clan. "This is a total shock. I would have never expected this. I am honored to be chosen, and I pledge to bring ShadowClan to glory."

Blazefur stepped forward. "May I also speak?" He asked, glancing at Shadestar.

The pale brown tom nodded. "Of course. Go ahead."

Blazefur turned to face his Clan. "One thing I have always loved about this Clan is how close we all are. We play together. We fight together. We grieve together. We are like family. This is a sign of a strong Clan, and a Clan that will prosper."

Nightpaw nodded in approval. His words were perfect, giving the Clan a hopeful air.

Foxfang padded towards Oakstar's body, and layed lavender over him. "Farewell, Oakstar. May you find good hunting, swift running, and shelter when you sleep."

Beethorn and Marshfur, gazes clouded with sadness, picked up the dark brown tom and carried him out of camp for burial. Leaftail trailed after him, her kits close behind.

Lily and Thistle seemed out of place in the vigil, staying in the medicine den for the majority of the ceremony. Nightpaw noted how close to birth Lily was getting.

Nightpaw felt a tail curl around her. Sparrowwing was holding on to her. Her ears grew hot for a few moments, but she didn't move away. She liked this. It felt right.

》》》》》》》》

Nightpaw bunched her muscles and leaped, landing square on the vole in front of her. It let out a squeak as soon as it spotted her, and slipped out of her paws. She let out a hiss. "Foxdung!"

The long-furred apprentice froze as a tom padded out of the bushes. He smelled of ThunderClan. Nightpaw immediately recognized him as the gray tom from her first battle.

She narrowed her eyes as he began to speak. "You almost caught that vole." He laughed.

Nightpaw growled. "What do you think you're doing on ShadowClan territory?"

The tom smiled. "Meeting you."

Nightpaw blinked. Was he stupid? "You can't be here! Leave."

He shook his head, stepping closer. "No, no, no. See, Nightpaw, I don't think you really want to chase me out, do you? Not before I give you my message?"

"What's your message?" Nightpaw studied him through narrowed eyes. What game was he playing? Was he alone?

"My message is simply a request. Maybe you'd want to meet me at the Gathering Island? At moonhigh? Tomorrow?" His gray fur ruffled in the breeze and he sat down, curling a tail around his paws.

"I don't even know your name," Nightpaw whispered. As much as she didn't want to admit it, this tom was oddly charming. And she hated it.

"It's Ashpaw."

In a few heartbeats, he was gone. Nightpaw stared after him, dumbfounded.

》》》》》》

Nightpaw blinked in the darkness, unable to fall asleep. It had been a day since her meeting with Ashpaw, and a question hung in her mind. What should she do? Should she meet up with the tom?

She glanced at Thistle, fast asleep. No cat would see her if she left. It was now or never. She ducked into the clearing, eyes flashing, and stalked to the camp entrance. Pebblepelt was guarding the camp.

"Going on a walk?" He asked, whiskers twitching.

Nightpaw gave a nervous nod. "Um, yeah."

The tom stared at her before stepping aside. "Alright then."

Nightpaw smiled and raced into the pine forest, her legs moving at top speed. She had to make it to the island.

After what seemed like an eternity, she sprinted across the log and onto the island, completely out of breath. Sure enough, his pelt glowing in the moon light, Ashpaw was there.

She padded into the clearing, watching as his green eyes poured into her.

"You're here! I thought you wouldn't come!" He approached her, gaze sincere.

Nightpaw felt her stomach turn. Did he really feel that way about her? Did she feel the same way?

"Why me?" She whispered.

Ashpaw flicked his tail, coming closer. "Nightpaw, you're clever, and strong, and beautiful."

Nightpaw narrowed her eyes. "You barely know me."

"I know you enough."

Nightpaw sighed, turning around. "It can never work between us," she murmured. "You're ThunderClan, and I'm ShadowClan."

"We can try. That is, if you give us a chance." He stared into her eyes as she turned around.

Nightpaw gave a purr. "Fine."

Ashpaw curled his tail around her. "You won't regret it. I promise."

》》》》》》》》》

Wolffur narrowed his eyes as she stumbled into camp. "Where have you been?" He hissed. "You're late."

Nightpaw shrugged. "I was just going on a walk. Sorry."

Wolffur sighed. "Nightpaw, you can't just evade training like that. And why do you smell like ThunderClan?"

"I-I was walking by the ThunderClan border." She stammered, remembering her night with Ashpaw. For once, she had been... happy.

Wolffur flicked his tail, irritated. "Alright then. You can spend the day in camp since you obviously used all your energy in this walk."

Nightpaw unsheated her claws and dug them into the ground, a nervous habit of hers. "I'm sorry! I won't do it again. Can I please go on patrol? Just one?"

Wolffur grinned. "Oh, I can't stay mad at you for long. Fine. Mistflower assigned me to a border patrol. You can come."

Nightpaw bounced after him as they raced, side by side after the border patrol. They pushed through a thistle thicket, just in time to see Mistflower, Pebblepelt, Echowing, Birdsong, Addertooth, and Rainheart standing across the stream from a ThunderClan patrol. Nightpaw's eyes widened when she Ashpaw on ShadowClan territory.

"Why is this apprentice on our territory?" Mistflower hissed.

A white tom gave a growl. "Why don't you ask him?" He turned to the gray tom. "We've been looking for you all day! Why are you on ShadowClan territory?"

Nightpaw gasped inwardly. He must still be traveling back from the island!

Ashpaw swallowed and turned to his Clan. "I was taking a walk when I scented a rogue. I followed the scent trail, and accidentally ended up here. I'm sorry, Frostfang."

Frostfang narrowed his eyes. A torotiseshell she-cat stepped forward. "Forgive my foolish son, Mistflower. ThunderClan apologizes on his behalf."

Ashpaw scurried over the border, eyes wide. Mistflower regained her cool attitude, her gray fur laying flat again.

"Very well." She responded crisply, turning around and flicking her tail. The ShadowClan patrol trailed after her.

Nightpaw turned around and caught Ashpaw's eye. She smiled. He gave her a grin.

》》》》》》

Nightpaw sighed as she padded into camp, two mice and a black bird in her jaws. It had been a long day, and she was exhausted.

Fawnfur gave her kit a sympathetic look. "Tired?"

Nightpaw groaned. "You have no idea. I'm going to go take a nap."

Fawnfur flicked her tail in acknowledgment and turned around, disappearing into the warrior's den.

Nightpaw nearly collapsed in her soft moss nest, her eyelids drooping with exhaustion. She closed her eyes.

》》》》》》》

Nightpaw opened her eyes, finding herself back in the woods of StarClan... Or so it seemed. This forest was dark and murky, the canopy of leaves above blocking out all light.

She heard voices up ahead and darted into a bramble thicket, watching two cats walk past behind the branches. One of the cats was a tom with brown tabby fur. Nightpaw narrowed her eyes, gasping when she noticed the splotches of red on his pelt were dripping. Blood.

The other one, a she-cat with pure white fur, was grinning as he spoke. Her fur was clean. She looked familiar.

Nightpaw caught bits and pieces from their conversation. "Clawed... Throat out... Funny when... Screamed... Like a kit..."

A voice sounded behind her once they had passed. "Enjoying your time here?"

Nightpaw spun around, narrowing her eyes. She gasped when she made out the faint form of a tom against the tree. She backed up, trembling.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt you. But hear me out." He whispered.

Nightpaw shook her head. "N-no! Get away from me!"

He shrugged. "Oh well. If you want to be that way." He leaped at her, claws outstretched and eyes wild.

Nightpaw side stepped, her training kicking in. She raked claws down his stomach and twisted around so she was on top.

His eyes flashed. "So they were right. You do have the spirit for battle. Why not use that power for your Clan? Why not harness it?"

Nightpaw stuck her muzzle close to his. "Never!" She snarled. "I know what you do to cats. You trick them, then train them for evil."

The tom gave a cackle. "But my dear, " he cooed, "Aren't you evil as well?"

Nightpaw dug her claws into him. "No I'm not!" She screeched, throwing him away from her.

The tom hit a tree, and got up, smiling eeirly. "See? Don't try to deny it. You've hurt cats before, and you will again. Just you wait."

The scene swirled in front of her as the edges of her vision began to darken. "No," she protested weakly before fading into darkness.

》》》》》》》》》

Nightpaw felt a paw prodding her and woke with a start, shooting out of her nest. Thistle was watching her, concern in his eyes.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

Nightpaw nodded, catching her breath. "Yeah. I'm... I'm fine."

Thistle nodded and curled up again. Nightpaw got up and ducked into the clearing, looking around. It was a bit late, but cats were still awake. Addertooth, Snowstripe, and Pebblepelt were sharing a rabbit. Shadestar and Blazefur were still up as well.

Nightpaw padded towards the over-hanging willow tree, her fur bristling and eyes wide. She just needed to think this through.

Alright. "Evil." What does that even mean, really? I mean, StarClan hates me. Is evil just fighting? Is evil being ruthless? What if you just wanted to reach something? Is that ruthless? Evil is disobeying the warrior code. I disobeyed the warrior code when I met up with Ashpaw. Does that make me evil? Is StarClan right?

She let out a hiss. Why was everything so confusing? Why did StarClan think that an apprentice could handle this?

She sighed and headed back towards the apprentice's den, misery filling her mind.

》》》》》》》》

Wolffur flicked his tail. "This is your final assessment set. You finish this, and you qualify as a warrior. Ready?"

Nightpaw felt exhilaration course through her. It had been several days since the dream incident, and her sleep had been peaceful since then. Wolffur had announced she would be taking her final assessments today.

"First up is hunting. You need to catch one lizard, one mouse, one thrush, one vole, and one frog. Mistflower and I will be follwing you, though you won't see us. Ready?" Wolffur grinned.

Nightpaw nodded. "Yep."

"Go!"

Nightpaw raced away from him, her mind buzzing with hunting ideas. A lizard. The thistle thicket is good for lizards. She padded towards the thicket on light paws, careful not to alert any nearby prey.

A small brown figure darted into a bush. Nightpaw dropped into a low crouch and checked the direcrion of the wind, whiskers twitching. Perfect.

(Apprentice is boring... must fast forward. Lol.)

Nightpaw sighed in relief as she finally pinned Mistflower down and put a paw to her neck. It had been quite a difficult battle. Mistflower was light on her paws and fast, but Nightpaw managed to trick her in the end. She stepped off the deputy, fur rustling in the cold wind that had started. Mistflower gave her a nod of approval.

Wolffur padded over. "Great! Much better than the hunting." He looked up at the darkening sky. "Perfect timing as well. Ready to begin the Night Battle Test?"

Nightpaw nodded eagerly. Despite hunting and fighting all day, she still felt as alive ad ever.

Mistflower sat down and curled her tail around her paws. "The Night Battle Test is designed to test your skills in the darkness. There is a small underground tunnel network under our territory. You need to find your way through it, all the while fighting in almost complete darkness. You also have to find it yourself. We're allowed to give you a small hint." She flicked her tail. "Gone, we will be soon, but look near the place lit up by the moon. The stream that runs, a cavern if you dare, find the tunnel of darkness and despair."

Nightpaw assessed this information. Place lit up by the moon was the moonpool for sure. But did Wolffur expect her to waltz onto WindClan territory? Maybe it was near the border to WindClan? She'd have to give it a try.

Mistflower got up. "Go!"

Nightpaw darted away, her mind racing with questions. Cavern... cavern... cavern? The WindClan border was up ahead. Now she'd have to look for a cavern of some sort.

When the black apprentice reached the small stream, she narrowed her eyes. Maybe she should follow the stream, see where it ends. Nightpaw turned around, trying to make out a shape in the darkness. It was covered up by trees and bushes, but from this distance, the very top was visible. She raced towards it, heart beating quickly. She was aware that time could run short.

The cavern loomed in front of her. Her whiskers twitching with satisfaction, she mentally praised Wolffur for his intelligence. This place was completely invisible close up. But where was the entrance? She padded around the perimeter of the cave. She finally found a small hole on the right side, and put an ear to it. Wind. Hollow. These had to be the tunnels!

Gathering her courage and catching her breath, Nightpaw squeezed into the hole. She opened her eyes and gave a surprised meow. She could hear rushing water in the darkness. Everything else was too dim to make out. She pressed her pad into the ground. It felt slightly rough. Stone. Nightpaw looked up, studying the top of the strange formation. The hole she had come out of provided a bit of light, just enough to make out two paths. She pricked her ears and listened closely to each path. One sounded like a soft breeze, the other like rushing wind. It sounded almost like... wailing. It was a sad, eerie noise thay sent chills up Nightpaw's spine. This must be the tunnel of darkness and despair Mistflower was talking about. Nightpaw reluctantly took the right path, her fur bushed up and eyes wide.

The tunnel seemed pretty straightforward. There were no forks, just the uncommon little pool of water or shrew. A cat could live down here, she thought, content.

Suddenly, a pattering sounded behind her. She turned around, puzzled. The time between the steps were too long for it to be a shrew. It had to be a-

Nightpaw was cut off as a shape flew at her. She gave a yelp and ducked, watching as the figure hit a wall. She immediately recognized the scent of Wolffur and smiled.

Wolffur darted at her again. Nightpaw pricked her ears, using sound to find her way around him. He ran, she dodged. She hit, he ran. It seemed like an ongoing cycle until Wolffur finally tired out. Despite his strength, he didn't have much stamina.

She leaped and pinned him down in one swift motion. He looked up at her smug expression and laughed.

"Congratulations. You've passed."

________________________

A/N: Ugh finally! I got four hours of sleep last night because I was writing. ;-; But it was totally worth it! And to make it even more worth it, please leave a comment providing your feedback about the story, your predictions, and your ships.

Qotd: Do you ship SparrowXNight or AshXNight? :3

~Feather

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