WinterClaw's Shadow 2

WinterClaw's Shadow
                                                   The Way Back
Short story
WinterClaw stared at the Warriors den, feeling satisfied with what she and FrozenHeart built. That den was hard to make, putting each thorn bush together to make it, tugging the thorns out. They had scratches all over their paws, FangStar had told them to put the thorns to good use and sharpen them, they were going to be used for fighting. FrozenHeart nudged WinterClaw on her shoulder where her NightMareClan mark was and pointed with his tail at the tree, "So you really had a vision about being leader," FrozenHeart asked, WinterClaw nodded, "I'm pretty sure it was true, I mean, the tree was in the vision and we hadn't even arrived yet." They were trotting through the camp, side by side, staring around at their new territory, FrozenHeart sighed, "I'm going to miss MeadowClan, and I'm sure you'll miss ForestClan, after all, we have been in those clans since we were kits." He meowed "Not me, I was born as a KittyPet, remember? My mother was one." WinterClaw told him, "True, but you don't remember anything about it do you, you were to young," FrozenHeart shrugged. "FrozenHeart, WinterClaw, I'm sending you two to do the scent lines. Make sure that they go past the other clans scent lines, we are a clan who are looking for trouble," FangStar had appeared out of nowhere, she gave them the order and then they set off. "FangStar said that it has to go past them, FrozenHeart." WinterClaw called to the grey and white Tom as she passed a scent line, marking it as their own. "Yeah, I forgot, sorry," FrozenHeart replaced the scent he had put on NightMareClan's side and put it on SunClan's side, "I wonder if our clan is going to the gathering tonight," WinterClaw suggested "We will be, just to cause trouble, at least that's what SharkTail said," FrozenHeart replied. SharkTail was chosen by FangStar to become deputy, WinterClaw thought that she would choose FrozenHeart.
After they had done the scent markers it was nightfall, FrozenHeart and WinterClaw had spent most of the day finishing off the Warriors den and found it was night when FangStar let out a loud yowl, the whole of NightMareClan turned their heads toward their leader. "The cats that are coming gather here, You know who you are! We are going to the gathering!" FangStar stood at the entrance while FrozenHeart, WinterClaw and many other cats trotted over to her, "And when we get there, do not lie low, hold your head high and strut though there, leaders orders," FangStar snarled. FrozenHeart smiled at WinterClaw and stood right next to her so their pelts brushed and flicked his tail as a sign to start walking. WinterClaw stared around at their territory, she felt proud but worried, what was going to happen at the gathering? What sorts of trouble were they going to be in? But then she remembered the truce, surely most of NightMareClan could follow that?
WinterClaw held her head high as she strutted into the gathering place, glancing around she saw that every cat had their head turned toward them, WinterClaw sat down next FrozenHeart like nothing was different, but then she saw them, her kin and her best friend. "OceanPaw.." WinterClaw said under her breath, "FeatherSwoop... PeltPaw, SilverPaw... Snow," then she glanced up at the Rock where all of the leaders sat, there she saw her pure white father glaring down at her, "CloudStar.." She muttered. It was like a family reunion, only it seemed to be like her family hated her. "How dare you show your faces! You are not welcome at the gathering!" WinterClaws father's booming voice echoed around the gathering place. "Surely we should be, we are a Clan after all, every Clan comes to a gathering." FangStar meowed smugly as she jumped up onto the leaders rock, "Now, where shall we start. All has been well in-" "You heard CloudStar! You aren't welcome here! You aren't a real clan, you do not follow the warrior code, I figured that out when you decided to join my clan, you were not welcome there either, MouseFang," FangStar was interrupted by the growling voice of a young Silver Tabby She-Cat, MeadowClan's leader, MinnowStar, "You mustn't have heard, my dear MinnowStar, I am FangStar now, I have my nine lives." FangStar accusingly purred back, "I doubt that StarClan gave you nine lives, MouseFang, you only get you're name when StarClan gives it to you." Snarled a deep red Tom, that was SunClan's leader, RobinStar, "Ah, you are finally brave enough to speak, RobinStar, or should I say, WeaselFoot." FangStar snarled, "You shall not call me that! I am RobinStar now!" SunClan's leader stood and drew his lips back at NightMareClan's leader. RobinStar was called WeaselFoot when he had become a warrior, everyone teased him so he changed his name to RobinClaw when he became deputy. "I believe we have a gathering to start?" A  grey she-cats snarling face emerged from the shadowy part of the rock, "FangStar's Clan here or not, we all came here for a gathering. Stop fighting." ShadeClan's leader now had fully emerged from the darkness and every cat was dead silent. "I will start since you all are looking like you just saw a badger. Prey has been rich in ShadeClan, we haven't had any trouble with borders, and we have a new warrior, FrogTail." The dark grey She-Cat with one black circle around her eye explained, the once silent crowd were now congratulating FrogTail who was giving his chest fur a few embarrassed licks. PantherStar sunk into the shadows once again as she let the next leader speak. "We have had excellent prey in this fine New-Leaf! Our Queen SleekRiver has had two beautiful healthy kits, ShineKit and LilyKit, we have also had no trouble with the borders!" MinnowStar seemed to be back to her cheerful self as she spoke, FrozenHeart said that kits always made MinnowStar so happy, she stepped back to let the next leader speak. "Prey has been good for us, but we have had trouble with the borders..." RobinStar glared accusingly at FangStar "We have scented the foul stench of NightMareClan on our side of the borders," he spat his words in rage as FangStar stood "You blame NightMareClan? Oh, we would never do such a thing..." FangStar tried to purr, it was more of a growl, "I don't believe that... You better keep you're cats on your side, FangStar, or we will send out extra patrols." RobinStar warned, "Extra patrols? Oh I'm so scared!" FangStar laughed. "We have settled in to our home, we have two new warriors that you failed to name, WinterClaw and FrozenHeart, in honour of their cold blood," FangStar yowled, FrozenHeart and WinterClaw tried to not be seen and ducked their heads down. FangStar did not step back but did not speak. CloudStar glared at FangStar until she was done and then spoke, "Mice have been plumper than ever in ForestClan territory, we also have five new warriors, there is a lot of them this New-leaf isn't there? OceanWhisker, PeltWing, SeaFur, SkyTail and SilverHeart!" WinterClaw joined in on congratulating her kin and her friends but stopped as she saw SharkTail's warning glance. "I believe this ends our gathering, you may all share tongues now." CloudStar yowled as he bounded down from the rock.
"WinterClaw!" WinterClaw swept around as she heard her name called in unison by her old and best ClanMates, "Hi!" WinterClaw trotted up to them gladly, "We miss you, WinterClaw, will you come back sometime?" Snow asked "I wouldn't be welcome.. And I'd miss FrozenHeart to much." WinterClaw answered, glancing back at the grey and white speckled Tom. "He's you're mate now, is he?" A sad dark voice sounded from behind her kin, "No, he isn't.. Yet... wait, SeaFur? Is that you? Are you okay?" WinterClaw tilted her head, SeaFur just dropped his ears and walked off, "You know he wanted to be you're mate, WinterClaw," SkyTail meowed "What? He did?" That's why he acted so strange around me, WinterClaw thought. "You just realised this now? It's obvious! Anyway, how is NightMareClan?" SkyTail spat the words NightMareClan, WinterClaw was offended but she understood "Not very homely, but I'll get used to it, it's quite rough and look-" WinterClaw showed them her shoulder and they gasped, "It's a NightMareClan mark, I'm-" WinterClaw was interrupted by FrozenHeart calling her, "I better go," WinterClaw started backing off, "WinterClaw wait!" OceanWhisker called, "Come back to us someday... We need you,"
OceanWhisker folded back her ears and drooped her head, she missed WinterClaw being in ForestClan, they had so many great memories together, but WinterClaw had the mark to show that she was a NightMareClan cat forever. SkyTail nudged her, "You miss WinterClaw a lot, don't you? She was your best friend," SkyTail meowed softly, "Yeah, but I know she's never coming back." OceanWhisker watched as her old DenMate trotted off with her new clan, and her new best friend, jealousy overtook OceanWhisker's sadness as WinterClaw and FrozenHeart brushed pelts, I have to face it, FrozenHeart is her best friend now. I'm not. And she's never coming back. OceanWhisker thought angrily. But then she realised, MottleBreeze would be here, MottleBreeze was a cat she had been meeting with every gathering, they started off as friends but now OceanWhisker wondered if they were more than that. OceanWhisker stood on her hind legs to try and find the Tortoiseshell Tom, his Pelt was a mix of different colours, OceanWhisker guessed that's why he was called MottleBreeze. "OceanWhisker! Ocean-" the call was stopped by the muffled sound of a cat getting a mouthful of fur, "OceanWhisker! There you are, sorry, I just got a jaw-full of tail fur." MottleBreeze had finally squeezed past all of the cats to get to the greyish blue She-Cat, "Oh it's okay, come, we'll find a better place to talk," She lead him to a gap in the bushes, "Through here," she crawled her way through to an open space that no other cat knew about. "Those mangy-flea-filled NightMareClan cats think they have the right to come to a gathering! It's crazy! I don't know why WinterClaw left to join them, the real clans are much better," OceanWhisker gave her opinion on the new clan, for a second OceanWhisker thought that she saw a gleam of defensiveness in the Tom's eyes but it faded quickly as he meowed, "Yeah, so how's ForestClan?" He asked, "Good, we are getting a lot of prey! How's SunClan going for you?" OceanWhisker explained, "Uh.. Great, but what RobinStar says is true, trouble with the borders," MottleWhisker smiled weakly, "Are you okay? You're acting funny, If anything's bothering you, just know you can talk to me..." She smiled back.
Arriving back at ForestClan OceanWhisker was happy again, she trotted beside her brother who was sulky "Cheer up! There are more She-Cats around you know, not just WinterClaw!" OceanWhisker reassured him "Yeah, but most of them aren't friendly.." SeaFur whined as he drooped his tail, OceanWhisker stopped, offended, she narrowed her eyes and walked off with her head and tail high "Sorry to offend you!" SeaFur called angrily, OceanWhisker ignored him, she saw HeatherPelt stare at SeaFur, she dropped her head and when she looked up again she had a heavy expression of hurt on her face. After OceanWhisker did a few fussy things she trotted to her nest, lay down and closed her eyes. Before she knew it, OceanWhisker was in a starry place, everything looked peaceful and happy, "Greetings, OceanWhisker, we have an important message for you." A soft voice from behind her made OceanWhisker jump, turning around she saw a glittery figure of a cat that died when she was a kit. "MoonPelt? Is that you?" She asked "Yes, and you have to listen, go to NightMareClan and tell WinterClaw this, The Dog who tells horrible tales is the one not to trust." MoonPelt's voice faded away and so did OceanWhisker, she faded out of her dream.
FrozenHeart lay gazing up at the sky as the sun warmed his pelt, a cloud in the shape of a dog appeared, then faded. "FrozenHeart! Good morning! It's a really nice day today," RatPaw, a light grey Tom with brown spots and dark brown eyes hinted behind him, after the gathering FangStar had made WinterClaw and FrozenHeart mentors, FrozenHeart's apprentice was RatPaw and WinterClaw's was ThrushPaw, a sandy coloured She-Cat with Green eyes, "Fine. I know what you're going to ask. Yes we'll train." FrozenHeart rolled his eyes "Really? Yes! You have to teach me some of those dark forest moves!" RatPaw waved his tail in excitement. WinterClaw overheard this whole conversation, she trotted over "I'd bring ThrushPaw train with you today but she's sick. Don't know what it is, she just feels sick. Probably trying to get out of training, I've seen she isn't very enthusiastic." The last sentence was just WinterClaw mumbling to herself, "Right... Okay, come on RatPaw, let's go." WinterClaw was left alone as they bounded off. Then she heard cats hissing and spitting, WinterClaw turned her head to see what the commotion was all about, she saw cats gathered around the entrance of the camp, trotting over she meowed "What's all this about?" But then saw her. "OceanWhisker? What are you doing here!" WinterClaw said frustratedly, "StarClan gave me a message that I have to give to you!" OceanWhisker explained "Do not speak of StarClan!" "StarClan? They are weak!" "Why do you even listen to them?" The crowd hissed and snarled. "I order you to step away, my clan! Immediately! What's this all about?" FangStar yowled, she appeared from out of her den, "We have an intruder who says StarClan gave her a message. We shouldn't let her in, we should kill her. She believes in those dead cats, those Flea-Pelts," BlackHeart, a grey cat with a black patch where his heart should be, growled, he spat every time he said StarClan. "Well I'm sorry, but am I mistaken you believe in the Dark Forest cats? Aren't they dead as well? Huh." OceanWhisker meowed smugly, BlackHeart lashed his tail, snarled and looked away but said nothing, obviously defeated, he trudged off. "Very well, let her in. We all believed in StarClan once in our lives," FangStar said blankly. WinterClaw was surprised FangStar was being somewhat kind and reasonable to a different clan cat, let alone a cat who had a message from StarClan. WinterClaw stared at her leader for a long, confused moment then turned to OceanWhisker, "Follow me." WinterClaw signalled to a quiet spot in the camp for them to go to. "So what's this all about?" She asked. OceanWhisker took a breath before she started "Ok, so, I had a great plump piece of prey before I went to my nest, it was caught by PeltWing, it was really good. Then I went into my den, it was really hot, so my nest was really warm, then I got thirsty, I went-" "Just get to the point," WinterClaw interrupted. "Fine. I was just about to get to the really cool part. Anyway, I arrived in StarClan and MoonPelt came to me and said 'you must go to NightMareClan and tell WinterClaw this, The dog who tells horrible tales is the one not to trust. Then we faded away." OceanWhisker was really dramatic until 'then we faded away'. "The dog? But we live territory's away from any TwoLeg dens or any dogs!" WinterClaw questioned "Don't question StarClan. Anyway, I better go, I'll let you work it out!" OceanWhisker meowed cheerfully. "Err. Thanks, I guess..." WinterClaw meowed blankly. "Shall I show her to the border, FangStar?" BlackHeart called, "Yes, that would be good, thank you, BlackHeart." FangStar called back, WinterClaw's eyes widened, Oh no! BlackHeart might kill OceanWhisker, he seems like he wants to, I better follow them, WinterClaw thought.
She trotted out of her best friend's camp trying to look happy, when she was really horrified, the cat that wanted to kill her was leading her back to ForestClan territory. All because she believed in StarClan. She held her head high because she knew of she didn't she would regret it later, shooting a glance behind her she spotted WinterClaw, WinterClaw gave her a look saying, just keep going!  OceanWhisker nodded to her best friend. "So, what did this, ruddy StarClan tell you?" BlackHeart snarled, "Something that you don't care about and you don't need to know about," OceanWhisker hissed back, "Tell me or suffer a slow death," BlackHeart knocked OceanWhisker over and held a Paw over her neck, "Never! You don't follow StarClan so you don't need to know!" OceanWhisker gasped as she struggled, BlackHeart loosened his grip, "Stop!" A cat had jumped out of the darkness, BlackHeart turned and snarled, "Stop! What has she ever done to you to make you want to kill her?" The  Tom with a patched pelt screeched, "MottleBreeze?!" OceanWhisker meowed in surprise, "You're in NightMareClan? I... I... Why? You aren't evil or misunderstood! Why would you leave SunClan?!" She gaped at the Tom, "Because he belongs in NightMareClan, Mouse-Brain!" BlackHeart laughed accusingly, "I-I don't know..." MottleBreeze stumbled. There was a long silence, OceanWhisker narrowed her eyes and ran off in the direction of ForestClan. "I'm sorry OceanWhisker!" She heard MottleBreeze call out, but she hoped that was the last OceanWhisker would hear of him as she let the tears that were filling her eyes finally fall out.
WinterClaw stared at the Tortoiseshell Tom in shock, how do they know each other? Why was OceanWhisker so upset? She asked herself, MottleBreeze stared at the ground with tears filling his eyes. BlackHeart just laughed at him, "NightMareClan cats don't cry! You little Kit," he meowed accusingly, "I'm not a kit..." MottleBreeze meowed through gritted teeth, "I'm sorry, what was that? I don't speak newborn." BlackHeart sniggered, "I said, I'm not a kit!" MottleBreeze lunged at BlackHeart and raked his claws down his face as he screeched, BlackHeart leaped back at him and aimed for his throat but MottleBreeze knocked him back with a hard swipe of his Paw, BlackHeart just lay on the dirt for a few moments. MottleBreeze snarled as he turned away, WinterClaw watched BlackHeart seize the moment as he got up and leap at the Tortoiseshell Tom, BlackHearts grey fur was matted brown from the dirt, I don't know why OceanWhisker gets so overwhelmed about MottleBreeze but I'll do anything to defend friends of my best friend. WinterClaw aimed her jump so perfectly her claws dug straight into BlackHeart's spine as she tore him away from MottleBreezes neck. As she threw the Grey and Black Tom aside she shot a glance at MottleBreeze who was now laying on the floor with heavy breaths, "MottleBreeze? Are you okay?" She whispered as she walked up to him, "I'll get you back to camp as soon as possible, I'll get you to AcornShade," AcornShade was the brown tabby She-cat who was chosen to be NightMareClan's medicine cat. WinterClaw heaved the Tom onto her back and walked back to camp with big effort from carrying the heavy tortoiseshell.
"We were attacked! BlackHeart is still out there, I managed to only get a few scratches but MottleBreeze is bleeding from the neck! I need to get him to AcornShade!" WinterClaw lied. She didn't want her clan to think they were battling each other as she might get attacked by her ClanMates. "Where is BlackHeart!" "Is MottleBreeze ok?" "Who battled you?" "I bet it was ForestClan, they have always been filthy cats," these  questions followed her until she got to the entrance of the medicine den, WinterClaw snarled at the comment 'I bet it was ForestClan, they have always been filthy cats.' Her clan started to move away as she entered the den, as she did she immediately smelled the stench of herbs. Marigold. HorseTail. Cobweb. Dock leaf. These herbs ran through her head as she stood in the herb filled den, it was almost the feeling of a memory, Lavender. Chamomile. Burdock Root. "AcornShade. We got attacked, MottleBreeze is bleeding by the neck." WinterClaw informed her healer. "Set him down, he'll be fine under my care, if you could just leave me to work? It's hard if you are being watched by someone." AcornShade's voice was hard as she didn't even look up from what she was doing which looked like tearing up the roots of marigold. That treats wounds. And so does Cobweb. WinterClaw shook her head in confusion, how did she know all of this? Then she remembered, when she was a kit she always hung out in the medicine den, she always said she wanted to be an apprentice medicine cat but DawnPaw already took the job so she had to be a warrior. WinterClaw thought of her KitHood as it all came flooding back to her, how did I ever leave that behind? I was so innocent then, ForestClan was my clan, I never thought any different. I miss my KitHood but I know I can never go back to it...
FrozenHeart stared at RatPaw as he sprang toward the leaf he was pretending was prey, "If you're legs are as close to you're belly as they can be you'll get more Spring to you're jump." He instructed, RatPaw did what he was told, "Good job! You're ready to catch some real prey now, let's go hunt." FrozenHeart lead his apprentice to the hunting area, "Can you smell anything?" RatPaw opened his mouth slightly to scent prey, "I scent a vole," RatPaw answered, "Good. Now see if you can find it and catch it." FrozenHeart sat back and watched RatPaw hunt. In the end RatPaw caught a Mouse and a BlackBird, "Well done! You learn quickly, you'll be a warrior in no time!" FrozenHeart praised his apprentice, RatPaw looked pleased. He dropped the prey into the pile which was filled high with rabbits, mice, voles, rabbits and birds. FrozenHeart turned his head to see WinterClaw waiting at the medicine den for something. "Hey WinterClaw, what happened?" FrozenHeart asked as he trotted over, WinterClaw lowered her voice "MottleBreeze is in there, he's badly injured. So the whole clan believes that we got attacked but BlackHeart and MottleBreeze actually attacked each other, don't tell anyone, OK?" WinterClaw explained. "Ok," FrozenHeart meowed. "You should check on ThrushPaw. You two really need to get out and train." FrozenHeart told her, "Okay, I will. If MottleBreeze comes out just say I'm training with ThrushPaw," WinterClaw touched her nose with his and bounded off. When she comes back I'm going to ask her to be my mate, FrozenHeart thought as he watched her. AcornShade emerged from the medicine den, "Where did WinterClaw go?" She asked, "She went to see ThrushPaw in her den." FrozenHeart explained. "What? ThrushPaw is with MottleBreeze in my den," AcornShade meowed, confused, she walked back in to the medicine den as WinterClaw came bounding back over, "She isn't in the Apprentices den," WinterClaw said blankly "Yeah, she's in the medicine den," FrozenHeart replied, "She isn't in the medicine den, she must be in the apprentices den," AcornShade had come out of the medicine den and given this information, "No, she isn't in the apprentices den," WinterClaw tilted her head, "Nor the main clearing." WinterClaw's eyes widened "She must be out of camp!" WinterClaw started sprinting toward the entrance to see cats gathered around it once again, "I need a to get through, sorry, excuse me." WinterClaw pushed her way through the crowd and stopped as she saw who they were gathered around, it was the limp body of ThrushPaw.
I knew something was up with him... How did I ever think we would become mates? 
OceanWhisker trudged slowly and sadly back into camp, "OceanWhisker, where were you? We sent out a patrol to look for you!" CloudStar trotted up to her. "Sorry CloudStar, I need to speak with MistyPool," OceanWhisker answered. She trotted to the medicine den and pushed her way through the bramble entrance, "MistyPool?" OceanWhisker called out, "Yes?" The medicine cat's head emerged from the herb store as she trotted toward OceanWhisker, "I had a dream. A message from StarClan!" OceanWhisker announced, "They came to a warrior and not a medicine cat? What was it?" MistyPool asked, surprise edged her mew. "It was kind of like a prophecy. MoonPelt came to me and said, you must go to NightMareClan and tell WinterClaw this. The dog who tells horrible tales is the one not to trust." OceanWhisker explained, "NightMareClan? A dog? We live far away from any dogs!" MistyPool tilted her head, "I'll think about it and let you know if I think of anything... Thanks for coming to me first," the ForestClan medicine cat meowed, "I didn't... I went to NightMareClan first, I just came back," OceanWhisker admitted, "So that's where that cut on your neck is from. If you have another dream, come to me first, ok?" MistyPool calmly meowed. OceanWhisker nodded in reply as the stench of herbs wafted over her nose, MistyPool had put herbs and poultice over wound.
"OceanWhisker! Your on Border patrol with SilverHeart, SeaFur, LeafPaw and YellowNose." FeatherSwoop nodded to the group that was at the entrance, OceanWhisker ran toward them, "I'm on border patrol with you," OceanWhisker meowed, "Have you seen SeaFur? He's disappeared," LeafPaw asked, "No, I haven't." OceanWhisker replied, "FeatherSwoop, SeaFur is missing, can I take CliffPaw instead?" SilverHeart trotted up to the deputy. A day after OceanWhisker had gone to NightMareClan, three kits had been made apprentices, OceanWhisker, SilverHeart and SeaFur became mentors, SilverHeart was mentoring CliffPaw, SeaFur was mentoring GorgePaw and OceanWhisker mentored LeafPaw. "Ok. It will be good training for her." FeatherSwoop answered.
"NightMareClan has gone past the scent lines again! I know they're this looking for trouble," YellowNose snarled, "I agree," OceanWhisker growled, but I know much more than you do. There was a loud yowl, "ForestClan cats on our territory!" OceanWhisker turned her head to see a patrol of NightMareClan cats storming towards them, "you are the ones that marked your filthy scents on our border!" YellowNose bared her teeth in anger, "We claimed that spot!" OceanWhisker recognised FrozenHeart, he was narrowing his eyes, "Says who!" CliffPaw stood in front of YellowNose and growled, "Says us!" A scarred ginger tabby She-Cat yowled back, "You can't just claim land that is rightfully ours!" CliffPaw spat in anger, her fur was fluffed up. "Aw.. Smart little apprentice! Or are you a kit?" A NightMareClan Tom smirked, OceanWhisker saw FrozenHeart's eyes widen in terror, he looked like he had heard that somewhere else, as he widened them OceanWhisker noticed blue specks that weren't there before, "Stop!" FrozenHeart jumped in front of the battle ready cats, "It is theirs and FangStar did say to mark it on their territory.." FrozenHeart admitted to his ClanMates, "Traitor!" OceanWhisker noticed BlackHeart, he was lunging at FrozenHeart, OceanWhisker acted fast and threw herself at the cat who had also tried to kill her. BlackHeart was flung aside as OceanWhisker ran back to her side of the border. "You shouldn't have done that..." The scarred ginger tabby She-Cat snarled and threw herself at OceanWhisker, OceanWhisker jerked aside just in time as the NightMareClan cat landed in the dirt, "BeeTail stop!" FrozenHeart screamed at the Tabby She-Cat as she got up. "They crossed our border, now they have to pay." BlackHeart had recovered and thrown himself as YellowNose, "LeafPaw! Go back to camp and get help!" OceanWhisker ordered to her apprentice, LeafPaw nodded and sprinted away. A black and white NightMareClan cat threw herself at OceanWhisker, OceanWhisker ducked, spun and yanked the Tom's tail with her teeth, he narrowed his eyes in pain and leaped at OceanWhisker, aiming for her neck, OceanWhisker dodged but she felt a wound on her neck being made. Suddenly In the distance, FeatherSwoop, PeltWing, SkyTail, BlazeHeart, WhiteFern and GorgePaw appeared and started battling the NightMareClan cats, BlazeHeart clashed two cat's heads together and attacked another with his hind legs, GorgePaw rushed to her best friends side and matched CliffPaw's swipes, WinterClaw and I were like that once, best friends, never apart. It's not like that anymore. OceanWhisker thought as she scratched BlackHearts hind legs while SilverHeart clawed at his face. WhiteFern kicked dust at the cat she had just sent sprawling away, FeatherSwoop was on a NightMareClan Tom's back, she scratched at his head, PeltWing stood over BeeTail, the scarred ginger tabby She-Cat hissing. SkyTail bit onto another Tom's tail and flung him sideways, YellowNose snarled at a She-Cat and swiped at her. FrozenHeart appeared at OceanWhisker's side as she was raking her claws down BlackHeart's spine, "You're a NightMareClan Cat! Why are you helping me?" OceanWhisker asked, surprised, "I don't feel like a NightMareClan cat, I feel like a normal clan cat who will fight for what's right," FrozenHeart replied as he kicked a NightMareClan cat which sent it flying. "But I'll act as though I fought for NightMareClan, it's all for WinterClaw." FrozenHeart nodded to OceanWhisker and bounded off. Is WinterClaw the only reason FrozenHeart is staying in NightMareClan? If so then that means WinterClaw wants to stay in NightMareClan... OceanWhisker thought. "Retreat! We are outnumbered! You may keep your land that we claimed but know that we will be back!" FrozenHeart yowled, he shot a peaceful glance at OceanWhisker and all of the NightMareClan cats sped off. "We won! That was amazing! I felt so alive!" CliffPaw meowed cheerfully, "It was so cool!" GorgePaw agreed. "Everyone, head back to camp. All of the cats with bad wounds go straight to MistyPool and DawnPaw. That is, SkyTail, WhiteFern, YellowNose, OceanWhisker and BlazeHeart." FeatherSwoop ordered. BlazeHeart trotted up to FeatherSwoop, "OceanWhisker's and my wounds aren't that bad, honestly, we don't need to go straight there!" BlazeHeart meowed, "I've seen you do that trick before, BlazeHeart!" FeatherSwoop purred affectionately, "But you have to admit, it works!" BlazeHeart purred back. FeatherSwoop and BlazeHeart are mates.. And I think WinterClaw and FrozenHeart are too.. I wish MottleBreeze wasn't in NightMareClan or SunClan, if he was in ForestClan we could be mates... What if he does? What will happen!
FrozenHeart led is patrol back into camp, cats were turning their heads towards them as they walked past, many cats had bad wounds, especially BlackHeart, OceanWhisker fights really well, almost as well as FeatherSwoop and BlazeHeart, she defeated BlackHeart who is known to be one of the best fighters in NightMareClan. FrozenHeart thought, he couldn't help but to feel a little affection towards her, but I can't. WinterClaw is going to be my mate soon. "ForestClan! A ForestClan cat!" RatPaw yowled, FrozenHeart turned to see SeaFur, standing at the camp entrance, "S-SeaFur?" WinterClaw stammered as she slowly walked towards him, FrozenHeart walked toward the ForestClan cat, "Hey, SeaFur, I'm FrozenHeart, I think we got off on the wrong foot the last time we met," FrozenHeart politely nodded in greeting, SeaFur shot him an angry glance, "WinterClaw, may I speak to FangStar, please?" SeaFur asked, "Uh... Sure." WinterClaw flicked her tail as a signal to follow her, WinterClaw lead the Blueish-Grey ForestClan Tom cat towards the leaders den. FrozenHeart watched angrily. He trotted toward the leaders den, keeping long distance between WinterClaw and SeaFur, he was going to try to overhear what they were saying. "A ForestClan cat? What does he have to say? That his clan is sorry for taking our territory?" FangStar snarled as WinterClaw and SeaFur entered the den, FrozenHeart sat behind the bramble bush just outside of the den so that he could still hear them, "No, FangStar. What ForestClan did was wrong. What I'm hear for is that... That I wish to join NightMareClan." SeaFur announced strongly, WinterClaw gasped, "SeaFur! You want to join NightMareClan? That's great!" FrozenHeart heard joy in WinterClaw's meow, "You aren't just spying?" FangStar snarled. "No, I do not wish to spy for ForestClan." SeaFur replied blankly. "Very well, you may join." FangStar growled, "Yes!" WinterClaw cheered as they walked out of the den, FrozenHeart hadn't seen WinterClaw this happy since she had gotten her apprentice. FrozenHeart waited for them to be a good distance off and emerged from the bramble bush. "Hey, WinterClaw, could I talk to you for a second? Alone." He added, shooting a glance at SeaFur. "Sure, I'll be back in a second SeaFur," WinterClaw meowed as she trotted off beside FrozenHeart. "WinterClaw, I've wanted to ask you this for a while..." FrozenHeart held his chin high, "WinterClaw, will you be my mate?" FrozenHeart asked, WinterClaw's expression changed into worry, "You had to ask this now? When SeaFur has just moved here? You know he came here to be with me," WinterClaw meowed worriedly, "That's why I'm asking you now, I don't want to lose you, WinterClaw!" FrozenHeart dropped his eyes to his paws, "That's lovely, FrozenHeart... Yes. I'll be your mate, but we have to keep it quiet," WinterClaw smiled at him affectionately, "We will," FrozenHeart nuzzled her cheek and smiled back at her.
Two moons later WinterClaw sat beside FrozenHeart as they watched FangStar speak, she had called a gathering to complain about the ForestClan cats taking some of our territory again, WinterClaw couldn't hear a word she was saying as she thought about her future. What will FrozenHeart and my kits look like? What will be their names? WinterClaw thought happily, since they had become mates that was all WinterClaw could think about, their future. WinterClaw noticed that FrozenHeart was staring at her, she looked back at him, his eyes are so nice... The red and blue specks are so nice... WinterClaw smiled happily as she looked at her mate, then she started to come into realisation, blue specks? That must mean- "you may all go to your dens now," FangStar bounded down from the High-Tree where she sat when she did the gatherings. WinterClaw beckoned with her tail for FrozenHeart to follow her, WinterClaw took him to a quiet, private place. "FrozenHeart... Your eyes.... They are turning blue again! I see blue specks that weren't there before!" WinterClaw worriedly meowed, she wasn't worried that he was turning good again, as she might be turning good too, she was worried FangStar might notice and exile them. FrozenHeart seemed like that was what he was thinking too since his eyes which were not as red as before were frosted with terror and worry. "WinterClaw... the same is happening to you! What if.... What if FangStar notices?" FrozenHeart then flattened his ears, he knew he shouldn't have said that, since FangStar was in the shadows, she had heard everything they said.
"I have my orders! I want a patrol of our strongest fighters to go and demand that NightMareClan can not take part of our territory!" FeatherSwoop demanded, "That patrol will be BlazeHeart YellowNose, LionTail, PeltWing, OceanWhisker and I!" the ForestClan deputy yowled, OceanWhisker lifted her chin when she heard her name, "We hide at the borders and wait for them to put the scent markers on our territory," FeatherSwoop snarled. "I will send PeltWing pack for help if we need any." FeatherSwoop nodded to her sister, "The help will be CloudStar, GorgePaw, GorseFeather and WhiteFern," The deputy called, "MintFur, I want you guarding the entrance, this could turn into a real battle that makes NightMareClan cats come and attack our camp. LeafPaw, I want you being our messenger, you have quick paws that will help us." FeatherSwoop orders as she joined the battle patrol.
OceanWhisker's heart pounded in her chest, she stayed as still as she could. They were waiting for a NightMareClan patrol to come along. "They're coming." PeltWing whispered, they were hiding behind a big bush just at their territory. "Put it past the border! You know what I said!" It was FangStar, she was with her patrol, "S-Sorry FangStar..." OceanWhisker's heart skipped a beat as she noticed MottleBreeze's voice. "They're putting it on our side!" YellowNose hissed quietly, "Wait for my signal." FeatherSwoop whispered back. BeeTail, a NightMareClan cat, walked clearly onto the ForestClan territory and put a scent market down. "Now!" FeatherSwoop hissed. The ForestClan patrol leaped out from behind the bush and threw themselves at the NightMareClan cats. The NightMareClan cats were unprepared and stumbled back under the ForestClan cat's paws. OceanWhisker realised that she had launched herself at a cat she didn't know, OceanWhisker raked her claws down the cats head, bit his scruff and threw him. She looked at BlazeHeart, he was fighting FangStar furiously, he was scraping claws down her back and her head, FeatherSwoop lunged at BeeTail and bit her ear, YellowNose snarled at a brown tabby Tom cat, CliffPaw clawed at a She-Cat's muzzle while PeltWing pulled her tail. OceanWhisker was knocked over by someone, she looked up and saw MottleBreeze's shocked face, "I'm so sorry! I-" "Quit it! You aren't sorry, you joined NightMareClan for a reason and you are loyal to them!" OceanWhisker cut him off with a growl, MottleBreeze looked at the ground, "No. I'm not. If they're is a battle I want to fight beside you OceanWhisker." MottleBreeze pleaded. "You look like you're telling the truth, yes I will-" she had her breath taken out of her as she fell under the claws of FangStar. "No! FangStar, she is innocent!" MottleBreeze growled, "You want to protect her! I knew you were never loyal!" FangStar yowled and lunged at MottleBreeze, OceanWhisker got up and threw herself at the NightMareClan leader but it was to late. FangStar had already bitten into MottleBreeze's neck. "No!" OceanWhisker dropped beside MottleBreeze, "It's to late, OceanWhisker... You can't save me..." MottleBreeze choked, "Yes, I can!" OceanWhisker sobbed, "No, you can't. OceanWhisker, before StartClan takes me I want you to know this. I always loved you, I was always loyal to you and I would never leave you." He smiled weakly, "OceanWhisker, I believe in you. Win this for the clans, win this for the forest. Win this for me." MottleBreeze's head dropped to the side as his eyes clouded. "I will, MottleBreeze.. I will." OceanWhisker closed her eyes and licked MottleBreeze's ear.
"OceanWhisker! Go back to ForestClan and tell them we need help, send LeafPaw to MeadowClan for help as well!" FeatherSwoop ordered, OceanWhisker nodded. Sprinting back to camp she barged into the entrance, "We are over numbered! We need help!" OceanWhisker called from the entrance. CloudStar, GorgePaw, GorseFeather and WhiteFern came running to her, "LeafPaw! Go to MeadowClan and ask for help!" She told the swift apprentice. OceanWhisker lead the help patrol to the place where everyone was battling, FangStar had gotten more cats too. WhiteFern dived into battle first, she tackled BlackHeart and bit at his ears. GorgePaw races straight to CliffPaw's side and copied her every move. CloudStar held FangStar under a strong grip and snarled threateningly at the NightMareClan leader. GorseFeather raced straight over to PeltWing and helped her to a safe spot where she could recover. WinterClaw and FrozenHeart appeared, they were battling BlazeHeart side by side, BlazeHeart was still defeating them by himself. OceanWhisker turned and swiped as she sensed someone behind her, it was BlackHeart. He hissed in pain as he held his paw against where OceanWhisker had scratched, "Scared of a little pain? I thought you were tough but I guess not." OceanWhisker meowed accusingly. She saw BlazeHeart running back to camp out of the corner of her eye. "Is your ClanMate scared?" BlackHeart growled back, "nothing scares BlazeHeart!" OceanWhisker snarled, BlackHeart leaped for OceanWhisker's neck but OceanWhisker slammed his head on the ground. Out of nowhere, MeadowClan appeared and started attacking the NightMareClan cats, the NightMareClan cats were the ones who were outnumbered now. OceanWhisker saw PeltWing, SilverHeart and FeatherSwoop running back to camp as well, our camp must be getting attacked! OceanWhisker thought.
The battle had been going on for a while and WinterClaw felt like NightMareClan were losing. WinterClaw was only on the NightMareClan side because FrozenHeart was, SeaFur had betrayed them but WinterClaw couldn't help but think that he made the right choice. WinterClaw later found herself backing her family and friends away to the fast flowing river. "WinterClaw, please, don't do this, MouseFang changed you! She doesn't want to teach you, she wants to use you! Oh StarClan, WinterClaw, what did we ever do to you that makes you want to kill us!" FeatherSwoop wailed, still backing away and nearing the fast flowing river "Do not speak of StarClan! They are weak now, weaker than they've ever been..." WinterClaw let out a small laugh "Soon the dark forest cats will be ruling, like they almost did endless moons ago! But now they are stronger, they don't have weak cats like IvyPool and HawkFrost in it, they have FrozenHeart and I, together, we are stronger than any Dark Forest cat," WinterClaw's frown turned into an evil grin and OceanWhisker gave a small Yelp as her back foot nearly slid into the gushing river "Please WinterClaw! Remember all the fun times we had as apprentices together? We were best friends! You can't just forget all that now, all the other cats called us inseparable partners and said we would always fight side by side in battles, we were like sisters!" OceanWhisker meowed worriedly, like WinterClaw had forgotten everything they did in the past, WinterClaw thought for a moment, I do miss that... They were fun times. PeltWing narrowed her eyes at WinterClaw "I suppose you haven't heard WinterClaw, mother is dead," She meowed blankly. WinterClaw stopped, "Mother? How did she die?" She asked "She died trying to get to you, WinterClaw, she wanted you back, she missed you, but I don't see why she even risked it when you'd do something like this." PeltWing snarled bitterly, "WinterClaw.. We know you still have good in you, just please, you don't have to come back but just... Don't end up like MouseFang ok? She is a.... a killer," FeatherSwoop gulped back tears as her head dropped, she flattened her ears and closed her eyes, "MouseFang just came to the camp and murdered BlazeHeart in front of everyone's eyes, it was horrible.." This was the first time she heard SilverHeart speak in ages, but it wasn't a very pleasant voice, it had the tone of grief, WinterClaw was confused as to why FeatherSwoop and SilverHeart were so sad, then she remembered that BlazeHeart was SilverHeart's mentor and FeatherSwoop's mate. "I-I didn't know... I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have-" she was interrupted by the screech of MouseFang and the flash of claws, WinterClaw, in an hurried way, leaped at MouseFang, accidentally knocking her into OceanWhisker, which threw her into the river that was flowing at such a pace WinterClaw had to run to catch up with OceanWhisker "WinterClaw! Help!" She heard her screech "I'm coming! Grab my Paw, quick!" WinterClaw stuck out her paw to OceanWhisker, glancing at the waterfall which was seconds away, OceanWhisker just touched her paw when she got knocked aside. WinterClaw heard OceanWhisker screech in terror as she was pulled down by the waterfall. "OceanWhisker! No!" WinterClaw scrambled to the side of the cliff, gazing down there was no sign of her DenMate she knew since she was a kit anywhere. She turned swiftly around to see MouseFang's eyes blazing with anger "You were trying to save your friend from a different Clan!" MouseFang snarled "You know NightMareClan isn't a real Clan, isn't my clan and will never be!" WinterClaw yowled as she scratched her former leaders face, MouseFang narrowed her eyes and leaped at WinterClaw, but she dodged and just in time too, because if she didn't she'd be with MouseFang right now, flailing her paws around as she tried to swim. "You just watch what I'll make of your so called clan when ForestClan wins this battle!" And those were the last words she said to MouseFang because the NightMareClan leader was sent flying down the waterfall. 
The ForestClan cats were slowly walking around their ruined camp, the battle had just ended and so had NightMareClan. FangStar and SharkTail had been killed so NightMareClan had no cats to lead them. They were forced to get rid of everything NightMareClan had done and try to get accepted back in a clan or to become a rouge. A lot of cats were killed. BlazeHeart, OceanWhisker, PeltWing, LeafPaw and many cats from different clans... But the battle was over and peace was among them again. "This was all my fault... If I'd never partnered up with FrozenHeart and MouseFang none of this would have happened, my best friend would still be alive and well, so would CloudStar, I have now lost my Mother, my Father, my sister and my best friend, all except mother were killed in the battle that I could have prevented. I understand that other cats have suffered worse in times like these, but from my experiences in life I learned that we all suffer sometimes, we all have bad days..." WinterClaws eyes were clouded with grief as she spoke, she never thought her life would come to this, from a carefree apprentice to a warrior who will be forever scarred from her past choices "I do wish to join ForestClan again but I understand thoroughly if you don't want me back, my choices with haunt me forever, and I will be fine to become a loner if that's what you all wish." WinterClaw looked up at her ClanMates and saw they all had with eyes filled with pain, WinterClaw stood to leave but some cats stopped her, including FeatherSwoop "WinterClaw, you can't leave, I won't let you," she said softly "We need you in our clan, we can all forgive you, can't we?" FeatherSwoop turned to face the clan who nodded, very slowly and sadly, still gathered around some of the dead cats bodies. "FeatherSwoop... I can't stay... I've done to much bad things that I think I will do more and hurt the clan," WinterClaw slowly said before she turned her head again to the entrance to see SeaFur and SilverHeart standing there, "FeatherSwoop is right, WinterClaw, you can't leave, we need you. I need you." SeaFur looked at WinterClaw with grief filled eyes, but she could see a hint of admiration in them, "And don't you wanna grow up in the clan you love? The clan that your kin is in?" SilverHeart asked. WinterClaw looked around to see cats nodding approval and muttering "Stay," She gave up "Oh alright..." She saw SeaFur, SilverHeart and FeatherSwoop smile and happily sigh. FeatherSwoop's ears pricked up and so did her voice, "I just realised that I'm leader! And I need to choose a deputy!" She looked at WinterClaw and SilverHeart, "I'd choose one of you but I'm not allowed to choose kin," She meowed "It's fine," SilverHeart and WinterClaw said in unison. FeatherSwoops eyes travelled around the cats who were now staring at her hopefully, FeatherSwoop sighed sadly "If only OceanWhisker was still here... She'd be a great deputy," she said quietly. Looking around again she stopped at SeaFur, who had rejoined ForestClan, and smiled, SeaFur nervously smiled back. 
WinterClaw's Shadow The Way Back
End of Book Two
Category:Stories
Category:Cats
Category:Clans