Secrets
Two cats stood in the almost empty, dusty and messy clearing. One was a dark black cats with white speckles of fur and dark blue eyes, the other was a white cat with pale blue eyes, almost the color of ice. As the wind passed them, and roared toward the sky, the first looked down, giving a tiny shake of her paws.
"Well, you see Moonheart, the clan has grown, but the foxs keep invading the territory, they hurt Ravenfur, Starlingpaw, Twistedpath, Stormdash and Smokepatch, not to mention many others," she said, her dark blue eyes clearly displaying her worry.
The other, Moonheart was his name, looked at the other cat with his snowy eyes, "Shadestar I get the worry, but I'm sure we can handle the foxes. You can send out more Border Patrols if your worried." Moonheart suggested with a light dip of his head.
Shadestar sighed and nodded, dark blue eyes drifting to the ground. "I guess, thanks Moonheart, you have always been so helpful to me." She explained. She gave a grateful dip of her own head. She looked up to the sun, wondering what mysteries it would hold, for the future, the present, and the past.
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16 moons ago...
A cat, an outsider, trespassed the border of TwilightClan, a young black cat, like the other cats of the area, with eyes that shone in the shadows. A dark glimmer, a almost night-like blue. She slunk in the shadows, following another random cat.
The other cat, a white cat with light eyes turned and hissed, "Shadow!" she growled, eyes locking on younger cat. "Go away! Go play somewhere, a kit's place is not following me, i'm warning you, I don't like to rid the forest of kittens, but I will if you continue to bug me!". The cats voice was furious, and other cats, whom where near watched, a dark black cat and a fox colored cat followed the cat who spoke. "Night, Rose, chase that star speckled kit off!" She yelled, glaring at the younger black cat with some starry white markings on her fur.
"I'm no kitten Silver, your the kitten!" Shadow retorted, unsheathing her small claws and growling. "No one will come near me, I know how to fight, my father taught me how to do so!" she said with defiance.
"Oh, is that so, if Wisp was such an amazing fighter, if that why he's dead?" asked Silver, the white cat with silver snow-like eyes.
"There is no humor in that Silver! How can you guys betray your dreams and hopes, you come out here speaking of better life, and TwilightClan offers it to you, and you reject!" Shadow exclaimed, though she didn't know if she would joint he seemingly unfriendly clan, the leader, Robinstar had still offered Yew and his followers, including Silver spots in the clan. Apparently, Twilightclan suffered after fox's attacked, and after their medicine cat apprentice died. It surely was confusing...
"But why join some overprotective flea-pelts when you can take over them?" Asked Silver with a laugh. "We can join them and be treated badly, and be at the bottom of the leadership! Or we can take over them, look how many cats we have Shadow, and you can be one, you can join us, you can become a leader among us, and you can fight in glorious battle.
"And hurt others to do it, your doing this for yourselves, you're ambitious-" Shadow said, stopping as she was interrupted.
"-and powerful, and when we win Shadow, you will see, ambition never did US harm!" Silver said, about to attack Shadow before a cat stepped in front of her.
In front of Silver stood a yellow tabby tom with harsh brown eyes. "Silver, take care of her now, she is annoying us and distracting us from our mission." said the new cat, grinning as he slapped at Shadow, knocking her over, giving her a vicious slash across her cheek.
In return, Shadow stood up, and raced away, breathing quickly as she paws went over the rocks near her. As her fear drove her to areas unexplored by her, areas she never knew...
She finally reached a clearing, where one other cat stood, this new cat had a odd scent, and was looking down in shame and regret. "I wish they actually understood me, my fur color doesn't change me, I am loyal..." he said silently, and Shadow was drawn to the pleas. She then stopped to look at him, and fear crawled into her, he was a white tom with icy blue eyes, like Silver. As Shadow began to walk backwards, she stepped on a twig and screeched wildly as the cat gasped and turned towards her, unsheathing his claws and begining to run.
Shadow, in fear again, felt her right cheek bleeding, and turned tail and fled. This other cat was defidently older then her, and she would rather not find out how sharp his claws where. But she had a odd feeling this tom was connected to Silver, and then again, she doubted it.
"Stop!" The white cat yelled, easily catching up to Shadow and pouncing on her, pressing her body to the dirt.
As the dust finally settled, Shadow coughed and let off a deep growl, "Let me go!" she demanded.
"Not a chance." The cats said toward Shadow, growling then. "Who are you?" he said with a sharp hiss.
"My names Shadow, and I don't want to be part of Silver's plans, you monster!" she said, rolling out from under a now stunned tom.
"Who's Silver?" Said the tom, curiosity must have taken control of his actions. His gaze held on Shadow, watching her every move until he would get answers.
"You know, Yew, and Silver, the two cats, that you must know, I mean other then their group and TwilightClan, who else would there be except me?" Shadow said, pausing as the tom's eyes turned from curious to furious. He began to unsheathe his claws and draw near her.
"How do you know of Twilightclan?" He asked, his voice protective. His icy eyes held her gaze, almost freezing her with it's cold stare.
Shadow looked at him defensively, "Yew and Silver want to overtake it? Where have your been, and how do YOU know of Twilightclan?" Asked Shadow, turning the questioning to the tom.
"I'm part of it!" the tom proclaimed proudly, puffing out his chest. His eyes then turned distraught, something was bugging him, but Shadow didn't want to ask. It was this toms business after all, not hers, but she couldn't help but feel sympathetic over his attitude.
Shadow tipped her head, and nodded, "Okay, well what's your name?" She asked, curiosity taking her into it's claws. Like prey attracted to the acorns Acorn Trees delivered, being caught by the dainty fox that waited nearby.
The tom then answered with a short reply, "Moonheart," was all he said, and turned to Shadow. "Shadow, is it? Who are these cats Silver and Yew, how...how do you know them, how do you even know their goals?" he asked.
Shadow gave a funny look at his name, Moonheart, what an off name. She then straightened her gaze, "Well, they are the leaders of the loners. The loners who want to take power from Twilightclan, whom apparently offered them a place in the clan. I know their goals because I kind of eavesdrop on them, and Twilightclan, so yeah, I disagree with their ambitions." She explained, taking a large gulp of air after finishing, what a large amount of information to give out to this here Moonheart.
Moonheart's interest peaked as Shadow spoke, and he then looked flatly. "You sneaky rouge..." He growled. "So, Shadow, why do you even care about what happens to Twilightclan?" he asked. He probably wanted to doubt Shadow, but maybe he believed her?
Shadow looked down, "Because..." she stopped, hearing voices nearby. Voices she didn't think where meant to be friendly. She climbed a small pine tree, hiding her scent and body in the pines, Moonheart picked up on the danger, and did the same.
Bellow on the ground shadows came by of Silver and many other cats, Yew included, the cat who wanted to overrun Twilightclan, the cats Shadow frowned upon, walked ever so carelessly to and from Shadow and Moonheart's view, gossiping about their plans for Twilightclan, heading slowly for the clan's camp.
Moonhearts eyes widened, and after the cats faded from view looked at Shadow. "Follow me now Shadow." He demanded, looking at her with stern and firm eyes.
Shadow tipped her head, "Why? Wait, to where? How will we get there? Why are we leaving?" She stopped as Moonheart shook his head in annoyance, listening for a answer.
She never knew the power behind one word, and how it could put your thoughts to shame. "TwilightClan."
...
As a wave of stares followed her, Shadow followed Moonheart past the TwilightClan camp's entrance, her eyes returned hasty and un-trusting stares, her feisty attitude giving a kick of anger to her routine.
She didn't mean to seem so timid or rude, but she felt uncomfortable here. So many cats looked at her like a enemy, other as if she was prey. Which she wasn't and in all honesty, she was becoming aggravated with it.
She was about to snap, about to end this silence of stares, before another cat did. This other cat was a dark brown tabby she-cat with eyes locked on all. "Moonheart, what is this outsider doing in our camp?" the she-cat answered, authority loomed her voice, sending a spark of inspiration off in Shadow.
"The rouges you offered hospitality to Robinstar, they are turning on us." Moonheart announced back with respect, bowing his head to the dark brown she-cat.
Robinstar nodded in response, "Follow me to my den Moonheart, their we can talk privately." said Robinstar, and with a swift movement of her tail, she and Moonheart began to climb a tall rock to a cavern on the top, where moments later they disappeared.
Shadow looked down, and looked around, only to see eyes trained on her every move. Curious eyes, untrusting eyes, even friendly eyes. She returned each one with the glance she received from the individual, causing some to grin, others to simply respond in aggravation. What an odd scenario.
As she and others played a game of looks returning looks, Moonheart and Robinstar discussed in the tall rock about the current situation, and as the name Shadow lingered in the air, Shadow was left frozen, curious now as to why she was mentioned.
When finally Moonheart and Robinstar returned, she was approached by the latter, who gave a gentle bow, "Thank you Shadow, for you protectiveness and warning for our clan, we are indeed grateful for your respect and gratitude." Robinstar said, climbing up the tall rock again and standing on a small platform, giving off a call for the cats in the camp to gather beneath the 'Star Rock'.
The other cats snapped out of their shock or confusion, and circled the Star Rock, looking up as Robinstar called. She disucssed the situation to them, and Shadow watched in wonder.
After she was done mentioning the facts, and Shadow in her statements, she turned to once again thank Shadow for her deeds, and after she finished, climbed down the rock and walked to a pile of dead animals, picking one up to eat.
Odd didn't even to begin this place, did it? Shadow didn't even know, she watch in confusion as she was approached by a group of about 4 cats, a yellow colored tom, a grey she-cat, a black she-cat, and a dapple furred she-cat.
The dappled furred she-cat was the first to speak, "Many thanks Shadow, I am Blossompaw, this is Yellowpaw..." she looked at the yellow tom, "Stormpaw", she then glanced at the grey she-cat, "and Batpaw" her eyes turned to the black she-cat near her, and tipped her head. "Would you like a tour of camp?" she asked Shadow, her eyes gentle and kind.
Shadow nodded, and smiled, "Nice names, and sure, I would love to accompany you!", she followed the cats around camp, learning that the tall rock was the Star Rock, where Robinstar, the leader, and Largescar, the deputy slept. The medicine cat den is where Mockingbird worked, the medicine cat, the apprentice den is where apprentices slept, the nursery is where kits and queens slept and lastly, the warriors den is where warriors, like Moonheart rested.
After learning this new information, Shadow went to thank the cats near her, but was interrupted by a scream that broke the air.
As cats began to turn to see, including Shadow, the sight of Robinstar being pinned under a white and silver rouge came to view. "Silver!" Shadow exclaimed as she saw her.
Moonheart responded in anger, running and pouncing on Silver, pinning her to the ground.
Yew emerged with other cats, and yelled out a threatening call, "Attack!".
Shadow watched as more cats pounced, clawed, pinned, bit and snapped at each other, her eyes widening, what an odd sight! A scary one too, but she knew who she sided with, and so she ran at Yew, whom had not had a fighting cat with him yet.
As Shadow approached, her eyes widened as he unsheathed his claws and swiped at her cheek, remembering the earlier experience she ducked and turned the tails at him, slapping at his face with her own claws out.
Yew was knocked back, bleeding claw marks running down his cheeks and his eyes lit in fury. He then swiped at her again, catching her face cleanly and knocking her back, running at her and pinning her. He raised his paw at her, ready to end her with his sharp claws angled at her throat.
A white blur though knocked Yew over, and Shadow was released. She looked up gratefully at Moonheart, and stood up beside him. "Thanks Moonheart!" she exclaimed and looked around.
The inexperienced Shadow was stunned as another blur, slightly bloodied faced her. As Shadow's eye adjusted, she saw Silver staring at her in anger, and Silver charged forward at her, swiping her paws at Shadow, and one hit Shadow's head.
Again Moonheart came to her aid, but before she could even see how she was helped, the world faded to darkness.
...
It was just one week after, and Shadow was once again awake, yet still shaky, but she wanted to learn how to do the best she could, persevering was part of that.
Twilightclan had won the battle, and some cats thanked Shadow for warning them of the dangers the Rouges brought.
But Shadow thanked Moonheart for believing her.
Now Shadow stood, looking up and nodding her head to answer the question she was asked.
Then Robinstar smiled, her eyes shining in the sun, as the reflection of her eyes could almost tell the potential the cat before her had, she proudly announced, "Then I now name you Shadepaw of Twilightclan".
