Path Of A Warrior

Tawnypelt had tried to like her son’s mate, but sometimes she thought that Dovewing’s presence was just another sign that ShadowClan had fallen apart. What would Rowanclaw have said about Tigerstar taking a ThunderClan cat as his mate?

“Are you all right?” Tigerstar’s voice startled her. He had followed her out of the warriors’ den and was padding cautiously toward her.

“I’m fine.” Tawnypelt took a bite of mouse.

“You’ve seemed irritated since I’ve come back,” Tigerstar said, sitting down beside her. He hesitated, then went on. “I know some of the Clan wanted you to take over as leader. If you were angry that I became leader instead, I would understand.”

Tawnypelt sighed, the frustration draining out of her. Tigerstar was trying so hard. “That’s not it,” she said. “I’m glad you’re leader. You have a better chance of making ShadowClan whole again than I would have. But I feel …” She paused, remembering with a sting how the younger warriors had ignored her suggestions earlier. That never would have happened in the old ShadowClan. She took a deep breath and finished, “I’m just not sure how I fit into our Clan now.”

Tigerstar stared at her in surprise. “You’re very important to our Clan,” he insisted. “You’re my deputy.”

“Not if no one listens to me,” Tawnypelt told him.

The fur began to bristle along Tigerstar’s back. “If any cat thinks they don’t have to listen to you, I’ll make them listen,” he said fiercely.

“Getting angry isn’t going to make them accept me,” Tawnypelt said. “A lot of ShadowClan cats were furious at Rowanclaw, and some of them had reason to be. Maybe I’m too much of a reminder of a time ShadowClan needs to forget.”

Tigerstar flicked his tail dismissively. “Don’t be ridiculous,” he said. “If I—”

“Help! Help me!” Tawnypelt’s pelt prickled as Dovewing’s desperate yowl cut through Tigerstar’s words. It came from the nursery behind them.

Tigerstar leaped to his feet and dashed for the den’s entrance, Tawnypelt a few paces behind.

“It’s Shadowkit! Help!” Dovewing cried. Tawnypelt put on a burst of speed and caught up with Tigerstar; they pushed their way through the nursery’s entrance together.

On the floor of the nursery, Shadowkit was shaking, his small limbs flailing as if he was caught in a nightmare. His littermates and Yarrowleaf, Berryheart, and their kits were pressed against the walls of the nursery, staring at him in horror.

Dovewing, crouched beside Shadowkit, looked up, her green eyes desperate. “I can’t get him to wake up.”

Chapter Two

In the medicine cat’s den, Tawnypelt gazed down at Shadowkit. He looked so small, all by himself in the nest. Once the kit’s fit had passed and he’d regained a groggy consciousness, they’d brought him here for Puddleshine, the ShadowClan medicine cat, to examine him. Dovewing and Tigerstar had sat by his nest all through the night.

It was morning now, and they’d asked Tawnypelt to watch over him while Dovewing checked on their other kits and Tigerstar spoke to the rest of the Clan. Puddleshine, who’d spent all night trying to find the cause of Shadowkit’s sudden illness, was curled tightly in his own nest, catching a short nap while Shadowkit slept.

Bending over Shadowkit’s nest, Tawnypelt pressed her cheek against the small gray tabby’s. His milky kit scent was mixed with the rich pine scent of all ShadowClan cats, which Tawnypelt inhaled with relief. These kits had been born in a faraway Twolegplace,, but they were ShadowClan now, and they always would be. I’m still getting to know you, but I do love you, little one, Tawnypelt thought helplessly. I will protect you, she added silently.

Shadowkit’s eyelids fluttered. “It’s falling,” he whimpered. “We have to stop it; it’s falling.”

“What’s falling, little kit?” Tawnypelt kept her voice soft.

Shadowkit’s eyes opened wider, and his amber gaze was sleepy but full of anxiety. “There’s something I have to do,” he murmured. “I’m not sure what … but if I don’t, cats will get hurt. Cats will die.” His mew was desperate.

What does a kit your age know about death? Tawnypelt wondered, nuzzling him gently. “Don’t be silly,” she told him. “It’s just a bad dream.”

“I’m not sure … ,” Shadowkit mumbled. He seemed half-asleep again, his eyelids drooping, and she licked the top of his head.

“It’s all right,” she said soothingly. “Just rest.”

But when Shadowkit had fallen back asleep, Tawnypelt hurried out of the medicine cat’s den. Even if it had only been a dream, Tigerstar and Dovewing should know how agitated their kit had been.

Dovewing was waiting just outside. “What’s wrong?” she asked immediately. “Did something happen?”