Path Of A Warrior

“I think you’re going to have a very interesting future, my kit,” Tigerstar mewed. He glanced up at Tawnypelt and Dovewing, and Tawnypelt could see concern in his eyes. It isn’t comfortable to hear that your kit is different, Tawnypelt thought. Even though you’re proud of them. Then he straightened and spoke to Tawnypelt directly. “Part of being a good leader is admitting when you’re wrong,” he said. “I should have listened, Tawnypelt. And I shouldn’t have tried to stop you. I knew you had Shadowkit’s best interests in mind, and I wish I had trusted you.”

“I wish I had trusted you,” Tawnypelt replied. “I should have tried to convince you again instead of running off with Shadowkit.” She felt a great swell of relief, as if something tight that had been holding her back had finally loosened. “I’m just glad Shadowkit’s okay.”

“Thanks to you and Dovewing,” Tigerstar purred.

“And,” Tawnypelt added, “I have an announcement to make.” She felt sure at last, as if her path were laid out in front of her. “I’ve decided to step down as deputy.”

“No!” Tigerstar cried. “You’re the best cat to help me run ShadowClan. No one knows this Clan better than you do.”

But Tawnypelt shook her head. “ShadowClan is changing. It makes sense to choose a new deputy. Someone who will be the future of our Clan instead of the past.”

Tigerstar still looked worried. “I’ll think about it,” he mewed slowly. “Choosing a new deputy isn’t something to take lightly.”

“I’ll help you for as long as you want me to,” Tawnypelt offered. “But I’m sure you’ll make the right choice.”

Tigerstar didn’t say anything, his tail drooping. But Tawnypelt wasn’t worried. Soon he’ll see that a younger deputy will be better for him than his mother—I can’t quite stop seeing him as my kit, no matter how strong a leader he becomes.

“Want to share some prey, Tawnypelt?” Dovewing offered. “I’m so hungry after our long journey.”

Tawnypelt suddenly realized that she wasn’t hungry, but she was exhausted. “No, thanks,” she replied. “What I need is a nap.”

She slipped into the warriors’ den. Settling into her nest, she looked back out the entrance at the cats gathered in the clearing. Shadowkit was playing with Pouncekit and Lightkit and the other kits of the Clan, squealing with delight as they chased one another around the clearing. Tigerstar and Dovewing were sharing a rabbit, their heads close together as they talked. Scorchfur, Blazepaw, and Juniperclaw were lying in a patch of sun, all three purring with laughter. Berryheart, one eye on the kits, was resting her head on Cloverfoot’s flank.

It was a Clan at peace.

Tawnypelt curled up more tightly, closing her eyes. She scented the air, picking out the familiar smells of the cats she knew, the scents of ShadowClan.

I’m home.

Shadowstar’s Life

Allegiances

SHADOWCLAN

LEADER

SHADOWSTAR

—

black, thick-furred she-cat with green eyes

DEPUTY

SUN SHADOW

—

black tom with amber eyes

MEDICINE CAT

PEBBLE HEART

—

gray tabby tom with white mark on his chest and amber eyes

HUNTERS

JUNIPER BRANCH

—

long-furred tortoiseshell she-cat with green eyes

RAVEN PELT

—

black tom with yellow eyes

MOUSE EARS

—

big tabby tom with unusually small ears

MUD PAWS

—

pale brown tom with four black paws

BUBBLING STREAM

—white she-cat with yellow splotches

DANGLING LEAF

—

black tom with an orange tail

SHADE PELT

—

dappled brown tom

DUSK NOSE

—

tortoiseshell she-cat

THUNDERCLAN

LEADER

THUNDERSTAR

—

orange tom with big white paws

DEPUTY

OWL EYES

—

gray tom with amber eyes

MEDICINE CAT

CLOUD SPOTS

—

long-furred black tom with white ears, white chest, and two white paws

HUNTERS

VIOLET DAWN

—

sleek dark gray she-cat with bits of black around her ears and paws

PINK EYES

—

white tom with pink eyes

LEAF

—

black-and-white tom with amber eyes

MILKWEED

—

splotchy ginger-and-black she-cat with scar on muzzle

CLOVER

—

ginger-and-white she-cat with yellow eyes

THISTLE

—

ginger tom with green eyes

GOOSEBERRY

—

pale yellow tabby she-cat

YEW TAIL

—

cream-and-brown tom

APPLE BLOSSOM

—

orange-and-white she-cat

SNAIL SHELL

—

dappled gray tom

BLUE WHISKER

—

white she-cat with yellow splotches

APPRENTICES

HAZEL BURROW

—

black-and-white tom

MORNING FIRE

—

dark brown she-cat with amber eyes

SHIVERING ROSE

—

black she-cat with white splotch on one ear and amber eyes

KITS

PATCH PELT

—

ginger-and-black tom kit

BEECH TAIL

—

pale ginger she-kit

WINDCLAN

LEADER

WINDSTAR

—

wiry brown she-cat with yellow eyes

DEPUTY

GORSE FUR

—

thin gray tabby tom

MEDICINE CAT