Path Of A Warrior

Shadowstar jumped to her feet, her worries forgotten. “What happened?” she asked, hurrying over to inspect their injuries. “These were made by another cat. Did some cat cross our borders?”

Is another Clan attacking us, after such a long time of peace? A chill ran through her. Is this how I’ll lose my final life?

Mouse Ear looked embarrassed. “No,” he admitted. “We fought each other. Juniper Branch wouldn’t listen to me.”

“Why should he tell me where to hunt?” Juniper Branch snarled. “I’m a better hunter than he is.”

“Because I know our territory better than you do,” Mouse Ear growled back. “I’ve been with ShadowClan ever since we came here.”

Juniper Branch began to reply, but Shadowstar had had enough. “Quiet!” she snapped. “What kind of mouse-brains are you two?” Both cats looked indignant, but she went on before either could reply. “Because of your foolishness, you didn’t catch any prey. You failed your Clan. Now someone else will have to hunt, because you were too busy fighting to do your duty.”

“This is your fault,” Mouse Ear growled at Juniper Branch. “You’re the one who started the fight.”

Juniper Branch snarled and swiped at him, reopening the scratch across his nose. Hissing, the big tabby leaped at her, tumbling the smaller tortoiseshell onto the ground.

“Stop it!” Raven Pelt, Juniper Branch’s mate, charged toward them, quickly followed by Mud Paws and Dangling Leaf.

They pulled the snarling cats apart. Blood was running down Juniper Branch’s cheek, and a patch of fur was missing from Mouse Ear’s shoulder. They glared at each other, their tails slashing from side to side.

“You’re acting like stupid kits,” Mud Paws yowled, exasperated. “Why would you fight like this?”

Juniper Branch snarled at him. “Stupid kit yourself,” she hissed. “You always stick up for Mouse Ear, even when he’s wrong.”

Mud Paws narrowed his eyes. Before he could retort, Raven Pelt stepped up beside his mate protectively, his ears pressed back in anger.

They’re practically at each other’s throats, Shadowstar thought, dismayed. How will this Clan stay together without me?

She stepped between Juniper Branch and Mouse Ear and glared around at all the warriors. “No more,” she said firmly. “You should be ashamed. Is this how a Clan behaves? Or are you rogues with your claws turned against each other?”

The angry cats’ tails drooped. “I’m sorry, Shadowstar,” Juniper Branch muttered, and Mouse Ear nodded.

“Go to Pebble Heart’s den and let him treat your wounds,” she ordered. “After that, you can work together and change the bedding in all the nests.” Juniper Branch looked as if she was about to object, and Shadowstar gazed at her sternly. “If you two are going to act like kits, you can take on some apprentice duties.”

She watched as they hurried off toward the medicine cat’s den, looking abashed; then she turned to the rest of her Clanmates. “I’m going to lead a hunting patrol,” she announced. “Maybe that way, we’ll be able to focus on actually catching some prey. Who wants to come with me?”

“I will,” Dusk Nose volunteered quickly, and Bubbling Stream stepped forward to join them. With a nod of approval, Shadowstar turned and headed for the tunnel, the two younger cats following.

Out in the forest, the familiar pine scent made Shadowstar feel a little calmer. The earth was cool and damp underfoot. She sniffed the air, searching for prey.

“There were a lot of mice over by the Thunderpath yesterday,” Bubbling Stream suggested.

“We’ll head over there, then,” Shadowstar mewed briskly. Her muscles tightened at the idea of going back to where Sun Shadow had died—where she had died—but she wasn’t going to avoid any part of her own territory.

There was long grass just past where the tree line ended, and Dusk Nose stiffened. “There,” he meowed. “In that clump of grass.” The air was heavy with the scent of mouse, and Shadowstar could hear several quick heartbeats coming from the grass.

“Drive them out and Bubbling Stream and I will catch them,” she told him, and she and the white she-cat slipped forward, passing on either side of the clump of grass where the mice were concealed. Once they were a few steps closer to the Thunderpath, Dusk Nose charged into the grass. Four mice, panicked, ran straight toward the she-cats.

Bubbling Stream pounced at once, pinning one mouse beneath her paws. Shadowstar was a heartbeat too slow to catch the other three and whipped around to leap after them.

They were so close to the Twoleg bridge. For a moment, she expected the shaggy brown dog to step out and block her path. Her heart thumped painfully, and she hesitated.

The mice dashed out of sight.

“What happened?” Dusk Nose burst out, and then licked at his chest fur, embarrassed.