Thunder and Shadow

  As Jayfeather padded from the den, Twigkit watched Alderpaw drop the dusty leaves beside Whitewing. They were large and pale. She tried to imagine what they’d look like when they were fresh. A thought struck her. I know how to prove I’m special! I’ll fetch more watermint from the lake. Then the Clan will see how clever and useful I am, and they won’t want to get rid of me. Her heart lifted like an escaping butterfly.

  “I’ll see you later,” she called to Alderpaw.

  “You don’t have to leave.” Alderpaw looked at her apologetically. “Jayfeather doesn’t mean half the things he says.”

  Twigkit lifted her tail happily. “That’s okay. I have something important to do.”

  “What?” Alderpaw blinked at her curiously.

  Twigkit hesitated. “Ummm . . . I have to find a new feather for Violetkit. In case you visit Leafpool again,” she mewed hurriedly.

  Alderpaw scooped up a mouthful of marigold and began chewing. “Good luck.” His mew was muffled.

  “Thanks.” Twigkit nodded politely to Whitewing and Birchfall and backed out of the den. She bumped into something soft.

  “Look where you’re going!” Jayfeather’s hiss made her jump as she got tangled in his paws.

  Brushing her away, he ducked into the medicine den.

  Twigkit stared after him crossly. Next time you’re going to be happy to see me!

  She crossed the clearing, scanning the camp nervously. Graystripe was dozing outside the elders’ den. Honeykit was crouched beside the ferns nearby, clearly watching for frogs. Lilyheart had disappeared. She must be resting in the nursery. Bramblestar and Squirrelflight were sharing a mouse on the Highledge, while Leafkit and Larkkit were inventing battle moves in the clearing. Poppyfrost, Ambermoon, and Snowbush were watching them. The other cats must be in their dens or out on patrol, Twigkit decided as she padded toward the thorn barrier. She avoided the camp entrance. It was too risky. Instead she ducked behind the warriors’ den. Out of sight of the clearing, she searched the bottom of the thorn barrier for a gap. She could see a patch where the branches didn’t twine so thickly on the ground. She squeezed through, wincing as thorns scraped her pelt. Eyes screwed tight shut, she pushed forward until she burst free.

  I made it! Quickly she checked the leafy rise outside camp. I’m outside! The trail was clear, and she hurried along it, her ears pricked for patrols. She veered off, then ducked between the bracken stems crowding the slope. Excitement fizzed in her paws. Ordinary kits weren’t meant to leave camp. But she was special, and everyone would know it when she returned with a huge bundle of watermint. Jayfeather was going to be so grateful. He’d never be mean to her again! And Rosepetal and Mousewhisker would be embarrassed that they’d ever suggested she wasn’t special.

  She nosed her way out of the bracken and stared across a wide glade where the forest dipped down toward a dried streambed before rising toward a wall of brambles. Which way was the lake? She paused, opening her mouth and letting forest scents wash over her tongue. Fear clutched her heart as unfamiliar smells crowded in. What was that sharp stench? Fox? Owl? Rogue? She glanced around, her heart thundering in her ears. Something small skittered across the streambed. Above, leaves fluttered in the chilly breeze, and branches creaked as they swayed.

  Twigkit lifted her chin. I’m special, she reminded herself, feeling a little less special than she had in camp. I have to prove it, or they’ll make me leave. Her belly tightened. I have to find the lake. Ignoring the fear fluttering in her chest, she padded down the slope and hopped over the dry streambed. She felt sure she’d be able to see if she was going the right way if she could make it past the brambles. She climbed the rise and squeezed through a gap in the prickly branches. As she emerged on the other side, the scent of water streamed over her muzzle. The breeze carried lake scent. It must be lake scent. She could smell wet stone and earth and imagined a large pool, water lapping at its edges. In front of her, the forest sloped downward. Were those ripples sparkling in the distance? She broke into a run, zigzagging between trees and scrambling over roots. Her paws slipped on the fallen leaves, and she tumbled clumsily into a patch of nettles. Stings sparked through her nose and she leaped backward, blinking away the pain. Running again, she raced toward the sunshine, which glinted between the tree trunks.

  Suddenly she burst from the forest. Wind tugged at her fur, and a wide grassy slope plunged away from her. She gasped. The lake! It stretched out as big as the sky in front of her. Glittering like Silverpelt, it rippled in the breeze. She strained to see the far shore, amazed at how tiny the trees looked from here. Farther along, the land rose to heather-pelted hilltops, and beyond that an island rose from the water.

  There must be watermint here! The shore stretched so far, Twigkit felt sure she’d find the pale green leaves somewhere at the water’s edge. She hurried down the slope, her paws slithering on the dewy grass. As she reached the pebbly shore, she slowed, picking her way over the stones and wincing where they jabbed into her soft pads.

  She scanned the shore. Tiny waves lapped the pebbles, but there was no sign of plants. She followed the waterline, keeping her paws clear of the rippling water. Straining to see ahead, she spotted greenery sprouting around a mass of boulders jutting out into the lake. Her heart leaped.

  Watermint? She glanced at the sky, between the white puffy clouds. Oh, StarClan. Let it be watermint!

  Excitement surged in her belly as she neared and recognized the wide, pale leaves she’d seen in the medicine den. They weren’t dusty or dry, but she could already detect the same sharp scent she’d smelled on the leaves Jayfeather had given to Whitewing. StarClan answered my prayer! Joy surged through Twigkit. I must be special.

  She climbed onto the first boulder, unsheathing her claws to grip the smooth stone. The watermint was growing in clumps between the rocks that jutted into deeper water. She scrambled toward them, clambering over boulder after boulder until she was right at the edge where thick leaves sprouted.

  I’ll take back the biggest bundle ever! Twigkit imagined the surprised look on her Clanmates’ faces as she walked into camp, a great wad of watermint in her jaws. Larkkit, Leafkit, and Honeykit would be amazed. They might even let her join in their frog hunts. Everyone would congratulate her. Jayfeather would come out of his den to see what the fuss was about. Then he’d smell the mint and have to thank her.

  Happily, Twigkit hooked her claws into the biggest leaf and tugged. To her surprise, it didn’t tear free of the clump. The force of her tug unbalanced her, and she jerked clumsily. Her paws slid from beneath her. Her heart lurched as her rump hit the rock. She let go of the leaves, scrabbling to find her paws, but they slithered on the smooth stone. Help! She felt herself falling. With a yelp of horror, she plunged into the lake.

  The chill of the water stole her breath. Terror scorched through her as she sank. She flailed desperately, opening her mouth to mew, choking on the water that rushed in. Bubbles streamed around her as the water washed through her fur. It stung her eyes and filled her ears. She struggled, tumbling as currents caught her and dragged her deeper. StarClan, help me! She struck out, trying to pull herself to the surface, but light seemed to glimmer on every side. Which way is up? Her panic spiraled. I can’t find my way out! Her lungs ached for air. I’m dying! How could this happen? I’m a special kit!

  Suddenly a voice sounded through the roaring of blood in her ears. Twigkit. She stopped struggling, letting the water swirl her like a leaf. Twigkit! The voice sounded again, and she recognized it with a flicker of hope.

  Is that my mother? She had forgotten that gentle, familiar purr. She’d only been with her mother for a few days, and since Alderpaw had carried her back to ThunderClan, she’d been unable to remember even the touch of her fur. Now her mother’s scent surrounded her.

  Swim, my special kit, swim!

  At her mother’s command, Twigkit flailed once more, trying to fight her way to the surface. Her lungs bursting, she fought the water as it dragged her down. I’m
not strong enough! Help me!

  Teeth sank into her scruff, biting into her fur and jerking her upward. Mother? Limp with shock, she felt herself being pulled. The water around her grew lighter and lighter until, like prey escaping the jaws of a fox, she burst into fresh air.

  She gulped it down, struggling to fill her lungs and coughing helplessly. The teeth held onto her scruff, dragging her until she felt pebbles brush her paws. She let herself be hauled, helpless, onto the shore. “You saved me,” she mewed weakly. Her mother had come back! She rescued me! Dazed, Twigkit coughed up water from her lungs and belched it from her belly.

  “Twigkit?” A ginger she-cat was leaning over her, eyes flashing with fear. “Are you okay?”

  Twigkit blinked in surprise. “Sparkpaw?” Disappointment jabbed her chest. It wasn’t my mother. Fighting grief, she let her thoughts clear. Of course it wasn’t her mother. I’m a mouse-brain! What would her mother be doing here, beside the lake? She struggled to her paws, forcing a purr. “You saved me, Sparkpaw! Thank you!” Coughing, she collapsed.

  Sparkpaw sat down, her wet pelt streaming. “What in StarClan are you doing here? Did you want to see what it’s like being a RiverClan cat?”

  Twigkit blinked at her, shame sweeping over her so hotly it drove the chill of the water from her pelt. “I came to fetch watermint,” she mewed weakly.

  Sparkpaw’s eyes widened. “Did Alderpaw send you?”

  Twigkit shook her head. “It was my idea. I wanted to help the Clan.”

  “I’m not sure drowning yourself is very helpful.” Sparkpaw shook out her pelt, spraying Twigkit with water.

  Paws thrummed toward them and pebbles cracked as another cat leaped onto the shore. Twigkit looked up and saw Cherryfall.

  The warrior stared at Twigkit. “You were right, Sparkpaw,” she meowed in surprise. “It was a kit on the shore. I was sure it was an otter.”

  “Otters can swim.” Sparkpaw butted Twigkit playfully with her muzzle.

  Twigkit blinked at her helplessly. She was cold, embarrassed, and exhausted.

  Cherryfall slid past her apprentice. “I won’t ask what you were doing by the lake, Twigkit. We need to get you home and warm as soon as possible.” She crouched. “Climb onto my back. I’ll carry you back to camp.”

  Twigkit reached up and tried to haul herself onto the warrior’s shoulders, but her paws weren’t strong enough. She felt Sparkpaw’s muzzle beneath her haunches as, with a grunt, the apprentice boosted her up.

  Twigkit clung on, relishing the warmth pulsing from Cherryfall’s pelt. Closing her eyes, she let the warrior carry her home.

  “Why did you even leave the camp?” Jayfeather scolded as he tucked her deep into Emberfoot’s discarded nest.

  “I was trying to help,” Twigkit rasped sadly. She glanced toward the entrance, hoping Alderpaw would arrive. Would he be cross with her too? She couldn’t bear not knowing.

  “Kits should not try to help. They cause nothing but trouble!” He folded dry moss around her. “Briarlight, wrap yourself around her. We need to get her warm.”

  Briarlight slid gently into the nest beside Twigkit and curled close. Twigkit was still shivering, her throat sore from coughing up water. She could hear the Clan murmuring outside. They’d gathered around as Cherryfall had carried her into camp.

  “Where did you find her?”

  “Did the rogues kidnap her?”

  “What was she doing out of camp?”

  “How did she get so wet?”

  Anxious voices had surrounded her, and she had buried her muzzle deep into Cherryfall’s fur and closed her eyes. This wasn’t the heroic return she had planned. She hadn’t even brought back any watermint.

  Now, in Emberfoot’s nest, she heard Lilyheart’s mew.

  “Where is she?” The queen pushed her way through the brambles.

  Twigkit peeped at her from the moss.

  “Cherryfall said you’d gone to the lake.” Lilyheart sounded as cross as Jayfeather. “How could you leave the camp? I’m ashamed of you. What will the Clan think?”

  Twigkit shrank deeper into the nest.

  Jayfeather stepped in front of the queen. “She needs rest,” he told Lilyheart. “You can growl at her when she’s recovered.”

  Lilyheart fluffed out her pelt indignantly. “I’m supposed to be looking after her.”

  “Then you shouldn’t have let her wander out of camp.” Jayfeather steered Lilyheart firmly toward the entrance. “Especially when there are rogues in the forest.”

  Lilyheart grunted and stalked from the medicine den.

  Twigkit blinked at Jayfeather. Had he actually defended her?

  He headed for the back of the den. “I’ll mix you some herbs for the shock,” he mewed over his shoulder. “And don’t complain if they taste bad. You deserve everything you get.”

  As he spoke, Alderpaw raced through the brambles and skidded to a halt beside Twigkit’s nest. “I was out gathering oak leaves.” He was panting. “Cherryfall told me when I got back. Twigkit! What happened? What were you doing by the lake?”

  Twigkit blinked at him, bracing herself for another scolding, but Alderpaw was staring at her, his eyes wide with fear. “Are you okay?”

  “She’ll be fine.” Jayfeather growled from the back of the den. “Briarlight’s warming her up and I’m mixing some thyme and poppy seeds for her.”

  Alderpaw leaned forward and nudged Briarlight with his nose. “Let me take your place,” he mewed softly. As Briarlight moved away, he slid into the nest and wrapped himself around Twigkit. His familiar scent soothed her.

  “Sparkpaw said you were trying to help,” he murmured softly. “How could you help by going to the lake?”

  “I wanted to get watermint,” Twigkit whispered, her throat tightening. “You’d run out, and I wanted to prove I was special.” Her heart seemed to crack as the words tumbled out. “Mousewhisker and Rosepetal said they thought I wasn’t special. They said there was a prophecy. The Clan thought I was part of it but I’m not. They said I was just an ordinary cat. But if I’m just an ordinary cat, the Clan won’t want me anymore. So I had to prove I was special.”

  Alderpaw squeezed tighter around her and for the first time, Twigkit stopped shivering. “Of course you’re special! StarClan led Needlepaw and me to you. And the Clan will always want you. You’re one of us now, and nothing will ever change that.”

  You’re one of us now. His words soothed her. Twigkit relaxed against him and began to purr.

  “Alderpaw!”

  Sparkpaw’s mew made her jump. The flame-colored apprentice burst through the brambles. Her eyes were shining. “Cherryfall told Bramblestar that I rescued Twigkit, and he says it’s time for my assessment. You know what that means? I’m going to be a warrior!”

  Twigkit felt Alderpaw stiffen beside her.

  “A warrior already?” His mew was tight. “That’s great, Sparkpaw. That’s really great.”

  “I know!” Sparkpaw paced. “I can’t wait for my ceremony. That’s if I pass my assessment. I will pass, won’t I?” She glanced anxiously at Alderpaw but didn’t give him a chance to answer. “Of course I will. I’ve been training so hard for this moment. I wonder where the hunting assessment will be. I hope they choose the glade beside the stream. There are always squirrels there. . . .”

  Twigkit’s attention slid away. The warmth of Alderpaw and the nest was making her drowsy. Her eyelids felt heavy. As she closed them and sleep began to pull at her pelt, she wondered why Alderpaw had felt so tense when Sparkpaw had told him about her naming ceremony. He was happy for his sister, wasn’t he? Of course he was. Darkness swirled around her. Why shouldn’t he be?

  CHAPTER 7

  “Sparkpelt! Sparkpelt!”

  Pride surged through Alderpaw’s pelt as he called his sister’s new warrior name. His Clanmates cheered around him.

  Graystripe’s mew sounded farther around the clearing. The elder was murmuring to Millie. “I thought they’d choose Sparkfire for her wa
rrior name. She looks more like Firestar than any cat I ever saw. It would be a good way to remember him.” He sighed. “But I suppose Bramblestar is leader. He must know what he’s doing.”

  Sparkpelt stood beside Bramblestar in the center of the clearing, her chin and tail high. Joy shone in her bright green gaze. The bright half-moon shone in a clear black sky, lighting the camp and striping the Highledge with shadow.

  Bramblestar brushed his muzzle along Sparkpelt’s chin. Squirrelflight hurried forward and touched noses with her. Alderpaw shifted uneasily. He was trying to ignore the envy pricking in his paws. Sparkpelt deserved her warrior name. She’d been a great apprentice from her first day of training. Cherryfall and Brackenfur had announced that she had performed brilliantly during her assessment, catching a pigeon and two mice and outwitting Cherryfall in a mock fight with a battle move she’d thought up herself. And yet Alderpaw couldn’t help wishing that he were standing in the clearing beside her instead of watching.

  He glanced at the moon. Would StarClan speak to him at tonight’s meeting at the Moonpool? Perhaps they would tell him that his apprenticeship was nearing its end. Longingly he imagined Jayfeather giving him his medicine-cat name while his Clanmates looked on. Would Jayfeather finally stop telling him what to do?

  “Alderpaw!” Sparkpelt’s mew called him from his thoughts. Their Clanmates were drifting to the edges of the camp, back to the prey they had left so they could witness the naming ceremony.

  He hurried to meet her. “Congratulations!”

  She looked as happy as a kit. “Thanks.” She touched her muzzle to his cheek. “It’ll be you next,” she promised softly.

  “I hope so,” he sighed.

  Jayfeather stomped past them, his tail flicking. “Stop wishing and hurry up, Alderpaw. We don’t want to be the last cats to arrive.”

  Sparkpelt’s gaze followed the medicine cat toward the camp entrance. “I think you’re great,” she whispered to Alderpaw. “The way you put up with him. I’d have thrown all his dumb herbs into the lake by now.”