Thunder and Shadow

  Violetpaw’s pelt spiked. Were her dumb sister’s paws rooted to the ground? “What difference does it make?” she reasoned. “We’re not kits anymore. We’re apprentices. We’re going to be warriors. We have homes and Clanmates.”

  “But we don’t have kin,” Twigpaw whispered. “Only each other. We have to stick together.”

  Twigpaw was making even less sense. “You want to join ShadowClan?”

  “Of course not,” Twigpaw snapped. “I just wanted to see you. I wanted to know that you’re here for me.”

  Violetpaw narrowed her eyes, bewildered. “Of course I’m here for you. But you’re in ThunderClan.”

  Paw steps brushed the earth nearby. “Who’s there?”

  Violetpaw’s heart leaped into her throat as she recognized her mentor’s mew.

  Dawnpelt was skirting the camp wall, making her way from the warriors’ den. Her cream pelt glowed in the moonlight.

  “Quick!” Violetpaw motioned Twigpaw toward the dirtplace tunnel with a flick of her nose. But Twigpaw was staring at Dawnpelt, her eyes wide with fear. Violetpaw pressed back a growl. Was Twigpaw totally mouse-brained? Did she really think she could stand arguing in another Clan’s camp without being noticed?

  Violetpaw hurried toward Dawnpelt. “Hi,” she mewed, trying to sound innocent. Perhaps Dawnpelt hadn’t noticed Twigpaw.

  But Dawnpelt looked past her, her ears flattening. “I smell ThunderClan,” she growled. “Who’s there?” She pushed past Violetpaw and padded toward Twigpaw.

  “It’s just me.” Twigpaw’s mew sounded small. “I had to see Violetpaw. It wasn’t her fault. I sneaked in and woke her up. She was trying to get rid of me.” She shot a reproachful look at Violetpaw.

  Violetpaw rolled her eyes. What else did she expect? Her Clanmates had been right all along: ThunderClan cats were frog-brained.

  Dawnpelt paced around Twigpaw, her hackles lifting. “Did you come to spy on us?”

  “No!” Twigpaw sounded offended. “I told you. I had to speak with Violetpaw.”

  “What about?” Dawnpelt stopped a whisker from her nose and glared at her.

  “About our mother,” Twigpaw told her. “She’s dead.”

  Dawnpelt flashed a look at Violetpaw. “Is that news?”

  Violetpaw padded forward, sighing. “It’s news to Twigpaw.” She stopped beside her mentor, feeling a sudden wave of pity for her littermate. “She was hoping our mother was still alive.”

  Dawnpelt sniffed Twigpaw warily. “What changed your mind?”

  “I went searching for her.” Twigpaw sounded forlorn. “I saw the Thunderpath where she’d made our nest. When I saw the monsters, I knew one of them must have killed her.”

  “Give her a break,” Violetpaw mewed softly. “She didn’t mean any harm.”

  Dawnpelt narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. “She can’t just come here every time she wants to tell you something.”

  “It was something important!” Twigpaw lifted her chin.

  “You thought it was important,” Dawnpelt growled. “That doesn’t mean everyone agrees. You’re as arrogant as your Clanmates.”

  Don’t criticize my sister! Violetpaw glared at Dawnpelt. “Just let her go home. No one need ever know she came.”

  A voice sounded from the clearing. “It’s a bit late for that.”

  Violetpaw stiffened. Tawnypelt was staring at them, the fur spiking along her spine. Scorchfur and Yarrowleaf padded sleepily from the warriors’ den. Snowbird and Tigerheart followed. Kinkfur peeked from the elders’ den. Whorlkit and Flowerkit tumbled out of the nursery, their eyes widening as they saw Twigpaw.

  “Invasion!” Whorlkit dashed across the clearing, yowling loudly.

  Grassheart darted from her den, panic lighting her eyes. She wrapped her tail around Flowerkit and stared at Whorlkit as he hared around the clearing, his fur fluffed out excitedly.

  Violetpaw shrank inside her pelt as Crowfrost padded sleepily from his den.

  “What’s happened?” He blinked in the moonlight, his gaze widening as it reached Twigpaw.

  Dawnpelt lifted her tail. “A ThunderClan apprentice has found her way into our camp.”

  “Twigpaw.” Crowfrost looked relieved as he saw Twigpaw standing alone in the clearing. He put out a paw to stop Whorlkit as the young tom hared toward him. “Go back to your mother,” he ordered. As Whorlkit trudged reluctantly toward Grassheart, Crowfrost turned back to Dawnpelt. “Is it just Twigpaw?”

  Dawnpelt nodded. “She wanted to speak with Violetpaw.”

  Crowfrost’s gaze flashed warily to Violetpaw. “Why?”

  Dawnpelt shook her head wearily. “Some nonsense about their mother. Nothing important.”

  Violetpaw saw Twigpaw draw herself up indignantly. She guessed Twigpaw was about to tell the ShadowClan deputy that her mother was very important. “I’m sorry,” Violetpaw butted in quickly. “It won’t happen again. Twigpaw made a mistake, that’s all.”

  Scorchfur let out a low growl. “How do we know Violetpaw didn’t invite her here?” he snarled. “Perhaps she’s planning to invite the rogues here next.”

  “That’s not fair!” Violetpaw lashed her tail. She’d worked hard to be accepted. How could they distrust her so easily?

  Twigpaw stepped forward, puffing out her chest. “My sister would never betray anyone like that!”

  Scorchfur scowled at the ThunderClan apprentice. “And yet you’re here.”

  Crowfrost padded heavily across the clearing. “Clearly, these young cats have made a mistake. But there’s no harm done.” He looked sternly at Twigpaw. “You can’t come here to visit your sister, understand? If you need to speak to her, wait for a Gathering. You may be kin, but you live in different Clans now.”

  Twigpaw blinked at him anxiously. “But what if it’s important?”

  “Then speak to Bramblestar about it,” he told her. “He’ll know the proper way to behave.”

  Twigpaw hung her head. “I’m sorry,” she murmured.

  Twigpaw’s sadness touched Violetpaw’s heart. She blinked sympathetically at her sister. Twigpaw hadn’t meant any harm.

  Crowfrost beckoned to Snowbird and Tigerheart with a flick of his tail. “Take this apprentice back to her Clan. Speak to Bramblestar and make sure he doesn’t let it happen again.”

  Tigerheart nodded and headed toward Twigpaw. Snowbird followed at his heels.

  “Wait!” Scorchfur’s growl made Violetpaw jump.

  Scorchfur padded across the clearing and stopped beside Crowfrost. “We have sick cats in our Clan,” he meowed. His gaze was sly.

  Crowfrost narrowed his eyes. “Yes?”

  “And we need WindClan to let us have the herb.”

  Violetpaw’s paws prickled nervously as Scorchfur went on. What was the old fleabag up to?

  “But WindClan won’t help us.” Scorchfur looked around his Clanmates meaningfully. “None of the Clans will help us. But perhaps we could use this opportunity to persuade them to help us.”

  Dawnpelt looked confused. “How?”

  Crowfrost’s gaze sharpened. “You mean we could persuade ThunderClan to help us.” He glanced pointedly at Twigpaw.

  Violetpaw stepped forward, anxiety rippling thorough her fur. “What are you talking about?” Was Twigpaw in danger?

  Crowfrost must have seen her panic. “Don’t worry. No one is going to hurt your sister. But she’s going to stay with us a while so that we can reason with Bramblestar.”

  “A hostage?” Violetpaw gasped. “You’re going to use her as a hostage?”

  Tawnypelt shifted her paws. “It makes sense, Violetpaw. ThunderClan and WindClan have always had a special relationship. ThunderClan has saved WindClan more than once. If we can’t persuade WindClan to give us the herb, perhaps ThunderClan can.”

  “Given the right incentive.” Scorchfur’s eyes lit with malice as he looked at Twigpaw.

  Crowfrost flicked his tail. “I think Rowanstar would agree if he were well enough. No harm will come to Twigp
aw while she’s with us.” He gazed around at his Clanmates. “She will be treated as one of our own. But she will remain here until WindClan gives us the lungwort.”

  Violetpaw stared at Twigpaw, her belly tightening as she saw fear flash in her sister’s eyes. She hurried to stand beside her, letting her pelt brush Twigpaw’s. “It’s okay,” she whispered. “I won’t let anyone hurt you. If Crowfrost says you’ll be safe, you’ll be safe.”

  Twigpaw blinked at her gratefully.

  “Take her to your den,” Crowfrost told Violetpaw. He nodded to Tigerheart. “Stand guard outside until dawn; then Tawnypelt can take over. Twigpaw must not be left alone while she’s with us.” He gave a warning stare to his Clanmates. “She is our best chance of securing the cure for this sickness. I will send a patrol to speak with Bramblestar in the morning.”

  Ripples of agreement sounded around the clearing. Violetpaw nudged Twigpaw toward the apprentices’ den. Twigpaw padded stiffly in front of her and ducked inside.

  Violetpaw followed, relieved to be away from the eyes of her Clan. “I said you shouldn’t have come here!” Irritation prickled through her pelt as she stared at her sister. She felt sorry for Twigpaw’s predicament, but it was her own fault.

  Twigpaw’s shoulders drooped. “What will Bramblestar say when the ShadowClan patrol tells him what’s happened? I’m such a mouse-brain.”

  She sounded so sad that Violetpaw’s anger melted. She touched her nose to her sister’s cheek. “You are a mouse-brain,” she teased softly. “But your heart is in the right place.”

  Twigpaw leaned against her wearily.

  “Come on.” Violetpaw nosed her into her nest. “You must be tired. Let’s get some rest.”

  Twigpaw climbed into the moss-lined bracken and sat down.

  Violetpaw curled around her. “It’ll be okay,” she promised. “Perhaps this is the best way to get WindClan to help us. You’re doing ShadowClan a favor. If WindClan gives us the herb and our Clanmates are cured, it will be because of you.”

  Twigpaw lifted her gaze toward Violetpaw’s hopefully. “It will, won’t it?”

  Violetpaw purred. “I bet your Clanmates won’t mind if they know they’re saving lives.”

  “Alderpaw will be pleased.” Twigpaw slowly lay down beside her sister. “Jayfeather will think I’m a bee-brain, but he always has, so that won’t be different.”

  “Get some sleep and try not to worry.” Happiness suddenly infused Violetpaw’s pelt. She’d never had the chance to comfort another cat before. It warmed her to feel Twigpaw relax beside her. She watched her sister yawn.

  “I guess I am tired,” Twigpaw mewed. “I haven’t slept all night.”

  “Sleep now, then,” Violetpaw urged gently. “Everything will look better in the morning. It always does.”

  As Twigpaw rested her nose on her paws, Violetpaw curled tighter around her. It felt good to share her nest with her littermate. Sensing the soft warmth of Twigpaw seeping through her pelt, she closed her eyes. Purring quietly, she let herself drift back into sleep.

  CHAPTER 18

  “Alderpaw!”

  A hiss woke him. He jerked up his head, blinking in the pale dawn light, which was seeping into the apprentices’ den. Leafpaw shifted in his nest but didn’t wake. Larkpaw and Honeypaw were still snoring.

  Ivypool was standing beside his nest, her gaze sharp with worry. “Have you seen Twigpaw?”

  Alderpaw stared at her, still befuddled with sleep. “Not since last night.” He glanced toward her nest. It was empty.

  “She was supposed to be coming on dawn patrol with me,” Ivypool mewed urgently. “But I can’t find her anywhere.”

  “Have you checked the dirtplace?” Alderpaw kept his voice low.

  “Of course I’ve checked the dirtplace.” Ivypool looked exasperated. “I’ve checked all around camp. She’s not here.”

  Alderpaw was awake now. Panic flashed through his pelt. Twigpaw had been quiet on the trek back from the Thunderpath. He knew she must be devastated. She’d been so full of hope. But he’d thought returning to camp and sharing prey with her Clanmates would make her feel better. He looked anxiously at Ivypool. “You don’t think she’s done anything dumb, do you?”

  Ivypool huffed impatiently. “What? Like thrown herself in the lake again?”

  Alderpaw scrambled from his nest. “She’s probably just gone for a walk, to think about things.”

  “She’s an apprentice,” Ivypool snapped. “She’s meant to be on the dawn patrol. She can think about things later.” Alderpaw could see beyond the exasperation in Ivypool’s eyes. The silver-and-white she-cat looked worried. “She’s too young to be out in the forest alone.” Ivypool began to pace. “What if a fox attacks her? She’s only learned basic battle moves. She may have been gone all night. I should have kept a closer eye on her. I knew she was upset after our journey.”

  “It’s not your fault.” Alderpaw tried to press back the guilt welling in his own chest. He shared a den with Twigpaw. He should have been more alert. He should have noticed her leave. He shook out his pelt. “Worrying won’t find her.” He headed out of the den. “Does Squirrelflight know she’s missing? We should tell her before she’s finished organizing the patrols. Someone needs to look for Twigpaw.”

  Bramblestar was on the Highledge. Below him, ThunderClan warriors milled around Squirrelflight.

  Brackenfur, Whitewing, and Cinderheart were already padding toward the entrance, clearly heading out on patrol.

  “There’s a mouse nest near the birch trees.” Whitewing’s eyes shone eagerly.

  “Let’s stalk squirrels first,” Cinderheart suggested. “They’ll still be sleepy and slow.”

  Rosepetal trotted toward Alderpaw. “Is Larkpaw awake?”

  “Not yet.” Alderpaw didn’t stop.

  “Apprentices!” Rosepetal huffed. “They’re always the last ones up.”

  As she headed away, grumbling, Alderpaw pushed between Blossomfall and Bumblestripe. He caught Squirrelflight’s eye. She was putting together another patrol.

  “Cherryfall and Sparkpelt, you can—”

  Alderpaw cut in. “Twigpaw is missing.”

  Squirrelflight jerked her muzzle toward him. “For how long?”

  Ivypool caught up. “We don’t know. I think she slipped out of camp in the night.”

  “You’ve checked all the dens?” Squirrelflight looked up at Bramblestar, beckoning him with a flick of her tail.

  “Yes,” Ivypool reported. “And the dirtplace and around the outside of the camp. There’s no sign of her.”

  “Any scents?” Squirrelflight moved aside as Bramblestar leaped down the rock tumble and stopped beside her.

  “I can’t trace any,” Ivypool told her.

  “What’s happened?” Bramblestar frowned.

  “Twigpaw is missing,” Squirrelflight told him.

  Blossomfall stepped forward. “It rained just before dawn. She must have left before then; the rain has washed away her scents.”

  Bramblestar’s gaze flicked to the thorn barrier. “Has anyone come into camp?”

  Alderpaw’s heart quickened. Did he think someone had come and taken Twigpaw? No. He pushed the thought away. Twigpaw had been upset. “It’s more likely she’s gone because she wanted to go,” he told Bramblestar. “She was pretty upset about not finding her mother.”

  Squirrelflight’s tail twitched irritably. “She’s probably wandering through the woods feeling sorry for herself.”

  Ivypool bristled. “And I suppose you never did that when you were young?”

  Squirrelflight met the silver-and-white she-cat’s eyes, her gaze softening. “I’m sorry. You’re right. She must be upset.” She nodded to Blossomfall. “Will you lead a patrol to search the lakeshore, Blossomfall? Lionblaze.” She turned to the golden tom. “Take two warriors toward the ShadowClan border. Ivypool can take Stormcloud and Hollytuft to the WindClan border.”

  Alderpaw felt a glimmer of relief. It felt good to be doing
something. “Can I join a search patrol?” he asked.

  Bramblestar shook his head. “You’ll be more use here, getting on with your medicine-cat duties.”

  As he spoke, Jayfeather padded from the medicine den. His blind gaze scanned the clearing. “Alderpaw?”

  Alderpaw’s shoulders drooped. Jayfeather must be able to read minds. There was no way the grumpy medicine cat would let him roam the forest when he could be counting poppy seeds or rolling herb bundles. He slouched toward the medicine den. “I’m coming.”

  “We’ll find her!” Ivypool called after him.

  He glanced back at her. “Thanks.”

  Jayfeather shooed him into the medicine den. “What’s the fuss about? Has one of the apprentices forgotten how to hunt?”

  Alderpaw ignored the medicine cat’s sarcasm. He padded past Briarlight, sleeping in her nest, and reached into the medicine store. “Twigpaw is missing.” He pulled out a jumble of leaves and began to sort them into piles.

  Leafpool was dipping leaves into the water collecting beside the rocky wall of the den and laying them out to dry. “Missing?” She stopped and blinked at Alderpaw.

  “Let’s hope she hasn’t gone swimming again,” Jayfeather grunted.

  Why did everyone keep saying that? Alderpaw turned on him, anger sparking though his pelt. “Don’t you care about anyone except yourself?”

  Jayfeather stiffened, his blue eyes fixing on Alderpaw as though he saw him as clearly as an ordinary cat would. “Of course I do!” he snapped. “I can sense every cat’s feelings in the camp. From their mew, from the way they walk, from the swishing of their tails. The noise of it never stops. If I took every feeling seriously, I’d never be able to focus on my work.”

  Alderpaw stared at him, shocked. Was Jayfeather really that sensitive to his Clanmates’ moods? “Did you know Twigpaw was upset?”

  “She trudged into camp yesterday like there was a badger sitting on her shoulders,” Jayfeather replied. “Of course I knew she was upset. But I didn’t know she was going to run off in the middle of the night. I can’t read thoughts.”

  Alderpaw turned back to the herbs. “Do you think she’ll be okay?”