Darkest Night

“Leafstar wants me to do some SkyClan training.”

“Isn’t ThunderClan training good enough?” Ivypool sniffed.

“Of course.” Twigpaw’s pelt prickled self-consciously. “But SkyClan cats use different skills.”

“There’s only so many ways to catch a mouse.”

Twigpaw swallowed back a purr. “You sound like Graystripe.”

Ivypool caught her eye, her gaze warming. “I guess I’m getting a little set in my ways.”

“No, you’re not,” Twigpaw reassured her. “How’s Fernsong?”

“Fernsong’s great.” Ivypool purred. “He wants kits. He’s even offered to move into the nursery and raise them.”

“A tom in the nursery?” Twigpaw blinked at her. It wasn’t something she’d ever considered before. “I guess that could work. Fernsong would make a great father.”

“Yes.” Ivypool’s eyes shone.

The affection in Ivypool’s gaze jolted a memory from the back of Twigpaw’s mind. “How’s Dovewing?” she asked warily.

“Why?” Ivypool narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

Twigpaw’s belly tightened. Did Ivypool know about her sister and Tigerheart’s secret meetings?

“What are you hiding?” Ivypool padded closer.

“Nothing.” Twigpaw stared at her paws.

Ivypool’s stare burned her pelt. “I know you well enough to see when something’s bothering you.”

Twigpaw didn’t want to tell Ivypool what she knew. But she couldn’t lie to her former mentor. “I saw her,” she murmured softly.

“Where?” Ivypool flexed her claws.

“Near the ShadowClan border.” Twigpaw avoided Ivypool’s gaze, feeling as guilty as if she’d been meeting the ShadowClan deputy in secret. “She was with Tigerheart.”

Ivypool didn’t respond.

Twigpaw looked at her and saw worry spark in her gaze.

“I knew it!” The white-and-silver warrior suddenly lashed her tail. “I knew she’d been up to something. Did you hear what they were saying?”

“I couldn’t really tell what they were talking about. Tigerheart was worried about ShadowClan,” Twigpaw mumbled. She couldn’t tell Ivypool that the two warriors were in love. “Dovewing seemed upset.”

A growl rumbled in Ivypool’s throat. “Upset? Why does she care what happens in ShadowClan? Her loyalty should be to us.”

Twigpaw squirmed beneath her pelt. “I’m sure it is.”

Ivypool glared at her. “Then why is she meeting Tigerheart in secret?”

“I don’t know.” Twigpaw backed away. She was shocked by the fury in Ivypool’s mew. Does she think my loyalty should still be with ThunderClan? She searched the warrior’s gaze.

“I’m sorry.” Ivypool fluffed out her fur. “It’s not your fault. I shouldn’t be angry with you.”

“I’m sorry I left ThunderClan,” Twigpaw blurted.

Ivypool blinked at her. “I know it was a hard decision to make.”

“Are you worried Dovewing might switch Clans too?”

Ivypool looked away. “She’d never do that. She’s fought too long and risked too much for ThunderClan.”

A meow sounded between the oaks. “Ivypool!”

“That’s Thornclaw,” Ivypool told her.

“I know.” Twigpaw recognized the ThunderClan tom’s mew with a pang.

“I’d better go.” Ivypool dipped her head. “You should head back to your own territory.”

Twigpaw followed Ivypool’s gaze toward the SkyClan border. Part of her wished she were returning to the ThunderClan camp. But then she’d miss Finpaw. With a sigh, she turned and crossed back over the scent line. “Take care!” she called to Ivypool.

“You too.” Ivypool headed away.

As the undergrowth swallowed her, Twigpaw’s heart felt heavy. She missed her mentor. She missed ThunderClan. And she wished she hadn’t been the one to share the news about Dovewing. She felt a sudden spark of sympathy for Dovewing. It must be hard having feelings for a cat in another Clan. What if someone tried to stop her from seeing Finpaw? She tried to imagine how she’d feel if she were still in ThunderClan and could only meet with him in secret. She shuddered. I wouldn’t like it. I wouldn’t like it one bit!

CHAPTER 14

Clouds filled in the sky, as gray as doves. Alderheart fluffed out his fur against the damp chill. The air tasted of rain. The fine leaf-fall days were giving way to darker weather.

He glanced at the forest closing behind him, wondering how far he’d traveled. ShadowClan scents still emanated from the pines beside him. Surely he must be nearing RiverClan by now? He’d been walking since the sun had risen above the camp, skirting SkyClan territory, and then ShadowClan territory, hoping no cat would spot him as he headed toward the stretch of land that ran down to the lake between ShadowClan and RiverClan. There, Twolegs inhabited dens during greenleaf. He might find what he was looking for.

He didn’t want the help of any cat. This was a quest he wanted to make alone. Why involve others in a journey that would probably be a waste of time?