Shattered Sky

Even though Needletail was so unhappy here, Violetpaw couldn’t imagine her ever admitting she had been wrong. And that was what she would be doing if she left to go to ThunderClan.

“I’m sorry, but… I can’t go,” Violetpaw mewed softly to Dawnpelt. “I have to stay here with Needletail.”

Dawnpelt gave an irritated flick of her ears. “Have you got bees in your brain, Violetpaw? What the rogues are doing here is not good. What they’re about to do tomorrow goes against everything Clan cats believe in.”

“Darktail says we’re not Clan cats,” Violetpaw pointed out.

“Yes, and that’s exactly the problem.” A low growl came from Dawnpelt’s throat. “Clan cats have a code. Clan cats have honor. What do these rogues have?”

She’s right… But Violetpaw had to thrust that reaction away. They’re the only kin I have now, she admitted to herself, with another glance at Needletail.

An image of Twigpaw flashed into her mind: the look of dismay and disbelief when Violetpaw had attacked her in the battle. Once, the thought of going to ThunderClan to be with her sister would have filled her with joy, like sunlight striking down into a dark place. But she knew that her decision during that battle had cut her off forever from the light.

“Violetpaw, please come,” Dawnpelt urged her again. “You can be my apprentice again in ThunderClan.”

With a massive effort Violetpaw pushed away the thought of Twigpaw, and the idea of having a real mentor again in a real Clan. “I’m sorry; I can’t,” she whispered.

Dawnpelt dipped her head in sad acceptance of Violetpaw’s decision. “May StarClan light your path, always,” she murmured, and slipped away into the darkness.

With a long sigh Violetpaw curled up again in her nest and closed her eyes. She was just sinking into sleep again when a distant yowling woke her.

What now? she wondered wearily.

Her ears pricked alertly, Violetpaw strained to hear what was going on. She could make out the voices of two cats, and with a sudden chill she recognized that they belonged to Dawnpelt and Darktail.

Darktail must have caught Dawnpelt before she got away!

The cats’ tones were angry, though they were too far away for Violetpaw to make out the words. But it was clear that they were arguing.

I wonder why, Violetpaw asked herself. Darktail just let the other cats go, so why would he be upset about Dawnpelt leaving?

After a heartbeat the voices moved a little closer. Violetpaw heard Darktail meow, “If you don’t want to be with us anymore, then you are no longer our Kin.”

Violetpaw relaxed a little with relief. It sounded as if Darktail was letting Dawnpelt go after all.

At last Needletail had sunk into deeper sleep. Violetpaw lay by her side, still trying to overhear what Dawnpelt and Darktail were saying, though now the voices were receding into the distance.

Have I made a mistake by staying? Violetpaw asked herself as she drifted back into sleep. No, she decided. I owe Needletail everything.

Darktail and Raven had roused Violetpaw and the rest of the Kin as the first pale gleam of dawn crept into the sky. Giving the order for silence, Darktail had led them through the forest, the only sound the whispering of their paws as they padded over the thick layer of pine needles that covered the ground. Now they stood at the edge of the little Thunderpath that separated their territory from RiverClan’s.

Glancing around, Violetpaw realized that almost all the Kin were gathered there, the former ShadowClan warriors and the rogues. Thistle, Roach, Pinenose, Sparrowtail, Berryheart, Rippletail, Cloverfoot… The line of cats seemed endless. Even the elders, Oakfur and Ratscar, were there, and the three kittypets, Zelda, Loki, and Max.

That’s not right, Violetpaw thought. This is no place for elders or kittypets.

She was standing with Zelda on one side of her and Loki on the other, with Max just behind them. Violetpaw wished that she could have been nearer to Needletail, but her friend stood several fox-lengths away, closely escorted by Roach and Raven.

They haven’t moved from her side since we left camp, Violetpaw thought. I wonder why.

“I’m so nervous,” Zelda murmured into Violetpaw’s ear. “I wish we could have had something to eat before we set out. I’m starving!”

“I’m too nervous to eat,” Loki mewed.

“Quiet!” Darktail padded over, and Violetpaw’s belly lurched as she realized he had been close enough to hear the kittypets’ soft voices. “There’ll be plenty to eat after we defeat RiverClan. Once we have our victory, we’ll have a great big feast.”