Darkness Within

by Erin Hunter

  They won’t? Bristlefrost’s chest tightened. Dovewing and Finleap were certainly different, but only because they’d done something most warriors didn’t dare to. “I think they were braver because they broke the rules for something they believed in more,” she mewed quietly.

  Needleclaw’s eyes flashed with indignation. “Rules are rules!” she snapped. “They are there for a reason. If we all broke them, there’d be no Clans left and no warriors.”

  Rootspring poked his mouse. “Careful, Needleclaw. You’ll be yowling about codebreakers next, like Ashfur.”

  Needleclaw stiffened. “I’m not suggesting any cat be exiled. I’m just saying Finleap and Dovewing caused a lot of trouble that could have been avoided.”

  Spotfur’s gaze drifted away from the other warriors. She stared once more at the river. “If Stemleaf had lived in a different Clan, I’d have loved him anyway.” Her mew was soft. “No matter what Thunderclan thought about it.”

  Bristlefrost watched the queen. Her eyes were glistening wistfully. Did Spotfur love Stemleaf more than her own Clan? The thought unnerved her. How could she? Bristlefrost’s gaze drifted toward Rootspring. Suddenly, her heart yearned for him more than she could bear. Would I leave Thunderclan for him? She pushed the thought away. Of course not. Thunderclan needs me. Why should her feelings for Rootspring mean leaving her Clan anyway? She’d heard that Crowfeather was Lionblaze and Jayfeather’s father, even though Squirrelflight and Bramblestar had raised them. And Crowfeather was WindClan’s deputy now. So his Clanmates couldn’t have been too troubled that he’d had a relationship outside his Clan. Surely it was possible for her to love Rootspring and stay in Thunderclan?

  Her tail twitched. I shouldn’t be looking for an excuse. Ashamed, she licked her chest, hoping no cat would guess her thoughts. She shot Rootspring a look, but he was staring stiffly ahead, his paws tucked awkwardly beneath him. Was he embarrassed too?

  The sun had disappeared and the camp was swathed in evening shadow. Stars were twinkling overhead.

  Snow stood up and stretched.

  Sunrise swallowed her last piece of the shrew and got up too. She nodded toward Spotfur, whose eyes had closed. Her head was beginning to droop. “There are warm nests for all of you.” She glanced toward a den woven into a dogwood bush. “Spotfur should get as much rest as she can. We’ve a long journey ahead of us tomorrow.”

  “We should all get some rest,” Snow agreed.

  Around the clearing, the Sisters stood up and began to head toward the bushes encircling the camp. Snow nodded her head to the warriors and followed them as Tempest padded over to Spotfur and gently nosed her to her paws. Sleepily, Spotfur followed her to the dogwood and disappeared inside.

  Needleclaw sat up. She eyed Rootspring as the Sisters slid into their dens. “Are you coming?”

  “In a moment,” Rootspring told her.

  Needleclaw’s gaze flicked sharply toward Bristlefrost. The SkyClan warrior clearly didn’t want to leave them together in the empty clearing.

  Bristlefrost settled deeper into the grass. They would be traveling home tomorrow. This would be one of her last nights away from the Clans. She didn’t want to sleep through it. The stars here were brighter than they were beneath the canopy of Thunderclan’s forest. And she’d never slept beside a river before. She blinked at Needleclaw. “I haven’t finished my mouse.” The last few mouthfuls still lay in front of her.

  Needleclaw held her ground. “You should get some rest before the journey tomorrow,” she mewed.

  Rootspring stared at her. “Don’t you trust us?” he challenged.

  Her pelt rippled as she stared back. Then she swished her tail, avoiding the question. “Don’t be long,” she told him, turning away from them.

  “We won’t be.” As his sister headed for the dogwood den, he blinked at Bristlefrost. “She doesn’t dare accuse me of being disloyal.”

  Bristlefrost looked away quickly. She couldn’t help feeling guilty that they were staying out here alone. And yet the grass smelled so sweet and the river was chattering softly. Happiness bubbled in her chest.

  “You’d better finish it.” He nodded at the remains of the mouse. “She might come back to check.” His eyes twinkled.

  “I’m not hungry,” Bristlefrost whispered. She tried to stop her pelt from twitching with excitement as Rootspring moved closer and pressed his flank against hers. It was warm and soft, and she nestled against him, a purr rumbling in her throat. “We shouldn’t stay out long,” she mewed huskily.

  Rootspring moved his muzzle close to hers. “But we’ll be home in a day or two, and then we might not see each other again for a moon.”

  She couldn’t argue. She didn’t want to.

  He folded his tail around hers. “It’s strange to think about cats like Finleap and Dovewing,” he murmured. “How they changed Clans for their mates.”

  She stiffened. Was he suggesting they do the same?

  Rootspring gazed at the river thoughtfully. “I don’t know if I could leave my kin behind in SkyClan, even for a mate.”

  Her heart dropped and she realized how much she’d been hoping he would feel differently. Guilt tugged at her belly. She shouldn’t wish that he would. It was asking too much. And would she love him as much if he were the sort of warrior who could? “I couldn’t leave Thunderclan, either,” she breathed. “It’s where I was born and raised. And being a good Thunderclan warrior has always been the most important thing to me.” She searched his face, trying to read his reaction. Had she hurt him? “Whatever I feel, my Clan must come first.”

  “I know.” He blinked at her, his eyes sparkling with moonlight. They were wide and green, and her heart felt as though it would split as she returned his gaze. Being a good Thunderclan warrior has always been the most important thing to me. Here, beside the river, far from the Clans, with Rootspring’s warmth seeping through her pelt, she wondered if that was true anymore.

  Bristlefrost paced beside the entrance to the Sisters’ camp. Spotfur was eating a thrush, while the Sisters stuffed the entrances to their dens with ferns to keep foxes from settling while they were away. The morning had brought more sunshine. It would be a good day to travel, and yet, as Bristlefrost watched the Sisters preparing for the journey, foreboding loomed in her mind and made her tense.

  She stopped beside Rootspring. “There are so many of them.” She nodded toward the Sisters. Young cats, not yet six moons old, had joined them now, along with Sisters who’d made their dens farther down the river. “Are you sure Leafstar won’t object to having them on SkyClan territory?”

  “I hope not.” Rootspring looked anxious. “But she can’t really object. They are doing us a favor.”

  “But they’re so big,” Bristlefrost pressed. “Your Clan might feel invaded. Especially since your camp used to be their camp.” She heard a nervous shake in her own voice. “And will there be enough prey on your territory to support so many extra mouths?”

  Rootspring frowned. “Perhaps we can persuade some of them to stay behind.”

  Snow’s ears perked up. She must have heard him. “We travel together,” she told him firmly.

  Rootspring’s tail twitched, but he didn’t argue. “I guess that’s it, then,” he whispered to Bristlefrost as Snow began beckoning her campmates to the entrance with her tail. He ducked out of the camp and Bristlefrost followed.

  Needleclaw and Spotfur fell in behind them, and bushes swished as the Sisters padded in their wake. Bristlefrost glanced over her shoulder. So many cats! Was this how Clan leaders felt when they led their warriors to a Gathering?

  She looked at the meadows stretching ahead. “How will we get so many cats across the Twolegplace?”

  “Sunrise says she knows another route,” Rootspring told her.

  She felt his fur brush hers and moved away, conscious that Needleclaw was watching. Her paws felt suddenly heavy. These days away from the Clans had been special. The moments she’d shared with Rootspring would live forever in h
er heart. As she led the Sisters across the fields, she felt the tug of the countryside behind them. Was she ready to return home?

  Chapter 14

  Shadowsight itched with frustration as he watched Mothwing slowly pulling herbs from the herb store. Was she going to check every leaf for mildew before she finally pulled out the rolled strip of dock into which he’d smeared honey only a moon ago?

  Yarrowleaf had whitecough, and Puddleshine had suggested she sleep in the medicine den so she didn’t disturb the other warriors. The sound of Yarrowleaf’s coughing had kept Shadowsight awake half the night. Twice, Shadowsight had barely convinced himself not to go to the herb store to fetch honey for the sick warrior. Mothwing and Puddleshine seemed able to sleep through her hacking, but he had been scared Mothwing would wake to find him rooting about in her herbs. She’d only complain he had no business there.

  Now morning sunshine was streaming into the medicine den, and Yarrowleaf was still waiting for Mothwing to find honey to soothe her sore throat.

  As last the RiverClan medicine cat pulled out the honey-smeared dock leaf. “Perhaps I should give her tansy instead,” she wondered out loud, glancing at Puddleshine.

  Puddleshine looked up from the bracken he was shaping into a fresh nest. “Give her both,” he suggested. “It can’t do any harm.”

  Shadowsight flicked his tail impatiently. He would have given Yarrowleaf honey ages ago, but since Puddleshine and Mothwing didn’t want his help, he might as well check on Ashfur. With any luck, Ashfur would be too sleepy to talk. He stalked out of the den, noticing with a twinge of sadness that no cat asked where he was going. They don’t even care anymore.

  He narrowed his eyes against the morning glare as he crossed the clearing. Thriftear was sitting by herself at the entrance to the bramble enclosure. Shadowsight frowned. Had Squirrelflight sent only one guard today? The Thunderclan warrior’s pelt twitched uneasily. As she cast a guilty glance toward Shadowsight, foreboding spiked in his belly. He quickened his pace, ears pricking as he heard snarls coming from the enclosure. “What’s happening?” He broke into a run, pushing past Thriftear as she stepped forward to block his way.

  Beyond the bramble wall, Lionblaze loomed over Ashfur, his ears flat, his back arched. The golden warrior was hissing viciously as Ashfur cowered against the roots of the hollow tree.

  “You’re a coward!” Lionblaze snarled. “You tried to kill me and my littermates when we were too young to defend ourselves, and now you’re murdering Bramblestar. You can’t even fight fairly.”

  Ashfur’s eyes were slits, dark with hate. “You’ll never get Bramblestar back,” he taunted. “He’s gone for good.”

  Lionblaze’s pelt bushed. “Give him back his body, you murderer!”

  Ashfur caught Shadowsight’s eye. Malice sparked in his gaze. “I didn’t murder him alone.”

  With a yowl of rage, Lionblaze hurled himself at the prisoner, hooking his claws into the warrior’s shoulders. He dragged Ashfur onto his spine and raked his claws across his belly. Ashfur swung out a paw defensively, but Lionblaze knocked it away with a hiss and swung a blow at Ashfur’s cheek. Ashfur squirmed away and pressed himself harder against the hollow tree. But Lionblaze kept lashing out, blow after blow until Shadowsight could smell blood. “Get out of Bramblestar’s body!”

  “Stop!” Shadowsight raced toward Lionblaze, ducking to avoid the golden warrior’s paw as he aimed another blow at Ashfur’s muzzle.

  Lionblaze hesitated, and Ashfur kicked out with his hind legs, catching Lionblaze in the belly. Eyes narrowing, Lionblaze reared. “I’ll kill you!”

  “No!” Shadowsight dodged in front of the Thunderclan warrior before he could attack again.

  Lionblaze froze, staring at him. “Why are you defending him?”

  “You can’t kill Bramblestar’s body!” Panic sparked through Shadowsight’s fur. “We won’t ever get him back.” And I’ll be a murderer forever! He gazed pleadingly into Lionblaze’s eyes.

  “Killing him might give Bramblestar the chance he needs,” Lionblaze hissed.

  “But Ashfur is the only one who knows how we can reach StarClan again,” Shadowsight pressed.

  “We don’t know that!”

  “It’s the only hope we have right now.” Shadowsight’s breath was coming fast, his heart pounding in his ears as he faced the furious Thunderclan warrior. He held his ground, suddenly aware that his Clanmates were crowding at the entrance to the bramble enclosure, staring wide-eyed. Why don’t you do something? Shadowsight pleaded with them silently, knowing it was pointless. No cat was going to lift a paw to save Ashfur.

  He dragged his gaze back to Lionblaze. The warrior’s flanks were heaving. Anger still contorted his face. “If you kill Ashfur now, we might lose Bramblestar for good.”

  Lionblaze let his hackles fall, his gaze suddenly bleak. Was he wondering if it was already too late? Shadowsight swallowed. It might be, he thought with a shiver of dread.

  “You can’t defend him forever.” Lionblaze backed away.

  Shadowsight slumped with relief as Ashfur slid from behind him and shook out his pelt, streaked now with blood.

  The dark warrior glanced at the ShadowClan cats pressing close to the entrance. Then his gaze flicked back to Shadowsight. “Thank you for saving me.”

  I don’t want your thanks! Shadowsight felt his blood turn to ice as his Clanmates eyed one another. Scorchfur narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Sparrowtail curled his lip. “I saved Bramblestar!” Shadowsight snapped. “Not you!” He crossed the enclosure, ignoring the stares of his Clanmates even though they seemed to pierce his fur like claws. He glanced back at Ashfur. “I’m not going to look after you anymore,” he growled. “You can fix your own wounds!”

  “What in StarClan were you thinking?” Tigerstar glared at Lionblaze.

  Thriftear stared at her paws.

  As soon as Tigerstar had heard about the fight in the enclosure, he’d sent ShadowClan warriors to replace the Thunderclan guards and summoned Lionblaze, Thriftear, and Shadowsight to his den. Shadowsight eyed his father nervously. The gloom here couldn’t hide Tigerstar’s fury.

  His father’s pelt bristled. “Ashfur is in ShadowClan’s care,” he hissed at Lionblaze. “If you kill him, the other Clans will blame us.”

  Lionblaze returned his gaze without speaking. The golden warrior was still trembling with rage after his encounter with Ashfur.

  Tigerstar’s gaze flashed toward Thriftear. “Why didn’t you try to stop him?”

  “It wasn’t her fault,” Lionblaze insisted.

  Tigerstar ignored him, still staring at the dark gray she-cat. “You could have called for help.”

  Shadowsight felt a rush of sympathy for Thriftear as she lifted her gaze miserably. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. How could she have stood up to her deputy?

  “Ashfur deserves to die,” Lionblaze hissed through gritted teeth.

  “Maybe he does,” Tigerstar growled. “But it doesn’t matter what you think or I think. The Clans still believe he is our best chance of getting Bramblestar back and finding StarClan. They want him alive for now, as you well know.” He thrust his muzzle forward. “Do you want to cause another battle between the Clans?”

  Lionblaze held the ShadowClan leader’s gaze for a moment. “No.” He nodded. “I’m sorry. I lost control.”

  “You’re a deputy now,” Tigerstar declared. “Your Clan looks up to you. If you can’t control yourself, why should they?”

  The golden warrior lowered his head in shame. Tigerstar’s words had clearly stung.

  Tigerstar flicked his tail angrily. “Go home,” he snarled. “And tell Squirrelflight to be more careful who she sends to guard Ashfur next time.”

  Lionblaze dipped his head. “It won’t happen again,” he mewed quietly, and nosed his way out of the den.

  Thriftear blinked apologetically at Tigerstar. “I’m really sorry.” She hurried away, her ears twitching.

  Shadowsight turned to follow. His father
clearly needed time to calm down.

  “Wait.” Tigerstar beckoned him back with a nod.

  Shadowsight shivered with dread. He knew what Tigerstar was going to say.

  “You were brave to step in.” His father’s eyes glowed with pride.

  Shadowsight dropped his gaze. “We need Ashfur alive for now.”

  “You were the only cat to defend him,” Tigerstar went on.

  Shame washed Shadowsight’s pelt. He could still picture Sparrowtail’s look of contempt as he’d stalked away from the bramble enclosure. His Clanmates had moved to let Shadowsight pass as though he’d stunk of fox dung. “I can’t take care of him anymore,” he mewed. “Please let me go back to being a medicine cat. I just want to help my Clan.”

  “You can help your Clan by helping Ashfur.” Tigerstar straightened. “It’s clear we can’t trust other cats around him, so you’re going to need to take more care of him, not less. From now on, I want you to be the one to take him food and clean out his bedding as well as take care of his injuries.”

  Dismay dropped like a stone into Shadowsight’s heart. He’d have to spend more time with Ashfur, and he’d be carrying out more apprentice duties. “Why me?”

  “I can trust you,” Tigerstar told him. “You will be the only cat to enter the enclosure from now on.”

  Shadowsight couldn’t meet his father’s gaze. Was this how he rewarded trustworthiness? It felt like a punishment.

  “Go and see to him,” Tigerstar ordered. “He must be hurt after the fight.”

  Shadowsight dipped his head and padded into the clearing, his tail dragging along the ground as he headed for the medicine den.

  “I need herbs for Ashfur,” he grunted as he slid inside.

  Mothwing was alone. She looked up from the leaf wrap she was rolling. “I heard about the fight. Is Ashfur badly hurt?”

  “I don’t know yet,” Shadowsight muttered.

  “He’ll have quite a few claw marks if he was fighting with Lionblaze.” She padded to the herb store and reached inside.