A Traitor's Path
BEGINING
"Foxfight! Shadowfight!" Claw's yowl echoed around the clearing. The two she-cats, one black and one ginger sped towards her. "What do you need?" Shadowfight asked, panting. Claw nodded towards the training centre. "Go with Leopardfight and Darknessfight to view the training. It's to prepare you for your own helper." She added as she saw Foxfight opening her mouth to complain. "But I have kits!" was all she said. "She can't leave them for long." Shadowfight said, backing her up. Foxfight blinked thankfully at her before turning back to Claw. The Clan leader was looking at them with amusement in her eyes. "Sorry." Foxfight mutters and Shadowfight hangs her head. "You can stay there as long as you like." They dip their heads and walk off towards the training centre. Darknessfight and Pool-help were already there. Leopardfight just came in as they walked in. "What are you doing here?" Darknessfight growled at them. Leopardfight fixes her a cold stare before turning to the two she-cats waiting near the entrance. "Claw sent you, right?" She asked. Shadowfight nodded and Darknessfight let out a iritated hiss. With a snarl, Shadowfight launches herself at her and the two black she-cats tumble around the clearing until Shadowfight has her sister pinned to the ground, not letting her move a single mouse-tail. Darknessfight snarls and tries to free herself but Shadowfight has her pinned down too strong. "That's enough." Leopardfight meows as Shadowfight un-sheafts her claws and Darknessfight screeches in pain. "Enough!" She yowls when Darknessfight clamps her teeth in Shadowfights front paw. Leopardfight lashes out and bowls Shadowfight from Darknessfight and jumps between them. "Enough." She repeats. "This is to be solved in words not claws." Shadowfight growls but does nothing else than look at the two helpers. Pool-help's eyes glitter as she looks at them, her interest in fighting clearly not hidden. Rock-help looks more shaken but he bravely stands his ground, not letting anyone see that he was scared for the two she-cats. "Well?" Leopardfight asks, a command in her voice. "Sorry." Darknessfight spits out as if it was a poisonous herb. "I guess." Shadowfight mutters. Leopardfight nods. She turns to the two helpers. "When can we learn to fight like that?" Pool-help asks her but looking at Darknessfight. She winces and flexes her shoulder. "Soon. Looks like you have chosen to be a fighter." Pool-help nods and Darnessfight smiles coldly. "Don't worry, there is plenty time." Foxfight clears her throat. "We should go. My kits." "Go." Leopardfight says over her shoulder. They nod and disappear into the camp. "I'll teach you to make fun of me." Darknessfight says under her breath. "One day, just you wait."
Shadowfight and Foxfight headed towards the nursery. Four kits tumbled out of the entrance and Oakfight's annoyed voice rang through the clearing. "Shade, Hawk, Lightning, Smoke! What did I tell you?" The kits took no notice and started to climb all over their mother. With a purr, Foxfight lifted them off of her and herded them inside. "Where you nice?" She asked them and the black kit nodded for all of them. "Yes, we listened to both Oakfight and Greenhunt!" Shade exclaimed and dashed inside. Shadowfight smiled and followed them. The four kits were tumbling around with five more. "Sun, Bark, Fang, Branch and Blaze! Apart, now!" Greenhunt meowed and the kits squeaked as one. "Bark, Fang. Time to sleep." Oakfight purred and the two kits tumbled over the others to get to their mother. Sun shuffled over to Greenhunt and Blaze with Branch moved to Barkhunt. "It's really crowded here. Good thing that your kits will be helpers in a few days." Shadowfight said to Foxfight. The ginger she-cat was to busy to reply but nodded in agreement.
"Let all the cats old enough to survive, come and gather to the clearing, for a Clan meeting is beginning." Claw's voice rings through the clearing. Cats begin to appear from dens and the camp entrance. "It is time for one of my favorite ceremonies." She beckoned Shade, Hawk, Lightning and Smoke with her tail. The four kits stumbled out of the nursery. "Shade, Hawk, Lightning, Smoke. Do you promise to listen to your mentors, to complete 3 moons of practice before more complex training for the good of the Clan?" Claw asked, her voice full of pride.
"I do!" Shade called.
"I do!" The rest of his littermates called after him.
"Shadowfight. Your time to have a helper is long over due. You will be mentor to Shade-help." Shadowfight bounded over and touched noses with him. "Hawk-help's mentor will be Whitefight. Smoke-fight's mentor is Gingerfight and Lightning-help's mentor is Brightfight." Claw said and waited as the helpers and mentors touched noses. "And now, the naming of new warriors. Darknessfight, did Pool-help complete all 3 moons of training?" Claw asked. Darknessfight nodded. "So, Pool-help, what duty have you chosen?" "I have chosen to be a fighter." Pool-help's eyes shone. "Pool-help, from now on you will be known as Poolfight. The Clan honors your strength and wisdom. The Wise Stars will tell your name for moons to come." Rock-help becomes Rockhunt and Red-help becomes a tracker. The Clan cheers for the new warriors and the new helpers. Shadowfight looks around the clearing and her gaze rests on Fallenfight. He's looking straight at her and a hint of pride and love shines in his eyes. Shadowfight looks away to notice Darknessfight glaring at her. Who put ants in her fur? She asks herself.
