Эрин Хантер - Path Of A Warrior

From where he sat by Sun Shadow’s side, Dangling Leaf raised his head. “Sun Shadow taught me how to catch frogs,” he began.

As her Clanmates shared their memories of Sun Shadow, Shadowstar looked around at them all. Juniper Branch and Raven Pelt were huddled together for comfort, Juniper Branch’s head resting on her mate’s flank. Bubbling Stream’s blue eyes were full of sorrow—the young cat had looked up to Sun Shadow. Mud Paws stared mournfully at the ground as Dusk Nose told a story about Sun Shadow and a rabbit. Pebble Heart’s amber gaze—

Amber eyes …

Shadowstar gasped as she remembered the eyes she’d seen watching her from the dark woods as she fought the dogs. She knew she had not imagined that cold, unblinking gaze. But would one of her Clanmates have looked on as she and Sun Shadow died? Without trying to help? A cold feeling spread through her belly. Some cat had watched them die.

Mouse Ear had amber eyes, too. So did Shade Pelt.

Shadowstar barely heard the rest of the stories her Clanmates told as they spent the night watching over Sun Shadow’s body. Once the vigil was over and dawn was breaking, she headed for her den, her shoulders tight. I’m not thinking straight, she told herself. Once I’ve slept, maybe I’ll realize that what I’m afraid of can’t be true.

She had almost reached the oak tree that sheltered her den when Mouse Ear fell into step beside her.

“Shadowstar?” the big tabby tom said eagerly. “You must be really tired. I can organize today’s hunting patrols if you want.”

Shadowstar blinked in surprise. That was Sun Shadow’s job. “I guess that’s okay,” she said slowly. “Thanks.” Meeting Mouse Ear’s amber gaze made the hairs rise on her shoulders, but she pushed the feeling away. Lots of cats have amber eyes.

“We should be careful in case those dogs are still sniffing around,” another voice said from behind her. Shadowstar turned to see Juniper Branch, her tail held high. “I’ll make sure there are extra cats on every border patrol, in case they need to drive them off.”

“Okay,” Shadowstar said slowly. The two Clanmates were glaring at each other, the tips of their tails twitching. What’s going on? “Thank you both.”

“I’ll do anything I can to help my Clanmates,” Juniper Branch said, her green eyes bright.

“Me too,” Mouse Ear added.

Shadowstar’s jaws clenched as a thought struck her. Are they competing to take Sun Shadow’s place? She could understand wanting to be ShadowClan’s deputy and second-in-command, but Sun Shadow hadn’t even been buried yet. She opened her mouth to snarl at them— you need to have more respect for Sun Shadow’s memory— but then changed her mind. Better to let her Clanmates show their true colors. “I’m going to my den,” she told them coolly.

“Okay, Shadowstar, get some sleep,” Mouse Ear meowed.

“I’ll make sure no one bothers you,” Juniper Branch added.

Turning her back on them, Shadowstar slipped beneath the oak tree’s roots and curled up in her nest. She was very tired.

I won’t be rushed into choosing a new deputy, she thought. I only have one life left, so this choice might be the most important one that I ever make.

Shadowstar sat outside her den, a breeze ruffling her fur. Nearby, Raven Pelt was sharing a mouse with Dusk Nose. Mud Paws was grooming Dangling Leaf, while Shade Pelt and Bubbling Stream were sorting through herbs, no doubt at Pebble Heart’s request. Every once in a while, one of her Clanmates glanced at her, their expressions troubled. Each time she caught them looking, she felt a claw of dread in her belly, wondering if any of them had worked out that she was on her last life.

No cat knows, she told herself. And she couldn’t tell them now. Surely, if her Clanmates knew that her next death would be her last, they would form a protective ring around her at all times.

Well, some of them would… .

It had been three days since they’d sat vigil for Sun Shadow, and Shadowstar knew her warriors worried about how much time she’d been spending in her den, separated from the rest of the Clan. Maybe they thought she was mourning Sun Shadow.

And I am … but that’s not why I don’t want to be with my Clanmates.

She couldn’t stop remembering the amber eyes shining out of the dark woods as she fought for her life. And she kept looking at her amber-eyed Clanmates, wondering if one of them …

That’s ridiculous. If she didn’t trust her Clanmates, what use was a Clan?

Juniper Branch scrambled in through the thorn tunnel at the camp’s entrance, closely followed by Mouse Ear. There was a long scratch across Mouse Ear’s nose, and Juniper Branch’s ear was torn and bleeding.

Shadowstar jumped to her feet, her worries forgotten. “What happened?” she asked, hurrying over to inspect their injuries. “These were made by another cat. Did some cat cross our borders?”

Is another Clan attacking us, after such a long time of peace? A chill ran through her. Is this how I’ll lose my final life?

Mouse Ear looked embarrassed. “No,” he admitted. “We fought each other. Juniper Branch wouldn’t listen to me.”

“Why should he tell me where to hunt?” Juniper Branch snarled. “I’m a better hunter than he is.”

“Because I know our territory better than you do,” Mouse Ear growled back. “I’ve been with ShadowClan ever since we came here.”

Juniper Branch began to reply, but Shadowstar had had enough. “Quiet!” she snapped. “What kind of mouse-brains are you two?” Both cats looked indignant, but she went on before either could reply. “Because of your foolishness, you didn’t catch any prey. You failed your Clan. Now someone else will have to hunt, because you were too busy fighting to do your duty.”

“This is your fault,” Mouse Ear growled at Juniper Branch. “You’re the one who started the fight.”

Juniper Branch snarled and swiped at him, reopening the scratch across his nose. Hissing, the big tabby leaped at her, tumbling the smaller tortoiseshell onto the ground.

“Stop it!” Raven Pelt, Juniper Branch’s mate, charged toward them, quickly followed by Mud Paws and Dangling Leaf.

They pulled the snarling cats apart. Blood was running down Juniper Branch’s cheek, and a patch of fur was missing from Mouse Ear’s shoulder. They glared at each other, their tails slashing from side to side.

“You’re acting like stupid kits,” Mud Paws yowled, exasperated. “Why would you fight like this?”

Juniper Branch snarled at him. “Stupid kit yourself,” she hissed. “You always stick up for Mouse Ear, even when he’s wrong.”

Mud Paws narrowed his eyes. Before he could retort, Raven Pelt stepped up beside his mate protectively, his ears pressed back in anger.

They’re practically at each other’s throats, Shadowstar thought, dismayed. How will this Clan stay together without me?

She stepped between Juniper Branch and Mouse Ear and glared around at all the warriors. “No more,” she said firmly. “You should be ashamed. Is this how a Clan behaves? Or are you rogues with your claws turned against each other?”

The angry cats’ tails drooped. “I’m sorry, Shadowstar,” Juniper Branch muttered, and Mouse Ear nodded.

“Go to Pebble Heart’s den and let him treat your wounds,” she ordered. “After that, you can work together and change the bedding in all the nests.” Juniper Branch looked as if she was about to object, and Shadowstar gazed at her sternly. “If you two are going to act like kits, you can take on some apprentice duties.”