Darkening Sky

My breathing went ragged. My claw unsheath. Before I know it. Before I can blink I'm on top of him. I see red. Years worth of training comes down to this. Years of training with StarClan. Moves from all clans as old as the clans. I rake my claws along his face and side. I hadn't give him time to react. The shock is gone from his eyes replaced with disgust and rage. His claws barely miss my belly, and I roll out of range. His claws go for my eyes. I duck feeling blood run from my ear. I growl. White fur blocks my vision.

"Grab her!" Vinejump yowls. Two warriors have to pin me down. I hiss, and claw at the ground. Vinejump leaps onto the pine branch. Foxleap and Featherfur gives me a look of pity. Everyone looks to our deputy in shock or confusion.

"I am your deputy. I am acting leader until Branchstar has recovered. I have news of Finchfall's betrayal." Gasps ring out. I watching like a fox about to hunt a kit. "She had a kit with a rogue!" I froze. I felt like the earth was falling out from beneath me. I heard yowls. I wasn't certain if they were yowls of disbelief or damnation. All I could focus on was Vinejump's words. "Yes she has broken the code. She admitted to me herself. Nightwhisper is half-clan. She was mated to a rogue who has since moved on from around our territory. When I confronted her about this; attempting to banish her for breaking the code she turned on me. We fought. And she died. She will be buried by our elders out of respect for her loyalty as a warrior to her Clan up to this point." I could hear murmurs of agreement. Some cat with a voice sharpe as a dogs teeth said into the silence;

"What of the half-clan cat." Me. The loyal ShadowClan warrior. Who had done nothing to them. Who has broken no codes. Owleye enters back into camp then. His movements slow. He meets my gaze and shakes his head. I look back up to Vinejump. His eyes spiteful.

"Well of course the half-clan cat can stay. Despite her parentage." It's nightfall as I lay in my nest. Being able to do nothing. Snowdrift keeps comforting me. The others give me space. She tries to get me to talk about it, or to eat.

"Did you know?" She finally asks. I glare in answer. She leaves me after that.

"I can't believe Finchfall of all cats broke the code. She was such a good warrior."

"Yes and Nightwhisper... can she truly be a loyal warrior?" I ignore there whispers. I let sleep take me. I focus on where I want to go. StarClan. I pray I'll see my mother. I pray she'll be there. I have always traveled when I slept. I am a wanderer.