Chapter Text
“A time of great trouble is coming—You, and three others, one from each clan must meet at the new moon, and listen to what midnight tells you.”
Those were the only things Nightstar told her.
She was confused then, and now, nearly a moon into their quest, she was still confused. The whole thing sounded stupid honestly, she wasn't surprised at trouble, there was always trouble—but how were they supposed to listen to midnight? He certainly didn't mean the time, so the most reasonable answer would be a cat, except for the fact they hadn't seen anyone since they started.
But the question bothering her most, why her? Out of every ShadowClan cat, her? She didn't know whether to be honored or if they simply ran out of options.
“Tawnyp…”
Did she even count as a true ShadowClan cat? She was born in Thunderclan, and only joined ShadowClan because she was being judged in Thunderclan.
“TAWNYPELT!”
She jumped at a voice breaking her from her thoughts. She turned around and hissed at whoever spooked her. Calming down from the fright as she saw who it was.
“Starclan, Feathertail! You didn't have to shout!”
Feathertail let out a small chuckle, “I mean, you weren't responding, so- yeah, I kinda did.”
Tawnypelt blinked, her fur stopped bristling. “Sorry.. Just,” she paused a moment before shaking her head, “Just got lost in my thoughts.”
Feathertail smiled reassuringly. “No worries! We all do it sometimes.”
Tawnypelt gave her back a small smile, glancing around. “Where’d the others go? I didn’t think I went too far off.”
Feathertail pointed her tail to the west. “Oh, they just went over there, we found a small stream if you'd like a drink.”
She didn't even realize how thirsty she'd been until now. She nodded to Feathertail and let her lead the way.
The others sat by the stream, chatting, and by chatting, only Squirrelpaw, Stormfur, and Brambleclaw were. Crowpaw was instead staring at them, his eyes narrowed. They turned their heads to the arriving cats, Stormfur lifted his tail in greeting. She sat by her brother and dipped her muzzle into the cold water and lapped at it.
“You okay?” Brambleclaw asked, “You kinda zoned out and left without us.”
She snorted. “Kinda?”
“Yes, kinda,” he said, flicking his tail. “You didn't even hear us calling for you. That's not like you.”
“Oh. Sorry, I just got wrapped up in my thoughts I guess.”
“It’s alright,” he murmured. “Just… maybe don’t wander off alone next time. We’re supposed to stick together.”
She was about to respond, but someone did before she did.
“Can some cat go hunting?! I'm nearly starving over here!”
It was Squirrelpaw. Her tail was fluffed up and her ears pinned back.
“Will you shut up?” Crowpaw hissed, “We're all hungry you know!”
Feathertail stepped between the two. “Even more reason to go hunting then! Does anyone want to come with me?”
At first Tawnypelt was gonna decline—but it would be nice to get her mind off things for a while, plus there was a forest nearby, which, even if not the pine forest, was at least a bit familiar.
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She crouched, her paws light as they touched the forest floor. She eyed her prey, a squirrel, prepared to run at it if it attempted to get away. She crawled a bit closer, pausing a bit before wiggling her haunches, then, she pounced. Her paws crushed the squirrel, and she bit the back of its neck to kill it.
She dug a small hole and placed it in there, intent on finding more prey.
“Nice catch!”
She turned to see Feathertail, her voice slightly muffled by a fish she was holding.
“Fish? Really?” Tawnypelt said, wrinkling her nose
“Owh c’mon. iths not that bad.” she said, her voice still muffled.
“Okay well you can have your fish, I get my squirrel. Fair?”
Feathertail rolled her eyes. “Fair.”
“Alright, well, you can go with the others, I want to hunt some more.”
Feathertail raised an eyebrow. “You shure?” her voice was still muffled.
“Feathertail, I promise you, I'll be fine.”
She dug a hole close to Tawnypelt’s and placed her fish in it. “Alright, fine, but I'm coming with you.”
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“Your back!” Stormfur padded up to them.
She placed her squirrel down, "There's still more out there, just need to go back and get it.”
Brambleclaw stood up, "I'll help.”
Tawnypelt raised her tail in gratitude, “Thanks, I'll show you where it's at.”
They padded through the forest in silence, before Brambleclaw spoke up.
“Are you.. Happy? In Shadowclan?”
She froze for a second, before continuing.
“Yes, why?”
Brambleclaw looked away, “Oh- Nothing, just wondering.”
She dug up a mouse. “Are you happy in Thunderclan?” She flung the question back at him.
“Of course I am! Just gets a bit lonely at times.”
“Dont you have Squirrelpaw to talk to?”
He snorted. “Id rather talk to a pile of mouse-dung than talk with her.”
She flicked her tail, “You sure? You two seem like friends to me.”
“What's next? Foxes are flying now?”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever, let's just get back to the stream.”
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She looked at the other sleeping forms. They had found a suitable area for a temporary camp nearby the stream. It wasn't the best, but hey, it worked at least.
She gazed up at the stars. Were they even Starclan? Or were they just random spirits? Was Starclan watching over them at this moment? She hoped they were. They were the ones who sent them on this quest anyways. It was their fault if something bad happened to one of them. Why had Starclan sent them anyway? Why not the medicine cats? Or the leaders? Stars, even the deputies would have been better than them! They were just random warriors!
She thought hard about this. But eventually came to the conclusion that Starclan is stupid. They could have sent an older warrior with experience with them atleast, but nope! Just three young warriors and an apprentice. Or now, four young warriors and two apprentices. She thought about getting up, but she felt exhaustion creeping up on her, so finally, she closed her eyes and let sleep take her.