Chapter 13

Spiralpaw started in horror at the black cat in the shadows. Her dark pelt blended in perfectly in the darkness.

“What are you doing here?” Swirlpaw hissed. “I thought I already scared you away! What do expect me to do, give you something in exchange for that bird?”

Spiralpaw’s heart leaped. Swirlpaw has met this cat before?

The cat stared at her calmly with piercing yellow eyes. “No.” Her voice was sharp but quiet.

“Then what are you doing here?” Swirlpaw snarled.

The cat narrowed her eyes. “I could ask you the same question,” she hissed. “What are you doing here?”

“Hunting.” Swirlpaw’s reply was a growl.

The cat’s gaze was suddenly confused. “Why are you hunting out of your territory? Isn’t there enough prey over there?”

Spiralpaw froze. Swirlpaw was staring at the cat in disbelief. “Who are you?” the gray-and-white tabby asked.

The black cat suddenly stared down at her paws. “Nobody,” she growled. “Just someone you should stay away from in the future. I’m warning you.” Then she slipped into the bush and was gone.

“Huh,” Swirlpaw mewed, padding over to Spiralpaw. “That was weird. I wonder who she really was.”

Spiralpaw shrugged and tasted the air, trying to distract herself with the hunt.

 

Spiralpaw glanced up nervously at the moon. In less than a quarter moon they had to be back in their Clans. I wonder if we have enough time, she thought.

She was beginning to see familiar things. The trees, moss, and grass were starting to smell like home. She knew they were getting close.

They had been traveling for nearly a quarter moon since they had been given their “gifts”. Spiralpaw still wondered how her friends would use them. She already had experience in seeing others’ deaths, but Swirlpaw, Skypaw, and Pinepaw’s gifts were new to them. I guess they’ll just have to try it out, Spiralpaw thought.

Now they were padding through a large grassy field, Skypaw and Swirlpaw in front and Spiralpaw and Pinepaw in the back. Spiralpaw had always longed for a moment alone with Pinepaw, so she slowed down and let Skypaw and Swirlpaw draw ahead. Pinepaw noticed and fell in beside her with a playful nudge.

“Want them to get home before you do?” he teased, but there was curiosity in his eyes.

Spiralpaw took a deep breath. “Pinepaw, I…I wanted to say that…maybe we’re more than just friends.” She carefully avoided his gaze, staring at her paws.

Pinepaw was silent for a moment. “Yes,” he replied quietly.

“This journey was a great chance for us to get to know each other,” Spiralpaw went on. “I’m glad you were chosen. Now I see how you really feel, and why you make some decisions, compared to the beginning of the journey.”

Pinepaw hesitated. “Yes,” was all he could say.

“You’re a great cat, Pinepaw,” Spiralpaw told him truthfully.

“You are, too,” Pinepaw mewed. “You’re smart and brave and really kind…and you understand me a lot.” He moved closer until their pelts brushed.

“But…” Spiralpaw had rehearsed the words over and over in her head. “Pinepaw, we’re from different Clans. I don’t think I can live with you as a mate. I would have to go to ShadowClan. Pinepaw, I’m loyal to ThunderClan no matter what.”

Pinepaw gazed at her for a long time, the disappointment in his eyes clear. Then he sighed. “You’re right. I’m loyal to ShadowClan. This won’t work out.”

Spiralpaw nuzzled his shoulder. She was surprised by how much he’d grown. She had to reach up a bit to touch his shoulder. He’ll make a good warrior, she thought happily.

“We’ll still be friends, though, won’t we?” Pinepaw asked, his eyes wide.

Spiralpaw purred. “Of course! We’ll always be, no matter what.”

Pinepaw sighed. “I’m sorry for doubting you at the start.”

“Oh, you don’t need to apologize for that. You don’t doubt me now, right? What happened in the past doesn’t matter.”

Pinepaw nodded in agreement. “Now we can focus on the present,” he sighed. “We can go back to our Clans and train to be good warriors–wait.” His green eyes were piercing, and Spiralpaw shivered as she remembered the black cat’s piercing yellow ones. “Didn’t StarClan tell you that everything will fall if we don’t succeed?” Pinepaw asked. “What will happen when we get back–what will we save?”

Spiralpaw shrugged. “I don’t know. We’ll find out.” Her stomach twisted with worry.

“Spiralpaw! Pinepaw!” Swirlpaw called from ahead. “I can see the lake!”

Spiralpaw rushed over to where she and Skypaw were standing at the top of a hill, Pinepaw at her heels. “Yes!” she mewed excitedly as she spotted the forest and the rivers and the moor.

“We’re home!” Skypaw cried.

Spiralpaw nudged her friend affectionately. “We’ll still have to cross through Twolegplace!”

 

Spiralpaw’s heart was racing with excitement as they paused just outside ThunderClan territory. She barely stopped herself from jumping up and down in excitement. They were so close to home!

“Goodbye, Skypaw, Pinepaw,” Swirlpaw murmured. “See you at the next Gathering. Hopefully.”

The others murmured their farewell, and Spiralpaw felt her heart twist. She would miss the friends she had made on the journey. But it was time to go home.

The four cats split up, Swirlpaw and Spiralpaw headed to ThunderClan, Skypaw and Pinepaw headed toward SkyClan, where Pinepaw would keep going until he reached ShadowClan.

As soon as Pinepaw and Skypaw had gone, Spiralpaw broke into a run straight for ThunderClan’s camp. She breathed in the familiar scent of the oak forest, happiness flooding through her. The forest was a blur as she raced through it, pushing her paws as hard as she could against the ground.

It was already dark when Spiralpaw finally spotted the thorn barrier–the entrance to camp. Not even pausing to check if Swirlpaw was behind her, she bounded toward it at top speed.

Spiralpaw burst into camp.