Chapter 3

Skypaw crouched in the shade of a tree, tearing at the bird she and Cloudpaw were sharing. “I’ve never eaten a bird this delicious,” she murmured. “It was a great catch, Cloudpaw!”

Cloudpaw licked his chest fur in embarrassment. “It was nothing,” he mumbled. “Easy catch. This fat bird wasn’t even paying any attention to danger!”

Skypaw snorted. “I feel like most prey is like that. But when you accidentally disturb a leaf—even if it’s just one tiny crunch—they bolt away like they’ve never run before.” She took another bite.

Cloudpaw shrugged. “Well, I guess,” he meowed before he tore another strip off the dead body. “But this one was easy.”

Skypaw nudged him. “Still, good job.” She suddenly felt a pang of loss. Since she was a tiny kit, she had dreamed of becoming the best hunter in the Clan. But now those dreams seemed to have dissolved into the air. What kind of warrior will I be? she wondered.

Skypaw couldn’t stop thinking about the meeting with Spiralpaw not so long ago. Shadowleap had revealed that the black cat Cloudpaw had seen with Bubble was her father, Black. And he might be crossing over to the dark side.

As soon as she had that thought, Skypaw leaped to her paws. Cloudpaw looked up at her in alarm. “What is it?”

Skypaw shook her head. “Oh, nothing. Sorry if I startled you. Just . . . I’m going to go in the forest, okay?” She couldn’t think of any more words to say, so she turned and bounded away.

“I’m sorry if I made you jealous!” Cloudpaw called after her. “You can definitely catch something better than me!”

Oh, Cloudpaw. You think I’m going away to hunt because I’m jealous. She would tell the truth to him later. But right now I’m going to actually do what I’m supposed to do. What a warrior would do, right?

Skypaw skidded to a halt beside the warriors’ den. “Hey, Shadowleap!” she yowled to her mentor. “Can we go hunting?”

A few moments passed, and the black she-cat slid out. “Alright, Skypaw,” she meowed. “Should we go near the ShadowClan border?”

Skypaw flicked her tail over her mentor’s mouth. “Shh,” she urged. She quickly glanced around to make sure no cat was listening, and then leaned closer. “I’m going to check if Bubble is still on the territory, and if Black is with her. I want you to come with me.”

“What?” Shadowleap exclaimed in alarm. “Skypaw, you have enough courage to fill up the whole forest!”

Skypaw tensed as Goldenfur, who was sunning himself on a flat rock nearby, turned his head to look at them. He heard us! she thought frantically.

“Skypaw sure has a lot of courage,” the elder rumbled. “She would make a good warrior. Useful in battles.” He turned away again.

Skypaw breathed out a small sigh of relief and glanced at Shadowleap. “So, are you coming or not? Because I can go by myself if you like. I totally understand if you don’t want to go.”

Shadowleap shook her head. “Of course I won’t let you go by yourself! It’ll be dangerous, and you haven’t finished your warrior training yet.”

Skypaw flicked her tail in annoyance. Shadowleap just rolled her eyes. “Seriously, Skypaw, do you expect everything about you to be perfect?”

Skypaw opened her mouth to argue, but Shadowleap went on. “You don’t seem like the patient and eager apprentice I had before the journey.”

Skypaw flinched. That stung. She marched past her mentor and stalked into the forest. I don’t care if she comes or not! She just meant she wished I didn’t go on the journey! But it was important_!_

Paw steps sounded behind her. Skypaw whirled around. “Why are you following me?” she hissed. “Go back to camp if you don’t want me as your apprentice anymore!”

Shadowleap blinked at her. “I’m sorry,” she meowed. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Skypaw didn’t reply. She padded on deeper into the forest. I don’t care if she comes. At all. She can do what she likes. It’s not my business.

“Stop!” Shadowleap suddenly hissed in her ear. Skypaw froze, her heart racing. Had they come across Bubble already?

Shadowleap snorted. “Just seeing if you were awake.”

Skypaw let out a growl and pushed off with her hind paws. She bounded through the forest, letting her anger spill out. Why is Shadowleap so— She stopped herself and tried to calm down. She closed her eyes and let the breeze cool her. Right. I’m supposed to find Bubble and—

Suddenly something slammed into her and knocked her to the ground. Skypaw turned her head and glared. “What did you do that for—” She broke off as a familiar, yet unfamiliar scent flooded over her. Shadowleap nodded curtly, her eyes narrowed, and slid off her.

Skypaw crept into a bush and flattened herself against the ground. Shadowleap slipped in beside her. Skypaw peered through the gaps between the leaves, her heart pounding. Would Bubble show herself?

Suddenly there was a sharp hiss. Skypaw dug her claws into the ground to stop herself from jumping. She watched as Bubble slid out from the trees and sat down on the grass, her tail curled neatly around her paws. Doesn’t she realize two Clan cats are waiting in this bush, ready to attack her if needed? Skypaw thought bitterly.

She immediately regretted that thought as Black padded out after her. He was a large, thick-furred black tom with the same light blue eyes as Shadowleap. Muscles rippled beneath his pelt. Skypaw shivered slightly. I wouldn’t want to meet him in battle. He would tear me into shreds for sure.

Black blinked at Bubble. “What did we come all the way out here for?” His voice was a low rumble. Surprise shot through Skypaw as she realized it had no menace or bitterness or evilness in it like Bubble did.

Bubble hissed back at her father. “What do you think, you mouse-brained idiot? To have a place to talk to in private.”

Mouse-brained yourself! Skypaw thought. How are you alone right now?

“Don’t you want to make the Clans suffer for what they did to you?” Bubble went on.

Suddenly Black dropped into a crouch, his eyes narrowed to slits. “Death to the Clans!” Skypaw thought she had never heard anyone say something in a voice filled with such deep hatred. Okay, maybe he’s not good after all. He’s evil. Of course.

Bubble stared at him, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. “Yes! Death to the Clans!”

I wonder if Black really wanted to join her, or if she forced him to. If she did . . . Skypaw suppressed a shiver. She’s powerful.

Suddenly Bubble’s head jerked up. Her nose twitched. Skypaw froze in terror. “Shadowleap!” Bubble snarled. “Sister! I can smell you! And you’re with that wretched Skypaw. What mouse-brains! Think you can hide from me?”

Well, actually we can. And you’re the mouse-brain. Skypaw was surprised at the cold hatred swirling in her. Shadowleap nudged her. “Quick!” her mentor hissed. “Run away!”

Skypaw bolted out of the bush. She could feel Shadowleap’s hot breath on her tail. Good. At least she didn’t want to deal with her sister by herself. She ran toward camp, fear coursing through every muscle in her body.

That was close. And now we know for sure Bubble has another cat on her side.