The dark she-cat awoke to the darak chill that brushed against her back. Raising her head she looked out of the warrior den, snow slowly blanketing the clearing as the dark sky hung from above. Glancing around she saw the sleeping form of Thornpad. His whiskers twitching and ears folded down ‘He’s having a nightmare,’ she thought sadly. Leaning over she carefully licked him between the ears, “I’ll be back soon,” she whispered gently before padding out of the warrior den. The air was chilled and quiet, the soft whispers of the snow carrying breeze hitting her ears. Lowering her ears she left the clearing and under the shadows of the trees that made up the Thunderclan territory. The light powder of snow fanning over the ground, dusting the grass in white. Midnight eyes glanced back at the camp entrance, maybe tonight wouldn’t be the right time. Someone could see her. Shaking her head she turned and walked on a known path. Her body relaxed and tail tip brushed along the ground. Soon the familiar, yet sickening scent of monsters and two-legs filled her mouth almost causing her to gag; yet she knew she was close to where her mind was telling her to go. Soon the familiar wooden fence game into view and her heart started to beat faster. Feeling her claws scrap against the cool wood she felt her weight shift as she pushed herself against the pointed top. With a loud crunch her paws landed in the snow with grace as she felt her fur relax as a sense of calm washed over her. Reflecting over the snowy grass was the warm light coming from inside the two-leg den where she knew her mother and sister were resting safely. Shifting she looked down, her paws being hidden mostly by snow. She knew her family was safe inside, that they were fed and taken care of in a warm nest each night, Nightshade purred softly as she remembered what you sister told her not moons before. “You should try it sister! How warm my bed is next to the fireplace and how my person makes sure I have the softest of bedding you would love it!” Padding gently towards the den she meowed out hoping her kin would hear her. She knew the two-legs weren’t going to harm her, she thought to herself, but the idea still made her fur stand on end of going inside. Thankfully though the sound her the bells on her families collars hit her ears and she relaxed to the closeness of den hoping for a wall against the sharp claws of leaf bare. “It’s about time you showed up,” the smooth voice of her white furred sister hit her ears causing her to look up and catch the mint green gaze staring back at her with a teased expression. Nightshade laughed quietly, “I’m sorry for being late, lifes been….busy.” “I could imagine,” the quiet shaky voice of her mother came from next to her and when her eyes landed on her the she-cats heart seized. The elder she-cats fur was thin and sides being shown as the gray she-cat exhaled with each seen breath. Sitting down Diamond looked dwarfed with her leaned forward stater next to the taller, fluffy fur of Petal. “Being in a clan isn’t easy I remember when your father would tell me about his patrols and gatherings.” When she spoke awe and love filled her voice when speaking of her father making the dark furred she-cat swell with pride. “Oh yea the clan has been going great! I went to my first gathering and Oh!-I got my warrior name now so I’m now Nightshade so did Creekfrost, Sheepfall, and Skyfall! Oh so did… Thornpad..” Blinking she felt her heart flutter and pelt warm when the idea of his forest green eyes and cheerful laugh went through her mind at the mention of the gray furred tom. It seemed like her sister caught onto the way her cheeks flushed. “Now spill it sis, was /he/ the one that’s been keeping you so busy?” Petal asked with a smirk as she raised her eyebrows in a segrestive tone which earned her a side look from their mother. “Hush now Petal, don’t tease your sister for having a little crush on a tom she knows,” Diamond scolded lightly before looking back at Nightshade. “I’m glad the clan is still treating you well and that you have friends. I was always scared something bad would happen when your father took you Thunderclan…” she said ears folding down. “Yea their nice to me! Like Hawkstar, he was my mentor when I was still an apprentice and Honeypool she’s an amazing hunter! But…then there Vinepaw…” White ears lowered down as Nightshade looked down at the snowy ground ahead of her. “I…I don’t know why but she’s always so-mean! She snaps at everyone that isn’t her friend and always just glares at me like I’m mousedung under her paw…” As she spoke her voice just got louder, more desperate to figure out why as the scar on her ear seemed to burn with remembrance. She felt the soft touch of Petal’s nose against her shoulder in comfort as she looked over at her. “I don’t know what I did to make her hate me…it’s like she’s heartless…”
Just as the words fell out from her mouth a rustle of dried leaves and crunch of snow was heard from across the clearing. Eyes widened as midnight eyes met the angered ember orange ones of Vinepaw. Her tail flicked behind her as they stared in silence, but the world around them seemed to make her ears ring. The sharp sound of the chilled wind, crunching of snow, and the loud roar of monsters in the distance. A cloud formed in front of the tabby she-cat as she exhaled. It wasn’t until the she-cat turned around and bound over wooden fence did she feel the tightness in her chest and the feeling of her mind clouding with fear.
