Dark Shadows by Chocolatemeerkat (best books for 20 year olds txt) 📖

her kits. They also came across FoxClan, but unfortuantly one of our warriors fell for the medicine cat and ended up as a father to half-bloods. He has been put on punishment, which is helping the elders for a few moons. Also, a DarkClan queen killed a FoxClan queen and tried killing her kits, but thankfully Blazestrike stopped her and now she has joined the clan with her adopted kits." The clans looked at Blazestrike, who gave a brave smile. Thistlepaw, the LeafClan apprentice from the last Gathering, went up to him. "Who broke the warrior code?"
"Swiftlegs did." Blazestrike mumbled. "Stupid furball ended up getting us into trouble with Mysterystar, the leader."
"However, many deaths have occured too. Deerleap was killed on the patrol rescuing a FoxClan kit from a flood. One of our boarder patrols was ambushed by BloodClan warriors. No one was killed, but Moletooth injured his shoulder. He is healed though, thanks to Ivyfur and Puffinpaw. Then, we were attacked by badgers. I thank LeafClan on behalf of the clan for helping us. We are in your debt. Sadly, Nightflame was killed saving the elders from a badger's blow. Snowstar also lost several lives. We were also attacked by rogues demanding territory and she-cats. We were all injured, but Foxrunner was hurt the most protecting some young warriors. She died a few days ago with a neck wound." Some cats dipped their heads sadly, particuly when Deerleap's death was annonced, but obviously she wasn't dead. "We have welcomed many new kits, apprentices and warriors, but we have too many to name. So just yowl proudly." The cats yowled happily and the cats that had new ranks smiled warmly. Shadowstar then dipped his head sadly. "Now, some of you are wondering where Snowstar is tonight. Well, I am very sad to say she will never attend Gatherings again." Some cats mummered loudly in confusion and alarm, but they went quiet after a few minutes. The leaders stared at Shadowstar as he spoke. "Yesterday, she went out to the river with Swiftlegs. However, Swiftlegs came back later with the shocking annoncement that Snowstar had been killed while getting a drink. It is unknown how she died, but we all grief her." Yowls of grief, sorrow and depression came from the crowd, while Leafstar and Skystar dipped their heads sadly. Bloodstar just shut his eyes and Oceanstar just sat there, but then turned to Shadowstar. "I take it you are the new leader?" She replied in a cold tone. The black tom nodded and turned back to the upset and alarmed cats. "I will now say I am the new leader, so I am Shadowstar and not Shadowstep. Our new deputy is Morninghawk. We both will struggle to fill the gap that Snowstar left, but we will try to make the clan stronger than ever!" SnowClan yowled in agreement, which was very encouraging for Shadowstar and Morninghawk, it ment that they believed in them. Shadowstar turned to the final leader. "That is all I have to say. Skystar?"
"Thanks Shadowstar. SkyClan grief for Snowstar's losses, and we are sorry for any SnowClan cats close to her." Skystar mewed, dipping her head respectfully to the new leader.
Exactly how many cats were close to Snowstar? Blazestrike thought to himself. Skystar continued speaking. "We have nothing to say, apart from Twolegs are coming close to our territory. We might need help from the other clans if we are driven out, but more infomation will be given at the next gathering. Other than that, I have nothing else to report." The clans started to depart, leaving the ancient gathering place deserted.


The next day, the sun was shining brightly above the sky. Perfect weather to play outside. Cloudwind deicded to round up some apprentices and warriors to play a silly game. Within 5 minutes, she'd persuaded Blankpelt, Gentlepaw, Cloverpaw, Luckypaw, Bearpelt, Fernwhisker, Couragefur, Streamtail, Falconsong, Lizardeye, Wildheart, Leopardpaw, Frogpaw, Stonepaw, Duckfoot and Blazestrike to play. She gathered them together. "I had a idea that we play some random game out here, it's too nice to stay in our dens all day. Why don't we play a Tag game mixed with Hide and Seek?" She suggested. Everyone agreed and she smiled. "Ok then. The senior warriors are counting first, so that's Bearpelt, Duckfoot and Lizardeye." While they were counting, the other cats ran off like mad to find hiding spots. Gentlepaw hid with Stonepaw, Frogpaw, Blankpelt and Cloverpaw (Luckypaw would give them away easily). They had hidden in a hollow tree trunk, with room to move around and keep an eye out for anyone suspicious. Stonepaw was being lookout with Frogpaw. He deicded to talk to her whilst keeping guard so they didn't get bored. "Do you think Sootpaw will ever change?" He asked her, trying to create conversation.
"Maybe. He could be another Blazestrike. He'll meet a nice she-cat who will change him." Stonepaw suggested. "But I cannot tell the future." Frogpaw sighed and looked out. Bearpelt was nearby, trying to pick up any scents. "Quick! Get down!" He hissed. The cats obeyed him and crouched down. Unfortuantly for them, Bearpelt had seen Frogpaw crouch down at the last minute, and started making her way quietly towards the tree. Blankpelt could hear her pawsteps however, and turned to the apprentices. "Let's make a quick escape." He mummered, crawling out. The 4 apprentices followed him, but Cloverpaw was spotted by Bearpelt. "Found you!" She said, chasing them. Gentlepaw ran beside Blankpelt, feeling the breeze against her soft white fur. Her friend may have been a warrior, but she was faster than him. Swiftly, she ran towards a oak tree and started climbing up the branches, escaping the senior warrior. Blankpelt followed, but he was exhausted. He laid down on the thickest branch to catch his breath. Bearpelt waited at the bottom for one of them to give up and come down. Just then, the she-cat ran off. Blankpelt looked up to the apprentice. "Stay here. I'll check if she's not playing tricks." He said, climbing down. Gentlepaw laid down on one of the branches, waiting paitently. She could hear hissing, so she guessed Bearpelt had been playing a trick. But then she changed her mind when she heard yelping and growling. She jumped down to a low branch and could see a fox attacking Blankpelt! He was still exhausted from the run, so he was struggling. Gentlepaw watched in horror as her friend got attacked. She then decided to throw some acorns at the fox, driving it away. The fox did give up and ran off towards the boarder with BloodClan. Blankpelt was on the ground, breathing heavily and blood pouring out. Gentlepaw jumped down and rushed towards him. He, clearly, had been badly injured. Gentlepaw buried her muzzle in his blood-stained fur. Tears fell from her eyes and onto his pelt. "Don't leave me." She mummered softly. Blankpelt opened his eyes slowly and stared at the apprentice. "Gentlepaw..." His voice trailed off.
"Yes, it's me." The she-cat whispered, her voice filled with pain. "Are you ok?" The tom said nothing, which worried Gentlepaw even more. "Please don't die."
"Go and find Bearpelt... she'll help you." Blankpelt croaked, coughing. Gentlepaw refused. "No. I'm staying here with you." She laid down beside him, waiting for someone to come. The warrior licked the she-cat's ear in thanks, but then started coughing. He was so weak. Gentlepaw turned to him with tears in her eyes. She looked up at the sky. "StarClan, please, please, please let him live. He's too young to die." Just then, Falconsong rushed towards them. A look of pure shock entered her face when she saw the state of Blankpelt. "How long ago did this happen?" Gentlepaw shrugged. Falconsong was a nice cat, but she was putting on a gentle tone that she used with kits or others when bad news is coming. The apprentice didn't like it one bit. Falconsong pushed Gentlepaw out of the way and inspected Blankpelt, looking at his wounds. She then yowled loudly for help until nearly all the cats playing came over. Cloudwind then looked up at the sky. Clouds were coming over, bringing rain and proberly a storm. "The game is over, due to weather and injuries." She said firmly. "Now, we must all return." Lizardeye picked up Blankpelt by the scuff and followed his clanmates back to camp.

As Cloudwind said, the clouds did bring an all mighty storm. The rain fell heavily and the wind stormed through the forest. No cat was warm, neither safe. Riverstripe prayed that Spottedflower was still alive, as the cats who witnessed Darkmystery's evilness prayed for Deerleap's life. Shadowstar's orders had been to make the dens stronger, mainly the nursery and elder's. The apprentices had to stay in the elder den, as their own was just a large hole in the ground. Blazestrike, Morninghawk, Couragefur, Badgerstripe and Duckfoot had been told to make the nursery walls stronger. Blazestrike quickly popped his head in to check on his mate and kits. His children greeted him by rushing up to him and pouncing on his paws and tail. Blazestrike laughed and nudged them towards their mother. Moonsky turned to Blazestrike. "Hello. Seeing as Swiftlegs' kits have no mother here, I am giving them milk until they are old enough, which is about 2 moons, when our kits will be apprentices." She said. "I hope that's ok?"
"It's great to see the she-cats here nursing the younger, weaker ones who have been taken in by the clan." Blazestrike replied. "I thank you and Ember for taking in kits that aren't even yours." Moonsky leaned over and mumbled something into her mate's ear. "What do you think Windkit is doing now?"
"Maybe playing with Starkit, they were both similar ages when they died." Blazestrike mummered back. "But I assure you that he'll be safe up in StarClan." Moonsky licked his cheek and he smiled. "I better go and help. After all, better safe than sorry." Moonsky nodded and called her kits over. They flopped down beside her with a yawn. 1 moon to go before they could become apprentices. Snowstar's kits were ready today, but it was too stormy to do it now.
"Morninghawk!" Cloverpaw rushed up to the deputy. "Shadowstar has commanded us to stop, the weather is too bad! Some warriors need to stay with the queens, so maybe about 4." Morninghawk chose herself, Riverstripe, Couragefur and Falconsong. Gentlepaw went to the medicine den and was greeted by Puffinpaw. "Hi Gentlepaw!"
"Hello. How's Blankpelt?" The she-cat asked. Puffinpaw gulped and shuffled her paws anxiously. "He's on the brink of death. I'm really sory Gentlepaw, I don't think he's going to make it." Gentlepaw stopped being so cheerful. Her ear drooped and tears fell from her eyes. Puffinpaw hated seeing her cry, so she comforted her. "I'm so sorry, he didn't deserve this." Gentlepaw looked at Blankpelt. He was laying on the den floor, blood pouring out. She rushed over to him and rested her muzzle in his fur. More tears came from her eyes and onto his fur. The tom was asleep, because Ivyfur had given him a poppy seed so he could sleep. Puffinpaw flicked her tail out of the den. "Ivyfur will kill me." She mummered. Gentlepaw licked Blankpelt's ear and padded out to the elder's den. She sat with Stonepaw, who was very silent. "What's wrong?"
"Icepaw." Stonepaw sniffed. "He's been spreading rumors about me and Frogpaw. He's my best friend, but Icepaw..." She said nothing else, but Gentlepaw understood. "Look! Here's Frogpaw now." She chirped. "You talk to him about this while I check up on Luckypaw." The young tom came up to Stonepaw with a mouse. "Hey."
"Oh, hi." Stonepaw replied. Frogpaw sat beside her, licking blood from the mouse off his paws. "Eaglepaw tells me you are upset with my brother, Icepaw."
"Yeah." Stonepaw hid her muzzle in her paws. "He