Between Stars and Shadows

Fluffpaw's Divide: Part One

Shadows hold secrets. In the heart of ShadowClan camp stood Russetmoon and Shallowstar, leader and deputy of the clan. The midday sun loomed over them, casting harsh shadows. Shallowstar and Russetmoon had a lot of secrets, information that not even their daughter, Fluffpaw, was aware of. Sometimes, in the dead of night, she could hear their fiery whispers escaping the leader's den, yet it was no more than meaningless noise once it reached the apprentice's ears. The two's mysteries were well kept, leaving nothing but a hint of secrecy behind.

Fluffpaw's mentor, Mintshade, also kept secrets. Serving ShadowClan as a medicine cat for countless moons, his connection with StarClan, and even the rest of the clans was strong. Mintshade knew all of the ins and outs of ShadowClan. He knew potentially even more than the clan's own leader. Silent but wise, he told his apprentice, Fluffpaw, no more than was necessary.

"Today is a very different day, my apprentice," murmured Mintshade.

"I feel tension in the air," replied Fluffpaw as she listened intently to the ongoings in the camp. Over where the leader and deputy stood conversing, hints of growls could be heard. Shallowstar raised his voice before shutting his mouth to control his tongue.

"Something's seemed off about them for a bit," Fluffpaw noted with sadness in her meow. "They haven't even talked to me at all lately."

Mintshade frowned at Fluffpaw's lament, turning to gaze at the leader and deputy. "I'm sure you'll find out why soon."

Shallowstar spat at Russetmoon, his voice growing louder. "Scram, Russetmoon! I am calling a clan meeting."

Shallowstar stomped toward the Pinebranch, the designated spot for ShadowClan meetings that hung sturdily above his den. The noon sun lined the leader's gray fur with a golden edge, highlighting his ears, which were pinned flat to his head.

Jumping up onto the pinebranch, Shallowstar announced the clan meeting. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Pinebranch for a meeting!"

Goldenpaw could hear the bitterness in Shallowstar's voice. She got up along with her mentor, Mintshade, to attend the meeting. She sat far from Shallowstar, next to three warriors- Sootpool, Tanglefern, and Robinsky. The two tortoiseshell warriors, Tanglefern and Robinsky, were whispering gossip to each other.

"Did you see them arguing earlier," Tanglefern meowed. "Shallowstar looked so angry!"

"I heard Russetmoon tried breaking up with him a moon or two ago," the other she-cat replied. Tanglefern gasped in response.

"Quiet down!" Shallowstar yowled. The entire clan grew silent at the sound of his enraged voice.

"I have called a clan meeting to address two of our clanmates' betrayal to me— and ShadowClan. For the past moon, Russetmoon and Grayspring have been mates behind my back. I was truly heartbroken when I found out that the cat I once called my mate no longer loved me, and worse, was hiding her other mate from me."

The previously silent crowd grew loud with whispers and gasps.

"Silence!" The leader yelled. "Russetmoon and Grayspring will be exiled from ShadowClan for one moon to reflect on their disloyalty. If any of you see either of them anywhere close to our territory, do not be afraid to attack."