Darkness Within

by Erin Hunter

  Panic sparked in his chest as the truth began to dawn on him.

  “Wake up!” Tigerstar suddenly darted toward Ashfur and hooked his scruff with his claws. He lifted the warrior and shook him.

  Ashfur blinked open his eyes, stiffening for a moment as he saw Tigerstar, then letting himself fall limp. He slumped to the ground as Tigerstar let go, his gaze catching Shadowsight’s. It glittered with meaning. See? Shadowsight stepped back as he guessed the warrior’s thoughts. I told you they’re going to kill me.

  “Get up!” Tigerstar snarled, pacing in front of Ashfur.

  Alderheart and Frecklewish watched without speaking.

  Hawkwing’s eyes narrowed with interest. “We’ve come to ask you a few questions.”

  Ashfur pushed himself to his paws and looked at the warriors, his lip curling. “You can ask me anything you like. I don’t have to answer.”

  “Do you really believe that?” Tigerstar flexed his claws.

  Shadowsight’s breath caught in his throat. What was Tigerstar planning to do to Ashfur? He pleaded silently with the dark warrior. Please, just tell him what he wants to know.

  Frecklewish padded closer. “Have you left the ShadowClan camp?”

  Ashfur’s eyes widened. “How could I?” He nodded toward Mallownose and Lizardtail. “I’ve been under guard the whole time.”

  A growl rolled in Tigerstar’s throat. “We’re not stupid,” he hissed. “We know you can leave Bramblestar’s body if you wish.”

  “Really?” Ashfur looked unconvinced. “If I could do that, why would I stay here, as a prisoner?” He glanced innocently around the bramble enclosure.

  Tigerstar thrust his muzzle close to Ashfur’s. “Rootspring and the Sisters say they saw you in SkyClan’s camp with the other spirits.”

  Ashfur didn’t flinch as Tigerstar’s growl hardened. “And you believe them?”

  Hawkwing’s ears flattened. “Rootspring wouldn’t lie.”

  Ashfur tipped his head to one side. “The Sisters are his kin, aren’t they? They might have put him up to it.”

  “Rootspring is a loyal SkyClan warrior!” Hawkwing snarled.

  Tigerstar glared at Ashfur. “Why would the Sisters lie to us?”

  Ashfur’s eyes widened. “Didn’t you drive them from their camp?”

  Frecklewish’s ears twitched defensively. “They hold no grudge.”

  “And you killed their leader,” Ashfur pressed. “Moonlight, right? That was her name?”

  “It was Moonlight who persuaded the Sisters to help us,” Hawkwing snapped.

  “Did Rootspring tell you that?” Ashfur asked calmly.

  “Yes! And I believe him.” Hawkwing’s tail flicked ominously.

  Ashfur eyed the SkyClan deputy. “Did anyone else see her?”

  “The Sisters saw her!” Frecklewish hissed.

  Amusement twitched in Ashfur’s whiskers. “Of course they did.” He slid past Tigerstar and stopped a muzzle-length from Frecklewish. “Have you seen any of these spirits they claim to have seen? Have any of the medicine cats seen them?”

  Frecklewish held her ground. “We don’t have the same powers as the Sisters.”

  “So you trust a group of cats you hardly know when they say they can see something the Clans can’t?” Ashfur’s eyes shone with satisfaction. “What do you even know about them except that you stole their land? What do you know about their kin?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “Tree isn’t a real warrior, is he? He threatens to leave the Clans at the first sign of trouble. And now his son is making up stories about ghosts—stories that set one Clan against another and send you running to outsiders for help.”

  Shadowsight stared in alarm at Ashfur. Why was he trying to stir up trouble even now?

  Ashfur went on. “Who fetched the Sisters back? A warrior with their blood running beneath his pelt. And what do they do when they get here? Stir all of you up with stories of spirits no other warrior can see.”

  A growl rumbled in Tigerstar’s throat, but Ashfur hadn’t finished.

  “Do you really believe Rootspring’s on your side?” Hawkwing’s fur bristled as the dark warrior leaned closer to Frecklewish. “Do you?”

  With a hiss, Hawkwing leaped at Ashfur, raking claws across his muzzle. “How dare you suggest that my kin can’t be trusted!” He lashed out again at Ashfur, clawing his cheek. “Rootspring has earned his place as a SkyClan warrior!”

  Ashfur backed away, crouching low, his gaze flitting around the Clan cats. No fear showed in his eyes. Shadowsight could see he was thinking. Why did the mouse-brain insist on goading these cats when they clearly wanted to hurt him?

  Ashfur’s gaze settled on Hawkwing. “Perhaps Violetshine should have chosen a better mate.” He curled his lip. “Instead of a stray the Clans took in. At least then you’d be able to trust your own flesh and blood.”

  Rage flared in Hawkwing’s eyes. He lunged at Ashfur and curled his claws into the dark warrior’s fur. Lifting him like prey, he flung him against the hollow tree. Ashfur thumped against the bark and slithered to the ground as Hawkwing reared for another attack.

  “Don’t hurt him!” Shadowsight darted forward, but Tigerstar pushed in front of him. Relief swamped Shadowsight. The ShadowClan leader would stop Hawkwing from hurting Ashfur. Then Shadowsight’s breath caught in his throat; his father’s claws were unsheathed; anger twisted his face. Shadowsight froze. “What are you doing?” He stared in horror as his father lunged at Ashfur.

  Panicked, he turned to plead with the others. “You have to stop them!” But Frecklewish and Alderheart didn’t move. Mallownose and Lizardtail watched from the entrance. They were going to let this happen. And Ashfur wasn’t even going to defend himself.

  The earth seemed to tremble beneath Shadowsight’s paws as his father sank his teeth into Ashfur’s neck. Ashfur writhed beneath him, yowling. Shadowsight recoiled as the smell of blood filled the air.

  Tigerstar flung Ashfur away and lashed out with his forepaw, striking the dark warrior’s cheek. Ashfur reeled, staggering into the path of Hawkwing, who swiped a claw at his other cheek.

  “Tell us if you’ve left this camp!” Tigerstar yowled.

  Ashfur grunted, blood running from his face. “Is this the code you follow?”

  “Tell us!” Tigerstar raked his claws across Ashfur’s ears.

  Ashfur backed away as Hawkwing swung another blow at the top of his head.

  “What have you been doing while Bramblestar’s body has been sleeping here?” Tigerstar demanded.

  Ashfur gazed at him scornfully. “Claws can’t help you now.”

  Eyes flaring with rage, Tigerstar raked his muzzle again, and Ashfur slumped beneath his paws.

  “Enough!” Shadowsight leaped forward. He didn’t care what his Clan thought. He couldn’t let this happen. He ducked in front of his father and the SkyClan deputy. “He’s had enough.”

  Tigerstar froze, his paw in midair, and stared blankly at Shadowsight.

  Shadowsight flinched but held his gaze. “You mustn’t do this.”

  The rage clouding Tigerstar’s eyes died away. He staggered back, his hackles falling, while Hawkwing grew still.

  Ashfur lay unmoving. Was he dead? Shadowsight pressed his ear to the warrior’s chest. He was relieved to feel a heartbeat. But it was weak, and blood matted his fur. “I need herbs—” He gasped as claws hooked his scruff and jerked him backward.

  “What are you doing?” Tigerstar glared at him.

  Shadowsight blinked in disbelief. “I have to help him.” Was Tigerstar going to let Ashfur die? “You told me I had to take care of him, remember?” Shadowsight searched his father’s gaze. He hardly recognized the warrior staring coldly back. “You ordered me to protect him because no other cat would.”

  Tigerstar didn’t move.

  Anger flared in Shadowsight’s belly. “I’m a medicine cat, no matter what you say! I have to help.”

  He felt his father’s claws unhook from his scruff. “You’re righ
t,” Tigerstar growled hoarsely, dipping his head. “Take care of him.” He turned away, stalking out of the enclosure and signaling with a flick of his tail for the others to follow.

  Alone with Ashfur once more, Shadowsight ducked down beside him. Claw marks on his cheeks and muzzle oozed blood. One of his ears was ripped, and wounds showed on his flank where chunks of fur had been ripped out. Shadowsight pressed his ear to Ashfur’s flank again. The dark warrior’s breath came in gasps. Don’t die. Shadowsight hopped over him and slid into the hollow tree, relieved when he saw cobwebs caught in the rotting wood. He scooped out pawful after pawful and carried them outside, where he began to press them into the deepest wounds on Ashfur’s cheek.

  He stiffened as Ashfur’s eyes flickered open.

  The dark warrior stared at him helplessly. “I told you,” he rasped. “They’re going to kill me.”

  Shadowsight swallowed. “He just lost control, that’s all.”

  Blood bubbled on Ashfur’s lips. “If Tigerstar can’t control himself, how can he control his Clan?” His gaze fluttered weakly toward the enclosure entrance. Flaxfoot and Tawnypelt were watching through the gap. He looked back to Shadowsight, malice flickering in his eyes. “If your father doesn’t kill me, some other cat will . . . and you’ll never get Bramblestar back.”

  Shadowsight’s paws shook as he tried to wrap cobwebs around Ashfur’s injured ear. He didn’t want to think about it. Bramblestar had to come back.

  Ashfur shifted his head heavily, wincing as he moved. “But we both know that killing this body won’t make a difference,” he murmured. “I can’t be stopped, no matter whether this body lives or dies.”

  Don’t listen to him. Shadowsight tried to block out Ashfur’s words. If he’d refused to listen to this fox-heart from the beginning, none of this would have happened. His thoughts began to whirl. He’d seen hatred for Ashfur in his father’s eyes. Like the Clans, Tigerstar had hardened so much that Shadowsight wondered what he might do next. And if they killed Bramblestar’s body and Ashfur’s spirit lived on . . .

  “Only you can keep Bramblestar alive now,” Ashfur whispered.

  Shut up! Shadowsight closed his eyes, but how could he ignore him when the dark warrior might be right?

  Chapter 19

  Rootspring padded into the camp, relieved to find himself bathed in bright sunshine. The warriors’ den had been cramped and stuffy, with extra nests for the Sisters who’d slept there. They were awake now and already in the clearing, sharing tongues with one another. Macgyver and Plumwillow exchanged glances as they picked their way past Moon and Tempest, who were chatting beside the fresh-kill pile. Leafstar sat beside her den, eyeing her guests thoughtfully. Outside the nursery, Dewspring and Nectarsong watched Beekit and Beetlekit explore a patch of long grass beside the camp wall. The kits’ pelts were fluffed with excitement, and Nectarsong and Dewspring followed them with wide, anxious eyes. Rootspring felt a weak tingle of warmth and amusement. This was their first day outside.

  Dewspring stiffened as Beekit darted from the grass and nearly crashed into Snow, who was washing at the edge of the clearing. “Look out!” He started forward, his pelt bushing as Beekit pulled up just in time. The large white she-cat blinked warmly at the kit, but Dewspring grabbed Beekit by the scruff and carried her quickly away.

  Rootspring could hardly believe that the same clearing had been filled with glaring, hissing ghosts last night. He pressed back a shiver as he remembered their angry gazes and anguished wails. Perhaps it had been a dream. He looked around at the Sisters. No. The Sisters had seen it too. But he’d been the only one to recognize that it was Ashfur. Why had the dark warrior been there? And why had he seemed to take pleasure in the suffering of the other spirits?

  Rootspring shook out his pelt and tried to focus on the present. He wondered if Hawkwing, Alderheart, and Frecklewish had questioned Ashfur yet. They’d left before dawn, promising to return with news. Another thought was tugging at him too. Bristlefrost had spent the night in the medicine den. Was she still asleep? He looked for a glimpse of her pale gray pelt, but she was nowhere to be seen. His paws tingled with anticipation. If they lived in the same Clan all the time, they could hunt together and eat together every day. Or wake up in the same nest . . .

  Sunrise interrupted his wishful thoughts, padding to meet him. She blinked an affectionate greeting. “You did well last night,” she told him.

  “Thanks.” He met her gaze. “But I wish we could have found out why the spirits were so unhappy.”

  “Why not ask them next time you see them?”

  “Next time?” His tail twitched nervously. “Are you going to summon them again?”

  “You don’t need us to summon them.” Her mew was soft. “You have the gift.”

  “I don’t think I could manage so many spirits alone,” he mewed.

  “Of course you can,” Sunrise told him. “The power is in you. You just need to learn to strengthen it, that’s all.”

  Rootspring wasn’t sure that he wanted to. It sounded scary. But if the Clans were in danger from the spirits, he might need to. “How do I strengthen a power I don’t understand?” he asked Sunrise.

  “Until now, spirits have found you, right?” Sunrise tipped her head to one side.

  Rootspring nodded. “Right. Well, I’ve summoned Bramblestar on purpose before, but that was . . . hard.”

  “Okay.” Sunrise sat down. “If you need to reach out to a spirit, it helps to have something of theirs. A piece of fur, or bedding they’ve slept in.”

  Rootspring’s ears twitched uncertainly as she went on. Was it really so simple?

  “Hold it in your paws,” she told him. “And focus on the cat you wish to see. And use the earth.”

  “How?” He wondered suddenly if Tree had learned these skills. Or had he left the Sisters too soon?

  “Lie down like this.” Sunrise pressed her belly into the damp grass. “So the earth can feel your heartbeat. Do it every day so it can get to know you. Each time you do, your connection will deepen.”

  Rootspring copied her, his pelt prickling self-consciously. He noticed Nectarsong’s gaze flash toward him but kept his focus on Sunrise. He’d have to practice this somewhere out of the camp. His Clanmates thought he was weird enough already. Dew seeped through his belly fur as he crouched low. “Okay.”

  “Feel your heart press against the earth with each breath,” Sunrise told him.

  Rootspring focused on his chest, aware now of his heart thumping, sensing the earth reverberating with each beat. He felt suddenly aware of every hair on his pelt, and as he breathed, he could feel his heartbeat slow as though it was falling into rhythm with something only it could hear.

  “Do you sense it?” Sunrise whispered.

  Rootspring nodded slowly. “I think so.” He hoped he could. Perhaps he was imagining it.

  Sunrise sat up. “That’s all you have to do.”

  He blinked at her and got to his paws. “Will it be enough?”

  Sunrise shrugged. “You must open your heart,” she mewed. “Let the power flow through you, and trust it to find a way.”

  “I’ll try.” Rootspring hoped none of his Clanmates were listening to this conversation.

  Sunrise lifted her tail. “It’s time for us to go make camp.” As the other Sisters began to get to their paws, Squirrelflight padded from the medicine den.

  She hurried toward Sunrise. “Could you try to find Bramblestar one more time before you go?”

  Sunrise blinked at her. “If he didn’t appear last time, there’s no reason to think he’ll appear now.”

  Squirrelflight stopped beside her. “But we have to try.”

  “We won’t be far away,” Sunrise mewed softly. “If we see him, we will let you know.” She dipped her head. “It was good to see you again. I’m sorry it’s in such unhappy circumstances.” She nodded to Snow, who began to lead the Sisters toward the camp entrance. Then she padded toward Leafstar. “Thank you for giving us shelter,” s
he told the SkyClan leader. She paused and gazed around the camp. “You’ve made this place into a fine home.”

  “Thank you.” Leafstar dipped her head.

  Sunrise turned and headed for the ferns, calling back over her shoulder: “If you need us, you know where to find us.”

  Squirrelflight’s eyes rounded with disappointment. As she looked away, Sunrise hesitated at the entrance and beckoned Rootspring with a nod. He stiffened. Did she have more advice on using his powers? He hurried toward her, pricking his ears.

  “Don’t let go of Bristlefrost,” Sunrise whispered as he reached her. He followed her gaze as it cut across the camp. Bristlefrost was padding from the medicine den. Rootspring’s heart leaped. Her pelt was still ruffled with sleep. As she yawned and looked around the camp, a purr rumbled in Sunrise’s throat. “You’re in love with her, and she’s in love with you.”

  “That’s not true—”

  Sunrise cut him off. “It’s obvious,” she mewed. “I don’t understand why you need to lie.”

  “It’s complicated.”

  Sunrise shrugged. “The Clans seem to make the easiest things difficult.” She nosed her way through the ferns. “Take care of each other.”

  As she disappeared, Rootspring shook out his pelt. How could a Sister ever understand what loyalty meant to a warrior? He realized that Bristlefrost was staring at him. He whisked his tail and hurried toward her. There was no harm in saying good morning. After all, she was a guest of SkyClan. He was only being polite. And yet he wanted to say more than good morning. He had to talk to her before the Thunderclan patrol returned home.

  His ears pricked as he passed Squirrelflight and Leafstar.

  “There’s no choice,” Leafstar was telling the Thunderclan leader. “Even you must see that now.”

  Squirrelflight’s mew was tight. “But we don’t even know if Ashfur will really—”

  Leafstar interrupted her. “It’s the best chance we have to get rid of him.”

  Squirrelflight’s pelt twitched. “What if it doesn’t work? We’ll have killed him for nothing. We know he can leave Bramblestar’s body; what’s to stop him stealing another one?”