-Drafts-+Tigerfang+(Abby+H.)

=__1__=

“Come along, Twisted Shadows,” A brown-and-ginger mountain lion urged. “We have to go.” “You know as well as I that we cannot leave the cub,” Twisted Shadows replied. “Listen, Sharp Arrow. Lightning Shock is barely old enough to even to be a Tyro. I will not leave him.”

“You know, you can be really hard-headed,” Sharp Arrow snorted. “You know I don't want anything to do with Lightning Shock, or the the other one. The one with no name.”

“He will have a name soon. In fact, I think we should call him Burned Twig.”

“And what of Fallen Pine?”

“She is staying as well.”

“Fine. If you wish.” Sharp Arrow turned. “But you had better tell Burned Twig about his new name.”

“Wait!” Twisted Shadows called. “I think Fallen Pine is ready to become a Sharpfang.”

“Very well.” Sharp Arrow nodded. “We'll assess her at sunrise tomorrow.”

“Good. Sunset.”

Sharp Arrow went into his den, and Twisted Shadows sighed. It was a nice night. The stars were out, and the moon shone on the smooth stone of the camp. // Why can't it always be like this? // Twisted Shadows silently asked herself. // So peaceful and quiet? // Sighing again, she headed towards the Tyros' den to tell Burned Twig and Fallen Pine their news. The two Tyros were still awake, sitting guard at the entrance. They dipped their heads at Twisted Shadows' appearance.

“What brings you here?” Asked Fallen Pine.

“Sharp Arrow and I,” Twisted Shadows looked at Burned Twig. “have given you a name. You are to be called Burned Twig. And you,” Twisted Shadows turned her gaze back on Fallen Pine. “are to be assessed at Sunrise. If you survive the climb up and back down the mountain, you will be made a Sharpfang.”

Fallen Pine's ears pricked.

“Really? Great!” She said. Twisted Shadows smiled, but felt afraid inside. What if Fallen Pine // didn't // make the climb? // Well, if she doesn't, she doesn't. She's in the paws of MoonTribe now. // Twisted Shadows decided confidently. // Anyway, she is a strong cat. She WILL make it. //

It was soon sunrise. The sky appeared to be on fire, its orange and scarlet colors licking the horizon. Twisted Shadows roused Fallen Pine and led her to the mountain. “Good luck,” She whispered, resting her muzzle on Fallen Pine's head. As she watched Fallen Pine go, she felt a pang of sorrow. She had looked after Fallen Pine like she would her own cub. With Fallen Pine gone, Twisted Shadows felt that a part of her was missing. A part that had been missing for several years and was finally found, but then lost again. She didn't know if she'd ever find it. She sighed and bounded back to camp, Fallen Pine's last words to her echoing in her ears. //I can do this. Trust me.//


 * __2__**

It was summer now. The prey was running well, and Sharp Arrow noticed that all the cats were very well-fed, especially Twisted Shadows, who was usually very slender. Now she was clumsy and a lousy hunter, unusual for her. Luckily Lightning Shock, Burned Twig, and Fallen Pine kept the prey pile stocked. Fallen Pine, now a Sharpfang, was the best hunter in the Tribe. Sharp Arrow was proud of her. //I trained her well.// He thought. //And now she's a fine Sharpfang. But what about Twisted Shadows? I know for sure it's not the extra prey that's changing her. She's h//i//ding something.// He was jolted out of his thoughts when Lightning Shock came up to him. Lightning Shock was dragging a deer bigger than him, struggling with the weight.

"You caught that?" Sharp Arrow yelped.

"Mmmm hmmm," Lighting Shock mumbled through the deer. He dropped it, panting. "That thing is heavy!"

Sharp Arrow laughed. Twisted Shadows stumbled into camp.