Featherstripe was the best cat in the forest and I loved her. She was always willing to teach me battle moves and hunting skills. When I first got my apprentice name, I was still small. Extremely small and thin, even for an apprentice. My mentor, Frostdapple, was strict, and it was so hard to keep up with her. Until I met Featherstripe. She had been sleeping beside the warriors' den when I saw her for the first time as a kit.
Letting her soft voice lull me in a trance, I followed her to the training hollow as the sun began to set. The gray tabby turned to me with determination in her yellow gaze.
"You will be a warrior soon, Dogpaw. Now show me what you remember from yesterday. I assume that you practiced?" Featherstripe lashed her tail, fluffing herself up.
I put up my front paws and dabbed at her, but she was too fast and dodged all of them. She swerved, so I moved around her to attack from the back.
"Dogpaw! What in StarClan's name are you doing?"
I stopped at Frostdapple's voice. Featherstripe frowned, but didn't reply to her. I faced the white she-cat.
"I'm training with Featherstripe."
Frostdapple hissed at me, "How many times do I need to tell you? There is no Featherstripe!"
"She's right here!" I flicked my tail at my second mentor, who looked overwhelmed.
"Do you really think that?" With a shake of her head, she padded back to camp with a huff.
"Why does every cat say that to me?" I whined, giving Featherstripe an apologetic tone.
"Forget what they say, alright. And don't worry, Dogpaw." She rested her nose on my head, instantly calming me down.
Did you see Dogpaw? I hear she was talking to herself next to the Owltree.
Again?
Yes. I know apprentices can be ditzy, but oh, she is crazy! Keeps mumbling something about feathers.
I feel sorry for poor Frostdapple. I wouldn't want that kind of cat as my apprentice! Surely ShadowClan should be rid of a cat like that?
I heard many of my Clanmates gossip about me. It was hard to ignore them, to pretend that they aren't staring me down, judging me. Surely once I'm a respected warrior, the rumors would die down. I glanced up as Frostdapple walked over to me.
"Come on. Your final assessment is today. I want to see your hunting skills for the last time."
"Alright!" I got to my paws and followed her, feeling like a kit again for a couple of seconds. She let me catch up, so that I would go ahead of her. Once I was alone, I made my way to the ThunderClan border. I saw a familiar gray tabby marking it.
"Featherstripe!"
She turned to me, giving a glare, "What do you want? I don't know you. My name is Featherwish! If you want to speak with my mother, than you can't. Featherstripe died moons ago."
"Huh?" I tilted my head.
"Featherstripe has been dead for a long time. It's been eighteen moons since then. Since ShadowClan killed my mother!"
Before I could do anything, Featherwish threw herself at me. I was too slow, and she was able to get the advantage. Soon she was above me, ready for the killing bite, but she never got the chance.
Opening my eyes, I saw Featherstripe holding her back. She turned to me with a sad look before fading softly.
Tell no cat about this. This secret can't be spread or ThunderClan and ShadowClan would tear each other apart. I had a kit with a ThunderClan tom and snuck into their territory with their father, but a ShadowClan warrior followed and killed me. But I will always watch over you.