Apprentice and Pregnant 2
Chapter 1: Infamous
Baby I'm preying on you tonight
Hunt you down, eat you alive
Just like animals, animals
Like animals
Baby you think that you can hide
But I can smell your scent for miles
Thornpaw raced through the trees, looking behind him to make sure Berrypaw and Redpaw were keeping up. Berrypaw was right behind him, his long gray fur streaming behind him in the wind. Redpaw was a bit farther back, mouth open as he panted to keep up. He was the smallest apprentice, so Thornpaw didn't give him any grief about falling a bit behind. He turned his attention back forward, jumping over sticks and bushes as he ran as fast as he could.
"Up here!" he called over his shoulder as he spotted the Owl Tree, looming above the rest of the other trees. It was the tallest tree on Shadowclan territory, and it was exactly what Thornpaw was looking for. He leaped onto the first branch, struggling to get a grip before launching himself up again and again, until he was a quarter way up it. Berrypaw scrambled after him, spending a second too long on the first branch like Thornpaw had. Thornpaw watched Redpaw as he had the same problem, wondering if he was going to need assistance when his back claws latched and he propelled forward. The three toms gasped to catch their breath as they sat on the same giant branch, worn out from sprinting clean across the territory.
"This is going to be the best prank in moons," Thornpaw said excitedly, gold eyes shining. "Cats are gonna be talking about this one for a while."
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Redpaw asked, voice sounding skeptical. "I mean, its one thing to play a prank on someone… but what if we actually scare them-"
"Aw, stop sucking all the fun out of it," Berrypaw smacked the back of Redpaws tiny head with a paw, cutting him off. "We've been planning this forever. It's gonna be hilarious."
"Aw, man," Redpaw shook his head, looking up at Thornpaw with a worried expression. "It's just that… well, Orangetail is still upset about the last prank we pulled and I don't think he's gonna be very impressed-"
"Orangetail is gonna get upset no matter what," Thornpaw broke in, thinking of Redpaws mentor and how he was constantly complaining. "Besides," he paused again to wink several times. "My mentor thinks my jokes are funny."
"That's because you got Cedarwing for a mentor," Redpaw grumbled. "She laughs at everything. Orangetail was livid. And it's only gonna get worse if we do this-"
"My mentor is gonna get mad, but I don't care," Berrypaw interrupted loudly.
"Will you stop cutting me off?" Redpaw snapped. "It's really freaking rude."
"Sorry," Thornpaw apologized, knowing that Berrypaw wasn't going to. "Just try to chill out, Redpaw. This prank is gonna kick ass."
"And we've been planning it for a moon;" Berrypaw put in. "Can't let that go to waste."
A sudden crackle below made Thornpaw perk his ears up, and he peered down through the branches. He could see a patrol of cats making their way towards the tree.
"Okay, this is it!" Thornpaw whispered excitedly.
For moons, the Shadowclan medicine cat Flametail had been taking the liberty to carry out patrols once every few days. He brought the cats on his patrols to an area on the territory, and explained the history behind whatever topic he chose. It started out as a helpful exercise, and everyone enjoyed learning a bit on where they lived. But it didn't take long for Flametail to run out of information, and when he did, he started making things up. His stories had gotten so ridiculous that Snakestar had told him to stop, but he kept doing it anyway. For a while now Thornpaw had been listening to Flametail talk about his 'special talking owl lesson.' And since it was going to be the biggest patrol yet, he decided to make it one worth remembering.
Thornpaw watched as the cats came closer, feeling giddy as he saw the turnout. It looked like half the clan was following Flametail to the tree. We're gonna go down in the history books for this one.
"Aw, shit," Berrypaw swore under his breath. "My mentors here. I was hoping he was gonna be hunting or something."
"Thought you didn't care," Redpaw smirked. Berrypaw pretended not to hear him.
"Pay attention," Thornpaw whispered as the cats came into earshot. "We gotta wait for the perfect moment."
"So, as you can see here, this is the Owl Tree," Flametail was saying, talking as if he was explaining something to a bunch of kits. He used a paw and made a big show of pointing to the giant tree Thornpaw and the others were sitting in. "Home to a family of owls."
"We know what the Owl Tree is," Brambletail called out. "Flametail, we're not idiots."
"But I have a secret to share with you," Flametail protested. "The owls… they aren't what they seem!"
"This is ridiculous," Thornpaw heard more than one cat mumble. He looked up at his friends, clearing his throat quietly. It's time!
"Are you talking shit about us again, Flametail?" Thornpaw said loudly in the disguised voice he had been practicing for weeks on. He could barely say the full sentence because he wanted to laugh so badly. Beside him Berrypaw was shaking, silently laughing.
Below, Flametail shrieked and jumped, staring up into the tree. The cats in the patrol also looked confused, and they looked at each other with wide eyes.
"Hello there," Flametail said in a mystical voice, obviously enjoying the fact that he was the center of attention. "I am glad you have chosen to speak at this time, great owls of the Owl Tree."
"We're going to puke mice on you," Berrypaw blurted out.
"WE'RE GONNA PUKE MICE ON YOU!" Redpaw suddenly shrieked after him.
By now the patrol had erupted into laughter, while Flametail just sat there looking downright confused and insulted at the same time. Thornpaw, Berrypaw and Redpaw were now in complete hysterics. Thornpaw could barely breathe, let alone keep his grip on the branch. He slipped off it and crashed down into a giant pile of leaves below.
"YOU!" Flametail yelled as Thornpaw stood up dizzily. "I KNEW IT WAS YOU! WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO SAY FOR YOURSELF, YOU RUINED MY LESSON! I AM NOT IMPRESSED!"
"We're gonna puke mice on you," Berrypaw whispered loudly from where he was sitting. Everyone started laughing again, Thornpaw the loudest.
"Oh my god you guys," Cedarwing said from where she was sitting. "This has got to be your best one yet."
Thornpaw looked over at his mentor, feeling happy that she noticed and wasn't mad.
"THIS ISN'T FUNNY," Flametail screamed. He stalked away, shaking his head angrily. "THORNPAW, YOU'RE GONNA PAY FOR THIS!"
Thornpaw smiled, taking note of the angry faces amongst the smiling ones. Yeah I'll pay for it later. But it was so worth it.
His eyes drifted off behind the cats suddenly, beyond where the Thunderclan border lay. He remembered the she cat he had met at the gathering, Laurelpaw. He remembered how her eyes had shined when she spoke to him, and how interested she seemed. He couldn't get her pretty face out of his mind. I wish she was here, I wish she watched my prank, Thornpaw thought to himself.
I bet she would have laughed.
"How was the gathering?" Tigerstripe asked as he approached the apprentices. "Was it everything you thought it would be?"
"It was wonderful," Laurelpaw said dreamily, batting her eyelashes as she thought of Thornpaw and his cuteness. "I wish it went on forever."
"Oh," Tigerstripe said in surprise, turning to look at Silverpaw. "Did you have fun too?"
"It was fine," Silverpaw mumbled, looking at his sister with a confused look. "Laurelpaw, you've been in a daze since we left. Why are you so happy?"
"I'm just happy I got to meet cats from other clans," Laurelpaw replied. His eyes were so gold and shiny… why can't any apprentices in Thunderclan be as cute as him?"
"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves," Tigerstripe said at last, shooting one final glance at Laurelpaw. He walked away in the direction of Swallow Star, who was sitting with Leaftail and Snowsong by the warriors stump.
"Jeez, sis tone it down a bit," Cracklepaw whispered, looking around to make sure no one was really paying attention. "Cats are gonna wonder."
"Wonder about what," Laurelpaw said, gazing off into the distance. I wonder if he thought about me since the gathering ended… Oh I hope he has!
"Laurelpaw, snap out of it!" Silverpaw waved a paw in front of Laurelpaws face. "Get that Shadowclan cat out of your head."
Laurelpaws world came crashing down at once.
"How did you know that's what I was thinking about?" Laurelpaw asked, glaring at her brothers. I thought I was hiding it well!
Cracklepaw shared a look with Silverpaw before replying. "You're as transparent as a ghost," Cracklepaw said at last. "We saw the look on your face when you were talking to Thistlepaw or whatever and-"
"Thornpaw," Laurelpaw corrected him at once.
"Whatever," Cracklepaw snapped. "As I was saying, you-"
"I could have sworn on my life that his name was Thistlepaw!" Silverpaw crowed, unable to help himself. "Wow, all this time… what world have I been living in?"
"AS I WAS SAYING," Cracklepaw raised his voice. "Laurelpaw you gotta think of him as any other Shadowclan cat, okay? They are our enemies, and not to mention the shadiest clan in the forest."
"Fine, fine," Laurelpaw mumbled, trying her absolute hardest to think of something else. "I get it."
"Good," Cracklepaw nodded curtly, looking pleased with himself. "Now let's drop it okay, I see mom's coming over."
Laurelpaw turned around, happy to see her mother Hollyshine walking towards them. Hollyshines face was lit up, obviously looking forward to hearing about her kits experience at their first gathering.
Hollyshine was a small dark blue she cat, no bigger than Laurelpaw herself. She had had Laurelpaw and her brothers when she was still a young apprentice, which made her an awkward age where she acted like a new warrior, but still tried to act like a mom at the same time. None the less Laurelpaw loved her, even though she was more like a sister.
I still wonder where our father is though.
Why does everyone refuse to talk about him?
"Hey!" Hollyshine greeted them as she approached. "How's my favorite kits?"
"Your only kits," Silverpaw put in.
"Still my favorite," Hollyshine winked, nuzzling her head into her son's side. It nearly looked like Hollyshine was the apprentice and Silverpaw was the warrior for a moment, due to Hollyshine being so much smaller. Laurelpaw smiled. She looks out of place and all, but she looks happier than ever.
I wonder why Thornpaws friends acted so weird when they brought her up
What made them look so freaked out?
Sometimes I think I'll never know
Laurelpaw yawned and stretched, getting tired from all the excitement.
"You look tired, baby," Hollyshine commented at once. "Why don't you go rest? I know Swallow Wings planning on taking you three out for tomorrows morning hunting party."
"In that case, we better go crash," Cracklepaw said. "It's getting pretty late."
"Go join your brother," Hollyshine nudged Silverpaw, who got up reluctantly. "I'm not tired."
"I'm sure you will be sleepy the second you get in your nest," Hollyshine insisted. "Go on."
"I should go to," Laurelpaw said, wondering why Hollyshine wasn't insisting for her to follow Cracklepaw too.
"I miss being in the apprentices den sometimes," Hollyshine said suddenly, looking sad. "I miss my daughter."
"Aw, mom," Laurelpaw said, feeling embarrassed. "I'm right across the clearing."
"I know," Hollyshine mumbled. "But I still get sad sometimes. You're my only daughter, and I love you dearly. So does Grayclaw. You know this, right?"
"Yeah," Laurelpaw replied, feeling weird at all the sudden sappiness. "I love you both too."
"I was gonna ask you," Hollyshine said suddenly, the tone in her voice changing. "Did you talk to any cats from different clans? Make any new friends?"
At once Laurelpaw was back in her dream world, Thornpaws face clouding her mind.
"I met a Shadowclan tom that was really nice," Laurelpaw confessed, deciding to tell the truth despite what Cracklepaw said about hiding it. "He was really cute too."
At once, Hollyshines face began to change.
Her eyes turned scared, and the sides of her mouth twitched.
"What?" Laurelpaw cried in alarm, completely unprepared for Hollyshines reaction.
"Nothing," Hollyshine said, but her voice was shaky.
"Clearly you're lying," Laurelpaw snapped.
"Just remembering an unpleasant memory," Hollyshine said at last.
"His name was Thornpaw," Laurelpaw blurted out, unable to stop herself. He's all I want to talk about! I can't help it!
"Thornpaw?" Hollyshine thought about it for a moment. Then her face changed again and she laughed. "Oh, no way! I've heard of him! I overheard Swallow Star and Snakestar talking about him at a gathering I went to recently… apparently he's a huge troublemaker. Playing pranks like his life depends on it, I hear."
"He's was super nice," Laurelpaw said, happy that Hollyshines mood had changed.
"Okay, enough about tom cats," Hollyshine said, voice turning serious again. "You have a whole lifetime to worry about them."
"I know," Laurelpaw replied.
"Go to sleep, baby," Hollyshine whispered, rubbing her face against her daughters. "See you in the morning."
"Goodnight," Laurelpaw said kindly. She started making her way over to the apprentices den, thoughts still dead set on Thornpaw.
I can't get you out of my head
Am I in yours?
Even a little bit?