"We should be getting back to camp by now..."
"I guess you're right... We caught enough prey to pass our assessment by now. I mean, I caught a friggin' crow."
"I know, right. Don't forget about my rabbit!"
"Yeah! We're sure to be made warriors once we get back!"
"I just hope I have enough time to groom my fur."
"You're always worried about your appearance. Chill for once."
" … "
The tom giggled, and stepped forward. "Okay, we should be getting back to camp by now." Picking up his crow, the apprentice padded back to the ThunderClan camp. After him strided his fellow 'paw, carrying her rabbit. The two walked into the forest, and followed the well-used path back to the central site.
"What was that!?" The she-cat whispered, and froze. The breeze that had been blowing throughout the day died out completely, leaving the atmosphere lifeless. The tom stopped; his nostrils flared in attempt to seek out the mysterious figure. After endless moments, the she-cat quietly meowed, "Shadepaw, I think we should move it now."
"Yea-"
It assaulted the apprentices momentarily. Before Shadepaw could so much as claw the attacker, it had gone. But the thing had left a souvenir. The female apprentice had let go of the rabbit. Her eyes were wide, and she gaped at the gash in her chest. Blood flowed smoothly from it, staining her dark ginger fur and the surrounding foliage crimson. "H-how..."
"Russetpaw!"
The ThunderClan camp was bustling with activity. The old leader, Arrowstar, had consulted with the mentors of the two apprentices, Tabbyfoot and Hazelpool, to come to the conclusion of promoting Shadepaw and Russetpaw to warriors.
By now, the last patrols had come in, and the only cats that had yet to arrive were the two apprentices. Already cats had gathered with their friends. The elders had a view from the side, and Fallowfern, the medicine cat, was seated beside Ravenflame, the deputy, at the bottom of the highrock. The warriors were clustered in the front of the highrock, and the other apprentices were mixed in with the older felines.
"So... Where are Russetpaw and Shadepaw?" Ravenflame meowed to Fallowfern.
"Dunno."
The light was fading quickly from the horizon. Shadepaw had abandoned his crow, and was propping up Russetpaw. The black apprentice trudged onward, determined to get Russetpaw to safety.
Arrowstar coughed. Being on his last life, he wasn't in the best shape, and had lived long. He knew that soon it would be his time, but for now he would enjoy giving his last naming ceremony. After that, he would announce that he shall give up his leadership, and place it upon Ravenflame. Then he would retire to the elders den, and relax for his last days. Breathing in a deep breath, the elderly leader closed his eyes. One thought pestered his mind.
Where were Shadepaw and Russetpaw?
Finally arriving at the entrance, Shadepaw let out a sigh. "Just a little more Russetpaw..." He entered the camp. A large gasp greeted the apprentices. Fallowfern rushed forward with Ravenflame on her tail. "What happened!?" The medicine cat screeched. As Russetpaw was taken to the medicine den for treatment, Shadepaw explained all that he knew. "I barley knew what was happening. We were coming back from our assessment and something attacked us! It slashed Russetpaw right in the chest, and then it was gone!"
A warrior named Sparrowfrost meowed, "But why did it only attack her, and not you?"
"Maybe he was too scary?" Another cat named Silvertuft joked. Silence met his words.
"This is no time for comedy." Tabbyfoot quietly hissed, "My apprentice is in there, and that chest wound is no thorn in a pad!" Silvertuft looked down, ashamed of his words. "I only meant to lighten the mood..." He muttered.
"Don't blame him, he doesn't know better." His mate, Lilypool, flicked his ear sharply with her tail. "But we need to focus on the issue. There is a dangerous... thing... out there in the forest, and we need to do something about it. The gathering's tomorrow, and we must warn the other Clans."
Arrowstar stepped in. "Good thinking, Lilypool. Today there will be no more going out into the forest, and there will not be many cats to go to the gathering tomorrow. I want warriors to stay in camp so that the beast won't hurt anyone again. Only when the sun shall rise tomorrow will patrols be issued by Ravenflame, and there should be a warrior for each apprentice. The cats who will go to the gathering with me are Birchpaw, Sparrowfrost, Thistlewing, Hazelpool, Bramblefire, Rainyclaw, Darkpaw, and Shadepaw. Shadepaw, I want you to help explain as much as you can of the incident. That is all."
Arrowstar turned and padded slowly back to his den. The other warriors began to scatter, and retreat for the night. Ravenflame appointed a guard for the night, and followed Thistlewing and Bramblefire into the warrior's den. Birchpaw slunk after Fallowfern into the medicine den, and the rest of the cats cleared away as well. The two cats on sentry duty, Sparrowfrost and Silvertuft, silently went to separate sides of the camp.