Chapter 1
Thunderpaw realized his mentor, Sootstem, had finally fallen asleep, and all was quiet. Shrubs rustled lightly, and slight breeze brushed against his cheek fur.
The tortoiseshell tom creeped towards the camp exit, feeling relief wash over him like a huge tidal wave. Thunderpaw saw a flash of black fur rub against a tree, and he heaved. Mouse dung! I wish there weren't any camp guards. Mallowdust and Applejaw will be mad if they find out I'm sneaking out to see Ivypaw! I need to make up an excuse so that they don't get suspicious.
Puffing out his fur against the chills that ran down his spine, Thunderpaw rose back up into the cold Leaffall air. Small white drops of snow were already on the dusty ground, and the chilly wind only got worse as the dark nights past.
Luckily, slight warmth lingered in his body as the tortoiseshell tom's pelt continued to poof out in protection of his body. Thunderpaw lifted his tail and head up, making sure he looked confident, even if his heart was beating out of his chest.
Thunderpaw began to slowly pad towards the dirt covered path that lead out of camp. Mallowdust and Applejaw sat guard, their ears pricked and eyes narrowed. Applejaw's russet fur began to fluff up, and Mallowdust's gray fur bristled lightly in frustration.
The tortoiseshell tom realized Mintpetal's scent had nested in his nose, and Thunderpaw glanced at her white and brown pelt slip into the warriors' den.
He finally reached Mallowdust and Applejaw. The 2 turned their gaze towards Thunderpaw. "Hello, it's not like you to be out here," Mallowdust started. "Yes, shouldn't an apprentice like you be in his den by now, not trying to sneak out of camp on a freezing night like this?" Applejaw continued, his eyes like amber chips of ice.
Mallowdust flicked his tail at Applejaw in silence. "Why must you leave?" He asked, annoyance edging his mew. The tortoiseshell tom froze before thinking of a reply. "I'm going... hunting! Yes, hunting." Thunderpaw chuckled nervously, hoping Applejaw didn't suspect anything suspicious going on.
Mallowdust nodded. "Well, hopefully you catch something. We are low on fresh kill." He licked his lips before moving out of the way to let Thunderpaw pass through. Applejaw reluctantly scooted backwards, making space for the young apprentice.
Dipping his head, Thunderpaw trotted away as Applejaw murmured something scornful. The tortoiseshell tom could see a small, red block coming into view until Fang Barn's outline appeared.
Ivypaw's fur became larger as she ran up to him. "Come on! I made a nest for us." Thunderpaw nodded as she lead him towards a hay stalk with a hole in the heart of it.
They snuggled into the hole, and began to chat. "So what happened today?" Thunderpaw asked, in hopes of sparking a conversation. The brown she cat opened her jaws. "Nothing much. Lightpaw accidentally got a thorn in her paw, but that was it." Ivypaw nodded. "What about you?" Thunderpaw shifted his weight as straw poked his tail.
"Well, Eelheart and Kestrelpatch got in trouble when they ate prey that could have been put on the fresh kill pile, and Sootstem accidentally tripped over one of our queens, Laketoe. StarClan was she mad!" He chuckled. Ivypaw giggled.
Thunderpaw was sprinting back to his camp, stumbling into the entrance and crashing into Primrosestar. "Gah!" The leader jerked backwards before glaring at him. Thunderpaw gasped before scrambling upwards. "I'm sorry!" He ran off into his den, hoping no cat saw him as his tortoiseshell fur was tucked under his mossy nest.