"Littlekit."
I held my head up high and looked at my father.
"You have reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to become an apprentice," he yowled, loud enough for the whole Clan to hear.
I looked at the other new apprentices. Frostpaw, Hawkpaw, Fishpaw, Acornpaw and Nutpaw were all standing proudly beside their respective mentors: Bluemist, Tigerfur, Cloversplash, Rosefire and Brackenwhisker.
Oakstar cleared his throat and I looked back at him with a sheepish grin.
"From this day on," he continued, "until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Littlepaw."
I let out a quick purr when I listened to my father call out my new name. He glanced around and quickly dipped his head afterwards.
"Your mentor will be Scorchfoot," he yowled, "I hope he will pass down all he knows on to you."
The deputy! I was being mentored by the deputy!
…Sure he could only use two of his legs well, but still! That would definitely impress the other apprentices!
Scorchfoot limped from his place on the Great Rock and stood beside me.
"Scorchfoot, my friend and loyal deputy," my father meowed, "You are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Ravenspot, and you have shown yourself to be brave and skilful in battle! You will be the mentor of Littlepaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to him."
The Clan cheered all six of our names and I touched noses with Scorchfoot. I couldn't help notice a gleam in his eye, which could only mean one thing…
Dad hadn't apprenticed me to his deputy because he thought I was strong and tough enough… There had to be an explanation as to why he chose Scorchfoot!
The Clan slowly dispersed and I jumped down and greeted my mother, Fawnheart.
"I can't believe it! My son, the apprentice of Scorchfoot!" she purred. "You must be very excited! He is a great warrior! He'll teach you well and you'll be a warrior in no time."
I kept my concerns to myself. I'd ask dad later.
My cousin, Hawkpaw, padded over.
"Congratulations," he meowed, almost…sincerely!
Fawnheart nudged me closer.
"Uh…thank you…?" I mewed back cautiously.
Then he grinned. "I thought you'd never become an apprentice!"
He ran off towards Acornpaw and Nutpaw purring with amusement.
"Ha, ha, very funny…" I called to him, sarcastically, "Another joke about my size? D-Doesn't that get old for you?"
Fawnheart was looking at me with a worried glance, but I shrugged it off. Their jokes and taunts couldn't hurt me.
Scorchfoot trotted over. "We'll start training tomorrow at dawn."
I looked up at him, 'Okay… Will I be training with the other apprentices…?"
His eyes widened. "Uh… no, not yet. Your father has asked otherwise. He wants me to train you for a few extra moons to become a bit…well, bigger."
My ears drooped. I knew it! Oakstar was just embarrassed by my size! Just because I wasn't the big, strong son he always wanted!
Suddenly, Morningfrost burst through the entrance of the camp. "FlameClan are attacking!" she cried.
HerHer pelt was caked in blood and she looked awful!
Oakstar jumped on the Great Rock and looked down at everyone.
"Jaggedleaf, Morningfrost, Skyfeather and Stonetail need help!" he yowled, "Cedarblaze, Moleshade, Scorchfoot, Snowstorm, Fawnheart and Lionfang, you are coming with me!"
"Can we come too?"
Everyone's head turned to see that Nutpaw had spoken up. The stupid furball.
"You have just been made apprentices!" Tigerfur argued, "You haven't learnt any battle skills. I know I don't want my apprentice to be killed."
Oakstar looked like he was going to agree, but then Frostpaw spoke up. "We can be the back-up." She mewed, "Whenever you need help, come to one of us and we'll bring more cats!"
She was shuffling with excitement. I could tell that she really wanted to be a part of this battle.
"Okay," he agreed hurriedly, "We don't have time to argue. Frostpaw, Hawkpaw, the twins and Fishpaw can come as messengers. Just stay out of the way of the warriors!"
I put my head proudly and padded towards the other warriors going towards the camp entrance…
Wait. He hadn't said my name…
"What about me?" I asked.
Everyone stopped and winced.
"You see, son," Oakstar stammered, "We don't want you in the way. No cat wants to have to look after you…"
I growled indignantly. I can take care of myself!
"I want to go!" I argued, "I can help! I'm not useless!"
"I'll look after him," Fawnheart mewed.
I heard a few cats sigh in relief.
"Come on!" Oakstar meowed. "We have wasted enough time! All of the apprentices, follow me!"
I started running, but I couldn't keep up with my mother or father who had run ahead with each other. I was about a tail-length behind them but my short little legs couldn't go any faster.
Dad licked the top of my mother's head, "If I die today, I want to be by your side. We'll fight together. You know I love you."
Fawnheart purred. "I don't want to lose you, Oakstar. I love you."
If I wasn't feeling so sick around all this love stuff, I would have found it cute. But as I said before… Yuck!
I slowed down and padded next to Hawkpaw and Frostpaw.
I instantly regretted my decision.
"You know," Hawkpaw meowed, "We could work as a team; you could listen to the cats giving the messages and I could run and get other cats and watch as I run towards the falling sun. Sounds romantic, right?"
Frostpaw groaned.
Hawkpaw was about say something else but he was cut off by an ear-splitting yowl.
Everyone—but me—picked up the pace and ran behind a group of trees that smelled like us. Probably our border… So those no-good flea-bitten cats had attacked our border patrol!
When I came to where the apprentices were, Scorchfoot was already there telling them where to be.
I padded up to him and he pointed his tail to a large fern. I ran over to it and to my surprise, Scorchfoot was following me there.
"Your mother is busy helping Oakstar; she'll be here in a minute. Until then, I have to look after you," he told me.
"Ah, come on, Scorchfoot," I pleaded, "I can look after myself. Let me out, please. I need to make my mark!"
Scorchfoot scoffed. "Oh, you've made plenty of marks. All in the wrong places!"
I frowned. Just because, as a kit I was a little…curious…
…Okay… one of the things I did, wasn't the best idea I've ever had…
I tried to see if deathberries could stop infection… To test it, I needed a creature covered with blood, but even though I didn't tell her what I was doing, Mistwhisker wouldn't let me near her patients.
I don't know why…!
Anyway, I saw the fresh-kill pile and grabbed a few things.
Long story short, the tests didn't work so I put the fresh-kill back and three cats ended up in the medicine cat den throwing up yarrow.
"That was only one or two times! Come on! Two minutes. I'll kill a FlameClan apprentice. My life will get instantly better."
Scorchfoot shook his head, looking amused. "You can't attack. You can't defend yourself. You can't even eat a whole mouse without feeling sick."
"Yes, but—!"
Too late. Fawnheart was padding towards us and Scorchfoot looked at me.
"They need me out there, Littlepaw!" he meowed. "Stay. Put. There… You know what I mean!"
With that, he bounded into the battle, yowling.
Fawnheart came up to me and licked the top of my head. "Glad to see you're alright."
I was about to reply, when the fern beside me shook and hissed.
Okay, that was weird.
I quickly turned around and a tortoiseshell she-cat jumped out, hissing.
"Stay away from my son!" Fawnheart hissed.
I ran behind my mother wailing. She quickly fought off the she-cat.
Okay…so maybe I wasn't the bravest cat right then, but it was my first battle and I hadn't learned anything. Don't judge me!
Mum was shaking. I knew that she didn't like being very violent, but it was nice of her to fight off that cat. No other cat would have done that for me…
I saw her looking at Oakstar who was having difficulty fighting off two FlameClan warriors.
"Dad needs help!" I told her.
I needed to distract her so I could go out there and fight The Shadow.
…I know what you're all thinking. Yes, I couldn't fight the other warrior, but she just took me by surprise. That's all.
Fawnheart glanced at me and then back at Oakstar.
"Go," I whispered.
"I'm sorry, Littlepaw," she meowed. "I need to make sure Oakstar is okay."
She turned and ran towards my father.
Finally! Now I could look for The Shadow and kill him.
I took a step forwards, and walked into a large white tabby tom. And by large, I mean, huge! Like three of me stacked on top of each other with another head!
"You are little apprentice, yes?" he asked.
"Yes…" I growled. He was thinking of another size joke probably.
"My Clan needs help," he continued. "You do not mind coming to us and helping us, no?"
I was confused. Why did FlameClan need help? "Uh… yes… no… I don't know! Stop confusing me!"
"I can see peace in your eyes," he meowed softly. "You will do."
His unsheathed claw came towards my chin, slowly. If this was a test, I didn't like it. His claw touched my chin and I stayed as still as possible.
"Littlepaw!"
The tom jumped in surprise, scratching my chin. I cried out in surprise and pain.
"Stay away from my son!" Fawnheart growled as she unsheathed her claws.
I stood back and watched my mother and the strange white tabby tom.
They were just…looking at each other…
"Fawnheart!"
My father came and scratched the tabby tom's face.
"Fawnheart, Littlepaw, run!" he hissed.
The white tom and dad engaged in a fight. Claws were flying everywhere!
The tom bared his teeth and was about to bite Oakstar's neck when he was interrupted.
"Don't!" Fawnheart begged.
The tom stopped and looked at Fawnheart, his eyes sparkling. "You will be perfect," he purred.
"Well, well, well," we heard a voice say, "Look at this. This'll be easy."
"Vixenstep!" my dad growled as he looked for the source of the voice.
Suddenly, a red-orange cat jumped out at us and started to attack my mother.
But Fawnheart was no match for the FlameClan deputy.
With one swift blow, Fawnheart was on the ground bleeding. She lifted her head weakly, but dropped it again.
Dad ran towards Vixenstep and scratched her face in rage. I leaped forward and bit her hind leg. It was the only thing I could think of…
She hissed in pain and ran away. "FlameClan retreat!"
Oakstar ran after her. "And stay away from out border!" he yowled.
I noticed that the white tom had also retreated. So, I walked over to where I last saw Fawnheart…
She wasn't there!
"Fawnheart?" I mewed. "Come out, you're scaring me!"
No response.
"…Mum?"
I looked around and tried to scent her.
Nothing.
Then it hit me! That white tom must have taken her! I unsheathed my claws in anger. Did FlameClan have no respect!? We were supposed to sit vigil by her dead body, but they took Fawnheart!
Then, I got the faint scent of the white tabby tom, going towards the TwolegPlace— behind ours and FlameClan's borders— that Fawnheart was always telling me about. He must have taken her there for whatever reason!
I glanced back at my Clan going back to the camp, then bounded away, following the scent trail. They wouldn't notice if I was gone.
The scent trail of the tom was soon overtaken by something bigger and far worse.
Suddenly, a yowl came from a distressed cat.
A small brown and white dog was chasing a midnight coloured cat with no tail.
It must be The Shadow!
The dog was about to catch up to the cat but then stopped to scratch itself. Mouse-brained dog.
I ran towards The Shadow. He was exhausted and was trying to climb a tree with a low branch. Every time he tried to climb the tree, he fell back down.
He couldn't stay balanced, because of his missing tail! The dog would easily finish him off!
I tried to walk away. At least there would be one less thing for LightningClan to worry about, but he then looked at me.
His eyes were a deep mint-coloured green. They were pleading for help.
"Oh, StarClan," I sighed.
I glanced at the dog who had spotted The Shadow. It started running towards him.
I ran.
I climbed to the low hanging branch. From there, I could see The Shadow and the dog. The stupid mutt was coming towards the frightened black cat.
"Jump!" I yowled.
I leaned forwards as he jumped up. Surprisingly, I caught him and pulled him up.
The dog tried to slow down, but couldn't. It hit its head on the tree and whimpered. It put its tail in between its legs and ran off.
We sat there for a minute puffing.
"You're welcome," I hinted.
The Shadow glared at me. "I could have handled that dog by myself!" he hissed.
"Sure…" I answered back.
"I don't need some little kits' help!" he yowled, "I could have handled that! I was just about to finish that dog off!"
I glared back at him. "Fine," I spat, "If you don't need my help, then I'll just go and wait for you to find a way out of this tree yourself!"
I climbed back down, noticing how I used my tail to balance myself so I didn't fall and break my leg.
0-0-0-0-0-0
I bounded through the camp entrance and noticed Jaggedleaf dead on the ground. Dad was on top of the Great Rock talking about how much everyone would miss Jaggedleaf.
He noticed me walk through and continued his speech. "But, he and Fawnheart wouldn't be dead if it weren't for Littlepaw!" he hissed softly.
I stared at Oakstar in shock. How was this my fault?
"If he just stayed in camp, like he was told, both these brave cats wouldn't have died!" he growled, more to me then the Clan.
Everyone turned and looked at me.
"Okay…but I saw The Shadow…" I mewed.
Everyone groaned. Oakstar jumped from the Great Rock, fuming.
He grabbed the scruff of my neck, embarrassed.
"I promise dad! I really, actually saw him!" I insisted, "You guys were all gone and I heard a yowl. He was being chased by a dog and couldn't climb a tree so I pulled him up. He should still be there—it's just near the TwolegPlace! Let's gather a patrol out there before he realises how—!"
"Stop!" my father growled as he dropped me to the ground. "Just stop! Every time you step out of your den, disaster follows. Can you not see that I have bigger problems! , Yes, Greenleaf is almost here but I still have an entire Clan to feed!"
I glanced up at my father and cheekily meowed, "Between you and me, the Clan could do with a little less feeding, don't ya think?"
I noticed a few cats look at their stomachs self-consciously and I purred. Mum always used to love my little jokes. Maybe dad would be the same…
"This isn't a joke, Littlepaw!" Oakstar hissed. "Why can't you follow the simplest orders?"
…Apparently, he wasn't the joking kind of guy…
"I-I can't stop myself," I meowed, "I see a FlameClan warrior and I just have to attack him, you know? It's who I am dad."
My father sighed. "You are many things, Littlepaw. But a good warrior is not one of them."
I looked around, noticing many cats nodding their heads in agreement.
…Thanks guys…loving the support.
Dad turned to Scorchfoot. "Take him to the apprentice den and help him make a nest. Make sure he stays there. I need to stay out here and say one last goodbye to Fawnheart…"
Dad padded over to Jaggedleaf's unmoving body and my mentor led me to the apprentices den. The other apprentices were sitting in front of it snickering. Well, except Frostpaw—she was glaring at me. I avoided eye-contact with her.
"Quite the performance," Nutpaw meowed.
"I've never seen anyone mess up that badly. That helped!" Hawkpaw added.
"Thank you," I mewed sarcastically, "I was trying, so…"
"Don't you five have something better to do?" Scorchfoot asked.
Everyone padded off.
"I really did see him," I meowed.
"Sure."
"Oakstar never listens," I growled.
"Well, it runs in the family," Scorchfoot interrupted.
"And when he does, it's always with this…disappointed scowl. Like some cat skimped on the squirrel in his meal."
Beside me, my mentor rolled his eyes. But I wasn't done yet.
"Excuse StarClan," I meowed, imitating my father's deep gruff voice, "I'm afraid you brought me the wrong offspring. I ordered an extra-large tom-kit with muscles. Extra guts and glory on the side. This here. This is a talking fishbone!"
"You're thinking about this all wrong," Scorchfoot meowed, cheerily, "It's not so much what you look like. It's what's inside that he can't stand."
I stared at Scorchfoot. How was this supposed to make me feel better…?
"Thank you for summing that up," I sarcastically mewed.
He sighed. "Look, the point is, stop trying so hard to be something you're not."
I sighed heavily. "…I just want to be one of you guys…"
I walked in the den and heard Scorchfoot walk away. I padded back out.
I was going to find The Shadow.
I hid in the shadows so no cat could see me as I snuck out. I reached the entrance and ran through.
I was going to kill The Shadow!
0-0-0-0-0-0
A/N: There you go; another fun chapter. I told you it'd be filled with drama and what-not. Anyway, the moment with Fawnheart and the white tabby tom was a little bit of foreshadowing. *laughs maniacally*
Anyway, as always, I like to answer my reviewer's questions and comments, so without further ado…
~ Kat's Komments ~
See what I did there…? With the K… Want me to shut up and comment…? Okay…
Guest: Thank you. Also, I know that's you, sis. Were you trying to trick me by not logging in or couldn't you be bothered to log in? I do that all the time… ANYWAY! I'm glad you liked it, despite the fact you've never read a Warrior book in your life. And yes, spell check is the best!
crazyfoxqueen: *laughs evilly* I'd like to see you write one of these crossover Fanfics, Kit. But, that is a good question for Littlekit. Where would his dramatic flair enter that situation? Also, your username is still driving Microsoft Word insane. I hope you're happy.
Anyway, I'm going to put the allegiances here… because I know from experience that an author will put a new name in the story and then you're just like… "Wait. There's a Bumblebee too?!"
So, here you go. Allegiances. You're welcome.
-Allegiances-
LightningClan ~ Berkians
LEADER:
Oakstar: large muscular red tom with green eyes. (Stoick).
DEPUTY:
Scorchfoot: light ginger tom with two injured legs. (Gobber).
Apprentice: Littlepaw
MEDICINE CAT:
Mistwhisker: old grey she-cat with wise amber eyes. (Gothi).
WARRIORS:
Cedarblaze: brown tabby tom with a white blaze on his face. (Spitelout).
Fawnheart: small brown she-cat with a white underbelly and green eyes. (Valka).
Brackenwhisker: sandy coloured tom with long whiskers. (Bucket).
Apprentice: Nutpaw
Moleshade: chubby sandy brown tom with a pink nose. (Mulch).
Loudsong: cream coloured tom with a loud meow. (Not-so-Silent-Sven).
Cloversplash: tortoiseshell she-cat with dark green eyes.
Apprentice: Fishpaw
Skyfeather: long furred silver grey she-cat with dark blue eyes.
Rosefire: russet coloured she-cat with amber eyes.
Apprentice: Acornpaw
Goldenberry: light brownish gold she cat with amber eyes.
Tigerfur: orange tabby tom with brown paws and white ears.
Apprentice: Hawkpaw
Snowstorm: pure white she-cat with amber eyes.
Stonetail: light grey tom with blue eyes.
Morningfrost: blue grey she-cat with a white muzzle and blue eyes.
Lionfang: long furred golden tom with one ear.
Bluemist: blue grey she-cat with white paws and tail.
Apprentice: Frostpaw
APPRENTICES:
Littlepaw: small brown tom with a white underbelly and forest green eyes. (Hiccup).
Frostpaw: silver she-cat with sky blue eyes. (Astrid).
Hawkpaw: muscular brown tabby tom. (Snotlout).
Fishpaw: chubby tan tom with a white underbelly. (Fishlegs).
Nutpaw: light brown tabby tom with dark blue eyes. (Tuffnut).
Acornpaw: golden tabby she-cat with dark blue eyes. (Ruffnut).
QUEENS:
N/A
ELDERS:
Ravenspot: white and black spotted tom.
Cloudfall: white and sliver tabby she-cat with green eyes.
0-0-0-0-0-0
FlameClan ~ Dragons
LEADER:
Redstar: large red she-cat with black paws. (Red Death).
DEPUTY:
Vixenstep: orange she-cat with black ears and feet and a white tail.
Apprentice: Nightpaw
MEDICINE CAT:
N/A
WARRIORS:
Birdfur: tortoiseshell she cat with short fur.
Appleclaw: russet coloured tom with short, sharp claws.
Apprentice: Greypaw
Thornpelt: mottled white tom with blue eyes. (Thornado).
Coppernose: redish-brown tom with green eyes. (Skullcrusher).
Robinpelt: brown tom with a white underbelly.
Apprentice: Ashpaw
Dovepool: light grey she-cat with white paws.
Beeflight: sandy coloured she-cat.
Apprentice: Rockpaw
Crowshade: dark grey tom with a white tail tip.
Honeystripe: caramel tabby she-cat.
Foxstep: bright orange she-cat with black feet, tail and ears and green eyes. (crazyfoxqueen's OC)
Leopardfrost: sandy coloured spotted tabby she-cat.
Apprentice: Stormpaw
Ivyfire: grey she cat with amber eyes.
Apprentice: Firepaw
Thistleflight: brown tom with black ears and paws.
APPRENTICES:
Nightpaw: black tom with half a tail and mint green eyes. (Toothless).
Stormpaw: blue-grey she-cat with yellow eyes. (Stormfly).
Firepaw: dark orange tom with long fangs and claws. (Hookfang).
Rockpaw: chubby calico she-cat with brown eyes. (Meatlug).
Greypaw: dark grey tabby tom with green eyes. (Barf).
Ashpaw: light grey tabby tom with green eyes. (Belch).
QUEENS:
Rainstorm: blue grey she-cat with amber eyes.
Kits: Bluekit, Greenkit and Plumkit. (Bing, Bam and Lloyd).
Cherryfang: ginger she-cat.
Kit: Russetkit. (Torch).
ELDERS:
Stumpyfoot: sleepy, short, brown tom. (Grump).
0-0-0-0-0-0
DuskClan ~ Outcasts
LEADER:
Adderstar:brown tom with black paws and tail. (Alvin the Treacherous).
DEPUTY:
Spiderfur:grey tom with white paws and a black muzzle. (Savage).
MEDICINE CAT:
Vineheart:light brown mackerel tabby she-cat.
Apprentice: Wolfpaw
WARRIORS:
Fernstripe: grey mackerel tabby she-cat.
Brightsplash: white tortoiseshell she cat.
Owltalon:tawny brown tom with blue eyes.
Mapleblaze:fawn cream tortoiseshell she-cat.
Apprentice: Featherpaw
Frostcloud:white she-cat with black ears and paws.
Kestrelsong:brown tom with amber eyes.
Eagletail:mottled brown tom with a long tail.
Cinderfang:grey tom with amber eyes.
Apprentice: Tansypaw
Redfeather:red tom with long fur.
Squirrelfur:orange she-cat with white paws.
APPRENTICES:
Wolfpaw:tawny brown tom with one white paw.
Tansypaw:light ginger tabby she-cat with yellow eyes.
Featherpaw:long furred grey she-cat with a white tail tip.
QUEENS:
Silverleaf:silver and white tabby she-cat with green eyes.
Kit(s): expecting.
ELDERS:
Dewcloud:grumpy grey and white tabby tom. (Mildew).
Whitefern:half-deaf white tom with green eyes.
0-0-0-0-0-0
ReedClan ~ Berserkers
LEADER:
Patchstar: black and white tom with amber eyes. (Oswald the Agreeable).
DEPUTY:
Darkclaw: insane, dark ginger tom with long claws. (Dagur the Deranged).
MEDICINE CAT:
Rosefang: russet she-cat with a white underbelly.
Apprentice: Specklepaw
WARRIORS:
Volestep: blue grey tom with a white muzzle and underbelly. (Vorg).
Beepad: tan she-cat with yellow-ish brown paws.
Amberleaf: brownish gold she-cat with green eyes.
Apprentice: Heatherpaw
Antwhisker: small grey tom with grey eyes.
Hazelwish: tawny brown she-cat with blue eyes.
Rippleheart: blue grey tom with a white underbelly.
Pebblefoot: light brown she-cat with a dark spot on her pelt.
Apprentice: Mudpaw
Birchstripe: brown tabby tom with blue eyes.
Ravenblaze: white tom with a black stripe down his face.
Sageleaf: golden she-cat with green eyes.
APPRENTICES:
Heatherpaw: dark grey she-cat with long fur. (Heather).
Specklepaw: calico she-cat with brown eyes.
Mudpaw: dark brown tom with light brown paws.
QUEENS:
Snowstripe: white tabby she-cat with blue eyes.
Kits: Frostkit and Greykit.
Sparrowfeather: light brown she-cat.
Kit(s): expecting.
ELDERS:
Bluesky: blue grey she-cat with ice blue eyes.
Thundertail: dark grey tabby tom with a missing ear.