"Mousewhisker!" Mousewhisker turned to see Brambleclaw padding towards him. "Come with me on patrol. Firestar wants to increase border patrols because of the battle." Mousewhisker dipped his head, following him to the thorn tunnel. Thornclaw, Squirrelflight, Foxpaw, and Berrynose were all waiting for them. Brambleclaw ran to the front and ducked out of the camp.
The crisp morning air made Mousewhisker shiver as he followed along beside Berrynose. The patrol made their way towards the Windclan border, everything undisturbed. Mousewhisker sped up a little bit, loving the feeling of the wind in his ears, the brisk leaves crunching under his paws, and the exhilaration of being with his clan mates. This was where he belonged, and he loved it.
Arriving at the border, Brambleclaw set scent markers, while Mousewhisker and his clanmates sniffed around, making sure everything was well. Satisfied, they made their way to the Shadowclan border, doing the same. "You may hunt until sun high, and then come back." Said Brambleclaw padding off with Squirrelflight and Foxpaw. Thornclaw sped off in the opposite direction, disappearing into the brush. "Let's go," Berrynose said, bluntly. Ever since Berrynose became a warrior he acted above the others, and Mousewhisker hated it. "I'm going to hunt by myself, thanks." Mousewhisker said coolly, as he padded off. Berrynose gave a huff and trotted away. Feeling a little bad, Mousewhisker turned and began his hunt.
Rain padded along the mushy grass, the sun high in the sky. Thinking about how to find the lake and the clans, she stopped to catch some food. Parting her mouth, she smelled mouse, but it was faint. Rain continued, hurrying this time to catch up for lost time. She was headed toward some woods; unsure if the Clans would be there or not, she slowed when she got to the forest. Her stomach growled again and she decided to give in and hunt.
After she finished, she realized that she had wandered off her path. She looked around, the ground was very dry and cracked and there wasn't much grass. Sighing, she took off toward the forest. Not seeing that there was a cat in front of her, she smacked into its side, falling back.
Gasping, Rain picked herself up and faced the stranger. It was a big, long haired, black tom. He was standing tall, his muzzle had many scars and his fur had clumps missing. Rain backed away, apologizing. He spoke. "Peace, my young queen." Rain looked at him and dipped her head. "Greetings," she said, neutrally. "Are you from around here?" he asked. "I've never seen you before." Rain paused, wondering how much she should tell the stranger. "N-No, I have traveled for many moons, seeking the clans," she mewed and he nodded, understandingly. "I can show you to them-they're not far from this little valley," he replied. Rain brightened up. "I'd like that." The tom turned, facing toward the open hills, and started trotting away. "My name his Shade, by the way."
Mousewhisker settled down outside of the warriors den with his vole. There were other warriors there, but he still felt lonely. He chatted for awhile, finishing his vole and standing up. "Mousewhisker!" Mousewhisker looked over his shoulder to see Firestar trotting towards him. Mousewhisker turned to face him. "Daisy's kits are ready to become apprentices, so I would like you to mentor one of them," he said in a low voice. "Very well." Firestar nodded, approvingly. "The ceremony will be held tomorrow at sun high." He added, padding away. Mousewhisker watched him walk briskly over to his senior warriors and sit down. Mousewhisker felt ecstatic. He couldn't believe he was going to be a mentor in less then one day! Mousewhisker wanted to celebrate with someone, but there was no one.
Sighing, he glanced over to the nursery, gazing at where Toadkit and Rosekit played. He liked Toadkit, a lot. They had similar personalities and similar colors, as well. He would be happy to mentor him. Don't want to get my hopes up though. He thought. Rosekit was small, but full of unending energy. She would be quite a challenge to mentor. I bet Birchfall is the other mentor, he thought. Mousewhisker needed a challenge, though. He had too much time on his hands and, by Firestar's judgment, he would be a good mentor. I'll have to wait and see, I guess.
Rain struggled to keep up with Shade. He walked briskly and with purpose, and this was his slow pace. Rain grew frustrated and slowed, needing to rest. "Sorry," Shade said, matching her pace. "I do it self consciously," he said, chuckling. "It's fine," Rain mumbled. "I would be able to keep up if I wasn't carrying kits." Shade chuckled again. "It's life; you'll be an excellent mother, I have a good feeling. "Thanks," Rain said, grumbling from her sore paws. "We're almost there," Shade said, glancing down at her. Rain grumbled, wanting to stop and rest.
Awhile late, Shade led Rain up a hill that overlooked the lake. "Here we are. I can go no further. My best wishes to you, young queen," Shade said, starting to back away. "Shade, I can't thank you enough," she replied sleepily. Skeet nodded in understanding, and turned, running off faster than Rain had ever seen a cat do before. "Jeezuz," Rain grumbled.
Rain looked out beyond the lake. There were never ending trees to her right, open grassland to her left, and the scent she had been waiting for for a long time: cats. Rain let out a long sigh. I'm here at last-but now what?
Hey you guys, thanks so much for reading! I'm sorry for any grammar mistakes or anything like that, this is me first story and I'm trying my best to make it good. Please review! I want to know what you guys think. so review, review, review! It makes me happy! haha.
