"Silverpaw, hey Silverpaw wake up" A paw prodded her side and Silverpaw grumbled as she rolled onto her paws glaring up at Palepaw.
"Thanks" She muttered suppressing a yawn, Palepaw gave her a long look.
"Hey I didn't have to stay behind, thanks to you we're both late" Palepaw sighed.
"Be thankful you don't have Clearscar" Woolpaw purred padding over to his sisters "He'd shred me if I was ever late."
"Then why aren't you panicking right now?" Palepaw asked squinting at him suspiciously.
"We're not training until late afternoon, I'm free to do what I want until then. You two on the other paw may want to get a move on" He warned as he settled back into his nest, Silverpaw's green eyes glowed with envy but she reluctantly left her warm nest and walked out into the cold air.
"Brr I hope it warms up soon" Palepaw complained fluffing up her fur "Well I'll see you later" She said heading for the medicine cat den. Silverpaw watched her go before turning to see Wetpelt had snuck up on her. She nearly jumped out of her skin, Wetpelt watched her, whiskers twitching with amusement.
"Are we ready now?" He asked, his tone slightly mocking.
"Yes Wetpelt" Silverpaw replied licking her ruffled fur "What are we going to do today?" She asked curiously.
"First you're going to take care of the elder's bedding as well as the nursery's" Silverpaw tried to mask her disappointment but it wasn't easy. She suspected this was her punishment for being late. "And later, I'm going to take you out and teach you how to sneak up on an opponent" Silverpaw's ears pricked up and she straightened, finally something worth learning.
"Alright I'll get started now" She said eager to get the chores over and done with as quickly as possible. She brushed past the warriors about to leave for patrol, she noticed Wetpelt waiting with them and narrowed her eyes. Even as her mentor he still volunteered for all the patrols and he rarely let her come with him.
It didn't take long for her to find a tree covered in moss, she unsheathed her claws and started to slice moss from the tree in long clean strips. She had nearly finished gathering moss when her claw snagged on something, she winced as she tried to pull it free and panicked when she couldn't. She growled with frustration and hoped she'd be able to free herself before one of the clan found her, which would be unbearably embarrassing.
She took a deep breath and calmed herself before moving her paw slowly, she purred with relief as her claw slid free but then her eyes sharpened as she noticed a small brown shape moving around the leaves. She couldn't resist the opportunity to hunt even though she hadn't been taught how, she ducked into what she hoped was a hunting crouch and moved towards the mouse but it heard her before she even got close to it and darted off. Her green eyes dulled with disappointment as she watched it disappear, at least I gave it a try she thought gathering up the moss and returning to camp with it.
She didn't linger in the elders den, she just wanted to finish the task as quickly as possible. She said a quick hello to Mousedust then spread the moss around his nest then made a hasty retreat before Mousedust could go off on one of his rants. When she visited the medicine cat den Palepaw offered her a sympathetic glance
Her last stop was the nursery, her mother greeted her and they talked about her day. Shadespeckle was particularly interested in how Wetpelt was treating her but before Silverpaw could say anything Shadespeckle's head whipped round to look at the nursery. Silverpaw had been leaning on her and nearly fell over when she moved, she followed her to the nursery and was about to go in when Shadespeckles head appeared and pushed her out "Go and fetch Petalpatch then inform Clearscar, Sagepetals kitting".
The urgency in her mother's mew frightened Silverpaw and she hurried to the medicine cat's den and found Palepaw.
"Where's Petalpatch?" Silverpaw hissed, Palepaw gazed worriedly at Silverpaw and opened her mouth to reply but there was no need for a shadow fell over Silverpaw and she craned her neck to see the medicine cat above her.
"Right here" Petalpatch mewed quietly.
"Sagepetals kitting" Silverpaw said quickly and Petalpatch blinked and stared at her for a few heartbeats. It was like someone had flicked a switch and suddenly she was all business ordering Palepaw around and then dashing out of the den.
"Could you lend a paw here?" Palepaw asked struggling to carry the herbs Petalpatch had asked her to bring to the nursery. Together the sisters brought Petalpatch the herbs she needed to help Sagepetal with her kitting, Palepaw stayed with Petalpatch inside the nursery but Silverpaw was not allowed to stay. After hearing Sagepetals yowl of pain she remembered she was meant to be fetching Clearscar.
She couldn't see the tom so she ran into the warriors' den "Clearscar, Clearscar" She called loudly, she saw something move and Clearscar glared at her
"What are you yowling about? I'm trying to get some sleep here I'm on the dawn patrol" He growled
"Sorry so sorry for waking you but Sagepetal is kitting" Silverpaw mewed, all his anger and irritation faded and he dashed out the den, Silverpaw followed him out. Shadespeckle was sat outside guarding the nursery and refused Clearscar entry.
It seemed to last forever, the tension between Clearscar and Shadespeckle rose as Clearscar grew increasingly concerned about his mate's condition.
"What's going on?" Silverpaw jumped as her siblings crowded around her, she turned to look at Daisypaw.
"Sagepetal's kitting" Silverpaw explained, Daisypaw blinked and glanced at the nursery.
"Do you think Sagepetal will be ok?" She wondered.
"Sagepetal will be just fine, she's a young strong and healthy cat with a talented medicine cat to help her" Leafstar mewed sitting near the apprentices, her green gaze was on the nursery. Silverpaw glanced around the camp, she hadn't expected the kitting to attract so much attention, the cats that had stayed in camp were staring intently at the entrance to the nursery.
"Is she alright? Can I see her?" Silverpaw's ears pricked at Clearscar's anxious mew.
"She's exhausted so let her rest, you have three toms and two she kits. 5 beautiful kits" Petalpatch announced, Silverpaw thought Clearscar was going to keel over he looked so overwhelmed, Petalpatch must've thought so too because she stepped forward so he could lean on her.
"So she'll be alright then?" Clearscar asked again.
"She'll be just fine" Shadespeckle replied for the medicine cat "I'll stay with her" She assured the new father and disappeared into the nursery to care for her friend.
Petalpatch sat down next to Clearscar pressing close to him "You never thought you'd have kits did you?" She purred softly.
"I knew Sagepetal would kit any day now but I could never prepare myself for this, Starclan knows what we're going to name them" Clearscar said faintly, the medicine cat chuckled and licked her brother's flank
"Just make sure you let Sagepetal name some of her kits, you will make a wonderful father Clearscar" Petalpatch said "But you should go back to the warriors' den I hear you're on the dawn patrol" She added standing up, she flicked her tail for Palepaw to follow her and walked back to her den
Silverpaw didn't mean to eavesdrop on Clearscar and Petalpatch but she was close enough to hear them and couldn't help but twitch her whiskers. She liked the idea of being a parent someday but couldn't quite imagine it. She had a great ambition to be a great leader of this clan and yet she had a desire to care for kits, she supposed she'd just have to accept that her clan were her kits and be satisfied with that. She shook her head slightly wondering where on earth that had come from, she'd been an apprentice for less than a moon and already she was considering her future, mind it was probably better knowing what you wanted to strive for instead of just getting by.
"The apprentice den is going to be very crowded by the time those kits are apprentices" Silverpaw jumped as Copperpaw came up behind her, murmuring softly in her ear.
"By the time they become apprentices you should be warriors" Silverpaw said.
"That is the plan as long as Copperpaw stays out of trouble" Briarpaw purred sitting next to the ginger tom and looking down at Silverpaw.
"Oh come on Briarpaw I'm not that bad" Copperpaw grumbled, Briarpaw exchanged an amused glance with Silverpaw.
"Don't give me that, yesterday you almost fell into the river, again" Briarpaw said with a mischievous glint in her green eyes.
"You pushed me" Copperpaw mewed indignantly, Briarpaw gasped and feigned an innocent look.
"Would I do that?" She purred nuzzling Copperpaw "Ok I'll admit the first time I pushed you, the second time you tripped over a dead mouse" She said flatly and Silverpaw burst out laughing, Copperpaw looked down at his paws sheepishly.
"Hey it's not funny I almost died" Copperpaw growled glaring at Silverpaw.
"Yes but I fished you out" Briarpaw sang and then added "Again, how many times have I done that I've lost count" She had to jump back as he lunged for her but anyone who glanced over at the pair could see they were only playing.
"Hey are you lovebirds done some of us are trying to get to sleep" A dark grey tabby growled as he nudged his brother roughly nearly knocking him over.
"Ah but the night is young brother and so are we" Copperpaw purred, Pikepaw bristled.
"Maybe so but you don't have training with Lynxtooth tomorrow" Pikepaw muttered "So if you don't all mind shutting up and going to sleep that would be much appreciated thank you" Pikepaw said and stalked back into the apprentice den.
"I guess he's right, Silverpaw what are you doing tomorrow?" Copperpaw asked curiously.
"Probably gathering more moss" Silverpaw muttered bitterly, Briarpaw exchanged a knowing look with her mate.
"You've only just started I'm sure tomorrow Wetpelt will teach you how to hunt or how to fight" Briarpaw mewed gently "But if you're not doing anything tomorrow come and find us. We're going hunting since our mentors are on patrols and we can teach you the basics". There was a slight noise of protest from Copperpaw and Briarpaw shot him a look.
Silverpaw didn't know what to do, she was touched by Briarpaw's offer but at the same time she was well aware of Briarpaw and Copperpaw's relationship. She knew that they took every opportunity to spend time together and she didn't want to cut in on that.
"Thanks Briarpaw" Silverpaw said after a while deciding that since Wetpelt was often on patrols, without her, it would be better for her to do something productive instead of waiting in camp for him to return or worse being assigned more chores.
Silverpaw went into the den and picked out an empty nest, which wasn't an easy task, she winced at a hiss from her sister Daisypaw as she stepped on her tail, they definitely needed to expand the den at some point. She curled up in her nest and fell asleep.
When she opened her eyes she was standing in the middle of camp and bodies were lying all around her. A scream rose to her throat as she recognised her mother and siblings among the dead, she could see that their throats had been slashed, but she was too shocked to release it. Her ears pricked up at the crunch of leaves under paw and she looked up to see a dark shadowy figure with glowing yellow eyes slinking towards her. As it got closer it opened its mouth to reveal sharp white pointed teeth and then it lunged, she screamed as its fangs sank into her throat.
Her eyes flew open and she sprang to her paws shaking "Silverpaw you alright?" Palepaw mumbled groggily peering up at her sister with concern.
"Um yeah it was just a bad dream" Silverpaw mumbled taking a deep breath to calm herself and settled back down into her nest tucking her paws underneath her.
"Are you sure it looked like a really bad one?" Palepaw asked kindly, Silverpaw flashed her a grateful look.
"It's fine, I must have eaten a bad mouse or something" Silverpaw said to assure her but every time she closed her eyes she saw her family lying dead around her as if the image had been burned into her brain.
Palepaw was silent as she watched her sister, Silverpaw couldn't see herself right now. The silver tabby was shaking, her fur was fluffed up and her eyes were wide, her fur was only just now beginning to lie flat again. Palepaw and Silverpaw were close because they shared everything, even bad dreams and Palepaw couldn't help but feel that Silverpaw was becoming distant to her, was it because she wasn't a warrior apprentice. She shook herself slightly, Silverpaw was the one who told her to go and ask Petalpatch about becoming her apprentice, she wouldn't resent her for choosing a different path.
"So um what are you doing today?" Silverpaw asked curiously.
"The same I guess" Palepaw replied "I think Petalpatch will be taking me out to collect herbs" She mused.
"Have you learned them all yet?" Silverpaw asked and Palepaw gave her a long look.
"Of course I haven't I've been an apprentice for one day, yesterday I learned about the basics. What about you, what have you been up to?" Silverpaw made a face and her eyes flashed with irritation.
"Oh you know the usual warrior duties, collecting moss, spreading moss, throwing old moss away" She growled
"Oh don't be like that Silverpaw, I'm sure Wetpelt is starting with that for a reason. All apprentices need to learn how to collect moss in the right way, he's probably just getting it out of the way now so you can focus on the more important things. In a few days you'll probably hear Daisypaw, Woolpaw and Bumblepaw complaining about collecting moss, while you'll be learning how to hunt and fight they'll be collecting the elders' bedding" Palepaw mewed softly.
"You could be right" Silverpaw mumbled hopefully "But I wouldn't know because he's on the dawn patrol".
"Don't worry Silverpaw, Leafstar gave you to him for a reason, he won't let you down" Palepaw said though they were both thinking about how he disappointed their mother. "I have to go" She said suddenly glancing outside to check the sun's progress.
"Have a good day" Silverpaw said politely, Palepaw paused and gave her sister's ear a quick lick
"You too" She purred and slipped outside silently, Silverpaw watched her go in amazement. How could anyone come and go out of this den without stepping on someone's tail, she had a feeling Daisypaw had better get used to her on her tail because that's exactly what she was going to do every night.
"Morning Silverpaw" Her ears pricked up and she turned her head to see Briarpaw making her way towards her with Copperpaw following.
"You still want to come hunting with us?" Copperpaw asked.
"Of course, we're going now?" Silverpaw asked glancing outside, it was still fairly dark outside.
"Hunting is better in the mornings since the prey is only just getting up" Briarpaw explained flicking her tail to lead the way out of the den. Briarpaw led the way and Copperpaw walked beside Silverpaw.
"Since you're new at this we're going to give you a quick lesson and then we'll see about hunting" He told her and Silverpaw's eyes gleamed but she couldn't help but feel irritated that two apprentices were teaching her how to hunt instead of her mentor. Briarpaw stopped at a clearing and looked back at her party.
"Ok let's see your hunting crouch, just copy me" Briarpaw said suddenly dropping into a crouch, Silverpaw took a moment to examine her. Briarpaw was low to the ground, her belly barely touching the ground, her muscles were tensed and prepared to spring and she had lowered her tail so it didn't stick up in the air but fanned out behind her, Silverpaw noted that she hadn't let it drag on the forest floor.
She felt the tips of her ears get hot as she dropped into a crouch and tried to copy Briarpaw, Copperpaw circled around her examining her pose.
"Not bad Silverpaw, I think you're going to be a natural at this, just make sure your tail doesn't drag on the floor" Silverpaw's eyes widened in amazement, yesterday she had completely failed to catch a mouse now they told her she was born for this.
"You have the crouch and it looks good while you're still but can you maintain it when you move" Briarpaw asked "Imagine this branch here is a mouse and you are stalking it" She said nudging a branch a couple of tail lengths from Silverpaw.
"But remember, you step very very carefully, if you step on a leaf or stick then the hunt is over and your prey has got away. Mice can feel the vibrations through the ground so when hunting them tread lightly" Copperpaw advised and Silverpaw nodded, though she was already doubting her ability and regretting her decision to join them.
"Relax Silverpaw" Briarpaw mewed softly "You're not going to catch anything if you're tense" Silverpaw nodded slowly trying to take it all in. She started to move forward slinking towards the branch, her eyes fixed on her prey. She moved carefully checking where she placed her paws but just before she was ready to pounce she heard a crunch as she stepped on a dry leaf and stood up embarrassed.
"Don't worry about it Silverpaw" Copperpaw said walking up to her and pawing at the stick "You nearly had it"
"All you need is practice" Briarpaw added "You made one mistake, the more mistakes you make the more you learn" She said wisely
"Now do you feel ready to go out and hunt for real?" Copperpaw asked glancing up at the sky. Silverpaw didn't really feel ready and the last thing she wanted to do was humiliate herself in front of her friends.
"Come on Silverpaw, you can't get better if you don't practice" Briarpaw mewed as she led the way further into the forest. She stopped them when she spied a small brown creature nibbling on a nut "I'll take this one" She mewed automatically dropping into a hunting crouch, Silverpaw watched mesmerised as Briarpaw slithered up to the mouse and pounced, it was over quickly and the mouse was dead before it could even shriek. Briarpaw buried her kill and looked over to Silverpaw "Next one's yours" Silverpaw's green eyes widened
"Over here" Copperpaw whispered and the she cats followed his gaze, he was eyeing a grey squirrel and gave his cousin a look. Silverpaw swallowed her fear and crouched down, her mind raced as she tried to remember what to remember while hunting. She moved very cautiously, careful not to trip or step on something that would give her away, just as she was about to pounce a terrible shriek filled the air. The squirrel gave a start and scurried up the tree quicker than you could say mouse dung.
"What in Starclan's name was that?" Briarpaw gasped but Copperpaw's body was rigid with tension, he turned to face his mate "Get your mouse we're going back to camp now" Briarpaw opened her mouth to protest but shut it when she saw Copperpaw's expression
"What's happening?"Silverpaw asked as Copperpaw herded them both back to camp.
"I don't know" Briarpaw mumbled gloomily, the good mood of the morning had vanished to be replaced by dread, that shriek had come from a cat.
"What ruffled your fur?" Mousedust, the only elder, was sat sunning himself in a patch of weak sunlight by the entrance when they burst through it.
Suddenly something crashed right into Silverpaw and she gave a startled yowl, both Briarpaw and Copperpaw spun around to see.
"Tawnypaw?" Copperpaw mewed recognising his sister's pale ginger pelt, Silverpaw turned to see the other apprentice. Tawnypaw was a mess, she was trembling all over, her eyes were wide and her fur fluffed up to make her look twice the size. "Tawnypaw what happened? What's wrong" Copperpaw asked but Tawnypaw ignored him
"I - I need Leafstar" She stammered.
"I'm here" Leafstar mewed appearing behind the ginger apprentice.
"The patrol ran into a huge badger, Honeycreek sent me back here to get reinforcements" She said quickly, Leafstar looked up at her clan. Nearly the whole clan had gathered to see what was wrong and she selected Cindersplash, Wildrain and Clearscar to come with her to help the patrol.
"Alright Copperpaw take Tawnypaw to Petalpatch to get something for the shock" Then as Leafstar turned to lead the way out into the forest the clan gasped in horror. The patrol had returned and they were carrying something between them, something with tabby fur. Briarpaw ran up to her father and stared at the cat they were carrying
"It's not true it can't be true" She cried and Fawnfoot just bowed his head "Honeycreek no" She moaned burying her face into Fawnfoot's fur. The clan moved back to give the patrol some room, they watched paralysed as Honeycreek's body slipped gently onto the ground.
"No!" Shrieked a female cat,a tan she cat with a dappled coat pushed her way through the crowd and collapsed next to her daughter, Fawnfoot and Briarpaw pressed close to her.
"Cheetahflight I am so sorry" Leafstar whispered her green eyes swimming with tears, she raised her head and voice "Today the clan has lost a great warrior, Honeycreek was beloved by all but now she hunts with Starclan where nothing may harm her again. She died a warriors death and we shall honour her tonight"
Silverpaw couldn't believe her ears, Honeycreek was one of the best. She was a great hunter and fighter and a brilliant mentor to Tawnypaw, some cats had even said that she was destined to be their leader but now she was dead. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Copperpaw exit the medicine cat den and take in the scene before him.
Copperpaw's gaze focused on his mate and he hurried over to comfort her, he pressed close to Briarpaw whispering softly to her.
"Get away from her" Fawnfoot roared and lunged for his apprentice, his claws sank into Copperpaw's flank and Fawnfoot dragged him away from his daughter. The clan erupted into chaos as Stormstripes and Cindersplash leapt forward to defend their son and Fawnfoot had to be held back by his mate and kits except for Briarpaw who was helping Copperpaw to Petalpatch's den.
"What are you playing at Fawnfoot" Leafstar snarled angrily lashing her tail
"Ask him just ask him how Honeycreek died, how he let my daughter die" Fawnfoot spat glaring at Stormstripes, not Copperpaw. Cheetahflight raised her head and stared accusingly at the silver tabby.
"Stormstripes what is he talking about?" Leafstar asked confused.
"It was an accident Leafstar I swear, the badger it started off by going for Tawnypaw and Honeycreek sent her here but she was distracted and the badger managed to hit her. Then it started trying to attack us at random, we spread out to surround it but I found myself with my back to a tree and the badger focused on me, if I ran to the left it would get me if I ran to the right it would get me. Honeycreek saw I was in trouble and attacked it from behind, I was able to move out of the way but she wasn't quick enough." Stormstripes mumbled sadly, his mate pressed close to him and glared at Fawnfoot and his family daring them to say anything against them.
"It's true" Wetpelt said joining them "Stormstripes did not kill or let her die, she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time". The clan turned their attention to Leafstar who was mulling this over.
"Alright Stormstripes I don't want you to punish yourself over this, Wetpelt is right these things happen and there's nothing we can do about it" Leafstar said softly, then she turned to Fawnfoot and her gaze turned stern "Fawnfoot Stormstripes is not at fault here and I don't want to hear about any more arguments or fights between you over this or there will be severe consequences. I'm sorry you lost your daughter but you're not going to bring her back by blaming someone else for her death"
Then Leafstar sighed and looked around her clan "I think it would be best if Wildrain takes over Copperpaw's training" She said eyeing Fawnfoot warily "And Tawnypaw will need a new mentor, I know that Honeycreek was a great mentor and that no one could replace her so Marigoldleaf I want you to take over her training as I know you and Honeycreek were close"
"Thank you Leafstar" Marigoldleaf mewed softly not taking her eyes off her friend's body.