Chapter 1: A Step Up

Springpaw kept his eye on the squirrel as he crept forward through the short stalks of grass. He made sure to step lightly so the creature wouldn't hear him coming. Springpaw watched as the squirrel gnawed away at an acorn grasped between its two front paws. It was perched on a horizontal branch that stretched out over the ground. Springpaw glanced back at the tortoiseshell she-cat that was crouched besides a wide tree. She nodded at him, signaling that he should make his move. Sniffing the wind excitedly, Springpaw swiftly padded forward, approaching the tree the squirrel was sitting on. He took a deep breath and then launched himself into the air, feeling the rush of the breeze and the emptiness underneath his paws. Springpaw flew straight at the preening squirrel and snatched at it, his white paws flailing awkwardly. He managed to knock the surprised squirrel from its position and it tumbled to the floor with Springpaw, who twisted his body in midair so he landed on his feet safely.

"Now kill it!" came the voice of the calico cat from behind him.

Springpaw swatted his paw over the squirrel's tail, rendering it helpless, and bit down on to its neck, quickly killing it. Proudly, Springpaw picked up the furry body in his teeth and brought it over to the she-cat, placing it at her feet.

"How was that, Cherrytail?" asked the apprentice.

"Very good, for a first catch," praised Cherrytail, swiping her tongue across her apprentice's head.

"Can I eat it now?" Springpaw questioned. The fantasizing smell of the squirrel was making his mouth water. He had been trying to catch his first prey for what seemed like seasons.

"No, Springpaw," Cherrytail said hurriedly, her eyes widening to punctuate her point, "we must always feed the Clan first. You can not eat on a hunting patrol. We'll bring the squirrel back to camp and you can give it to Petalnose."

"But shouldn't warriors and apprentices get to eat first?" asked Springpaw, slightly confused, "we're the ones who do all the fighting and hunting."

"We must feed the queens and the elders first," Cherrytail explained patiently, "because we are all part of a Clan. We must take care of them. That's what being in a family is all about. And SkyClan is one big family."

Springpaw nodded, unsure of himself but trusting his mentor's words. He had just been apprenticed two sunsets ago and he still didn't completely understand the warrior code. He hoped that Cherrytail didn't think he was incompetent because of it.

"Come on, let's get back to camp," suggested Cherrytail, nudging Springpaw, "I want you to get some battle training in before moonhigh."

Springpaw brightened. He couldn't wait to start learning how to fight like a warrior! He was tired of exploring SkyClan's territory and going on dawn patrols. He wanted to learn how to use his claws and teeth to his best advantage. Picking up the squirrel and purring loudly, Springpaw followed his mentor to the edge of the high rocky walls that sheltered the camp.

The two cats confidently padded down the cliff, sending small pebbles skittering down the slope to bounce upon the stone ground below them. They passed the warriors' den, which smelled of a hundred different scents at once, and stepped on to the sandy path that would lead them down to the small heap of fresh-kill and the Rockpile.

Springpaw sighed in happiness. He loved SkyClan's camp. He had spent his days as a kit exploring every nook and cranny in the camp, poking his nose into every cat's den and being an all-around nuisance. Springpaw glanced up at the blue sky. Scattered clouds were drifting across the expanse of nothingness, blown around by the chilly leaf-bare breeze that was rustling Springpaw's ginger and white fur.

"Go ahead and take that to Petalnose," instructed Cherrytail.

"Okay."

Springpaw bounded away to the nursery, a sheltered rock cavern tucked away in the gorge's wall. The scent of the squirrel tempted the apprentice but he refrained from biting down into the still-warm meat. He stepped into the nursery, immediately catching sight of Petalnose's pale gray pelt. Her son, Elmkit, was curled up next to her, fast asleep, his tiny gray tabby body moving slowly with his breathing. Petalnose looked up when Springpaw entered and blinked a welcome at him.

"I brought you fresh-kill," Springpaw said, placing the squirrel at her paws, trying to keep the resentment from his voice. How come this old queen got to eat the first prey he'd ever caught?

"Thank you, Springpaw, that was very generous of you," Petalnose said softly, twitching her whiskers gratefully at the tom.

Springpaw instantly felt ashamed of himself for his selfish thoughts. His ears flickered forward in embarrassment. "No problem," he muttered, backing out of the den.

"How's training going?" asked Petalnose, beginning to eat the squirrel.

"Fine."

"Are your siblings doing well too?"

"Yes," Springpaw replied, "they're fine."

Why did everyone always focus on them? Springpaw scuffed his paws against the stone floor, containing his bitterness. Goldenpaw was noticed because she was pretty and had already caught three squirrels. Fernpaw was a medicine cat's apprentice, everyone loved her. And Firepaw, well, everyone felt bad for him because of his health. That left Springpaw in the background, unnoticed and misunderstood.

"Good, good," Petalnose said, chewing thoughtfully.

Springpaw knew she was thinking of Firepaw. When he was a kit, Firepaw needed more milk than Springpaw, or his sisters. Petalnose volunteered to take care of Firepaw herself, giving him all the milk he needed. The queen still felt compassion and a certain motherly love for the weak apprentice.

Springpaw shook his head, ridding his mind of his barbed thoughts. He flicked his tail in a goodbye at Petalnose and then hurried out of the den.

At least I have battle training to look forward to, Springpaw thought as he clambered over sand-colored rocks, heading towards the little dirt clearing near the Rockpile where apprentices had taken to training.

A crisp wind blew through the camp and Springpaw shivered. Fernpaw had said yesterday that snow was likely to come soon. The air certainly smelled like dampness, a swirling scent that reminded Springpaw faintly of a thunderstorm. Springpaw, trotting over to the clearing, wondered what snow looked like. This would be his first leaf-bare and he was excited to see the world around him change. He bared his pointed teeth in pleasure. Springpaw couldn't wait.

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Okay, first chapter is up and done. I will be writing this in different point of views, changing between the four siblings, like in Warriors: The Sight. So obviously, the first chapter is Springpaw. Thank you for all who have reviewed so far! If you read, please do review. I'll try and update soon!