CHAPTER TWO – PARANIOA FIRE AND MENTOR'S VOICE OF LYRE
" Hello, Blackstar," Mistystar meowed coolly as she padded past the larger white tom. He grunted in response, and shifted away. Onestar was standing near the puddle. It was glowing silver, and at last changed to show Cherrystar calling a meeting. Firestar inched closer to hear her words.
" Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here under the High Ledge!" Cherrystar's loud voice rang out, echoing through the camp. Pepperkit and Bluekit dashed out of the nursery, followed by Snowstripe. Pepperkit was taller and more muscular then Bluekit with her strong, broad shoulder and tall build, but Bluekit seemed to grow more beautiful by the day, with short but glossy fur and sparkling blue eyes.
" Bluekit, come forward. Until the day when you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Bluepaw! Your mentor will be Thrushwing!" The cheers for Bluepaw were so loud they scared off some birds nesting in the trees near camp.
" Pepperkit, come forward. Until the day when you receive your warrior name, you shall be known as Pepperpaw! Your mentor will be Ivytail!" The cheers for Pepperpaw were just as loud.
Bluepaw touched Thrushwing on the shoulder with her nose, and Pepperpaw did the same thing. Shrewpaw and Mousepaw looked excited; they finally had someone to share chores with! Snowstripe and Cardinalfur sat together. Their chests were puffed out and they looked so proud.
" I think it is Bluepaw," Blackstar growled. He lashed out his paw and disturbed the image in the puddle. The three other cats looked expectantly at him.
" She looks vain. Vain cats are always the worst," Blackstar hissed. The other leaders smiled slightly.
" I agree, but how would you know? You've never met a vain cat in your life… Unless you are the vain cat yourself!" Onestar purred at Blackstar. Blackstar snarled at him and lashed his tail. Mistystar purred as well, but Firestar hushed them as he pointed to the puddle.
" Two or three moons ago, Pepperkit made a vow. This is a memory Mosskit gave us," Firestar informed as the image changed to a smaller and younger Pepperpaw.
" Someday, I will appoint a deputy. Someday, my deputy will lead the dawn patrol while I am in my den." Pepperkit was staring up at the stars, looking right at Mosskit.
" She wants to take over ThunderClan?" Mistystar asked with a tilt of her head as her eyes drifted to Firestar. He shook his head.
" I think she just wants to be leader," Firestar explained.
" The way she says it makes her sound quite lazy," Onestar remarked with a twitch of his tail. Mistystar nodded in agreement.
" Well, Cherrystar was indeed in her den when Briarpelt led the dawn patrol," Firestar pointed out. Blackstar meowed to show he agreed.
" But wait… Mosskit and Bramblestar saw her in StarClan. How did she get there? Only medicine cats can dream themselves there or –"
" Leaders," Firestar finished for Mistystar.
" What about Bluepaw? What if she can dream herself into StarClan too?" Mistystar protested. Firestar glanced at her for a moment then turned away from the puddle.
" There can't be two leaders, and I guess Pepperpaw beat her to it," Firestar meowed. Blackstar nodded and smirked.
" Then Bluepaw must be a medicine cat!" Onestar exclaimed.
" Or simply a regular warrior with a talented sister," Blackstar reminded him. Onestar shrugged and stood up. He paced around for a moment or two then sat down again.
" But if she's a regular warrior, how can she be the one to help or stop the Dark Forest? Doesn't she need powers?" Onestar asked.
" Maybe she does have powers, but she hasn't used them yet?" suggested Mistystar. Firestar nodded. It seemed logical to think that. After all, some powers take time to harness and control.
" True, that could be it, but it doesn't seem to connect. If Pepperpaw discovered what she's destined to be, why hasn't Bluepaw?" Onestar inquired. Firestar sighed. Of course Onestar would ask all the questions they couldn't answer.
" She needs time," Blackstar meowed. The three cats turned their heads to stare at him. Blackstar was raking his claws into the rock, etching in marks.
" Let's wait until they become warriors, then it would be easier to distinguish the evil one and the good one," Blackstar suggested. The three other leaders looked at each other and nodded.
" Well, I must be leaving," Onestar meowed, dipping his head to the other cats. He padded out of the rocky clearing and disappeared. Mistystar left next, leaving Blackstar and Firestar.
" Have you visited Pepperpaw yet?" Firestar asked. Blackstar shook his head and started walking out of the clearing.
" Wait, Blackstar," Firestar called. Blackstar stopped and looked at him. Firestar was astonished to see kindness in the depths of Blackstar's eyes.
" Do you ever wish you have a mate, or kits?" Firestar asked slowly. Blackstar stiffened and turned to Firestar.
" All the time," he meowed softly, and then walked away. Firestar slowly sank to the ground. He felt sorry for Blackstar, who could never have kits. He would never experience the joy of seeing your kits become apprentices or warriors.
· · · ·
" What are we doing today, Ivytail?" Pepperpaw asked. She bounced around her mentor until Ivytail turned and pounced on her. Ivytail was the best mentor ever because she was playful and friendly!
" Battle training with Bluepaw and Thrushwing," Ivytail replied with a twinkle in her green eyes. Pepperpaw bounced one more time and then settled into step with her young mentor.
" What battle moves are we learning? Boring swipes? Easy kicks?" Pepperpaw joked with a purr. Ivytail purred as well and cuffed Pepperpaw gently around the ear.
" What about double swipes? Flips and then kicks?" Ivytail challenged. Pepperpaw purred and nodded enthusiastically. She had practiced battle training with Mosskit.
" When will we practice hunting?" Pepperpaw asked excitedly, her tail waving. Ivytail shrugged.
" Tomorrow, maybe. I have to ask Thrushwing," Ivytail replied as they entered the training hollow. The floor was cream-colored sand. The perimeter of the clearing was fluffy grass and a few young trees.
" Pepperpaw, isn't this so cool?" Bluepaw yowled as she ran over to greet her sister. Pepperpaw nodded excitedly. She bowled Bluepaw over and they rolled in the sand that scratched all their itchy spots.
" Get up, you two! We're battle training, not playing!" Thrushwing yowled. Bluepaw rolled her eyes as she got up. Pepperpaw hopped up and shook the sand from her pelt.
" So, shall we start with a swipe, Thrushwing?" Ivytail asked formally. Thrushwing gave a curt nod and Ivytail nodded back, hiding her grin.
" So, rear up and swipe downwards with one paw," Ivytail instructed. Bluepaw reared up to her full height and slammed her paw down into the sand.
" Good, Bluepaw!" Thrushwing praised. Pepperpaw, determined to out-do her sister, reared up to her full height, which was a good deal taller than Bluepaw's, and raked her paw down. She landed easily and instantly kicked out with both her hind legs.
" Excellent, Pepperpaw! I liked the added kicks," Ivytail meowed with a grin. Pepperpaw grinned back and turned to her sister.
" Well done, Pepperpaw! You did way better than me," Bluepaw admitted. Pepperpaw licked her sister's shoulder than turned back to Ivytail.
" So, now let's try a double swipe! This is harder because you can't use a paw for balance. Bluepaw, go first," Ivytail meowed. Bluepaw nodded, then reared up and raked her paws down with enough force to raise some sand.
" Very powerful," Thrushwing meowed with a satisfied nod.
" Okay, Pepperpaw, let's see your double swipe," Ivytail meowed.
Pepperpaw reared up and slashed her paws down. A cloud of sand puffed up and settled down on top of Bluepaw. As soon as her front paws made contact with the sandy ground, she lashed out with her tail, raising more sand, and kicked out with her hind legs so hard she flipped forwards.
" Lots of power in that one, too," Thrushwing commented. Bluepaw made a face as she shook off the dust.
" Yes, nice job, Pepperpaw! I enjoyed the idea of kicking up more sand to confused your enemy, which was, in this case, Bluepaw," Ivytail meowed, glancing at Bluepaw who was still making a sour face.
" Sorry, Bluepaw, I meant for it to land on Thrushwing," Pepperpaw whispered with a wary peek at Thrushwing. Bluepaw shrugged and licked the sand out of her paw. She spat the sand at Pepperpaw's feet and stormed away with a huff.
" Hey, Bluepaw! Wait!" Pepperpaw called. Bluepaw didn't look back or slow down and marched away angrily. Pepperpaw watched her leave, looking dejected.
" Well, battle training's over. Why don't you go get some freshkill? You did really well, you definitely deserve it," Ivytail added with a proud purr. Pepperpaw nodded slowly and plodded to camp with her head and tail hanging.
As she entered camp, she spotted Bluepaw with Shrewpaw. Apparently, Mousepaw was nowhere to be found. Pepperpaw frowned and padded to the freshkill pile. She selected a scrawny sparrow and gulped it down in the shadows. She got up and decided to take a nap. Pepperpaw entered the apprentice den and found Mousepaw sleeping. Pepperpaw curled up in her nest, and, as she closed her eyes, wished that she would wake up in the lush StarClan forest.
Pepperpaw squeezed her eyes shut and opened them excitedly. She was slightly disappointed. She wasn't in the familiar forest. Instead, she was in a sweet-smelling meadow. A few lazy clouds drifted across the light blue sky. A plump bee floated past her muzzle.
" Where am I?" Pepperpaw asked herself. She looked around curiously. The grass smelled fresh and Pepperpaw rolled around in it. It scratched her fur in all the right places.
When Pepperpaw got up with her dark gray tabby fur rumpled, a big dappled tom stood in front of her. She hissed, frightened, and slunk back. The tom had strong, broad shoulders and dark eyes. His fur was ginger-dappled and tufts of fur stuck up at the tops of his ears.
" You're in the Meadow," the tom meowed. His voice was rich and deep and he pointed around the grassy plain with his long, fluffy tail.
" I've noticed," Pepperpaw replied sharply. " Who are you?" she asked suspiciously.
" Me? I'm Redwillow. And you are…?" the tom inquired. For a moment she couldn't think; she was too busy staring at the tom, lost in his bottomless eyes.
" Oh, I'm Pepperpaw. Of ThunderClan," she added. Redwillow nodded and sat down on his rump, tilting his head as he watched her. She paced around, still slightly scared. He was so much bigger than her!
" So, why are you in my meadow? It's StarClan of course, I heard the other cats talk about you," Redwillow meowed softly. Pepperpaw shrugged. Cats had been talking about her?
" I just dreamed myself here. Usually I end up in the forest with Mosskit, but not today. How big is StarClan?" Pepperpaw asked curiously, her eyes glinting in the warm sun. Redwillow purred and jumped up.
" StarClan is bigger than ThunderClan, it's bigger than all the Clans combined! So, since StarClan cats watch over the living, I've seen your battle skills. You're very good, but you could be better," Redwillow added. Pepperpaw frowned. She wanted to be the best!
" Your swipes are fine, but in a battle, a cat could come up behind you," Redwillow started. Pepperpaw interrupted him as she cleared her throat loudly.
" Are you ThunderClan? Is that why you're helping me?" Pepperpaw demanded. Redwillow nodded.
" I was ThunderClan, when I lived. I'm helping you because you are great at battle training and hunting, but you need improvement," Redwillow replied, watching Pepperpaw.
" Okay then, show me how I can be better! After all, I'm not sure how much time we have, and I want to learn as much as I can!" Pepperpaw meowed brightly. Redwillow purred and cuffed Pepperpaw affectionately around the ears.
" Well, first of all, your swipes. They're balanced and strong, but your back is defenseless. So, rear up and before you swipe kick out, and as you go down lash out your front claws so you land on your rear legs. Watch me," Redwillow instructed. He reared up and kicked out hard with his back legs. As he lost height he reach out with his front paws and raked them down. He handed lightly on his hind legs and twisted around to face Pepperpaw.
" Wow! I want to be just like that!" Pepperpaw breathed. She was amazed! She had never seen a cat do something so… strong, or so difficult!
" It's not that hard. You try, but remember to focus," Redwillow warned. Pepperpaw nodded eagerly and reared up. She stretched to her full height and kick out with all her might with her back paws. She fell quickly but Pepperpaw managed to rake outwards with her front claws unsheathed before she landed, heavily, on her hind legs.
" Well done! See, I told you it was easy!" Redwillow purred, brushing against her. For a moment, Pepperpaw scented a whiff of decay and rot, but it was smothered by the scent of grass, sun, and flowers.
" Anything else?" Pepperpaw requested hopefully. Redwillow shook his head and looked at the sky. The sun was coming down. Pepperpaw sighed and curled up. Redwillow licked her head just before she fell asleep and woke up in the apprentice den.
Pepperpaw was eager to try out her new moves. She ran out of the den and jumped around for a bit before she remembered her promise to Sweetsong. With that, she dashed to the medicine cat den and shook Sweetsong awake.
" Are you ill?" Sweetsong asked sleepily. Pepperpaw shook her head and guided Sweetsong to the pool of water inside her den. After Sweetsong had lapped up a few mouthfuls of icy cold water, she was finally awake.
" Did you have another dream?" Sweetsong asked, worry glinting in her green eyes. Pepperpaw nodded vigorously.
" I met a tom called Redwillow, and he taught me a really cool battle move," Pepperpaw meowed with a happy twitch of her ears. Sweetsong cocked her head and nodded.
" Can you show me this move? If you can, that is. I'm sorry about the limited space," Sweetsong meowed apologetically, looking around the stone den. Pepperpaw shrugged and executed the move perfectly, or so she thought. Sweetsong watched her with puzzle eyes and sent Pepperpaw out quickly.
" I need to think, I'm sorry, but may you please go?" Sweetsong meowed, dismissing Pepperpaw. Pepperpaw nodded and walked to the dirtplace.
After making dirt, she took a squirrel from the freshkill pile. It was very fluffy and all the fur got stuck in Pepperpaw's throat. She sneezed a few times then finished the squirrel.
" I ought to practice," Pepperpaw realized. She reared up and practiced keeping her balance until she could walk a few tail-lengths on her hind legs. While she was training, the moon had inched down in the sky until Briarpelt walked out of the warrior's den, followed by three other warriors. They slinked out the gorse tunnel and then Pepperpaw was alone again. She practiced keeping her swiped straight and powerful then combined it with the rearing.
" Hey, Pepperpaw! What are you doing out so early?" Briarpelt called as her patrol returned. Pepperpaw shrugged then gestured to the freshkill pile and the tufts of squirrel fur in front of her.
" Oh, dawn snack was it? Let's hope you can still eat your sun high meal!" Briarpelt teased as she padded into the warrior's den. Pepperpaw purred and reared up. She kicked out perfectly and launched herself into the air, and then swiped. Her paws went out straight and returned tucked into her chest as she landed lightly on her feet.
" Not bad," Pepperpaw praised herself. She imagined Redwillow nodding approvingly at her. She looked up at the early dawn sky and spotted a reddish star in the sky. It was probably Redwillow, Pepperpaw thought.
" I hope I learn more moves, so I can be the best warrior ever!" Pepperpaw whispered as she returned to the apprentice den. Mousepaw was awake when she entered.
" What were you doing outside? I heard someone talking," Mousepaw meowed.
" Oh, well, I was eating, and then Briarpelt's patrol returned. Sorry if I woke you up…" Pepperpaw apologized as she settled into her nest. Mousepaw shook her head and quickly fell asleep with a snore. Pepperpaw fell asleep rather fast, too, and didn't dream at all.
