Chapter 3
Cloudstorm's eyes blazed. "Mouse-dung!" he spat. "We can't follow the kittypet in there. Let's go back and report this to Flystar." He turned and began to pad away.
Rainpaw scrambled to her paws, tipping her head back to peer up at the top of the fence. The wood was smooth and made of strange shapes all fitted together. Why couldn't they go into Twolegplace and continue chasing the kittypet? She imagined again the scorn in the fat cat's eyes, and indignation burned through her. Rainpaw wished they could show that arrogant Twoleg pet that SkyClan were strong and powerful. I'd go in there and rip his fur off! But Cloudstorm mewed her name, and she had no choice but to follow him.
"Do kittypets usually hunt in our territory?" Rainpaw asked curiously as they trotted back to camp.
"No, it's very rare." Cloudstorm shook his head. "Kittypets are given food from Twolegs, and usually they're just too fat and lazy to hunt prey. The strange thing is, this one actually managed to jump high enough into the air to catch the bird. Did you see how it dragged the blackbird off the branch? I think it saw a SkyClan patrol hunting, and has decided to copy our skills."
Rainpaw thought about that. "But why do they hunt? If they have food, there's no reason, is there?"
"No." Cloudstorm glared at the forest around him. "That's why it's so frustrating. I don't think the kittypet will eat that bird." Rainpaw growled softly to herself, feeling the hostile rumble in her throat a bit like a purr.
By the time they entered camp, the sun was setting and casting a rosy orange light over the peaceful clearing. Rainpaw's paws were aching and her head and tail drooped from exhaustion. Cats were lounging around in the soft dimming light, sharing prey and talking softly.
Cloudstorm turned to Rainpaw. He only just seemed to realise how tired she was. "You go to sleep," he meowed softly. "I'll report to Flystar."
Rainpaw blinked blearily and shook her head. "I want to hear what Flystar says," she mewed stubbornly.
Cloudstorm trotted across the camp to Flystar's den, nodding to Petalfall, the deputy, who was sat on one of the thorn tree's roots. Petalfall's pale pelt glowed pink in the light; her green eyes shone luminous as she returned Rainpaw's mentor's gesture.
Rainpaw put on a last burst of energy and bounded after Cloudstorm. Politely she sat beside the entrance to Flystar's den, ready to question Cloudstorm as soon as he emerged. All she could hear was the low buzz of voices. Impatiently Rainpaw angled her ears towards the den, but she couldn't even catch any emotions in the cats' mews.
After what seemed like seasons, Cloudstorm padded out of the den. Rainpaw was shocked to see the expression of fury on his face. His eyes leapt with blue fire. "C-Cloudstorm?" she mewed hesitantly. "What happened? What did Flystar say?"
Cloudstorm turned to her. As soon as she looked at him Rainpaw knew he wouldn't tell her anything. "It's... warrior stuff," he muttered distractedly. "Now go and rest. Your first proper day of training starts tomorrow."
Rainpaw swallowed her annoyance. She turned and padded away. The other apprentices were gathering outside their den. Fernpaw trotted over with her jaws full of prey. "Here we go," the dark tabby mewed cheerfully. "Enough for all of us!"
Rainpaw purred. "Thanks, Fernpaw." She chose a plump squirrel and settled down between Fawnpaw, the medicine cat apprentice, and Fernpaw herself. Buzzardpaw and Copperpaw faced them opposite, tearing hungrily at their own pieces of fresh-kill. The SkyClan apprentices shared news about their own training, and Fernpaw gossiped endlessly about things she'd heard about the warriors. Buzzardpaw and Copperpaw kept rolling their eyes and grumbling under their breath, but Rainpaw found it amusing and couldn't stop her whiskers from twitching.
As the ghost of the moon grew brighter in the darkening sky, the apprentices finished their meals and padded into their den. Rainpaw scraped moss together to make herself a nest, and curled up in it with a contented sigh. It felt good to finally rest her sore paws.
What had happened between Flystar and Cloudstorm? Whatever Flystar had said, it must have been bad to make Cloudstorm so angry.