I'm a terrible person, someone cuff me over the ears.

Thank you so much to anyone who is sticking through the lack of updates!

Review Replies

Guest: Thanks! I'm glad you like it :D

Guest: Awww thanks! And it is hard to choose a favorite, isn't it?

Raven that flies at night: Otterclaw, interesting. And yeah, Wolfpaw is a bit mysterious, isn't he?

Willowspring1: Muahahahaha :)

J. R. Marsden: I always look forward to your reviews! Thank you for the tips, and I'm glad you've been waiting for more! Reedstar is kinda strict, huh? And no problem! Your writing is great!

Guest: I agree, Mistyblaze is a great cat

EmberskyofShadowClan: aggh thank you! I'm working on getting the chapters longer, thought this one definitely doesn't show it! That was my intention for Featherpaw, glad it's working out! Well, here's that update!

QOTC:

What is up with Wolfpaw?

Featherpaw crouched by her father, desperately pawing at his fur. He couldn't be dead! He had a long life ahead of him.

His fur was torn in clumps around several areas of his body, especially around his shoulders. A huge gash stretched from his left shoulder to the base of his tail. His ears were shredded and one hind paw was twisted and bleeding.

As she leaned over him, Featherpaw noticed a miniscule detail. Otterclaw's chest was just barely rising, in short, heavy bursts-he was alive!

"Rospetal!" she called. "Please come quickly-Otterclaw is alive!"

The patched she-cat dashed from where she had been tending to a bite wound on Redpaw's forepaw. She sniffed Otterclaw's body, gently nosing him so she could see the wound more clearly.

"I can't risk moving him to my den," Rosepetal said to Reedstar, who had joined the crowd that was anxiously watching. "He may bleed out." She turned to Featherpaw and the rest of the apprentices. "Whoever is not injured, go grab moss from my den."

Featherpaw, along with Mosspaw, Wolfpaw, and Dewpaw, dashed to the medicine den. Having been there several times already to collect or deposit moss for the elders, the group already knew where the moss was stored-a small gap in the reeds that concealed a dip.

The four apprentices grabbed as much moss as they could, holding in their mouths, tucking it under their chins, and even grasping it in one forepaw.

When they had all collected plenty of springy moss, they went back to the clearing as fast as they could on three paws.

Rosepetal didn't even utter a word of thanks when they dropped the moss by her, but they didn't mind. The medicine cat was focused on Otterclaw. She took some moss and nudged it under Otterclaw's shoulder, then scooped up some cobwebs left over from the other cats she'd tended too so far. Delicately, she pressed the heap of cobweb into Otterclaw's gash, attempting to soak up the blood.

Foxwing went to stand by her daughters, looking at Rosepetal pleadingly.

"It's up to StarClan," she murmured. She cast a grave glance to Otterclaw's family. "His chance of surviving a wound like that? Even with all the marigold in the world, he'd have a small chance of living."

Foxwing turned to her daughters. "Let's pray for Otterclaw," she murmured, getting choked up. Featherpaw peered up, determined. Her father was going to live, she knew it!

A few days later, Rosepetal had deemed it safe to move Otterclaw to her den. He was still in bad condition-barely conscious, feverish, and his wound appeared to be infected. Rosepetal's prognosis remained bleak. Foxwing was spending most of her time by her mate, while Featherpaw and Mosspaw had to train.

Their training was as rigorous as ever. Nobody wanted to take a chance after that scary attack.

One day, during combat training, Wolfpaw let out a growl.

"Who do ThunderClan think they are," he snarled, "always demanding peace and justice, then attacking another Clan out of the blue?" His eyes slid to Featherpaw.

All of the other apprentices, aside from Featherpaw, yowled in agreement.

"Surely the attack wasn't out of the blue," she offered. "From what I've heard, Deadstar is a thoughtful, well-oriented cat. She must've had reason for the attack."

Wolfpaw hissed, "Well, she didn't say anything except for that nonsense about her whiny, kittypet-loving Clan needing more space!"

Featherpaw narrowed her eyes. "Exactly! Deadstar is just trying to do what is best for her Clan. Isn't that a leader's job?" she said, stalking up to face Wolfpaw, glaring up at him. He scoffed, turning away from her disgust.

When she backed down, Featherpaw realized that this was the most she'd ever heard Wolfpaw talk. As she whipped around to demand an explanation, she saw that Wolfpaw had already retreated toward his mentor.

Whatever, she thought. I'll ask later...if he doesn't bite my head off first

That evening, Featherpaw walked over to Wolfpaw, who was eating by himself. Mustering up all of her courage, she spoke.

"What's your problem?" she blurted out. Wolfpaw jolted.

"Excuse me?"

Swallowing any fear, Featherpaw continued.

"I said 'what's your problem?'. You're always silent, but when the chance to belittle me or anyone else comes along, you don't shut up!"

Wolfpaw flattened his ears, standing so he towered over the much younger apprentice. "Quit acting like you know everything," he hissed. "When I talk or what I talk about is none of your business, okay?" He stalked off, leaving his half-eaten meal.

Featherpaw sighed. She had just wanted to know if something was wrong. Sure, he had been a bit blunt, but Wolfpaw didn't have to overreact like that!

After discarding of Wolfpaw's uneaten fish, Featherpaw figured she should get some sleep, but not before visiting her father.

When she entered the den, she saw that her mother and sister were already by her father's side.

"How is he?" Featherpaw asked, sliding in between Foxwing and Mosspaw.

"Not so good," Foxwing answered worriedly. "Rosepetal says that the infection is getting worse. None of her herbs are working."

Alarm raced through Featherpaw's body. Otterclaw had to live!

"Does she think he'll die?" she said meekly. Foxwing glanced at her before closing her eyes. That was all the answer Featherpaw needed.

Featherpaw had trouble getting to sleep that night. Concern for her father coursed through her every heartbeat, and Wolfpaw's stony silence was unsettling.

StarClan, please let my father survive.

I am VERY sorry that this has taken so long to get updated! I've recently gotten a spark of motivation and inspiration again, so hopefully there won't be any more horrific gaps like that!

Also, I have started a new series called SkyClan's Return. The allegiances and prologue of the first book are up, and chapter 1 is in progress! It would mean a lot if you would check it out!

Until next time, arrivederci!