Skypaw quietly lay in his nest, guilt washing over him in waves. He had practically banished his own sister from WindClan, and hadn't given her the support and comfort she had needed. He was the complete opposite of a nice, well-respected, responsible brother. He was a living nightmare if one could declare!
"Hey, Skypaw," Palepaw mewed, peeking in the den. "Are you hungry? You look half-starved!"
Skypaw felt his stomach rumble in agreement, and in shame, realized that he hadn't hunted for the elder's because of his brooding. Seeing his look Palepaw gave him a reassuring smile.
"The elders are well-fed, so are the nursery queen's. Come on, I caught a large thrush, and Furzepelt said I could eat it," she coaxed.
Skypaw finally gave in, padding alongside the pale-furred apprentice as she pulled a large thrush of the pile and set it down firmly on the ground. With a friendly smile on her face, she pushed it towards him, warmth in her soft-green eyes.
For a few minutes there was silence as the two apprentices; one light brown, and other pale-white, shared the large kill. In a few more bites, the thrush was finished, and Skypaw contently rested his paws on his head, forgetting about his sister for a moment, and relaxing into a fantasy. The quiet fantasy was broken by a soft mew.
"Where's Lionpaw, it's unusual for her too be late, and she should be starving by now as she spent the morning cleaning out the elder's den," Palepaw cocked her head in worry and wonder. "Besides, she's our best hunter, she often gets the first pick of prey." Worry for her friend lit her soft gaze.
Skypaw flushed, embarrassed to satisfy his denmate with an answer. An answer that would change Palepaw's option of him forever, Skypaw winced at the thought. He couldn't let it out, for news spread like wildfire, and then, his life in the Clan would change. His mother, his poor mother, would be so ashamed of himself… and… Skypaw trailed off in horror. The rest could hate a loyal, well-meant deed, which would have pleased his leader and some warriors. Was it really worth it? Skypaw felt doubts cloud his mind.
"Skypaw, hello?" Palepaw waved a paw in his face. "I'm going to see Moonfoot now, okay?" She spoke dreamily of the gray tom that had recently been made a warrior. "He and Amberclaw decided to take me along there hunting patrol!" Her chest swelled with pride.
"Is Hollowcreek coming too?" Skypaw asked. He had taken a liking to the stubborn, loyal she-cat with her single white paw and black pelt.
Palepaw nodded eagerly. "She'll meet us by ThunderClan border. Then we're all going to hunt by the abandoned fox dens!" She laughed joyfully, and then added. "A new rabbit hole has turned up! Rabbits might me crowding around as we speak! See you later, Skypaw." With that, she hurried away to the gray tom that beckoned her over with a paw.
As the pale-furred apprentice settled by his side and opened her mouth to speak, Skypaw felt a twinge of envy. He liked pretty, graceful Palepaw, but it was clear she loved the gray warrior with his handsome light blue eyes, and soft pink nose. Moonfoot had been blessed with good looks, and Skypaw glanced critically at his light brown fur and suddenly, wished for his sky blue eyes to turn into a light blue. Finally, his thoughts turned to his sister, and with a sigh padded to the apprentice den for a well-earned rest.
Why was being loyal to his Clan so hard?