Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors. I do own Streampool, though.
Author's notes: This chapter mainly focuses on Dustpelt and Fernpaw. Enjoy!
It's a sunny day. Dustpelt woke up with a start. He sat up and glanced around. Sandstorm was nowhere to be seen. And so were Fireheart and Streampool.
That Fireheart! How did he do it? First Sandstorm and now Streampool has fallen for him too. Dustpelt thought jealously. He padded out of the warriors' den.
He planned to take Fernpaw out hunting today. Fernpaw is a very promising apprentice. He smiled at the thought of her. Always so cheerful and determined. She would make a good mate too, he thought. Wait a minute! Did I just think that? I love Sandstorm! And I'm several moons older than her!
He shook his head and headed toward the apprentice's den. He spotted Fernpaw coming out and welcomed the sight. "Fernpaw!" he called. Fernpaw turned and saw Dustpelt. She ran toward him and touched noses with him. "Dustpelt!" she meowed cheerfully.
"We are going to hunt today. I want to see some of your moves", he said. "Where are we going to hunt?" Fernpaw asked. "Over at Sunningrocks", Dustpelt replied. "Great!" Fernpaw meowed. Dustpelt began to walk towards Sunningrocks. Fernpaw followed and raced ahead of him.
As they arrived at Sunningrocks, Dustpelt told Fernpaw: "Let's see you hunt. We can bring back some fresh-kill to the elders." "OK!" Fernpaw meowed enthusiastically. She bounded towards the undergrowth.
It was nearly sun-high when they returned to camp. Fernpaw caught a mouse and a squirrel. Dustpelt caught a bird and a vole. They put them on the fresh-kill pile. Then Dustpelt told Fernpaw to come over.
"What's the matter, Dustpelt?" Fernpaw asked. Dustpelt felt warm at the concern in her voice. "Um, well, I just want to give you some advice on the way you hunt", Dustpelt said.
Upon hearing this, Fernpaw felt devastated. She had thought that Dustpelt would be proud of her efforts. I thought that he would proud of me, she thought. I just wanted to impress him. I had loved him for so long.
Seeing Fernpaw's reaction, Dustpelt felt sort of guilty. I should have encouraged her, he thought guiltily. She must be sad and devastated. "It's not like you didn't do a good job", he told Fernpaw. "It just that there's always room for improvement." "Really? Even you too?" Fernpaw looked surprised. "Yes, of course", he assured her.
"Great! I will not let you be disappointed! I'll be the best hunter ever!" Fernpaw said excitedly. Dustpelt smiled at his apprentice. So determined and yet so gentle. She would really make a great mate. He thought. Any tom would be lucky to have her. Even me.