** This is my longest chapter yet, and I'm very proud. To anyone still confused, it takes place before any of the bools the Erin Hunters wrote. It is from Skypaw of ThunderClan's POV. I think she is the most like me, so this chapter almost wrote itself.**
Ch. 5 Brewing Storm
I was cuddled up in my nice warm moss bed when Silentpaw and Flamepaw stumbled into the apprentice den. Flamepaw was loudly complaining about the riggers of dawn patrol and mewing about his mentor, Stagheart.
As usual Silentpaw didn't say a thing. Well, she is mute so it would be a unnatural day when she spoke. Instead she mentally sent out her complaints. She had been out hunting unlike her brother.
I was glad that Frostpaw piped up, so I wouldn't have to speak. "I was enjoying my sleep till you two walked in. Just because you are the oldest apprentices doesn't mean you have the right to wake us all up." She leveled her frosty eyes towards the two apprentices.
Silentpaw gazed right back at Frostpaw. It was Dustpaw who broke the two apart. "Now you guys, it is way to early to get into a fight. What do you say we all go get a snack." He flashed his dashing smile a the two feuding she-cats.
My heart skipped a beat when I looked at him. All the she-cats had fallen for him, and I was just a another shy admirer. While I was watching Dustpaw, Flamepaw was watching Frostpaw.
The entire Clan knew that he had a crush on her. It always popped in any conversation. It's not that I talked to anyone much, but I still had my hearing. It was more than Woodtail had. He was a deaf as the wood he was named after.
I walked into the clearing where the morning sun was shining through the leaves. Spottedpaw walked out of the medicine den and joined us. The hunting patrols had caught a lot this morning and there was plenty left for the apprentices.
I was warming my gray pelt in the sun and stretching my legs when Dustpaw walked over to be carrying a vole. He dropped it in front of me. "Do you want to share prey with me?" he sounded timid all of a sudden. It was totally unlike him. He was the loudest apprentice.
I mewed out a silent yes and took a bite. Dustpaw opened his mouth to speak, but Foxstar beat him to it. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting.
Dustpaw let out a cough like he wasn't planning on speaking. It didn't fool me one bit. I might be quiet, but I'm not stupid. I just had no clue what he would have said.
Foxstar continued to speak. "For all cats who might have forgotten, tonight is the Gathering, and I need something exciting to report. I believe that we have two apprentices who are ready to become warriors. Would Flamepaw and Silentpaw please join me on Highrock."
The two cats climbed up to join there leader. I can't wait till the day it is my turn to stand on those rocks. Flamepaw looked like a mirror image of his father, Foxstar. Both of their ginger pelts glowed in the sunlight. Silentpaw looked as regal as her mother. Specklespirit looked upon her two kits proudly.
It was Stagheart who was addressed first since he was Flamepaw's mentor. "Stagheart, are you satisfied that this apprentice is ready to become a warrior."
The clearing was still as Stagheart thought about this question. I was afraid for a second he would say no. Had Flamepaw not been complaining about border patrols only this morning I don't that thought would have even occurred to me. My fears, along with the entire Clans was put to rest when he spoke. " Yes, I believe that he is ready."
Flamepaw heaved a sigh of relief when Stagheart responded and Foxstar continued. "I, Foxstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her a warrior in his turn. Flamepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life."
The clearing was once more silent. Even the newborn Scorchkit and Spottedkit were quiet. I think they understood the importance of this ceremony.
Without taking a second pause to consider Flamepaw gave his answer. "I do!" he exclaimed. I smiled at his level of energy.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Flamepaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Flamestorm. The Clan honors you for your persistence and bravery, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." bellowed Foxstar. He rested his muzzle on the new warrior to get his shoulder licked.
"Flamestorm, Flamestorm, Flamestorm, Flamestorm!" chanted the Clan. I could see Hollythorn move to leave, completely forgetting about Silentpaw. Her mate, Grapevine, pulled her back.
Foxstar started the ceremony once again when the crowd had quieted down. "Falconcry, are you satisfied that this apprentice is ready to become a warrior."
The soft-spoken warrior nodded. He wasn't mute like his apprentice, but he hardly spoke. I really didn't know him because the two of us are extremely shy. He just nodded in response to Foxstar's question. His mate, Tulipfrost, wasn't there to get him to speak.
Foxstar took it as Silentpaw was ready, so he continued. "I, Foxstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. She had trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her a warrior in her turn. Silentpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life."
The sleek silver she-cat looked up to the sky with her ice blue eyes and responded. "Yes, I do." The entire Clan could hear her voice echoing in their heads. I found the sensation odd, but not entirley uncomfortable.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Silentpaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Silentwish. The Clan honors you for your secrecy and creativeness, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." Foxstar once again bowed his head for his daughter to lick his shoulder.
I felt Dustpaw rest his head on my back while the entire clearing was filled with cheering. "Silentwish, Silentwish, Silentwish, Silentwish!"
Foxstar waited for the cheering to end. "Flamestorm will sit his silent vigil during the Gathering, and Silentwish will sit hers the following night. Meeting adjourned."
Dustpaw lifted his head off my back and flashed me a smile that made my knees grow weak. "I am sorry about resting my head. If you don't remember, it is quiet early in the morning."
I managed to squeak out a response. "No, it it okay. You should be getting to your mentor. Streamfrost looks ready to assign sun-high patrols."
When he flashed his tail in a good bye, I heaved a sigh of relief. Talking to anyone took a lot of effort, Dustpaw more than most.
My lie turned out to be true. Streamfrost had started to gather the sun-high patrols. "On ShadowClan's border will be Moonfire, Oakstorm, and Stagheart. I want Grapevine, Sunpaw, Graystorm, and Skypaw to patrol our RiverClan border. Be careful there. We don't want RiverClan to try to cross the river."
I nodded carefully. RiverClan cats always sat on Sunning Rocks watching us as we patrolled along side the river, knowing we couldn't attack. They were their eyes followed us was just creepy.
"Hollythorn, Foxstar, Dustpaw, and myself will hunt." commanded Streamfrost. Cats rushed to obey the deputy. Streamfrost could be terrifying at times. I wasted no time in finding my mentor, Graystorm.
Applekit and Fawnkit tumbled out of the nursery. "I want to go patrolling with Daddy." said Applekit. "Mommy says that I could do anything as long as she got some peace and quiet."
I let out a small smile. It sounded exactly like Deersteps. Stagheart broke away from his patrol and went to his kits. "You guys can join me in a moon, but for now, why don't you settle down with your mother. I'm sure Mistkit and Maplekit want someone to play with."
The reason they ventured out of the nursery forgotten, the two kits play-fought their way back. I couldn't help but let out a small smile at the two tiny she-cats.
"Come on Skypaw. Don't keep us waiting!" shouted Sunpaw. He was practically out of his coat with excitement. He was a relatively new apprentice, so everything still excited him.
Grapevine just smiled at his apprentice and nodded towards Graystorm and I. "Let's get going. I don't think the RiverClan cats will be able to cross, but we can never be to sure. The river has been flooded since the snow has melted."
Sunpaw tried to bound ahead, but Grapevine called him back. Graystorm pointed out herbs and such on the way. I was sorta surprised that he knew all this stuff. Sweetdawn and Spottedpaw of course, but not Graystorm.
We stopped when we reached the bank of the river. Some RiverClan cats were sunning them selves on the warmed rocks. The only reason ThunderClan didn't own those rocks was they were on an island.
I heard a rumor from Flameclaw that the older ThunderClan leader, Fawnstar, had tried to teach ThunderClan cats to swim for the sole reason of gaining Sunning Rocks. It didn't go well, or so I heard.
"Whoa Sunpaw." mewed Grapevine. "Don't go rushing off to see the RiverClan cats. They will get stuffed up heads." He tried to be stern, but he was smiling the entire time. The hyper apprentices energy was rubbing off.
I glanced towards the rocks to see who was there. I was pretty sure it was two elders. I had seen them at the last Gathering, but I couldn't recall their names; they just slipped out of my head.
Sunpaw once again saved me from actually asking. "Who are those old cats?" he asked Grapevine. Graystorm winced when he heard them called old cats.
The brown elder tom with green eyes picked up his head a cast Sunpaw an annoyed glance. "I'm not old you little kit." he snapped.
Sunpaw reeled back in shock. No ThunderClan cat had ever spoken to him like that. He didn't know how to take it. The gray she-cat just smiled at Sunpaw while she whisper to the tom.
"I'm sorry for Forestclaw's behavior. He can be quiet grouchy. Leopardpaw gave him soaked bedding last night, so he is worse than usual today." She sent as a dazzling smile. Forestclaw just growled as we walked my re-scenting the border.
When we were a safe distance away, Graystorm spoke. "Those cats were Forestclaw and Runningwater. They are RiverClan's oldest elders."
When we reached to end of the route, Grapevine began to head back to camp. Graystorm called out to him, "Will you tell Streamfrost that Skypaw and I are going to practice fighting moves."
I quivered with excitement. Battle training was the one part of being a warrior that just came naturally to me. All my shyness evaporates and adrenaline pumps through my veins. A small smile rose on my face.
Sunpaw looked disappointed that he wouldn't be fighting, but I think the fact he would be eating override that. Just thinking about food made my stomach growl. I tried to push the thought of food to the back of my mind while we walked to the training hollow.
I could smell vague scents of squirrels and mice in the surrounding forest. My nose picked up some cats already practicing in the hollow. When we got closer I could see it was Frostpaw and her mentor Specklespirit.
Frostpaw flipped up in the air and prepared to land squarely on Specklespirit's back. Her mentor would have none of that. She quickly side stepped and Frostpaw landed on the sandy bottom. Her paws sprayed out under her and she put her head on the sandy bottom. She didn't stand up right away, but glared at her mentor instead.
"Well, get up!" mewed Specklespirit. "Other Clans won't wait for you to catch your breath and stand back up. You must be ready for an attack to come from anywhere."
Graystorm got this smile on his face and moved us downwind of the two cats. A small smile entered my face when I guessed what he was going to do. Specklespirit had just said her fate. We were stalking them like prey.
I got into my best hunter's crouch and slowly crept forward. I saw Graystorm do the same on my left. We slowly sneaked forward; our paws making no sound as the touched the forest floor. I felt like I was flying over the ground.
In a split second, Graystorm flew through the branches. I quickly followed suit and leaped towards Frostpaw. We tumbled around for awhile, but I ended up on top. I had always been the better fighter, and she hated me for that.
Specklespirit realized the situation she was in and let out pearly laugh. Frostpaw wasn't as delighted with the outcome and leveled her frosty gaze at me. I shuffled off of her and let her rise to her paws.
Graystorm popped off of Specklespirit and gave her his big smile. " You said you must be ready for an attack from anywhere. I was just making sure you knew what that meant." He shrugged when he said that.
"But why did you have to drag your innocent apprentice into this?" Specklespirit asked. "Surely the quietest apprentice didn't want to comply with your wishes."
I could feel a blush rising to my face as they talked as though I wasn't there. "I was actually her idea. I was just following what Skypaw was doing."
Frostpaw didn't like that she was being ignored. "If we are finished talking about what just happened, I would like to continue my training."
Specklespirit whipped her head around to look at her apprentice. With her voice dangerously calms she spoke slowly to her apprentice. "You will never speak like to me like that again. Now come on missy, you are going to be cleaning some elders today."
The once steel willed Frostpaw was dragged out of the clearing by her scruff. Checking the elders for ticks was the worst punishment imaginable. They were so fun when we were kits, but we must have gotten ugly or something because they are always yelling at apprentices.
"Well," said Graystorm. "That is one way to empty out the training hollow. We are going to need to try that out some more." Then with no warning what-so-ever, he leaped at me.
My instincts took over and a jumped back. My mind suddenly went blank and my claws took over. I don't remember anything I did. It had always been like that whenever I fight. It is like my soul climbs right out of my body, and I feel fearless.
I think Graystorm stopped to give me a few pointers, but I can't remember them. I wasn't truly listening because I was looking for muscles twitches that would give away his next move.
My stomach was growling like Nightice when his his bedding was damp. The last time I ate was at the back of my memory. I think it was before the sun-high patrol, so I was extremely thankful when Graystorm suggested we head back toward the camp.
My legs were aching with every step I took. My stomach growled even louder the closer we got to camp. I might have been hallucinating, but I smelled the delicious scent of a plump and juicy squirrel.
Graystorm left to go visit his mate and kits. Hazelmist had her kits three moons ago, and Mistkit and Maplekit really loved their father. I could see why; he did visit them every day.
Dustpaw was waiting for me with the plump squirrel that I had be imagining. It was even better than I had hoped for because Dustpaw was holding it.
"I thought you might be hungry when you didn't come back from sun-high patrol. I caught you this squirrel myself." He puffed out his chest when he dropped the plump prey at my feet.
I mumbled a thank you, and dove into my food. When I finished devouring it, I began to take slower bites and actually taste my prey. It was possibly the best thing I had ever tasted in my life.
"Thanks Dustpaw. It was delicious." I thanked him properly when I realized that he was still standing there. As if me speaking trigger something in his brain, he sauntered off toward the fresh-kill pile.
I continued to unknowingly watch him as he walked into the nursery with some prey for the queens and kits. Applekit and Fawnkit tumbled into him sending him back into the clearing with their joyous squeals.
"You are a very lucky she-cat." whispered some cat behind me. I jumped onto my feet and spun around. I relaxed a bit when I saw it was only Sweetdawn, the medicine cat.
"I have no clue what you talking about." I spoke really slower, more to convince myself than her. "You must be mistaken."
"Silly apprentice, I'm am never mistaken when I see love. Dustpaw is a loyal mate, and will stick by your side. You are going to need it after ThunderClan announces that Highstones are now their territory." Sweetdawn spoke so calmly that I almost missed what she said about Highstones.
"What do you mean we are taking over Highstones? I thought that was StarClan's territory. How would we be able to defend it too. I heard it was far away." My head just couldn't calculate it fast enough.
Spottedpaw walked up behind her mentor. "We received a vision of StarClan of cats walking around the Highstones. It could only mean StarClan wants ThunderClan to own Highstones." she spoke in the same monotone voice as her mentor. Boy, medicine cats are weird.
I was saved from answering by Foxstar ascending Highrock. "Tonight as you all know is the full-moon Gathering. I have decided what cats I want to go. They are the following: Streamfrost, Sweetdawn, Spottedpaw, Moonfire, Oakstorm, Silentwish, Sunpaw, Rosethorn, and Woodtail."
I slumped a bit when I didn't hear my name called, but sat right back up when I noticed that neither was Dustpaw's.
Sunpaw did a happy dance when he heard his name called. It would be his first Gathering ever. I remember how I had felt when when my name was called for the first time.
Woodtail called out from the elder's den. "What did Fawnstar say? I couldn't hear." Hollythorn let out some laughter at the elders lack of hearing.
"FOXSTAR WANTS YOU TO GO TO THE GATHERING!" yelled Rosethorn at her den mate. This sent Hollythorn laughing even harder
Woodtail, oblivious to the fact Rosethorn was yelling at the top of her lungs and Hollythorn was laughing so hard, stood up to stretch out his legs. "You could have said it the first time Rosethorn. You know you have to speak louder."
Silentwish sent out her silent message of joy. "Yay, I'll get to see Rainpaw." I slightly remember the pretty blue-gray she-cat with amber eyes from my first Gathering.
I cracked a smile at the two elders and Silentwish, and headed into my den. If I wasn't going to the Gathering I was going to catch up on some much needed sleep.
I cuddled up in the moss and I was acutely aware of a dark brown tom sliding in right next to me. I left out a small sigh and fell into the best sleep I have had in ages.
** I'm sorry I lied last chapter. The Gathering is obviously not this chapter, but next. It will probably be from Rainpaw of RiverClan and Maroonpaw of StarClan. Remember to review. My next update won't be for awhile because I'm going away to Regionals for my brother. No access to a computer.**
