Ugh. So terribly sorry- again. Honestly, I really don't have an excuse other than homework... that, and Pokemon X. If my chapters feel rushed, it's because they are. Sometimes, I hate myself.
Anyways, so the fourth was my birthday. Sucked like hell. Now, my friends give me gifts(and nearly choked me to death, mind you), and my mom did wake me up by having my dogs jump on me while she sang happy birthday, but I really wanted to treat it like a regular day. Whoopity doo. You were born. You've been alive for however many years you've been alive. Let's go celebrate, as if life actually meant something.
And before I continue on with my little story, I must apologize in advance: I'm sorry for any mistakes. I really don't have enough time(procrastinating sucks. I highly recommend that you do your work as soon as possible). Then again, I really don't care what you do with your life.
Every day was like a living nightmare for Lostpaw. She longed for Freshpaw's friendship. She longed to be loved, like Horsekit had loved her. However, at every pawstep she took, it grew more and more realistic for her. Nobody loved her. Nobody will. Slowly, the blind apprentice felt as if the rest of her friends, both Rosepaw and the newly apprenticed Marshpaw, were leaving her as well. It wasn't a nice feeling, but Lostpaw accepted it. It's what I deserve, after all. I'm such a stupid furball.
Lostpaw crouched, her nose catching a rather faint scent, andtensed, feeling the wind ruffle her fur. Beside her, the awkwardly strong scent of Discordstar, nearly causing her to vomit. He smelled like the garbage Twolegs brought into their territory the other day, though Lostpaw couldn't tell whether it was because he was once a Twoleg toy or if it was the fact that Discordstar accidentally slid in it.Even for an elegant ShadowClan leader, he's clumsy.
The blind apprentice silently purred and began sniffing around. However, as soon as she found a trail of a strange scent, she was instantly pushed aside by a powerful force. Sweet StarClan, Eaglepaw's been an apprentice for around three days and he's already acting like he's leader of the lake, no, of StarClan.
"Discordstar!" The new apprentice squeaked, and Lostpaw felt irritation prick at her fur. "There's a strange scent on our territory!"
"Nice scenting, Eaglepaw, but I believe Lostpaw beat you to it," Discordstar exclaimed. "After all, she was right on the trial before you pushed her aside."
Eaglepaw growled, flashing eyes cold with hostility at Lostpaw. I can't say he deserved it. "She didn't say anything, now did she? As far as I'm concern, she probably missed the smell and just continued that way out of sheer luck."
"Not the way I saw it," Freshpaw joined in, and Adderleap mewed in agreement. "She certainly caught scent of something before you came and knocked her aside."
Eaglepaw hissed and stomped his paws, splashing cold snow on Lostpaw. "You're only saying that because you love her, Freshpaw. You just hate to admit it to yourself because she doesn't love you back."
Since when did you control my emotions?
"I'm right here, mousebrain," Lostpaw muttered, soft so the two apprentices wouldn't hear. Louder, she added in a sarcastic meow, "You know, you could speak a little louder. I could hardly hear you."
Freshpaw shot her a glare that was as harsh as the leafbare wind. "Stay out of this, Lostpaw," Freshpaw snarled. "Besides, who would fall for her? She looks as if her eyes are going to pop out of her head."
"Well, at least you two can see what you look like!" Lostpaw blurted, her tone bitter. "Each day, you can check to see if your fur is groomed all right. At night, when you close your eyes in order to sleep, darkness comes. Just imagine waking up to that same feeling, and try living your life like that."
As she spoke, Horsepaw's words crept through her mind, as stealthy as a cat hunting his prey. You're beautiful, Lostkit. Don't let these mangy crowfood eaters let you know otherwise.
With a cry, Lostpaw turned and speed away, her eyes stinging with tears. Did her own brother lie to her just to make her feel better? Lostpaw never thought of Horsekit as a liar, but, then again, everything she thought was a lie.
In a blind frenzy, she picked up the pace, not caring where her paws lead her. Lostpaw ran through brambles and bushes; yet, there was no stopping the haunting memory. Blood-scent surrounded her, and Horsekit's words pounded in her mind.
Suddenly, she felt cold land give way. With a splash, she found herself in a moist area, where she could hardly breathe. The river! Is this the river where Forestpaw...
With a surge of energy, Lostpaw pushed her limbs in an attempt to break the surface. With every push, however, only brought weariness, and the sightless she-cat felt her every instinct yell at her to give up.
In a scramble, Lostpaw felt her paws scratch at something hard. Ice! I fell through thin ice! She pushed at the hard substance, only to feel her claws slip. StarClan! Help me!
"Lostpaw! Hold on, I'm coming!" Lostpaw thought she had already slipped away to unconsciousness, and the voice she heard was only a dream. However, she felt sharp teeth dig into her scruff, and the owner of the voice began to pull her up. What is he doing here?
Within heartbeats, Lostpaw felt freezing air pierce her skin as Freshpaw tugged her head to the surface. However, her celebration was cut short as the other apprentice dropped under water again. This time, however, Lostpaw began to help Freshpaw, pushing her own legs to flounder under the water. I know it's a little too early for this, but thank you, StarClan.
Overhead, Lostpaw could faintly hear Discordstar and Adderleap panic. Shaking it away, she began to swim harder, pretending she's a RiverClan warrior helping a warrior from another Clan who had somehow slipped into the water. In a few heartbeats, she felt the cold air freeze her to the bone. Is this what RiverClan cats have to go through?
"Freshpaw!" Adderleap called, "Freshpaw, grab onto this branch with your claws and try to pull yourselves out of there. Honestly, Lostpaw, I thought swimming would be the last thing you'll try."
Lostpaw was too shaken to speak. Instead, she dug her claws into Freshpaw's thick fur, clinging for dear life. Her eyes were wide, and her whole pelt began to bristle. She expected Freshpaw's grip to slip, and could feel the pressure of drowning overcome her again.
However, as she began to hold her breath, Lostpaw felt harder land under her paws. Besides her, Freshpaw sat, breathing heavily.
Thank you, StarClan, and you Freshpaw. With a purr of satisfaction, Lostpaw turned her head to where Freshpaw's breathing sounded and whispered, "Thank you" before closing her eyes and drifting asleep.
Lostpaw stirred. Her fur still felt moist, but she felt grateful to be alive.
"Good. You're awake," Wishfrost purred in Lostpaw's ear. "Discordstar told me about you two's little swim."
Shifting in her nest, Lostpaw smelled the medicine cat and Freshpaw The blind cat opened her mouth in greeting, but never found the words. Instead, she nodded to the two cats before laying her head down.
"I bet you're hungry. I'll send a warrior with freshkill," Wishfrost offered. With a purr, the ShadowClan cat turned and began whispering to Freshpaw. Despite her advanced hearing, Lostpaw couldn't hear their conversation.
"I'll go, if you don't mind," Whiskerwish spoke out, his scent growing stronger. Since when did he care?
"No! You need to get back to the nursery," Wishfrost hissed. "And I mean it, Whiskerwish! Flutterbreeze is so close to giving birth, I can feel it. "
Whiskerwish gave out a snort. "And you can tell how, exactly? Are you just trying to make me leave?" The question left Wishfrost in a fit of purring.
"You found me out, Whiskerwish. You aren't as mousebrained as you make yourself appear," The she-cat chuckled. "After all, I have to begin talking some sense into these two, and I don't need you contradicting each word I say."
Chin up. Act like a noble leader defending her Clan. The voice was oddly familiar. In fact, the minute it played through Lostpaw's mind, she felt the grief in her heart well up.
Her mind went back to when she and Horsekit were still pretty young, when her mother found out about Lostpaw's blindness. They were at her belly, acting as if they were in a Clan. Horsekit told her to be the leader. Lostpaw refused, for she felt as if the Clan was too dark.
"Chin up. Act like a noble leader defending her Clan. Besides," Rabbithop had said. "We aren't in camp. We're in the nursery. If you'd like, we can leave. It'll be brighter."
"I don't see any difference," Lostpaw had moaned. "Everything's dark."
In the present, Lostpaw felt her heart rip at the memory of both her mother and her brother. She didn't even realize that both Wishfrost and Freshpaw were waiting on her.
"Sorry," She mumbled, turning her head to listen. Wishfrost sighed, her glare stuck on Lostpaw.
"As I was saying, you two are the most unbelievably mousebrained apprentices I have came across," Wishfrost scoffed. "Other than Forestpaw, but it was a mere slip that caused her to fall in. No, Lostpaw. You ran out onto the ice when you could've seen how thin it-"
Wishfrost stopped, letting out a cough. Lostpaw flicked her tail, trying to keep calm. She didn't mean it.
"My bad." She rasped, letting out a long breath. "What I'm confused about, though, is why Freshpaw came to save you. I heard that the two of you got in a big fight recently."
"It was nothing," Freshpaw snorted. "Even if I do hate Lostpaw's guts, some part of me screamed at me to save her. It's like... it's like my mind was split in half, with one side wanting to save Lostpaw and the other telling me to let her drown. Common sense told me that she's a clanmate, and I couldn't bear to watch her struggle."
Wishfrost purred, casting a glance warm with amusement down on Lostpaw. With a hiss, Lostpaw tucked herself into the moss. It's like she can read other's emotions... like I can do, with scent.
"If you say so," The kind she-cat responded, her voice quivering. After she spoke, the odor of prey filled the air. "Well, finally! Take the squirrel to my den, Whiskerwish. Leave the rabbit for Lostpaw and Freshpaw" In a harsher, quieter voice, she told Freshpaw; "You will, under no circumstances, argue, fight, or bicker with Lostpaw. Her mind's still grieving for Horsekit, even if it seems she had moved on."
Lostpaw pushed her words aside. It's like she forgets I'm blind more than all the cats in ShadowClan do. She can't even tell I can hear her. With a grunt, she tried to stand on her four paws; however, after she had managed to get into a comfortable crouch, a strong tail slapped her back, and she toppled over.
"There's no need to move," Freshpaw whispered with such compassion it could rival even her mother. "You are weaker, after all. You've struggled on your own, I mean. And you even helped me. So, rest easy, Lostpaw. I got the rabbit."
The apprentice mewed with gratitude, her pelt feeling as if it were on fire. Lowing her head, she nibbled at the prey, her mind focused more on eating than their quarrel a while ago. It seemed as if it had vanished from both their minds at that moment.
But something else bothered the blind she-cat. Lifting her head after a mere few bites, she pushed herself away from the rabbit: she had lost all the will to continue eating.
"It's like what Wishfrost had said. You still are grieving for Horsekit, aren't you?" Freshpaw sighed, his voice soft. "I-I guess I know it's the same way I would feel if Fiercepaw or Rosepaw were in the place of Horsekit. But you've got to put the past behind you. I'm sure he's watching you in StarClan, telling you to not worry yourself anymore."
"Feels like it. But I've never heard him in dreams, never smelled his scent, never felt his presence," Lostpaw admitted. "It's like he never really died, but only went away, somewhere I can't follow."
Freshpaw meowed in agreement before pressing himself against Lostpaw. Suppressing a yawn, the sightless feline wrapped her tail around her paws and nose, closing her eyes to try and sleep.
However, at every mere instant her eyes closed, she felt the sensation that something was pulling her away. Lostpaw would flash her eyes open as quickly as they shut, but each time she did, her eyes stung fiercely. It felt like a thousand bees had made their way into Lostpaw's eye sockets, clawing at her dark glare.
Once she was able to settle down, a terrified wail sounded from the other side of the camp. Freshpaw jolted beside her, his fur bristling. Wishfrost's scent grew stronger as the medicine cat pushed beside the two exhausted cats, her smell clouded by worry. Lostpaw shuffled after her, guided by her sweet scent. As soon as she left the den, she was overwhelmed by the scent of warm blood.
"Wishfrost! Oh, Wishfrost! It's Eaglepaw and Wishkit!" Marshpaw exclaimed, rushing over to the medicine cat, her voice shaking. "A t-tree collapsed on them and I-I think they're dead."
Thank StarClan! Well, not about Wishkit, but Eaglepaw. As Lostpaw drew a breath of relief, a groan echoed throughout the clearing. "Don't worry, Marshpaw. I'm fine." Darn.
"What about Wishkit?" Wishfrost's voice was coated with calm, but Lostpaw caught her scent of fright. "Eaglepaw, please tell me she's all right."
Rosepaw padded over to stand by Lostpaw and Freshpaw, her fur bristling as she settled down besides the blind she-cat. "Oh, I do hope she's all right."
"Eaglepaw!" Marshpaw squeaked. "Eaglepaw, your leg!"
"It's fine. I'm more concerned about Wishkit," Eaglepaw scoffed, claws scratching as Lostpaw imagined him sniffing around.
"Wishfrost," Lostpaw spoke out, her voice trembling. "Wishfrost, tell me. Is Eaglewing's leg bleeding really bad? I smell a lot of blood." Her body began to tremble as she instantly thought the worse. "Do you think Wishkit's dead?"
The older medicine cat responded, but it was cloaked by a sudden outburst of wails as Honeykit stepped forward. Lostpaw stepped forward, giving the RiverClan she-cat a quick sniff.
"Um... Lostpaw, have you heard of personal space?" The she-kit hissed, but Lostpaw pushed her aside. She smells like Wishkit's blood...
"Is that..."
"Wishkit!" The yowl sounded from Talonkit and Frogkit as the two stormed over, and, with a grunt, their brother came after them. They both pushed Lostpaw aside, mourning as Lostpaw slipped away with a growl on her tongue. Shesh. Haven't they learned their manners?
As Lostpaw broke away from the cats swarming over to Honeykit, she felt dizzy. She lumbered throughout the clearing until she felt a comforting shoulder hold her up.
"Come with me, Lostpaw," Freshpaw muttered. "Let's get back to the medicine cat's den. You look like you really need to rest." Lostpaw nodded, letting Freshpaw lead the way.
As soon as they were pass the entrance, Lostpaw picked up Eaglepaw's scent, covered in both his and Wishkit's blood. The injured tom let out a scoff as Wishfrost purred gently to him, his cold gaze locked on Lostpaw. It felt odd, in a way, to feel so bad for the new apprentice, and Lostpaw couldn't help but think he was lucky.
Not like I care much about what happens to him.
Happy Valentine's Day! Sorry if I'm a bit late. I wrote the intro, like, two weeks ago, and I didn't feel like updating it. Anyways, as you can tell, I tried my best to keep Eaglepaw alive, but I couldn't hold it in.
I can't remember if I made Honeykit siblings with anyone, or what Clan Honeykit belonged to. From now on, she's Wishkit's sister, and is from RiverClan.
This is close enough.
Before I end this, I got to say thanks to those who reviewed/read/followed this fanfic. And I just got to reply to a few reviews, just to... show my gratitude... I dunno, I just want to do it.
First off is Guest: I won't kill Eaglepaw... yet. No promises, though. I may need some boost.
Second is urunimi (or Pearl, or Nimi... gonna call you Nimi, kay?): 1: Thank you! I guess that one slipped my mind. 2: I... honestly don't know what crossed my mind. Fresh sounded weird, I guess, and Freshie just seemed like a friendly nickname Lostpaw would give Freshpaw. At least I didn't call him Fu... gonna move on 3: Crap! I did not mean for that to happen. Eaglewing is, or, at least was, Eaglepaw's warrior name. I have a different one in mind... actually, I don't. 4: I'm still new here, so don't judge me(Did it come through on this one? I haven't got a clue). 5: It was a joke. Lostpaw has a completely different warrior name, which, if you put the pieces together, you might figure out(I've released it on my deviantArt page). 6: Damn those quotation marks! There was a few in there that I've managed to catch, but I guess that one slipped. 7: I will... try. This was a long paragraph, wasn't it? But anyways, I will try. It's been stressful for me, I have to admit.
So, um... Please, tell me what you think... if you don't mind. Until the next time I post;
-Sauce.
P.S. I'm working on a second project known as "Twisted Roots." It's about trees... and deforestation... I don't know. I just made a list of characters. It was originally a joke, but I thought it would be cool and original, so I decided to give it a shot. Any ideas?