"The ThunderClan Five"
The story of Leopardtail's Quest
Chapter 5 "Death of a Warrior and Secrets of the Clan"
Shocked yowls rose from the Clan cats and echoed through the forest. Ravenpaw staggered slightly. His right foreleg glistened, wet with blood that flowed from the deep gash on his shoulder. "We m-met five ShadowClan warriors beside the stream, not far from the Sunningrocks," he went on shakily. "Redsky was among them."
"Redsky!" Dawnpaw gasped beside Leopardpaw. "She is one of ShadowClan's best warriors. Probably even one of the greatest warriors in the forest. Lucky Ravenpaw! Wish it could have been me. I'd have really—" Dawnpaw was silenced by a fierce glance from the old gray tom who had first sensed Ravenpaw's return. Leopardpaw turned her attention back to Ravenpaw. "Tigerclaw warned Redsky to keep his hunting parties out of ThunderClan territory. He said the next ShadowClan warrior to be caught in ThunderClan territory would be killed, but Red…Redsky would not back down. She said her Cl-Clan had to be fed, whatever we threatened." Ravenpaw paused to wheeze for breath. His wound was still bleeding heavily, and he stood awkwardly to keep the weight off his shoulder. "That's when the ShadowClan cats attacked. It was hard to see what was happening. The fighting was vicious. I saw Redsky had Crowfang pinned to the ground, but then Tigerclaw…" Suddenly Ravenpaw's eyes rolled in his head and he lurched sideways. Half scrambling, half falling, he slithered off the Highrock and collapsed on the ground below.
A ginger queen bounded toward him and crouched at his side. She licked his cheek briefly and called out, "Spottedleaf!" Out of the fern-shaded corner trotted the pretty tortoiseshell Leopardpaw had noticed sitting beside Dawnpaw earlier. She hurried over to Ravenpaw and mewed for the queen to stand back. Then she used her small pink nose to roll the apprentice over so that she could take a good look at the wound. She glanced up and meowed, "It's all right, Goldenflower, his wounds aren't fatal. But I'll need to fetch some cobwebs to stop the bleeding." As Spottedleaf sprinted back to her den, the hushed silence in the clearing was broken by a mournful howl. All eyes turned to the direction it had come from.
A massive tiger tabby staggered through the gorse tunnel, a dark tabby behind him. Between his sharp teeth the warrior held not prey, but the lifeless body of another cat. He dragged the tattered creature into the center of the clearing. Leopardpaw craned her neck and glimpsed a pair of long, curved fangs within the black crow colored fur. Shock rippled through the Clan like a chill breeze. Beside Leopardpaw, Dawnpaw dropped into a crouch as grief swept over her. "Crowfang!" "How did this happen, Tigerclaw?" demanded Bluestar from her position on the Highrock.
Tigerclaw let the scruff of Crowfang's neck fall from his mouth. He looked steadily back at Bluestar. "He died with honor, struck down by Redsky. I tried to save him, but Redsky was too fast for me." Tigerclaw's voice was strong and deep. Leopardpaw glanced at Dawnpaw. The apprentice's eyes were dark with sadness. After a moment's pause, several of the cats moved forward to lick Crowfang's bedraggled fur. As they groomed they purred hushed phrases to the dead warrior. Leopardpaw whispered into Dawnpaw's ear, "What are they doing?" Dawnpaw didn't take her eyes off the dead cat as she replied. "His spirit may have left to join StarClan, but the Clan will share tongues with Crowfang one last time." "StarClan?" Leopardpaw echoed. "It's the tribe of heavenly warriors that watches over all Clan cats. You can see them in Silverpelt." Leopardpaw looked confused, so Dawnpaw explained. "Silverpelt is that thick band of stars you see each night stretching across the sky. Each star is a StarClan warrior. Crowfang will be among them tonight." Leopardpaw nodded, and Dawnpaw stepped forward to share tongues with the dead warrior.
Bluestar had remained silent while the first cats came to pay their respects to Crowfang. Now she leaped down from the Highrock and walked slowly toward Crowfang's body. The other cats retreated and watched as their leader crouched down to share tongues with the black warrior one last time. When she had finished she raised her head and spoke. Her voice was low and thick with grief, and the Clan listened in silence. "Crowfang was a brave warrior. His loyalty to ThunderClan could never be doubted. We always relied on his judgment, for it bore witness to the needs of the Clan, and was never swayed by self-interest or pride. May StarClan be with him." Then she lowered herself onto her belly, her head bowed, her paws stretched neatly before her, and silently she grieved for the lost cat. Several other cats came and lay down beside her, their bowed heads and hunched backs echoing her mournful pose.
Leopardpaw watched. She had not known Crowfang, but she couldn't help feeling moved as she witnessed the Clan mourn. Dawnpaw came and stood beside her again. "Tigerpaw will be sad," she remarked. "Tigerpaw?" "Crowfang's apprentice. That orange tabby with the black stripes over there. I wonder who his new mentor will be." Leopardpaw glanced over at the small queen who squatted near Crowfang's body, staring unseeing at the ground. Leopardpaw looked past her to the Clan leader. "How long will Bluestar sit with him?" he asked. "Probably the whole night," replied Dawnpaw. "Crowfang was a close friend to her for many, many moons. She won't want to let him go too quickly. He was one of the best warriors. Not as big and powerful as Tigerclaw or Whitestorm, but quick and clever." Leopardpaw looked at Tigerclaw, admiring the strength that swelled in his powerful muscles and broad head. His massive body showed signs of his warrior life. One of his ears was split into a deep 'v' shape, and a thick scar sliced the bridge of his nose.
Suddenly Darkstripe, the large gray warrior that was with Tigerclaw, stood up and stalked over to Ravenpaw. Spottedleaf was crouching beside Darkstripe's wounded apprentice, using her teeth and front paws to press wads of cobweb onto his shoulder wound. Leopardpaw leaned toward Dawnpaw and asked, "What's Spottedleaf doing?" "Stopping the bleeding. It looked like a nasty cut. And Ravenpaw seemed really shaken up. He's always been very serious about things, and I've never seen him this bad before. Let's go and see if he's woken up yet." They made their way through the grieving cats toward the spot where Ravenpaw lay and settled themselves a respectful distance away to wait until Darkstripe had finished speaking.
"So, Spottedleaf." Darkstripe addressed the tortoiseshell with a confident meow. "How is he? Do you think you can save him? I've spent a lot of time training him up, and I don't want my efforts to be wasted at the first battle." Spottedleaf didn't look up from her patient as she replied. "Yes, a pity if, after all your valuable training, he dies in his first fight, eh?" Leopardpaw could hear a teasing purr in her soft mew. "Will he live?" Darkstripe demanded. "Of course. He just needs to rest." Darkstripe snorted and looked down at the motionless black shape. He jabbed Ravenpaw with one of his front claws. "Come on, then! Get up!"
Ravenpaw didn't move. "Look at the length of that claw!" Leopardpaw hissed. "Too right!" replied Dawnpaw with feeling. "I know I wouldn't want to get into a fight with him!" "Not so fast, Darkstripe!" Spottedleaf placed her paw over Darkstripe's sharp talon and gently moved it away. "This apprentice needs to keep as still as possible until the cut has healed. We don't want him opening his wound by jumping about trying to please you. Leave him alone."
Leopardpaw found himself holding his breath as he waited for Darkstripe's reaction. He guessed that few cats dared to give orders to the warrior like that. The big tabby stiffened, and seemed about to speak when Spottedleaf mewed teasingly, "Even you know better than to argue with a medicine cat, Darkstripe." Darkstripe's eyes flashed at the little tortoiseshell's words. "I wouldn't dare argue with you, dear Spottedleaf," he purred. He turned to leave and caught sight of Dawnpaw and Leopardpaw. "Who's this?" he asked Dawnpaw, towering above them.
"He's the new apprentice," Dawnpaw mewed. "She smells like a kittypet!" snorted the warrior. "I was a house cat," Leopardpaw meowed boldly, "but I am going to train to be a warrior." Darkstripe looked at him with sudden interest. "Ah, yes. Now I remember. Bluestar mentioned that she had stumbled across some stray kittypet. So she's actually going to try you out, is she?" Leopardpaw sat up very straight, anxious to impress this distinguished Clan warrior. "That's right," she mewed respectfully. Darkstripe eyed her thoughtfully. "Then I shall watch your progress with interest." Leopardpaw puffed her chest out proudly as Darkstripe stalked away. "Do you think he liked me?" "I don't think Darkstripe likes any apprentices!" whispered Dawnpaw.
Just then Ravenpaw stirred and twitched his ears. "Has he gone?" he mumbled. "Who? Darkstripe?" replied Dawnpaw, trotting toward him. "Yep, he's gone." "Hi, there," Leopardpaw began, about to introduce herself. "Go away, both of you!" Spottedleaf protested. "How am I meant to help this cat with all these interruptions?" She impatiently flicked her tail at Dawnpaw and Leopardpaw and pushed her way between them and her patient.
Leopardpaw realized she was serious, despite the lively glimmer in her warm amber eyes. "Come on then, Leopardpaw," mewed Dawnpaw. "I'll show you around. See you later, Ravenpaw." The two cats left Spottedleaf with Ravenpaw and walked across the clearing. Dawnpaw looked thoughtful. She was clearly taking her duties as a guide very seriously. "You know the Highrock already," she began, flicking her tail toward the big, smooth rock. "Bluestar always addresses the Clan from there. Her den is down there." She lifted her nose toward a hollow in the side of the Highrock. "Her den was carved out many moons ago by an ancient stream." Hanging lichen draped the entrance, sheltering the leader's nest from wind and rain. "The warriors sleep over here," Dawnpaw went on. Leopardpaw followed her to a large bush a few paces away from the Highrock. There was a clear view from here right down to the gorse entrance into the camp. The branches of the bush hung low, but Leopardpaw could see a sheltered space inside where the warriors made their nests.
"The senior warriors sleep nearest the center, where it's warmest," explained Dawnpaw. "They usually share their fresh-kill together over by that clump of nettles. The younger warriors eat nearby. Sometimes they are invited to join the senior warriors for eating, which is a big honor." "What about the other Clan cats?" Leopardpaw asked, fascinated but feeling rather overwhelmed by all the traditions and rituals of Clan life. "Well, the queens share warrior quarters when they work as warriors, but when they are expecting kits, or nursing them, they stay in a nest near the nursery. The elders have their own place on the other side of the clearing. Come on, I'll show you." Leopardpaw trotted after Dawnpaw, across the clearing, and past the shadowy corner where Spottedleaf had her den. They stopped beside a fallen tree that sheltered a patch of lush grass. Crouched among the soft greenery were four elderly cats tucking into a plump young rabbit. "Tigerpaw and Thornpaw would have brought them that," whispered Dawnpaw. "One of the apprentices' duties is catching fresh-kill for the elders."
"Hello, youngster," one of the elders greeted Dawnpaw. "Hello, Smallear," mewed Dawnpaw, nodding respectfully. "This must be our new apprentice. Leopardpaw isn't it?" meowed a second tom. His patchy fur was dark brown, and there was only a stump where his tail should have been. "That's right," Leopardpaw replied, copying Dawnpaw's polite nod. "I'm Halftail," purred the brown tom. "Welcome to the Clan." "Have you two eaten?" meowed Smallear. Leopardpaw and Dawnpaw both shook their heads. "Well, there's enough here. Tigerpaw and Thornpaw are turning into fine hunters. Would you mind if these youngsters shared a mouse, One-eye?"
The pale gray queen who lay beside him shook her head. Leopardpaw noticed one of her eyes was clouded and sightless. "What about you, Dappletail?" The other elder, a tortoiseshell she-cat with a gray muzzle, meowed in a voice cracked with age, "Of course not." "Thank you," mewed Dawnpaw eagerly. She stepped forward and took a large mouse from the pile of prey, then dropped it at Leopardpaw's feet. "You still not tasted mouse?" she asked. "No," Leopardpaw admitted. She suddenly felt excited by the warm smells that were rising from this piece of fresh-kill. Her whole body quivered at the thought of sharing her first real food as a Clan member. "In that case, you can have first bite. Just save me some!" Dawnpaw dipped her head and stood back to give Leopardpaw room. Leopardpaw crouched down and took a large bite from the mouse. It was juicy and tender, and sang with the flavors of the forest. "What do you think?" asked Dawnpaw. "Fantastic!" mumbled Leopardpaw, her mouth still full.
"Move over then," mewed Dawnpaw, stepping forward and bending his head to take a bite. Once the two finished their mouse, the said goodbye to the elders and headed out. "I'll show you where we sleep. The apprentices' den is over here." Leopardpaw followed Dawnpaw to a thick bush of ferns that lay behind a mossy tree stump. "All the apprentices share their fresh-kill by this stump," Dawnpaw told her. "How many apprentices are there?" Leopardpaw asked. "Not as many as usual—just me, you, Ravenpaw, Thornpaw, and Tigerpaw." As Dawnpaw and Leopardpaw settled themselves beside the tree stump, a young she-cat crawled out from beneath the ferns. Her coat was dusty brown with a black stripe from her tail tip to her forehead. "So here comes the new apprentice!" she meowed, narrowing her dark green eyes. "Hello," Leopardpaw mewed. The young cat sniffed rudely. "She smells like a Kittypet! Don't tell me I'm going to have to share my nest with that revolting stench!" Leopardpaw felt rather taken aback. Since her fight with Falconstrike, all the cats had been quite friendly. "Maybe they had just been distracted by Ravenpaw's news," she thought. "You'll have to excuse Thornpaw," apologized Dawnpaw. "She's always been this bad-tempered because her claws are too small for her paws." "Psst!" spat Thornpaw crossly.
"Hold on, youngsters." The deep voice of Whitestorm sounded behind the apprentices. "Thornpaw! As my apprentice, I expected you to be a little more welcoming to this newcomer." Thornpaw held up her head and looked defiant. "I'm sorry, Whitestorm," she purred, not sounding sorry at all. "I just didn't expect to be training with a Kittypet, that's all!" "I'm sure you'll get used to it, Thornpaw," meowed Whitestorm calmly. "Now, it's getting late, and training starts early tomorrow. You three should get some sleep." He gave Thornpaw a stern look, and she nodded obediently. As he walked off, she spun around and vanished into the clump of ferns, sniffing once more as she brushed past Leopardpaw.
With a flick of her tail, Dawnpaw invited Leopardpaw to follow her, and led the way after Thornpaw. Inside the sleeping area, the ground was lined with soft moss, and the pale moonlight turned everything a delicate shade of green. The air was fragrant with fern scent, and warmer than outside. "Where do I sleep?" Leopardpaw asked. "Anywhere, just so long as it's not near me!" snarled Thornpaw, who was prodding some moss with her paw. Dawnpaw and Leopardpaw exchanged glances, but said nothing. Leopardpaw raked together a pile of moss with her claws. When she had gathered her bed into a cozy nest, she circled until it was comfortable and settled down. Her whole body felt drowsy with contentment. This was her home now. She was a member of ThunderClan.
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To stop confusion, Ravenpaw is not the Ravenpaw you all know and love. Unlike the real Ravenpaw, this character will grow up to have a Warrior name. All the ThunderClan apprentices are part of the prophecy.