Hawkkit awoke before dawn; this time though, it was not due to any noises bothering his sleep. The nursery was dark and cozy, warmed by his sleeping denmates. He lay in his nest, and pricked his ears as he listened to an owl calling from far away into the woods. He was too excited to go back to sleep. He'll becoming an apprentice today!
Hawkkit rolled over in his nest and stretched. Robinkit was still asleep beside him. Skyfang was snoring in the nest beside theirs, with her tail curled over her kits. Brindlecloud's nest smelled stale and cold, but her scent still lingered; even if faint. Hawkkit misses having her warmth next to him as he sleeps.
Hawkkit glanced further deep in the darkness of the nursery and spotted the form of a white she-cat sleeping peacefully; her gray ears twitching occasionally in her slumber. Snowcreek recently moved in the nursery Half-moon ago, after announcing that she is expecting Condorleap's kits. Since she was Cloverpaw's mentor, her duties had to be passed over to somebody else. Now, Russetheart took on her duties as mentor in her place.
Hawkkit stared out through the bramble entrance. He was mesmerized by the silver glow of the round moon, shining brightly as the constellation of Silverpelt gleamed across the dark sky.
By Sunhigh he and his brother would become warrior apprentices. I wonder who my mentor will be? He wondered, his green gaze flicking momentarily towards the warrior's den. Hawkkit pictured himself running through the landscape's he saw so many times from a distance, going on patrols, hunting prey to feed his Clanmates, going out so see the shore of the Big Pond with his mentor and Robinkit by his side. His pelt bristled at the thought of learning battle and hunting techniques. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine StarClan, his warrior ancestors, watching over him as a full-fledged warrior of StoneClan, perhaps even leading his own apprentice through the same path as he; showing the territory, and teaching them fighting moves, as well as hunting strategies, demonstrating all the skills his mentor will teach him, wandering farther and farther into the darkening forest…
Hawkkit blinked open his eyes. Dawn was creeping up through the gap in the knotted bramble walls. I must've fallen asleep without even realizing. He glanced to his side and Robinkit was still asleep.
Hawkkit sat up and stretched.
"Awake already?" Snowcreek meowed. The white queen raised her head, her fur shining in the half-light of the semi-lit den.
"I'm too excited to sleep!" Hawkkit mewed quietly, so as to not wake up any of the others.
"You may go outside if you like." Snowcreek suggested. "The dawn patrol will be back before long. They might bring warm prey."
Squeezed in between Skyfang and her siblings, Vinekit wriggled around and stared at Hawkkit with round green eyes. "You won't be sleeping in the nursery anymore." She mewed. "After today, neither you or Robinkit will."
Hawkkit blinked at her. "No. Tonight Robinkit and I will be sleeping in the apprentices' den."
Mottlekit pushed away from his mother. "This stinks! I'd rather be in the apprentices' den with you and Hailpaw!"
"You will be soon." Hawkkit promised.
"Clearly, not soon enough!" Vinekit mewed. She reached out and caught Mottlekit's twitching tail between her white paws. "I can't wait to be a warrior."
Mottlekit flicked his tail away from her. "Will you come back and tell us what being an apprentice is like?"
"Of course." Hawkkit purred.
Vinekit and Mottlekit wriggled out of Skyfang's hold and scrambled out of the nest towards him.
"Bye, Hawkkit." Vinekit mewed, reaching up to push her silver tinged muzzle to his cheek.
Surprised by the kit's display of affection towards him, Hawkkit leaned in to her touch. "Goodbye, Vinekit." He mewed. She stepped back and turned towards Robinkit, still sound asleep. She crouched down beside him and whispered something in his ears. Hawkkit craned his ears to listen.
"Bye, Robinkit." She whispered, touching her muzzle to his cheek. "I'll miss you."
Hawkkit looked back at Mottlekit; he bent down and licked him between the ears. "Try to keep your sisters out of trouble; specially Ivykit." He shot a glance at the sleeping kit snoring soundly by her mother.
"I will!" Mottlekit promised.
Hawkkit turned towards Snowcreek and dipped his head to her. "Bye, Snowcreek. Will you please bid Skyfang farewell for me?"
"Of course." The white queen purred.
With a twinge of sadness in his gut, he turned away and squeezed out the nursery entrance.
The clearing sparkled with dew. Mist clouded in the bushes and clefts that ringed the base of the enclosing rock wall. Hawkkit stretched, first his forepaws, then his hind, arching his back and enjoying the fresh scents that the Big Pond washed up.
One of his ears twitched and pricked. He could hear rustling of leaves beyond the entrance of the camp, as pawsteps got louder; the dawn patrol was returning. Aspenbranch emerged from the camp's entrance with his apprentice, Hailpaw, and Haystripe trotting behind. Each one of them carried prey in their jaws.
Russetheart, who was sunning herself in a patch of grass just outside the elders' den, padded away to meet them as they dropped their catch; her dark pelt glistening in the sunlight. Hawkkit craned his ears to hear them.
"Everything clear?" He heard her ask.
"With this sunny weather and the forest fresh after the rainy days lately, prey is running plentiful." Aspenbranch reported. "Although we did find strange scents and pawprints near the pebble ravine."
Hawkkit focused his eyes and noticed Russetheart's ears prick wearily. "Was there any fresh-blood or prey remains laying around?" She asked. Aspenbranch shook his head. "Do you think these intruders pose as a problem then?"
Aspenbranch looked thoughtful. "Not really, I think they passed by our borders without noticing or were just passing through." He replied. "However, I do admit they seem to be making an effort in proving to us that they are there."
"You think this might be a sign of aggression?"
"Not necessarily." Aspenbranch corrected. "But it seems like they are trying to pass on some kind of message to us."
"Should we step up our patrols?" Haystripe suggested.
"We'll ignore it for now." Russetheart decided.
"Isn't that a decision for Shrewstar to make?" Hailpaw meowed.
Hawkkit gasped and held his breath. Russetheart looked sharply at the pale tabby apprentice; Hailpaw's eyes showed no signs of disrespect, but held a challenging gleam to them.
Russetheart nodded. "I'll speak to him about it, of course." She meowed. "But there's no point in getting alarmed and overreacting if these strangers haven't done anything to provoke us."
"But they crossed our borders!" Haystripe exclaimed.
"So? That could've meant anything." Russetheart pointed out. "If we catch them trespassing, we'll escort them back here for interrogation. But until they kill our prey or hurt any of our Clanmates, we shouldn't worry about them."
Haystripe looked like he wanted to argue, but wisely kept his mouth shut and casted his eyes downward. Russetheart turned back to Aspenbranch. "Did you refresh our boundary markers?"
Aspenbranch nodded.
Hawkkit snapped out of his trance when he felt another pelt brush his side. Robinkit had joined him.
"What's going on?" His brother mewed.
"The dawn patrol's reporting back." Hawkkit told him. The idea that there were intruders wandering around their territory so freely worried him, But Hawkkit reminded himself of Russetheart's words and he felt reassured. Surely no cat would deliberately trespass their borders without doing any harm if their intentions were hostile.
He glanced around the clearing. Runningshade, Graytail, and Flintclaw shared a seagull beside the Deadtree. Cloverpaw and Lilypaw were play fighting on the sandy patch outside their den. As he watched, the apprentices stopped and looked up at the Deadtree. Hawkkit followed their gaze, his paws pricking with anticipation.
Shrewstar was leaping up at the very top branch. Russetheart rushed to stand beneath him. Hawkkit's heart felt as if it flipped right over when Shrewstar called to the Clan: "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Deadtree for a Clan gathering."
Hawkkit glanced at his brother. This was it! The moment when they would begin serving their Clan! From now on, they use their powers only to help out their Clan, whatever way necessary!
"Are you ready?" Hawkkit asks, his green eyes shining with excitement.
"Nope!" Robinkit purred, his blue eyes filled with thrill. "But let's do this anyway."
The two brothers nodded with determination and padded forward together to stand in the middle of the circle forming around the Deadtree. As they walked, Hawkkit caught Rowanwhisker's proud gaze from the crowd. He instantly looked away from him. Ever since he told them about his powers and made them promise not to use them, Hawkkit avoided his father at whatever chance he got. Robinkit even more so. They just don't feel comfortable around him after what took place between them.
He saw the elders slowly trail out the elders' den and sit in a row at the back. Cloverpaw, Lilypaw and Sprucepaw clustered together, whispering among themselves. Hailpaw sat beside them, but didn't join in on their conversation. He was staring at Hawkkit; his eyes following his every movement.
Way behind the crowd, Hawkkit focused his eyes upon the medicine den. Foxripple and Seedpaw slipped out and watched the ceremony just near the entrance; but he wasn't looking for them. Hawkkit focused his eyes further and spotted the familiar gray striped pelt of his mother, Brindlecloud, watching from within the den. Her condition worsened over time ever since she moved in. Foxripple said she's got Greencough. Hawkkit was worried for her, but at least she would be present in his apprentice ceremony.
Within moments, the whole Clan stood gathered around gazing at Shrewstar. Taking a deep breath, Hawkkit followed his brother and stood below the Deadtree, secretly hoping no one could see his legs trembling with anticipation.
Shrewstar fazed down upon them. "Hawkkit, Robinkit. You two have been with us for six moons. Today you will start your training." He announced, making Hawkkit puff his chest out proudly while Robinkit gazed down in embarrassment. "Your father has been loyal to StoneClan; being a brave warrior and a skillful hunter. May you both tread in his pawsteps."
"We'll do even better than him." Hawkkit heard Robinkit hiss under his breath. He bumped against his shoulder lightly, warning him not to make a sound.
He glanced back at Rowanwhisker through the corner of his eyes. He was watching them intently from the crowd, his blue eyes glowing with pride and gave a small reassuring smile. Hawkkit quickly averted his gaze away from him.
"Robinkit." Shrewstar's mew rang out in the cold dawn air as the sun began to turn the camp a rosy pink.
Robinkit lifted his muzzle.
"From this day forward you shall be known as Robinpaw."
As the newly named Robinpaw raised his chin up with determination, Shrewstar scanned the warriors watching from the crowd beneath the Deadtree. "Graytail." He called out.
The white and gray warrior looked sharply up at him, as though surprised. His amber eyes round as he padded forward, parting away from the rest of the crowd.
"You will mentor Robinpaw. He's you first apprentice, but I trust in your skills to train him to become a fine warrior."
Blinking, Graytail stepped forward and touched his muzzle to Robinpaw's head.
"Hawkkit." Shrewstar went on. "Until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Hawkpaw. Your mentor will be Swallowfeather."
Hawkpaw widened his eyes in amazement. Swallowfeather was to be his mentor! Hawkpaw remembers first meeting her when he was very young, and he grew to like the clever she-cat.
Making her way through the crowd, Hawkpaw spotted the blue-gray tabby warrior padding forward to stand by his side. Hawkpaw saw the friendly gleam in Swallowfeather's eyes, and decided he was very happy with the decision Shrewstar had made for him.
"Swallowfeather, you are an experienced warrior who has served your clan with loyalty and courage." Shrewstar continued. "You did a wonderful job in training Haystripe, and Flintclaw before him; and now I give you a new apprentice for you to train. May your skills shine through and teach Hawkpaw all your knowledge."
Swallowfeather nodded, taking a step forward and touching her muzzle to Hawkpaw's head.
"Hawkpaw! Robinpaw!"
As the Clan began to chant their new names, Hawkpaw looked around the clearing, feeling tall and great. At last he could begin to put his powers into good use.
Rowanwhisker gave them a small nod of approval. Hawkpaw wanted so much to just run up and press his muzzle against his. But his paws wouldn't move and he just stared back at him. He was still upset with him for keeping secrets from them.
"Can you believe it?" Robinpaw padded up to him, purring. "We're finally apprentices!"
Hawkpaw felt the tip of a bushy tail touch his shoulder. Glancing back, Hawkpaw followed the tail and found the owner to be Swallowfeather herself. Her blues eyes shining down at him.
"Why don't we go out for a tour of the territory?" Swallowfeather suggested when the noise had died down and the cats were beginning to drift away.
"Great!" Every hair in Hawkpaw's fur was prickling with excitement. "Let's go!"
But as he followed Swallowfeather across the camp towards the entrance, Hawkpaw suddenly remembered. "Wait!" He halted. "Before we leave, may I go speak to Brindlecloud? She's very sick and I'd like to see her."
Swallowfeather turned around, her blue eyes round with sympathy and understanding. "Of course." She meowed.
Hawkpaw dipped his head in gratitude and rushed off towards the medicine den. He spotted Robinpaw and his mentor, Graytail, heading off towards the camp entrance. Hawkpaw pondered over if he should call his brother over to visit their mother before going out; but he let it pass. He can tell him to visit Brindlecloud after he comes back.
Slipping inside the secluded area protected by reeds, Hawkpaw sees Seedpaw organizing a stack of herbs that he does not recognize; no sign of Foxripple however. Taking note of his presence, Seedpaw stopped to glance at him.
"Oh hello, Hawkpaw!" The medicine cat apprentice greeted him warmly. "Congratulations on your apprentice ceremony! Swallowfeather is one of the best warriors, so I've heard."
"Thanks. Uh, where is Foxripple?" He asks.
"He went out to gather more catmint, so it's just me in here." Seedpaw replies. "Anyways, is there anything I can do for you, Hawkpaw?"
Hawkpaw shakes his head. "Just came in to see Brindlecloud before going out."
Seedpaw nodded in understanding. "She'll be delighted to see you; a visit just might cheer her up." He meowed before flicking his tail towards the back of the den.
Hawkpaw dipped his head in gratitude and strode deeper within the den. He quickly spotted Brindlecloud's familiar gray striped pelt curled up over a moss nest. As he approached her, Brindlecloud's ears flicked at the sound of his pawsteps and lifted her head, turning around to look at him. Her green eyes are slightly faded and glossy, her nose running a little; she sniffed and a small smile formed upon her face at the sight of him.
Hawkpaw gulped and smiled. "Hey mom." He greeted. "How are you feeling?"
"Hey sweetie, I'm still not feeling very good; but it's nothing serious." She croaked, her voice rather hoarse. "I'm so proud of you; and Robinpaw of course. You're finally apprentices, and Shrewstar has chosen good mentors for the both of you."
"You'll get better, you'll see. Before you even know it, you will be back in the warriors' den and going out on patrols." Hawkpaw meowed.
Brindlecloud gave off a weak chuckle. "It would be good to run into the forest again; with the two of you and Rowanwhisker."
Hawkpaw stiffened, trying hard not to flinch or give away any physical reaction at the sound of his father's name. If only I could tell her. He wished. But he can't. He made a promise.
"You should go; I'm just delaying your training." Brindlecloud murmured, glancing over Hawkpaw's shoulder and seeing Swallowfeather patiently waiting for him just outside the medicine den.
Hawkpaw followed her gaze and looked back at her, hesitant to leave her. "Are you sure?"
Brindlecloud nodded and smiled reassuringly. "It's fine, Hawkpaw. You can go; I will still be here when you return. Go out and see the world."
Hawkpaw smiled. He wanted so much to press himself closer to her; to feel her warmth again and smell her familiar scent. He of course, reframed from doing so as Foxripple had already warned him countless times visiting her before to keep his distance as Greencough could be contagious.
"When I come back, I'll tell you all about the things I saw; and I'll bring Robinpaw too." Hawkpaw vowed softly.
Bidding his mother farewell, Hawkpaw turned to leave the den, passing by Seedpaw once again. Strangely enough, he would not meet his gaze this time; even avoiding him it seems. Hawkpaw is confused by his sudden change in behavior, but didn't have time to duel in it as he reached Swallowfeather by the entrance.
"Ready to go?" She inquired.
"Yes."
"Then we're off."
Hawkpaw bounded after Swallowfeather as she guided him towards the camp entrance. His heart beat accelerated in anticipation, his paws prickling with excitement at the thought of finally stepping on the grounds beyond camp walls. Of course, he has already seen what's awaiting him on the others side of the gorse and reed tunnel; but it's the thought that counts.
Heartbeats later, he stood outside the camp for the very first time. There were plenty of tall trees standing all around them. Focusing his eyes, he saw that the stretch of trees doesn't go very far, as it ends near a steep hill covered in green, fresh grass and purple flowers blooming in the sunlight. On the right side of the hill, there is a Cliffside where gives off a direct view of the Big Pond; waves lapping at the shore below.
Not wishing to spoil the rest of the trip further, Hawkpaw unfocused his eyes and concentrated on Swallowfeather, as she guided him deep within the woods.
"Come on. We'll go this way." She called to him up ahead, noticing him lingering behind.
Hawkpaw quickly raced after and fell in step with her. They trekked through the woods in silence, while Hawkpaw pricked his ears at the sounds of birds and small creatures scattering through the leaves.
"We are currently walking in, what we call, the Birchwoods." Swallowfeather explained. "It's shady and dark in here, the ground protected from the sunlight by the cover of the tree leaves. Prey can be found around here, but since it's so close to our camp we widen our hunting grounds."
Hawkpaw nodded, eagerly listening to everything she has to say.
They reached the end of the Birchwoods into the open grounds. Sunlight nearly blinded Hawkpaw, stepping out from the shadows of the trees. He blinked his eyes against the glare of the sun and saw himself standing on top of the hill.
"Don't stand too close to the edge." Swallowfeather warned. "The ground may give away and you can take a nasty fall."
Hawkpaw nodded but rolled his eyes. Of course! Does she think I'm mouse-brained?
Silently, Hawkpaw followed Swallowfeather down the hill. Occasionally, he would glance at the Big Pond's waves lapping up at the sand and pebbly shore. The sound of the white foam of the water bubbling up as it curls around the small, little stones before retreating back made Hawkpaw's ears flick and prick.
His ears swiveled backward at the distinct sound of many pawsteps pounding through the woods from behind them. Turning his head around, Hawkpaw focused his eyes, zooming in the Birchwoods. He caught the sight of movement among the trees, but it was no animal. Instead, he saw a StoneClan patrol leaving the camp. To his surprise, Shrewstar is the one leading the patrol, with Flintclaw and Runningshade.
Hawkpaw zoomed in with his vision to get a good look on their faces. Odd. He thought as he noticed their worried expressions. What has gotten them so nervous? He wondered. Hawkpaw remembered then about the dawn patrol's report that morning to Russetheart, about possible intruders in the area. Maybe Shrewstar wants to see it for himself.
"Hawkpaw, is everything alright?" Swallowfeather's call made him snap out of his sight. "You keep getting distracted quite easily, and I would appreciate if you could start paying attention."
Oh no, I'm attracting suspicion. I need to stop using my powers for now. Hawkpaw thought in distress.
"Sorry! I was just, uh, I thought I saw something moving in the Big Pond." Hawkpaw quickly thought up of an excuse to his constant distractions.
He saw her stripped tail flick impatiently. "Must've been a fish of some kind. Now, if you can refrain yourself from any further distractions, we can carry on with the tour of the territory."
Hawkpaw flushed in embarrassment. First day as an apprentice, and he already managed to mess things up for himself. No wanting to irritate her further, Hawkpaw raced to catch up with her.
They came to the edge of the hill and padded through another belt of woods. The trees grew more luscious around this area, many different kinds of plants bloomed and a few moss covered stones peeked from the ground.
Hawkpaw sniffed the air. He felt proud that the StoneClan scent was so strong in the area. It keeps reminding him that despite being this far away from camp, he's still home.
"Over here." Swallowfeather continued on. "Is the Auburn forest. Although most of the prey we catch is always near the Big Pond, this is the most plentiful place to find prey in."
Hawkpaw watched his surroundings for a little while. The vibrant orange and brown colors of the leaves, as Greenleaf comes close to an end and Leaf-fall is just around the corner, give the forest a warm and rather cozy look. As Swallowfeather moved on again, Hawkpaw couldn't help but stare off into the distance and wonder where his brother could be now. He didn't use his powers to figure that one out, for once, he opted to remain not knowing than be distracted once again.
He followed Swallowfeather to the other side of the forest. When they came to the edge of the tree line Hawkpaw stumbled to a halt. In front of him lay a narrow, steep ravine of pebbles, gravel and sand. The ravine stretched all the way over to the shore, with the Big Pond's water lapping up at the base. Each side of the ravine is steep, and is quite far from the ground.
"What is this place?" Hawkpaw gasped in astonishment as Swallowfeather jumped down onto the ravine.
"This is the Pebble Ravine. When the shore is down, like now, it's a good place to hunt for crabs, clamps, minnows and other things." She explained. "But I must warn you; never hunt here at night or during a storm. This ravine floods with water quickly and it's rather difficult to jump back out, you risk drowning out here. It's okay to jump down now, it's safe."
He rocked his haunches and jumped down. Wind roared in his ears as it swept through the ravine, ruffling his fur. A shiver rippled along his spine with the chilling cold of the breeze. The rocky pebble floor poked his paw pads, but not enough to hurt, but it did make uncomfortable to walk around.
"Is there more of our territory beyond the ravine?" Hawkpaw asks curiously.
"Just a few yards of woods from here; our borders stretch all the way to a huge, twisted willow tree near the Cliffside. If you pass that tree, you'll officially leave StoneClan territory." She responded. "There is more to our territory on the opposite way we walked through, but I can show you the rest of it tomorrow. You must be tired from walking so far."
Hawkpaw wanted to argue, but he had to admit that his paws indeed ache from walking so much. Now he wants nothing more than to go back to camp and simply collapse on top of his nest. Excitement pricked him when he remembered where he'll be sleeping that night. His first night as an apprentice.
Suddenly, above the loud sound of roaring wind in his ears, Hawkpaw detected the sound of hurried pawsteps coming their way. He stiffened. Could it be the trespassers?
Bursting through the undergrowth at the top of the ravine, was Sprucepaw. He was wide eyed and panting heavily as he attempted to gain back his breath.
"Sprucepaw? What are you doing out here?" Swallowfeather questioned. "Is something wrong? Where is Condorleap?"
Instead of answering her, Sprucepaw shook his head and his blue gaze fixated on Hawkpaw. The intensity of his gaze made another shiver ripple through his spine and his fur bristled along his back in alarm.
"Hawkpaw, I was ordered to come and fetch you!" He cried. "You need to come back to camp. Now!"
"W-why? What's wrong?" His voice wavered.
"It's Brindlecloud. She's gotten worse."
