Well, I haven't exactly been that great when it comes to updating this. Sorry about that! Thanks to flareon200, Dreamsliver and Chasonbird_or_Butterfliee for reviewing, you guys are the best!


Chapter 6

An eerie light filtered through the plants that were wilted and dying as Runningpaw padded through the Dark Forest. His paws and heart were set on becoming the best fighter in the Clan, like Lionblaze and Bramblestar had been. And the cat who helped him the most was Hawkfrost. Fixwhisker didn't seem to do much with him except clean out the elders' den or check their pelts for ticks, and he resented his mentor for it. But now that he had Hawkfrost to train him, he didn't care. In fact, he would gladly do it, especially if it meant he would be one more step to becoming a warrior.

He paused to sniff the air. Hawkfrost's scent was nearby, but he could detect a small and strange smell. There was another cat with the dark tabby warrior, and Runningpaw wondered who it was. He shook his fur and padded forward to peer through the rotting plants.

A black-and-gray tabby was crouched beside Hawkfrost. And to Runningpaw, this tabby looked small and frail compared to Hawkfrost. His bones seemed to stick out, and burrs clung to his pelt like claws. The tabby was shivering as though he could no longer defend himself or keep himself warm. His amber eyes, which should have been as bright as Hawkfrost's, were dull and milky. This cat has seen better days, Runningpaw thought as he stared at him.

He padded into the clearing and dipped his head to his secret second mentor. Hawkfrost flicked his tail towards the dark tabby tom. "I would like you to meet Darkstripe," he meowed.

Runningpaw blinked in surprise as he remembered the tabby's name. Longtail had spoken of him in his earlier days. The pale tabby had said that Darkstripe was a traitor who went to join Tigerstar when TigerClan had been raised again. He shivered at the memory, and wondered why Hawkfrost would bring this cat out into the open.

"He has agreed to help in your training," Hawkfrost meowed as though he had read his thoughts. "You're strong, but you need a cat who is sturdy and fast."

He nodded to Darkstripe, and Runningpaw snorted. How could this old mangy piece of fox-dung be worth fighting? He looked like he could hardly move for StarClan's sake! But before Runningpaw could even react, the black-and-gray tabby dashed towards his side and slashed needle sharp claws over his shoulders. Runningpaw yowled in surprise, not pain, and glared at the dark tabby. He winced as his shoulder began to bleed.

How could I be bleeding?He thought fearfully as he saw the droplets of scarlet blood splatter on theground. His fur prickled with unease as Darkstripe rose to his paws once more. He was going to attack again! Runningpaw quickly understood the meaning of why Hawkfrost was doing this, and he dodged to the side. WindClan cats were fast too, and they would be a problem if he didn't pick up on his speed.

Darkstripe didn't give up there. He ran faster then before and pelted Runningpaw's shoulder with his claws, digging them in as he went. Then he skidded and turned to the side and continued to clobber Runningpaw. Ignoring the pain that stung in his sides, Runningpaw lashed out his forepaw and began to swipe Darkstripe's nose. The dark tabby seemed to yelp in pain and began to back away towards a thicket of brambles.

"That's enough," Hawkfrost meowed as he approached. "You've done well," he added as he glanced down at Runningpaw.

Runningpaw looked up to see that there was blood pouring out from a wound he had given Darkstripe. And when he looked at his claws he realized that it was Darkstripe's blood, not his that covered them. He felt a strange purr rise in his throat as he watched Darkstripe back away into the bush.

"Your technique could use some work, but other then that, you've got what it takes to face a WindClan warrior." Hawkfrost was staring down at him, and for a moment, Runningpaw thought he saw pride glow in those ice-blue eyes. But the glow was gone in an instant, replaced by an intense look.

"Runningpaw, wake up," he mouthed.

Runningpaw blinked in confusion. Then he felt a paw prod his side. "Runningpaw!" Moonpaw's voice filled his ears, and Runningpaw let out a hiss of frustration.

"Will you let me sleep?" He growled as he rolled over on his nest. He gasped as he felt warm, sticky moisture on it. Runningpaw opened his eyes and realized that there was blood all over his nest. He turned to look at his shoulder and he saw that the wounds Darkstripe had given him were still there. But I was only dreaming! He thought frantically. Moonpaw's eyes were wide with alarm and concern, and he pushed the thought that she might know what was going on away. Right now he needed to see Jayfeather or Rainshower.

He heaved himself out of his nest and began to limp out of the apprentices' den. "Do you need help?" Moonpaw asked. Her voice was shaking, as if she had just seen Snakeclaw.

The two of them had heard Silverpond's tail of how it was thanks to Hollystar that the dark tabby was dead. Snakeclaw had been cruel and ambitious, just like Tigerstar. Now that there was peace among the Clan, Runningpaw thought he could be spared from going on a patrol. He shook his head and continued to make his way through the camp.

Rainshower was the only cat who was up. Jayfeather had gone to sleep as soon as the cats returned from the Gathering. Runningpaw had heard there wasn't much going on. Breezetail chased off a dog in WindClan, and Flowerpetal of ShadowClan gave birth to one kit named Mangokit. Copperstipe of RiverClan had moved to the nursery, and other then that, nothing important really happened.

Runningpaw flicked his ears as he approached Rainshower. The blue-gray tom was sorting through a pile of foul-smelling leaves; most likely herbs that were going to be used for Hollystar. She had announced when she got back that she would be traveling to the Moonpool, and she would need to leave Cinderheart in charge for the day. He wondered where she was right now. Hollystar was always wandering on her own, doing things her way. He often envied her for that ability, even though she had an apprentice to train.

"Rainshower?" He asked meekly. He wasn't sure how Rainshower would react to his wounds. Would the medicine cat ask questions? Or would he already know what had happened?

Rainshower looked up and gasped in shock when he spotted the blood dripping on the ground. "You should have come to me sooner!" He hissed.

Runningpaw flattened his ears as Rainshower sniffed his wounds. He hated getting the treatment of a kit, but he was glad that he finally had his first scar. It would prove that he was ready for anything, and that meant becoming a warrior!

"I'll need some marigold and chervil for this," Rainshower sighed as he began to nose through the plants. Runningpaw wrinkled his own nose at the taste of the leaves. He didn't know how Rainshower could stand being a medicine cat apprentice, or why he chose to be. It was obvious that he liked Hollystar, more then he should. Runningpaw had seen how the young apprentice always gazed at her with moon-like eyes, and tried to help her when ever she was wounded or got something caught in her tail. Rainshower cared for her better then he cared for some of his own Clanmates!

He began to chew on the leaves just when Hollystar came in. Runningpaw noticed that his eyes lit up as she approached. "Are these my traveling herbs?" She asked. Her green eyes darkened when she spotted Runningpaw. "What happened to you?" She demanded.

"I...I," Runningpaw was lost for words for once. He didn't know what to say. "There were a couple of thorns in his nest," Moonpaw's mew came from outside.

Runningpaw stared at his sister for a moment and nodded. He was grateful that she supported him, but he couldn't help but feel that she knew his secret training with Hawkfrost. Hollystar only twitched her whiskers and grabbed the traveling herbs that Rainshower had left for her. She quickly dispersed them and padded away, unquestioningly. With a sigh of relief, Runningpaw let Rainshower rub the pulps on his wounds. Though it stung greatly, he knew that he would feel better if he let the blue-gray tom finish his work. Rainshower remained quiet as he finished, and then went back to work as though nothing had happened. Runningpaw looked over his shoulder to make sure that he was still working and then went out to join Moonpaw. She was waiting for him just outside the apprentices' den.

"What in the name of StarClan happened to you?" She demanded. Her dark blue eyes were blazing like stars now, and for a moment Runningpaw felt like a scared little kit, trying desperately to free himself from her penetrating stare. "I know something is up," she added with a flick of her tail. "I don't know what it is, but it had better stop soon." With that, she stalked away back into her nest, leaving him aone in the cold, dark night.