Whew! Sorry it took so long! Here's Chapter 4.
Cinderpaw wrinkled her nose at the smell of mouse bile.
Fernblossom handed her a stick with mouse bile wrapped in a leaf attached to it.
" I know this is every apprentices least favorite job, but it has to be done. Also, ask Halfear how her breathing is, she has been wheezing lately. " she meowed, and flicked her tail for her to leave.
Cinderpaw walked across the clearing and peeked her head into the Elder's den.
Driftpelt was snoring loudly, Halfear was talking with Appleclaw, and Tumbledust was stretching.
" I've come to check for ticks. " Cinderpaw sighed.
Appleclaw snorted. " We'll see if the apprentices can actually do it right this time. "
Halfear nodded. " Back in our day, the apprentices would do anything for Sagefoot and Firetuft. "
Tumbledust shifted closer. " Ah, Appleclaw, remember the day Lilyshade and Addernose were born? "
Appleclaw mrrowed in amusement. " Oh yes. They were bundles of energy. I miss our daughter much.. "
Tumbledust licked her cheek. " I miss her too. And I know Roseleaf does. If only she hadn't died of battle wounds. "
Halfear nodded quietly and gazed at Cinderpaw. " Start. " she rasped, and Cinderpaw checked her matted fur for ticks.
Cinderpaw dripped a tiny bit of mouse bile on a tick on the back of Halfear's neck.
" Ahh, that's better. I think I only had that one. " she meowed, stretching her forepaws out.
Appleclaw beckoned to her. " I have two on my tail. " she meowed gruffly.
Cinderpaw dripped mouse bile on to the ticks and they fell off.
Cinderpaw remembered what Fernblossom had asked her.
" Oh, Halfear, how is your breathing? Fernblossom said you were wheezing. " Cinderpaw asked.
Halfear grunted. " Don't worry about me, young 'un. I'm just fine. "
Cinderpaw nodded.
Driftpelt was now up. " Want to hear a story? " he purred.
Cinderpaw nodded eagerly and sat down.
" Back when I was your age, Appleclaw, Stagstep, Graybelly and I went on an adventure. "
" Into CreekClan territory. " Appleclaw chuckled.
" We were Driftpaw, Applepaw, Stagpaw, and Graypaw then, though. We didn't know any better. " Driftpelt shot back.
Cinderpaw rolled her eyes.
" Anyways, we got caught right at the border by Riverstar himself, well, he was Riverflight then, and a fox was right behind him. So we ran into the bushes, and Riverstar ripped that fox into shreds. " he meowed, looking up at the sky.
" And that was why he was made deputy. For his courage, and loyalty. " Halfear murmured.
Appleclaw purred. " I still don't know why you had kits with that furball. You two were in deep trouble after that. "
Cinderpaw gasped. " You were mates with Riverstar? " she meowed.
Halfear nodded. " Thrushsong, Freezewind, and Stonedust are my kits. " she meowed.
" Thrushsong left DawnClan after Bramblepaw became Bramblebird. " Tumbledust sighed.
" And she gave Freezewind to Riverstar after he was born. " Driftpelt meowed.
Halfear sighed. " The good old days. " she chuckled, and crawled back into her nest.
Appleclaw thrust her tail towards Cinderpaw. " You'd better leave. Thank you for the company. " She whispered, and crawled into her nest too.
As Cinderpaw left the den, she heard Tumbledust purr. " Halfear was much happier as Shinefish. "
Cinderpaw sat in the clearing, pacing as the DarkClan border patrol reported to Crowstar.
Jaypaw licked her cheek. " I wonder what it could be.. " he murmured.
Cinderpaw nodded and sat down, her tail lashing.
" I hope it isn't bad. Not to mention that Gorseflight is the only one that returned. " she muttered darkly.
Crowstar, Runningwhisker, and Gorseflight appeared from the leader's den.
" Let all cats old enough to watch the sun rise gather below the highrock for a Clan meeting! " Crowstar yowled, and the clearing quickly filled with curious cats.
Shellkit peeked his head out of the nursery. " Mommy, what's wrong? And why is he there instead of Flicker? " he squeaked.
Owl purred. " Crowstar is your leader. Flicker isn't. We won't see her again, darling. " she meowed, and pulled Shellkit back into the nursery with her tail.
Cinderpaw shook her head and returned her gaze to Crowstar.
" Marigoldmist, Wolftail, Lightningpaw, Tigerleap, come in. " Runningwhisker sighed.
Marigoldmist, Wolftail, and Tigerleap shoved into the camp with three tiny bodies in their jaws, and Lightningpaw followed.
Tigerleap set one of them down. " We found Cloudkit, Nettlekit, and Aspenkit on the border. Some cat left them there. "
Wolftail and Marigoldmist nodded.
Nettlekit, the brown and white one, wailed. " I want Flowerstem! "
Cloudkit shoved him. " Eveningsun told us not to talk. She wanted us to be safe, she said. " he squeaked.
Aspenkit put a paw over Cloudkit's mouth. " Now they know! " he squealed.
Runningwhisker's eyes were wide. " Eveningsun left you? " he muttered.
Aspenkit nodded guiltily.
Wolftail hovered over Cloudkit. " What else did she say? " he growled.
Cloudkit squeaked and closed his eyes. " She said that DarkClan would turn us into rogues, and that DawnClan was the safest place we could be. She said that you all were wonderful cats, and you deserved healthy kits. "
Nettlekit nodded fiercely. " I think she means you want to eat us! " he mewed, and ducked his head.
Cinderpaw couldn't help but laugh. Hazelpaw was trying not to.
Marigoldmist shot a warning glance at them. " We won't eat you. Jeez, what does DarkClan teach their kits.. " she muttered.
Runningwhisker was now beside the kits. " I will talk to Eveningsun about this. I'm bringing Jaypaw, Lightningpaw, Sunpaw, and Bumblepaw with me. It would look good to have a medicine cat. " he meowed.
Crowstar nodded slowly and flicked his tail. " Bring Cinderpaw with you too. " he murmured.
Runningwhisker and Crowstar shared a knowing look. What are they up to? Cinderpaw wondered.
Crowstar closed his eyes. " Be careful. " he meowed, and slipped back into his den.
Sunpaw rolled his eyes. " Why did you have to drag us with you, father? " he meowed.
Runningwhisker kept walking. " Because. " he replied.
Bumblepaw had been silent the entire time.
Cinderpaw prodded his side. " Hey, beetle-brain, wake up. " she whispered.
Bumblepaw glared at her. " You have no idea. " he growled, and walked ahead.
Cinderpaw blinked. " Sheesh. " she muttered.
Runningwhisker stopped at the border. " Stay here. I'll be right back. " he whispered, and walked into the bushes.
Lightningpaw shuffled his paws.
Jaypaw looked at the sky.
Cinderpaw broke the silence. " This is odd. " she meowed.
Lightningpaw nodded. " He seems very secretive. "
Runningwhisker returned with leaves and burrs stuck in his fur.
Eveningsun suddenly appeared behind him.
" Hello. " she meowed.
Lightningpaw growled. " You're on DawnClan territory! "
Runningwhisker rolled his eyes. " Sheathe your claws. "
Lightningpaw obeyed.
Runningwhisker gestured towards Eveningsun. " Listen to what she has to tell you. "
Eveningsun eyed Cinderpaw, but started.
" It's been a while, my kits. " she sighed.
The entire group gasped except for Bumblepaw and Runningwhisker.
" You're not our mother! Amberbranch is! " Jaypaw hissed.
Bumblepaw cuffed his ear. " Runningwhisker said listen! "
Eveningsun ignored the growls of protest.
" I am your mother. Each of you are half DarkClan. Runningwhisker and I were.. mates. " she whispered.
Runningwhisker dipped his head.
" She isn't lying. Eveningsun nursed you in the forest, alone, for two days, until she gave you four to Amberbranch. " he muttered.
Sunpaw growled. " What does this have to do with Cloudkit, Nettlekit, and Aspenkit? "
Eveningsun ran her tail over his back. " I love DawnClan. DarkClan teaches their kits terrible things. " she answered simply.
Cinderpaw pressed closer to Jaypaw, who was trembling with hate. The tom broke away and hooked his tail around hers.
" Let's go, Cinderpaw. " he whispered, and ran into the forest with her at his side.
Cinderpaw flattened her ears as low groans erupted from the unfinished nursery.
Leafpaw ran her tail over Cinderpaw's flank. " I know you hate this. " she murmured.
Cinderpaw began to speak, but her voice was drowned under the whipping of the leaf-fall wind.
Silkpaw shivered beside them. " It sounds like she's doing well, though. " she sighed, flicking an ear towards the direction of the nursery.
The low groans were turning into purrs of joy.
Silkpaw flicked Cinderpaw's cheek with her tail. " Let's go see them. " she murmured.
Cinderpaw took a deep breath and stepped outside into the wind.
Silkpaw and Leafpaw flanked her, and each of the siblings fur was flattened.
Leafpaw coughed. " Hurry! "
They ran into the nursery, and it was filled with mewls of tiny kits.
Berrystep looked up sharply, bristling, but calmed. " Come, meet our kits. " he rasped.
Leafpaw, Silkpaw, and Cinderpaw shuffled into the back corner of the nursery, where Skydawn was looking at three tiny kittens.
Fernblossom purred. " Two toms and a feisty little she-cat. "
Skydawn nodded. " I've named them Fallowkit, Flamekit, and Patchkit. " she whispered.
Fallowkit was light brown, Flamekit was a pale gray tabby, and Patchkit was a spotted cream-gray.
Berrystep curled his tail around Skydawn's shoulders. " I'm going hunting. I'll bring back a squirrel for you. " he murmured, and raced into the clearing.
Bumblepaw snorted and nosed Silkpaw's flank. " You need to go. " he meowed, a returned back to checking Shellkit and Sandkit.
Leafpaw rolled her eyes. " Let's go. "
Cinderpaw nodded.
Leafpaw began to walk forward, but she stopped as Gorseflight appeared.
" Fernblossom, I think I'm sick. " he spluttered.
Fernblossom put a paw on his forehead. " You're cold. Most likely a chill, from all of this weather. Go into my den and I'll give you some feverfew. " she mewed soothingly.
Silkpaw shuddered. " Our first sick cat. " she sighed.
Leafpaw shrugged. " He's fine. Come on, Cinderpaw, let's help with the warriors den. "
Cinderpaw stepped outside again, and her fur was flattened instantly.
Silkpaw squeezed her eyes shut. " I hope it isn't like this tomorrow! Our assessment is going to be preformed. "
Cinderpaw fluffed out her thick fur. " I hope not. Let's see if Fernblossom needs anything, her den is warm. " she murmured.
Leafpaw nodded and wheezed loudly.
Silkpaw's eyes grew wide. " Are you okay, Leafpaw? " she exclaimed.
Leafpaw nodded. " The wind is making it hard to breathe. " she rasped.
Cinderpaw guided them into the medicine cat's den, where Fernblossom was licking Gorseflight's head.
Gorseflight shivered. " I'm fine, sister. " he coughed out.
Fernblossom's cheeks were wet with tears. " You know that's not true. " she whispered. " You have greencough. How did it happen so fast? Lilytail would've known why. "
Gorseflight shook his head. " Just because our mother was a medicine cat, doesn't mean she had some magical powers. "
The three sisters crouched in the corner of the den so Fernblossom couldn't see them.
Gorseflight went into a fit of coughing, and Fernblossom stepped back.
" I'll go ask Smallfoot and Echoflame for catmint. They always have some. Please, don't get out of your nest. " she mewed, and raced outside.
Gorseflight raised his head. " Cinderpaw, Silkpaw, Leafpaw, get out of here. Go rest for tomorrow. " he spluttered, and then coughed again.
Leafpaw nodded. " Get better, Gorseflight! " she mewed.
Cinderpaw tossed and turned in her nest. The words Shinefish, Shinefish rang in her ears.
" But she's in StarClan.. " Cinderpaw murmured. " Does she have a paw in two worlds? "
A gloomy gray light filtered into the den slowly.
Sunpaw yawned and rose. " Good morning, Cinderpaw. " he whispered, and ambled outside.
Wolftail appeared at the entrance and began to lightly tap everyone's head with his paw.
Hazelpaw grumbled. " Why so early... "
Wolftail sniffed. " It's not raining yet, that's why! " he snapped.
Lightningpaw bolted upright with his fur fluffed up. " Assessments are today, right? " he meowed.
Wolftail nodded and rolled his eyes. " You won't pass them if you don't wake up! "
Hazelpaw yawned. " Fine. Come on Leafpaw, you lazy furball. Get up. "
All of the apprentices got up slowly and followed Wolftail outside. Runningwhisker, Berrystep, Bramblebird, Stonedust, Addernose, Marigoldmist, and Skystrike were waiting for them.
Addernose nodded towards Hazelpaw. " Gorseflight has a cold, so I will be assessing you. " he meowed gruffly.
Hazelpaw nodded, her eyes bright with excitement.
Runningwhisker stepped forward. " We will start with hunting, then fighting, and lastly, tree climbing. " he meowed, and led them out of camp.
Bramblebird took her to an ivy filled clearing and gestured her tail towards the lake.
" I will be watching you in secret, don't forget. " she mewed, and slunk into the bushes.
" Begin. " her mentor howled.
Cinderpaw leaped into the undergrowth, lifting her chin and scenting the air for prey. Squirrel!
Cinderpaw froze and spotted the creature nibbling on oak nuts at the base of a tree.
She dropped into a hunter's crouch, her tail parallel with her body.
The squirrel looked quite plump, not noticing her yet.
Cinderpaw was a tail length away, and swiftly leaped into the air and landed on the squirrel, giving it a killing bite to the back of it's neck.
Cinderpaw dug a hole and covered the squirrel with earth, and silently padded away.
After she was many fox lengths from where she caught the squirrel, Cinderpaw scented the air again.
" A robin. " she murmured, and looked above her.
The bird puffed out it's chest and began singing, completely blind to her presence.
Cinderpaw circled around the tree silently until she was downwind of her prey, and leaped onto the branch he was on, pouncing and killing it.
Runningwhisker yowled from somewhere nearby. " Return to the training area, all apprentices! "
Cinderpaw carried her robin to the place where she buried the squirrel and picked both up, heading to the training hollow.
The rest of the cats were waiting.
Lightningpaw gasped. " You got a squirrel and a robin? I got a really fat hare. " he meowed.
Wolftail flicked his side with his tail. " Stop flirting, Lightningpaw. Now focus. Next is fighting. The pairs will be Lightningpaw and Silkpaw, Jaypaw and Leafpaw, and Sunpaw with Hazelpaw and Cinderpaw. "
Cinderpaw took her place next to Hazelpaw with Sunpaw facing them.
Addernose nodded. " Start with the leap and hold. " he meowed.
Hazelpaw and Cinderpaw leaped onto Sunpaw's back at once, with claws sheathed and pawed at his back until he collapsed.
Sunpaw snorted. " Good job. "
Marigoldmist flicked ears towards the three. " Hazelpaw and Cinderpaw win. Sunpaw, what could you have done to stop them? " she mewed.
" Flip over and claw their bellies as they leaped, or sidestepped to avoid them. " he recited.
Marigoldmist nodded. " Good. "
" Next, try the front paw blow. " Addernose ordered.
Cinderpaw was exhausted by the time battle assessing was finished.
Bramblebird mrrowed in amusement. " It's tree climbing time. " she mewed.
Cinderpaw nodded and waited at the base of a tall beech tree.
Bramblebird crouched beside her. " You must climb to the top of the tree and back down successfully, and try not to take all morning. " she explained.
Cinderpaw leaped as high as she could, and gripped a sturdy branch, heaving herself up it.
After a few heartbeats, she clawed her way up the rough bark to the highest she could, and perched herself on a small branch.
Cinderpaw gazed down, feeling sick at how high she was.
Bramblebird called up to her. " I see you! That's as high as you should go. Come back down. "
Cinderpaw flicked an ear and leaped onto a lower branch until she got to the bottom, and jumped onto a pile of dead leaves.
Her mentor purred. " Featherpool would be proud of you, Cinderpaw. You passed your assessment. "
Cinderpaw resisted the urge to bounce aroud like a kit and ducked her head. " Thank you. " she muttered. " Thank you so much. "
Bramblebird curled her tail around her. " Good luck, Cinderpaw. " she whispered.
