The weeks following the attack on Riverclan were pure dread for Windclan. It was ridiculous. The sun blazed much hotter than usual, causing the moor to heat up under paw. it was almost impossible to stand on a dirt patch for more then a few heartbeats without burning a cat's paw pads. prey was running scarce as well. The fresh kill pile contained only a rabbit and small mouse. This wasn't even enough to feed queens and kits, let alone the elders, apprentices and warriors. Patrols were sent out every possible opportunity.
Blazepaw paced around the camp as most of the apprentices were doing while waiting for their mentors to get back from patrols. The ground was too hot to lay on. Blazepaw imagined the shady and sheltering trees in Thunderclan and Shadowclan. The cats of those clans must have been relaxing in the shade and eating enough fresh kill to go around. On hot days like these, Windclan's prey would either hide away from the scorching heat of move closer or into Thunderclan territory.
Bushpaw growled. "It's the middle of leaf-fall." He stated looking up at the cloudless sky. "Where is it so hot?"
Blazepaw shook her head, looking gloomy. She perked up as an idea struck her. "Why don't we go collect some more grass for everyone to stand on?" Ever since her pathetic performance with Pearlpaw, Blazepaw had been desperate to make Moorwind proud of her. She'd seen the look of disgust he gave her as she ran from the Riverclan apprentice.
"But don't we have to wait for Carrottooth and Moorwind?" Bushpaw responded. "We are supposed to train when they get back."
"We'll just stay close to the camp so we can see them when they come back." Blazepaw smiled at the calico tom. Bushpaw thought for a moment then nodded in agreement. The two padded over to the entrance of the camp. Blazepaw hurried out, hoping to get as must grass as possible. Maybe we could get enough grass to cover the entire camp! She thought delusionally.
Blazepaw began tearing long strands of grass from the ground, then quickly clawing the dirt off and setting in gently in a pile. The pile of grass soon grew larger. "I'll take this in while you keep collecting grass." Bushpaw offered. Blazepaw nodded as Bushpaw picked up the grass he could carry and took it inside the camp. Blazepaw moved closer to the entrance of the camp, hoping Moorwind would see her. She shook with excitement at being praised by the warrior.
Moorwind wasn't easily impressed. The only time he'd ever complimented her was when she accidently preformed a complicated attack move before they had even gone over it. She had seen a few warriors do it and wanted to try it in private. So she went to the training area to practice. What she didn't know was that Moorwind had followed her. He'd actually planned to lecture her about leaving the camp without a warrior. But he was actually rather impressed by the skill she had.
A cat's scent hit Blazepaw's nose. She could smell each of the individual cats. Stonefoot, carrottooth, Redmud, Glowpaw and Moorwind! A rather large hunting patrol. But it was worth it. As they came into view, Blazepaw ripped the grass from the earth faster, wanting to look like she'd done a lot. She say that each cat, except for Stonefoot, was carrying prey. Carrottooth had two mouses, Redmud had a rabbit, Glowpaw carried a large vole and Moorwind carried a vole and rat.
Blazepaw tilted her head when she say Moorwind's prey. Rats are for Shadowclan to eat. We aren't Shadowclan!
The patrol stopped in front of Blazepaw. The red and orange apprentice looked up at Moorwind, her tail lowered. All though he didn't have as much muscle as the other warriors, Moorwind was still very intimidating. Blazepaw's tail dropped slightly. "Uh...M-me and Bushpaw are collecting grass. For everyone to stand on so they don't hurt their paws."
Moorwind looked down at his apprentice threateningly. He sighed. "Take it to the queens and elders before anyone else." He ordered through his mouthful of rat and vole tail. With that he disappeared into the camp toward the fresh kill pile. Stonefoot, Carrottooth and Glowpaw passed her without a word. Redmud stopped and nudged the young cat's shoulder. "Nice work." The she-cat's amber eyes shone in the light. 'Don't mind Moorwind, he'll warm up to you. it just takes time." She finished then followed the others into camp.
Blazepaw puffed in disbelief. "I've been his apprentice for four moons. How long does it take to earn the cat's affection?" She murmured, picking up the large pile of grass and bringing it inside.
Near the edge of the camp, Sandstar and Grassfur were talking with there heads together. Sandstar looked angrier than usual as he glared down at his medicine cat. His claws dug into the soft earth below. Blazepaw shivered, imagining those mighty claws raking through a cat's pelt. She dismissed the thought with a swish of her tail and padded over to the elders den. Bushpaw was already busy laying the grass down infront of the nursery, with the help of Obsidianeye and Darkkit.
Darkkit, a dark gray tom with flashy green eyes, was always ready to help. Blazepaw had grown close to the kit as Darkkit enjoyed helping the apprentices with the elder's ticks. His mother, Ashtail, was clearly proud of him.
Blazepaw quietly came up to the elder's den. Coalfur was peaking out of the den. Blazepaw felt bad for him. The dark tom enjoyed sunning himself outside the den. But today was much to hot for that. Coalfur looked up with wise amber eyes. "What do you have there, Blazepaw?"
Blazepaw put the grass down and began spreading it over the hot earth. "Grass. For you to lay on."
Coalfur purred happily. "Thank you so much. I've been wanting to get out my den but it's just so hot." He looked up at the sky, then to Sandstar and Grassfur. "Do you think it's an omen?" The old cat shook his head before Blazepaw could respond. "Never mind, I'm probably over thinking this. I don't want to bore you with the details. You get the grass fixed up. Call me when your done." Coalfur disappeared into the elder's den. Blazepaw listened to Coalfur and Moonglow's conversation.
"Oh Coalfur, don't jump to conclusions. It's just hot. It'll pass." Blazepaw heard Moonglow's gentle voice reaasure her mate.
"I know, I know. But just think about it. It all started when we attacked Riverclan."
"Mousedung!" Moonglow spat. "Starclan is powerful but not powerful enough to control the weather. Are they?" The old she-cat's voice filled with doubt.
Blazepaw dismissed the conversation. Moorwind had warned her not to think to much about what the elders said. They were all very old. Blazepaw remembered Moonglow telling her stories of what life was like before you war. "The clans almost never quarrel. it was so peaceful and nice. Then Thunderclan had to go around being all bossy like they always are." She had said with a growl.
After finishing laying the grass out, Blazepaw called down for Coalfur. The dark tom crawled out of his den, closely followed by Moonglow. She had pale gray fur and brilliant hazel eyes. The two laid down on the grass. Coalfur purred happily. "It feels so nice to lay out here without melting my pelt off!"
After a few hearts another tom slowly crept out from the den. He had long white fur and glazed blue eyes. Moonglow waved the tom over with her tail. The tom nodded and padded over before collapsing beside them. His name was Cloudrise. A very old tom who used to be part of Thunderclan. He left soon after becoming a warrior because he didn't agree that Thunderclan should rule over the lake. So he came to Windclan. Blazepaw watched Cloudrise carefully. The pale colored tom had been losing his sight. He didn't have many moons left.
Blazepaw looked up as Moorwind padded over. "Are you done yet? Bushpaw and Corrottooth already went to the training area. Blazepaw nodded in response then followed Moorwind out of the camp. They turned away from the usual training area. The training area had been moved closer to the Thunderclan border. More trees meant more shade so the apprentices wouldn't get worn out too quickly. The two walked in awkward silence for a few hearbeats before Moorwind spoke up.
"What you did for the elders. It was...a-acceptional." Moorwind commented sharply. Blazepaw looked up and smiled a little as Moorwind continued, unable to find the right words. "That was a good idea. I'm glad that you are turning out to be a fine warrior." He talked formally as if talking to the leader of another clan. Blazepaw stopped for a moment in purred in amusement. He's not mean. He just can't talk to others. And I thought I was awkward! Blazepaw thought, happy to at least have something in common with the salty warrior.
At the training area, Carrottooth was demonstrating a new battle move. His orange fur was a blur as he dashed around Bushpaw and slashed at his flanks with sheathed claws. Bushpaw nodded and tried to copy the move. He dashed around, not as fast as his mentor, and swung at Carrottooth's flank, missing by a hair length and falling on his shoulder. Carrottooth nudged his up right. "That wasn't too bad for your first try."
"'Not to bad' won't win a fight." Moorwind growled as they approached.
"There you are. We were getting worried. Come here Blazepaw, I'll show you this move." Carrottooth beckoned the apprentice forward with a flick of his tail. As Blazepaw walked to him, Moorwind jumped onto a nearby rock, surveying them. he did this at every training session. Carrottooth would demonstrate while Moorwind watched and pointed out every little mistake. It was rather harsh and picky but it was effective.
Moorwind's golden tail laid across his paws as the two apprentices train fought. His ears were pricked up. "Bushpaw, pay attention to the area around you. That rock could have ruined the attack. And Blazepaw, pick up the pace. Your opponent would have already ripped you to shreds before you even got around them." The said sternly, his amber eyes narrowed.
"Yes, Moorwind." The littermates said together. Carrottooth demonstrated again then stopped. He looked around. Blazepaw tasted the air. "Thunderclan. Must be a patrol." Her gaze turned toward the forest.
"This is perfect!" Carrottooth purred excitedly. He turned to the apprentices. "Can you make out each scent? It's important to know exactly who you are going against in battle."
Bushpaw parted his jaw and took in the scents. "Rabbitleg...Cloudpaw...Uh, and Juniperleaf?" He said, looking at the mentors.
Moorwind took in the scents as well then shook his head. "Two more."
Now it was Blazepaw's turn. Her fur bristled with excitement. Another opportunity to impress Moorwind. She took a long breath then smiled. "Rabbitleg, Cloudpaw, Juniperleaf, Loudmorning...and Moonpaw!"
"There you go!" Carrottooth praised. "Good job as well, Bushpaw. Very good effort. You got more then half!"
Bushpaw flicked his tail, embarrassed. As if called upon, the Thunderclan patrol walked out of the brush with Loudmorning in the lead. His playful amber eyes gazed at the Windclan cats. "Greetings." he said.
The Windclan cats dipped their heads. "It's good to see you. Don't mind us. Just doing warrior training." Carrottooth said, then went on to explain the rest. "It's been very hot these last few days. We hope you don't mind sharing some shade."
Loudmorning purred. "Of course not. We understand. Carry on." He smiled then turned to talk down the rest of the border. The last to pass them was the black, red and white colored she-cat. "I heard what you said. It's Moonblaze now." Moonblaze smirked then followed her former mentor.
Blazepaw nodded, watching her go. "I'll remember. A-and congratulations!"
Moonblaze flicked her tail before disappearing back into the forest.
"Back to training~!" Carrottooth sang enthusiastically.
I'm not dead yet! I decided to add a little character development for Moorwind this chapter. Him and Moonblaze are going to be my favorites to pick on. Also, I know most of these chapters have just been a lot of set-up. But it will all be worth it just trust me. I already got everything planned up.
Don't forget to review.
