Crowpaw disliked Twolegplace. It was too confined, like he was in a fox's burrow. At least Stormfur had settled down somewhat, he was less anxious now that they'd slept. They might actually win this hunting competition after all.
They were walking the fence, Crowpaw following Stormfur, both of them keeping their eyes open for prey, a way out, or Brambleclaw and Feathertail. The air was already warm, and it would only get hotter as the day passed. The wood occasionally groaned underpaw, but otherwise it was quiet.
Suddenly the fence wobbled, Crowpaw let out an alarmed yowl as his paws slid off the fence, claws scrabbling for a purchase on the wood.
He landed on the ground with a thump, the feeling that someone was behind him made him turn around.
Two large kittypets faced him, one reared up to have their paws on the fence, they'd shaken him off the fence! He bared his teeth, hackles raised, but as he lashed his tail it struck the fence, he was trapped in a corner.
One closest to him swiped at him, he spat at her. The other one dropped down onto all fours to stalk towards him, crowding him back against the fence. Crowpaw backed up, ears flattened against his head, to his right was the fence he'd fallen off of and there was one behind him, and not enough distance between him and the kittypets to turn and jump back up. If he ran along the fence, however, he could maybe escape through a hedge. But the kittypets moved to cut him off.
"Get out of my way," he growled, they just chuckled.
"Then you shouldn't have come through our territory!" One replied with a powerful swipe, he jerked his head back just barely in time to avoid a clawing over his nose.
A low snarl made the kittypets look up, Stormfur jumped down to land next to Crowpaw, putting himself between Crowpaw and the kittypets. Crowpaw curled his lips, he was almost a warrior he didn't need protecting, and Stormfur was strong and solid yes, which meant he was an effective wall between Crowpaw and the kittypets. So Crowpaw couldn't even help him.
He was preparing to leap over Stormfur and start this fight when there was a flash of orange out of the corner of his eye. For a heartbeat he thought it was somehow Gorestail, but he realized it was Squirrelpaw. She swiped at the kittypets, drawing their attention away from him and Stormfur.
"Crowpaw! Stormfur!" Crowpaw wouldn't question how Brambleclaw had found them, instead he charged towards the sound of his voice, crashing through the hedge and almost into Feathertail.
He twisted around, trying to see what was happening, where was Tawnypelt? He spotted her after a heartbeat, she was perched on the fence above Squirrelpaw and Stormfur, spitting down on the kittypets.
He squared his shoulders, ready to go back and help, when a twoleg burst out of their nest, yowling. The kittypets ran off, and Squirrelpaw, Stormfur and Tawnypelt ran in the opposite direction, towards the hedge.
Crowpaw was grateful for his short fur because he slipped out easily, while everyone else left patches of fur behind.
The group shared a look, Brambleclaw was lashing tail and glaring at Squirrelpaw.
"What were you thinking?" he demanded, Crowpaw rolled his eyes and drew in a breath to taste the air and look for threats.
"I was fine! And Stormfur was right there!"
"Don't yell at her Brambleclaw," speaking of Stormfur, he stepped forward, staring at Squirrelpaw in awe, "that was the bravest thing I've ever seen."
Crowpaw flattened his ears as the others praised Squirrelpaw as well. He would've stayed and fought but Stormfur was in his way!
"I was just…" Brambleclaw looked to be at a loss, which made Crowpaw feel at least a little better. "We can't afford for anyone to get hurt right now."
They all shared a look, Crowpaw began grooming his shoulder than look at Squirrelpaw's smug face, she was too pleased that the others were impressed by her.
"Squirrelpaw, how about you go get that bird?" Tawnypelt addressed her, the ginger apprentice nodded and raced off. "Once she's back we can keep moving and go hunting."
Crowpaw's stomach growled at that, he hoped none of his companions heard him. He didn't want to admit this was some of the best hunting he'd seen in almost a moon. The drought had been one thing, but the rabbits on the moor seemed to be disappearing. Probably just the twolegs. While his Clan didn't have to worry about feeding him, so that would probably help, at least a little.
Brambleclaw looked at the sky until found the sun, and then oriented himself. Crowpaw growled softly, making everyone look at him.
"Oh no," He shook his head, "I'm not following you, not anymore."
"Crowpaw!" Feathertail sounded scandalized, and Crowpaw hated it, he wanted her to look at him like she had that first night, like he belonged here. But he wasn't backing down.
"You led us right into that Twoleg and the fire without any plan, and you honestly don't seem to have much of any plan." Crowpaw lashed his tail behind him, "following the sun to sun drown place is all well and good, but what do we do about everything between there and us?"
"We deal with it as it comes up," Brambleclaw stepped forward so their muzzles were almost touching, Crowpaw may have been smaller and thinner but he refused to be intimidated, "you didn't have a brilliant idea for dealing with the Twoleg either did you? And you listened to me well enough when you were in trouble."
Crowpaw hissed at him, narrowing his eyes, "that doesn't make you in charge."
"I had the dream of sun drown place, I know what we're looking for!"
"Your dream was that you drowned!" Crowpaw yelled, causing Brambleclaw to step back, even Tawnypelt jerked back in shock, "and you think that's the sign we should follow you?"
Brambleclaw's mouth parted, Tawnypelt snarled and shoved between them, exactly like Crowpaw knew she would.
"Enough!" She stared at Crowpaw, "Brambleclaw is trying."
Crowpaw huffed, "I'm not saying he's not trying, I'm saying I want a new leader."
"Who?" Tawnypelt challenged, Squirrelpaw, who'd returned carrying a plump bird, snorted.
"Himself, probably."
He ignored her to stare at Tawnypelt, "you."
The toriseshell floundered and looked stunned, Brambleclaw looked offended, and the other three seemed surprised into silence.
"I…" Tawnypelt shook her head and laughed, "I'm flattered Crowpaw, but I don't want that job."
Crowpaw went to reply, she was basically doing that job, but Brambleclaw cut in, "in that case, we should probably hunt."
"I already caught something," Tawnypelt pointed out, picking up the bird Squirrelpaw had brought back.
Brambleclaw flicked his ears, he looked rather awkward as he continued, "then can you and Stormfur go ahead and find a place for us to eat and catch our breath?" He glanced over, "Squirrelpaw and I can keep hunting, Feathertail, can you take Crowpaw?"
Crowpaw gave him an offended look, he wasn't an apprentice to be assigned to warriors, but Feathertail had already agreed. He glared at Squirrelpaw, who smirked at him. He pinned his ears back and stalked off after Feathertail, tail lashing against the grass.
They headed out over the hills, towards the ruins of a Twoleg nest. Crowpaw thought that made sense, it would likely be crawling with mice.
Feathertail kept glancing at him, he met her gaze calmly.
"Should be good hunting around here," he remarked, were all RiverClan cats so beautiful? He didn't think so, he'd been to his fair share of Gatherings and never had one turned his head like she did. Her soft silver fur caught the morning sun like dew on the grass and made his breath stop.
Feathertail blinked, "yes, that's what I was thinking." She agreed, her voice soft. After a heartbeat where neither of them moved to attempt to hunt, she broke the silence.
"Do you have to fight with Brambleclaw?" she asked, the only thing that kept Crowpaw from snapping was the lack of accusation, she blinked at him gently.
"He is actually not that bad, he helped me get through Twolegplace, StarClan knows I was terrified."
Crowpaw shifted his weight, "I don't… okay maybe I don't like Brambleclaw but it's because he kind of acts like… like StarClan picked only him. Like he's leader, like he's the only one who knows what he's doing, Tawnypelt had us organized and safe, and she listened to me." He paused, he hadn't meant to say that, "you know what forget it. Brambleclaw can lead us to sun-drown place."
"Crowpaw wait," Feathertail moved to stop him, he halted, twisting his head away, one ear flattened.
"Crowpaw, you're a part of this as much as anyone," she assured him, "you had the dream too."
Crowpaw wasn't sure he believed that, but he appreciated it, "thanks."
Feathertail was still studying him though, like there was something new about him, "you meant what you said though, about Tawnypelt."
Crowpaw angled his ears, "she's a good leader, she watches the group, she's patient…" She made him less homesick. So did Feathertail actually, standing here talking, it felt like he was venting to Gorsetail and Robinwing about Mudclaw. He swallowed hard and shook his head.
"I just…" he shrugged, "I feel like Brambleclaw forgets that the rest of us have opinions too."
"So you always want to give yours?" Feathertail was teasing him. His heart jumped excitedly and he flicked his whiskers, trying to hide how much it meant that she was acting like he was one of them.
"Well, someone has to." Not his best line, but hey, it was better than the mess he felt like on the inside, half melted like he'd been in the heat too long. "So, how about you show me how RiverClan hunts."
"Find me a stream and I will," Feathertail dropped into a crouch, Crowpaw dropped down beside her, mouth parted to taste the air.
"Thanks," he added, absently, "for you know, listening."
Feathertail flicked her ear, he almost thought she looked embarrassed, "thanks yourself, for sharing."
Crowpaw sniffed at the air, maybe, if he was really lucky, he'd impress Feathertail with his hunting skill. That would make his morning a lot better.
Sorry, between my cat dying, my birthday, getting a new cat and school starting this chapter got postponed for a bit! I also updated the title to one more fitting I think.