Chapter 9
Breezepaw was very tired. He had trained with Blacktooth all night and now he was training with Jayflight. Foxfang and Graytail had been punished, and were forbidden to get out from the camp, so today he was training with another warrior.
"You're doing really fine Breezepaw. You just need to pay more attention when you're fishing", said Jayflight.
Jayflight was a very good mentor. He was patient and very kind, unlike Foxfang, who was strict and rude. I would like Jayflight to be my mentor forever!
"Now, you have to do the hunting crouch", said Jayflight. "Remember not to make many sounds!".
Breezepaw crouched. He started scenting the air and smelled a mouse. Several seconds later, he saw it. It was very plump, and it would be good for the clan.
He started stalking his prey but a sound made it run away.
"It's okay", said the blue – gray and white tom. "Everybody has a bad hunt someday".
Jayflight and Breezepaw went back to the clan. When they arrived, they saw that Leopardstar was calling a clan meeting.
"Tadpolepaw, Mothpaw, Thrushpaw, Sparrowpaw, Crowpaw, Blackpaw, Whitepaw, Pinepaw and Brindlepaw come here!", said the big leader.
The oldest apprentices went running toward the highrock. They looked at everyone very proud.
"Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect it, even at the cost of your life?", asked Leopardstar.
The apprentices promised and got their warrior names. Crowflight, Mothclaw, Tadpoletail, Thrushwing, Sparrowfeather, Pineheart, Brindleclaw, Whitefur and Blackface were now full warriors.
Breezepaw personally liked Brindleclaw the most. The gray tom was always active and gentle, which reminded Breezepaw of his first days as an apprentice.
After the ceremony, Breezepaw went to share tounges with his best friend Sunpaw. He had noticed that the pale ginger she – cat had become more attached to him.
The two apprentices shared some fresh – kill and went to clean the elder's den together with Pikepaw.
"Tell me stories about when Flowerpetal came to the clan!", said excitedly Pikepaw, as he cleaned the den.
"Well, the day they came was a beautiful day. A patrol consisting of Lionclaw, Tawnyfoot, Sedgestream and Clawfur, back then Clawpaw, who was Sedgestream's apprentice. They were patrolling when suddenly Clawfur caught a weird smell. They followed it, and they found three grown up she – cats, each one with several kits. They were looking for protection for their kits, as from their first litters, only one had survived. They took the she – cats to Nightstar and he agreed to let them stay", said the elder Creamyspots.
"Now, can you tell me about Ravenwing? He is such a great mentor, I would like to know about his past", asked Sunpaw.
"All right. Ravenwing was one of Doveflight and Thornpelt's three mischievous kits. He was kin of the great leader Nightstar, so the leader went to the nursery and promised little Ravenkit that he would be his mentor", said Gingerfur, as he remembered with grief his longtime deputy.
"I would like to know more about Foxfang. Why is he like that? He is so hostile towards me and other apprentices. Even at senior warriors!", said Breezepaw, looking sideways to make sure his mentor wasn't there.
"Oh, Foxfang. I remember exactly the day he was born. He was the only kit to Fernshade and Blackstripe. He was spoiled, since he was an only kit. Later, powerful Foxpaw got mentored by Tawnyfoot, though sometimes he trained with Lionfur, who was mean to apprentices, but always a loyal warrior. That's why Foxfang is the way he is. But, he is one of the most trusted cats by Leopardstar, so I wouldn't be surprised if he became the next deputy", said Cloudpelt, even though Fuzzytail had heard the comments on her son.
After Foxfang's explanation, the apprentices went back to the clearing. Today was another gathering. But, he hadn't been picked. Instead, it was Reedpaw, Heatherpaw, Eaglepaw and Rowanpaw. At least I went first!, he thought, when he saw his half – siblings jumping excitedly.
Leaf – bare was hard. Hunger was starting to come to the clan, and it wasn't good. Cloudpelt was very skinny and that was worrying the clan. If hunger came, Greencough could come too.
Breezepaw went to the apprentices' den and slept in his nest. Sunpaw had changed his bedding this night. But today he had to sleep. He would have to train a lot the next day, if the clan was going to survive.