A/N: HI GUYS!
Warning: this is A VERY LONG CHAPTER. 4,066 words, to be precise. Longest in ellie's history. Hope ya don't get bored! Though this is a very touching one, and a...well, depressing one, if I say so myself.
WE'VE REACHED 38 REVIEWS!
Virtual cookies for EVERYONE! (::) (::)
Thank you SO MUCH! When I checked out my story this morning, my jaw literally dropped. You all are so amazing! Thank youuuu!\
Replies:
KittySparkfrost: thank you thankyou thank youu!
Eternal Bond Dragon - Infinity: yup!(:
Cody The Pikachu: it's fine, take your time! Hope you enjoy the chapter!
Bubbles-Vampire: thank you!
SliverClaw: we could be twins! I'm so glad you understand! Thank you!
Primrosebutterfly: well you certainly know a lot about her!
Dedications
KittySparkfrost, Eternal Bond Dragon - Infinity, Cody The Pikachu, Bubbles-Vampire, SliverClaw, and Primrosebutterfly! Thank you so much guys!
Song: Don't Forget Where You Belong by One Direction (#directioner)
ENJOY! A review at the end would be deeply appreciated.(:
The howl of the wind stirred Maplepaw from her sleep.
She rubbed her eyes, realizing it was still moon-high. The apprentice let out a low growl. How would she get back to sleep now?
Maplepaw sighed wistfully. She would only get to see Applepaw's handsome face tomorrow night.
Shaking her pelt, Maplepaw tiptoed out of the apprentice's den, looking around. The camp was silent.
Moonlight washed the clearing white as Maplepaw deftly padded out to the center of the clearing. The wind continued to let out low noises, almost like barks. Maplepaw shivered, but narrowed her eyes. That was weird. If the wind was so loud, why wasn't her pelt ruffled by now?
She tasted the air and realized that it was a silent, windless night.
Then where were those noises coming from?
Maplepaw circled the camp slowly and came to the confirmation that the noise wasn't coming from inside the camp. She decided that it would be best to check the area outside the camp walls, since it seemed the noise was only getting closer and closer.
Smokeheart was standing guard, but his head had lolled to one side and the young warrior was fast asleep. Maplepaw snorted. So much for paying attention.
She lightly padded past him, inhaling deeply as she shouldered her way out of the camp entrance. A rush of pride surged through her veins. Maplepaw was getting big now!
Ears pricked, the apprentice continued onwards, wincing when she stepped on a fallen twig or dead leaf. She feared that the noises she was making would only attract the noise even more.
Maplepaw dropped down to a crouch, stealthily moving along like she was hunting prey. Her tail swept the ground slowly as she inched forward, pawstep by pawstep.
And then, the voice was on her. Maplepaw had come so close, the noise was overpowering. Her eyes sank to slits as she peered over a bush.
Foxes.
A whole hoard of them, in fact. Maplepaw could make out five, but she was guessing that there were more. The apprentice squinted, trying to find any sign of where the creatures were headed. Normally, the foxes would not dwell too close to cats, but in this case …
The creatures were heading right towards camp.
Maplepaw assumed the biggest one was the leader. He had an ugly, squashed up face and a long pointy snout. Maplepaw wrinkled her nose in disgust when they came a rabbit-hop away from her. Great StarClan, they reeked!
The leader let out a low growl, nodding towards the direction of camp. Howls echoed his little noise. Maplepaw shivered. Should she go back to camp?
She didn't want to risk the foxes following her, but then again, they were already headed there right? Besides, Maplepaw needed to warn the others. The last thing they wanted was to be jolted awake in the middle of the night and find half of the camp's carefully-woven walls ruined.
It's for the good of us all, Maplepaw decided.
With that, she turned tail and ran, managing to keep in the shadows as she streaked back towards camp. Maplepaw imagined the fox's breath on her heels, and this spurred her on, making her paws churn even faster.
When at last she could make out the shadowy walls of the ThunderClan camp, the apprentice breathed a sigh of relief. She was panting and blood roared in her ears, but she'd never felt this much alive.
"FOXES!" She shrieked as she shouldered her way in. "ATTACK!"
At once, rustling noises echoed through the dens as warriors streamed out of the openings, eyes gleaming and pelts un-kept. Twigstar sprang from his nest, eyes wild. "What are you doing, Maplepaw?" He demanded.
"Foxes," she replied. "Five or six of them heading towards camp."
"How do you know?" Tigerstripe asked incredulously, stepping forward. "I saw them myself," Maplepaw snapped. The tabby warrior narrowed his eyes. "How can we trust what apprentices say nowadays?" He growled.
Smokeheart thrust his muzzle in Tigerstripe's face. "She is my apprentice, last time I checked. Maplepaw must be telling the truth; why else would it look like she took a midnight run?"
Several cats echoed in agreement.
"We need to form a defensive line," Maplepaw interrupted. "Protect the kits and elders. Wake every single cat up."
Twigstar eyed her with amusement, and Maplepaw suddenly realized she'd commanded the entire Clan. "That is, if it's at your convenience," she added sheepishly.
Honeyheart nodded. "Smokeheart, Flintfur, and Yellowpaw – elders' den. Thistlepelt, Furzetail, and Dapplesong – nursery. Leafheart and Morningdew will provide extra help.
"Silvermoon, Maplepaw, Tigerstripe, Featherfur, Bluepelt, Poppyleaf, Thrushfeather, and Featherfur – you all will stay in the clearing. Twigstar," Honeyheart turned to stare at her leader. "You will keep out of this fight. Your wounds are still fresh from Sunningrocks."
Twigstar straightened. "Honeyheart, you of all cats should know-"
"Don't argue with me," Honeyheart meowed crisply. "Just do as I say."
Twigstar narrowed his eyes, but didn't say anything.
"I will be guarding the medicine cat's den," Honeyheart added. "Are there any questions?"
When not one cat meowed aloud, Honeyheart nodded. "Go to your positions," she growled.
Maplepaw's heart brimmed with excitement as she started to pad to the center. Just as she leaned forward to meow Thrushfeather a few words, a shriek echoed through the air.
"Stand your ground!" yowled Honeyheart. Maplepaw twisted around to see the deputy nosing Twigstar into his den.
At once, six or seven foxes burst through the camp entrance, snarling and spitting. Maplepaw's hackles rose and she unsheathed her claws, hissing furiously.
The apprentice leaped, landing squarely on a russet fox. She fought for a pawhold and bit down on its ear, shaking her head. The fox grunted underneath her, trying to shake her off. Maplepaw gave its pelt a swipe, roaring. Her jaws clamped on the beast's neck, and she vainly held on while the creature bucked and writhed beneath her.
Maplepaw's hind-legs churned as she bit down, ripping out red fur and littering the clearing. She could feel the fox's blood spilling onto the earthy floor, and a sense of triumph swept her mind.
The fox let out a whine of plea. Maplepaw, taking that as surrender, jumped off and watched as the fox turned and ran, tail between its legs. "Go away and STAY AWAY!" Maplepaw yowled, raking the floor.
The camp was in chaos.
Gorsewhisker and Cinderclaw were swiping at the leader, and considering their age, Maplepaw was impressed. Poppyleaf was rolling around with another in the corner, Leafheart and Morningdew were clawing together defiantly, Dapplesong and Furzetail wrestled a fox twice their size to the floor, and Honeyheart was hissing and rearing in front of the medicine cats' den.
Graywhisker poked his head out and padded into the clearing, dipping his head and grasping Yellowpaw's scruff. He hauled the black apprentice back into his den as quickly as he could, disappearing back into the lichen.
Maplepaw spotted Thistlepelt spitting at a big one, slashing out and biting. Maplepaw hurried to his aid, seeing that the warrior was cornered.
She leapt on the fox's back, fixing her jaws around its shoulders. "GET THE STOMACH!" She screeched through gritted teeth. Thistlepelt nodded, snuck under the creature and drew his claws down in a straight line, earning him a scream from the fox. Blood leaked onto the floor as the warrior slipped back out, eyes gleaming. "Take that!" He spat, eyes ablaze. Maplepaw leaped off nimbly, catching a sharp scratch in her side from one of the fox's hind-legs. She winced, but gritted her teeth, diving back in.
The fox's beady black eyes were alight with fury, and despite the deep gash in his stomach, the creature turned into a fighting machine. He flung Thistlepaw back with a powerful swing, turning and baring his teeth in Maplepaw's direction.
Thistlepaw fell with a big thud, sending chills spiraling through Maplepaw's body.
"This the end!" shrieked the fox gleefully.
The powerful creature leaped on top of the apprentice, exposing her soft white belly. "Over my dead body!" Maplepaw retorted. Her hindlegs swung, but missed the fox by a wide range.
The fox gave a low grumble of satisfaction, his jaws looming up, about to close around Maplepaw's neck.
This is the end, she thought numbly. Good bye, Poppyleaf. Good bye, Spottedtail. Good bye-
Suddenly, the tremendous weight was hauled from her. Maplepaw's eyes shot open with surprise, but the shock did not last. She leaped back onto her paws, arching her back and snarling. Thrushfeather had grabbed the fox's neck and literally pulled the beast off of her.
"Thrushfeather!" Maplepaw yowled, rubbing her cheeks against his in affection. "Thank you!"
"Well, that's what Clanmates do, don't we?" Thrushfeather responded coolly. In a lower tone, he added: "Though I'd consider us more than Clanmates …"
Maplepaw's heart thudded uncontrollably.
Just then, the fox let out a mighty roar, barreling Thrushfeather to one side and raking its claws through the warrior's neck.
"NO!" Maplepaw screamed. She jumped and twisted, snaking along the fox's stomach and slashing down, once again copying Thistlepelt's moves. Her long scratch began at the fox's throat and ended in the mid-section of his stomach.
The fox let out a final howl before collapsing, panting heavily. It took every bit of its effort to haul himself back up and scamper through the entrance, whining in fear.
Maplepaw stared after him in victory, then turned and pressed her nose to Thrushfeather's cheek. She lapped at his wand gently. Thrushfeather managed to let out a small purr.
"Maplepaw…" Maplepaw stopped licking for a moment and raised her head. Thrushfeather struggled to take in another breath, then continued. "Maplepaw. Let me tell you one last thing…"
No! Maplepaw bent down and continued to lap at his wound, his words reminding her of Rose's last breath.
"Maplepaw, I love you."
Thrushfeather's blue eyes swam with hope. Maplepaw touched her nose to his forehead gently. His skin was feverish.
"Thrushfeather … I love you too," Maplepaw whispered. Her heart twisted in guilt. The truth was, she had never had the same feelings for Thrushfeather as for Applepaw, but at least she could comfort him while he lay in pain.
Maplepaw glanced at his face, and took in a sharp breath.
Thrushfeather was dead.
Grief swelled in Maplepaw's heart as she buried her nose in his flank, squeezing her eyes shut. Based on the suddenly coldness of his fur, he had passed away for a few minutes now. Maplepaw realized with a jolt that he had never heard her reply.
"Oh, Thrushfeather …" Maplepaw let her tears slip from the corners of her eyes. Her body began to shake as more water leaked from her closed eyelids. "Please, Thrushfeather …" she murmured his name over and over again, not quite believing he was really lost.
Just then, Spottedtail appeared in front of the apprentice. Her eyes widened at Thrushfeather's gash, but she picked up his scruff anyway. "No, let me." Maplepaw put in. Spottedtail glanced back in understanding, but dipped her head and let Maplepaw grasp Thrushfeather's neck. The medicine cat apprentice let the way back into the medicine cats' den, picking their way through the battle.
Maplepaw's tail dragged along the sandy floor as she took sluggish steps towards the cave. She knew that no matter how many herbs were swallowed down Thrushfeather's throat or were patched up in his wound …. It was too late.
As the three of them stepped through the lichen, Spottedtail padded an empty space to rest Thrushfeather. "He will be fine," she assured, though her eyes betrayed her console. Inside the deep pools of green were worry and regret.
"Your Clan needs you, Maplepaw. Go back out there and fight." Spottedtail's sweet scent washed over the apprentice's muzzle. "Fight for Thrushfeather."
Maplepaw got to her paws and nodded. For Thrushfeather. With those two words in her mind, she burst from the den, renewed energy coursing through her veins. She spotted Smokeheart facing a fox one-on-one. The apprentice streaked towards them, tail streaming out behind her.
"FOR THRUSHFEATHER!" She screeched, landing squarely on the fox's shoulder blades. She bit and scratched, inflicting as much damage as possible. Those two words still rang in her ears clearly.
For Thrushfeather.
For Thrushfeather.
She realized his death hadn't been in vain, but for the best of the Clan … and for her. Maplepaw's heart twisted in guilt, but she continued to claw and bite. I won't let them get away with this, Thrushfeather.
Smokeheart purred in acknowledgement as the fox wriggled from Maplepaw's grasp and ran off, barking madly. "There are only two more left in camp now," he said triumphantly. Maplepaw nodded, adrenaline coursing through her veins. Her paws itched to scratch another intruder.
Maplepaw turned to see another had streaked towards the camp entrance, followed by the last. The ThunderClan cats let out triumphant caterwauls, hissing and spitting. "WE SHOWED THEM!" Crowed Featherfur. Silvermoon purred in agreement. "Oh, yeah we did!" She laughed.
Graywhisker padded out from the medicine cats' den, sniffing around. "Any injuries?" He meowed gruffly. The cats parted to let him walk towards Thistlepelt, who was knocked out cold. Again, a memory of Thrushfeather burned in Maplepaw's mind. She shook her head to clear it, feeling hollow.
Spottedtail emerged from the den, glancing around. "Any others?" she demanded. Not one meow was uttered. "Speak up!" She called.
Again, no one said anything else. "Well then," Spottedtail huffed. She turned tail and stomped back inside the cave, tail stuck up in the air.
Maplepaw stared after her bleakly, her paws rooted into the soil.
. . .
Once the camp had been cleared out and every wound was treated, Spottedtail and Graywhisker dragged out the dead.
Maplepaw's breath caught in her throat as she watched Graywhisker haul Thrushfeather's matted and bloody pelt into the center. Gasps erupted from the cats. Maplepaw bowed her head, paws scuffing the ground.
"No!" Maplepaw's ears pricked in the direction of Honeyheart's wail. Of course, the apprentice reasoned. Honeyheart was Thrushfeather's mother.
Maplepaw looked up as Spottedtail lightly set Sparrowkit beside Thrushfeather, eyes brimming with sadness. Morningdew let out a wail, paws shaking. Maplepaw felt her chest tighten.
And last of all, Graywhisker pulled out Poppyleaf.
"MOTHER!" Maplepaw shrieked, darting forward. At her move, every cat started to pad forward, letting out low wails of grief. Thistlepelt gazed sadly at Thrushfeather, pushing his muzzle into his denmate's pelt. "He only got to sleep once in the warriors' den," he murmured. Maplepaw looked away, unable to hold back her tears. At once, the pressure from her throat loosened as the water dripped down her face once again. Maplepaw buried her nose in Poppyleaf's familiar pelt, body shaking. Never again would she see her mother's warm eyes or familiar flank. Never again would she hear her soothing voice.
It was almost too much to bear.
"I love you mother," Maplepaw whispered. "Hunt well in StarClan."
With her final wishes said, Maplepaw dragged her muzzle away, padding softly towards Thrushfeather. Flowerstream took Maplepaw's place besides Poppyleaf. "You should have had more kits," the elder murmured.
Maplepaw found a seat right next to Thrushfeather's head. She stretched out and gave him a few comforting licks on his cheek, letting her tears spill onto the peaty earth.
"Find your true love in StarClan, Thrushfeather." Maplepaw whispered. "I'll meet you there."
She lapsed into silence, feeling cold to the bone as she touched her muzzle to Thrushfeather's cheek.
After a while, Maplepaw got up and moved towards Sparrowkit. The young tom looked as if he were merrily asleep. Maplepaw could almost imagine his small stomach rising and falling gently.
"Become the warrior you were meant to be in StarClan, Sparrowkit." She murmured, resting her chin on the tom's belly. Maplepaw closed her eyes briefly, pain swelling in her heart. Three deaths, today. Had StarClan decreed this to happen?
No wonder they wanted Poppyleaf to tell me Cedarpelt's past so urgently yesterday, Maplepaw thought numbly. They knew she would join them today.
A small wail rose in Maplepaw's throat.
Poppyleaf. Thrushfeather. Sparrowkit.
You'll all be in my heart forever.
. . .
That night, Maplepaw curled in her nest, heart still aching from her previous events.
Her tail wrapped over her nose, she let her breathing slow down, pretending to sleep.
After all, she would be meeting Applepaw tonight.
As the Clan was dragged into slumber, Maplepaw kept her ears pricked. After what seemed like forever, she decided that it was finally moon-high.
Casting a quick glance at the sleeping form of Yellowpaw, Maplepaw hauled herself to her paws and blinked blearily. She slowly crept out of the apprentice's den, glancing around warily. This felt so wrong.
And yet, she had already made Applepaw her promise. She couldn't break it.
Just one night, Maplepaw reasoned. One night.
Silently, she slipped out of camp and raced towards Fourtrees, her heart almost jumping out of her chest.
After the events that had happened today, all she wanted was to snuggle into Applepaw's warm body and spill out everything to the handsome RiverClan tom. He, of all cats would understand.
An image of Applepaw's crooked grin flashed in Maplepaw's mind, and she urged her paws to go faster. She couldn't wait to meet him.
Maplepaw soon slowed to a stop, having reached her destination. Breathing in deeply, she found no other scent. Panting, she padded through the trees, glancing around for Applepaw.
"Over here!" Maplepaw looked up towards the direction of the hiss.
Applepaw stood perched on a low branch, green eyes gleaming.
A purr erupted from the ThunderClan apprentice's throat. She padded towards him eagerly, scaling the tree's rough bark and landing beside him.
"Applepaw! It's so good to see you," she whispered, pressing herself against him.
"Actually, it's Appledusk now. I'm a warrior." The brown apprentice puffed out his golden chest proudly.
"Appledusk! What a beautiful name," Maplepaw congratulated, rasping his cheek with her tongue. Applepaw smiled. "It won't be long until you'll be a warrior with me," he assured.
Maplepaw sighed, her thoughts wandering to Thrushfeather. He had only been a warrior for one day.
"What's wrong?" Appledusk glanced at her worriedly. Maplepaw looked away, her heart twisting. Should she tell him?
He was a friend, she decided. Of course she could trust him with all her secrets.
"We had a fox attack at camp today," she began. Appledusk's eyes grew round. "And … we managed to win in the end … but …"
"But?" Appledusk pressed on gently.
"My mother and my friend Thrushfeather died." Maplepaw winced at the word friend. "So did Sparrowkit."
"I'm so sorry," Appledusk breathed, green eyes pools of pity. Maplepaw pressed against him, squeezing her eyes shut against the memories.
Appledusk ran a soothing tail along Maplepaw's back, purring and telling her encouraging words. Maplepaw sighed in relief, opening her eyes and resting her head against Appledusk's broad shoulder. Appledusk was just so different from everyone else.
It seemed like moons the two of them sat there, whispering and laughing. Eventually, Appledusk suggested the play a game of Chase.
Maplepaw hadn't played that game since she was a kit, and she shrieked in delight as Appledusk streaked after her. The ran around the clearing, laughing and yowling, feeling free for the first time.
. . .
Maplepaw woke to Honeyheart issuing patrols.
She felt bone-tired, but then again, she had been awake the entire night. Guilt tingled at her paws when she thought of the other promise she'd made to the RiverClan warrior: they would meet again in two days.
Maplepaw felt that this was the only way of seeing him. Maplepaw didn't realize it, but she was slowly falling in love with the handsome tom.
The apprentice stretched and started to groom herself. The den was empty, naturally. Yellowpaw had already left.
Once Maplepaw was refreshed, she shouldered her way out of the entrance and bounded up to Smokeheart. "Ready to train?" Smokeheart meowed.
Maplepaw nodded eagerly. "Let's go, then." Smokeheart's white pelt disappeared through the camp entrance as he started streaking towards the training hollow. Maplepaw squeezed through after him, enjoying the wind running through her pelt. Her paws thrummed lightly against the earthy ground as she kept his white hindquarters in view.
"Here we are," Smokeheart called. Maplepaw flicked her tail, then joined him in the ring of sand.
"Let's practice defense." Smokeheart suggested.
Maplepaw's shoulders sagged, but she nodded in agreement.
"I'll attack you, and you defend. Let's see where you are at right now."
Maplepaw squared her shoulders and let her tail sweep the ground.
Smokeheart launched himself at her, claws sheathed and teeth bared. Maplepaw instinctively reared, batting at him with her forepaws. Smokeheart landed heavily, but managed to tunnel under her stomach, coming out the other end and landing on her back. "Got you!" He crowed. "Dang, that was some good moves, don't ya think? I came in like that-" Smokeheart made a barreling motion with his paws, "-and then you reared up and I tunneled under you and BAM! Victory!"
Maplepaw hated her new mentor instantly. Sure, he won, but at least he could help her correct her moves.
"That was some pretty hardcore stuff," Smokeheart added boastfully.
Maplepaw let out a low growl.
He could yowl aloud all day, but then Maplepaw would learn nothing.
. . .
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath Highrock for a Clan meeting!"
Maplepaw emerged from the apprentice's den, her pelt sleek and shiny. If only Thrushfeather, Sparrowkit, and Poppyleaf were here to witness this, she thought wistfully.
It had been two weeks since the fox attack. The Clan had healed, but bitter memories still hung in the air.
Maplepaw looked around for her mentor, who was chattering away with Thistlepelt, who was only half-listening. That's weird, Maplepaw thought. Usually it was Thistlepelt talking.
The Clan swarmed the clearing underneath Highrock, gazing up at their leader with shining eyes. Maplepaw beckoned for Smokeheart to follow her. She was almost as big as he was now!
The two seated themselves towards the back.
Twigstar surveyed his Clan, then cleared his throat.
"The fox attack was a hard blow on us all, but now we have all come together and healed. Today, I'm happy to present you with Maplepaw and Yellowpaw, who have finally achieved the positions of a warrior. Smokeheart, has Maplepaw completed all her warrior training?"
"Yes," Smokeheart replied clearly.
"Silvermoon, has Yellowpaw completed all of her warrior training?"
"Yes," Silvermoon echoed.
"Then Yellowpaw and Maplepaw, come up here please."
Maplepaw could feel the burning stares of her Clanmates as she lightly leaped up onto Highrock. Yellowpaw followed her carefully, her thick black pelt sleek and shiny.
Maplepaw looked down, gulping. The rock seemed so high up! The Clan gazed back up at her with encouraging eyes.
"Come forward, Maplepaw." Twigstar meowed.
The apprentice stepped forward, shaking with excitement from ears to tail-tip.
"StarClan, this apprentice has trained hard to learn the ways of a warrior. She has excelled at her apprentice training, and I commend her as a warrior in turn. Maplepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do," Maplepaw meowed clearly.
"Then from the powers of StarClan, from now on you shall be known as Mapleshade."
"Mapleshade! Mapleshade!"
The Clan chanted her new name happily as Mapleshade stepped forward, giving her leader a few respectful licks as Twigstar rested his chin on her head.
Mapleshade. What a beautiful name.
It was Yellowpaw's turn. The black apprentice stepped forward, green eyes bright.
"StarClan, this apprentice has trained hard to learn the ways of a warrior. She has excelled at her apprentice training, and I commend her as a warrior in turn. Yellowpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?"
Yellowpaw's confident voice echoed through the clearing. "I do."
"Then by the powers of StarClan, you shall now be known as Yellownose."
"Yellownose! Yellownose!"
The black apprentice swelled with pride as the Clan chanted her new name. Maplepaw could feel her happiness. They were warriors at last.
Maplepaw puffed out her chest as the Clan began chanting both of their names, their calls echoing in the forest air.
Thrushfeather and Poppyleaf – are you watching me now?
A/N: What did you think?
To everyone who read the whole entire thing - thank you.
Thrushfeather and Poppyleaf are prancing around in StarClan right now ... OH! they just each caught a butterfly(;
Can we make it to 40 reviews? Or possibly...MORE? or maybe even 50?!
It's all up to you guys to find out!
Thank you for reading!
xx,
~ellie