7-10-19 10:52 PM

Chapter Ten: Crookpaw

Crookpaw watched as the Gathering patrol walked off into the night. He growled silently, claws digging into his nest. Why was he punished for something Lionmane couldn't prove? It was stupid. That mousebrain of a warrior! Why in StarClan's name did Crispstar even listion?

Because, Lionmane has been a loyal warrior for so long. A voice hissed in his head. Once again reminding him how Lionmane was a warrior before Crookpaw was even born. The golden tomcat had mentored Dryriver. And she already had Milkpaw and Turtlepaw a few moons before Snapperwing had him and Whisppaw.

But it just wasn't fair! Crookpaw lifted himself onto his paws. He looked around. His ears flatting as he glared at Snapperwing and Blackcrow. His parents had did nothing to support him. So why should he care for the pitiful look they gave him?

You shouldn't! The voice hissed again. CrispClan isn't the best, they don't see anything past the Code. Crookpaw was pacing as he glared at the camp's entrance. He had to leave. To just escape and not be trapped!

Crookpaw sat down to groom. The last of the warriors seemed to be stalking off into their nests. And, to say Dryriver and Goldenwhisp were guarding. One heavily pregnent and the other won't notice me. Not through her talking. He nodded to himself as he thought of a plan.

Soon he was stalking towards the entrance. He could see the two she-cats. Huddled together for warmth in the coldest of greenleaf nights they had so far. He sighed. Was he really this stupid to leave, right when he's in big trouble?

Don't think about that. They trapped you here for nothing! Crookpaw growled, tail lashing angerly. He wasn't going to be punished for something he hadn't done! Silently he slipped off to behind the warriors den. It was beside the entrance, and could easily be passed.

Clawing apart the thorn and bramble wall, he squeezed past. His black fur got caught, making him gasp with pain. Once he got passed, he looked back. Tuffs of his fur was in the brambles and thorns. I'll move those later. Before someone sees. He swiftly raced off into the forest.

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Crookpaw stopped once he got to Sunshine's den. Smiling as he spotted the bright ginger tabby. She was sleeping peacefully by the log's entrance. Her flank raised and fell silently as she slept. And her ears flicked every once and awhile. Her legs kicked as she mumbled in her sleep, and he padded to her side.

"Sunshine?" Poking the ginger furred she-cat softly, he bent down beside her. "Sunshine?"

Two green orbs blinked open. And for a moment Sunshine didn't move. Instead she gave a startled, muffled mew. "Crookpaw?"

The black tomcat smiled softly. "Hey, awake yet?" He shifted to sit on his hunches. "I had to sneak out of camp. They've been keeping me locked up," he grumbled bitterly.

Sunshine yawned. "Oh," was all she manged to say before laying her head down. "Can I sleep? Your Clan friends have been poking around here. And avoiding them is hard enough without hunting and everything!"

Crookpaw flinched at the younger cat's tone. She's mad. Shock he leaned down, licking her ears. "Sleep than, but can I stay? Being in that place for so long isn't very nice," he added with a hiss.

Sunshine nodded, shifting to give him room to lay. He curled up beside the tabby, his muzzle resting onto her shoulder. It was nice to sleep beside someone, at least someone who understood. His sister and Clanmates weren't very..

Crookpaw's mind drifted as he yawned. His eyes fluttering closed as he fell into a dreamless sleep.

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Crookpaw awoke to a bright sunray of light. His blue eyes flickered open as someone nudged his side harshly. He lashed his tail, opening one eye sleepily. A blurr of ginger fur stood in front of him. And he saw two bright green orbs.

"Crook, wake up!"

Sunshine. Suddenly it hit him. He had slept outside camp! With Sunshine, great StarClan! Jumping up he was now fully awake. The sun was still raising into the pink-and-orange sky, making the forest dance with colour.

"You need to go, won't you get in trouble?" Sunshine once again nudged his side. Her green orbs shadowed with worry.

Crookpaw flattened his fur. It was still sunrise. Maybe no-one is up yet. Than again, had anyone noticed him gone last night? "Yeah, I-I need to go. Bye Sunshine!" Crookpaw gave a hurriedly goodbye, dashing off towards camp.

His paws carried him along the usual trail. He flinched at every crackle of leaves underpaw. What would Crispstar do if he knew Crookpaw was outside camp, without anyone else? Than again. Should Crookpaw even care? If his own Clanmates didn't believe in him, than he shouldn't care!

Crookpaw stopped dead in his tracks. He could turn back now. Couldn't he? He knew he was CrispClan born. And he should be loyal to death. But what if Clanlife just wasn't for him? I could go back to Sunshine, his heart raced at the idea, she'll understand.

As the black tomcat turned back around, he slowly trotted across the trail. He knew that if he did this he could never go back. But it didn't bother him as much as it should've.

7-14-19 8:24 PM