Okay, I don't think I'm going to change Spiritstar and Shimmerpond's names because I'm lazy. And I like those names. Sorry. Whatever. Here's the next chappy!
Also, someone asked me about the WindClan thing—Tunnelers vs. Moor runners. I did not make that up if no one has read Tallstar's revenge, Erin Hunter did, and for those who haven't read it, I will explain in the next Willowkit chappy.
(Also, I call chapters 'chappy's. Whatever. Cope.)
"Bluepaw, your mentor will be Birdsong. Birdsong, I know you just got out of the nursery, but you are strong, and I hope you pass down all you know to Bluepaw.
"Smallpaw, your mentor will be Sunscar. I hope Sunscar will pass down all he knows onto you.
"Echopaw, your mentor will be… me. I certainly hope that I will pass down all my skills to you."
Echopaw's jaws froze in the action of yowling her brother's new name. The leader? Not only was that extremely rare, how would she ever have time to train her? Spiritstar had a Clan to lead, after all.
A few cats purred at Spiritstar's weak joke, but most simply looked as shocked as Echopaw felt. She could feel Bluepaw's fur prickling next to her in surprise, and waves of shock rolled off of Smallpaw. "You?" she mewed aloud.
She didn't realize the crowd was dispersing until only Spiritstar, Birdsong, Sunscar, her litter-mates and herself remained in the barren clearing. "Yes, me."
Echopaw felt as if she should stare at her paws, be embarrassed, but she couldn't. This was her mentor, after all. She more than anyone would have to learn to not be afraid. She met the leader's cloudy gaze with her own vibrant blue one. "Sorry, I mean I'm honored, but normally the Clan leader doesn't have an apprentice."
Spiritstar cocked her head. "That's not true. In fact, I mentored your mother."
Echopaw gasped. "Sandgorse?"
Spiritstar purred. "I believe that is your mother, yes."
"Cool!" mewed Bluepaw beside her hastily. Smallpaw shifted uncomfortably.
"So… what are we doing first?"
"I believe we'll explore the territory."
Echopaw nods. Bluepaw and Smallpaw give excited little bounces and run off, mewing excitedly to each other.
They rush through the territory. Echopaw didn't really even remember most of it. It was all so big, and there was so much of it! At the end, the warriors gave them a brief hunting lesson. It wasn't really much more useful than what Rowanoak and Smokecloud had showed them moons before, although Birdsong did teach them a useful technique for nabbing squirrels, and Sunscar taught them how to jump to catch blackbirds and lapwings.
"You want to go out and try it on your own?"
Echopaw nodded vigourously, as did her littermates.
"All right, don't stray too far and try to catch as much as you can!"
"All right!" It was a faint mewed thrown over a shoulder, because Echopaw was already running away. Bluepaw was hot on her heels.
"What do you want to try for?"
Echopaw shrugged. "Maybe a squirrel. A nice plump one."
"That shouldn't be too hard," Bluepaw remarked. "They're all stuffing their faces for leaf-bare."
Echopaw lifted her head and tasted the air. She signaled with her tail. "That way."
They padded off together in silence, perfectly attuned to each other's thoughts. There was indeed a squirrel up ahead; Bluepaw went around the side and Echopaw ran forwards, forcing it right into her hidden sister's paws. They stood up with the limp peice of prey in both of their jaws, Echopaw with the tail and Bluepaw with the head.
"Nice catch," Echopaw mewed on the way back.
"You helped."
But Echopaw didn't get to answer, because a lapwing she'd been too distracted to notice suddenly flew up in between her paws. She gave a start and leaped after it, oushing with strong hindlegs into the air. Her stomach dropped out of her hind-legs. She was flying, floating, and then her claws were digging into the bird's feathers and she landed hard on something warm. She heard a sickening crack beneath her.
Her heart leapt into her throat. "Bluepaw?" Oh, no, Bluepaw…
But no, Bluepaw was behind her. She stepped off of the warm thing. She had landed on a conveniently placed mouse, breaking it's neck and killing it instantly.
Bluepaw stared at her with wide, cerulean eyes. "That… was… awesome. You jumped so high… How'd you do that?"
Echopaw shook her head, staring at the two pieces of fresh-kill under her paws.
"It was just a lucky catch. The lapwing practically flew into my paws. And I just happened to land on the mouse. It was half-asleep anyway." Excuses spat out of her mouth.
"Maybe the mouse was lucky, but you jumped so high! You caught that lapwing like you were catching a ball of moss. Is it that easy?"
Uncomfortable with the question, Echopaw shifted from foot to foot. "Um… It was just lucky."
Bluepaw gave her a dubious glance and rushed off with the squirrel dangling from her jaws. "I'm going to go show Birdsong!"
"I'll be there, give me a second," Echopaw called half-heartedly. She slung the mouse over her back, balancing it precariously on her small stature. She lifted the lapwing in her mouth. It was big nearly as big as her, maybe even bigger than Smallpaw! But it wasn't heavy. The reason she had stayed behind wasn't because she was getting her catches, though. She had the distinct feeling she was being watched.
As she glanced around, it proved true. Through the thick foliage, two cloudy gray eyes stare at her, and even as they disappear, Mistcloud's scent hangs in the air.
Echopaw stood there, staring at the spot for a few minutes before Featherpaw comes up behind her. Echopaw isn't frightened when she mews, she scented her long before.
"You caught both of those."
Echopaw simply nodded and turned away. The older apprentice blocked her way with her tail.
"Mistcloud says to come to her den tonight. She needs to talk to you."
"I have nothing to say to Mistcloud," Echopaw mumbled around the lapwing. Tansyleaf's scent suddenly wreathed her. She'd had similar dreams everyday since that first time, when she was a kit, and every time she had ended with the same. Tell no one.
"It may be time, Echo."
Echopaw's fur bristled. "But I don't want to tell anyone! I don't want to be different!"
Leaving Featherpaw standing in the clearing, wondering who the younger cat had been talking to, she bounded away into the forest, carrying her prey.
Sorry, it's kind of short this time. I feel rushed. And it's not very good. *hangs head sadly.*
Also, I would probably post faster if I got positive reviews (hint, hint.)
CIAO!
