jadewing- Thanks for the review! I decided to use 'Attack' as the name for this chapter! :)
Hope you enjoy this chapter. Reviews are appreciated!
All was silent except the gentle noise of branches swaying and the crickets chirping. Nightpaw sat up, opening her jaws in a wide yawn. The slight movement of the moss bed beside her, notified her that Sagepaw was still asleep. His flanks rose and fell steadily, and muffled snores left his mouth.
The young black furred apprentice turned her blue gaze to outside the apprentice den. She could see no cats in the clearing. Not being able to sleep any longer, she headed out of the spacious den. The apprentice glanced toward the gorge's exit in search of who was on guard. A fluffy gray cat sat stiffly, watching outside the camp intently. Nightpaw quietly ambled over to where he was seated.
"You should be resting, " Nightpaw froze to the sound of the cat's voice. The gray warrior's broad head turned to reveal his yellow eyes. They seemed to gleam in the darkness ass he gazed at her. The apprentice dipped her head in acknowledgement and went to sit beside him.
She sighed and tapped her one white paw absentmindedly at a leaf that had blown to the ground, "I can't. I guess I just have a lot on my mind." Wolfheart, her mentor, gave her a sympathetic look. Nightpaw kept her blue gaze on the ground. "I thought I might just relax out here and get a bit of fresh air."
The gray warrior purred and gave her a nudge, "You know what, Lionstep should be taking over watch any time now. When he does, how about we do a bit of hunting?" His apprentice nodded her head eagerly.
It was long after that Lionstep came walking over. His bright, golden fur was clearly visible in the darkness. Wolfheart greeted him with a purr. Lionstep had been Wolfheart's mentor when he was an apprentice. Nightpaw knew that the two of them shared a close bond. Well, Wolfheart and I are good friends too. The young she-cat thought.
"I'll take it from here," Lionstep mewed with a dip of his head. With that, Nightpaw and her mentor took off. The two cats padded in the direction of the ShadowClan border. Wolfheart had insisted they check for any of their rival clan's scents while they were hunting. He had explained that ShadowClan would probably still go after the large strip of land they had demanded from Willowstar.
The snapping of twigs and leaves made the two ThunderClan cats freeze. They sounded as if they couldn't have been too far away. Wolfheart immediately leapt at a tree, sinking his sharp claws into the bark. He pulled himself up to a higher branch and peered down. The fur on his neck rose.
"We have to get back to camp! Now!" The gray warrior hissed to his apprentice, who has just made it up beside him. She was panting softly with effort. Wolfheart remembered that he had yet to teach her about tree climbing. It was something that was of good use to ThunderClan cats in battle.
Nightpaw's pelt bristled as she followed Wolfheart's yellow gaze. Below, not far from the tree they rested in, was a huge patrol of ShadowClan cats. It looked like every warrior in their rival clan was in it. Darkstar was in the front of the cats, leading them straight toward ThunderClan camp.
They jumped down from branch to branch until they were close enough to take a leap to the ground. Wolfheart landed neatly on his paws with Nightpaw following after him. The black apprentice stumbled a bit when she touched the ground, but she quickly composed herself. The two ThunderClan cats raced to camp.
The gray warrior yowled loudly when they rushed into camp, "ShadowClan is invading!" HIs voice seemed to ring through the gorge that was home to ThunderClan. Instantly cats shot out of their dens. All of their eyes were clouded in surprise. Wolfheart saw his own sister's eyes widen in fear. The gray warrior guessed she was afraid for her unborn kits.
Willowstar emerged from her den and dashed to the clearing. The ThunderClan leader addressed her clan, "Elders move to the nursery immediately. I want every warrior and apprentice ready to fight. Hazelpool, make sure you and Larkpaw gather up the supplies you need. From what I hear, there won't be any time to meet outside camp."
It seemed like only a few heartbeats before a battle yowl chimed in the air, "ShadowClan attack!" Many cats poured into the gorge and instantly began to fight. Willowstar locked into a fierce leader with ShadowClan's own leader, Darkstar. Wolfheart was tussling with a gray and white she-cat. He seemed to be winning.
Nightpaw spotted a pure white she-cat charging toward her. She was bigger than Nightpaw, but she didn't seem to be as big as a full grown warrior. The black she-cat braced herself to fight with the other apprentice. The white she-cat hissed and crouched down in front of her. Her blue eyes glowed brightly.
Nightpaw dashed forward and landed a blow with her paws to the snowy white cat's head. The white she-cat staggered and lunged forward. Nightpaw managed to scramble out of the way and sank her teeth in the other cat's tail. The she-cat let out a screech of pain and turned, raking her claws across Nightpaw's ear. The black apprentice flinched, and she let go of the grip on the other cat's tail.
The ShadowClan cat slammed into Nightpaw's side, knocking her over. She then pinned her down, sinking her claws into Nightpaw's fur. The black she-cat struggled under the grip of the bigger cat, thinking desperately for the right move.
The white apprentice sneered when she felt the other one go limp under her. She lessened her weight on the other cat, ready to go off and fight another. Before she could leave, Nightpaw shot her legs up strongly at the ShadowClan apprentice's belly, throwing her off. Nightpaw scurried to her paws and lunged at the dazed ShadowClan apprentice, sinking her teeth into her shoulder. She yowled in pain and pulled away. Nightpaw watched as the other she-cat made a run for it.
A flash of gray and white slammed into her, sending her to the ground once more. Before she could stand to her paws, the shape pinned her to the ground. Nightpaw instantaneously recognized Leopardpaw. His paw was brought up, ready to rake his claws down her chest. When he seemed to notice her, he paused. He gaped down at the other apprentice. His hazel eyes widened.
"Nightpaw!" Leopardpaw hissed. Her muzzle only a kitstep away from the other apprentice's ear. Nightpaw unsheathed her claws. With his distraction, she could have the perfect chance to sink her claws into his belly. She froze. Her sharp claws grazed his belly fur, but she couldn't bring herself to do anything else.
She ears flattened against her skull. She whispered quietly, "I can't... I can't fight you." Her voice was barely audible, but Leopardpaw seemed to hear her. His eyes flickered with understanding for a moment, but he quickly covered it up.
"Then you're just being a soft kittypet," He sneered and lunged for her shoulder. Nightpaw shut her eyes ready for the impact. Her limps seemed to be frozen in place. Why can't I just fight back! She yelled desperately in her head.
When the bite never came, her two blue eyes fluttered open. Leopardpaw's mouth was almost pressing against her shoulder. His warm breath ticked her ear. "I can't either," He murmured faintly.
With that, He leapt away from her and charged back into battle. Nightpaw stood on trembling paws. She had been moments away from being wounded by her good friend. She gazed over seeing him fighting with Tigerstripe now. Although he attacked her clan mate, he seemed more reluctant than the other ShadowClan cats.
Nightpaw felt her fur prickle with unease. As a kit, she had always boasted that when she was older, she would take on the strongest ShadowClan cat there was. Now, it seemed like she couldn't even bring herself to fighting any more of them. Is it because of my friendship with Leopardpaw? She questioned in her mind. Although she knew the answer, she couldn't help but feel confused.
Nightpaw shook her head clear and looked around. Cinderstreak was clawing a dark brown tom from the nursery. It was obvious that she was struggling to fight with her swollen belly. The brown warrior easily overpowered her, and she was pinned to the ground. Without thinking, Nightpaw dashed over to the battle and leapt at the ShadowClan warrior.
When she was about to make contact with him, a yowl broke through the air. She stumbled to the ground, sending dirt flying up. Every cat had stopped their clashes and were staring at the middle of the clearing. Nightpaw turned her head, following their gazes. In the middle of camp laid a motionless body. It's calico fur glowed dimly in the moonlight. A fiery red ShadowClan warrior stood gaping down at her.
"I-I didn't mean to!" The tom screeched, stumbling back when another cat pushed passed him. It was Tigerstripe. He buried his fur into the she-cats fur.
Tigerstripe lifted his head and let out a mournful wail. Mosseyes was dead. His mother had been murdered by the ShadowClan warrior. Bluefrost and a few other ThunderClan cats joined him. The battle seemed to be forgotten.
"This battle is over! You will return to your home now!" Willowstar growled lowly. She glared at Darkstar who stood in front of her. Her gray fur was matted with blood, but her eyes flared strongly. Nightpaw knew Darkstar would leave. It was against the warrior code and greatly dishonorable to kill a cat from another clan. Especially when it was over a new border.
With a snarl, Darkstar turned, leading his warriors out of ThunderClan's camp. Leopardpaw was the last in the group. He casted a quick glance to her. His hazel eyes shining sympathetically over the death of her clan mate. Nightpaw lowered her gaze to her paws.
Mosseyes had been in the nursery when she and her siblings were. Even when Tigerstripe was made an apprentice, Mosseyes had chosen to rest in the nursery for a while longer. The calico she-cat would watch over them whenever their mother left, and she was always happy to tell the kits new stories.
Sagepaw and Larkpaw were already lying down beside her. Nightpaw rushed over and buried her nose into the calico fur. Mosseyes no longer felt warm. Her fur was as cold as leafbare, and her eyes were dim. Blood was smeared around her throat were the warrior had bit her.
"Isn't it strange how tragedies keep striking our clan?" Nightpaw could hear Pinepelt growl to Stoneshade. He then added with a quick glance to the black apprentice, "I've always told everyone what she was. A curse."
Nightpaw felt anger surge through her. It isn't my fault she died! It's that ShadowClan cat! She hissed inwardly. Nightpaw dug her claws into the ground. He always blames me! One day... Her thoughts trailed off as she gave her head a small shake.
They sat vigil for the fallen warrior until the elders and a few senior warriors took her body for burial. The cats split up and went to their dens. It had been a long night, and they were all tired. Nightpaw settled down in her moss lined nest with a yawn. She closed her icy blue eyes, digging her claws into her bed when remembering Pinepelt's words.
Nightpaw blinked an eye open to see a grassy plain. She stood to her paws and quickly glanced around. The sun was just rising, giving the sky a mixture of various colors. It was the sight that always mesmerized her. It was beautiful and calming. She stared at the sky for what seemed like many heartbeats before realizing there was something strange.
Where am I? She mused. This isn't anywhere I know. The black she-cat padded away in a random direction. The only sounds she could hear was the stir of the wind and birds chirping a song. Movement our of the corner of her eye made her pause. What was that?
Suddenly, a russet colored she-cat appeared in front of her. Nightpaw felt her fur bristled as she glared into the cat's pale, green eyes. The cat was gazing back calmly. Nightpaw examined the cat. Her auburn pelt was sleek and well-groomed. There was a missing patch of fur on her haunch.
"Where am I?" The black furred apprentice questioned. The russet she-cat purred. She gently brushed her tail across the smaller cat's shoulder and smiled. Her pale green eyes seemed friendly, and her voice was soft.
The she-cat murmured delicately, "You are wherever you want to be." Nightpaw frowned at this. That was no answer. What did it mean anyway? Before the apprentice could ask another question, the russet colored she-cat spoke again, "Just think of a place you like."
Nightpaw gave her a quizzical look before closing her eyes. She thought of her journey to the mountains. They had climbed a hill when they left the clans. As she looked back she could see the whole lake. It seemed small, but it shined prettily under the sun. The apprentice opened her eyes.
Nightpaw gasped and stumbled back in surprise. She was standing in the familiar spot. The sun was high and bright in the sky. She glanced over seeing the russet she-cat by her side. She was humming softly.
"Is this StarClan?" Nightpaw asked suddenly. When the other she-cat shook her head, Nightpaw blinked in confusion. Surely, only a great place like this could be StarClan? The russet colored cat, seeming to sense her confusion, explained.
She mewed, "No, this is not StarClan. This is where the ancestors of other cats are. Like me." Other ancestors?
"Who's ancestors are you then?" The apprentice inquired. Her head was tilted. Her pale, icy blue eyes shone curiously. The russet cat stayed silent. Unexpectedly the light seemed to shut off. Darkness surrounded Nightpaw. When she glanced around fearfully, she could see faint outlines of trees. The russet she-cat was nowhere in sight.
Started to panic, Nightpaw dashed away. She could smell the faint scent of the other cat, making hope flare inside her. After running for a little bit, She spotted a bright light shimmering down at what seemed like the exit to the woods. She quickened her pace.
Panting, she glanced around. The apprentice had finally made it out of the eerie woods. In front of her, was the moon. It was large and bright, lighting the area. A dark shape of a cat sat in front of her. She scurried over, noticing it was the russet cat. When the she-cat ordered her to sit, she did.
"Who are you? And why am I here with you, anyway?" Nightpaw gazed at the other cat, hoping she wouldn't run off again. Thankfully, the cat seemed happy to answer. She turned her pale green eyes to Nightpaw.
"My name is Brick," She purred gently, " I came because you needed me. It seems something is troubling you." Nightpaw scowled when thoughts of Pinepelt filled her mind. She let out a faint hiss.
"Well, yea. This cat-Pinepelt- always blames me for everything! I don't understand why everyone seems to thing I'm a 'curse'." The apprentice murmured. She decided to not mention the whole thing that happened on their trip to the mountains.
Brick's eyes softened, and she gave Nightpaw a reassuring smile. "He is wrong then. You are a cat destined for greatness. You will see, Nightpaw, one day you will be eminent." The black she-cat felt warmed by the sureness in Brick's voice. "We will always be there to help you."
We? Nightpaw pondered in bewilderment. The she-cat opened her mouth to reply, but stopped at the sight of other cats emerging from the darkness. She couldn't make out what they looked like as the padded forward. Their eyes glimmered brightly.
"Nightpaw. Nightpaw. Nightpaw," The many cats seemed to chime. Nightpaw's fur prickled in fear at the sight of so many cats.
"Nightpaw! Will you wake up already?" Nightpaw shot to her paws. Sagepaw was standing near her, his head tilted. He sighed, "You were twisting and turning all over, and it's time to start training!"
The black she-cat smoothed down her fur with a few licks. "Sorry. I was dreaming," She murmured rapidly before exiting the den. She still had so many questions she wanted to ask Brick. She craved to know who those other cats were as well. I wonder if they were other ancestors? I wish I at least knew whose ancestors they were.
"Ah, You're up finally. We are going hunting with Sagepaw and Petalfrost. It's about time we access your skills," Wolfheart said as he walked over to her. Nightpaw nodded her head.
Soon, the four cats headed out of camp. They didn't walk far before Wolfheart spoke up. His yellow eyes were shining expectedly. He glanced at the two apprentices.
"Alright. You two go off and hunt. We'll be watching you, so do your best," The fluffy gray warrior purred. With that, The two apprenticed shot off in different directions. Nightpaw headed in the route of the abandoned twoleg den. She knew she would be able to catch a few mice there and maybe even a squirrel or bird.
On her way to the den, she spotted a starling. She instantly crouched down and stalked forward. Her hunting skills had increased greatly since she was first apprenticed. Her form wasn't nearly as clumsy anymore. She was able to keep her tail still as well. Her paws seemed to glide over the ground as she approached her prey. She jumped out, claws outstretched. The bird had no time to screech before she sank her teeth in its throat.
The black coated apprentice had a good hunt. She had caught the starling, two mice and even a squirrel. She struggled back to their meeting place with the prey dragging from her jaws. She saw Sagepaw sitting proudly with his prey. He had caught a good amount as well. Two voles, a squirrel, and a plump mouse lied near his paws. It was obvious that the apprentices were improving.
I won't be updating for about 10 days or so. A friend of mine is coming over, so I probably won't have any time to write. I put up a poll to find out Sagepaw's warrior name. I have no idea what a good name would be. I put whatever names I could think of, but a few of them sound kind of girly. If you have any good names, please tell me!