A/N:Sup Peeps, got another chapter for ya! We will start branching off from the books a bit in this one. I am going to keep some things true to the story because A(It's a rewrite). And B(I'm too lazy to completely change everything). Tell me what you think about it.
Mistress1296: Ravenpaw is staying! And as for the last line last chapter. It was meant to be Graypaw saying that XD sorry if it was confusing.
Copacetic406: I know that in almost every story where Ravenpaw stays he ends up medicine cat, but it just fits him so well! He's too precious for this world. And as for Firepaw... he's going to have some hard decisions when it comes to his knowledge of what Tigerclaw as done and who he tells. But that's for later.
Guest: Yeah, I thought he could have contributed a lot to the books. But his and Tigerclaws personality were just too different. Being naturally skittish, I believe Tigerclaw wasn't helping Ravenpaw's situation at all, even if he hadn't seen the death of Redtail. So I'm keeping him!
Ran: What Ravenpaw did was, wasn't it? XD As for Firepaw getting praised, well, all praise in this story is going to be hard to come by. But let me tell you, a journey he makes down the road is going to be with very different cats. He might get along with them and they might have some nice things to say about him then. ;)
The night passed and for once, firepaw didn't have dreams filled with smoky shadows, and fire. He opened his eyes, feeling rested and rejuvenated.
Bright yellow light was streaming into the den, showing the it was around mid-morning. It was only him and Dustpaw asleep in the den. With a yawn he stretched and leisurely made his way out of the den.
He looked around briefly for his friends, but when he didn't see them shrugged. They were probably out training, or hunting. He walked towards Bluestar who was talking with Frostfur.
"Ah Firepaw," She said as he approached. "I'm not going to be able to train with you. I need to check up on Brindleface and her new kits and set up the patrols." She stretched her supple body with an amused pur. "Plus, I am still feeling our training session from yesterday."
Firepaw bowed his head, trying to not smile. "What would you like me to do today then?"
"I'm going to have Whitestorm take you out hunting," Bluestar said immediately. "With the constant threat of ShadowClan I would like the fresh-kill pile to be well stocked, just in case. Also, you should go see Brindleface's kits. They will make excellent additions to the Clan."
"Yes Bluestar," Firepaw purred. He quickly trotted over to the nursery and ducked inside. There were four in all, cuddled against Brindleface. Three pale gray with dark flecks, and one tiny dark gray tom. They were mewling and squirming as Brindleface gave them affectionate licks.
"They're cute," Firepaw found himself whispering.
"They are," Brindleface said lovingly. "All were born strong and healthy. Bluestar seemed especially happy."
Firepaw could hear the pride in her voice. This was her first litter so she was probably very happy that their was nothing wrong with them. He watched the small bundles for a moment longer before touched his nose to her flank softly before leaving.
A quick search led him over towards the warrior den where Whitestorm and Willowpelt were talking. Whitestorm turned to him. "Good morning Firepaw, are you ready to go?"
"Yes," Firepaw said. He didn't know Whitestorm very well, but from what he had seen, Whitestorm was an honorable warrior. He was quiet and withdrawn, but he was wise, and knowledgeable. Bluestar often went to him when she was conflicted with a tough decision.
"Good. Sandpaw! Come over here," Whitestorm called towards the pale ginger she-cat. She came bounding over giving Firepaw a side-glance.
"Bluestar would like us to take out Firepaw as well, she is busy today." Whitestorm said. "I don't want you giving him any problems, understand?"
"Oh, I guess I'll try not to," Sandpaw meowed sarcastically.
"Hmph," Whitestorm grunted. "I hope that you're a little more sure than that."
"Like I said I'll try," Sandpaw purred.
Firepaw was surprised at the sarcasm that went between the two, but he could see the amusement in Whitestorm's smile and realized that this must be how they interact. He awkwardly cleared his throat. "I'm ready to go if you guys are."
Whitestorm nodded. "Very well, let's go."
He led them out of camp and up the ravine. The air was warm despite the cold nights they were getting. Leafbare would be here before the knew it. Sandpaw fell into step besides him and gave him a curious look.
"So I have a personal question if you don't mind," She asked.
Firepaw gave her a cautious look, remembering the rude way that she and Dustpaw had treated him with when he first joined the Clan. However, lately she hadn't been that rude towards him. "Yes…?"
"It's about the twolegs you lived with," Sandpaw said. "Were yours really horrible?"
"What?" Firepaw asked.
"Oh you know. Most kittypets are soft, they have no interest in the forest. But you aren't like most of them. So I'm guessing that your twolegs were cruel to you." Her eyes were bright as they looked at him. "Am I right?"
Firepaw was quiet for a heartbeat, trying to organize his answers. "No... they weren't cruel to me. They were actually quite kind. I just… wasn't interested in that lifestyle. I had always been fascinated by the forest. About everything in it. So I kinda just… ran off."
"Oh," Sandpaw replied. She seemed disappointed?! Her eyes suddenly brightened again and she turned to look at him. "Did they try to keep you from leaving?" Sandpaw asked. Firepaw shot her a questionable look.
"Why do you want to know all this?"
She leaned in closer so Whitestorm couldn't hear her and whispered. "I want to tell the kits scary stories when they're old enough. "
Firepaw look turned dubious, but he looked forward as Whitestorm cut them off. "Hush, this is a hunting trip, not a time to trade stories. Save it for when you share tongues." He sounding annoyed. Both apprentices ducked and Firepaw smile sheepishly at Sandpaw. She really wasn't that bad. His thoughts went to the last apprentice that we wasn't friends with and frowned. Dustpaw might be a little harder to become friends with. Especially with his mentor.
They came to a stop and Whitestorm turned to the two of them. "Alright, I know that half the Clan must be hunting by now, but I would like you two to do so as well. Firepaw I'm going to have you hunt towards the Thunderpath, while I want you to hunt near Sunningrocks," He nodded towards Sandpaw.
Both apprentices nodded, and a small smile could beginning to form on Whitestorm's face. "To keep this entertaining, let's make this a competition. Which one of you can catch the most prey?"
"Obviously me," Sandpaw instantly meowed. She shot Firepaw a challenging smile. "Unless this kittypet has a trick in his fur."
"Who knows, Bluestar has taught me many things," Firepaw said cryptically. While he knew that she didn't use the word to purposely hurt him now, he was still irritated at her constant use of 'kittypet'. He was awarded with an annoyed flick of Sandpaw's ears as she looked back to her mentor.
"You have until sundown," Whitestorm mewed. After a moment of them just staring at him he chuckled. "If you're waiting for me to tell you to go, you're wasting daylight."
Without another word, Sandpaw took off into the underbrush. Firepaw quickly turned and did the same, heading towards Thunderpath. He was excited for this. It would be a good time to prove that he was an adept hunter, and show just how well Bluestar had taught him.
The cool grass tickled his belly as he crept along, mouth open for any scent of prey. Around him, the greenery was swirling with a breeze, a storm was rising in the distance.
Firepaw fought off the shiver and pressed on, he froze as a chaffinch landed in the middle of some ferns just a few tail-lengths away.
Bunching his hind legs underneath him, he was quick to catch it. Proud of finding something this quickly, he buried it, eager to find more. If his luck held out, he would put Sandpaw to shame!
He crept closer to the Thunderpath, and could hear the roar as they passed in the distance. He opened his mouth again and froze. The smell that invaded his nose was not that of prey… but that of… ShadowClan!
Hunting instantly forgotten, he cautiously moved towards the Thunderpath. Coming upon the black path he was able to smell that ThunderClan had recently strengthened their markings, but ShadowClan scent washed over that. It led away from the Thunderpath into the forest.
With horror Firepaw realized that it was heading towards ThunderClan camp. Without another thought he started running, sprinting for the camp.
He silently prayed to StarClan that ShadowClan wasn't attacking their camp again, as he crested the the ravine, he strained to hear any sort of fighting. Momentary relief coursed through him when he didn't, but he didn't slow down as he charged into the camp.
Panting he looked around. There were very few cats in the camp. He could see Willowpelt, and Dustpaw over near the warrior's den. The elders were in front of their den. Frostfur's kits were playing outside of the nursery, their small tails held high as they play fought. Ravenpaw came out of Spottedleaf's den and his eyes lit up as he saw him.
"Firepaw!" He called quickly bounding up to him. His whiskers trembling with excitement. "I talked to Spottedleaf and she was all for it! She talked to Bluestar this morning about it, and she said that Bluestar would announce it to the Clan tonight!"
"Ravenpaw, where is everybody?" Firepaw puffed.
Ravenpaw took in his out-of-breath, and bristled furred appearance and his mood sobered. "I don't know. Out hunting, and on patrols - why?"
"Who's left to defend the camp?" Firepaw hissed. Ravenpaw's eyes widened and he looked around, he too noticing the lack of warriors in camp. "Do you know where Bluestar went?" He pressed.
"She just left on a patrol with Tigerclaw, Frostfur, and Darkstripe," Ravenpaw mewed.
"You need to go and warn them!" Firepaw said. "I scented ShadowClan on our side of Thunderpath, heading towards the camp!"
Ravenpaw hesitated for a moment before he nodded and took off, disappearing through the gorse entrance. Firepaw nearly jumped out of his skin he heard Spottedleaf speak up. "What's going on Firepaw?"
He turned to see her giving him a concerned look and he quickly explained. As he did so, Willowpelt and Dustpaw came up. They all realized the danger they had put themselves in and Dustpaw instantly went to watch the entrance while Willowpelt went to warn the elders.
Firepaw let a bit of the anxiety flow out of him. He was still worried that ShadowClan might try and attack, but at least now they were as prepared as they would be.
Spottedleaf was still standing next to him and she gave him a small smile. "By the way, were you the one who had Ravenpaw ask me to become an apprentice?"
Before Firepaw could decide whether or not to be honest Spottedleaf shook her head. There was a look in her eyes as if she already knew the answer. "Do you know what? Don't tell me. I just want you to know that Ravenpaw was honestly thrilled when me and Bluestar said yes."
"That's good," Firepaw said with a smile.
"Yellowfang in there, said she knew he wasn't warrior material," Spottedleaf said dryly nodding towards the her den.
He let out an amused purr, he glanced around the camp again and froze.
"Where are Frostfur's kits?" He asked Spottedleaf. They both turned to see that where the kits had been playing just a moment before were gone.
They both went sprinting over to check Spottedleaf going to check inside the nursery while Firepaw around the den.
As he padded around the tall grass in the back, he heard a faint kit mewling. He let out a breath of relief. Thank StarClan they were just playing behind the nur-
A heavy paw hit the back of his head knocking him down and dazing him. His eyes grew heavy as he saw Clawface, Blackfoot, and another ShadowClan cat he didn't know with the terrified kits. Blackfoot smiled almost kindly at him.
"Fancy meeting you here Firepaw."
"Firepaw they weren't in the nursery!"
The fiery apprentice desperately tried to rise, to warn Spottedleaf, but before he could she came around the corner. Her eyes took in everything and she hissed, instantly leaping at Clawface. The ShadowClan tom hissed in surprise as she scored a good swipe against his pelt. Firepaw felt a sliver of smugness at the surprised look the ShadowClan cat had. As if he didn't think that she would attack. It vanished though, quickly replaced with dread as Clawface lunged. Instead of hitting her like he had Firepaw he lunged forward, delivering a killing bite to the back of Spottedleaf's neck.
The sweet she-cat fell, her eyes glazing over. There was silence for a moment.
Rage and horror filled Firepaw. How dare they kill Spottedleaf! His eyes desperately locked onto the still form of Spottedleaf. Maybe she wasn't dead. He still had a chance to heal her. He managed to get to his paws as Blackfoot hissed at Clawface. "You fool! That was a medicine cat! Now ThunderClan won't rest until we've paid!"
"Whatever, we're taking kits. It's not like it can get any worse," Clawface growled. He noticed Firepaw stand unsteadily and easily bowled him over. Firepaw desperately try to let out a warning yowl, but Clawface smacked him in the back of the head once more.
Firepaw's world went dark.