Chapter 13
Mistpaw narrowed her eyes. The mouse scuttled along, squeaking. She was about to catch it when there was a scream. The mouse darted away; Mistpaw sat up and looked on furiously as Sweetpaw and Rosepaw chased each other through the pine forest. "Hey! You're scaring away the prey!" she snarled. Sweetpaw glared at her. "Sorry, Mrs. Runt," she grumbled, just loud enough for Mistpaw to hear. Mistpaw bristled, watching them walk away.
She turned and concentrated on the hunt again. Her eyes narrowed, staring down a sparrow. With one quick leap she caught it. Mistpaw ended up catching four pieces of prey. She carried them in her jaws back to camp, and recieved no praise from anyone. She noticed Pinespeck rushing toward Owlstar's den. "What's wrong?" she called. Pinespeck paused and looked at her. "Cats are getting greencough already, and it's only just the start of leaf-bare. Even I have sickness!" Mistpaw was worried, and watched him. He hadn't told her why he was going to Owlstar. Was he sick, too?
"Hey Runtpaw!" Bluepaw pounced on her and gave her a good scratch. "Have fun at the Gathering, where everyone is going to make fun of you for being small!" Mistpaw watched her go and licked the new scratch her sister had just added to the collection. Cats will think I love getting hurt at this rate! She checked the sky; almost time to go to the Gathering. She walked over to the fresh-kill pile and chose some prey, then settled down and ate. She finished just as Owlstar left his den.
Honestly, he looked terrible.
The sick leader gathered his cats and set off. Mistpaw noticed he was stumbling a lot, and Pinespeck was guiding him. They reached the lake shore, and the Clan suddenly picked up some speed and cut in front of ThunderClan. A growl rumbled in Squirrelstar's throat. Mistpaw almost fell in the water while trying to cross the tree-bridge, Applepaw was pushing her from behind. She soon tumbled onto the shore, and followed her Clan into the hollow.
Mistpaw bounded into the clearing and looked around. I wish Seedpaw was here. She walked toward a group of apprentices and warriors, only to run into a wall of golden fur. "Watch it!" snapped a RiverClan elder. Then she blinked. "Great StarClan! You're a kit!" Mistpaw sighed. "No, I'm just small, okay?" she struggled not to add, Flea-bitten furbag. "Oh. Sorry." the elder walked away.
"Let the Gathering begin!" yowled Swiftstar. Cats gathered and sat in their usual places. Mistpaw squirmed in between Redfox and Wolftooth, ignoring their disgusted glares. She looked up at the tree, where the leaders perched. "WindClan is doing well, despite dogs on the moors and cold weather. Recently, Flightpaw has been killed by a dog." There were murmurs of grief, and Swiftstar lowered his head. Then he gestured toward Mistystar. "The rivers are running with fish. Whitecough is in the camp, but luckily, it isn't too severe." Mistystar's eyes shone with pride. "And I would like to welcome a new apprentice, Leopardpaw!" Cats cheered the apprentice's name. Mistpaw stood on her hind legs and spotted a golden tom with brown patches. Is that Leopardpaw?
She then saw Mistystar was glaring at her, and there was hushed giggles through the clearing. She had been lost in her thoughts and was still standing. Embarrassed, she sat down. Mistystar quickly finished her report and allowed Owlstar to limp forward. "Greencough is in camp, but that doesn't mean we won't be ready to take on any intruders." He coughed. "Also, ShadowClan has two new apprentices: Sweetpaw and Rosepaw." The Clans began cheering.
Owlstar continued in a congested voice, "We have also recently had a small incident with one of the apprentices and deathberries." Horror filled Mistpaw as the whole of ShadowClan turned and stared at her, making it obvious who the culprit was. A few cats from ThunderClan whispered. Squirrelstar stood up on her branch, not even giving Owlstar the slightest chance to finish his report. "ShadowClan are stupid thieves and liars!" the ThunderClan leader yelled. "I found ShadowClan scent, bird feathers, and blood across the ThunderClan border!"
The clearing errupted with screams and furious yells. "We have done nothing of the sort!" spat Flintflight. "No-good liars!" snarled a ThunderClan elder. Suddenly the clearing went black. Everyone froze. Mistpaw looked up and saw clouds covering the moon. Leaders jumped from the tree and gathered their Clans. Everyone went to their Clans and followed them home. Mistpaw trudged after ShadowClan, heart pounding. Why would Squirrelstar suggest such a thing?
They hurried home and began telling everyone who stayed behind about the Gathering. Mistpaw went straight to her nest, curled up, and fell asleep.
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Mistpaw twisted, dodging Rosepaw's paws, and glanced at her partner Darkpaw. They were learning how to fight in pairs, and so far, they were doing well. Darkpaw gave her a quick nod and dove at Rosepaw, knocking her onto her back. Mistpaw pounced on Rosepaw as she tried to get up, and gave her a gentle nip.
"Great, you can stop now." grunted Redfox. "You did terrible, Mistpaw." she stared at him. "What? How?" Redfox snorted. "You didn't use any of the battle moves I taught you! Darkpaw is much better than you!" Mistpaw snarled. "Maybe I'm not as perfect as everyone else!" She turned and raced away, in a rage.
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Slow updates, I know, I know. I just have a lot to do, okay? Don't be angry if I don't update for a few days. ANYway, thanks for all of the reviews! I really appreciate it! ^u^ Seeya next time! Byee!