I don't own Warriors, Erin Hunter does! Thanks for reading!
Shuddering as a cold wind ruffled her fur, Graypaw dragged her mother's body under Big-Rock and curled next to it. She buried her nose into Moontail's cold pelt and sighed, closing her eyes. Graypaw felt the warm bodies of Splashpaw and Pebblefur lie down beside her and fell asleep to the light snoring of her brother and mentor…
The next morning, she woke up to bird chirping. Graypaw stood up and growled, "How are the birds so happy when my mother just died?"
"They don't understand our language," Pebblefur mewed, lifting his head. "We should get back to camp."
Splashpaw let out a whimper and snuggled closer to Moontail. Graypaw sadly nudged him and murmured, "We have to. We'll have vigil tonight, like Miststar said, remember?"
He sighed and lapped at her fur. She looked at Moontail's body and narrowed her blue eyes. I need to find out who that killer is! Graypaw raced to the spot where her mother had been killed and sniffed the ground. No scent; the light rain at night had washed it away. Pebblefur and Splashpaw draped the body over their shoulders and trudged out of the clearing. She shook her pelt and bounded after them. At camp, they lied her body in the center of camp as cats appeared out of their dens. Lilywhisker sniffed Moontail's fur and mewed, "Could someone please get rosemary?"
Whiskerdawn appeared with the herb and spread it over Moontail, covering the scent of death. Graypaw held back a wail, feeling like a kit without her mother. Well, she was without her mother. Miststar stood beside the two apprentices and said, "If you'd like, you two don't have to do any duties. I understand how sad you are."
"Thank you," Graypaw dipped her head, "but I still need to help my Clan. My mother's death can't stop me from doing my duties."
The leader's eyes flashed as though he were impressed. "You speak like a true warrior," Miststar commented. "Okay, Graypaw. Splashpaw?"
"S-Same," he stammered.
"Very well," he nodded. "Lilywhisker, organize the patrols. Whiskerdawn, I'd like to speak to you in my den." Miststar flicked his tail and disappeared in his den behind the Highrock.
Graypaw turned to the deputy and stood beside Flamepaw, pressing close to him and feeling comfortable. She realized Ripplefur gazing at her, jealousy clearly filling his eyes. She looked away and stared at her paws. "Milkyfur, Crowtail, and Redfur," Lilywhisker meowed. "You are on a hunting patrol. Rosewhisker, Cottonfur, Bearclaw, and Splashpaw; you will be at the Skyclan border." The cats she had called quickly left the camp.
"Graypaw and Flamepaw," she continued, "I want you to practice a battle against Ripplefur. I'll be there to judge you."
Graypaw's heart lurched in fear. Against Ripplefur!? "What about Pebblefur?" she asked hesitantly.
Lilywhisker shook her head. "He needs a break," she replied. "He told me he'd been freezing at night."
Pebblefur glanced at his apprentice, frowned, and nodded in agreement. "Let's go," Lilywhisker announced. She looked at Ripplefur and padded out of the entrance.