Here's and extra-early Chapter 24!

Chapter 24- A Close Encounter

The apprentice finished and bowed her head.

Buckstar was even more puzzled than before. "A prophecy? About what?"

"That's what we're trying to figure out." Fernleaf sighed. "I didn't think one will come this early."

"It means that StarPack thinks there's danger ahead, right?" Buckstar asked gravely.

Fernleaf nodded. "I think that's what the blood means."

"The stag could be you, Buckstar." Twilightpaw said.

Buckstar furrowed his brows. "Really?"

"It's…another word for buck, actually."

Buckstar shook his head. "Then this prophecy might be…about me?"

Fernleaf nodded. "It could. It could not. We don't know for sure."

Buckstar rolled his eyes and sighed. "Great. Just another trouble to add to my already piling mountain."

Fernleaf nuzzled his shoulder reassuringly. "We'll take care of the prophecy for now, Buckstar. We'll help you figure it out. Go on whatever you were going to do. Just try to be more careful." She glanced at his bandaged wound.

"I will." Buckstar licked her and nodded curtly to her apprentice. "Goodbye."

He felt the she-wolves' eyes on him as he left the Healer's Den. He welcomed the mist of the waterfall as it soaked through his fur.

He then looked towards the Nursery, his heart sinking. "It's no use looking for her now." He growled to himself. "She's probably far gone by now. I'll wait until she comes back to talk to her."

He padded into the clearing and shook the water droplets off his pelt. I have to do something to keep my mind off Dawntail and that stupid prophecy…

He then shifted his eyes to the fresh-kill pile, where Hollypaw was grabbing the fox he had caught the night before. He smiled for what seemed like ages. I need to train her! She's been lazy for far too long! I hope she hasn't forgotten anything…

The Alpha padded up to his apprentice, the black she-wolf busy gnawing at a bone.

She turned her green eyes up at him, and she let go of the bone. "Hi, Buckstar!" She greeted him.

"Are you up for some training?" Buckstar asked her. "Or are you too tired?"

Hollypaw shook her head and stood up, her tail wagging. "Not at all." Then she cocked her head. "Are we doing battle-training?"

Buckstar was surprised at her question. "No. Isn't it a bit too early for that?" He replied.

Hollypaw looked crestfallen. "Oh. Redpaw just said-"

Buckstar rolled his eyes. "That braggart? He's got nothing better to do than bother you, Hollypaw."

The she-wolf gave him a small smile. "I suppose you're right…"

"Don't worry." He nudged her shoulder affectionately. "We'll get around to it soon. It's better to take things one pawstep at a time so you can be the best warrior you can be."

"And a lot of practice too, right?"

"Most definitely. Practice is what makes a warrior not only a warrior, but an excellent warrior at that."

"I want to be that warrior, Buckstar!" Hollypaw piped up, her bright green eyes shining.

Buckstar chuckled. His worries seemed to fade when he was with the black lovable she-wolf. "Then let's go work on your crouches."

"Alright!" She ran ahead of him, her head and tail high.

Buckstar shook his head. I have never seen her so…energetic and happy to go on a training. and especially at this time of day. He thought. Something's strange is going on with her. Thank StarPack. He thought gratefully and followed her out of the RainPack camp.

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They arrived at the LoneRock, panting and out of breath.

"You're a fast runner, Hollypaw." He gasped, still trying to regain his breath.

"My mother was too." She said. "Before she had pups, of course."

Buckstar smiled. "Your brothers and sister opened their eyes today."

Hollypaw nodded and a wistful look came into her eyes. "I know. I saw then with my father. They sure are beautiful!" She looked at him. "I hope your and Dawntail's pups come out just as beautiful!"

Buckstar's smile wavered for a moment, but he shook it away. I have to concentrate on this training. Not Dawntail! He scolded himself.

"Alright," He started to say, but Hollypaw swiftly interrupted him with a bark.

"The fox crouch?" She guessed.

Buckstar was surprised. "How did you know?"

She tilted her head high in pride. "I've been practicing, just like you told me to." She jumped into the sand and crouched, her body close to the ground.

Buckstar nodded approvingly. She almost does it like Dawntail…he thought and he shook his head vigorously, stop thinking about her!

"Ha, you little fox! I've got you now!" Hollypaw suddenly leaped into the air and came down hard on her front paws on some sort of invisible prey.

"Good job!" Buckstar praised her. "You have been practicing."

Hollypaw smiled.

"Now let's go catch a real one." Her mentor said, flicking his tail.

Her smile grew even bigger and she started to wag her tail. "Alright!"

"I'm sure they'll tremble with fear when they hear Hollypaw's on the prowl!" Buckstar chuckled.

"Absolutely!"

Buckstar led her out of the LoneRock, his eyes keen on catching the russet-red fur of a fox.

"I'll find one!" Hollypaw said, running up to his side.

"Lead on, then." The Alpha let his apprentice overtake him, seeing her raise her muzzle and give a good sniff.

"There's fox scent here, but it's stale."

Buckstar nodded. "Right."

Hollypaw continued to lead him through the forest until they reached the river border.

The Alpha spotted a raccoon fishing at the edge of the river and it suddenly looked up at him, its beady, amber eyes piercing through his fur before it scampered off into the woods.

He sighed. The raccoon's mask reminded of the black markings around Dawntail's eyes and he finally broke down, sobbing into his fur.

Hollypaw stopped, hearing her mentor's muffled sobs. She hurried to his side, concern in her green eyes. "What's wrong? Is something going on?" She asked feverishly.

Buckstar shook his head and sniffed back the tears. "N-nothing, Hollypaw."

Hollypaw lashed her tail. "Let's go back, Buckstar." She said.

He shook his head again. "No. Continue walking."

Hollypaw seemed doubtful and confused at the same time. "Are you sure?"

"There's…just something in my eye, that's all." He sniffed.

Hollypaw narrowed her eyes, obviously seeing through his lie. She just shrugged and sighed. "C'mon."

Buckstar followed his apprentice through the forest until she abruptly stopped; her ears and tail erect.

He sniffed and gave a small nod. There was strong fox-scent around here.

His apprentice lowered into the hunter's crouch and he quietly slipped into a bush, wanting his apprentice to catch this fox herself.

He watched as she looked around. The fox was nowhere to be seen. He heard her give an inaudible mumble.

She's supposed to stay completely silent! Buckstar thought, as Hollypaw looked his direction, and she has to focus on the situation, not look at me!

He was about to open his mouth to say something to her, but she gave a shriek, her bright green eyes blazing with fear.

"Buckstar, watch out!"

He felt heavy breathing on his back and he twisted around, his pelt bristling. He gasped in surprise. A fox was behind him, back arched and russet-red tail lashing angrily. The creature advanced slowly, long claws extended and white fangs bared and gleaming.

Buckstar backed away out of the bush, his own fangs bared threateningly.

Hollypaw jumped to his side, growling at the fox.

"Go, Hollypaw! I'll take care of this!" Buckstar hissed at her. The fox turned its head at him and glowered through its beady amber eyes.

"I'm not leaving you here alone!" Hollypaw hissed back. "It's huge!" She whispered to herself fearfully.

Buckstar dug his claws into the earth and shoved Hollypaw out of the fox's way. It suddenly lunged at him and his breath was knocked away as he rolled on the earth.

He felt the fox give him a bite to his shoulder and he dug his claws into its unprotected underbelly. It gave a hiss and let go of his shoulder, instead opening its maw to lunge at his throat.

Buckstar batted its muzzle aside with a swift claw swipe from his big paw before it got a chance to get a good grip on his throat. He finally managed to get on top of the fox, but it just slithered away from him, its blood already soaking the ground underneath them.

The Alpha whirled around, frantically searching for the fox.

Suddenly, he felt a weight jump on his back and the fox bit into his scruff. Buckstar roared in agony. The fox had finally gained an advantage against him and he bucked wildly, trying to shake it off.

Hollypaw, who had until now tried to snap at the fox, barreled into it, her deadly claws fully extended.

She had obviously surprised the fox and he was able to wiggle out of its grasp. As he recovered, the fox let out a blood-curling screech and fled, its tail between its legs.

Buckstar regained his breath and saw his apprentice hobble towards him, her normally black muzzle stained red with blood. "You're hurt!" She gasped.

The Alpha looked at his bloody shoulder wound and then felt the familiar sting of the slash Dawntail had given him earlier. It must have reopened. He thought angrily.

"It's not too bad." He grunted. "I've had worse."

Hollypaw stayed silent, her heavy breathing echoing in his ears. He licked the top of her head. "Thanks for saving my life, Hollypaw. I owe it to you."

Hollypaw shrugged. "You have four others, right?"

Buckstar chuckled. "One of them is for you then." He then was serious. "But really, thank you. I am honored to be your mentor."

She blushed. "I-it was nothing."

"You will make an excellent fighter. I can see it in you now."

Her eyes shone. "R-really?"

"I swear it to StarPack." He licked her again. "It's too bad we didn't get to kill the fox."

She perked her ears uncertainly. "Why did it attack us in the first place? I mean…normally we would attack it, not the other way around."

Buckstar frowned. "It must have pups around here. Let's go before it comes back."

Hollypaw nodded her agreement.

He led her out of the bloodstained clearing, keeping a close eye on the undergrowth just in case another fox decides to make a last appearance before they left.

As they approached the camp entrance, Buckstar stopped, hesitant.

"What's wrong?" Hollypaw asked.

"Shhh…" Buckstar whispered in her ear. "I hear something."

Hollypaw gave a small nod to show that she understood and stayed close to him, fearful that another fox might attack them again.

Buckstar perked his ears. He thought he heard a twig snap behind them. He turned around and gasped at what he saw. A large, black shape looming ominously over them.

Don't you just love cliffhangers? Well, until next time I find the time to update!

-Evanessence