Lionpaw is actually not named after LionClan. The reason why Lionpaw is named Lionpaw will be made clear later, just like why Tawnypelt's kits names are so different.
I don't mean to have such long breaks between chapters, but I'm human too – this is the holiday season and I've been busy. Not only that but I've got other projects that take higher priority than this going on – I'll keep writing it, don't worry, but I'd appreciate it if people didn't start artificially inflating this story's review count with "demands" for more chapters.
Chapter 23
"How's that feel?"
Starlingpaw pressed down on her paw, relieved to find that her shoulder didn't hurt as much as it did when she'd woken up.
"Thanks, Mothwing," Starlingpaw told her.
Mothwing nodded her pretty, dappled head. "Hang on," the medicine cat offered. "I'll put a little marigold on that and you'll be good as new."
Starlingpaw watched the dappled she-cat turn about and rifle through her stores. The little medicine den seemed very quaint and peaceful compared to the rest of the camp – a little piece of Mothwing, Starlingpaw figured. It was a little islet surrounded by shallow streams, sheltered by willow trees and reeds. Mothwing's nest was deep in the reed bed, and next to it was her apprentice's nest – from the looks of them, though, it seemed that the two medicine cats hardly got much rest.
I wouldn't be shocked if it were the truth, Starlingpaw thought. The night-training was brutal – the dark cats were merciless on their apprentices.
Mothwing padded back and set down a bundle of herbs before Starlingpaw's paws. "You know," she mused, opening the packet, "you're doing well."
"I am?" Starlingpaw asked.
Mothwing nodded. "Most of Mapleshade's apprentices are in here every morning with some wound or another," she explained, pulling out a few marigold leaves. "This is the first time since you became an apprentice that you've come to me."
Starlingpaw frowned as Mothwing chewed up the leaves. Starlingpaw admitted, "Mapleshade is tough… But she didn't do this to me."
"Oh?"
"She put me against a warrior named Thistleclaw," Starlingpaw recalled. She shivered at the memory of her dream. Thistleclaw had gone after her like a cat possessed, slashing at Starlingpaw with bloodlust in his eyes.
Mothwing narrowed her eyes. "Has she been doing this often?" she asked.
Starlingpaw nodded. "She had me fight Sparrowfeather the night before, and I was attacked by Shredtail the night before that," Starlingpaw explained. "Thistleclaw was… ruthless. I didn't think any cat was like Mapleshade… but I think he's worse."
"Well… I'm not sure why Mapleshade is putting you through a gauntlet of Dark Forest warriors," Mothwing mused, "but I'd keep an eye out for Thistleclaw. He'll kill you if you're not fast enough – and he won't even care."
Starlingpaw twitched as Mothwing slathered on the marigold poultice.
"So, what's on your agenda today?" Mothwing asked. "I'm sure my brother has something interesting planned."
"He says I'm to train with the other apprentices," Starlingpaw replied. The past few days of training with Hawkstar had been almost relaxing compared to the trials she faced in the Dark Forest at night. It had taken some time, but Starlingpaw was finding herself getting eerily used to the strange schedule of constant alertness.
Mothwing made a hm sound.
"What?" Starlingpaw asked. "What is it?"
"The Gathering is tomorrow night," Mothwing told her. "Surely you know that?"
Starlingpaw nodded. Yes, she knew – other warriors had been mentioning it in passing, but never near Starlingpaw. Applenose and Toadpelt seemed to be Starlingpaw's only warrior friends.
"Well, the apprentices compete in a mock battle to determine which of them gets to go," Mothwing explained. She teased some cobwebs between her paws before placing them on Starlingpaw's shoulder. "Whichever team comes out on top gets to go."
"I see," Starlingpaw sighed. "Is everything a competition here?"
Mothwing flicked her tail, but said nothing.
Starlingpaw sighed again. She missed Squirrelflight more than ever – Mothwing was nicer than most TigerClan cats, and Starlingpaw had helped her out now and again with gathering herbs, but she seemed just as tight-lipped about some things as other warriors. Not only that, but she was Hawkstar's sister – that made her… difficult to trust.
"Get some rest before you go out," Mothwing told her, patting down the cobwebs. "That poppy seed I gave you ought to be kicking in soon. I'll check you before you go out to compete with the other apprentices."
Starlingpaw dipped her head in thanks. She got up to leave, only to find her path blocked by Tawnypelt.
The tortoiseshell warrior looked tired, with a kit between her paws. Starlingpaw recognized the kit as Redkit – one of Tawnypelt's own three. The little ginger tabby had his paw held up awkwardly, and he looked rather put out.
"What's this now?" Mothwing wondered.
"Redkit stepped on a thorn," Tawnypelt explained. She nudged her kit forward with one gentle paw.
"It hurts," the little tom whimpered. He stuck out his paw awkwardly, and Starlingpaw tipped her head. She could see the black spike sticking out and felt a flash of sympathy for the little scrap.
Mothwing's eyes softened. "Well," she mewed, swishing her tail, "come here Redkit, and we'll take care of that right quick."
Redkit's ears pricked, and the dark ginger tabby kit limped over to Mothwing. The medicine cat took the remaining marigold leaves from the packet she'd brought to Starlingpaw and set to work. Starlingpaw watched as Mothwing licked the kit's paw a few times before tugging out the thorn.
The kit started and squeaked in shock as a red spurt of blood followed the thorn.
"It's all right," Tawnypelt soothed, running her tail up and down her son's spine. "Mothwing will take care of you."
Mothwing licked the wound clean without hesitation. She chewed up the marigold leaves and pressed the poultice against Redkit's pad. Then, she wrapped it deftly with cobwebs.
"Now, I'll give you a poppy seed for being such a good patient," Mothwing told Redkit. "It'll make you sleepy, but when you wake up your paw will feel much better."
"Thank you," Tawnypelt murmured.
"Anytime," Mothwing replied, quietly. She touched noses with Tawnypelt before padding back to her herb store to get a poppy seed. Hidden by reeds, Mothwing's voice carried strangely. "How are our to-be queens?"
Tawnypelt huffed, rolling her eyes. "Graymist is already expecting," she replied. "I swear, she won't shut up about it."
"And Icewing?"
"Not sure yet," Tawnypelt admitted. "She hasn't mentioned anything, and neither has Oakfur."
Mothwing reappeared. She hopped on three paws over to the queen and her kit. She held out her paw to Redkit. "Here you go, little one," she purred.
Redkit sniffed the seed before licking it up off of Mothwing's paw. He swallowed.
"Good job, Redkit," Tawnypelt purred, licking her son between the ears.
"Maaaamaaa…" complained Redkit. "Don't!"
Starlingpaw flicked her tail in amusement. The poppy seed she had been given was seemingly beginning to take effect, and Starlingpaw's limbs felt heavy.
"Starlingpaw, is it?" Tawnypelt wondered.
Starlingpaw pricked her ears.
"I've seen you around and about," Tawnypelt mewed. "I don't think you and I have every really talked. I'm sorry about Hawkstar and what he did to you."
Starlingpaw flattened her ears. "I shouldn't have butted in," she mumbled.
"Yes, you absolutely should have!" Mothwing insisted, lashing her tail. "Applepaw would have been killed otherwise."
Tawnypelt nodded in agreement, then her gaze met Starlingpaw's. "You've shown a warrior's courage, Starlingpaw. This Clan needs more of that. I wouldn't take too much of what the rest of the Clan says to heart – you've got great potential. Just… don't let Hawkstar get rid of that heart of yours."
The tortoiseshell dipped her head and gently guided her sleepy kit out of the medicine den. Starlingpaw flicked her tail, feeling as if she had been unduly praised.
Mothwing gave her a little nudge. "Get going," she urged. "The Dark Forest shouldn't bother you in your nap. I'll tell Hawkstar to have a warrior wake you before the mock fight."
Starlingpaw nodded and padded out of the medicine cat's den, leaning heavily on one side as she tried to spare her hurt shoulder the pain. The camp was relatively empty, but she still felt eyes on her as she crossed the clearing to the apprentice's den.
She shivered as she passed the willow log. By scent, Squirrelflight was not inside – but the ginger she-cat wasn't anywhere around camp right now. Starlingpaw swallowed, feeling guilt clawing up her tired bones.
Starlingpaw settled herself in her nest and sighed. She was making friends, but it all felt strange without Squirrelflight.
"Harder, Pouncepaw!" urged Reedwhisker. "You can't let her get the upper paw!"
Starlingpaw leaped backward as Pouncepaw leaped at her. The young tom landed on nothing, crushing grass beneath his paws.
"Attack, Starlingpaw!" Hawkstar snarled.
Starlingpaw stared at Pouncepaw, her spine bristling. The little apprentice who had surprised her in the bushes almost a whole moon ago was a lot bigger, with a scar right above his eye as permanent remembrance of the encounter. Starlingpaw was reluctant to harm the younger cat again.
Pouncepaw rushed, and Starlingpaw was forced to dodge. Pouncepaw lashed out with his forepaws, and Starlingpaw tangled them with her own, breaking the attack.
"Your apprentice is good at stopping attacks, it seems," Reedwhisker noted to Hawkstar.
Hawkstar nodded. "She's progressing well, but she needs to learn when to strike."
Starlingpaw flattened her ears, driving away Hawkstar's voice. She didn't need to focus on him now, even though she was acutely aware of him focusing on her. All around them the apprentices were battling with one another – first in pairs, then in teams.
Pouncepaw went for the attack again, giving a leap – Starlingpaw braced herself, knowing that she was too big to slide underneath his jump arc. Pouncepaw landed hard on her shoulders, and she almost buckled thanks to the wound Thistleclaw had given her – but Starlingpaw put all her weight onto one side and held her position.
"Bring her down!" Reedwhisker called.
Starlingpaw felt Pouncepaw trying to push her to one side or the other, his claws were digging into her shoulder fur. She winced as the apprentice's greater weight eventually brought her down onto her side. Pouncepaw immediately began attacking her side, buffeting her with sheathed paws.
Lashing out with her hind legs, Starlingpaw hooked Pouncepaw's legs within her own. With a twist of her spine, she had Pouncepaw on the ground. Starlingpaw got to her paws and leaped onto him, pinning him down by neck and flank.
Panting, she looked up at Hawkstar and Reedwhisker. The skinny black tom was lashing his tail, while Hawkstar's eyes were beaming with pride.
"This is unfair," Reedwhisker decided. "She clearly has more combat experience than our apprentices. She is older."
Hawkstar chuckled, "Perhaps you haven't been training Pouncepaw nearly as hard as I've ordered you to."
Reedwhisker did not answer.
Hawkstar raised his muzzle and roared, "Enough!"
Starlingpaw let Pouncepaw up, murmuring an apology. The young cat shook out his coat and did not reply. Hurt, Starlingpaw sighed and looked around at the training clearing. Apprentices were breaking up mid-scuffle to pad up to join Starlingpaw and Pouncepaw before Hawkstar. Their mentors followed in a close ring.
When all were gathered, Hawkstar announced, "We shall now pick teams for the mock battle. Mosspelt, you will lead LionClan's forces. Smokefoot, you will lead TigerClan's."
The two warriors stepped away from the other mentors, tails high. They each sat on one side of Hawkstar.
"The LionClan warriors will be Pouncepaw, Dapplepaw, and Owlpaw. TigerClan forces will be Starlingpaw, Pebblepaw, and Minnowpaw. The fight goes until one side calls for surrender."
The apprentices separated. Starlingpaw settled near Smokefoot, curling her tail around her paws. She surveyed the training clearing – there were no rocks or debris that would hurt the tussling cats.
"The winning team will accompany TigerClan to the Gathering," Hawkstar meowed. "Go!"
Mosspelt and Smokefoot led the apprentices each to opposite sides of the clearing. Starlingpaw frowned, sheathing and unsheathing her claws.
"What should we do?" asked Minnowpaw.
"Not lose," Smokefoot growled.
Starlingpaw rolled her eyes. She looked at Minnowpaw and Pebblepaw, kinking her tail for them to listen to her. When she had their attention, she meowed, "Pebblepaw, you're pretty brawny. You ought to go after Dapplepaw."
Pebblepaw blinked, looking over at his speculative opponent. "Why?" he asked.
"She's smaller," Starlingpaw meowed. "Don't hurt her – a good scare should be all she needs."
Pebblepaw frowned.
"And me?" Minnowpaw wondered.
"Pouncepaw," Starlingpaw told her.
Minnowpaw flicked her tail. "I can handle Pouncepaw," she agreed. "He's all leaps, no claws."
"So that means you get Owlpaw," Pebblepaw pointed out.
Starlingpaw nodded. "I can take him," she assured them.
"Are you done whispering yet?" Smokefoot growled. "Mosspelt's team is ready."
"We're done," Minnowpaw stated.
"Then go already," Smokefoot grumbled. "I'm sick of sitting here."
Starlingpaw lashed her tail irritably. She and the other apprentices stepped forward, meeting Mosspelt's team in the center of the clearing. Starlingpaw was nose-to-nose with Dapplepaw, while Minnowpaw faced Pouncepaw and Pebblepaw was staring at Owlpaw.
No cat moved.
Then, Dapplepaw let out an earsplitting screech. She leaped at Starlingpaw, bowling over the older she-cat. They landed in the clearing, exchanging blows in the grass. The other apprentices launched themselves at one another, hissing and spitting.
Starlingpaw felt claws digging into her belly fur. Claws unsheathed? She thought. Fine.
She pushed Dapplepaw off of her and rolled onto her paws, unsheathing her claws. Fur was flying all around as her team fought to get to their targets. Starlingpaw and Dapplepaw were circling one another, muzzles wrinkled and tails lashing, each waiting for the other to move first.
Suddenly, Pebblepaw bowled right into Dapplepaw. He dug his claws into her mottled pelt, hissing. Dapplepaw rolled, and the two began fighting each other. Owlpaw was chasing Pebblepaw, tail bristling – but Starlingpaw intercepted before Owlpaw could reach Pebblepaw.
She pushed him down onto the ground, battering him with her forepaws. Owlpaw dodged her blows and darted fast, striking Starlingpaw on the wounded shoulder. Starlingpaw let out a cry as pain washed over her.
"Come on, loner," Owlpaw spat. "You think you're so great!"
Starlingpaw's eyes watered as she struggled to regain her composure. Owlpaw struck her again, claws unsheathed, scratching her side. It felt like the wind compared to the throbbing pain of her shoulder.
"Well?" Owlpaw hissed.
Starlingpaw took a deep breath and pushed past the pain. She whirled on Owlpaw, rearing up onto her hind legs. She crashed down onto the other apprentice, pushing him into the ground with her greater weight.
She felt Owlpaw's hind paws pounding at her stomach, but Starlingpaw didn't let herself be beaten off. She lashed out with her claws, slashing Owlpaw across the muzzle. He screeched, and Starlingpaw hobbled off of the apprentice.
The fight raged on all around Starlingpaw. Fur was flying, and blood was patterning the ground as she and Owlpaw danced around one another, slashing and nipping and striking whenever they could manage it. Owlpaw nicked Starlingpaw's ear, Starlingpaw scarred his shoulder with scratches. Starlingpaw tore a claw, Owlpaw's tail was riddled with bites.
This is madness! Starlingpaw thought. It needs to end, before one of us is too hurt!
Starlingpaw leaped. She pushed down Owlpaw with all her strength, her limbs trembling. She dug her claws into him, holding firm when he wiggled. She bent down and wrapped her jaws around his neck, feeling fur and flesh on her tongue and she bit, ever so gently.
"I yield!" Owlpaw shrieked. "I yield!"
Starlingpaw let him go.
Owlpaw scrambled to his paws, backing away from Starlingpaw with wide eyes. To Starlingpaw's shock, Minnowpaw was backing Pouncepaw up again Owlpaw, while Pebblepaw had Dapplepaw on the defensive. When the three apprentices were pushed together in the center of the clearing, Hawkstar let out a yowl.
"TigerClan wins!"
Minnowpaw and Pebblepaw stood on their toes, yowling with excitement. Starlingpaw sat on her haunches, staring at Owlpaw. She willed him to understand that she wasn't meaning to hurt him – but she wanted to fight to end.
Owlpaw turned away from her, his hackles bristling.
"Good job, TigerClan!" Hawkstar meowed, his icy eyes glittering with pride. "Minnowpaw, Starlingpaw, and Pebblepaw will come to tomorrow's Gathering! As for the rest of you… I think some extra training is in order."
The apprentices broke off to be congratulated by their mentors. Hawkstar approached Starlingpaw, his eyes glittering with pride and admiration.
"I saw what you did," he meowed. "I didn't think you'd try something like that."
Starlingpaw narrowed her eyes at her mentor. "I didn't like it," she growled. "And I won't do it again."
Hawkstar met her eyes, and said nothing.
Starlingpaw turned away from him, tail bristling. She growled, "I'm going hunting."
Sore all over, she pushed through the crowd. She felt Hawkstar's eyes on her as she left the clearing, heading into TigerClan territory. She lashed her tail.
I won't kill for you, Hawkstar, she thought furiously. I won't, I won't, I won't! And nothing you do or say can make me.