Chapter 25

I followed Skypaw, Breezepaw, Blackpaw, and Rainpaw into the Warriors'/Leader's Den, where we wouldn't disturb Mosspaw in his grieving. We sat ourselves in a circle and looked at one another somewhat awkwardly.

"So, Skypaw," I meowed after a few heartbeats of silence. "You were the one who said we needed to make a plan. Got any ideas?"

Skypaw nodded. "Naturally. I think we should attack the eagles in one large patrol, all bunched together so we can protect ourselves. We can also take down several eagles at once if necessary."

I nodded. "Sounds good. Any objections?"

Blackpaw raised his tail and I nodded at him. "I don't think it would be wise to bunch together like that," he meowed in his deep, brooding voice, which always made him sound like he was thinking over every word before it left his mouth. "We'd just get in each other's way."

"True," Breezepaw said. "Then how about we stick in pairs? Then we can bring down the eagles and still not tread on each other's toes, so to speak."

"Pairs might be trying our luck a little," I said. "How about trios?"

"We don't have enough cats for that," Rainpaw said. "You remember how many eagles attacked us the first time? When the rest of the Clan died? We wouldn't be able to take that many if we had just two groups or so."

I sighed. "Okay. Pairs it is."

"But what about the younger apprentices?" Breezepaw asked. "Surely they can help, too?"

"What, do you mean Cloudpaw and Stonepaw?" I asked. "They don't have battle training! They can't fight! They'd just get in the way!"

"No, what you mean is you haven't been giving them battle training," Skypaw corrected me. "Breezepaw has been taking over Stonepaw's training while you've been busy trying to keep us all alive. He and I have been taking Cloudpaw and Stonepaw out for a bit of battle training every day. I figured it would be useful one of these days."

I was speechless with shock. Then, I shook my head in disbelieving awe. "You always think of everything, don't you, Skypaw?" I asked in wonder.

Skypaw gave her chest fur a few licks in embarrassment. "You probably would've thought of it, too, only you have the Clan's responsibility on your shoulders. That's far more admirable than just training a couple of apprentices."

"If you say so," I said, a hint of sarcasm entering my voice. Then, I turned back to the other apprentices. "So how about this; four of us go in pairs and the fifth can take Cloudpaw and Stonepaw with them."

Breezepaw nodded. "Sounds like a plan," he meowed, but was cut off by Blackpaw.

"What about Mosspaw?" he asked in a fierce voice. "Who will he fight with?"

I blinked, surprised. "Mosspaw's not going to fight," I said. "He doesn't know any fighting moves, and besides, he's still grieving for Windpaw."

Blackpaw shook his head vigorously. "No. Mosspaw needs to fight, to feel revenge. It's the only way to make him stop grieving. Either that, or he needs to find a special she-cat, and he's far too young for that."

"He's far too young for revenge, either," I pointed out, but Blackpaw spoke over me like he had Breezepaw.

"He needs something to distract him. He needs to work, to sink his claws into something, to feel the ache of sore muscles. Believe me, I know. I know better than anyone, probably."

I stared into his eyes, which were burning with a fierce, blue fire. Blackpaw had grieved the most, the longest, out of any of us. If anyone would be an expert on grief, it would be him. And I had rarely seen him so passionate about something.

"Are you sure?" I asked uncertainly.

"Positive," Blackpaw half-growled, glaring at me. "Mosspaw needs this."

My resolve broke. "Fine. But he'll have to stick close to two experienced warriors who can keep an eye on him. How about you and Breezepaw watch him?"

Blackpaw smiled, no longer growling and glaring. "Thank you, Snowpaw," he said in a softer voice. "I won't disappoint you."

"Just bring him back alive," I said grimly before turning to Rainpaw. "Is it okay if you pair up with Cloudpaw and Stonepaw? You're the closest in age, so you would probably understand them the best."

Rainpaw nodded. "Sure thing, Snowpaw. I'd be glad to help Cloudpaw and Stonepaw bash some bird brains," he said with a bit of a grin.

"Thanks," I said. "Then that leaves you and me, Skypaw."

Skypaw smiled. "Done."

"Then I'll go let the others know," I said and, standing up, I bounded back into the main cave.