So, I've got good news! For Christmas, I got a new computer from my Dad. So, this means MUCH MORE STORIES! YAY~! I should be writing a lot more for you guys. I just read my last chapter after about 3 weeks and it was really good. I can't wait until I'm up and going again!
Chapter 25
Nightsong, Cloudstorm, and their apprentices walked out into the forest, showing them their territory and all the boundaries. Nightsong was very worried about Graypaw. After seeing what he went through during last night's battle with MouseClan, she wasn't sure if he could make it through the day.
"Are you sure you'll be good today?" Nightsong asked.
Graypaw nodded. "I'm sure." He meowed, flicking his tail with impatience.
"And, this is the territory for RabbitClan. Be sure to memorize the scent well." Cloudstorm meowed once they were at the edge of their territory. The vast landscape of flattened grass lay ahead of them.
Nightsong could smell the sweet scent of prey around her. All she wanted to do was hunt. Maybe they would have time after showing the apprentices around.
The last stop was on MouseClan territory. Nightsong bit back a sharp retort against the Clan that had just attacked them. The group headed toward their camp.
"Do you think we should take them hunting?" Nightsong asked Cloudstorm as their two apprentices went ahead.
"We should do that tomorrow. That would probably take most of the day to just teach it to them. It's already past sunset." The broad-shouldered tom replied.
Nightsong nodded and raced after the two young cats that were far ahead of them. "How about we go hunting with Blizzardpaw and Cloudstorm tomorrow?" She asked Graypaw.
The small gray tom looked up at her with shining eyes. "I would love that!" He exclaimed.
By the time they were all back at camp, the fresh-kill pile had been restocked. Nightsong went over with Cloudstorm to take the prey she had caught while out training.
She handed a starling to Graypaw. "Take this to the elders, will you?" She asked. He obediently followed her orders and went racing away to the elder's den.
Cloudstorm came over to her, Blizzardpaw following shortly behind. He grabbed a mouse and sat down. "How about our apprentices eat with us?"
Nightsong nodded. "We need to wait. Graypaw is off in the elder's den giving them fresh-kill." Soon after, the young gray tabby came racing up to them. Nightsong beckoned with her tail for him to come eat with them.
Nightsong dropped a squirrel at his feet once he settled down. "So, tomorrow we will go hunting. You two will need to be focused out there."
Cloudstorm nodded. "We might take Rainpelt along with us with her new apprentice. Tinypaw was already taught how to hunt. We can practice with those two."
Nightsong nodded, but she still felt a little uneasy. After learning that Rainpelt was Spiritstorm's kin, she had felt a little unsure about the pretty tabby warrior.
Once they all were done eating, Nightsong and Cloudstorm headed to the warrior's den for some rest. She curled up beside Cloudstorm and fell in a deep sleep.
The next day Nightsong and Cloudstorm were out teaching the apprentices to hunt. Tinypaw had learned much, and since all the apprentices were littermates, it was a little easier for them to learn and get along.
By the end of the training session, the group had gathered many pieces of fresh-kill. Since it was newleaf, the prey was plentiful. This was one of the best hunting years that the Clan has ever had.
The apprentices ran to the elder's den to give fresh-kill, while the three warriors sat and ate. Nightsong was exhausted. She just wanted some rest. Her paws ached from hours of standing and giving instructions. Being a mentor was harder than she thought.
When all the stars were fresh in the sky, Cloudstorm took Nightsong out to a special unknown clearing in the middle of the forest. They sat and watched the stars for hours. Nightsong wanted to sleep right there. Her head was nestled right on Cloudstorm's side. She let out a faint purr as his warm furry coat warmed her sleek thin one.
The stars in Silverpelt were wonderful. Nightsong sat there, wondering if her mother was there watching her. She sat, unmoving, for many moments.
She had thought she was imagining things at first, but she heard Cloudstorm start to breathe faint breaths. She panicked and got up.
"Cloudstorm, are you alright?" She meowed in panic. The white tom just looked at her with a look of pure sadness, then closed his eyes and fainted. Nightsong gasped, not sure what to do. The camp was a long way off. She was afraid that by the time they got back that things would be too late.
She saw his body disintegrating right there on the forest floor. She started crying and screaming his name. She tried to prod him with her paws, but he was already gone.
Gasping awake, Nightsong realized it was a dream, and she was in her den. Cloudstorm was right next to her, sleeping soundly. She tried to calm herself, and she fell back asleep.