Chapter 8
Buzzardpaw jolted awake from his dream, his eyes immediately blinded by the bright sun shining through the cracks of the apprentices' den. Still spooked from the vivid vision, the tom cowered to the darkest corner of the den, his tail wrapped around him tightly. That dream, no, the prophecy, it was so real! Shaking his head, Buzzardpaw suddenly felt the sharp sting of pain on his face. Narrowing his eyes, he brought his paw up to his head, shocked to feel four shallow gashes that stung as he touched them. That's where Spottedpaw scratched me… But why are the scratches still here? Wincing in pain, the apprentice slowly rose, padding out of the apprentice's den.
The camp was surprisingly busy, many cats padding in and out of the bramble entrance or lingering on the edges of camp. Lifting his head, BUzzardpaw noted the position of the sun, its bright shine making him squint. It's almost sunhigh! Why didn't Russetprowl wake me up? He promised that we would train today! Buzzardpaw looked around the camp for his mentor, unable to find him.
"Buzzardpaw!" He heard a cat call his name, slightly disheartened to see that it was his father, not his mentor. He lowered his head, not wanting him to see the scratches on his face.
"It's about time you've woken up sleepy head. You've just missed Russetprowl." Goldenstar mewed, standing in front of his son. Buzzardpaw continued to stare at his paws, mumbling a small yeah in response. He glanced up at his father, a worried look on the strong tom's face. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Buzzardpaw mewed, raising his voice so his father would believe him. To his dismay, Goldenstar gently lifted the apprentice's head with his tail tip, making him meet his gaze. Goldenstar's warm expression immediately became worried, his mew quiet.
"Oh boy, you look exhausted. Did you not get any sleep last night? And…" Goldenstar peered closer at Buzzardpaw's face, his eyes widening slightly, "What are these scratches?"
Oh no! He's noticed. Come on, Buzzardpaw, think think… "It was… a thorn! There was a thorn in my nest." He blurted, hoping Goldenstar would accept it. The leader's expression remained the same, clearly not convinced.
You sure? Those marks are awfully peculiar. They look like cat claw marks!" He's not buying it!
Buzzardpaw nodded forcefully, trying to make his face seem believable. "I swear! I threw it out once I found it."
Goldenstar gave his son another long look, then sighed, nodding himself. "Alright, I believe you. There is something I want to talk to you about however. Come." With that, the massive tom rose to his paws and headed to his den, Buzzardpaw closely behind.
Buzzardpaw pushed his way into the large den, which immediately seemed cramped as the two toms sat. Goldenstar chuckled good naturedly, batting his son over the head. "Heh, you get any larger, you won't be able to fit in here at all!" The tom's expression then became serious, making Buzzardpaw's smile slowly fade.
"Buzzardpaw... " Goldenstar started, looking the apprentice in the eyes, "I know you heard me arguing with your mother last night." Oh yeah! I had completely forgotten about that! Buzzardpaw remembered how angry his parents looked as they hissed at one another, and how Fawnleap had struck at Goldensar. Looking at his father more closely, he noticed a small scratch on the bridge of his nose. Ouch! Mom got him good.
Goldenstar continued, his voice low, "I don't want you to worry about us. She's just worried about you, and I am too." So they were talking about me! But wait, why would they be worried? As if he could read his thoughts, Goldenstar dipped his head, then continued on, "You're destined for great things Buzzardpaw. Before you were born, I was given a prophecy: "Before there is peace, four will become one, and the raptor's prickly talons will be the only sanctuary against the sun's unrelenting golden rays." Wait a minute! That's my prophecy!
Buzzardpaw shot to his paws, his golden eyes glowing. "I know that prophecy! That's my prophecy!" He then went into a long explanation of the vivid dream he had, and how a strange light transforming light led to a cat changing into a giant bird that seemed to be weak against beams coming from another cat's eyes. Goldenstar listened to his story closely, nodding every once and awhile and his expression becoming thoughtful. When Buzzardpaw had finished, Goldenstar remained silent for a moment, then smiled warmly at him.
"I've always known you were destined for great things, from the moment I laid eyes on you." He affectionately licked Buzzardpaw between the ears, making the smaller tom smile slightly. "And you say there is another cat in this prophecy, yes?"
Buzzardpaw nodded eagerly. "Mhm. His name is Eaglepaw."
"Eaglepaw? The new ShadowClan apprentice?"
Buzzardpaw nodded once more. "Yeah! He's the second cat." He looked down at his paws, mumbling, "I've always had a funny feeling about him, and I guess that's why." Lifting his head to look back at his father, Buzzardpaw's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Goldenstar had perked visibly at the mention of the other apprentice, and when Buzzardpaw stated that he was the second cat, Goldenstar's lip twitched strangely, as if he were struggling to hold back a huge grin. "Dad? Are you alright?"
Seemingly snapped back to reality, Goldenstar shook his head, nodding. "Oh, I'm quite alright, quite alright indeed." The leader turned his gaze to his son, his eyes glowing brightly. "You mentioned another cat. Darkenedstreak is the one that gave you the prophecy, right? Who is that?"
Buzzardpaw fell quiet. He had left out his frequent dreams about the Dark Forest, and was reluctant to tell his father the truth. He shook his head. "Oh, no one."
Goldenstar's expression became stern. "Buzzardpaw, you know you can tell me anything right?" After a moment of silence, he repeated his question. "Who is Darkenedstreak?"
Giving in, Buzzardpaw sighed. "She's… my Dark Forest mentor, or so she calls herself. I haven't done any training with her or anything, I mean." Pausing, he decided to tell the full truth. "Before she could give me the prophecy, I had to prove myself in a fight. That's how I got these scratches." Goldenstar was silent, his eyes flashing. "But don't worry! I proved myself, and I can only get stronger from this point. That cat won't ever mess with me again!" He purposefully didn't mention Spottedpaw's name, not wanting his father to become angry.
Goldenstar remained quiet, an indecipherable look on his face. Buzzardpaw closed his eyes, expecting his father to ban him from ever returning to the place ever again. He was shocked when the tom insead nodded, humming quietly, "Though it is strange that you've received this prophecy from a Dark Forest cat, I assume it would do no harm for you to continue to go there. Just... please be safe. I don't know what I'd do if you got hurt."
Yes! He understands! Buzzardpaw's eyes shone as he pressed his head into father's, purring. "Don't worry, I won't. Darkenedstreak is a high rank in the Dark Forest, she'll keep me safe."
Goldenstar nuzzled his son, giving him a swift lick over the ears. "I'm sure she will. And if she can't, don't worry. Your papa will beat up any cat that tries to mess with you." He winked, making Buzzardpaw roll his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but was instead cut off by a cat trying to enter the den. They were obviously unable to as the toms took up most of the space, deciding to just poke their head in. BUzzardpaw smiled at her. Fawnleap!
"Goldenstar I- Oh! I didn't know you were here Buzzardpaw." Her mew was soft as she recognized her son, and she smiled at him warmly. "So that's why I couldnt get in. You two are hogging all the space!" She batted at Buzzardpaw's head mischievously. He wiggled out of the den in response, stretching his legs. The sun was beginning to set, much to his surprise. So much time has passed!
Fawnleap purred at her son, watching him wiggle out of the tight den. Her purr was cut abruptly however, as she got a good look at his face. "Why, what in StarClan's name has happened to your face?"
Buzzardpaw stopped in his tracks. Oh shoot! I forgot about that! He knew that Fawnleap definitely wouldn't believe his thorn excuse. "I-I... um…"
"He was scuffling with Russetprowl earlier, and things had gotten a bit heated." Goldenstar interjected, winking at him.
"Scuffling? And they were using claws? Where is Russetprowl now? I have a few choice words for him."
"Don't worry, my love." Goldenstar mewed, "I already spoke with him." Fawnleap seemed to settled down at this. "Besides, if I had let you get to him first, Russetprowl would be in Starclan before I could intervene!" He joked.
Fawnleap purred, stretching her neck to nuzzle her mate. "He sure would. You're right, I sure would have taught him a lesson!" Goldenstar chuckled, wrapping his tail around hers. Buzzardpaw smiled. He was happy that they were not angry with each other anymore. He stepped aside, allowing them to pass by him. They both gave him a swift lick over the forehead, then padded out of camp, their tails still intertwined. Buzzardpaw leapt down from the ledge, making his way to the apprentice's den. He slowed down as he noticed a cat sitting by its entrance. Narrowing his eyes, ne quickly deciphered who it was. Dragonflywing!
The tom was sitting rigidly in front of the den, the white spots on his pelt glowing ominously in the pale moonlight. The warrior noticed Buzzardpaw immedieately, jumping to his paws and striding towards him stiffly. He halted directly in front of him, his discolored eyes twinkling menacingly.
"That was a cheap tactic, what you did back there." The tom growled quietly, standing nose to nose with the apprentice.
"What are you talking about?"
"Spitting in your opponent's eye? How pathetic." He's talking about my fight with Spottedpaw! "Why, I wish I were the one that challenged you. I would have flayed you and proved to Darkenedstreak that she's making a grave mistake."
"Darkenedstreak didn't choose the cats in the prophecy!" Buzzardpaw hissed quietly, his pelt bristling slightly. "She has no control over it!"
"Then I will enjoy myself watching you fail."
Buzzardpaw growled in frustration. "Why do you hate me so much, Dragonflywing? What have I done to you?" The black and white tom opened his mouth to hiss a stinging reply, but was instead cut off by a grunt from Russetprowl. The tom was standing a mouse length away from the two, a confused expression on his face.
"Am I interruptin' something?" The senior warrior mewed, stepping closer. Oh no! How much did he hear? Dragonflywing huffed in reply, stalking away, leaving Buzzardpaw alone with his mentor. The apprentice shook his head, earning a small nod from the red tom. "Oh, good. I 'pologize for not waking you earlier. I know I promised we would train today, but you were sleeping so soundly, I swear a lumberin' badger couldn't wake you! I decided to let ya have your rest."
Buzzardpaw forced a small smile on his face. "Thank you, Russetprowl."
"No problem. But I expect you to be up bright and early tomorrow. I requested that you be on dawn patrol. We'll train afterwards, ya hear?" Buzzardpaw nodded, smiling slightly at his mentor's accent. Though the tom seemed strict, his touch demeanor was merely a facade, and his relaxed nature and charming accent made him an extremely likeable cat. With that, the warrior turned away to the freshkill pile, promptly Buzzardpaw to pad into the apprentice's den. The brown tom curled up in his nest, but was unable to sleep, his mind buzzing with the day's events.
Goldenstar was surprisingly… fine with me training in the Dark Forest. I know it makes sense for me to do it, seeing that that's where I received the prophecy, but I expected him to be a bit more opposed to it. Then again, dad's always been the laid back type. He stared out of the den, seeing the camp's bramble entrance rustle. Fawnleap emerged, a thoughtful look on her face. Where's Goldenstar? Didn't he go out with her? Shrugging, Buzzardpaw yawned quietly, closing his eyes. Oh well, I can't worry about that now. I have a prophecy to fulfill.
