Lightpaw woke with a start to the sounds of Jaypaw and Dapplepaw whispering excitedly. She raised her head and blinked sleepily at the two littermates. The sky was still dark, and Lightpaw wondered why they were awake.
"What's happening?" she asked the two cats.
"Our mentors just came back from the dawn patrol, and they said that they'd talk to Sparkstar about making us warriors!" Jaypaw whispered, quietly enough to not wake the others.
"That's great!" Lightpaw whispered back, and Dapplepaw nodded.
Lightpaw sat down to wash herself, reluctant to go outside. It had started to get colder, and the mornings were often very unpleasant.
After a few moments, Slashfur and Blazeglow padded up to the den and waited as the three apprentices stepped out. Blazeglow nodded a greeting to Lightpaw, then turned to Dapplepaw and Jaypaw.
"Sparkstar said that we'll have the ceremony in a quarter moon." the flaming tom told the apprentices.
Lightpaw could see their faces falling slightly, but they were still excited. A quarter moon was only seven sunrises, which wasn't that much.
Lightpaw could almost see the pride radiating off the two mentors. She smiled to herself. She was just as proud.
She finally padded out into the crisp air outside. It wasn't cold enough for frost just yet, but it had started to rain more often, making cold puddles all over the camp.
Lightpaw crouched in front of one, lapping up some of the refreshing water. She thought back to the creature she had seen. Had it been a dream? Her imagination? Just a random experience? She couldn't quite figure it out.
She padded closer to the elders' den. It was still slightly warm beneath the fallen tree. Inside, Cloudfur and Doveear were discussing which prey was the best, and Lightpaw padded inside to join Them, after collecting a rabbit from the fresh-kill pile for them. The two elders purred as she came in, thanking her for the rabbit.
"Rabbit has always been my favourite," Doveear mewed "Thank you so much, Lightpaw!"
"I was in the mood for a vole but this was still very kind of you, youngster." Cloudfur meowed, swiping his tongue around his jaws.
The old white tom settled in a corner after the two elders finished, and was asleep within moments. Doveear rested her tail tip on Lightpaw's muzzle, signalling for her to be quiet. Lightpaw nodded, and turned and left, as silently as she could.
Outside, standing right in the open air, where anyone could see him, was Thunderstar.
"Lightpaw, you have to tell Crowmia that I'll be training you," he said, clearly not at all bothered by the other cats "She'll understand."
Lightpaw nodded and walked up to Crowmia, who had just finished organizing the patrols. The black and grey she-cat saw the look on Lightpaw's face, and asked "What's the matter?"
"Nothing's wrong," Lightpaw replied "It's just that Thunderstar has been coming into my dreams, and he just told me to tell you."
Crowmia nodded, understanding showing in her green eyes. "Yes, I thought so. I'll let him take you out later. For now, go back to your den and sleep. Hell probably want to have a word with you. I'll tell Sparkstar that you weren't feeling well if she asks."
Lightpaw obeyed, heading into the shadows of the den. She curled up, and waited for sleep to engulf her.
Sorry I haven't been posting! I've been busy working on The Ten, and I habe three art requests at the moment.
If this happens again in the future, feel free to still submit OCs and to ask questions or give advice. I'm still active, I just haven't gotten the chapters out yet.
Also, PhoenixEcho2007, can I please change Swanfeather's name to Swanbreeze? It's just with how this story works. I can't have any suffixes to do with flight, wings or feathers. If you'd rather choose her name for yourself, please tell me!
Anyways, that's all from me!
- Lightfeather