Chapter 12

With quiet concentration, Bisonpaw crept over the ground, her paws brushing the cold earth like feathers. Semi-frozen mud squelched softly in between her pads, but it didn't bother her; She was too focused on a squirrel scratching at an unknown object buried in dead pine needles. Bisonpaw's paws quivered with excitement. Prey had begun to grow scarce as Leaf-bare finally bore down on the Clans like a foreboding beast, and this was the first piece of prey that looked relatively plump that Bisonpaw had seen for quite a few sunrises. The snow would be coming soon and the prey would burrow down into nice comfy holes in the ground, leaving ShadowClan without prey. In fact, Snakepond had mentioned earlier that he could feel in his bones that a storm was brewing that very moment. Most of the young cats had brushed it off, scoffing and pointing out the sky was completely clear, but the older warriors had taken Snakepond seriously. Apparently he was known for his scary accuracy when it came to predicting bad weather. Bisonpaw shivered, she was not looking forward to the cold and lack of prey.

A breeze rustled the patch of reeds across from Bisonpaw. Or, at least, she thought it was the wind until she saw the squashed, gray, speckled face of Asheneyes peek out from between the foliage. Bisonpaw nodded to the older warrior, signaling to him that he should approach first. The gray tom nodded in return and slipped forward. Suddenly he burst out of the reeds and chased the squirrel in Bisonpaw's direction. The poor creature was so frightened it ran straight into Bisonpaw's outreached claws. She snatched it and delivered a quick killing-bite.

"Great catch, Bisonpaw!" Asheneyes praised, his amber eyes shining with happiness for the young she-cat.

"Thanks," Bisonpaw purred at the praise from the senior warrior, "But it wouldn't have walked right into my paws if it weren't for you."

Asheneyes seemed like a jolly old soul to Bisonpaw, and she quite liked him. He was always kind to her, and to his kits. Squirrelpaws and Cloverspring were lucky to have a father like him.

"The patrol is probably wondering where we wandered off to. They most likely didn't expect us to catch a squirrel while on a border patrol, although I do have to admit it is a very plump squirrel." Asheneyes turned his head in the direction they had come from, his ears perked and his eyes flickering to where he guessed the other cats were waiting for them, then to the squirrel.

"Then we shouldn't keep them waiting!" Bisonpaw chirped, grabbed the chubby squirrel, and bounded back the way she had come. Asheneyes followed close behind, and they soon reached the others.

Cloverspring, Shadedbramble, Darkriver and Tigerbeetle all looked over as Bisonpaw and Aspeneyes rounded a pair of pine trees. Darkriver had been added to the patrol last minute. Foxstar had done it as a way to show that Darkriver was now a loyal warrior of ShadowClan, and could be trusted to protect the Clan. Bisonpaw was happy that her friend was now seen as accepted by the majority of her clan. Bisonpaw came to a halt just in front of the group.

"Where were you?" Tigerbeetle tilted her head, casting her gaze over Aspeneyes, then Bisonpaw. Her beady, dark eyes landed on the squirrel Bisonpaw held in her jaws.

Bisonpaw felt slight discomfort at being scrutinized by the odd gaze of Tigerbeetle, "I scented this squirrel, and Aspeneyes followed me." She managed to reply with a relatively happy voice as she held up her prize.

Shadedbramble seemed impressed when she stepped forward to stand next to Tigerbeetle, "That's a great catch, Bisonpaw. But—" The brown and black she-cat flicked her tail, and Bisonpaw knew what was coming, "—you should not have wandered off without telling anyone."

"In her defense, I was with her the whole time." Aspeneyes spoke up, sending Bisonpaw a quick knowing look.

"That is true.." Shadedbramble's eyes beat between the two cats, "I'll let you get away with it this time. Be sure not to do it again." She focused on Bisonpaw, who nodded vigorously.

"I won't." The blue-gray and silver apprentice assured her mentor.

Shadedbramble nodded contently, "Good. Now, shall we continue?" The older she-cat looked to Tigerbeetle, who was the leader of the patrol.

Tigerbeetle nodded and started to stride towards the ThunderClan border, switching to a trot soon after. Bisonpaw followed in between Darkriver and Shadedbramble, Asheneyes taking the rear. Shadedbramble always seemed to have a simple, authoritative grace to her, and she had that now as she padded along beside her apprentice. Darkriver's strides were more relaxed, but his face was tense. He must be anxious about his first border patrol. Bisonpaw figured. She tried to give him small, comforting smiles whenever he happened to glance in her general direction.

They were moving at a brisk pace, and they soon came in sight of the Thunderpath that marked the border with ThunderClan. Bisonpaw could hear the occasional roaring of monsters as they drew closer, and soon the stench filled her nostrils. The scents brought back the memory of the fear she had felt here. She didn't like it very much, and Firepaw probably despised it more than herself.

The thought of Firepaw led her mind to Meadowpaw. She was frustrated with him, but mostly sad. Sad that he still wasn't talking to her. They were nearing the next full moon, and Meadowpaw was still refusing to make much conversation. He had only been talking to her when he absolutely had to, and it hurt her. She wanted her best friend back, but she didn't want to lose the relationship she was trying so hard to develop with Firepaw. The ginger and cream tom had only started to warm up to her in the last moon, and if she acted cold towards him to win Meadowpaw back, she could drive both of them away.

Bisonpaw held back a sigh at her dilemma as they arrived at the edge of the Thunderpath. She was stuck, but there was no use thinking about it now.

Tigerbeetle swiveled around to face the patrol, and Bisonpaw looked up at her, "I want you all to split up and mark the border, as well as check for any trespassing. We don't want any ThunderClan scum on our side of the border." Tigerbeetle ordered, with a small declaration of ShadowClan's superiority over ThunderClan. Bisonpaw tilted her head. Under this stench? She was slightly confused. The thunderpath was more quiet today, but it still smelled like monsters, and Bisonpaw did not like it.

"How do we check for trespassing?" Bisonpaw asked, and, realizing that question sounded mouse-brained, she added, "I mean, with the scent of monsters in the air, it's kind of hard to smell anything else."

"Part of being a warrior is being able to overcome those challenges." Tigerbeetle smiled, a quick look flashing in her beady eyes, "Just try."

Bisonpaw lowered her head and grumbled softly to herself. I guess if they can do it, so can I, right? She sniffed the ground, trying to ignore the way the smell of the thunderpath felt sharp in her nostrils, almost in a stinging sort of way.

Opening her jaws, Bisonpaw began to smell the scent of her clan. It was a surprise to her. She moved along the border, and eventually returned to the patrol with no news of any suspicious scents.

Tigerbeetle cast a glance over the cats, "If we're all here, I suppose we should head back." Tigerbeetle took a step before pausing. "Darkriver," The tom tilted his head, "How would you like to lead us back to camp, hm?"

Darkriver looked a little startled by the suggestion. He nodded and firmly took the lead, bringing the patrol back in the direction of camp.

He's finally a true member of the clan! Bisonpaw thought with a purr. She quickened her pace so she padded just behind the blue-gray and ginger tom. With her tail held high, Bisonpaw walked with pride for her friend.

Haha! I did it! After rewriting it three times, I finally finished. It wasn't much of an action packed chapter, but at least we know Darkriver is now a trusted member of the Clan. I realize I haven't answered one of the questions I have been presented:

Fastbreeze37 - Yes, I am planning on making this a series with the regular amount of six books.

Now that I've done that, I hope you luxuriated in this chapter!

--Theoneandonlylonelypotato

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