AN: Chapter update! Thanks everyone for your support and reviews! And super big thanks to Shadow Of Your Wings for reviewing every chapter so far! This one's definitely my longest yet, and hopefully they will get longer. I posted on my profile that my aim is to reach one hundred K, but I'm not sure if that's going to happen. If I get enough reviews it might ;)


CHAPTER EIGHT

The wind that rolled across the hills ruffled Sprucekit's fur. She sat in front of her mother's paws, eager for the day to get started. Sootpaw and Leafshine had already returned from their hunting patrol just when Icestar padded onto the hill where Clan meetings were held. Excitement stirred within Sprucekit's heart as she watched the WindClan leader.

"Let all cats old enough gather around the clearing for a Clan meeting!" Icestar's yowl echoed around the clearing. Sprucekit looked up at her mother proudly before trying to make herself look as composed as ever. As the only kit in the Clan she wanted the Clan to believe that she was warrior material.

Cats crept forward despite the cold winds that lashed out at them. Leafbare was still in full swing and the snow that covered their camp made it more apparent. Sprucekit spotted Wildheart and Harewhisker sitting together. Leafshine sat nearby with Sootpaw beside her. Ferretpelt and Whitebirch sat further apart as the two were always arguing over the short-haired tom's attitude. As usual Twigfur and Berrystripe were the last to approach.

"By naming apprentices we show that our Clan will remain strong, even during the coldest part of leafbare," Icestar began once everyone was gathered. "Sprucekit, come forward." Sprucekit glanced at her mother once more before stepping forward. Larksong watched her fondly as she reached the WindClan leader. "Sprucekit, until you have received your warrior name you will be known as Sprucepaw. Wildheart, you are ready for an apprentice. You have trained Whitebirch into a fine warrior that WindClan is proud of, and I expect you to do the same with Sprucepaw."

Sprucepaw felt her heart leap with happiness when she touched noses with her uncle. Wildheart and Leopardheart had been close even as brothers. She was thankful that Icestar wanted her father's memory to live on through his brother. Wildheart looked just as pleased with Icestar's decision.

"Can we get back to our nests now? It's too cold to be out in the open," Redstripe complained from the elder's den. Besides the nursery and medicine cat's den it was the only other sheltered den in camp. During the coldest parts of leafbare warriors sometimes shared the den with Redstripe and Sparrowsong.

"No, I have other news to share with the Clan," Icestar meowed with a shake of his head. Redstripe let out a growl loud enough for Sprucepaw to hear. She glanced at him warily. He had the temper of an angry badger - one she was not too fond of. "A group of cats were spotted near the abandoned Horseplace not long ago. Rowantail has told me that the scent of blood came from the rogues. We must assume the worst and prepare for any battles at the border that might break out."

A shudder coursed down Sprucepaw's spine at the mention of the abandoned Horseplace. She remembered what Icestar had told the Clan a few days ago. He wanted them to hunt there when prey was scarce. But she couldn't imagine why there would be any prey in such a territory.

Redstripe let out another irritated growl as he and Sparrowsong returned to the warmth of their den. She could hear him muttering about 'useless information' and such to her grandmother. Once the meeting was over Sprucepaw was left with Wildheart at her side. Leafshine and Larksong immediately began catching up once her mother left the nursery.

"Why don't I show you the territory," Wildheart meowed when an uncomfortable silence fell between them. "Just remember that it is colder than before..." Wildheart broke off as if he were about to change the subject. Sprucepaw rolled her eyes and trotted towards the camp's entrance. She wanted to get the day started now more than ever. Wildheart sighed when he realized there was no point in arguing with her. He rose to his paws and bounded after her as she took the lead.

She didn't stop running until the sun warmed her pelt. By then she had reached the shore of the lake. From here she could see the island where Gatherings were held. Leafshine had once told her that the island was an amazing place. Apprentices were often seen wandering around the island during Gatherings.

"Well, as I'm sure you already know that is the island where Gatherings are held," Wildheart explained when he reached her. Sprucepaw sat near the lake's edge with her tail over her paws. The water lapped at the sandy ledge as waves picked up from the wind. Sprucepaw rose to her paws once more when Wildheart began to take the lead.

Reeds had begun to grow in a more marshy area as they continued moving forward. Wildheart pointed out landmarks for Sprucepaw to remember. There was the ancient looking willow tree that's branches seemed to reach for the sky. Sprucepaw had heard legends of cats meeting under the willow tree. There they would find the love of their life waiting for them. But she knew that it was nothing more than a silly legend for elders to tell.

Beyond the willow tree was RiverClan territory. Sprucepaw noted how the ground underpaw had become spongy. Here grass and moss seemed more abundant. She could hear streams running nearby if she pricked her ears forward. Wildheart's tail waved when they came to a halt.

"Be careful," he warned her in a calm voice. "RiverClan cats are always trying to take this bit of land. Right now it belongs to us, but I'm sure that won't last long." Sprucepaw's eyes widened in disbelief. This was WindClan territory? If it were up to her she would have stayed out in the open. This area was covered in undergrowth for predators to hide in. Her fur bristled slightly at the thought of an enemy waiting in ambush.

"Can we go now?" she asked warily.

Wildheart looked at her skeptically before nodding. Relief washed over Sprucepaw as she followed him. She didn't want to spend more time in this part of the territory. Something had stirred in her heart, like an old memory telling her that it was wrong for them to be there.

Once they were far enough away Sprucepaw began to relax. They had reached the abandoned Twoleg nest that was part of the Horseplace. Wildheart was sniffing it curiously while Sprucepaw gaped at the structure in shock. Leafshine had told her what the structure looked like before, but seeing it in full view sent chills down her spine. Half of the nest was leaning on one side, while the roof of the nest had caved in. Birds flew in and out of the nest as if they owned the place.

"Furzewhisker finds some good catmint in that area," Wildheart meowed when he noticed her gaping at the nest. "It's not all bad, and soon we will be hunting there." Wildheart acted as though it was an every day thing. Sprucepaw's eyes narrowed into tiny slits when he began moving away.

We need catmint during leafbare, Sprucepaw reminded herself. Twolegs are known for holding catmint for their kittypets. Sparrowsong had told her that when they first met. At that time the Clan had been sick, and Larksong had been reluctant to let her daughter leave the nursery. But Sprucepaw had managed to wriggle out of her mother's grasp once or twice.

Wildheart continued leading her across the open hills. Shrubs grew here and there while a few scarce trees stood out. Sprucepaw noticed birds circling lazily in the sky above when she looked up for the first time. Wildheart had noticed them too and hid under one of the shrubs. Sprucepaw bounded after him and dropped into a crouch.

"Those are eagles," he growled. "They can take on a full-grown warrior if they wanted to."

Sprucepaw's eyes widened in shock at her mentor's description. Eagles sounded fierce if they could take on a fully grown warrior. She wondered how birds could be such a problem when one of them suddenly banked towards the ground. Her heart nearly skipped a beat when she saw a huge shadow linger over the shrub. Sprucepaw gasped in disbelief when the eagle swerved towards the sky after it's talons brushed the shrub.

"StarClan that was scary!" she gasped when the eagle was out of killing range.

"I'll teach you how to handle them when you're ready," Wildheart reassured her.

Once it was safe to leave the shrub Wildheart led her deeper into Clan territory. Sprucepaw's legs were beginning to feel heavy with exhaustion by the time they reached a clearing surrounded by trees. Wildheart's tail lashed from side to side when he came to a stop.

"This is the border along ThunderClan's territory," he explained. "We've had constant battles over this land because the hunting is so good. But of course now ThunderClan claims the clearing as their own." His tail lashed once more at the mention of an enemy Clan. Sprucepaw unsheathed her claws as she imagined teaching them some manners. ThunderClan had no right to claim what was rightfully WindClan territory!

"Is that a ThunderClan cat?" she asked when a new scent reached them. Her nose wrinkled at the scent, but it was more of a forest scent than anything else.

"A patrol is coming," Wildheart murmured. "Be on your guard."

Sprucepaw watched carefully as three cats stepped forward. Sure enough Wildheart was right about the patrol. A ginger-brown tom with tabby markings was the first to glare at Wildheart. Beside him was an older looking apprentice-aged cat. Her tortoiseshell fur was bristling with annoyance when she spotted Sprucepaw. Third to come forward was a dark gray, almost black tom with pale yellow eyes.

"Oakfire, Stormshadow," Wildheart greeted them with a dip of his head.

"What are you doing so close to the border?" the dark gray tom, Stormshadow, demanded.

"I am showing my apprentice the borders," Wildheart replied.

"She's just a kit!" the tortoiseshell spat. Oakfire placed a tail on her shoulder when Sprucepaw's fur bristled in outrage. She glared at the apprentice angrily and wished that she could show this cat a thing or two of what she knew.

"We are only marking the border Stormshadow," Oakfire meowed in a stern voice. It sounded like he was trying to control his temper on the tortoiseshell and Stormshadow. "Hazelpaw, go and find that squirrel you scented earlier, but don't cross the border." He glared at his apprentice warningly. Hazelpaw returned the glare before stalking off in search of the squirrel. "I apologize for my apprentice's behavior. She will be punished," he added to Wildheart.

Wildheart dipped his head once more as the ThunderClan cats left the border's edge. Sprucepaw smirked at the thought of Hazelpaw getting punished for her rude attitude. It served that apprentice right for what she said.

"We should get back too, it's getting late," Wildheart suddenly announced when they were alone once more.

Surprise flared within Sprucepaw when she realized that he was right. She looked up at the sky to see that it was turning orange already. Wildheart began leading the way back towards camp, and Sprucepaw couldn't feel happier about returning.

I never expected my paws to feel so heavy, she thought as she trudged after him. I hope it isn't going to be like this every day. She closed her eyes and promised herself that she would get stronger. Maybe training would help her legs become stronger.

Dusk had settled in by the time they returned to camp. Sprucepaw spotted her mother sitting with Leafshine and Harewhisker. They were sharing a rabbit that looked like it had been freshly caught. Her mouth began to water when Wildheart touched her shoulder with his tail.

"You can get something from the fresh-kill pile," he told her. "Find a spot to sleep, you'll need it for tomorrow." He added the last part with a smirk before approaching the three. Sprucepaw watched her mentor warily before approaching the fresh-kill pile.

She grabbed a scrawny looking squirrel from the pile in the hopes that others would get larger bits of fresh-kill. Despite her hunger she knew how important it was to feed the elders and queens. Palemist was still in the nursery and would need the fresh-kill for the kits she was expecting. Once she had finished her squirrel she buried the remains and approached the spot where the apprentices slept. Owlpaw, Sootpaw and Antpaw had already returned to their nests.

"You can sleep here," Antpaw murmured when he realized she was searching for a spot.

Sprucepaw circled the spot before curling up beside him. For once she had a feeling that she would sleep well tonight.


AN: There's always tension at the border, especially when it comes to ThunderClan and WindClan. Those two are always itching for a fight! And what do you think of Wildheart? I know it's strange to have two warriors named by the same ending, especially brothers, but I thought it would be a good idea. Don't forget to leave a review!