Chapter Four
The sun shined brightly down on the golden tom, making his pelt glow as he scratched himself earnestly with a hind leg. Beside him, Stonepaw watched in amusement as he growled and began shaking his head wildly when he couldn't reach his itch. Golden fur fell freely as he madly struggled, growling through gritted teeth. "I had more fur in leaf-bare and leaf-fall than I thought! And…I…hate…molting!"
The gray tom beside him began laughing and shook his head, asking after his amusement outbreak was over. "Here, Goldpaw. Where's it itch? Maybe I can help you."
Goldpaw began complaining about his shoulder and Stonepaw took a closer look, declaring with a frown. "It's a tick, not another molting problem."
"Well can you get it out?"
"I'll try…"
"Just don't clip me!"
Stonepaw rolled his yellow eyes and held up an unsheathed paw, Goldpaw cringing as he did so. Slowly, carefully the tom used two claws to pinch the tick, trying to crack it. He gave a grunt as he squeezed hard on the little bug, giving a hiss of frustration. Just when he was about to give up the small tick gave a small click, successfully cracked. Stonepaw gave a yowl of achievement when Burningfire poked his head in, staring at his apprentice in bewilderment. "What are you yowling about now? Ne'er mind. We're going to have a training session – you're hunting for yourselves and the elders today."
"But that's a lot of prey for two apprentices to catch!" Stonepaw complained, Burningfire silencing him with a stern look.
"I'm aware of that. That's precisely why Brookepaw and Icepaw are accompanying us." His tone was scolding, not appreciating his apprentice trying to correct him. Sometimes Goldpaw wondered how Stonepaw managed the tom sometimes and was able to look him straight in the eye. "Next time, don't question me, Stonepaw. Now hurry along, don't take any prey for yourself or you'll be fatter than the river."
"So we'll be hunting in for-?" Goldpaw wasn't able to finish his sentence as Burningfire was already padding swiftly away. Stonepaw and he looked at each other and shrugged before following him out of the camp entrance, Brookepaw and Icepaw sitting side-by-side near a bunch of bracken.
"I thought you'd never make it! It seems like it's been ages since we've been here!" Brookepaw purred, jumping to her paws, Icepaw doing the same as she nodded in agreement.
"You have to remember, toms take longer to wake up!" Icepaw teased, looking meaningfully at Stonepaw. Goldpaw glanced at his friend curiously, but was unable to see his expression as Burningfire was standing in-between them.
"Save the joshing for later." Burningfire interrupted in a rusty purr of amusement. He padded ahead with the apprentices following until they reached the densest part of the forest. "I trust you've all been taught to hunt?"
"Oh no, not me!" Stonepaw joked, shaking his head humorously, making Goldpaw chuckle and Icepaw giggle. Burningfire on the other hand, did not seem so pleased. He silenced his apprentice with a flick of his tail.
"Brookepaw and Goldpaw hunt in the north side of the forest, Stonepaw and Brookepaw the south. I'll be watching you. You shouldn't see me, but if you do, do not approach me." Burningfire growled the last part, stalking off into the bushes quickly while the four apprentices looked at each other amusedly.
"Alright, let's go, Stonepaw." Icepaw's purr put an end to the silence as she padded swiftly forward, following Burningfire's instructions and going south. Stonepaw smiled at Goldpaw and padded after her, leaving Brookepaw and Goldpaw alone.
"Well, I guess we get a move on now."
"Anything you say, Goldpaw."
Goldpaw watched Icepaw and Stonepaw pad into camp quickly, their jaws loaded with prey. It seemed they had had the same luck as Brookepaw and Goldpaw. The prey had seemed to thrive despite their chatter and Goldpaw had learned that Brookepaw was not a bit like her brother – despite her occasional temper outbursts. A few moments after Stonepaw sat down on the other side of Goldpaw – Brookepaw on the other – Burningfire walked through the entrance, nodding with a slight smile to the apprentices to let them know they had done well.
They waited until he retreated into the warrior's den before taking a few mice and vole for themselves, beginning to share tales of their hunt to each other – Stonepaw's being the most dramatic and causing Icepaw to giggle constantly.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather 'round!" Goldpaw and Brookepaw ot up in unison, followed by Icepaw and Stonepaw at the familiar call, padding forward quickly. They settled themselves down near Treepaw, Lightningpaw, and a stoic Kashpaw, none of them looking at the four newcomers. Goldpaw certainly hoped Kashpaw had not disowned Brookepaw after a little hunt! He did not think that he was interested in Brookepaw like a mate? Surely he had gotten that Lightningpaw set his heart burning!
"We are here to give two apprentices their warrior names." The seven apprentice's fur bristled in axiety. Surely, it can't be me? I've only been training for three moons! "Kashpaw and Treepaw, please step forth."
Kashclaw cast a look of triumph over his shoulder at Goldpaw as he added forward 'nobly.' Goldpaw's paws pricked in dread. With Kashpaw a warrior he could command Goldpaw. This was the start of a new horror in RiverClan. Goldpaw would have to work fast and earnestly to catch up with Kashpaw again as a warrior.
"Kashpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect the clan with your life?"
"I do."
"Then from this day forward, if StarClan sees fit, you shall be known as Kashclaw."
Kashclaw looked back at Lightningpaw and Goldpaw once more as he smirked proudly, head raised high. Goldpaw tried to tell himself Kashclaw would be a strong merit to the clan. Rainstar knew best, didn't she? But a shiver still went down his spine as he watched the black warrior with his shoulder's hunched proudly.
"Treepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect the clan with your life?"
"I do."
"Then from this day forward, if StarClan sees fit, you shall be known as Treebranch."
"Kashclaw! Treebranch! Kashclaw! Treebranch!" All, but Goldpaw chanted the names. He felt sick and woozy, adrenaline surging in his stomach as he watched the warriors. They had seemed to be getting along nicely lately, too nicely. Were they plotting against him? He knew it foolish to think so – Treebranch was Stonepaw's brother after all!
He felt Stonepaw leave his side and rush forward to congratulate his brother, but somehow, Goldpaw felt as if he were leaving for him, never to truly return. Why was he so paranoid? He should be happy. RiverClan had two strong, new warriors! Somewher he heard Lightningpaw yowl teasingly somewhere. "You guard the camp nice and long so I can have a long night's rest!"
Why couldn't she tease him like that? Why did Kashclaw have her as his friend? It was unfair. He came back to his senses and glanced around, expecting everyone to be surrounding Kashclaw. Several cats were, but when he looked to his side he jumped when he saw Brookepaw looking up at him curiously. "Are you alright, Goldpaw?"
"I think maybe I should turn in. Good night – give Treebranch my congratulations. And Kashclaw!" He tried to sound cheerful as he added the last part. Brookepaw probably would not react well if he began neglecting her brother when he had such a great triumph, but why had not she gone to his side, but remained on his? A small victory welled in his heart as he padded slowly toward the den, hearing soft pawsteps behind him. Expecting it to be Brookepaw he teased. "One day of hunting is too much, eh?"
"No, I do it every day." Came the silky reply. Goldpaw stopped and turned around in confusion to see Lightningpaw continuing after him slowly. "That'll be us some day. Maybe with some luck it'll be on the same day."
With that said she continued on her way to the den, Goldpaw staring after her in amazement. I must be dreaming. What kind of a warrior name is Treebranch anyway? "Are you coming or are you going to stare out to the horizon all day?"
"C-coming." Goldpaw replied, taken even more aback by her josh. With a slight shake of his head he hurried after her, curling up in his nest, eyes open slightly as he watched her. The love of his life. The one who he had thought hated him. Was it possible that one day they could have an undying love? Like the one he so often dreamed about?
"Good night, Goldpaw."
"Good night, Lightningpaw."
The she-cat looked up at him in confusion and hurt. "I'm Brookepaw!"
Suddenly that perfect black pelt turned to Brookepaw's pretty blue and Goldpaw began to stutter an apology. How had that happened? He rushed to the den entrance to see Lightningpaw smothering Kashclaw in warm licks, but he refused to give in. Lightningpaw could not possibly be fond of Kashclaw that way. They were best friends. He refused to believe it. He gave a firm nod of his head before curling up once more, Brookepaw's pale blue eyes glaring into him until they closed and her quiet snoring filled the den. He had hoped to stay awake until Lightningpaw returned, but he seemed out of luck and soon drifted off.
