Chapter 15

Sunpaw

Needless to say, Sunpaw could barely focus on her training the next day. She had gotten away with the excuse of 'I just didn't get enough sleep last night' so far, but when she zoned out while stalking a mouse and let it get away, Ospreyflight finally took action.

"Sunpaw, you've been… well, there's no nice way to put it. You've been sloppy today. You're usually so attentive and focused— even if you do get a little overexcited sometimes— but today, you've been so out-of-tune with the rest of the world." He nudged his apprentice gently. "I know it's not just fatigue," he butted in as she opened her mouth to give him that exact excuse. "What's really going on?"

Sunpaw looked up at him, getting to her paws and shaking herself.

"It's— it's nothing, Ospreyflight, really. I was just…" She tilted her head as she tried to think of the right words. "Just thinking of my family. I miss them." It wasn't a lie, not at all, but it was only half of the truth.

Ospreyflight gave her a disapproving frown. "You're a ThunderClan cat, now, Sunpaw. I know I must sound cruel for saying this, but you have to forget about your family. I'm disappointed that you've been letting them distract you." His gaze softened slightly as he flicked his tail, the brown tom's face taking on a somewhat amused expression. "But I know there's more to it. You don't sound like a cat who's missing her family. Though distracted, you've had a happy air around you all day. Don't think I haven't noticed."

That didn't just sound cruel, it was cruel, The golden apprentice thought, ears flattening. I guess he's right, but… he doesn't understand, anyways. She tilted her head at her mentor in surprise, whiskers twitching. How could he tell, though?

"It's— erm…" Sunpaw huffed, losing the words as they started to form in her mouth. She realized she had no idea how to explain this to her mentor. "It's just— my sister—" She trailed off again. What am I even supposed to do here? Do I lie to him or tell him the truth? Would it matter either way? She licked her chops nervously.

"Go on," Ospreyflight said, raising a brow. His tail started to twitch impatiently and he cocked his head at Sunpaw.

Argh, this is so annoying! I just have to tell him the truth.

"Well— truthfully, I haven't been able to focus today because…" She raised her head and met her mentor's gaze, her voice growing softer. "I discovered that my sister is alive— and even more than that, I found out where she is. I'm loyal to ThunderClan, of course, but honestly… even finding out someone from my family is alive was my biggest goal ever since Sharpclaw and Bristlepaw— er, Bristlewind— found me in the forest. I just haven't been able to think of anything else. I'm sorry, Ospreyflight, I shouldn't have let that distract me. I'm acting like a kit." Sunpaw's tail drooped and she lowered her head, truly apologetic.

"Sunpaw…" Ospreyflight didn't speak for a moment, pausing before giving the golden she-cat an affectionate lick on her ear. "You don't have to be sorry; I understand. Any cat would struggle to think of anything else if they just found out that the family they thought was either dead or lost to them forever was alive and close by. I'm sure you understand why I did, but I shouldn't have gotten upset. I know that you're loyal to ThunderClan, no matter what."

Sunpaw's heart swelled with happiness. What did I do to deserve a mentor like Ospreyflight?

"Thank you, Ospreyflight," the young she-cat said, raising her head again, a genuine smile forming across her muzzle. "I promise I'll try and pay more attention for the rest of the day." To prove her point, she parted her jaws to taste the air, nose twitching as she picked up the scent of a vole.

Without a word, Sunpaw flicked her tail and Ospreyflight seemed to get the memo. He gave her a short nod and let her go ahead.

Sunpaw couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy. Will I do okay if Ospreyflight isn't helping me..? Yes, I'll be fine. I can do this— I've caught prey before!

She adjusted her body so she was in the proper hunter's crouch, underbelly scraping the ground before she lifted herself slightly with a worried frown. She didn't want to drag any leaves across the forest floor and alert the vole.

It wasn't long before the young golden she-cat was able to rely on her eyes instead of her nose. She was downwind of the vole— thank StarClan— and it hadn't spotted her yet.

Now's my chance!

Sunpaw pounced, her claws coming down on the vole before it could let out a squeal of terror. She panicked for a moment, unsure of what to do, but quickly sliced a claw across the tiny creature's throat to kill it.

Even when I reunite with Moon again, I'll be the best warrior in all of ThunderClan!