Ok, so I apologize for how long this chapter took me. I wasn't quite sure what to do with this one at first but I think it turned out alright.
Shimmerpaw padded into the apprentices' den after a long day of training, a fish in her jaws. Rippleheart was impressed with her progress, and she was slowly becoming one of the best hunters in the Clan. She still wasn't sure if this was what she was meant to be doing, but she at least have Ravenpaw and Rippleheart to talk to. She could be herself completely around Ravenpaw, and Rippleheart always had good advise.
Shimmerpaw glanced around the den, finding it empty except for one nest. She blinked with surprise, seeing Bramblepaw laying with his back turned to the entrance. She could sense his frustration, and she wondered what was wrong. Well, it couldn't hurt to ask.
Shimmerpaw padded over, sitting the fish down a little ways off before nudging Bramblepaw. He didn't move. "Bramblepaw?" Shimmerpaw asked. His ear twitched but he didn't turn his head. "Bramblepaw, are you ok?"
"I'm fine," the tom growled.
Shimmerpaw sighed, knowing he was lying. "Bramblepaw, I can sense that you're lying. What's got you so frustrated?" When she was met with silence, she added, "Bramblepaw, you can tell me. I want to help you if I can."
"You can't help me!" Bramblepaw snapped, finally sitting up and looking her in the eye. Shimmerpaw blinked, seeing how angry Bramblepaw was. She remained silent, letting the tabby continue, "Nothing can help me! I'm not as great as everyone expects me to be! Now all my training has been for nothing!"
"Whoa, what do you mean for nothing?" Shimmerpaw questioned.
"I'm not force sensitive! They thought I would be but I'm not and never will be!" Bramblepaw answered, digging his claws into the ground. "Now I'm just useless! Nobody will want me now! Every hope I ever had of connecting with Shinestar is gone!"
Shimmerpaw blinked, realizing what the problem was. "Bramblepaw, I know this must be hard on you. I know your life hasn't been easy. Shinestar gave you up the moment you were born, and I know Tigerfur isn't around much at all. But just because you aren't force sensitive doesn't mean that you're useless. You're still a valuable member of this Clan, training to be a warrior. And even if you don't have them, you have friends who care about you."
"Really? Like who?" Bramblepaw asked, though Shimmerpaw could see his anger fading.
"Bronzepaw and Brightpaw care for you like their own brother. I know, I've talked to them. And they wouldn't have decided to stay in the nursery with you if they didn't care. Seedwhisker may have only been your adopted mother, but she loves you like her own kits. And I'm your friend too. I may be a Jedi padawan but that doesn't mean we can't be friends. And I'm not going to let my friend sit here and think he's useless," Shimmerpaw explained.
Bramblepaw looked down at his paws before looking back into Shimmerpaw's eyes and smiling. "Thank you, Shimmerpaw. I needed to hear that."
Shimmerpaw smiled back. "Any time. Now come share this fish with me, will you? I don't think I can eat it all by myself." The two settled down to share the fish, talking and laughing together every now and then.
"Shinestar! Rippleheart!" the call rang out in the clearing just as Shimmerpaw and Bramblepaw finished their fish. Exchanging a worried glance, the two apprentices quickly headed out of the den. They spotted Brightpaw panting in the center of the clearing.
"Wasn't she on patrol with Dustflame, Silverclaw, and Ruskclaw?" Shimmerpaw asked in a whisper.
Bramblepaw nodded. "Dustflame..."
Shimmerpaw felt Bramblepaw's fear for his mentor stirring within him and she put her tail on his shoulder. "Dustflame is one of the best warriors this Clan has. I'm sure he's fine."
Shinestar and Rippleheart quickly ran over to Brightpaw. "What happened, Brightpaw?" Shinestar asked, her voice calm.
"Our patrol was attacked!" Brightpaw rasped between breaths as cats began to gather around the apprentice.
"By DarkClan?" Oakclaw guessed, digging his claws into the ground.
Brightpaw shook her head. "No, but they're all Sith. I don't know how since they're not part of DarkClan but they are too many for our patrol to fight alone. They need help!"
Shinestar nodded. "And help them we will." She raised her head and scanned the gathered cats. "Rippleheart, Bluestripe, Tigerfur, Graystep, Dragonfang, Shimmerpaw and Bramblepaw, come with me." Shimmerpaw quickly ran over alongside Bramblepaw to gather with the rest of the cats Shinestar had named. Their leader looked back at Brightpaw and nodded. "Lead the way."
Brightpaw quickly dashed out of camp with the patrol on her paws. Shimmerpaw cast a glance at Bramblepaw, seeing determination shining in his eyes. They just have to hang on a little longer! We're coming!
The sound of fighting became clear as they approached the border with the open moor. They stopped just as they left the trees, seeing the battle taking place in front of them. "LightClan! Attack!" Shinestar called, leaping at the nearest rogue. Rippleheart was right behind her, keeping one rogue from clawing his leader's side.
Bramblepaw dashed into the fray in a desperate search for his mentor. Shimmerpaw was about to follow him when a cat rammed into her side, making her stumble. Thinking quickly, Shimmerpaw rolled with the cat until she was able to leap away. She found her attacker was a muscular dark gray tom with dark blue eyes. He bared his teeth in a snarl. Shimmerpaw narrowed her eyes and crouched down defensively, waiting for the tom to make a move.
The tom finally leaped, but Shimmerpaw quickly dodged to one side before lashing out with her claws. The tom yowled as her attack connected with his flank. He tried to move away before Shimmerpaw advanced, managing to claw the tom's ear. Shimmerpaw was beginning to think she had him when suddenly the tom pushed her to the ground. He leaped on top of her, smirking in triumph. Before he could do anymore, however, Graystep appeared and knocked the tom away from Shimmerpaw.
"Are you ok?" Graystep asked as Shimmerpaw got to her paws.
"I'm fine. Let's finish this!" Shimmerpaw and Graystep advanced on the tom together. The tom crouched like he was about to leap but Shimmerpaw and Graystep reared up and swiped at him with their paws. The tom backed away, hesitating a moment before dashing away into the undergrowth. Shimmerpaw and Graystep dropped onto all fours and glanced at the battle around them. The other rogues were being chased off by the rest of their Clanmates.
Shimmerpaw smiled at Graystep. "Thanks for saving me back there. If you hadn't come along, I don't know what would've happened."
Graystep smiled back. "Anytime." He then looked back at their Clanmates, his smile fading as his eyes widened. "Oh no..."
Shimmerpaw followed his gaze, her earlier relief being replaced by horror when she saw the motionless body of Dustflame lying on the ground with Bramblepaw sitting beside him, his head bowed, tears streaming from his eyes. When all their Clanmates had seen what happened, they fell into silence.
"We must bring him back to camp," Shinestar whispered, nodding to Rippleheart.
Rippleheart padded forward, resting his tail on Bramblepaw's shoulder before crouching down and allowing Tigerfur and Dragonfang to place Dustflame on his back. The patrol then began to head back to camp. Bramblepaw trailed at the back of the group, his tail dragging along on the ground. Shimmerpaw fell back beside him, pressing up against his side.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered.
Bramblepaw shook his head. "It's not your fault. If I had been a better apprentice, maybe I could've saved him. He'd still be here."
Shimmerpaw wanted to tell him that there was nothing he could've done, but she knew that he wouldn't listen to her. Instead, she meowed, "He'll always be watching over you from StarClan. He really cared about you, Bramblepaw, and that wouldn't change now."
Bramblepaw remained silent for a moment before looking up at Shimmerpaw and nodding. "Thank you, Shimmerpaw." With that, they continued on to camp in silence.
Hope you enjoyed! Please R&R :)