Chapter 1


"Vertigo."


6/22/21 - 6/23/21 - 7/1/21 - 7/3/21 - 7/4/21 - 7/5/21 - 7/9/21 - 7/10/21 - 7/11/21 - 7/12/21 - 7/13/21 - 7/14/21 - 7/24/21 - 7/28/21 - 7/29/21 - 7/30/21 - 8/4/21


~ Sparrowpaw ~

Strong back forelegs doesn't always guarantee a successful jump. From Sparrowpaw's perspective, you have a higher chance of hitting your head on a low branch.

Stupid branch. Sparrowpaw rubs his sore rusty-red crown, but still refuses to look down. He didn't forget what Brightwater said.

"It's very easy to lose your balance on your first try, especially when you look at the ground. Even Mudstar gets vertigo at the best of times."

Though, I don't know how that helps if the leader gets airsick.

Sparrowpaw proceeds to leap onto pine tree branches nearby, needles rattling underneath his weight. Sparrowpaw notices that Brightwater is watching from below.

Can she really see me?

"Rraaw!"

The branch suddenly quakes and Sparrowpaw clings his forelegs around the shaking limb; the pale brown she-cat is fighting a giggle as she watches him from afar.

"How's it hanging?"

Sparrowpaw grunts as he pulls himself up halfway. "Is she looking at me?"

Wrenpaw gazes downward. "Oh, yes. Want some help?"

"No." Sparrowpaw sucks in his belly and pulls himself up when he hears a soft crack.

Wrenpaw's ears perk up, her yellow eyes becoming slants. The branch under Sparrowpaw dips.

Oh… This feels like it's going to hurt.

"Sparrowpaw!" Brightwater runs under the creaking branch. "Don't move!"

I don't plan on it! Sparrowpaw looks back at his sister. Wrenpaw had moved to a branch closest to him.

Sparrowpaw decides that talking to Wrenpaw is better than freaking out at an inevitable fall. "What's going on?"

"... I think you need to let go."

"How about no?!"

"Brightwater has her paws out beneath you. She wants you to let go."

Sparrowpaw has an idea of what his mentor wants from him. They've talked about 'landing on his paws' in mid-fall, but to actually do it…?

He tries pulling himself up when Sparrowpaw feels the limb give way under his weight.

Now's better than nothing!

The moment he feels the air against his belly, the ginger-and-brown tabby twists his upper body around and sees Brightwater sitting on her haunches. He braces for the grass when two, warm forelimbs grab him and sets him down gently.

"You're okay, Sparrowpaw." Brightwater says, using her front paw to help him up. "Take slow breaths until you stop shaking."

Was he shaking? Huh. I didn't know that… In fact, he couldn't focus on anything except his raging heartbeat.

Sparrowpaw's chest gradually loosens as Wrenpaw jumps down and rushes to her brother.

"Give him space." Brightwater tells the pale brown she-cat. Sparrowpaw feels his forelegs falling still and he's finally able to feel May's cool air.

"Are you okay now?" Brightwater asks. Sparrowpaw nods and Wrenpaw bumps her head to his. "You scared me, feather-brain! Try free falling off a branch lowest to the ground next time."

Sparrowpaw couldn't stop himself from snickering in spite of the earlier fright. "There's not gonna be a next time!"

Brightwater's tail weaves around Sparrowpaw's limbs. "I think it's time to wait until tomorrow. Let's go home so Rabbitear could look at you. I'm sure Icefall is interested in why Wrenpaw is out here without him."

Wrenpaw immediately goes on the defensive. "I told him that I was going out to practice on my own!"

"Oh, is that so?" Brightwater's copper brown eyes sparkle in Wrenpaw's direction. "I'm sure he'll be happy to hear about you climbing by yourself then."

His sister's bravado fades in an instant.


"I didn't give you permission to leave the field!"

"You said I could!"

"I said that you can wait by the hills! What part of the conversation did I say to go past that?!"

The brownish tabby tries to pretend that he couldn't hear his sister's voice rolling down the hills into camp. He'd rather be like Shadepaw, taking his time plucking dove feathers before getting to the meat. Or Fogpaw, going straight to clamping her paws over her ears to block out the arguments. Fallowpaw picks on blades of grass as a valuable distraction.

"What's the big deal?! I'm almost eight moons old! The ancient Clans used to make cats my age into warriors!"

"And there's a reason why it changed! I won't hear another word about this, Wrenpaw! You're not allowed to leave camp without my permission and if I find out that you left, I'll tell Mudstar to delay your warrior ceremony for a moon."

"I can't believe this - You're not my father! Stop trying to boss me around!"

Wrenpaw bolts down the slope as Icefall tries to go after her before stopping, watching her disappear in the burrow. Fallowpaw leaves the group to check on Wrenpaw.

"... So, when's the next Gathering?" Fogpaw asks quietly.

"Next moon, like every moon." Shadepaw replies.

"Next moon?" Sparrowpaw echoes. "Wouldn't that make the Terrible Twos…?"

"Don't remind me." Fogpaw begs in exasperation in her voice. "Please don't bring them up!"

"You'll have to face them eventually." Shadepaw remarks.

"That doesn't mean I have to like it!" Fogpaw snaps.

Despite scolding his sister earlier, Shadepaw is just as apprehensive about the reminder.

And Sparrowpaw really doesn't blame them.

Just two moons younger than them, Slatekit and Sablekit were spoiled by their mother from the moment they opened their eyes. In Bumbletail's eyes, they could do no wrong. In their eyes (Sparrowpaw, Shadepaw, Fogpaw, Fallowpaw and Wrenpaw), they were the Dark Forest incarnate, especially Sablekit.

The one time that they allowed Sablekit to play with them, it ended with him and Fogpaw ripping one another's fur out. And, being the habitual liar he is, told his mother an entirely different story, Bumbletail criticized their mothers about their "cruel kits" that were "bullying poor Sablekit".

And after they stopped including him, Bumbletail switched to them "trying to exclude Sablekit".

Slatekit is… a mixed bag. He would be calm one moment and then he would be his brother's sidekick the next, while also telling Bumbletail different accounts.

The rest of the kits called them the "Terrible Twos" for a reason.

Either way, they were more trouble than it was worth, and they were relieved that once they were apprenticed it meant never having to look over their shoulders again.

Two moons went by too fast.

"Onto a positive note." Shadepaw said. "Has any of our mentors said anything about an assessment?"

"None from my end." Sparrowpaw responds.

"Stormfall wouldn't talk about it with me." Fogpaw says in annoyance. "Like, I wanna know what I'm up against."

"Ravenmask is the same." Shadepaw agrees. "I think they like the suspense of keeping us on our toes."

"That's what border disputes and prophecies are for."

A light brown tom approaches the group by the fresh kill pile.

"There's our recluse!" Fogpaw cheers as the tom huffs.

Applepaw huffs. "This 'recluse' is responsible for preserving your life."

"Do you need something Applepaw?" Shadepaw asks.

"Yes. Sparrowpaw. You fell out of a tree, right?"

The red-brown patched tom catches his breath as Shadepaw and Fogpaw look at him in dismay. So much for putting it behind me.

Sparrowpaw gives Applepaw an even look. "Depends on who told you?"

"Brightwater did."

Rats.

Sparrowpaw sits up. "You're not gonna search for broken bones, are you?"

Applepaw approaches the tom. "I'm more interested if you're feeling okay? Any vertigo, or pain in your affected areas?"

"Not that I know of… I landed on my paws."

Fogpaw purrs. "Look at you. It took Shadepaw falling on his head twice before he could do it."

"And it took you three times." Shadepaw claps back, earning a glare from his sister.

Applepaw gently holds the tabby's paw, pressing into his paw pad. "Does it hurt?"

"Not really."

"Hmm. You seem fine, but I don't think the older cats are gonna listen unless Rabbitear says so."

"Especially your mom." Shadepaw points out. "You might as well see Rabbitear before this gets around."

Fogpaw snorts. "Yeah, right, who's gonna find out?"

"Sparrowpaw." Ravenmask pads to the tabby with squinting eyes. "Is it true you fell out of a tree?"

Sparrowpaw refuses to answer, but Ravenmask points his tail to the heather bush. "I've already told Rabbitear about it, You need to let him look at you. You don't know if you injured yourself internally."

Hazel-green eyes gleam defiantly.

"We were just heading there." Applepaw lies, giving Sparrowpaw a look. The ginger-and-brown tabby reluctantly follows him. Ravenmask blinks in relief, but Sparrowpaw gives the older tom a warning growl - Ravenmask jolts in surprise - and stalks after the medicine cat apprentice.

"... That was uncomfortable." Fogpaw murmurs.


Rabbitear's paws poke every part of Sparrowpaw's underbelly. Once Rabbitear gets to his shoulders, he pauses. "Nothing feels off to you?"

"No - I've been saying that all day!"

"Just making sure." Rabbitear said, backing off. "I would prefer it if you stayed out of the trees for a while."

Agreed. Sparrowpaw shakes out his pelt. "Honestly, whatever Ravenmask told you was trying to make it sound worse."

"Sparrowpaw landed on his paws." Applepaw adds.

Rabbitear is… actually impressed. "Eight moon olds don't usually make it without a few sprains. And so long as you don't feel pain from touch or walking, you're fine with patrols - only patrolling."

"What about hunting?"

Rabbitear is thoughtful. "So long as you leave the squirrels and birds alone, you can still hunt."

Sparrowpaw dips his head politely. "Thank you."

Once the ginger-and-brown tabby tom leaves the den, Dapplesky is the first to meet him outside.

"How are you?" Dapplesky examines Sparrowpaw to find any exposed bones before he shuffles away.

"I'm fine. Rabbitear says so."

Dapplesky blinks gratefully. "Oh thank StarClan. When Brightwater and Ravenmask told me what happened-."

Sparrowpaw can't resist scowling when he hears the black tom's name. "He needs to stop sticking his nose in my business."

His mother's tail bats his ears. "I'm sure he means well. It's always worrying when a Clanmate gets hurt."

Sparrowpaw gives Dapplesky a long look. It wasn't just any Clanmate and you know it.

For whatever reason, Ravenmask has been a nosy busybody ever since Sparrowpaw and his sister could walk; always watching them when their mother had to stretch her legs, dropping off prey to Dapplesky and trying to talk to them, or even keeping them from sneaking out of camp and plotting revenge on Bumbletail's sons.

Granted, stupid kit stuff is fair enough (and the closest thing to revenge is putting ticks in their nest), but Sparrowpaw is old enough to see how Ravenmask looks at Dapplesky. He's not dumb. If anything, he's weirded out and offended at how Ravenmask is trying to weasel himself into Dapplesky's good graces, while also asserting him in Sparrowpaw's life.

Like, who does he think he is? He's not my father!

Cats made it perfectly clear, every day, that Sparrowpaw and Wrenpaw has one father, and he doesn't live in SkyClan, but across the eastern stream and in the forest.

And his name wasn't Ravenmask, Swallowflight's brother.


By sunhigh, his sister finally re-appears once Sparrowpaw relaxes near the apprentice den. Shadepaw and Fogpaw were out hunting with their mentors. Fallowpaw stays by Wrenpaw.

The peace breaks when the late morning patrol returns to the meadow; Whiteflame is leading his battered group of Mallowstem, Redfox, Leafstorm, Swallowflight and Ashheart.

The patrol's appearance causes a stir of worry as Mudstar approaches the group.

"What happened here?"

"It's ThunderClan." Whiteflame said before Leafstorm cuts in, eyes wide and frantic.

"They took her!"

Mudstar stares at Leafstorm in confusion when Swiftbird pads to her.

"Leafstorm we talked about this-."

"I saw her!" Leafstorm insists. "She was right there and they forced her to go with them!"

Mudstar looks at his deputy. "Whiteflame, what happened?"

"We were scent marking the eastern border, and ThunderClan was hunting on their side when we spotted who we thought was Brindlesplash…"

Mudstar's gaze sweeps over to Mallowstem, Redfox and Ashheart.

"Was it her?"

Redfox pads forward. "I recognized her. I brought it up to the ThunderClan, however… a fight broke out before we could ask further."

Redfox glances at Leafstorm, who bristles indignantly against Swiftbird. "Did you expect me to just let them walk away with one of my daughters?!"

"She was my apprentice." The red she-cat counters. "I was worried, too."

"But was she safe?" Mudstar presses, the three remaining apprentices try pushing further to the front of the crowd.

"By appearances, yes." Whiteflame said. "She left with Doveheart and Fallenswoop. It looks as though it's consensual…"

"Why should we believe that it is?" Swallowflight asks, sauntering forward. "ThunderClan has already tried stealing prey from us in leaf-bare. This might be their way of escalating."

Snowstripe wrinkles her nose. "By catnapping a vulnerable queen?"

"That's extreme." Mallowstem says. "And this is ThunderClan we're talking about. They're not exactly known for breeding bad cats."

Except Tigerstar… and Thistleclaw… oh, and Ashfur, too.

Mudstar uses his tail tip to scratch his flank as a way to think."... I'll talk to Larkstar - alone."

"That's too reckless." Palesky protests. "You need to at least have one cat with you after what happened."

Rabbitear pads up to Mudstar. "If I may? I could visit ThunderClan. Since Brindlesplash is expecting, it'll appear as if I'm checking in with Bristlefur on her condition and I'll be able to speak to her without drawing unwarranted attention."

"It'll be more comforting to see a healer than having a leader show up." Whiteflame says to Mudstar.

The ruddy-colored tom flicks an ear. "They'll still be on edge after that fight. You should consider taking one warrior with you."

Mallowstem asks, "Wouldn't that still draw attention from them?"

"The foxes are active at this time. Just say it's for protection from the foxes and ask for Brindlesplash." Mudstar responds.

Rabbitear dips his head and beckons Applepaw forward to check on the patrol's injuries.

"Brindlesplash…" Sparrowpaw says to Wrenpaw and Fallowpaw. "That name sounds familiar…"

"I think she's SkyClan." Fallowpaw says as a shadow looks over them.

"Why are you sticking your noses in warrior business?" Swallowflight's glare sweeps over the three apprentices, amber eyes scrutinizing them.

Sparrowpaw spots Brightwater weaning from the crowd. "I was waiting for Brightwater. I wanted to ask her a question."

Swallowflight's gaze intensifies on Sparrowpaw. "I think you can survive without that question."

The dark grey tom steps forward in a way that makes Sparrowpaw nervous. Maybe it's his pupils becoming round like he's focusing on prey?

"Leave. All of you. This is warrior business."

Sparrowpaw slowly turns around and pads away, Wrenpaw and Fallowpaw flanking his sides.

"That was rough." Wrenpaw murmurs.

"I don't know." Fallowpaw said. "I've heard worse from Palesky's interactions with him."

Wrenpaw snorts. "Not that. I meant it was rough not throwing sand in his face."

"Classy." Sparrowpaw snickers.

"You were thinking it too!" Wrenpaw exclaims. "Did you see how he looked at you? I had to be ready to throw dirt in his face, because it looked like he was wanting to bite your head off."

"Wrenpaw! Swallowflight's a hypocritical snob, but he wouldn't attack a cat in his own Clan, especially an apprentice while the leader and deputy are nearby." Fallowpaw scolds Wrenpaw.

"I'm not scared of Swallowflight." Sparrowpaw said, although it feels like a lie.