Hi! The second chapter to Into the Wild is out! And, while I'm editing this, I might as well respond to a review or two;
Duskspiral: Thanks! I really like Miroh/Sparkpaw, too. She might just be my favorite character, and I have some big plans for her down the line.
WolflexZ: Thanks for the help. I fixed the spelling error, along with a few others, though I don't know about the cut off sentences.
Guest 1: Now that I know that multiple people actually care about this, I know I won't be leaving it behind.
Guest 2: Yeah, it does seem that way, doesn't it? And Sparkpaw is a savage, as well as quick thinking and a barrel of insults. As I said to Duskspiral, she might be my favorite character.
Fox had learned all about wounds, deseases, and remedies from an especially talkative stray in the neighborhood. Sarah -Blazetrail, now- had said that such things were pointless since he lived with housefolk, who could take him to the vet at any time. But the herbs were interesting, even if he was never going to use them. Like catnip, which could cure just about any cough you could come across. And, the one he was currently needing, tansy, which helped with wounds when chewed into a poultice.
When Ravenpaw fell, Fox had run over to him and checked him over while the rest of the Clan was still worrying about Redtail. Fox understood their grief, but right then, Ravenpaw was alive, and he was the one who needed their attention, not some cat who was already dead.
Shaking his head, Fox sniffed Ravenpaw's wound; a deep gash on his shoulder that was still bleeding. He picked up his flower and began to chew it into a pulp, ears pricked to listen to the Clan.
"Spottedleaf!" someone called from behind him. Is that their healer? It'd better be. He needs more help than I know how to give. When the tansy was chewed, he spit it into the wound and was smearing it in when he felt the fur of another cat beside him; he turned to see the pretty tortoiseshell he had seen sitting next Firepaw's friend earlier.
"I brought some tansy with me, and I put a poultice onto the wound," Fox said, stepping back. The tortoiseshell, who he assumed was Spottedleaf, nodded at him, then turned to examine Ravenpaw. As she crouched down, the shocked silence was broken by a mournful howl in the entrance tunnel; a dark brown tabby stumbled into the clearing, holding his head up high in an attempt to keep a body from touching the earth. Fox could see only a bright ginger tail sliding over the earth before cats crowded around him. Bluestar jumped onto the Highrock, standing tall even through the wails of grief that split the quiet.
"How did this happen, Tigerclaw?" she demanded.
Tigerclaw let Redtail fall to the ground. He looked steadily back at Bluestar. "He died with honor, struck down by Oakheart. I couldn't save him, but I managed to take Oakheart's life while he was still gloating over his victory." As Tigerclaw spoke, Blazetrail looked at him, interest in her eyes. "Redtail's death was not in vain," he continued, "for I doubt we'll see RiverClan hunters in out territory again."
After only a moment's pause, several of the cats moved forward to lick Redtail's bedraggled fur. As they groomed the fallen warrior, they purred hushed words to him. Fox slid over to Firepaw's side while Graypaw on the other side seemed to be explaining what they were doing.
"His spirit may have left to join StarClan, but the Clan will share tongues with Redtail one last time." Graypaw didn't take his eyes off the dead cat as he spoke.
"StarClan?" Fox echoed.
"It's the Clan of heavenly warriors that watches over all Clan cats. You can see them in Silverpelt." Firepaw gave him a confused look, so Graypaw explained. "Silverpelt is that thick band of stars you see each night stretching across the sky. Each star is a StarClan warrior. Redtail will be among them tonight."
Firepaw and Fox nodded, and Graypaw stepped forward to share tongues with the warrior.
"Who was he?" Fox asked. Firepaw turned to him, startled.
"Graypaw said he was the deputy." Fox nodded and looked over the grieving Clan to Bluestar, who had stayed on the Highledge while the first cats came to pay their respects to Redtail. Now she jumped down and walked slowly over to Redtail. The other cats retreated and watched as she crouched down to share tongues with her deputy one last time.
When she finished she raised her head and spoke. Her voice was low and thick with grief, and the Clan listened quietly. "Redtail was a brave warrior. His loyalty to ThunderClan could never be doubted. I always relied on his judgement, for it bore witness to the needs of the Clan, and was never swayed by self-interest or pride. He would have made a fine leader."
Then she crouched beside him, head bowed and paws stretched neatly before her, and silently grieved for her lost friend. Several other cats came and lay down beside her, echoing her mournful pose.
Fox watched, a deep sadness filling him though he had never met Redtail. He hardly noticed when Graypaw came back to stand beside Firepaw again until the gray apprentice spoke.
"Dustpaw will be sad," he remarked.
"Dustpaw?" Firepaw echoed.
"Redtail's apprentice. That brown-striped tabby over there. I wonder who his new mentor will be?"
Fox looked over at the small tom who squatted near Redtail's body, staring unseeing at the ground. Sadness washed over him once more as he thought of how awful it would be to lose someone close to him. What if Firepaw died? Fox shuddered, pushing away the thought and turning back to Graypaw.
"Redtail was her deputy for many, many moons. She won't want to let him go too quickly. He was one of the best warriors. Not as big and powerful as Tigerclaw or Lionheart, but quick and clever."
Fox looked at the dark tabby, admiring the strength that swlled in his powerful muscles and broad head. His massive body showed signs of his warrior life. One of his ears was split in a deep vee shape, and a long scar sliced the bridge of his nose.
Suddenly Tigerclaw stood up and stalked over to Ravenpaw. Fox followed, remembering his worry for the apprentice. Spottedleaf was crouching beside Ravenpaw, using her teeth and front paws to press wads of cobweb onto his shoulder wound.
Graypaw and Firepaw came over as well, murmuring to each other. They stopped a respectful distance away to wait until Tigerclaw had finished speaking, while Fox settled himself a bit closer.
"So, Spottedleaf." Tigerclaw addressed the tortoiseshell confidently. "How is he? Do you think you can save him? I've spent a lot of time training him up, and I don't want my efforts wasted at the first battle." Fox flattened his ears in anger at the way Tigerclaw spoke, though he didn't protest.
Spottedleaf didn't look up from her patient as she replied. "Yes, a pity if, after all your valuable training, he dies in his first fight, eh?" There was a teasing purr in her soft mew.
"Will he live?" Tigerclaw demanded.
"Of course. He just needs to rest."
Tigerclaw snorted and looked down at the motionless black shape. He jabbed Ravenpaw with one of his front claws. "Come on, then! Get up!"
Ravenpaw didn't move. Fox heard Graypaw and Firepaw talking to each other behind him as he moved closer to Ravenpaw.
"Not so fast, Tigerclaw!" Spottedleaf gently placed her paw over Tigerclaw's sharp talon and moved it away. "This apprentice needs to keep as still as possible until the cut has healed. We don't want him opening his wound by jumping around trying to please you. Leave him alone."
Fox tensed as he watched Tigerclaw. It was obvious that not many warriors dared order him around like that. The big tabby tensed as well and seemed about to speak when Spottedleaf mewed teasingly, "Even you know better than to argue with a medicine cat, Tigerclaw."
The tabby's eyes flashed at Spottedleaf's words. "I wouldn't dare argue with you, dear Spottedleaf," he purred. He turned to leave and caught sight of Fox and Firepaw. "Who are these?" he asked Graypaw, towering above them.
"They're two of the new apprentices," Graypaw mewed. "There's also Sparkpaw and Blazetrail."
"They smell like kittypets!" snorted the warrior. Nearby, Fox saw Sparkpaw tense and Blazetrail flatten her ears.
"We were house cats," Fox mewed boldly, interrupting Firepaw, "but now we're going to train as warriors!" Fox saw Spottedleaf quickly glance over, and curiosity flooded him.
Tigerclaw looked at him with sudden interest. "Ah, yes. Now I remember. Buestar mentioned that she had stumbled across some stray kittypet. So she's actually trying you out, is she?" Sparkpaw bared her teeth.
The question was obviously directed at Fox, but Firepaw answered, sitting up very straight as if to impress the warrior. "That's right," he mewed respectfully.
Tigerclaw eyed him thoughtfully. "Then I shall watch your progress with interest," he said to both Fox and Firepaw.
Firepaw puffed out his chest as Tigerclaw stalked away, even while Fox hissed menacingly at the dark tabby. "Do you think he liked me?"
"I don't. I don't think he trusts either of us, and I can return the feeling," Fox hissed, ignoring Graypaw's gasp.
Just then Ravenpaw stirred and twitched his ears. "Has he gone?" he mumbled.
"Tigerclaw? Yeah," Fox answered, once more trampling over Graypaw.
Firepaw padded forward with Graypaw. "Hi, there," the orange apprentice started.
"Go away, both of you!" Spottedleaf interupted. "How am I meant to help this cat with all these interruptions!" She impatiently flicked her tail for Fox to come over, and got between the other two apprentices and her patient. Graypaw and Firepaw paused, looking at Fox, before walking across the clearing.
"What do you want?" Fox edged closer to Ravenpaw.
"Fox, right?" Fox nodded and the tortoiseshell continued. "I'm Spottedleaf, the medicine cat in ThunderClan. That means I'm trained in healing sickness and injury. How did you know to use tansy?"
"There was a stray near our house who taught me. I knew I could just go to the vet, but herbs are interesting! Like catnip. She told me that could cure just about any cough you could come across," Fox mewed.
Spottedleaf nodded thoughtfully. "You do seem to know more about herbs than the average cat." Before she spoke again, she muttered thoughtfully. "What would you think about becoming a medicine cat? You'd be my apprentice, much longer than an ordinary warrior apprentice, mind you, and you'd learn more about herbs and healing."
Fox stared at her, excitement making his heart beat faster. A medicine cat? That was great! "Totally," he whispered. Beside them, Ravenpaw twitched one of his ears. Spottedleaf smiled and nodded.
"Good. Now, go get some tansy from my den - over there. It'll be in the big rock with a split in the middle." As she spoke, Spottedleaf flicked her tail at a fern tunnel in the corner of the clearing. Fox nodded and padded over to it, slipping through the ferns and into a grassy clearing. On one side was a puddle of water, a pile of moss beside it. On the other was the boulder Spottedleaf had mentioned, tall and cracked in the center. Fox squeezed into the gap, resisting a sneeze as the strong scents of herbs flooded his nose. Carefully pintpointing the scent, he reached over and picked up the small yellow flower that was tansy. Gripping the stem in his teeth, he exited the den and padded back over to Spottedleaf.
The medicine cat nodded and took the flower, chewing it into a pulp and smearing it onto the now uncovered wound on Ravenpaw's shoulder. Then she picked up some cobwebs and flicked her tail at Fox. "Go, follow your brother. I'm sure he and Graypaw are doing something interesting."
Fox started to protest, but then turned to find Firepaw. He was standing next to his friend, nodding politely as Graypaw explained something about warriors.
"What about the other Clan cats?" Firepaw asked when Graypaw had finished.
"Well, the queens share warrior quarters when they work as warriors, but when they are expecting kits, or nursing them, they stay in the nursery. The elders have their own place on the other side of the clearing. Come on, I'll show you."
Firepaw trotted after Graypaw with Fox in tow, across the clearing, and past the shadowy corner where Spottedleaf had her den. They stopped beside a fallen tree that sheltered a patch of lush grass. Crouched among the soft greenery were four elderly cats sharing a plump young rabbit.
"Dustpaw and Sandpaw would have brought them that," whispered Graypaw. "One of the apprentices' duties is catching fresh-kill for the elders."
"Hello, youngster," one of the elders greeted Graypaw.
"Hello, Smallear," mewed Graypaw, nodding respectfully.
"These must be our new apprentices. Firepaw, right?" mewed a second tom. His patchy fur was dark brown, and there was only a stump where his tail should have been.
"Yes," Firepaw replied, copying Graypaw's polite nod. The brown tom looked expectantly at Fox.
Fox nodded as well, saying, "I'm sure Bluestar will give me an apprentice name soon. Until then, my name is Fox."
"I'm Halftail," purred the brown tom. "Welcome to the Clan."
"Have you three eaten?" meowed Smallear.
Firepaw, Graypaw, and Fox all shook their heads in reply.
"Well, there's enough here. Dustpaw and Sandpaw are turning into fine hunters. Would you mind if these youngsters shared a mouse or two, One-eye?"
The pale gray queen who lay beside him shook her head. One of her eyes was clouded and sightless.
"What about you, Dappletail?"
The other elder, a tortoiseshell she-cat with a gray muzzle, meowed in a voice cracked with age, "Of course not."
"Thank you," mewed Graypaw eagerly. He stepped forward and took two mice from the pile of prey, then dropped one at Firepaw's feet and the smaller at Fox's. Fox gave him a slightly annoyed look. "You still not tasted nouse?" Graypaw asked Firepaw, ignoring Fox.
"No," Firepaw answered.
"In that case, you can have the first bite. Just save me some!" Graypaw dipped his head and stood back to give Firepaw room.
Fox shrugged and crouched to eat his own mouse, while Firepaw excitedy took a bite of the one Graypaw had given him, making a slightly blissed out face.
"Good?" Graypaw purred.
"Fantastic," muttered Firepaw around his mouthfull.
"Then move over!" Graypaw mewed, shoving Firepaw away and taking a bite. Fox rolled his eyes and went over to Sparkpaw, his mouse finished.
"Hey," he mewed, sitting next to the ginger she-cat.
"Hey yourself," she responded, flicking his ears with her tail affectionately. "How're you?"
"Fine. Spottedleaf says I'm going to be a medicine cat!"
"What's that?" Sparkpaw twitched her ears excitedly, a sure sign that she was interested.
"A healer. Like Leopard, remember? They use herbs to heal wounds and sickness."
Sparkpaw's eyes widened excitedly. "That's so cool! I'm sure you'll do great," she assured him.
"Me too. I'm gonna be great!" Fox meowed happily.
"Don't get too cocky. You're not a medicine cat yet!"
"But -" Fox started, before Bluestar interrupted by leaping onto the Highrock and calling a summons. -I will be, he finished, padding over to the Highrock with the rest of the Clan.
"A new deputy must be appointed," Bluestar meowed. "But first, let us give thanks to StarClan for the life of Redtail. Tonight he sits with his fellow warriors among the stars."
Silence fell over the clearing as the warriors looked up at the sky, which had gone from golden to a darkish lavender color as evening set in.
"And now I shall name ThunderClan's new deputy." Bluestar broke the silence. "I say these words before StarClan and the body of Redtail, that they may hear and approve my choice."
Fox followed Firepaw's gaze to Tigerclaw, and noticed the hunger gleaming in the dark tabby's eyes as he looked up at the Highrock. Please don't choose him!
"Lionheart," Bluestar mewed, granting Fox's silent wish, "will be the new deputy if ThunderClan."
Fox almost expected Tigerclaw to unsheath his claws and leap at Bluestar, or force her to take back her words and make him deputy, but instead the warrior just moved to congratulate Lionheart with a nudge so hearty it almost pushed the golden warrior off balance.
"Why didn't she make Tigerclaw deputy?" Fox heard Firepaw whisper.
"Probably because Lionheart has been a warrior longer, so he has a lot more experience," the gray apprentice whispered back.
Bluestar spoke again. "Redtail was also mentor to young Dustpaw. Since there must be no delay in the training of our apprentices, I shall appoint Dustpaw's new mentor immediately. Darkstripe, you are ready for your first apprentice, so you will continue Dustpaw's training. You had a fine mentor in Tigerclaw, and I expect you to pass on some of the excellent skills you were taught."
The tabby warrior puffed out his chest proudly as he showed his acceptance with a solemn nod. He strutted over to Dustpaw and rather awkwardly touched noses with the apprentice. Dustpaw flicked his tail respectfully, but grief for Redtail still clouded his eyes.
"And, I must also appoint the mentor of one of our new apprentices. Fox, come forward." Fox leapt to his paws and padded forward, excitement and pride flooding his body. He was going to become a real apprentice! "Fox, from this moment onward until your recieve your medicine cat name, you will be called Foxpaw. Spottedleaf with be your mentor." Shocked whispers erupted from the crowd, and Firepaw whispered something to a startled Graypaw, who responded in a murmur below the noise of the Clan. Spottedleaf ignored them and padded over to touch noses with Foxpaw. Bluestar flicked her tail for silence, speaking once more.
"I will keep a silent vigil for with Redtail's body tonight, before we bury him at sunrise." The gray she-cat jumped down from the Highrock and walked over to lay beside Redtail's body once more. Many other cats came to join her, Dustpaw among them.
"You can join the warrior apprentices in their den tonight. I will help you set up your own nest in the medicine den tomorrow," Spottedleaf murmured before moving to sit vigil with the others. Foxpaw nodded, though he knew she would be too lost in her grief to notice, and went to the den where a paler ginger she-cat was standing in the entrance, a sneer plastered on her face as she looked at Firepaw and Sparkpaw.
"So here comes the new apprentices!" she mewed, green eyes narrowing.
"Hello," Firepaw mewed. Sparkpaw just returned the sneer.
The sandy she-cat sniffed rudely. "They smell like kittypets! Don't tell me I'm going to have to share my den with that revolting stench!"
Firepaw looked shocked, while Sparkpaw just bristled angrily. Foxpaw glared at the annoying furball in their way.
"You'll have to excuse Sandpaw," apologized Graypaw. "I think she must have a furball stuck somewhere. She's not usually this bad-tempered.
"Psst!" Sandpaw spat crossly.
"Hold on, youngsters." The deep voice of Whitestorm sounded behind the apprentices. "Sandpaw! As my apprentice, I expected you to be more welcoming to this newcomer."
Sandpaw defiantly held her head up. "I'm sorry, Whitestorm," she purred, obviously not sorry at all. "I just didn't expect to be training with kittypets, that's all!"
Sparkpaw hissed dangerously. "And I didn't expect to willingly share a den with a tick!" she sneered. To drive the prey into the burrow, she continued with, "But here you are!"
Whitestorm opened his mouth to scold her, but she turned her glare on him before he could. "No. There's a difference between being a pest to be a pest, and being a pest because this one," Sparkpaw paused to flick her tail menacingly in Sandpaw's direction, "is being a pest. I won't attack her or anything, but I will insult her if she insults me. It's only fair." Whitestorm glared down at her, but she only glared back. After a long staring contest with Firepaw, Graypaw, Sandpaw, and Foxpaw watching, Whitestorm finally gave in.
"Fine. You have permission to defend yourself. But", Whitestorm warned as Sparkpaw smirked smugly at Sandpaw, "you must not get into a fight. Do you understand, Sparkpaw, Sandpaw?"
Sparkpaw shrugged. "Whatever, as long as I can defend myself."
Sandpaw engaged in a staring contest with Whitestorm, though she couldn't quite brave Whitestorm's glare like Sparkpaw could. "Fine, it's not like she would be worth it anyway." Sparkpaw hissed again, but settled for pushing past Sandpaw and flicking her tail in the older she-cat's face. "Tickbrain," she muttered. Whitestorm rolled his eyes while Sandpaw turned and hissed.
"What was that, Tailpain?" Sandpaw growled.
"I called you Tickbrain. The name suits you; I hope Bluestar gives it to you when you're made a warrior," Sparkpaw taunted, sliding back out.
"Sparkpaw," Whitestorm hissed. Both she-cats jumped and guiltily turned to go back into the den. Foxpaw rolled his eyes and followed, Firepaw and Graypaw in tow. The inside of the den was dark and cozy, the floor lined with moss.
"Where do we sleep?" Sparkpaw asked.
"Anywhere, just so long as it's not near me!" snarled Sandpaw, who was prodding some moss with her paw.
"I wasn't asking you, Sandpaw, I was asking Graypaw," Sparkpaw growled in response, clawing a nest together from the thick moss. Foxpaw did the same, and saw Firepaw dragging a heap together as well. When his nest was finished, Foxpaw flopped tiredly inside. He yawned, closing his eyes and waiting for sleep to wash over him.
You know, technically Tailpain, Tickbrain, and Mousebrain are valid warrior names. I don't understand why apprentices don't use them as teasing nicknames.
Thanks for reading!
Have a good day/night/second-dimension-minute and remember to stay creative! If you're a human being -or other being, I don't discriminate against Marshians- with an opinion, or if you have any advice, don't forget to leave a review.
-Echo out!