"Lower your haunches, Sunpaw, and your tail. This isn't combat training its hunting training." Heronflight meowed. Sunpaw adjusted his stance, lowering his haunches and leveling his tail with his body, waiting for Heronflight's approval. They were in the Sand Hollow, an area west of the camp and near the mountain. Rocks had fallen and filed over time to make a sandy area popular with Twoleg kits in Greenleaf, but with its outcropping of rocks and sandy texture it made a great place to train apprentices as well. Heronflight gave him a once over, her blue eyes inspecting his form. Finally she nodded, satisfied.
"Your crouch has gotten a lot better, pretty soon I won't have to remind you anymore. For todays training I want you to hunt. Specifically, I want you to catch a squirrel." She said. Sunpaw tilted his head at her.
"Why a squirrel specifically? Should I ignore any other prey I find?" He asked. Heronflight shook her head.
"If you believe you can catch whatever you find, and a squirrel, and get it back to the camp by noon then by all means. My reasoning for a squirrel will be evident once you try catching one. You're deadline is noon, and I expect you back at the camp by then. Any later and you will have to clear out the Elder's Den." Heronflight said. Sunpaw nodded and watched his mentor pad off into the trees, leaving him on his own to find a squirrel. He only hoped he could find one and quickly started padding through the forest, doing his best to keep his pawsteps light, his mouth open, and his ears pricked for any signs of a squirrel.
The forest was mostly silent and Sunpaw ducked under some foliage, peeking slowly into a fallen log to see if he was so lucky. He inwardly cursed his luck, just bugs that made his fur crawl, and some cobwebs. Making a mental note to tell Seedpaw about them he continued on and tried to focus on his task, but finding his mind was starting to wander back to the Gathering a week before.
It had been interesting meeting apprentices from other clans, some had been quick to approach him and Seedpaw, some had their reservations. The warriors all looked big and strong, and Sunpaw wondered if he would be like that one day. His thoughts went back to the apprentices. Pebblepaw from Sun Clan had been nice, being one of the older apprentices and close to being made a warrior. Icepaw had been... interesting, if Sunpaw was honest. Her red eyes unnerved Sunpaw, and he did feel genuinely bad that he had a hard time making eye contact with her, though that didn't seem to bother her at all. He made a mental note to make more of an effort, and to apologize the next time he saw her. Thornpaw had definately gotten his attention, being already older then the other apprentices and looking and acting like a full warrior despite being an apprentice. Perhaps she was just big? He never got an answer for that but if he had to guess she had to be at least fifteen to sixteen moons old, if not older. He wished he could have talked to her more.
Sunpaw jumped up on a low branch to get a better view of the forest floor, spotting a mouse but ignoring it for now and trying to find the bushy tailed sign of a squirrel. His thoughts turned to Dawnpaw, the golden tabby he met at the Gathering.
He had been a pleasant tom to talk to, openly friendly and unlike Sunpaw he didn't show any signs of having difficulty looking Icepaw in the eyes. It had been Dawnpaw to first approach Sunpaw, and after that all he heard during the Gathering was how the two looked so alike, same base fur color, same eye color, if Sunpaw was honest it had quickly gotten annoying.
To hear Dawnpaw, Shellpaw, and Icepaw's father were not originally from their clans much like Sunpaw himself did make him curious however, and he wondered if he could talk to hem again soon to perhaps learn more. Suddenly, he caught sight of movemen behind him and then, thank Star Clan, he saw it: The bushy tail of a squirrel, the rodent sitting on a rock just some tail lengths down from Sunpaw. He hopped off the branch, trying to be as careful and quiet as he could as he crouched and slowly made his way to the squirrel. It was just in sight, within pouncing distance and crunching down on an acorn. Sunpaw got into position, one paw on the ground and one held up as he felt the muscles in his legs tense up. Suddenly the squirrel perked up, looking around. Not wanting it to get away, Sunpaw pounced just as a red blur bounced infront of him. He collided with the red blur, scrambling and chasing after the squirrel only to get knocked off balance and land on the mossy ground with a thud.
There was a yowl and a hiss, and Sunpaw screamed as he scrambled up and away from the red blur that was scratching at him. He managed to climb up a nearby tree and to a low branch, gasping for air as his heart pounded and he looked down to finally see his attacker.
"Redpaw, what in Star Clan is wrong with you?!" Sunpaw yowled, his voice strained. The red tom was bellow, glaring and hissing at him with bristled fur.
"It's your fault you mouse brained kit! Thanks to you I lost that squirrel!" He yowled. Sunpaw bristled, baring his fangs.
"I lost it?! I'm supposed to catch a squirrel before noon! If you had paid even the slightest bit of attention you would have seen me near by!" Sunpaw hissed.
"The same could be said about you!" Came Redpaw's reply. The two apprentices argued back and forth when a long furred brown tabby tom emurged from the trees, yowling and putting a stop to their bickering. His amber eyes looked cold as he looked at Redpaw and Sunpaw.
"That hissing and yowling is scaring off all the prey! Redpaw, I sent you to hunt and instead you chase a fellow clan member up a tree? Is this any way to act?!" Moleclaw hissed at Redpaw, causing the red tom to flatten his ears and tuck his tail in.
"It-it's Sunpaws fault! He got in the way of me catching a squirrel!" He mewed. Moleclaw looked up and then back at Redpaw.
"And how does that justify scratching open his shoulder?! Back to camp. Now. I expected the elders to have a clean bedding and a clean den by the time I return, and then after that you can go and ensure the ground at the dirt spot is soft enough for our clan when the warriors make dirt." He hissed. Redpaw started to protest, but a glare from Moleclaw sent him on his way. Sunpaw carefully got down from the branch, flinching when he landed from the cut on his shoulder. He wondered if this one would scar, and looked up at Moleclaw.
"I'm sorry. I was so focused on catching a squirrel as instructed by Heronflight that I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings. I do accept some responsibility for this." He meowed. Moleclaw shook his head and looked at the scratch on Sunpaw's shoulder.
"The fact the two of you weren't paying attention led to you both losing the squirrel. It was Redpaw losing his temper that resulted in an injury and scaring away nearby prey. He needs to learn to reign that temper in and this will be a good learning opportunity for him. Though I would like to ask how it was you got up the tree so fast, it was rather impressive." Moleclaw meowed, looking at the trunk of the tree. There were small nicks in the bark from where Sunpaw had climbed up and Sunpaw felt himself grow hot.
"I-I'm sort of just used to climbing trees quickly. Sorrelkit and Redpaw weren't good climbers so it was easy to avoid them by simply climbing up where they couldnt get me. I would just open my legs wide and grip, watch." He explained, jumping up and almost hugging the tree and without a moment's hesitation he quickly jumped up and back to his perch. Moleclaw flicked an ear, his eyes impressed.
"I see, you jump up and don't give the bark time to give away or the momentum of your jump to stop and just keep going, like a rabbit hopping around!" He said. Sunpaw nodded and jumped back down, looking around.
"Am I free to go? Heronflight said I needed to catch a squirrel before I was allowed back at camp." He asked. Moleclaw took a moment to think, then shook his head.
"That's a pretty deep cut on your shoulder, so I think that needs to be a bigger priority. I'll go with you, let's just stop so I can pick up some prey I caught, and I'll explain the situation to Heronflight." He meowed. Sunpaw nodded and followed Moleclaw, limping slightly from his shoulder that felt like it was starting to burn. They passed by the Sand Hollow and Moleclaw veered off a bit to retrieve some of the prey he had caught and his nearby. Sunpaw waited, the rustling of a nearby bush getting his attention. He saw a squirrel climbing slowly up a tree and seeing his chance he didn't hesitate, bounding up after it and grabbing it by the tail before it could get out his reach. Moleclaw returned just as Sunpaw wrenched his body to the side and allowed himself to fall, ensuring the squirre couldn't turn and scratch or bite him, landing on three paws and slamming the squirrel down on the ground with enough force to disorient it. A quick bite to the neck and Sunpaw looked up proud.
"I'll have to keep your climbing trick in mind for future hunting, that was actually really impressive for an apprentice of your size. I'll be sure to tell Heronflight about that." He meowed. Sunpaw purred happily, carrying the squirrel and following Moleclaw back to camp.
The instant Sunpaw entered the camp, Jaykit bounded up to him with her tail fully extended.
"Redpaw is cleaning out the Elder's Den and looks madder than a hornet! Did something happen?" She meowed excitedly. Moleclaw nudged her with a paw, neither cat really able to speak with prey in their mouths, and got her to move so they could head to the fresh kill pile. It didn't really deter her, however, as the kit followed Sunpaw with a gaggle of excited questions: How did he catch the squirrel, was it hard? Why was Redpaw so mad, how did Sunpaw get that scratch on his shoulder, is he going to see Morningfur and Seedpaw to get it treated? Her questions were endless.
Sunpaw dropped the squirrel in the fresh kill pile and turned to her.
"Redpaw and I got into a scuffle while hunting, Redpaw scratched me, the squirrel ran up a tree and I had to follow it to catch it, yes I am going to see Morningfur now. Anything else?" He asked as patiently as he could. Jaykit's blue eyes lit up and she followed him, asking questions about that days training and Sunpaw answering politely. He could see Swiftfoot over at the nursery, Beetlekit and Crowkit playing near her. The black queen looked up at him and nodded, giving him a sympathetic look as Jaykit followed him. He slipped into the medicine cat's den, Jaykit following him until she was inside and then she bounded over to Brackenkit, nuzzling his head. His brown tabby fur was somewhat darker than hers, and he lacked the distinct white markings she had, but the two were clearly siblings and Brackenkit looked up and gave a weak greeting before coughing and laying back down. To Sunpaw's surprise, Sorrelclaw was in the den as well despite looking perfectly healthy. The brown tabby warrior greeted Sunpaw politely and nuzzled Jaykit before returning his attention to Brackenkit and that's when Sunpaw remembered that the tom was their father.
Morningfur and Seedpaw were taking some inventory of their stock nearby and Seedpaw broke off to take some herb over to Tigerkit to eat. The fluffy white and brown tabby she-cat looked a lot better than she did a moon ago, and was even sitting up compared to the last time Sunpaw had gone in and seen her laying down and barely holding on.
"I had an... incident during to days training. Also, I found a log near the Sand Hollow with some cobwebs." Sunpaw meowed as he went up to Morningfur. Morningfur turned to look at him, her eyes kind as she looked over his shoulder.
"Would you show Seedpaw later? Russetfoot is complaining of an upset stomach again so I'll have to go to her soon." She meowed. Sunpaw nodded, feeling himself relax as Morningfur prodded his shoulder. The pretty pale ginger she-cat turned, looking through her stock until she found an herb that she started chewing on. Her fluffy tail was sitting right there, so inviting and Sunpaw decided, just this once, to cater to his kit-induced desire to lay right on top. Morningfur turned to look at him, giving a mew of amusement before turning enough that she could lick the chewed up herb into his shoulder. She let him lay there in her tail while she reached up to grab some cobwebs to place over the herb-crusted cut and Heronflight entered the den.
Her ear flicked at the sight of Sunpaw and he hastily scrambled up, licking his chest nervously as Morningfur chuckled and greeted Heronflight.
"Is everything alright? Honeystar seemed to improve this morning." Morningfur meowed. Sunpaw looked to his mentor.
"I c-caught the squirrel." He said nervously. Heronflight nodded.
"Honeystar says he feels much better, and plans to call a clan meeting later today. Tigerkit is over due to become an apprentice and he hopes you'll give him permission to receive a mentor today?" She asked. Morningfur looked over at Tigerkit and Seedpaw, seeing the kit looking at Morningfur with expectant eyes, and turned back to Heronflight.
"She still needs a night of rest, but I see no reason to keep her from becoming a full apprentice now. I'll need to speak with her mentor after the ceremony, however." She said. Heronflight nodded.
"I'll let Honeystar know. I need o speak with your privately later as well, but for now, Sunpaw? I'm told by Moleclaw you managed to catch a squirrel as I instructed. If you are done, will you join me for a moment?" She asked. Sunpaw nodded, thanking Morningfur who licked him on the head and sent him on his way. Heronflight seemed to smile at him as Sunpaw left the den, Sorrelclaw keeping Jaykit from following them. Cats were returning from a patrol and the camp was somewhat busy as Sunpaw and Heronflight left Morningfur's den. Looking over, Sunpaw saw Redpaw glaring at him from the Elder's Den, a mess of moss and bracken in his jaws to keep him quiet as Russetfoot yowled some orders at him.
Heronflight led him out of camp, passing Hazeltalon as the pretty brown she-cat left the leader's den, giving Heronflight an emberressed look before padding off with her ears down. Heronflight gave the other she-cat an amused look and shook her head, leading Sunpaw just a little ways off to a nearby rock and sat before him.
"First, I would like to praise how you handled the surprise attack by Redpaw." Heronflight meowed. Sunpaw sat, wrapping his tail around his paws and perking his ears up.
"I did'nt think running away was a praise worthy tactic." He admitted. Heronflight shook her head.
"There is no shame in fleeing an opponent you can't beat, or an angry clan member you don't want to hurt. Did you know it was Redpaw when he first attacked you?" She asked.
"No. All I saw was the bright red fur. I couldn't tell if it was a cat or a fox or something else, and since I was still confused from being knocked out of the way I couldn't tell from scent either, so I just ran up the tree to get away from it and get my mind back in order." He explained. Heronflight nodded.
"That is the correct course of action, in my opinion. Now, I wanted to ask: Do you understand why I asked you to catch a squirrel specifically?" She asked. Sunpaw hesitated, thinking on it for a moment before slowly nodding.
"My guess is... to teach me patience. A squirrel is quick and nimble, able to climb a tree faster than any cat. It takes patience to sneak up on one, and a steady paw to catch it before it can get away from you." He said. Heronflight blinked at him and then nodded.
"Correct, though if Moleclaw is correct even climbing a tree won't stop you from catching one."
"I was just lucky it was low to the ground still."
"Perhaps, but that tree climbing skill of yours is good to have, and one I hope you'll be willing to teach to others." She meowed. Sunpaw nodded and looked around. A patrol made of Lilywind, Ravenfeather, and Toadface was leaving the clan and Heronflight watched them go.
"Eat up and rest, you'll be joining Sorrelclaw, Foxheart, and Sageleaf on the patrol after this. Tomorrow we will be focusing on combat. Dewnose told me this morning that they have scented more Hill Clan cats near our border, and I want to be prepared incase Whitestar makes a move." Heronflight meowed. Sunpaw was shocked, and didn't hide that fact.
"Do you think Whitestar and Hill Clan will actually try something?" He asked. Heronflight seemed to hesitate.
"I understand desperation and hunger can cloud a cat's judgement. Among the leaders, Whitestar has always been the most devote towards the Code and Star Clan, but I understand that not every member of Hill Clan is like that."
"You think another Hill Clan cat might try and trick Whitestar into attacking us?" He could barely say it, the idea of a cat manipulating their leader in such a way was just to shocking to him. Heronflight shook her head.
"I doubt his deputy, Maplepool, will allow it. The increase in activity at our border does make me concerned however, and it still seems unlike Hill Clan in general. Normally they are just to proud and they aren't suited for forest hunting. I still believe we need to focus on your combat training, just in case." She meowed. Sunpaw nodded, his thoughts swimming.
When he returned to camp, Seedpaw was waiting for him.
"Morningfur said you found cobwebs?" He asked, his voice as even and pleasant as always. Sunpaw nodded and the two apprentices left, giving Hazeltalon a nod as they passed by her post as sentry that afternoon. Once outside and on their way, Sunpaw turned back to look at the camp and then looked to Seedpaw.
"Hazeltalon has been spending a lot of time in Honeystar's den lately. Do you think she's worried about his health to?" He asked. Seedpaw's deadpan look at him made Sunpaw flatten his ears and wonder if he just said something profoundly stupid.
"Morningfur said that they had been mates since Honeystar was a warrior, so it doesn't surprise me. Maybe they'll have another kit?" He meowed. Sunpaw's ears perked up.
"I didn't know they had kits before! Who are they?" He asked, jumping over a log and watching Seedpaw follow him. Seedpaw shook his head.
"Gone to Star Clan, I think. Morningfur said their first attempt were stillborn, and their second had only one kit was taken by a hawk at about two moons old." He meowed, following Sunpaw as the two neared the log that Sunpaw had found the cobwebs at, "Perhaps it is a sign from Star Clan? That Honeystar or Hazeltalon aren't meant to have kits? Personally, I hope they do. If a cat wants to have kits, they should be allowed to have them."
"Do you think you'll have kits some day?" Sunpaw asked as Seedpaw peeked his head into the log to inspect the webs. He pulled his broad face out and shook his head.
"Do you ever wonder why Morningfur never had kits? Star Clan has decided that Medicine Cats should never take a mate, never have kits. To do so is to go against the code, and thus I will never take a mate or have kits." He meowed. Sunpaw froze for a moment, then shook his head.
"That seems... unfair."
"Perhaps, but Morningfur told me something that makes it easier." He said. Sunpaw looked at him questioningly, watching as Seedpaw gathering cobwebs with a steady and gentle paw.
"She told me, when I asked if her she regretted not being able to have kits or take a mate, that she has no need for either. The entire clan is made of her kits, she helped birth most of them and the ones she didn't she sees as her brothers and sister. Certainly, she will never birth kits of her own, certainly she will never have a mate, but she doesn't need to have either. Every cat of Rain Clan is her kit, that it means to be a medicine cat to her. To be a mother to her clan, to treat sickness and injury to help her kits grow strong, and love them all as equally as if she had birthed them herself." He meowed, reaching in a bit farhter to take a few more cobwebs. He looked at Sunpaw.
"You are as much my brother as Sorrelkit was my sister, and I believe Morningfur's words. I will never have a mate, and never sire kits, but I don't think that means I will never have any. If we are all Morningfur's kits in her eyes, then when I become a full medicine cat that means every kit born after will be my kit in my eyes as well, and I will treat the clan just as Morningfur has." He nodded, his eyes kind and determined. Sunpaw was struck silent and nodded, following his den brother back to the clan with more to think of.
Not long after, Honeystar finally emurged from his den, quickly greated by Heronflight and Hazeltalon, before he made the jump up to call a clan meeting.
"Tigerkit finally becoming an apprentice? About time." Sunpaw heard Sandpaw mutter. The thick furred orange she-cat sat beside him as the meeting was called, her mentor Lilywind coming to join them.
"Who do you think her mentor will be? Sunpaw asked Sandpaw. Sandpaw shook her head and looked to Lilywind, the pale tabby she-cat giving a shrug.
"It's hard to guess. Foxheart is still to young. Sorrelclaw has been asking for an apprentice for quite awhile now, and Dewnose was unable to complete Rockpaw's training. Ravenfeather is also somewhat overdue to have an apprentice of her own." The warrior meowed. Sandpaw scrunched her nose up.
"Yeah but Ravenfeather isn't very good at teaching." She meowed, earning a tap on the head from Lilywind.
"We won't know that until she has an apprentice." She meowed. Honeystar's hoarse voice range out above them, calling their attention to their leader. His fur was lightly matted, but his eyes were clearer than they were the days following the Gathering. It hadn't been the same sickness that claimed the kits, just a bad cold he got from falling in the river.
"Today marks the day a new apprentice joins our clan. This cat was due to become an apprentice with her brother, but sickness prevented such training from occuring and delaying her from gaining her warrior name. Morningfur, is Tigerkit ready to become an apprentice?" Honeystar asked, turning to Morningfur. She nodded her head, Tigerkit standing next to her and looking ready to run up at the drop of a leaf. Honeystar nodded and called Tigerkit foreward so she could stand in the center around all the cats of the clan. Snakefang looked at her kit with pride, not even glancing in Sunpaw's direction.
"I have heard the recommendations of the clan, thought long and hard on who Tigerkit's mentor should be. I have decided, then, that it is time to listen to the wishes of a warrior that has put their heart into the clan and shown their worth time and time again." Honeystar meowed. Sunpaw looked around and saw Ravenfeather's fur poof out and take a step towards Tigerkit, "Thus I have decided. From this moment on this kit will now be known as Tigerpaw. Sorrelclaw, I ask you to mentor this apprentice and teach her the strength you have displayed and the humility you have shown to your clan mates."
Sunpaw looked to Ravenfeather, seeing the utter defeated look in her eyes as she sat back down and licked at her fur, Toadface next to her nudging her softly to comfort her. Sorrelclaw seemed somewhat dazed as he approached Tigerpaw and completed the ceremony, having his new apprentice join him in the crowed. Honeystar looked around, nodding to himself.
"It has come to my attention recently that there has been an increase in activity at our borders with Hill Clan and Rain Clan. For the time being, I would like to ask that all patrols and hunting parties stay on high alert. With the way things are in the other clans, we cannot ignore any signs that could mean danger for our clan." He meowed. There was a chorus of agreements from their clanmates and Honeystar ended the meeting, jumping down to join Heronflight and Hazeltalon near his den.
Sandpaw puffed out her chest, meowing happily.
"Good for Tigerki-Tigerpaw! She deserves to have such an experienced warrior as her mentor!" Sandpaw meowed. Lilywind nodded.
"Agreed, and now the next ceremony should be you becoming a warrior. We'll be training at the Sand Hollow tomorrow, so go rest up." Lilywind meowed and went to join some of the other warriors as they settled for the evening. Sandpaw nodded to Sunpaw and padded off and Sunpaw started walking to the clan entrance, seeing Foxheart and Sageleaf already there and waiting for him and Sorrelclaw. Glancing over he saw Sorrelclaw and Morningfur talking, likely about Tigerpaw's health as the new excited apprentice ran over and tackled her brother, Redpaw, and starting meowing her excitement loudly at him. Redpaw was just as excited, loudly sharing his excitement in his sister joining them.
"If it wasn't for you she wouldn't have had to wait so long." Came a sudden hiss from his side. Sunpaw side stepped, looking to his other side to see Snakefang. There were long scars on her shoulder and flank, a nick in her ear, from when Morningfur and she had fought in the medicine cat's den. Her blue eyes were narrowed in a glare, but instead of making anymore comments she padded off, leaving Sunpaw alone and feeling cold.
He shrugged it off, padding to join Foxheart and Sageleaf and waiting for Sorrelclaw who joined them shortly after.
The patrol was uneventful at first, following the dirt path made by twolegs towards Hill Clan territory. Once they started reaching a break in the trees Sunpaw kept his ears pricked and his mouth open to smell the scents. It was faint at first, but the scent of Hill Clan cats smelled stronger as they approached the boarder, each cat placing scent markers as they approached.
"Keep your eyes open. Last patrol saw a Hill Clan patrol earlier today." Sageleaf said ahead of them. Sunpaw looked out at the hills and rocks that made Hill Clan territory when they finally broke through the trees. A small stream that led into a much larger river that came from the mountains made the border, easy to wade across and Sunpaw could see the bottom from the edge. The water was moving at a smooth pace, the flooding that comes after Leaf Bare having already passed as they moved into Greenleaf. Even from here, Sunpaw could smell the scent of Hill Clan cats as strongly as it was when he was right next to them at the Gathering. They followed along the river, the scent of Hill Clan cats getting stronger. Sageleaf suddenly stopped, Sorrelclaw and Foxheart looking around and Sunpaw joined them. The scent of Hill Clan cats was incredibly strong and then, in the trees on their side of the river, Sunpaw saw something. He wasn't sure at first until he caught sight of it again: a black tail. It was hard to see, but Sunpaw barely made it out and clearly Sorrelclaw and Sageleaf saw it to, quietly instructing him and Foxheart to follow their lead and surround the cat.
Sunpaw crouched low, reminding himself to keep his tail low as well, and followed Foxheart into the trees. Slowly the four Rain Clan cats surrounded where the black tail was and Sunpaw stayed low as Sageleaf loudly announced himself, striding confidently to where the cat was.
The cat sat up straight, a mouse in their mouth and a startled expression on their face. Sageleaf padded closer, questioning them when another cat suddenly burt through the trees, following by another. Sorrelclaw cried, jumping into the fray followed by Foxheart. Sunpaw climbed up a nearby tree, getting above the first cats and hopping to another branch above them. There were three cats in total, a solid black tom, a brown tabby that reminded him of Thornpaw, and a pale gray tom. Suddenly, below him, Sunpaw saw another cat slowly sneaking up on Sageleaf. It was a solid orange tom, his blue eyes locked on Sageleaf. Before the tom could react, Sunpaw dropped on him, hissing and spitting as he bit and clawed at the cat. Sorrelclaw yowled as he chased off the black tom, followed quickly by the pale gray tom that Foxheart was fighting. The two Rain Clan warriors quickly joined Sageleaf and Sunpaw, and they drove off the rest of the Hill Clan cats, watching them as they splashed through the river and headed deeper into Hill Clan territory. The red tom that Sunpaw had fought left a trail of blood, Sunpaw spitting out his mangled ear to the ground.
Sageleaf limped as he joined Foxheart and Sunpaw, Sorrelclaw following after him, and the cats began inspecting themselves for injuries. Sageleaf had an injured leg, a nasty bite just above his paw. The scratch on Sunpaw's shoulder had been torn open, leaving a decent sized gash, and Foxheart was bleeding from a nick the base of his ear.
"We can't continue the patrol like this. Let's return to the camp and report to Honeystar. Sunpaw, go collect that mouse that Hill Clan warrior had hunted. It was from our territory anyway. Keep an eye out for any other prey they have tried to steal as well." Sageleaf meowed. Sunpaw nodded, grabbing the mouse and following the patrol back to camp, doing his best to ignore how his shoulder burned.
Morningfur was not happy to see the scratch now a full on gash, and Honeystar was not pleased to hear how Hill Clan cats had been hunting in their territory. He called for more patrols, and let Heronflight set them up. While they were away, Icestripe had birthed a litter of kittens. Of the four, one had been stillborn and one was tiny and looked like it might not survive the night.
"She told me she was naming one Treekit, as a way to remember Twigheart." Seedpaw meowed, applying more cobweb to Sunpaw's shoulder.
"Yeah? Did she name the others yet?" He asked. Brackenkit was asleep in a nest nearby, and Jaykit was napping on Sunpaw's tail as Seedpaw worked on his gash.
"The solid gray one she decided would be Treekit, the one that was very pale speckled tabby is Frostkit, and the mostly gray with a white underside one she decided to name Thrushkit." He meowed softly. Sunpaw nodded.
"I hope they all make it to becoming warriors." He meowed softly back. Seedpaw nodded, finally content with his work.
"Likewise. Brackenkit isn't getting much better and Beetlekit has had a cough the last few days." He meowed. Sunpaw nodded, holding still so Seedpaw could nudge Jaykit gently off his tail and let him out of the den.
The camp was buzzing with voices, every cat voicing their opinion on the recent news of Hill Clan cats trying to steal prey. Some wanted to go to Hill Clan and teach them a lesson, some wanted to just increase the patrols and keep an eye out. It was a lot for Sunpaw to take in as he grabbed a mouse and a thrush from the fresh kill pile and carried them to Russtfoot, the battle scarred elder glaring at him as he padded up and placed the thrush and mouse for her to eat.
"I'm not so old I can't get food for myself, Vermin!" She spat at him. Sunpaw nodded his head.
"Heronflight said that all queens, elders, and kits must be fed before warriors and apprentices. I was just making sure you had enough. If you don't want them, I will take them to the nursery instead." Sunpaw meowed evenly. Russetfoot spat at him and took the mouse.
"Take that thrush to Icestripe. I'll keep the mouse." She hissed. Sunpaw nodded and padded over to the nursery, slipping in and placing the thrush in front of Icestripe. The queen looked tired and looked up at him and then at the thrush. Her kits were nursing, small mews coming as they drank. She gave a greatfull nod and started eating.
Sunpaw nodded to Swiftfoot as he left, the queen nodding back, and headed back into the camp.
Heronflight was talking with Honeystar near the leader's den and Sunpaw padded over, openly limping and no longer having the energy to hide it.
"Is there anything you want me to do?" He asked when he finally got closer. Heronflight looked over at him, turning her head away from Honeystar.
"An injury like that will take time to heal, so for now I think you need to rest." She meowed. Honeystar nodded his agreement.
"What you did was a great thing, Sunpaw, and you earned a rest. I've already talked it over with Heronflight and it's been decided to let you rest until your shoulder heals." He meowed.
"Thank you, Honeystar." Sunpaw said. Heronflight stood, flicking her tail.
"I'm interesting in that tree climbing tactic you used. When you're strong enough, I want you to show it to me." She meowed. Sunpaw nodded, and with permission went to the Apprentice's Den to sleep. Sandpaw was already inside, snoring loudly from her nest.
That night, Sunpaw dreamed of jumping through tree branches, chasing a figure below that he could not make out.
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Sunpaw is fun to write sometimes.
Seedpaw's speech about how Medicine Cats view the clans is one I've wanted from the main series for a long time, but with how the main series tends to handle medicine cats I doubt we will ever see that.
i did write this before I wrote the previous chapter, and i am making an effort to actually read the scripts of ceremonies so I dont have to just gloss over them.
btw the cover art was done by me, and was originally posted on my deviantart account (elinorcross . deviantart . com). You can actually find a lot of art and outdated info of this fanfic there (such as Sunpaw's former warrior name Yellowtalon) along with stuff about future cats and events.
Feedback is always appreciated!