*AccurateGap1- to answer your question, I did a lot of research on this when I first wrote it. I don't really remember writing that chapter, but I did go back and reread it. After rereading it, I also went back and tried to do more research to see if there was ever a set timeline or date that she died, and I couldn't find anything certain or specific. Now, on the hand of Tallstar being old. Yes, he is older than Bluestar. He didn't become leader until he was quite along in his warriorhood. On the time of him losing lives, first, since he became leader and when he is introduced in Into the Wild, there are several months/moons in between that time and you forget that Windclan spent a LOT of time living in a sewer system underneath a road, and traveling. I'm sure there was plenty of time and elements that could make him lose lives quickly*
*KH Fan 2022- this story is sticking true to the original prophecy series. No, Dustpaw and Sandpaw will not become "lovers". They are best friends, and eventually Sandpaw becomes an item with Firepaw (storm/heart respectively)*
Thank you for everyone taking time out to leave reviews. I updated it and wasn't sure anyone would actually give it a read! I am really getting back into writing this because I have a lot of stressors in my life right now and writing about warrior cats has always been a release for me, even as an adult. So it's nice for me to get back into an old love (these books) and just pretend I'm a kid again.
Chapter 12
After they left camp, Dustpaw trailed near the back of the patrol, his tail dragging the leaves behind them. Sandpaw tried to match pace with him and chat for a little while, but eventually she gave up and trotted up to walk with her mentor, talking his ear off for a change. Dustpaw did take a moment to wonder at how her attitude was always bright and sunny with Whitestorm, she seemed to save all her daily frustrations to take out when they were resting after a long day. He shook his head, it wasn't a bad thing. They were best friends after all and pretty much had been since they were kitted. She didn't have any littermates, he was the closest she had. He figured he could cut her some slack, and maybe be flattered. He lifted his head when the patrol stopped moving and took several steps forward to hear what they were saying.
"I guess Lionheart and Tigerclaw decided to patrol Shadowclan border with the new apprentice," Whitestorm said, flicking his ear and then turning to the two apprentices. "How about we do some hunting instead?"
"We are the best hunters," Sandpaw said proudly, holding her tail high.
"Now, now, Sandpaw, don't get a big head," Whitestorm purred, looking at his apprentice with as much pride as she exhibited.
"You know, that might be better anyway," Darkstripe spoke up. "I want to get an assessment of Dustpaw's skills."
"I'm not sure if Dustpaw is up for that at the moment," Whitestorm countered gently.
"No, that would be a good distraction." Dustpaw said. Whitestorm looked at him and he shifted uneasily under the gaze. It lasted for a few more seconds and finally the older warrior turned away and nodded to Darkstripe.
"Okay, then. Why don't we split up then. Sandpaw, you go back around the edge of the forest by the two-leg place and see what you can find there. I'll stay close, but I'll be hunting too. We'll meet back up with Darkstripe and Dustpaw in time to eat before the gathering." Whitestorm instructed. "Which, you are both approved to join."
"That sounds fine, Whitestorm," Darkstripe nodded to the older warrior with respect, though Dustpaw could see a small glint of something else in his eye, but he figured he was seeing things. "Dustpaw, we'll circle to the creek and back to camp."
Dustpaw watched as Sandpaw and Whitestorm took off in one direction and he turned to go in the other direction with Darkstripe, but his new mentor caught him before he took off.
"Just a note, you should keep your tail off the ground, or all the prey from Fourtrees will hear you coming." Darkstripe told him. Dustpaw hesitated, not sure if his mentor was teasing him or actually being malicious. He didn't get a chance to read the other toms eyes before he took off into the underbrush.
Dustpaw watched after him, his fur prickling, irritated. How sympathetic. He thought before following him into the bushes. He made sure to trail behind, though still keeping his mentors scent close enough in case of danger. At the same time, he kept an ear out for anything moving amongst the greenery. He heard the birds flying from tree to tree overheard, whistling at each other to signal potential danger. There were sounds of the mice burrowing into the ground, digging for their own food. At first, he ignored the mice, really keeping an eye out for the bigger prey. As time went on, Dustpaw realized he might not get so lucky. It was coming into leaffall, after all, the prey was scarcer. The birds spent more time in their nests, the squirrels were in their nests all day, and the mice were only things stupid enough to be out and about. So, finally, as the sun stretched further and further across the sky, he turned his attention to the mice that were scattering all about.
A strong scent came to his nose, close by, and he dropped into his comfortable hunting crouch. The first one Redtail had ever taught him. The thought almost made him lose his concentration, but he shook his head, as if hearing his old friend in his ear now. Don't lose your concentration for anything. That mouse is going to feed your family, nothing is more important than that. Dustpaw nodded, zeroing in on the mouse rustling around in the dead branches of a bush nearby. It was unaware of his presence.
This one's for you, Redtail. Dustpaw thought just as he leapt and landed on top of the mouse, his front paws holding it and before it could struggle too long, he gave it a swift bite to the back of the neck, killing it instantly. That was too easy. He buried a small hole in the dead leaves and left the mouse there to continue his hunt. He knew it wasn't long now before they would have to head back to camp, but he wanted to get a few more things before going back. He wanted his first assessment from Darkstripe to be sufficient. He wanted to make sure Redtail's name wouldn't be tarnished. So, he went back to the hunt.
By the time Darkstripe met back up with him to signal time to head home, Dustpaw had caught an impressive haul for the season. He had two mice and a rabbit that he had happened across by pure luck, trying to drink out of the creek. Darkstripe commended him for the effort and they went to the training hollow to meet up with Whitestorm and Sandpaw. Dustpaw was impressed to see Sandpaw had actually managed to catch a crow. He greeted her with a small touch to the nose and then the patrol head back into camp.
"Go ahead and get something to eat before the gathering. We should be leaving soon." Whitestorm instructed the apprentices and he and Darkstripe went off towards the warriors den.
Dustpaw and Sandpaw each got themselves something from the newly replenished kill pile and settled down near the apprentices den to eat. Dustpaw was feeling much better this evening, with some time out of camp, and he was able to connect with Redtail through the hunt, and that had been refreshing. He was starting to feel like maybe Redtail's spirit had stayed behind to watch over him for a little while longer before leaving for Starclan.
"So, how's Darkstripe?" Sandpaw asked as they ate.
"He's alright. It's going to take some time to get used to, but I think he'll do okay." Dustpaw answered honestly, pausing in his meal.
"Well, Longtail seemed pretty content with him. He can't be all bad." Sandpaw shrugged and went back to her meal.
It was a few minutes of silence when Dustpaw looked up to see Graypaw and Firepaw entering camp, looking excited. Irritation flooded over Dustpaw. Now he had to deal with another cat with Graypaw's enthusiasm, trying to avoid him as much as possible. To top it all off, he was a kittypet. Not one of the clan, not born with wild blood. He wasn't truly apart of Thunderclan, or the forest. He should still be in his cozy, twoleg nest, resting and getting fat.
"Hi, there, kittypet," he snapped as the pair grew closer. "Enjoy the food we caught for you."
"Who knows, you might even learn to catch your own one day," Sandpaw sneered, perking up at Dustpaw's malice.
The apprentices shared a few more scathing remarks before Bluestar hollered for the cats attending the gathering to meet her by the camp entrance. Dustpaw gave one last look of distaste to Firepaw and then took off to meet with the rest of the clan. Darkstripe happened to be attending as well, and was waiting for him in the middle of the crowd. He reluctantly joined him, and was glad to see that Sandpaw came to stand by him as well.
By the time they got to fourtrees, the other clans were already there. Dustpaw and Sandpaw immediately branched off to go meet with a couple of the Riverclan apprentices that they had met at the last gathering. A pretty, silver tabby she-cat and a dark grey she-cat, sitting together with their heads close, whispering and laughing about something. The apprentices lifted their heads as the pair approached, flicking their tails in a friendly greeting.
"Hello again!" the silver tabby, Silverpaw, said, her eyes sparkling.
"How have things been with Thunderclan?" the dark grey she-cat, Shadepaw, asked.
"Oh, Bluestar recruited a kittypet into the clan, Firepaw," Sandpaw answered with a sneer.
"Oh, that's interesting!" Shadepaw replied, exchanging a look with Silverpaw, who got a playful look in her eye.
"Oh yes. This is just the kind of information we're looking for on our secret mission from Crookedstar!" Silverpaw purred, crouching and sticking her tail straight up playfully.
"Ah, a Riverclan spy!" Dustpaw growled, crouching in return. "How should we handle this, Sandpaw?"
"I think we should show her why Thunderclan's the greatest clan in the forest!" Sandpaw answered.
"Silverpaw, Shadepaw," a sharp voice sounded and startled the group of apprentices. Dustpaw turned to see it was an stern, spotted golden she-cat, her eyes narrowed. Dustpaw's mood shifted at once. He recognized her from the battle he had participated in at Sunningrocks, which seemed so long ago now. His neck fur bristled as he wondered if she was at the battle the night before, when Redtail had been killed.
"Come, sit with your clan. The meeting is about to start," Leopardfur growled, glaring at the Thunderclan apprentices. "How can you sit here when we had such loss only a moonrise ago?"
"They didn't do it," Shadepaw growled, though under her breath so the older she-cat couldn't hear her. Silverpaw had no such discretion.
"Oh, you're right Leodpardfur. Let's never be friendly again, so the fighting and loss can continue, right?" Silverpaw huffed. "Good idea!"
"Watch your tongue, Silverpaw. Crookedstar might be disappointed to hear his own daughter speaking to a senior warrior in such a way." Leopardfur snapped, tail lashing once.
"I'll make sure to ask him," Silverpaw retorted. "Come on, Shadepaw. Let's go pretend we aren't at a gathering and there isn't a truce."
Dustpaw watched as the two apprentices stood and stalked past Leopardfur, who gave Silverpaw a sharp hiss when she passed, and then followed behind more slowly. Dustpaw admired the nerve of Silverpaw to stand up to the warrior like she did, but being the leader's daughter must come with perks. He glanced over at Sandpaw, who was looking just as surprised as he was, though she did have a glint of amusement in her eyes.
"I didn't even think about the battle," Dustpaw murmured, his tail drooping. He felt like he had just done wrong by Redtail, being so openly friendly with the Riverclan apprentices so soon.
"Hey, don't be that way!" Sandpaw insisted, pushing her side to his. "Shadepaw was right. We weren't there, and neither were they, and there's a truce tonight."
"I suppose," Dustpaw sighed, looking at the ground. Sandpaw flicked his ear with her tail.
"It's okay not to mope around all the time, Redtail will understand." She told him.
Dustpaw gave her a grateful look but he didn't have a chance to respond before Bluestar yowled from the branch on the tree for the meeting to begin. Sandpaw led the way over to the other Thunderclan cats where they settled to listen to the news. None of the leaders discussed the battle that had just taken place, which made Dustpaw uncomfortable, though he figured it was for the best. The gathering was filled with a lot of useless information about how prey is fine, everyone is eating well. Though, as Dustpaw watched the Shadowclan leader give his news, he had a feeling that wasn't entirely true. By the time the gathering was over, Dustpaw wasn't even listening anymore, and hardly noticed Bluestar calling for the clan to gather again behind her. He followed Sandpaw as they headed back towards camp, turning and getting one last glimpse of Riverclan before they vanished through the bushes towards their camp.