CHAPTER 8
The small white she-cat gazed warmly at the white tom with brown paws and a striped tabby tail. They were smiling at each other and laughing. It absolutely warmed my heart.
Whitefang licked her cheek gently and then smiled over at Cherryheart who was grooming Gorsekit rapidly. It was her time to become an apprentice and she was beaming with pride. It was a nice distraction from Icepaw's sickness.
"I call a Clan meeting!" Russetstar yowled from the clearing and Whitefang and Dawnpool stood up, exiting the den and I hurried after them.
The whole Clan was gathered now and I took a spot next to Flowerwhisker and Whitefang.
"Gorsekit, step forward!" he yowled.
Cherryheart led Gorsekit out of the nursery and Shadeclaw walked beside Cherryheart. Gorsekit stood in front of Russetstar, looking up at him excitedly.
"Gorsekit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Gorsepaw. Your mentor will be Blackfoot. I hope Blackfoot will pass down all he knows on to you," Russetstar mewed loudly and flicked his tail to bring up Blackfoot.
"Blackfoot, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You have received excellent training from Thistletail, and you have shown yourself to be loyal and fighting skills. You will be the mentor of Gorsepaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to Gorsepaw. And Cherryheart may now go back to warrior duties."
"Gorsepaw! Gorsepaw!" WindClan cheered loudly while Gorsepaw and Blackfoot touched noses.
I turned my head to look at Soulpaw who was giving Blackfoot a foul look. All because of Icepaw's mistake.
I hurried over to Soulpaw and tilted my head. "Do you know how Icepaw is doing?"
"She's getting better," he confirmed and then narrowed his eyes at me. "She's your sister, why don't you just visit her?"
My eyes flickered over to where Blackfoot and Gorsepaw were exiting camp. "Didn't Jaypaw say she looks up to you? It'll be hard to talk to her like Mothflower suggests if Blackfoot is her mentor," I commented, avoiding his question completely.
He eyed me suspiciously. "Well now she has someone else to look up to, her mentor. Blackfoot, although odd, is still a good warrior." His eyes flickered to behind me and a frown appeared on his face.
I followed his gaze to where Mousefang was slipping into the medicine den, then I looked back at my denmate. "Seems like he's going to visit Icepaw," I mewed, amused.
"Wildpaw!" Whitefang called from outside the nursery.
I pricked my ears and hurried over to my mentor. "Yes, Whitefang?"
Dawnpool was fat with kits and she smiled warmly at me while Whitefang looked down at me. "We're going on a patrol along the RiverClan border with Redstorm and Dawnstripe at sunhigh. It has been a while since we've patrolled that border. Get something to eat and get ready," he commanded and turned back to Dawnpool.
I nodded and padded away to the fresh-kill pile where I grabbed a rabbit. It was small but it'd fill me up for now.
Quickly, I ate the rabbit and looked up at the sun that was reaching the highest point in the sky. Dawnstripe and Redstorm were gathered at the entrance already.
"Hey!" I mewed and raced up to them excitedly. Dawnstripe was Reedstar's mate before he died and Redstorm was Mothflower's brother. And to my understanding they thought he was murdered by DarkClan cats but Dawnpool saved him. "I can't wait for this patrol!" I had done a lot of hunting and watching Whitefang care for Dawnpool. Their story went back a long ways to when Whitefang was still a RiverClan cat. That was the most impressive part of their relationship.
Dawnstripe smiled at me. Her muzzle was graying. She should think about retiring with Shadeclaw. "Hi, Wildpaw. I'm glad you can come with us."
Redstorm nodded at me grimly. Russetstar was his mentor before and Cinderleaf was his mother. It was amazing how many great cats Redstorm was related to.
"Ready to go?" Whitefang asked, a smile on his face. He led the way out of camp excitedly. Maybe he missed the open moorland as well.
"How is Dawnpool doing?" Dawnstripe asked as we walked towards the RiverClan border.
Whitefang instantly brightened up. "Wonderful! She bound to be due soon and Mothflower says she thinks it's two kits," he purred in the familiar happy voice. Whitefang was a brilliant warrior but he was rather soft as of lately. It was definitely the kits. But he'd be a great father, I could tell. "Redstorm, do you have a potential mate in mind?"
Redstorm's ears pricked and he looked at Whitefang with confusion. "A mate? Oh, no. No I don't."
"You don't?" Dawnstripe gasped, a playful smile on her face. "Oh dear StarClan," she mumbled suddenly. "I forgot about Thistletail."
My ears pricked. I heard about Thistletail, the deputy before Firelily. She was a rogue who helped us in the final battle. Redstorm was mooning over her before she was killed?
He shook his head. "It's not big deal. I'm just not looking for a mate anymore. Thistletail was the only she-cat I had ever connected with."
I felt a shiver run down my spine. Just because he'd only ever connected with one she-cat, he would now spend the rest of his life alone. Is that what would happen to me?
"We're here," Whitefang announced, interrupting my thoughts and the other warrior's conversation. "Let's start marking the border. RiverClan cats are bound to show up soon."
We began marking the border quickly. I definitely didn't want to see any RiverClan cats, especially after our fight at Fourtrees.
But, as we finished marking the border, RiverClan scent washed over me.
"Whitefang," a familiar voice mewed and I recognized the small white she-cat with tabby patches. Whitefang's sister, Softwing. "What're you doing so close to the border?" She was limping sightly, I noticed instantly.
A silver-gray she-cat I didn't recognize and Petaldust padded up after Softwing, all looking at us grimly. Petaldust had a scratch going down her side and the silver-gray she-cat was missing tufts of fur.
"Softwing," Whitefang mewed, staring wide-eyed at his sister. "Greetings Silverpool and Petaldust. Uh, yes, we were just finishing marking our side of the border."
Silverpool, the silver-gray she-cat, gazed at Whitefang for a few heartbeats, her eyes wide. "That's Whitefang?" She looked over at Softwing.
The small white she-cat glared at Silverpool. "Yes, that is Whitefang, and his apprentice Wildpaw." She flicked her tail at me and all eyes turned to look at me. I felt my fur heat up in embarrassment. "Carry on then."
Whitefang dipped his head to Softwing and turned to us. "Let's head back to camp," he told us urgently, clearing wanting to get away from the RiverClan cats.
"Wait!" Silverpool mewed, stepping closer to the border. My fur bristled before I could react. "I just can't believe that you're the Whitefang, the one that betrayed RiverClan all for a WindClan she-cat," she scoffed and I looked back at her to see a disgusted look plastered on her face. "It's ironic that the half-RiverClan cat got the half-ThunderClan cat as his apprentice, right?" Silverpool looked over at Petaldust with a laugh.
I bared my teeth at them. "Watch what you're saying!" I snapped at her angrily. "Whitefang and I are full WindClan cats, whatever you might say!" My tail lashed. I would take them on. Could I take them on?
Petaldust narrowed her blue eyes at me. Now that I faced her, she was quite intimidating. But if she was anything like her sibling, Bettlenose, it would be no hassle to take her down like I did her brother during our fight at Fourtrees. "Shut up, apprentice. You're half-Clan and a kittypet. You have no right to open your mouth!"
Redstorm stepped forward now, thrusting his head right into Petaldust's. She was taken back by surprise. "Talk to our warriors like that again and I'll have Cinderleaf take you down like she did at Fourtrees, fish-brain!" he growled. Now Redstorm was much more intimidating. I'd hate to be on the other side of that.
"Petaldust! Softwing!" a voice snapped and I jumped in fear, recognizing the white-and-pale ginger she-cat and RiverClan's deputy, Ottersplash, padding up behind them. She looked furious. "We're waiting for you back at camp and I find you threatening WindClan cats?" Her head swung to look at Softwing. "Might I add that Softwing is about to move into the nursery expecting Owlfur's kits? It's dangerous enough her being out here!" Her angry eyes turned to us and instantly went soft. "Please, forgive my warriors, Whitefang. They are fish-brains." She sent another glare to them. "I promise RiverClan means no harm to WindClan." She dipped her head.
Whitefang seemed surprise, his mouth dropped open like he was going to respond, but nothing came out.
Dawnstripe quickly replied for him, "Thank you, Ottersplash. We'll include that in our report back to Russetstar. We've already taught you a lesson the last battle we had, and with Leaf-fall coming up, I highly doubt Russetstar or Crookedstar want a fight."
"Thank you, Dawnstripe." Ottersplash dipped her head again. "They will be punished when we reach camp." She turned and glared at them and hissed something.
"Sorry," Softwing mumbled, looking at the ground awkwardly.
Petaldust, who was glaring at me, nodded her head. "Sorry," she mewed, clearly not sorry for what she said.
"Sorry, Wildpaw and Whitefang…" Silverpool shuffled her paws. She seemed embarrassed.
Ottersplash shoved Silverpool. "Continue on. Again, sorry…" Ottersplash led the patrol away and was clearly scolding the three she-cats as they went back to camp. That made me smile.
Whitefang let out a small whimper and I looked at him. He was grinning but his eyes were watery. "My sister is expecting kits," he whispered in excitement.
I rubbed my tail along his back comfortingly. "Let's get back to camp, Whitefang. We have to report this to Russetstar." I pushed him along back towards camp and the others followed after us.
"If Ottersplash apologized I think we can leave it be for now," Russetstar mewed and looked over at Firelily who nodded. "I'll lead the next patrol along that border and talk to the RiverClan cats."
Firelily nodded. "Dawn tomorrow with Littlecloud and Icepaw."
"Add Mudpelt to that patrol please. He's quite level-headed," Russetstar ordered and Firelily nodded in agreement. They were a good team. "Thank you, Whitefang." He nodded at us to leave the den.
I led Whitefang out of the leader's den. He was still smiling at nothing. I guess a connection to RiverClan made him happy.
"I'm going to see Dawnpool, Wildpaw. I apologize, I know that my mate has made your apprenticeship go slower than the other 'paws, but we've always been there for each other and I have no intention of stopping now." He quickly padded to the nursery and slipped inside.
I smiled after him, my pelt prickling. It was nice to see someone with that level of dedication.
"Wildpaw!" a familiar voice squeaked and I turned around to see Icepaw and Jaypaw behind me. "I'm going back to apprentice duties!"
"Oh that's great!" I purred excitedly, smiling at my sister. "Have you spoken with Littlecloud yet? I'm sure he'll be overjoyed!"
She shook her head. "Oh not yet. I was actually looking for Soulpaw. Have you seen him?"
"I just came back from a patrol. Check the apprentice's den?" I suggested, my eyes turning to Jaypaw. But to my dismay, Jaypaw followed Icepaw to the apprentice's den to find Soulpaw. My littermates were often found together, but I was always the one finding them.
Blackfoot and Gorsepaw entered camp. The new apprentice seemed overly excited to have Blackfoot as her mentor, considering how rude he was to Icepaw.
"Gorsepaw!" I called, racing over to her and the warrior. "Would you like to eat with me?" I looked over at Blackfoot for the okay.
His eyes narrowed but he nodded. "Yes Gorsepaw, you should get to know your denmates. Eat with Wildpaw and I'll come fetch you later," he agreed and then quickly padded away. At least he didn't have a grudge against me.
She grinned at me. "Let's get a rabbit!" Then she bounced to the fresh-kill pile and I hurried after her. Her energy matched mine easily.
Once we'd settled down with a rabbit, I took a bite and then she did too.
"Where are the other apprentices?" she asked, her eyes skimming the clearing.
I flicked my tail at the apprentice's den. "Having an apprentice meeting or something. I wasn't invited," I responded bitterly, taking another bite.
Gorsepaw frowned at me, tilting her head. "Soulpaw too? How rude." She looked down at the rabbit, glaring.
"Why do you look up to Soulpaw so much? Everyone else looks up to Firelily or Morningtail or even Littlecloud."
She shrugged at me. "His dad, Shadepelt or Buddy or whatever you want to call him, he was a rogue. And Whitefoot mated with him. I know it's not the same but Cherryheart mated with Shadeclaw and he was a rogue, he was even going to be apart of DarkClan, the Clan that wanted to destroy us. He and I are so similar, right? I just didn't think he'd disclude his friend like that…" Gorsepaw shook her head.
I stared at her for a heartbeat, thinking. "Well my dad is a ThunderClan cat and Flowerwhisker was a rogue once," I told her with a small smile. "The only Clan who cares where we were born is ThunderClan, since that's where our dad is."
"But how do you know if you're WindClan or ThunderClan?"
I paused again, my head spinning. "Well…" How did I know? Just because Flowerwhisker was WindClan that meant I had to be a WindClan cat too? What about Windflight, didn't he have a say? "I-I have to go," I mumbled to Gorsepaw and hurried out of the camp and onto the open moorland.
What if I didn't like the moorland? What if I wanted trees? What if I didn't want to be with my mother? What if I was more accepted in ThunderClan? What if my denmates weren't so secretive and discluding?
I raced past Fourtrees, my legs struggling to keep up with my energy. What if? Who was to say I couldn't be with my father? Russetstar? He didn't make all my choices for me. I controlled my destiny.
I ran past the Owl Tree, bursting through some bushes. The forest was just before me and I stopped at the ThunderClan border, my heart pounding in my chest.
Three cats looked up at me with wide eyes. Sparrowpelt, Leopardfoot, and Windflight.
"Windflight!" I gasped, struggling to catch my breath. "I need… to speak with you."
The ThunderClan warrior looked at me in surprise, but the warmth in his eyes was more than I could say for Flowerwhisker. "What is it, Wildpaw?"
"Why does Flowerwhisker have the right to say I have to live in WindClan?"
Windflight shrugged his shoulder. His pale green eyes were so familiar. "She gave birth to you, Wildpaw. I suppose that means she can control where you live, that's how it's always been." He didn't seem to agree, however, with what he was saying.
I met his gaze, sucking in another deep breath. "I should get a say in where I get to live, Windflight. I know you agree."
My father nodded at me a little, both Sparrowpelt and Leopardfoot were eyes wide and ears pricked looking at me with interest.
"What are you getting at, Wildpaw?" Windflight asked curiously, a small smile on his face.
I looked at the three cats gathered. "Well, what if I don't want to be a WindClan cat anymore?"
