A/N
I'll post the allegiances for the NightWalkers next time. Thank you, Brightstar4266, for saying what Jaypaw said near the river. Here's your Hawkpaw plushie. *gives.* Amberfoot and Brightstar4266, have some complementary ice cream.
EDIT: Not much was changed here..
Hawkpaw woke next to Jaypaw, and that odd, warm sensation filled her up like a dose of eternal adreneline. Yet, when she looked at Thornsnag, she felt something different. Comfort and safety, like no harm could touch her. She had a sinking feeling what she felt for both was love.
It felt as if she could fly up to the clouds and bring one down with her when she locked eyes with Jaypaw and like she felt appreciated and understood by him and could fight entire clan when she met Thornsnag's eyes. I'm torn between two toms, Hawkpaw realized. Scared, she jumped out of her nest and ran, and ran, and ran, until she found herself at the RiverClan border, way before dawn.
I'll talk to Pebblepaw, maybe he'll help me. Wait, he's kinda strange... Oh, whatever. He's the only one I know.
As Hawkpaw crossed the border, pale yellows and pinks began to show in the grey sky. Dawn was near.
She padded into the apprentice den, to see Pebblepaw not there. She checked the nursery and saw him sleeping softly with his little sister, Mistkit pawed at him gently and rolled over. Hawkpaw smiled and wondered who'd she talk to.
"Hey," a voice mewed in a hushed tone, "what're you doing here?" The voice was a brown she cat with pale gray paws.
The she cat looked familiar. "Follow me," she muttered. The brown cat led her to the medicine den, where two cats were also sleeping. "My name's Briarpaw, what's yours?" She asked, placing her tail over her grey paws as she sat down.
"Oh! Now I remember, I'm Hawkpaw, you're the one who warned your clan!" Hawkpaw exclaimed. Briarpaw shuffled her paws and smiled shyly.
"Yes, Hawkpaw, and I remember you too. Thank you for saving me. I would be proud to call you my friend." She mewed. Hawkpaw was stunned.
"R-really? Even with my eyes?" She wondered aloud. Briarpaw snorted.
"Eyes, ears, nose, toes. Whatever. All the same to me." She retorted gently.
Hawkpaw smiled at the younger apprentice. "I'd be honored to call you my friend too." She grinned.
Briarpaw smiled back, "now, I know you were looking for Pebblepaw." She smirked, and Hawkpaw realized what the other she cat was thinking. "No, no, no, not like that, I just needed to talk to him." Hawkpaw urged, flicking her ears in embarrassment.
Briarpaw just chuckled, "well, I suggest you let him sleep. He's cranky when he wakes up. You can, uh, talk to me if you wanted." She offered sweetly, giving another shy grin.
Hawkpaw shrugged. "Sure, but it's a secret."
She explained everything to Briarpaw. How she fell from the tree, forgot everything, fell in love with her mentor, then remembered, broke her mentor's heart, loves another apprentice, yet still loves her mentor.
Briarpaw had a sly look on her face again. "I see, so you like both these toms? One's your mentor, the other an apprentice. Hmm, I don't know. I don't really have a huge crush on anyone, except Ferretpaw. He's so sweet to me!" Briarpaw gushed.
Now it was Hawkpaw's turn to have that sly smile. "Ooh, I see, but I'm torn between the two." She sighed. Briarpaw stopped have that drooling face and patted Hawkpaw's back with her tail.
"There, there," she comforted. "Which one have you liked longer or known longer?" She asked, and Hawkpaw replied easily. "Jaypaw."
"Which one do you feel more for? Like, do you dream of him?"
"Hmm, both."
"Which makes your heart race?"
"Jaypaw..."
"When I say their names which makes you wanna fly? Thornsnag. Jaypaw."
"Jaypaw!" Hawkpaw exclaimed, then shut her paws over her muzzle.
"You obviously have a strong infatuation with Jaypaw. It sounds like Thornsnag is the more reliable one. You have to pick, I shouldn't choose four you. It doesn't matter when, just don't wait too long. You should get going." Briarpaw looked outside the den and saw cats beginning to stir. Hawkpaw nodded and thanked her new friend.
...
Jaypaw had a grin stretching from whisker to whisker when Hawkpaw got back. "Guess what?!" He nearly yelled. Hawkpaw sighed playfully. "Mouse butt." She giggled. "No, I'm having my assessment today!" He exclaimed again, and rubbed his tail across Hawkpaw's whiskers, making her want to sneeze.
"That's-" she stopped, took a deep breath. And sneezed. Jaypaw burst out into laughter, a tiny snort every now and then. "-great," Hawkpaw finished. "I know! Although I'm scared. Help me?" He asked, beginning to walk out of camp. "Sure." Hawkpaw shrugged.
"How to catch a mouse?" Hawkpaw began.
"Be light on your paws,"
"How to catch a rabbit?"
"Possible to chase, or stalk very slowly and quietly."
"How to catch a squirrel?"
"Start out slow, then chase."
"How to catch a bird?"
"Can be hunted in short bursts of stalking, or stalk quietly then leap."
"How to catch a vole?"
"Crouching position, kill quickly before they alert the other prey."
"That's great! I believe you're ready. When're you going out?" Hawkpaw asked, beginning to head back to camp.
"Later today, probably sunhigh." Jaypaw said, and ran back, Hawkpaw at his tail.
Thornsnag padded up to Hawkpaw. "Hey, today we're gonna practice some fighting moves, then train with Pinepaw." He said, his voice steady.
Hawkpaw sighed. "Alrighty. Let's go." Thornsnag ordered.
"Wait, can I eat first?" She pleaded, flicking her tail in the direction if the fresh kill pile. Thornsnag narrowed his dulled blue-green eyes, then gave a curt nod.
Hawkpaw sniffed the pile for any trace if rabbit or sparrow. The was a tiny rabbit, she mumbled something to herself and picked it up. She also grabbed a plump mouse and headed for the nursery.
Nightbreeze was chatting with Snowwing in the shade. "Here, Nightbreeze. Now that you're going to have kits." Hawkpaw dropped the fat mouse at the black she cat's paws.
"Thank you, and I'm not the only queen now. Snowwing is expecting!" Nightbreeze exclaimed, grinning at her friend. The cloudy white she cat grinned widely. "I am, and they're Leaftail's kits. He'll be so proud." Snowwing smiled.
Just as Snowwing spoke her mate's name, her was heading towards her. "Did I hear that you're expecting?" He asked, sitting down. "Yes, you heard right Leaftail. You'll be a great father." Snowwing smirked.
Leaftail's jaw dropped, and he gulped. "M-me? A f-father?!" He screeched, "I'd be so proud!" He exclaimed, throwing his muzzle over his mate's shoulder, nuzzling her.
Hawkpaw got up and left the cats alone. Her mentor was waiting with Squirrelnose by the camp entrance, along with Pinepaw.
"Change of plans, battle practice first." Thornsnag meowed sharply, and began walking out, the ginger warrior trying to match his hurried pace. Pinepaw matched pace with his sister.
"I can tell you have something on your mind. Care to tell?" Pinepaw asked, looking at her with his wise green eyes. Oh, why not? Hawkpaw shrugged to herself.
"I went to visit RiverClan. They wanted to thank me for saving Briarpaw. But, their leader and his mate told me, Smokestar isn't my father. Nor Gingerroot my mother." She explained to the tabby mottled tom.
"Cardinalpaw isn't our sister, nor was Fawnkit." She finished, as they arrived at the clearing. Pinepaw looked fine with it on the outside, but his pine green eyes were flooded with shock.
"Okay, remember, keep your claws sheathed, and a pin-down is a win." Squirrelnose said, looking at Hawkpaw as if he expected her to do wrong. "Go!"
Pinepaw lunged at his sister, paws outstretched. Hawkpaw ducked under him and kicked his underbelly. He let out an grunt as he landed on his side. He immediately leapt up and slid under Hawkpaw. She jumped up high in the air, until she realized what she did wrong.
Pinepaw kicked her underbelly, as did his, but for some reason, Hawkpaw felt his kick was stronger. She managed to land on her paws, but the leg she had broken crumpled and twisted beneath her.
Pinepaw yelped in surprise as his mentor glared at him and watched Thornsnag carry Hawkpaw back to camp.
When they returned, cats were gathered around in a circle. A large lump of dark, bloodied fur was lying in the center. Shadefur. Nightbreeze, his sister, was sobbing loudly in his bloodstained pelt.
"Shadefur! Come back! Please, please!" She begged, until Brackenfang gently gripped her scruff and dragged her back in the nursery.
Jaypaw was sitting somberly next to his mentor. Hawkpaw wanted to go over to him and asked what happened, but she needed her leg checked out, it seared with pain and felt as if it was on fire. Thornsnag set her down on a moss nest in the medicine den and left without saying a word, but his eyes lingered on her for a few heartbeats too long to just be a simple glance.
Jaypaw walked into the medicine, having saw Hawkpaw go in. "Why're you in-" but he stopped when he saw her leg, the one she'd broken a few moons ago, was twisted brutally and the paw dangled uselessly. His felt his eyes grow huge with horror, but he managed to stay calm when Hawkpaw said, "does it look bad?"
"No, nah, it's, it looks, ok." Jaypaw choked out.
She frowned. "It doesn't, does it? Great StarClan!" Hawkpaw hissed. She took a deep breath and changed the subject. "What happened to Shadefur?" She asked. Something flickered in Jaypaw's blue eyes.
He hesitantly responded. "Uhm, he was giving me an assessment to see if I was ready and he, um, was hit by a monster." Jaypaw stammered.
Hawkpaw frowned again. "You're lying. I can see it in your eyes, what happened?" She growled, losing her patience.
Jaypaw let out a soft sob. "Ok," he muttered, "I was having my assessment when I heard pawsteps, I so followed them, then I scented something. It was like, water mixed with salt. It was coming from this white cat with a bright ginger mark on his forehead. He approached Shadefur, and they fought, and the rogue ended up killing him. The rouge then just licked his paws and walked away!" Jaypaw wailed, "he didn't even know I was there!"
A little stunned, Hawkpaw wrapped her tail over his shoulders. It's alright, but who'll be your mentor now?" She wondered.
"Smokestar said he'd announce it tonight." The white tom replied. The heather eyed she cat felt rage burn up inside her at the mention of her "father". Even more so if someone mentioned Gingerroot. Hawkpaw just plastered a fake smile on her face as she watched Jaypaw leave, and Redbreeze enter.
She yelped in surprise at Hawkpaw's leg. "My! What did you do?" Redbreeze exclaimed in terror.
Hawkpaw flattened her ears in shame as she mewed, "I was practicing fighting with Pinepaw and when he kicked me I landed too hard on this leg."
A stern look was in Redbreeze's honey eyes, but she just sighed. "Alright, let's get this fixed up. Mintpaw!"
The ginger she cat hollered, and her apprentice came running. "Ye-" she didn't finished as she glanced at Hawkpaw's hind leg and nodded. The grey she cat came back with bundles of herbs in her jaws.
Moments later, Hawkpaw's right hind leg was tied with bindweed, sticks, and broom, which had been made into a poultice. It felt stiff, and it burned when she moved it. Scarface padded into the den, a sullen look in his good eye. "Hello, Hawkpaw." He murmured. Hawkpaw could easily sense his sadness, so she asked, "what's the matter? I know you're down."
"Pinepaw told me that we're RiverClan. I'm also sorry about your leg."
"What's wrong with being RiverClan?"
"I don't think Lightfeather would want to be with me if she knew the truth." The blue grey tabby confessed.
"Of course she would! She loves you!" Hawkpaw protested, but her brother just hung his head. "Have you seen me? Fallenstar ruined me! Everyone looks at me with a face of disgust!" Scarface snarled, and stalked out of the den. Feeling her eyelids grow heavy, Hawkpaw fell asleep, the dull, throbbing pain in her leg seemingly died away.
Hawkpaw yawned, and realized it was nightfall. She dragged herself outside to see Jaypaw standing atop the TallRock. His white fur glowed pale silver in the moonlight, and his eyes glowed with determination. He feels that Shadefur's death was his fault. Hawkpaw realized. Smokestar was next to him. Hawkpaw felt that familiar anger burn, but she pushed it aside.
"Jaypaw. After the unfortunate events of Shadefur's death, the older apprentice is in need of a mentor. Cloudclaw, it's time for a new apprentice. You mentored Mouseclaw, and taught him great skills. I expect you to teach these skills to Jaypaw." The dusky brown leader meowed, and the deputy climbed up to touch noses with Jaypaw.
Hm, it's a great honor to have the deputy as a mentor. Smokestar must be certainly fond of Jaypaw. Or something.
...
Hawkpaw woke to warm pelts on either side of her, and she recognized the scents of her brothers and foster sister. Cardinalpaw was already awake, and an excited look shine in her eyes.
"You can leave, an idiot could see you're bubbly." Hawkpaw laughed. Instantly, Cardinalpaw dashed off, and Hawkpaw caught a glimpse of slightly paler ginger fur with Cardinalpaw. Flamepaw was with Cardinalpaw.
Bewildered, but still tired, Hawkpaw fell back asleep. When she woke again, her brothers were gone, instead replaced by Thornsnag. He was wide awake, just watching her sadly. He saw her yawn and stood up. "Wait!" Hawkpaw called, but her mentor was gone before she could say anything. Hawkpaw buried her face in her paws shamefully, knowing the hurt she had caused him.
...
Hawkpaw felt like she had ants in her pelt. She itched to go outside, but she wasn't allowed.
Lightfeather limped into the medicine den. "There's a sharp stone stuck in my paw, it's bleeding." The young warrior reported, flicking her paw and drops of blood splattered on the ground.
Mintpaw padded up to her and yanked the stone out with her teeth. Lightfeather gave a little yowl the licked her paw furiously.
"I'll get some cobweb." Mintpaw said as she disappeared farther in the den. Heartbeats later, Lightfeather's paw was bandaged up, and she looked at Hawkpaw.
"Wanna take a walk with me?" She offered, and Hawkpaw nodded eagerly.
They trotted along the RiverClan border, and Hawkpaw could sense that something was on the pale she cat's mind.
"I'm sorry about your leg," Lightfeather began, "but can I ask you something?" She ventured, and Hawkpaw gave her a smile.
"Of course." Lightfeather took a deep breath and let it out. "Rain- er, Scarface, has been neglecting me. Since he's your brother I was going to ask if he loves me." Lightfeather sighed, "he's been with Mintpaw lately, helping her with herbs," she mumbled.
Realization hit Hawkpaw like a strong breeze. "He feels useless to his clan!" The apprentice exclaimed, "he must be helping with Mintpaw because it's the only thing he feels he can do. Train him! Teach him moves to give him advantages with his blind eye!" She urged the young the warrior.
Lightfeather's expression lit up. "Thank you! Let's go back, I'm sure your leg hurts." Lightfeather said, padding away, and Hawkpaw dragged herself after her brother's crush.
"Actually, I'll meet you back to camp," Hawkpaw mewed, getting an idea. "I'll come with you," Lightfeather said turning around.
Hawkpaw groaned. "Fine, I'm crossing RiverClan territory, wanna come?" The apprentice snapped, then bit her tongue. "Sorry, just go on without me." Hawkpaw insisted, and the young warrior reluctantly left.
...
Hawkpaw dragged herself into the RiverClan camp, and instantly, Sandfern dashed over to her. "Oh, my sweet kit! What happened?" She cried, and Oakstar peered from his den then quickly walked to Hawkpaw. "Who am I beating up?" He demanded, his voice thick with anger.
"Me, I guess. This," she nosed her limp leg, "was my fault, but a little of Pinepaw's too. We were practice fighting, and he lunged at me, when I jumped and landed, I put too much weight on this leg." She explained, wincing as she stretched it out.
"Honeysnow, go and get Alderleaf." Oakstar said to a beautiful golden she cat with white flecks.
Honeysnow dipped her head and disappeared in the medicine den. Moments later, she came out with a frail brown tom with paler dots. "What is it?" He rasped, and his apprentice flicked her ears in the direction of Hawkpaw. He let out a surprised snort but said nothing as he beckoned the ThunderClan apprentice in his den.
"Honeysnow will explain." He croaked, as he curled up and was soon snoring.
"Alderleaf means well. He's just very old, I'm afraid he'll go to StarClan soon." Honeysnow said sadly. "Let's see," she mewed, and began inspecting the leg. After a few heartbeats, or ten moons, Hawkpaw couldn't tell which, Honeysnow spoke.
"It's broken again; luckily, I've heard a tale of how a ThunderClan medicine cat healed a broken leg, for a second time. He was called Jayfeather, I'm sure you've heard of him, one of the Three with the power to walk through dreams. He healed, er, Cinder-, Cinderheart's leg. He taught her to swim, and it strengthened her leg until it was better." The young medicine cat explained.
Hawkpaw thought for a moment. "Who'll teach me? I suspect you're too busy." Hawkpaw told Honeysnow.
The golden she cat gave a sad nod. "Why don't you go an ask one of the warriors?" She suggested, and gently woke her mentor up.
Hawkpaw dragged her useless hind leg behind her and into the apprentice den. She glanced around, her heather red eyes glowing faintly. "Briarpaw? You in here, Briarpaw?"
"She's not here." A she cat told her. Hawkpaw spun around to face a broad-faced, grey tabby she cat.
"So, you're Oakstar's daughter, huh? And your brothers." She didn't stop talking, "Hawkpaw, right?" Her voice was dull, yet full of spark. Suddenly, her faded blue eues lit up. "Great StarClan, sorry! My name is Juniperpaw. My mentor is Spidertail."
"Oh! Yeah, I remember Spidertail mentioning you. You're nearly a warrior, right?" Hawkpaw realized.
"Y-yeah!" Juniperpaw voice was suddenly happy, not the dull tone from before. "What?" Hawkpaw asked. Juniperpaw smiled. "No one really notices me. My father died of greencough when I was a kit. And my mother died birthing me, I was raised by Sandfern actually. I guess that makes us related, huh?" She giggled. "Then my sister, Streampaw, died. She was hit by a monster." Juniperpaw's voice went down to its dull tone, thick with grief.
"It's ok, I'll be your sister now." Hawkpaw said, giving the apprentice a friendly bump.
Juniperpaw grinned. "Sorry, but I've gotta go. I'm doing battle practice with Ferretpaw. Maybe Pebblepaw can help you, he's got today off. Unless Weasleclaw changes his mind. He's finicky like that." Juniperpaw called as she dashed away, much happier.
Hawkpaw stifled a groan. Pebblepaw was nice and all, but he was a tad odd nowadays. She trotted over to the nursery, and he immediately stood up, seeing Hawkpaw.
"Y-yes?" Pebblepaw stammered, gently shoving Mistkit aside. "Could you maybe, teach me to swim?" She asked meekly, and he nodded enthusiastically. "Sure, but didn't you save Frostpaw from WindClan, right? By swimming?" He asked, his voice growing curious.
"Yes, instinct though," Hawkpaw told him impatiently.
"Pebblepaw!" A voice called. The tom looked at a creamy brown tom with dark stripes. "Come train with Juniperpaw and Ferretpaw. You could use it." He snapped, and Pebblepaw shot Hawkpaw an apologetic look.
"Sorry, Weaselclaw isn't friendly." And he left, racing to his mentor.
Two small paws landed a blow on Hawkpaw's shoulders and she let out a yelp of surprise and spun around to see Briarpaw smiling at her. "Hiya, Hawkpaw!" She greeted happily. "Honeysnow told me you need someone to teach you to swim. I'll help, but may I introduce you to Creeksplash. She's willing to help." Briarpaw nodded to a silver tabby she cat.
"I believe we've met, Hawkpaw. Briarpaw is my little sister, and we're always happy to help." She mewed, her voice as soft as a feather.
The sisters helped Hawkpaw to a very large river, which they called the Training River. "Here is were we teach new apprentices to swim. They catch on pretty easily, but since you've been raised in ThunderClan, it may be hard." Creeksplash explained.
Briarpaw spoke up. "Think of it this way. Water is like friendship, it only drags you down when you fight it." Wise words, Briarpaw. Hawkpaw thought to herself. "Ok, then." Hawkpaw mewed uneasily, as she slowly was helped into the river.
She felt herself sinking, and began to panic. Hawkpaw thrashed her forepaws in an effort to float, but she only was falling faster. Her head ducked under the water, and she struggled to swim.
Water is like friendship. It only drags you down when you fight it. Briarpaw's words echoed in Hawkpaw's head and she stopped moving. Her head emerged from the water, and keeping her chin up, Hawkpaw gently kicked her back legs while paddling her front ones.
"You're swimming!" The RiverClan sisters cried in sync. Hawkpaw yipped joyously, but was cut short when water filled her mouth, making her cough. Hawkpaw made her way back to the others, shaking herself when she got to dry land.
She giggled and smiled. Briarpaw ran up to Hawkpaw and nuzzled her fluffy chest. "That was perfect! You're a true RiverClan cat!" She mewed, as Creeksplash just grinned from afar. A RiverClan cat? These cats, they accept me. Is ThunderClan my true home, or is this where I belong?
A/N
What? An update?! I know right? Ok, so I'll be writing a little thing where I'll give any character a backstory requested by my reviewers. The first mini-story is on Fallenstar. I feel she needs an explanation to why she's so mean.
EDIT: Jk, the backstory is Hollowstar. But you haven't met her yet so keep on reading.