Chapter 5 – Timberpaw
For the last few days Whitepaw had been avoiding him. But he didn't blame her.
He had returned to camp late, after some hunting as an excuse. The clan had accepted that lie and he remained unpunished, unlike Whitepaw.
Of course she had a eight to be disappointed and angry at him. Timberpaw abandoned her, his best friend. Then lied, escaping punishment.
Timberpaw was too busy thinking that he didn't notice his mentor approach him.
"Timberpaw we will be doing battle training today. Darkshadow will be joining us" Nettlefur informed him.
Timberpaw muttered "Okay"
"You need to stop dwelling on Whitepaw" he advised "Friendships always have their ups and downs. Whitepaw will speak to you again, for sure"
Timberpaw got to his paws with a sigh. Nettlefur gave him a slight smile before padding off to the entrance, expecting Timberpaw to follow. He did follow.
At the entrance Darkshadow and Owlpaw were waiting. He and his brother had became even more distant since they became apprentices.
Timberpaw couldn't quite figure his brother out. Owlpaw was quiet, sometimes a bit rude and seemed to dislike Whitepaw.
As they walked to the training hollow Owloaw said nothing. Neither did Timberpaw.
Once they arrived in the hollow Darkshadow spoke "Nettlefur and I have decided you two will spar against each other today. Owlpaw, do not disappoint me"
Darkshadow was quite a proud cat and fairly nice. But he could be bitter and pretty nasty if his pride got hurt. So of course his apprentice loosing easily would anger him.
Nettlefur was laid-back and occasionally joked. He isn't easily offended, so when cats make a comment about his messy fur he usually ignores it. He would not mind it Timberpaw lost, even if he lost pretty badly. As long as Timberpaw tried his best.
That was good as sometimes in fights Timberpaw got really nervous and as a reasult couldn't focus.
Nettlefur and Darkshadow sat at the edge of the hollow and Owlpaw and Timberpaw circled each other near the middle of it.
Owlpaw was silent when he circled Timberpaw. Other cats might try to get under their opponents fur and when their opponent was angry strike. When you got angry it was harder to focus and your enemy could use that to overpower you.
But Owlpaw didn't do that, and Timberpaw didn't either.
Timberpaw leapt aside as Owlpaw lunged for him. His brother spun around, his eyes focused.
Timberpaw shifted slightly so he was facing Owlpaw.
Maybe I should try and get on his back Timberpaw thought then remembered how Mouspaw had taught him and Whitepaw some battle moves. Whitepaw had managed to pin him.
Timberpaw realised he had gotten distracted and let out a yowl as Owlpaw pushed both of his paws hard onto Timberpaw's chest and sent him stumbling backwards.
Once Timbepaw had fully regained his balance he ran straight towards Owlpaw. Owlpaw looked ready to rear up on his hind legs, so that when Timberpaw reached him he could fall down onto Timberpaw with all his weight.
But Timberpaw wouldn't let that happen, just before Owlpaw's paws came crashing down on him, he veered to the right. Owlpaw's paws hit the ground. Before Owlpaw could turn around, however, Timberpaw jumped and landed onto his back.
Owlpaw crumpled beneath him and Timberpaw grinned
I did it!
"Quick!" Darkshadow yelled "Throw him off!"
With suprising strength Owlpaw shifted beneath him then pushed himself to his paws, shaking Timberpaw off on the process.
Owlpaw turned around and faced Timberpaw, the same focused look in his eyes.
"Bring it on" Timberpaw whispered, feeling a bit more confident than he had previously.
They sparred for the rest of the afternoon and once Nettlefur announced it was time they headed back Timberpaw let out a sigh of relief. He was exhausted and it seemed Owlpaw was too.
As they headed back Timber decided to speak "That was a good lesson"
In response Owlpaw gave a slight nod of a agreement.
When they got back Timberpaw immediately headed into the apprentices den.
He let out a sigh of relief when he settled into his nest and he soon drifted off to sleep.
Timberpaw stood on a moor, the wind ruffling his brown fur. In the distance was the figure that was in a dream he had awhile ago, when he was a kit.
But this time the figure seemed to be coming to him. It came closer and closer.
Until the cat was stood before him.
It was a large tom. His fur, tabby and white, was slightly transparent and seemed to glow. Yellow eyes looked down kindly at Timberpaw.
"W-Who are you?" he stammered.
"Eaglestar, former leader of your clan" the tom replied "It is good to finally meet you, Timberpaw"
"Wow, then this is.. Starclan?" Timberpaw asked, astonished.
"Yes, well a part of it" The tom replied with a slight smile.
"But why are you visiting me?" Timberpaw asked, confused.
"It's about your destiny, Timberpaw. The future" Eaglestar murmured "Whitepaw could be in danger"
Timberpaw was silent and Eaglestar continued.
"When you, your littermates, Whitepaw and Frostpaw were all young kits Nightstar chose one of his descendants to follow his path. He plans to manipulate them into a monster they are not, decide their destiny, change Nightclan. I believe he chose Whitepaw. So I and an old friend decided that we need someone who can save her from the darkness. That cat is you, Timberpaw. Whitepaw is Nightstar's descendant, you are mine. You probably can't imagine a cat like Nightstar having kits but he did"
"Why me? Why not Leafpaw... or Owlpaw?" Timberkit whispered.
"Because you are Whitepaw's best friend, someone close to her has a better chance of changing the destiny Nightstar wants for her" Eaglestar told him.
"Umm I'm not sure if me and Whitepaw are really frien-" Timberpaw began but was interrupted by Eaglestar.
"Well fix that. Yes I know it's not that easy but deep down Whitepaw does not hate or blame you and wants to stay your friend" Eaglestar mewed "I think if you attempt to speak to her and show her you are a true friend she will completely forgive you"
"Really but I-" Timberpaw began.
"Believe in yourself" Eaglestar mewed "Promise you'll try to get her to forgive you?"
"I.. okay.. I promise" Timberpaw murmured, looking at his paws "But how?"
The dream was already fading and so was Eaglestar.
"In your heart you know exactly what will work"
AN : So now we know who Eaglestar chose!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Thank you Sageandsky for yet another review, I appreciate all your reviews so much and I'm glad you like Whitepaw! I think you are probably my first true fan ^-^
Eagle and Night have links sort of to the cats descended from them so its easier for them to speak to each other. Even with Starclan's weakening power Eagle can and will still be able to contact Timber.
