Chapter 3: Greyleaf
Greyleaf felt the sharp prod of a paw and awoke from her light sleep. She kicked her foot in the general direction behind her, mumbling something that sounded like, 'I dow wanna warke up, sperrowcwaw,' But her foot was met with only air.
She heard an angry grunt, and opened her eyes to Bramblepelt's annoyed face. "Get up," He said, "It's time for your vigil."
Greyleaf nodded, got out of her nest, and stretched, ignoring his tight voice. The spiky brown tom swiftly turned and left the den, with the little grey she-cat padding close behind.
He led her as far as the thorn tunnel, and then left her to her own devices.
She made her way through the thorn tunnel to guard the entrance. All through the chilly, Leaf-Fall night she stayed alert, ears pricked to hear any would-be intruders and eyes alert for any sudden movement.
By the time sun-up finally came, Greyleaf was exhausted. She could hardly keep her eyes open and her head and tail were starting to droop. When will this be over! I'm gonna get some sleep!
Just then, Greyleaf heard pawsteps and turned, Goldenfur padded over to her, his gold pelt shining in the morning light.
"Hey," He said, not unkindly, "Your vigil's over, go and get some sleep." He gave her a smile and took her place.
Greyleaf gratefully returned the smile, and stumbled away to go back to the warriors den. Once she was inside the warm den and laying in her nest, she immediately fell into a deep sleep.
Greyleaf awoke from her slumber to exited voices and scurrying paws. She slowly got to her feet and peered out of the den.
The beautiful, luminescent moon was ascending into the sky, it's bright fullness shining down upon the hollow. Greyleaf looked up, it was nearly moon-high. I slept through a whole day! I've never sleep for a whole day before! What do I do!?
She quickly bounded out of the den and into the hollow, eager to make up for her absence by joining a dusk or hunting patrol. She flitted about the camp, searching for anyone that she could help, but all of the patrols had left already.
When she finally slowed down, her stomach growled, and Greyleaf became aware of how hungry she was. She hadn't eaten since before her warrior ceremony, and that was almost two sunrises ago.
She made her way towards the fresh-kill pile, not paying attention to anything around her, and crashed right into Goldenfur. They landed in a heap if legs and fur. When they finally disentangled themselves Greyleaf was blushing and hoping her fur covered it up.
"I'm so sorry Goldenfur," She apologized, "I didn't see you there."
He'll probably be so mad! He might get Sunstar to un-warrior me! She crouched down to an even smaller size, her tail between her legs and her ears laid back, expecting a huge flash of anger, but to Greyleaf's surprise, he laughed. This made Greyleaf laugh too. They both laughed so hard that they fell on the floor again, this time not entangled.
When they finally ran out of breath, whee zings from lack of air, Goldenfur exclaimed, "That was hilarious Greyleaf! You should have seen your face! Priceless!" He sighed, "You are a mouse-brained she-cat, you know that?"
Greyleaf turned to see his face, thinking that he was mad, and that he only laughed to keep from lashing out, but she only saw his huge grin.
"Yeah," Greyleaf replied, flicking her fluffy tail, "I am such a mouse-brain."
They both erupted in laughter again. It seemed like the whole clan didn't exist. It was as if there was only Greyleaf and Goldenfur.
Sunstar yowled, interrupted them, and they both swung their heads upward to look at their leader. "Today is the full moon," The gold cat's voice rang through the camp with an air of importance as the clan settled below the high-ledge, "Goldenfur, Lilytail, Bramblepelt, Mouseflight, Leopardheart, Cinderpaw, Berrysong, and Greyleaf will be attending the gathering tonight. Featherheart and Rosepaw will also be attending."
Greyleaf was overjoyed, and she bounced on her paws. This will be my first gathering as a warrior! I can't wait!
Greyleaf looked around the camp, wanting to see the faces of the other clan cats. Blackpaw was sitting moodily at the entrance to the apprentice's den, which was a tunnel in the wall of the hollow. He had gotten in trouble for eating while hunting, and he was confined to the camp for a week. Serves him right. He shouldn't have broken the rules.
Blackpaw caught her eye and smiled. He had a dazzling smile that made Greyleaf forget her previous thoughts. He had been a good friend to her, so she shouldn't be so bitter towards him. She gave him a quick smile before breaking eye contact by turning her head back to Sunstar.
"Those who will be attending," The tom continued, "Should help themselves to the fresh-kill pile." With that said, Sunstar disappeared into his den.
Greyleaf happily trotted over to the fresh-kill pile and selected from it a plump squirrel. As she turned around, she saw Blackpaw standing right behind her. Greyleaf jumped, startled by his sudden appearance, and dropped her squirrel in the process. However, she righted herself in midair, landing gracefully, and licked her fluffed fur, embarrassed, before she retrieved her squirrel.
"Well, I see you're still the best jumper in the clan, Greyleaf." Blackpaw meowed.
Greyleaf smiled as best she could with the squirrel in her mouth.
Blackpaw laughed, a light, chittering sound. "Hey Greyleaf," He asked, his dark green eyes on hers, "Would you like to come eat with me?"
Greyleaf nodded, and Blackpaw smiled happily. He chose a sparrow from the pile, and they trotted over to the apprentice's den, passing the nearby nursery as they went. They chose to eat at a rock nearby, setting their fresh-kill on top of it, that was usually used for sunning themselves.
They dug in, relishing the gamey taste.
"So," Blackpaw said as soon as he was done eating. "How's it like to be a warrior?"
Greyleaf looked up from her half eaten squirrel. From the look on his face, Blackpaw wasn't very interested.
"I like it. The den is so cool! I sleep at the edge, but it's not too bad," She replied.
A spark of interest kindled in Blackpaw's eyes.
"Who're you next to," He inquired a bit sharply.
Where is he going with this? " My nest is in between Goldenfur and Bramblepelt's. Why do you ask?"
Blackpaw ignored her question. "Do you like them?" He accused, his fur starting to bristle, as if it were her fault that her nest was in between two guys' nests.
"Uh . . .." Greyleaf paused, fiddling with her tail.
Blackpaw jumped on top of the rock so that he was looking down at her.
"Well do you?" He asked again. His voice sounded threatening.
"Well-uh- I –uh-don't really know, Bramblepelt. But-uh- Goldenfur seems nice." Greyleaf stammered.
Blackpaw sighed, his tail twitching, and jumped off the rock. He eyed her squirrel and asked. " Are you going to finish that?" Greyleaf nodded. "May I have some?" He asked, widening his eyes cutely, their pupils dilating. (Puss in boots style)
Greyleaf couldn't say no to his cute-face, and Blackpaw knew it. As an apprentice he would always get her to do his chores for him by using that face, and she still fell for it now. If I can't say no to him, how will I be able to say no when I have my own apprentice.
She sighed, motioned with a flick of the ear for him to sit beside her, and scooted over to the left.
Blackpaw settled next to her and they ate side by side. When they were finished, they shared tongues and then stood up. Greyleaf noticed that he was still taller than her. I always have to be the short one. She thought, looking down and kicking at a pebble near her foot.
They said their goodbyes just as Sunstar called out for the gathering, and Blackpaw gave her a forced smile before disappearing inside of the apprentice den.
Greyleaf bounded over to join the rest of the cats going to the gathering, and as she raced out of the camp she couldn't stop herself from yowling with glee. My first gathering as a warrior! I can't wait!