Warriors: Rise of Three
Chapter 4
(a/n): No wittiness. I keep forgetting. I must remember this time! So… evil kitty ideas? Crazy what happened in the last chapter, eh? Who's right? Who's wrong? What will happen to the kits? WHAT IS GOING ON BETWEEN STREAMPAW AND SHADOWPAW!? AND SOOTFUR AND ROSEPAW!? Hm…. It's still a mystery… READ ON AND REVIEW OR THE POTATOES WILL EAT YOUR BRAINS!!!!!
Featherpaw batted at her father as he laid on his moss nest, head turned away from her. He seemed asleep, but actually was far from that in reality. Seeming to realize that, she leapt over him and looked him squarely in the eyes.
"Crowfeather, what's wrong? So WindClan and ThunderClan fought a little bit! No one was hurt! It's not like the Clans are going to war over this…" Featherpaw mewed, trying desperately to cheer her father up, but to no prevail. So, determinedly, she continued, "When are we seeing Shadowpaw, Rosepaw, Winterpaw, and Leafpool again?" Crowfeather shook his head and trudged out of the den, crossing the moor, and running out of camp, leaviing Featherpaw along on the brim of camp.
Where was he going?
Rosepaw watched as Sootfur showed her how to fight an opponent twice your size. He dove under an invisible opponent, rolling on his back, and slashing vigorously at the cat's underbelly. She watched in awe; he was so exact. So practiced. She nodded and copied his movements, slower and careful so she wouldn't make a mistake. Sootfur smiled and nodded.
"Great. Really great. Where's Dustpelt, by the way?" Sootfur looked around camp, swiveling his head around.
"Patrolling along WindClan. He told me I should hunt, but considering the circumstances, this would be more practical," Rosepaw stated plainly and practiced the move again, faster and easier this time. Sootfur nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, but we should still stock up a bit more. The warriors are probably hungry. Here, how about I go with you? We'll catch more prey together."
"Allright!" It was the first time Rosepaw was enthusiastic about a duty. Sootfur seemed to have noticed; his look of shock was priceless.They padded out of camp, not returning until sunhigh when Dustpelt was eager to begin training again. However, seeing the joy on Rosepaw's expression, he decided to let the two play for a while. Who knows? It could be the last time any of them enjoyed themselves…
Pulling dock from the store, Winterpaw gingerly applied it to a scratch behind Shadowpaw's ear. He winced for a moment and then decided to bite his tongue. Leafpool watched, enjoying how much her daughter had learned with the few days since she became her apprentice. Then, remembering her quarrel with Crowfeather, her mood became solemn, unfeeling. Suddenly, a series of yowls were heard from the camp entrance.
"Winterpaw, run and find the patrols! Now!" Leafpool howled as she hid Shadowpaw in her den before running into the heat of battle.
Sootfur and Rosepaw battled side by side. Sootfur dodged easily, Rosepaw rolling under them nimbly before striking. Sootfurdashed off to defend Sorreltail and Rainwhisker, leaving Rosepaw helpless. She leapt onto her opponent, blind to who it is.
"Rosepaw!" Crowfeather cried as her claws raked his back. She froze, turned to face him, hissed, and ran to help Sootfur. She wasn't ashamed. This was war. Clan before kin.
Kin are nothing in war.