Warriors
Chapter 9
I woke up and looked around the den. Brackenpaw and Hazelpaw were gone, but their nests were still warm and it was then that the slightly chilly air reached me. I shivered and snuggled deeper into my nest and looked over at Mosspaw and Smokepaw who were curled close to each other both still fast asleep, just like Nightpaw was beside me.
"Up already?" I jumped when Honeyclaw padded into the den and then my stomach growled as I saw that she was carrying four mice in her mouth. "Special delivery, an order from Puddlestar wake the others and when you're finished eating come and see Puddlestar and me," Honeyclaw said and she came over and licked my shoulder.
"Mice?" Mosspaw's head lifted into the air and her eyes were staring at the mice as if they were an illusion.
"I'm starving," Smokepaw said and reached forward and grabbed two of them and gave one to Mosspaw and kept the other one for him.
"Nightpaw you lazy cat," I teased as I nudged Nightpaw.
"I'm not lazy, just tired," Nightpaw grumbled as I gently pushed the mouse over towards him with my paw. The sweet and juicy taste of it felt amazing. We all were silent for a little while until I cleared my throat and swallowed.
"Honeyclaw said that when we're done we're to go see Puddlestar," I said and Nightpaw nodded.
"He probably wants to hear about our journey," Nightpaw said and I shrugged.
"What if he wants to say we did an awesome job?" Mosspaw asked and again I shrugged.
"He already knows we did an awesome job and there is no reason to congratulate us since everyone knows it now," Smokepaw said and I snorted.
"He's not going to throw some banquet for us, this is a clan he actually will ask for our journey story and congratulate us afterwards," I explained and Smokepaw sighed.
"I was joking," Smokepaw said and I rolled my eyes.
"Hey if we're going to see Puddlestar we need to look nice not like stupid kits who can't groom their own fur," Mosspaw snapped as she finished her mouse. She began to groom her fur and eventually we all were as seeing Puddlestar did mean we should look nice. Afterwards I finished my mouse and gave my fur one last little groom and then I stood up. Smokepaw led the way out into the clearing where a warm sun was reflecting down on the camp.
"Come on let's go," Mosspaw said anxiously and we all hurried across the clearing and stood at the entrance to Puddlestar's den.
"Come in," Puddlestar called and we all slid past the long hanging of vines that stretched across the entrance. Puddlestar was seated in his nest a half-eaten sparrow pushed to the side. Honeyclaw was sitting close by along with Willowtail, Sunstreak, Pebblefoot, and Oakfur. Only Puddlestar looked up as we entered and he signaled for us to sit beside our mentors and we did. Willowtail smiled at me her eyes bright with excitement, but I didn't know why.
"Do you want to hear what happened yesterday?" Mosspaw asked and I saw Pebblefoot nudge her.
"No I talked to Kite, she told me everything," Puddlestar said and I hoped she hadn't told him of my falling over the edge of the ravine. "She told me that you all fought Talon and his two rogues who escaped when you weren't noticing and when he fell over the edge of the ravine you all were starting to relax when we arrived," Puddlestar said and I blinked with relief.
"Then why are we here?" Nightpaw asked quietly.
"Well, when Kite explained your story she didn't skip on any details of how well you all were fighting," Honeyclaw said. "She explained how you worked together and how well you all anticipated Talon's move and how you fought like true warriors," Honeyclaw added and nodded to Puddlestar.
"When Kite said that I called your mentors in and she told them about your fighting skills once more and we've all agreed on something," Puddlestar said and I glanced over at Willowtail who pressed closer to me. "We all agreed that you're ready to become warriors," Puddlestar said and I glanced at Willowtail who was staring at me and now I realized what her excitement had been all about.
"Really?" I could tell Mosspaw was bursting with excitement, hell I was too!
"Yes, now hush before I change my mind," Pebblefoot whispered and Mosspaw squeaked excitedly before quieting down.
"Of course you'll have to work to show us, you all are to be sent out hunting, if you each bring back at least three pieces of prey you all can become warriors, but it had to be done before sunset tonight," Puddlestar and his gaze flickered over everyone. "Also you must do this on your own no one is to help another, this is a test to prove you are ready to become a warrior," Puddlestar concluded and flicked his tail, signaling we were all dismissed. We all silently padded out into the clearing and it was there that our mentors all rounded on us, their faces expressionless.
"You heard Puddlestar, you've got until sunset," Willowtail instructed.
"Mosspaw you take the north end of the territory, Nightpaw the south end, Smokepaw east end, Twigpaw the west end," Sunstreak said and the rest of the mentors nodded.
"Off you go and remember we'll be watching you like any normal hunting assessment," Pebblefoot added. I glanced at my friends and Nightpaw hurriedly led the way across the clearing and out into the forest. We all padded to the entrance to the woods and then we stopped and gathered in a small group.
"He said if we all bring three pieces of prey back by sunset then we can all become warriors this worries me now," Mosspaw said and I could tell her excitement had long since vanished.
"Relax you and Twigpaw are like the best hunters you won't have any problem," Smokepaw said comfortingly, but I snorted.
"I got the hardest area to hunt in," I said and Smokepaw realized his mistake. I was probably the best hunter, but the west end of the territory was definitely the worst part to hunt in, there wasn't a lot of cover, but still I had to stay hopeful. "Don't worry guys, I'll find three pieces of prey even if it kills me," I said and I bid good luck to them before I raced off towards the west end of the territory. My scratches still hurt, but I was enjoying the wind and the wonderful sights of the forest too much. Everything after the battle with Talon, Jay, and Sparrow looked more hopeful, or maybe it wasn't because of the battle, but of Nightpaw and how he had saved me and told me he loved me? I shook myself and skidded to a halt and took a few deep breaths before I began my hunt that might decide the fate of me and my denmates.
I was crouching so low to the ground I felt like part of the Earth itself until I shot upwards and caught the sparrow that had taken off seconds previously. I killed it swiftly and sighed with relief, it was my fourth kill and I should really be getting back, it was only a little past sunhigh, but I still had to carry four pieces of prey back to camp. I turned and then out of habit I crouched low as I scented the everlasting scent of mouse. I stalked the prey and then killed it and I felt better than ever as I gathered every single piece and headed back towards camp. I scented Nightpaw on my way back to camp, but I made sure to keep away so as not to disturb him and then I heard a rustling behind me.
"Good I could use some help," I called over my shoulder and Willowtail purred as she came up beside me.
"you did good, and you caught extra prey too, that's the way a real warrior thinks," Willowtail commented as she picked up the sparrow and the mouse and we both started back to camp. When we arrived Honeyclaw was just padding away from Oakfur who immediately went over to Smokepaw who was waiting intently by the apprentices den. Smokepaw's gaze flickered over to us and jealousy boiled in them briefly before he drew his attention back to Oakfur. We dropped my catch on the pile and Honeyclaw came up purring loudly.
"Willowtail, I think Twigpaw is going to give you a run for the best hunter in the clan," Honeyclaw said and then she counted the prey and looked up at the sun. "five pieces in about an hour, good job Twigpaw, so far you and Smokepaw have brought in your part of the deal," Honeyclaw said and then she straightened up and scooted to the side slightly. I turned to see Nightpaw padding proudly into the camp with four pieces of prey, all mice, dangling from his jaws. Sunstreak padded behind him and Honeyclaw met him along the way as Nightpaw deposited his prey onto the pile.
"It's all up to Mosspaw now," I whispered as we both padded towards Smokepaw.
"I scented her on my way back to camp, but well you know Mosspaw she'll be everywhere in her part of the territory," Smokepaw said and he opened his mouth to say more, but then he stood up on his hindlegs and we looked to the entrance to the camp where Mosspaw was just entering the camp with two mice in her jaws. She didn't look upset or disappointed, but I wa then I saw that Pebblefoot was carrying two more mice and my heart soared.
"She did it," Nightpaw called excitedly.
"Did what?" Brackenpaw and Hazelpaw were coming out of the elders' den.
"Tonight is our warrior ceremony," Smokepaw boasted proudly and Brackenpaw glared with jealousy in his eyes, but Hazelpaw looked sad.
"It should've been Grasspaw with you," Hazelpaw whispered when I inquired about her sadness.
"Grasspaw would want us to be happy, heck if she were here she'd be beyond thrilled for the four of us," Mosspaw said, who must have overheard the last past of the conversation.
"She's right, here Grasspaw would probably have been a warrior already, but in Starclan she could be a kit for all they cared, but really she was already a warrior," Nightpaw explained calmly and the jealousy that Brackenpaw had in his eyes turned to excitement.
"Now I'll be the elder apprentice," Brackenpaw said excitedly and he glanced at Hazelpaw. "now you'll have to listen to me and Spiderfur," Brackenpaw said and then Hazelpaw leaped and soon they were wrestling playfully on the ground.
"If you two are going to fight, let's go to the training hollow then, we haven't taught you any fighting moves in a while now," Spiderfur called across from the warriors den. Owlwhisker appeared behind him and all four disappeared out of camp.
"You four had better get ready," Honeyclaw was padding up flanked by their mentors. "Your ceremony will be after dinner," Honeyclaw announced and fear and excitement flooded into my veins and at last I was pleased with myself, my clan, my mentor, and with my victories and losses.
I didn't know why, but I decided to visit Kite, Eiffel and Calluse. All three were taking refuge in Cinderwing's den and he kept reporting to Puddlestar that Kite needed more time to heal and that maybe she'd be here a moon maybe more, but I partly thought he only was making part of it up so that he had someone, or some cats to talk to and to keep him company. I padded calmly into the den and found Eiffel grooming his fur, while Calluse was lounging lazily next to him quietly whispering stuff and Kite was helping Cinderwing sort herbs.
"Hello Twigpaw," Cinderwing greeted and stood up and padded over to me and we touched noses. "I heard the good news from Puddlestar who came to visit while you were out hunting, you're becoming a warrior that's wonderful news," Cinderwing said and I purred. Cinderwing always acted like a fatherly figure towards me and I really appreciated it.
"Thanks," I said and I saw that Calluse, Eiffel, and Kite were all staring and nodded to them and Cinderwing turned and saw their puzzled looks and chuckled.
"Being a warrior means Twigpaw has completed her training and the ending of her name changes to something that Puddlestar chooses like her mentor Willowtail used to be Willowpaw, but now her name is Willowtail, because that is the name Puddlestar chose her to have," Cinderwing explained and he beckoned me further into the den. I followed him and seated myself beside Calluse who was staring up at me like I was the best thing in the world.
"A warrior? That must be a huge honor," Eiffel commented and I nodded.
"It's one the greatest moments in your life really, what you work up for," I whispered and Calluse shrugged.
"Sounds boring really, you just do the exact same thing you're doing now," Calluse said and I shifted uncomfortably and I was slightly offended.
"It's not about the jobs you have to do, but its about why you do them," I said quietly. "You do them, because you want the clan to thrive and be strong and healthy, if you don't feel that the clan deserves to survive for a long time, then why even be in the clan? No offense, but if you were in the clan you'd see things a lot differently," I added and Calluse stared at me at first with slight fury, but then with surprise.
"Those are pretty powerful words," Calluse finally said and he sat up and stared at me intently. "They sound like something Puddlestar might say, to tell you the truth," Calluse added and I seemed slightly stunned as I reviewed what I had said in my mind and Calluse was right, they did sound a lot like what Puddlestar would say. "Also, if you'd give us a chance to be in your clan then maybe we could see what's so great about it," Calluse said and I stood up and stared at Calluse.
"cinderwing already asked Puddlestar if you all could stay," I whispered, but it was loud enough that all four heard me. Calluse, Eiffel, and Kite looked up at Cinderwing who was staring at me with amazement and curiosity. He stepped towards me his eyes wide.
"You were out hunting Twigpaw, how'd you know that I'd asked Puddlestar?" Cinderwing asked and I looked at my paws.
"I d-don't know, it j-just was there, I swear I d-didn't eavesdrop or a-anything, but I was talking and t-the words were already t-there like they had been p-put there," I stuttered and Cinderwing blinked rapidly and he nodded towards the entrance to his den. I padded over and turned to see that he had followed me and we both sat down.
"Twigpaw, this may seem a little weird, but your future holds more than just being a simple warrior, it holds a lot more than you could ever imagine, but it has something to do with those three over there and somehow they are a part of your future and if your true destiny is going to come true then they must stay here in the clan and Puddlestar already said they could stay, Kite can help me with my work and I can train her a little and Eiffel and Calluse can become warriors along with you, they know how to hunt and fight and teaching them the warrior code is easy," Cinderwing explained to me and I just stared at him blankly.
"Cinderwing I don't know why, but I have a feeling that you are right, but my true destiny can never come out exactly as you or anyone else really wants it too, you of all people should know that I always choose the path less chosen," I whispered and Cinderwing nodded thoughtfully.
"Of course, but take this as a warning, sometimes the path less chosen will get you into trouble and dig you into a bunch of problems you may not want to get tangled in, but the way I see it, you'll always shine like the brightest star in the sky, Twigstar," Cinderwing said and he gazed at me proudly and then he blinked just as he realized the mistake he had made, calling me Twigstar instead of Twigpaw, but something told me that it hadn't been a mistake and that really that was who I am, the leader deep down that no one will expect to emerge and take over.