Chapter II
Many moons had passed since my warrior ceremony. Our old leader, Sunstar, had died, and Bluefur was now leader. I strongly disliked her. She was soft, and agreed to anything that was asked of her without thinking. Four new warriors had been named in that time as well. Runningpaw was Runningwind, Willowpaw was Willowpelt, Brindlepaw was Brindleface, and my dear Goldenpaw was Goldenflower.
I had also obtained my own apprentice, much to my joy. Having an apprentice was essential if you wanted to be deputy. And he wasn't bad either. I had trained him to be ruthless in battle, and never give in to weakness. His name was Darkpaw. Soon after, he was made a warrior, and named Darkstripe.
Also, Whitestorm and the new deputy, Redtail, had gotten apprentices, Sandpaw and Dustpaw. Dustpaw I liked. He admired me and he would be a good ally one day.
I had made a plan. At the Gathering, I would hint to some RiverClan cats that now would be a good time to claim Sunningrocks for themselves. I trusted they would pick up the hint and tell Crookedstar. I guessed they would attack around sun-up the next day. I would take a patrol there with Redtail. Then, when the others where all busy, I would kill him. I had worked hard to become one of Bluestar's favorites.
But Bluestar had a surprise for me. While I was thinking over the plan and eating, she came up to me. "Tigerclaw, as you know two new apprentices will be named at sunhigh," she told me. "You will be mentoring one." I nodded, containing my excitement. Darkstripe had become a warrior only two moons ago, and I knew I must have done a good job if she was giving me another so soon. "Thank you Bluestar. I meowed.
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Just as she had promised, at sunhigh the familiar summons rang out around the clearing. Several cats -including me- were already waiting there.
"We are gathered here today to name two apprentices," she meowed. Beckoning to the first kit, a gray tom, she recited the ceremonial words. "From this day on until he has earned his warrior name, this apprentice will be known as Graypaw. Lionheart, you will mentor Graypaw. You are a noble warrior and I know you will pass on your skills to him."
Lionheart bent down and touched noses with his new apprentice. I looked over to the other kit and barely stifled a hiss of annoyance. He was a jet-black tom with a small, white dash on his chest and a white tipped tail. But that was not what had annoyed me. This kit was small and frail. When he saw me looking at him he hid behind his mother. Why did I have to mentor this kit? He was useless! He should have been killed at birth!
Bluestar didn't notice. Nodding to the kit, she meowed, "from this day on this apprentice will be known as Ravenpaw. Tigerclaw, you will mentor Ravenpaw. Patchpelt was your mentor, and I hope you pass on what you learned to this apprentice"
As I stepped forward to greet my apprentice, I saw his eyes widen, and he shrank back. A nudge from his mother made his take a few shaky steps toward me until I could reach down and touch his nose. In that moment I saw fear reflected in his eyes. I would have to be careful or he would guess my plan to be deputy.
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The next day at dawn, I pushed my way into the apprentice's den. "Come on, Ravenpaw. If you're going to be an apprentice you have to get used to being up before dawn." I told him, unsheathing one claw to poke in case he wouldn't get up. But there was no need. The minute I stopped speaking he jumped up.
"Where are we going?" He asked dubiously. "Sunningrocks first," I replied. "Then I'll show you the rest of the territory." Spotting the deputy talking to Whitestorm, I called out in my best 'friendly voice', "Hey Redtail! I'm showing Ravenpaw around. Want to come?" I held my breath, hoping.
He cast a last glance around the clearing. Satisfied that everything was going well, He nodded. "Sure. I just have to tell Bluestar." Then he ran off. I smiled.
A few moments later he reappeared. "Alright, let's go. Dustpaw isn't coming. I want him to stay behind and help out around camp." He set of at a trot with Ravenpaw and me following.
When we arrived, Sunningrocks was deserted. Turning to Ravenpaw I asked, "What can you smell?" Opening his mouth he replied, "Vole, ThunderClan of course, and," He stopped. "I don't know. Tigerclaw, what is that?" "RiverClan." Redtail replied. Lifting his nose to the wind, which was blowing towards us, he added, "and it's fresh to!"
"No surprise," A voice behind us growled, "What are you doing on RiverClan territory?" I whipped around… and came face to face with Oakheart, the RiverClan deputy.