Sharkpaw crept forward, her white belly brushing the layer of dead leaves on the forest floor. A shaft of weak sunlight filtered through the canopy, briefly illuminating the she-cat's prey. A small bird scratched at the leaf-litter, oblivious to Sharkpaw's intent. In one swift movement, the grey apprentice had the little bird pinned. Swiping her claws quickly across her victim's throat, she suddenly tensed. Something was moving quietly through the clump of ferns near Sharkpaw's hunting place. Opening her jaws to let the moist air slide over her tongue, she picked up the stale scent of crowfood. A rogue cat, on Forest and Sea territory! Instantly dropping into a hunting crouch, Sharkpaw crept over to the ferns and leapt on the small streak of black fur visible through the sweeping fronds. 'ACK!!! What are you doing?!?' yowled Brolga indignantly, as Sharkpaw hurredly let go of him.
Sharkpaw blinked apologetically. 'I'm sorry, I just smelt rogue! I didn't stop to think that it was you!'
'That's right. You didn't think.' hissed Brolga, suddenly angry.
Taken aback, Sharkpaw just twitched her ears nervously in response. Brolga stalked off, lashing his tail. What had caused the usually easygoing and cheerful cat to become so mad so fast? Totally perplexed, Sharkpaw made her way back to the camp.
ssssssssssssssssss
'And then he walked off!'Sharkpaw had just explained what had happened while she was hunting today. Dewpaw listened intently, her whiskers screwed up with concentration.
'Maybe he didn't like being called rogue, that's all.' the tortoiseshell she-cat mewed slowly, 'I mean, he likes to think he's part of the tribe now. Brolga wouldn't like being called rogue again.'
'I know! What if he's like Pelicanfoot!' Sharkpaw waved her tail excitedly (deliberately ignoring her friend). Dewpaw, however, looked around nervously. 'Shhh!'
'What if they're in it together- trying to undermine the tribe!' whispered Sharkpaw triumphantly.
'Next you'll be telling me Thunderstar is a bird!' mewed Dewpaw sceptically.
Sharkpaw opened her mouth to retort, but was cut off. Thunderstar's yowl boomed around the clearing.
'Let all cats who have been visited by Greenleaf assemble below Highstone!'
(Greenleaf had been a medicine cat when the tribes were formed. She now visited new apprentices to welcome them to the life of a warrior.)
Sharkpaw walked over and sat with Burntpaw, pointedly turning her back on Dewpaw. The tortoiseshell rolled her eyes and padded over to where Finchpaw and Duskpaw were flopped.
'Because tonight is the gathering before the Greenleaf's Sun, only Wrenpaw will be attending.'
This was met with the usual unhappy murmuring from the apprentices. Thunderstar twitched his whiskers amusedly.
'You know that this is happens every Greenleaf's Sun. The apprentices must rest and practice for the competitions. Clayfur and Ternfeather will be helping train them. Laurelpelt, Skybreeze, Rosellaheart….'
The leader's voice faded from Sharkpaw's mind, replaced by thoughts of Greenleaf's Sun. She would be entering the hunting and fighting games. Last Greenleaf's Sun had been great. Sharkpaw had won the fighting competition and the hunting competition. The reason she was worried was Dewpaw. When Brolga had hissed at her, the young she-cat had seen something strange. Behind Brolga, just for a heartbeat, Sharkpaw had seen a limp cat lying on the leaf-litter. The body had beautiful tortoiseshell fur with a long, white tail. The apprentice had seen her best friend lying limp on the ground!
Sorry it took so long to update! I've had so many assessments… stupid maths.
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