Chapter 6: Wolf

The day went by quickly, Pinekit and Owlkit talked energetically as they finished their prey. Even with the threat of Shrewkit the camp buzzed with excitement. The sun was beginning to set into the horizon; this made them even more excited. The only one who didn't look excited was the always moody, Shrewkit. He sat away from his siblings, even though he didn't show it he had a plan to leave this clan. Owlkit knew all to well he was putting on a fake face.

An eerie mood set the littermates, Pinekit was keeping well away from Shrewkit, and worried she might disrupt him in some way. Even with the shock of her brother having an evil, cruel side to him the camp went on with life unknowingly.

When the suns light bled into the sky was when Maplestar leaped onto Tall Boulder and yowled to his clan, he stood strong and bold atop the rock, which was worn away from generations of other leaders. His grey eyes had a warm shimmer in them.

"Every cat old enough to catch their own prey gathers around Tall Boulder for a clan meeting!" He yowled.

The cats of Serpentclan crept out of their dens like a small stream. Some elders were grumbling about being wakened. All the warriors were eager to learn the names of the mentors for the young kits.

Owlkit, Pinekit, and Shrewkit sat at the base of Tall Boulder, their fur prickled with excitement. Even Shrewkit put on a mask of excitement, but for different reasons then the rest of them.

Sandtail was licking all their pelts making them shine; her soft green eyes were glowing with pride. Her rumbling purr proved his theory.

"Lionfire would be so proud of you; he's probably watching you from Silverclan right now." Sandtail meowed, her voice full of pride.

Owlkit kept his head high; he had a proud spirit, eyes gleaming with victory. This was his first victory, in the long run. With a wide grin he looked over to Maplestar.

Maplestar started, "I know we have had hard times, with the other clans. Constant battles, but apprentice's show us are future is bright!" Maplestar yowled.

Cats yowled their agreement, their loud calls jubilant and gleeful, as if all the battles and betrayal had vanished into thin air.

He waited for it to die down, "Three kits have reached the age of six moons and behaved themselves!" Maplestar paused.

Owlkit shuffled his paws in a guilty way, but it didn't last long.



"But know they are ready to be apprentices! Pinekit and Lizardfur please step forward!"

The warrior and kit came toward their leader; Pinekit's excitement was easily seen.

"Pinekit in tell the moment you finish your training you shall be known as Pinepaw! Lizardfur will mentor you. Lizardfur you have shown wisdom and courage I hope you pass all these skills into this apprentice!"

Pinepaw touched noses with the wise grey warrior and sank into the crowd of her clan mates.

"Shrewkit and Orangefur please step forward!"

They came close to their leader, Shrewkit didn't show any emotion.

"Shrewkit until the moment you finish your training you shall be known as Shrewpaw! Orangefur even though young, you have shown kindness and wiliness to improve your clan!"

Shrewpaw touched noses with Orangefur but he wasn't happy about it. And he quickly drew away with the other cats.

"Finally, Owlkit, please come forward!"

Owlkit was confused why no other cat came forward, but it didn't take long for him to figure it out.

"Owlkit in tell the moment you finish your training you will be known as Owlpaw! I will mentor you myself!"

Mutters of excitement burst into the silent clearing.

Maplestar silenced them "I have always tried to be the best for my clan, and I will try to pass all I know into this apprentice!" Maplestar announced.

The two cats touched noses. He purred and dipped his head in respect at the leader. The full moon was the next day, he would be going. Even if he had to clean every elder of their ticks, but he suddenly raised his nose and with a flick of his ears he heard rapid, panicked Paw steps.

Owlpaw gazed over at the tunnel entrance, everyone else followed as if ordered to. A blurry shape was coming closer, at a break neck speed.

Skunkstripe ran in tripping over his own tail, panting. His eyes were wide with silent shock and fear. He looked as if he had seen his entire family burned alive. But Icepelt was at his side, trying to comfort him.

"It's the biggest wolf I ever saw! It's Raggedstar of the ancient age, he wants Owlkit!" He exclaimed.

"Actually it's Owl-" But he was cut off.

"No time for corrections now Owlpaw," Maplestar mewed sharply.

Maplestar's tone worried Owlpaw, it seemed very worried and urgent, and something he didn't hear often from Maplestar.



The queens glanced around with worried expressions. Foxpelt picked up an overexcited Lizardkit in her jaws, and circled her tail around the timid little Cricketkit, her eyes wide with fear.

"Where is Raggedstar?" demanded Maplestar with not a speck of patience.

"He's over at the Owl-tree, Maplestar." He stuttered.

"Good, Owlpaw go there, Raggedstar will tell you why."

Owlpaw gave him a confused worried look and nodded. He ran off and thought of the stories of Raggedstar the Rouge. But it always fascinated him, the huge dangerous rouge wolf, bent on killing all cat kind. That wolf alone had started the wars against both cat and wolf. Endless feuds and disagreements had come from one single wolf.

Now as he rushed toward this tyrant, he felt a sudden blast of fear come over him. How did this old, dead wolf know his name? It was all very different for Owlpaw; never had he even encountered a wolf, now he was being ordered to one.

Trees flashed before him, he had always wished to run through the forest as an apprentice. But not under such conditions, his paws might be carrying him to his own demise.