Okay like I mentioned in the Chapter before I'm going to give you a clue who Goldenclaw's parents are. You might be able to figure out who his mother is in this Chapter if you have read the first series closely enough.
Chapter 6
The trio turned around and saw Goldenclaw approaching them. The warrior looked at the three with a worried expression.
" Hello Goldenclaw we were only taking Firepaw out to hunt." meowed Mossflower. Goldenclaw looked surprised by her answer.
"But the sun has gone down, why don't you just wait till tomorrow?" Goldenclaw meowed. Scourgeclaw opened his mouth to tell the golden warrior that he didn't need to know anything, when Mossflower covered his muzzle with her tail.
"Scourgeclaw was going to show him how to hunt at night. Scourgeclaw use to hunt at night and thought it would be useful to teach Firepaw how to hunt at night." she mewed softly. Goldenclaw nodded.
"Oh I understand, would you mind if I came with you?" Scourgeclaw looked uncomfortable, but Mossflower agreed to let him come.
The four cats headed toward the sandy hollow. Scourgeclaw brought up the rear, while Goldenclaw and Firepaw walked side by side leading the way. Mossflower padded along a few pawsteps behind them. She dropped back to speak with Scourgeclaw.
"What's wrong now?" she meowed with a sigh. Scourgeclaw looked incredulously at her.
"What do you mean what's wrong? He's what's wrong." hissed Scourgeclaw under his breath as he glared at the back of Goldenclaw's head. Mossflower sighed again.
"I know you didn't want to bring him, but we couldn't afford not to." Scourgeclaw looked at her confused.
"What do you mean by that." hissed Scourgeclaw.
"It looks less suspicious of us." meowed Mossflower.
"We're aren't doing anything that would be considered suspicious."
"We may not be doing anything suspicious, but that doesn't mean we didn't look like we were. In fact I bet Goldenclaw thought that we were leaving the Clan." Scourgeclaw thought about how it might have looked to the golden warrior and realized that Mossflower was right. The three of them leaving the camp so late at night made looked as though they were either leaving or secretly planning something. Scourge sighed and resigned to the fact that it was better to have Goldenclaw with them, than have the whole Clan suspicious of them.
When they arrived at the training hollow Goldenclaw and Mossflower moved off to watch Scourgeclaw and Firepaw.
"Alright Firepaw, listen up. Hunting at night isn't easy. The only light we get is from the moon, but our prey has a hard time seeing in the dark. We don't have to be as cautious about being seen, but we have to worry about being heard or scented. Right now I want to work on your hunting crouch before we do anything else. Now I want you to watch what I do." Scourgeclaw meowed as he got into a crouch and crept carefully across the sandy hollow. Firepaw watched him closely before making his first attempt at the crouch. Scourgeclaw snorted loudly.
"What have I told you about moving softly? Do you want a mouse to here you or feel you coming? Now try it again." meowed Scourge.
As the two practiced Mossflower and Goldenclaw watched them closely.
"Scourgeclaw is a good teacher, a little harsh, but I can see that Firepaw respects him and hangs on his words." Goldenclaw meowed with an impressed look on his face.
"Though he may hide it, Scourgeclaw does care about Firepaw." Mossflower meowed. Goldenclaw nodded.
"He's a good brother. I wish I could have been as good of a brother to my own brother." Goldenclaw's eyes became clouded with grief. Mossflower eyes widened.
"You had a brother?" Goldenclaw nodded the look of sadness not leaving his eyes.
"Yes, his name was Wildkit, he had so much energy, I was the only one who could understand him. One day he went missing, we don't know what happened to him. The clan searched for him, but we never found him." Mossflower placed her tail on Goldenclaw's shoulder to comfort the golden warrior. Mossflower thought for a moment about herself. 'Did I have siblings?' Mossflower thought for a moment. 'I did, the elder's said Bluestar's kits went missing. What happen to them? Bluestar should have given them to Kana also, so why didn't she?' Mossflower hid her troubled thoughts and settled for watching the training session. After many attempts Firepaw seemed to be getting the hang of stalking. Scourgeclaw nodded in approval.
"Alright lets go back to camp." meowed Scourgeclaw. Firepaw gave him a look of disappointment.
"I thought we were going to hunt?" Scourgeclaw sighed.
"We were, but its too late tonight to go hunting and you have training early tomorrow and I have no doubt Mossflower and I are going to be busy with warrior duties. We all need to be in top form, we wouldn't want the others to think we're lazy kittypets would you?" Firepaw's eyes burned with determination as he shook his head no. Mossflower looked over at Goldenclaw, and hoped the golden warrior wasn't offended by Scourgeclaw's comment. Surprisingly Goldenclaw seemed amused by Scourgeclaw and his eye's glowed with humor.
The four left the hollow making a quiet journey back to camp. As they padded through the forest, Firepaw broke away from the group and disappeared behind a bramble bush. Mossflower moved to get him, when the fiery apprentice appeared with a mouse hanging from his jaws. Mossflower purred softly, Scourgeclaw gave him a pleased nod and Goldenclaw congratulated him on his first catch. Scourgeclaw decided that they all should bring back a piece of prey. They spread out to look for more prey. The group came back together with three more mice, two shrews and a vole. When the group arrived back at the camp, the first thing they saw were the cats who had gone to the gathering in the clearing. Bluestar's eyes widened in alarm when she saw the four enter the camp, she moved quickly over to them.
"What's wrong? Why were the four of you out of camp so late?" Bluestar demanded. Scourgeclaw and Mossflower shared a look. They went to explain, but were stopped by Goldenclaw.
"Its not their fault Bluestar, they are use to being active at night and they were restless so I decide to take them to the training hollow to teach Firepaw how to stalk prey and it paid off" Goldenclaw meowed as he nodded his head at Firepaw's catch. Bluestar looked at her three newest clanmates carefully, then she nodded her head with a sigh.
"I can understand that, but it would have been better if you had found something to do in camp rather than run off into the forest." Mossflower quickly covered Scourgeclaw's muzzle, expecting the dark warrior to say something he would later regret. She was surprised when Firepaw spoke up instead.
"We didn't do anything bad, all we did was practice on my hunting technique. What's wrong with that?" Bluestar sighed.
"Every cat I leave behind is suppose to protect the camp and take care of each other." meowed Bluestar. Goldenclaw moved to stand beside Firepaw.
"I'm sorry Bluestar, don't be angry with them, I should have come up with something for them to do in camp." Goldenclaw meowed. Mossflower wore a look of surprise on her face. Scourgeclaw looked at Goldenclaw with suspicion. Bluestar nodded.
"I'm not mad, just be more careful next time, and get some rest " Bluestar meowed as she moved toward her den. Goldenclaw led them over to the fresh-kill pile. As the four put their catches in the fresh-kill pile, Graypaw and Runningwind came up to the group. Graypaw led Firepaw back to the apprentice den, after the fiery apprentice said goodnight to his brother and Mossflower. Runningwind moved to stand beside Mossflower their pelts brushing each other..
"Where did you three go while we were gone?" He meowed after looking closely at each of them. Goldenclaw told Runningwind the same thing he told Bluestar. Scourgeclaw was suspicious of Goldenclaw, he couldn't understand why the golden warrior would take the blame for something that wasn't his fault. As he listened to the Goldenclaw's explanation of their absence, he started to notice just how close Runningwind was to Mossflower. Scourgeclaw inwardly snorted 'why should I care if he's trying to get close to her?' When Goldenclaw had finished his explanation he decided to head off to the warriors den.
"Its good you all were okay, we had just come back from the gathering." meowed Runningwind. Mossflower's eyes lit up
"Really? Did any thing happen there?" Runningwind shook his head.
"No, they only talked about how well prey was running and how many kits were born. Things like that" He meowed.
"Well I'm going to get some sleep, do you want to go on dawn patrol tomorrow?" Scourgeclaw mewed. Mossflower nodded.
"Sure, I'll go tell Lionheart we will go on the dawn patrol." Runningwind meowed as he bounded off to find the deputy. Scourgeclaw turned his attention to Mossflower.
"Want to go get some rest?" asked Scourgeclaw as he started toward the warrior's den.
"Yeah, but I'm just going to wait for Runningwind to come back." meowed Mossflower. Scourgeclaw shrugged. He padded into the warriors den, and immediately felt eyes on him.
"Well if it isn't the kittypet back from his little stroll. Did you enjoy not going to the gathering?" meowed Longtail. Mousefur had an amused expression on her face. Scourgeclaw opened his mouth to retort back when Goldenclaw beat him to it.
"Yes because kittypets hunt at night and bring prey back to their nests to eat." meowed Goldenclaw. "He's a way better hunter than you Longtail, After all he didn't have to go out and bring back prey for the Clan so late at night, but he did." Longtail huffed and curled into his nest. Scourgeclaw growled under his breath, but said nothing. 'I don't need his protection. I want to be back with my cats where I get the respect I deserve, but that won't do, not yet at least.' Scourgeclaw gave a nod to Goldenclaw before curling into his nest and falling asleep.
Two moons had passed since the three had joined ThunderClan. Scourgeclaw was out hunting in the middle of the pine forest. He still pondered why ThunderClan's scent wasn't as strong in this part of the forest as it was among the oak trees. He sniffed through the undergrowth and scented a rabbit. He raced quickly after the rabbit as it charged through the forest. He was gaining ground on the rabbit and was ready to pounce, when it darted into a thorn tunnel. He moved carefully into the thorn tunnel and paused to look around. Scourgeclaw felt as though he had walked into another camp. The rabbit he had been chasing was long forgotten as his curiosity got the better of him. He stood in the clearing an looked around. He walked over to some thorny bushes their was an opening big enough for a cat to get into. There was soft grass that covered the ground underneath the thorn bushes. The space was big enough for many cats to lay in. He walked out of the tunnel and moved to another bush that had thorny brambles surrounding it. The bush in the center had soft earth underneath it. He moved away from there and padded over to a tree stump that had a hole in one side. He looked inside and found that the ground was sandy beneath his paws. Padded all around the potential camp and thought it would make a good home for a Clan of cats and briefly wondered why ThunderClan didn't use the camp or hunt in this part of the forest. 'I wonder if they even know about this camp?' he thought briefly. He padded out of the thorn tunnel intending to get back to hunting when he heard a growl to the right of him. He swung his head around to face the creature who had made the noise. It was a small gray dog it wasn't much bigger than a cat. 'I was going to finish my hunt and tell Firepaw about this interesting find, but I suppose a scrap with a dog could be fun.' Scourgeclaw thought with a slight purr.
Scourgeclaw carried a squirrel and two mice into the ThunderClan camp. He placed his catches into the fresh-kill pile before looking around for Firepaw, so he could show his little brother the camp he found. He had considered telling Mossflower, but she had been spending so much time with Runningwind he didn't know if he could trust her not to say anything to him. He spotted his brother's fiery pelt next to a scruffy old she cat with matted looking fur, that he had never seen before. Before he could walk over to the two Whitestorm moved over to him. Scourgeclaw sent a questioning look over to the white warrior.
"Who is that cat with Firepaw?" Whitestorm sighed.
"That's Yellowfang she was once the ShadowClan medicine cat, but apparently they have exiled her. Firepaw apparently found her in the forest and fed her without asking permission from Bluestar. So Bluestar decided to punish him by making him personally see to Yellowfang's needs. He has to hunt for her, get her bedding and treat her for any ticks or fleas she may have." Scourgeclaw groaned and shook his head. 'Well that's a waste, I won't be able to tell him about my find now that he has to look after that old mangy lump of bones.' he inwardly hissed. While he was deep in his thoughts, a soft gentle scent waft into his nose. He felt a soft pelt brush against his flank, Spottedleaf had come up beside him.
"Don't be angry with him, he meant well, but he didn't think the consequences of his actions all the way through." she mewled softly. Scourgeclaw sighed as he looked at the pretty tortoiseshell. He could tell that Spottedleaf cared for his brother a little more than a medicine cat should, but he saw no real harm in her infatuation.
"Oh and I wanted to say sorry and maybe Bluestar will consider you for one of Goldenflowers's kits." Scourgeclaw looked confused .
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"Bluestar made Firepaw her apprentice. I know how much you wanted Bluestar to make him your apprentice." Spottedleaf meowed softly. Scourgeclaw seethed a little on the inside. Spottedleaf touched her nose to Scourgeclaw's shoulder. "You'd make a great mentor, so I'm sure Bluestar will give you an apprentice." 'I wanted Firepaw as my apprentice, this will set me back a bit.' he growled in his head
He nodded and thanked Spottedleaf before he padded over to his brother and Yellowfang. The grizzled old she-cat cracked open an eye, from he makeshift nest, as he approached them. Firepaw's eyes brightened as he looked up from bringing Yellowfang a mouse.
"Hi Scourgeclaw, did you hear what happened?" asked Firepaw. Scourgeclaw narrowed his eyes at his brother.
"Yes I heard, about her and about Bluestar making you her apprentice." Scourgeclaw meowed.
"Bluestar also mentioned that WindClan has disappeared from their territory. Shadowclan has been hunting in there territory." Scourgeclaw looked suprised by this news and wondered when the Clan had left the forest. Yellowfang turned her bright orange eyes on Scourgeclaw.
"You're a warrior? I thought you were an apprentice coming over to have a chat with this flame furred fur-ball." Scourgeclaw's hackles stood on end as he turned his gaze to Yellowfang."
"I may be small, but I've dealt with creatures far bigger then you." meowed with an icy tone. Yellowfang's eyes seemed to glow brighter as she looked closely at Scourgeclaw.
"And here I thought that I would hate myself for getting caught by a ThunderClan apprentice." she meowed in amusement. Scourgeclaw felt his tail twitch.
"Do I have to keep an eye on you Scourgeclaw?" meowed a familiar voice behind him. Scourgeclaw glanced back and saw the familiar white and gray pelt.
"No Mossflower, besides you would be to busy keeping an eye on Runningwind." He mewled while flexing his right paw. Mossflower nudged him a little roughly, but said nothing in response. Yellowfang looked at her closely. Mossflower twitched a little under her gaze.
"I've never seen you before, yet you remind me of someone I just can't place who." meowed Yellowfang. Mossflower gave a glance at Scourgeclaw, but continued to say nothing as she watched the old she-cat. Before Yellowfang could say anything else, Darkstripe padded up to the group.
"I believe Bluestar only wanted one kittypet to look after that old bag of bones, but if you three think that you'd be better off caring for her than I'll make sure to let Bluestar know." he sneered as he watched the group. Firepaw flexed his claws, Mossflower's eyes flashed heatedly. Scourgeclaw padded until he was almost nose to nose with Darkstripe.
"I think you've forgotten that these kittypets bested you and two of your clanmates in an almost fair challenge, so unless you want a repeat of last time, you should go find something to do rather than just sitting there bothering us." Darkstripe sniffed
"As if, the only reason you three even won was because your collars came off, otherwise you would have run back to your twolegs." He hissed padding off. Scourgeclaw sneered as he watched the dark warrior pad away. He heard Mossflower mutter 'good riddance' under her breath. Firepaw sat down lashing his tail angrily. Scourgeclaw touched his tail to Firepaw's ears. Yellowfang spoke up loud enough for the other three to look at her.
"If you don't mind this old lump of fur and bones would like to get some rest if you don't mind." she meowed. Causing the other three to twitch their whiskers in amusement.
(Okay stopping here, I think this is a good spot to stop the story. Yay Yellowfang is in camp. I'll try to get the next chapter up soon.)
