...

So like, it took me forever to upload this ... I'm sorry to anybody who was expecting it sooner. I started the chapter and was about halfway through before I scrapped the whole thing and rewrote it. This chapters still terrible, and SHORT, but I resisted my urge to rewrite it. So uh, enjoy some nasty writing? Or something like that.

Kitty-chan: Lul, don't check up to often. I tend to be a slow updater. c:

GlimmerIcewood: Yes, I'll admit, the prologue was about ten times better then this chapter. Oh, and I'm pretty sure you're right, it's "mine", I don't know why I put the other one. To lazy to change it, but thank anyway!

Pokemon Warrior Mew: Thanks! Personally I think it sucks so far, but still ... if that's what you think. xD

C H A P T E R 1

"The Medicine Cat's Apprentice"

Ever so slowly the fish swam, moving delicately with the streams gentle current. With great determination amber eyes watched it's every move, the bright afternoon sun shimmering across sleek silver scales. Doing his best to remain completely still, Sootpaw crouched upon a fallen branch suspended over the water's edge, long claws dug deep into the rotting wood for balance, his thick plume of a tail raised. The creature was nearing quickly, the shadowy form gliding toward him unaware of the danger awaiting it's arrival.

Holding his breath, Sootpaw tensed. It was so close now he could almost taste it, the image of a fresh meal dancing in his mind, tormenting his empty stomach. Swallowing, he forced himself to focus upon the target. The wait seemed forever, but at last it was within range!

Quick as lightning a dark paw shot forward, breaking the waters surface and in the seconds that followed, a large wriggling fish was scooped upwards and thrown into a wide arc directly toward shore. Letting out a yowl of triumph the apprentice watched with a smile. However, his grin quickly fell when instead of shore, the fish made contact with a smooth boulder and with a loud smack dropped back into the stream.

"No!"

Desperately he leaped after it, splashing wildly and pawing frantically at the water. But the fish was already gone.

Ears laid back to express his frustration, Sootpaw cursed, his ashy gray pelt dripping as he stood dejectedly in the middle of the stream. Well, so much for that. With an exasperated sigh he turned and trudged back to land.

Once there, Sootpaw paused and took the time to shake the droplets from his fur and each individual foot. Flicking the last loose clinging bit of moisture from his tail tip, he sat. The tom had been hunting since morning suffering in the searing heat of mid summer and all he had to show for it were two measly trouts. True, considering the lack of rain lately very few had been blessed with a good hunt, but still, Sootpaw knew he could do better.

Figuring he was certain to catch nothing with all the commotion he'd caused in his pitiful attempt to recapture his prey, Sootpaw decided he would return to RiverClan with what he had. Easily locating the fresh-kill amongst the pebbles, he lifted both pieces in his jaws and turned to slip into the reeds. With a fast pace he moved, the limp fish swinging by their tails as he padded through the undergrowth.

When at last the camp came into view, Sootpaw stopped to admire the scenery even though he must have seen it already a hundred times. The patch of land the RiverClanners called home sat between the area where the stream split in two, the separate branches snaking off in opposite directions. Despite the lack of rain, here the trees and vegetation still managed to grow lush, the thick green leaves providing natural cover.

Without a second thought Sootpaw strode confidently into the cool shallows, the water swirling calmly around his ankles. Typically it would have been higher, but for that season at least even a kit might manage to cross. Locating the spot where the plants grew thinnest, Sootpaw prepared to push his way through the entrance when suddenly the tall grass shook with the sound of approaching cats. Swiftly the apprentice moved out of the way just as two warriors exited. Whiskers twitching curiously, he gave each a respectful nod and watched them head in the direction he'd come. Guessing they were going to try their own luck at fishing, Sootpaw's gaze followed them until they had gone and with that entered camp.

Inside golden sunlight dappled the sandy clearing beaten hard by generations of paw steps, the trees creating a natural canopy over the entire encampment. From his position Sootpaw could glimpse many of his clan-mates relaxing in the shade of the brambles and ferns that grew around the edges, some sleeping, others eating. To his left a group of kits frolicked outside the nursery thicket, their shrill, excited squeaks reaching his ears as they swatted a mossy ball about. Happy to see all was well, Sootpaw twisted in the opposite direction.

Silently he padded toward the medicine cat den, though not before leaving one fish behind on the fresh-kill pile. With his remaining trout he approached the prickly, oversized thorn-bush that marked the den entryway. Already he could smell the herbs, the strong scent wafting out to tickle and tease his nose.

Resisting the urge to sneeze he was about to take a step forward when a loud shout caught his attention. Ears pricked, he glanced over his shoulder. It was Sparrowpaw, his long striped tail held high as he closed in on Sootpaw.

"Sootpaw, there you are! I thought you'd have been back ages ago."

Sootpaw blinked at his den-mate and close friend, "Why, do you need me?" He replied the best he could through his mouthful. Halting, the handsome brown tabby raised a brow as if Sootpaw had just asked a very stupid question.

"Well yeah, have you forgotten?" He snorted, "Mintfur and Nightclaw promised they'd take us out to the lake today."

All at once it dawned on Sootpaw that the whole thing had completely escaped his mind. Quickly he flashed the tabby an apologetic look, "Oh, right! Just give me a second." He murmured, disappearing around the thorn-bush without waiting for a reply.

Ignoring the stray branches grabbing at his pelt, he came out on the other side where he was met with the sight of a large oak, it's tangled roots hanging freely over the stream. Closer to the trunk was a gaping hole formed by two of the larger roots. Pricking his way down the gentle slope, he poked his head inside. It was dark and cool despite not being very deep.

"Whitepaw?" He called, "Are you in there?" But he received no response. Adjusting his hold on the fish, Sootpaw went inside. Searching the walls, his gaze landed on a pale lump toward the back curled tight upon a nest of moss and grass. Padding closer, he let the fish drop before reaching down to poke the little white cat.

Whitepaw grunted in response, "What do you want?"

"Nothing, I just brought you something to eat, I thought you might be hungry."

For awhile Whitepaw said nothing, but ever so slowly he raised his head, blind, milky eyes fixed on his brother. "Thanks ... I guess." He grumbled, head dropping back to his paws again. Brow furrowing, Sootpaw sighed and maneuvered around the smaller feline until he could see his face. Butting his litter-mates bony shoulder with his forehead, he tried to shove him from his nest.

"Would you stop being so pouty all the time? I'm sure there's something Spottedpoppy wants you to do."

When his brother refused to answer, Sootpaw gave up, "Well I'm going out with Sparrowpaw, Nightclaw and Mintfur, so I'll see you later."

Hearing this, Whitepaw's ears perked up, his head raising, "You're going training?"

Walking toward the exit, Sootpaw answered, "Well, yeah." He muttered already halfway out. Immediately Whitepaw was on his feet bounding forward to catch up with Sootpaw.

"Can I come?" He questioned hopefully. Sootpaw winced, glad Whitepaw couldn't see him.

Though his brother was training to become a medicine cat, it was by no choice of his own and it was obvious he'd have rather trained as a warrior like the rest of the apprentices. Unfortunately Smokestar didn't think the young cat was fit enough for the job, and it was the truth. As far as he knew, Whitepaw was the skimpiest apprentice in all the clans, even compared to WindClan cats. Not to mention the way he could manage to get sick so easily. The RiverClan leader had even been hesitant to let him become a medicine cat; yet even so he thought it would have been a waste to see such a young cat move to the elders den so early.

"I uh ... I think you should just stay here." Sootpaw muttered hurriedly, whisking away before Whitepaw could complain. He felt bad, he really did, however he still wanted what was best for him. And besides, Whitepaw never made it any easier on himself the way he was always going about being so moody.

When he'd reappeared on the other side of the bush, he found Sparrowpaw waiting, his mentor Nightclaw and Sootpaw's own mentor, Mintfur, sitting beside him. Spotting his friend, Sparrowpaw stood.

"You're slower then a turtle, come on!" He meowed, racing toward the camp exit. Wordlessly Nightclaw followed; then again, the big black tom was always pretty silent, though still respected for his strength.

Sootpaw on the other hand waited for Mintfur, greeting her with a respectful nod whilst trying to appear dignified through his impatience to get into the water on such a hot day. The sleek silver warrior smiled lightly, "We better get going then shouldn't we? We wouldn't want Sparrowpaw to waste all his energy before we get there."

Sootpaw purred, "Right." And together mentor and apprentice followed the other two into the forest.

Meanwhile, sitting quietly behind the thorn-bush, the medicine cat apprentice listened attentively to the sound of retreating paw steps. Frowning, he let his claws sink into the earth to express his irritation. It wasn't fair, he should be out there training too! Sootpaw didn't realize how lucky he was, at least everyone else treated him the same, but not Whitepaw. He couldn't see it of course, but Whitepaw knew when others looked at him it was either out of pity, or disgust.

Getting up, Whitepaw walked to the stream side turning his head to look down upon the spot he thought his reflection would be. Was he really that revolting? Silently he imagined himself; a small, scrawny cat with a thin, dirty white pelt and ugly sightless eyes. Teeth clenched, Whitepaw hissed and in a fit of rage slapped the water as hard as he could. No, he wouldn't let everyone boss him around! If he wanted to go to the lake, then he was going to go to the lake and with that decided he scurried up the slope and into the clearing, bolting through the undergrowth before any cat could stop him. He'd just follow their scents, they'd see, he wasn't as worthless as they thought he was.

Told you ... ick. Next chapter some stuff will happen, promise. (Though I can't promise it'll be written any better.) And by the way, I'm totally making these names up as I go. So they're a bit random, bare with me, I don't want to take the time to write a whole allegiances list cause that would take, you know, EFFORT.