Chapter one
Six moons later.
Springwind rose to her paws, her disdained was evident on her black muzzle. Her black tabby coat fluffed against the last bit of cold leaf-bare. Soon new leaf will be here and she could not wait.
At her paws was a small kit. It was the kit found at the beginning of leaf fall when the snows came early, Jayfeather had asked her to raise it. The white black striped kit was an easy kit. She Never Fussed or Got into Trouble with the other kits. But Springwind disliked the kit. To her it was a loner not clan born so therefore it had no reason to live. But that darn med cat said otherwise. So now Battlekit was to be sent into warrior training as Brightstar commanded. *it's a shame that I had to raise this stupid kit* she thought. With a shake of her head the reluctant queen nudged the kit out of the nursery and onto its path of warrior ship.
**/BATTLEPAW POV***/
MY HEART was beating fast as I moved away from my mother. Her curled lip made me sad. I wonder why she never liked me as she did my brother Deerpaw. He is in training now as he was a little old than me. Perhaps I will never know. But I love her anyway. I give my striped pelt a good lick. Today I would be a Warrior in training. I smiled. I wonder who my mentor will be.
The cats gathered at the base of the high ledge as the ginger and white she cat called the clan.
"TODAY we gather here to give a kit a chance to be a Warrior! May Starclan watch and guide her paws on the path of warriorship. Battlekit from now you are Battlepaw. Rosefang you will train this cat. Teach her well. Clan dismissed."
That was the end of my carefree kithood. My new life starts now.
I make my way over to the light red she cat. Her blue eyes warm as she greeted me with a hello. I think I will like this new stage in my life.
****a, week later***
"Reach up with your forepaws as you rear' then slap them around the neck of the enemy," I tried to do what Rosefang asked. But this is my twelve time. I've master all other moves even the advanced ones. But this one I can't seem to get. Starclan this is hard! But my mentor is so patient so kind. I like her. She is also very pretty. I shake my head from my treacherous thoughts. Narrowed eyes I throw my weight back and with my tail flat on the mossy ground I stand on my hind paws.
Baring my sharp white teeth I slapped my paws. Winterpaw squeaked as my paws found their mark and I was able to knock him down! I felt pride fill my pelt as Winterpaw struggled to his silver paws. His amber eyes glowing with malice. *why? We are training!* I think to myself, Rosefang comes over and gives my head a swift lick. A surge of pleasure and happiness surges through me at her touch and I feel that I made her proud.
"Very good Battlepaw, now let's go hunting," with a flick of her tail, she turned into deeper brush. I followed her not checking to see if Winterpaw was following. With my long fur fluffed with excitement at finally making that battle move right I failed to see the thrush at my paws until it squawked as I stepped on it. Looking down at it trapped beneath my white paw I felt guilty knowing I had to kill it. But the clan must eat. And as I looked closer at the bird I saw its wing was broken and I knew it was dying. So I thanked Starclan for this prey before I killed it.
"You are such a puny hunter you feel bad for killing a piece of prey. What kind of warrior are you?" Winterpaw growled as he came up beside me. "I'm not weak!" I hiss at him as I stalk on after I bury my prey.
The anger I felt in that moment frightened me all I wanted to do at that second was claw him in the belly. But I held my anger in for I wanted to be a good warrior. I spy Rosefang carrying a rabbit, I was impressed by my mentor. "Stop staring at her it's creepy," Winterpaw hissed in my ear. I ducked my head embarrassed but I was quick to defend myself. "I was not staring at Rose fang but at her prey!" Winterpaw just purred with amusement. "Sure'" he then stalked off leaving me and Rosefang behind.
I caught a mouse and two water voles before we finished so I brought the clan four pieces of fresh kill for the day.
"Good job Battlepaw,"
I blush at my mentor praise.
My mentor is such a nice cat. I love her. These thoughts plague my mind for days to come. I've never seen her with a tom. I wonder if she would like me.
Days later after my confession to myself about Rosefang I hear that Brightstar wants me to go to the Gathering tonight. I'm very happy. I go over to Rosefang with my good news.
"Rosefang, are you coming to the gathering also?" I hope she said yes. I slowly press my fur against her, I closed my eyes briefly enjoying her warmth and sweet scent.
"You like me don't you little one?" Rising to her paws Rosefang leaned back and looked hard into my violet eyes. I shied away from her, she licked her pretty lips. Bending down close to my ear she said ,"that's OK I like you as well but at this moment don't give in, look at Toms if you still like me after that then we shall see were this will take us," with a lick on my head she rose to her paws. "Come let's eat before we go." My heart is filled to overflowing with such joy at her sweet words I don't notice my mother Springwind until I stepped into her path.
"Watch your step filth!" Shame filled my pelt my ears turned pink. "Sorry mother," I whispered softly.
My mother curled her lip at me before moving over to her son Deerrun, he was made a warrior early. Apparently being almost drowned makes you a warrior faster. I snort then turn from my mother to get ready to go to the Gathering.
But I can't help wondering if she had ever loved me. Will I find love? Then my violet gaze is drawn to the sleek but well formed Rosefang. Yes I will find love I'm sure of it.