CHAPTER 5

Few sunrises had passed since Hazelpaw's predicament and she was still constrained within the walls of the medicine cat's den. Echopaw sat outside the apprentices' den, trying to get a glimpse into the lichen curtain that covered the entrance. He could never get rid of the feeling that Hazelpaw's fall was his fault. He had only a seen her when she tried to experiment with her legs by walking to the fresh-kill pile but never further than that, and always accompanied by either Brightfur, Briarnose or Sleekfleet who had been made warrior a day after the disastrous assessment.

Sleekfleet seemed to have forgiven him, neither she nor her mother blamed him for Hazelpaw's injuries and Briarnose kept reassuring him that there was nothing to worry about when Echopaw interrupted him every time he went out to look for herbs.

However, despite of all that, he knew that the apprentice had grown a fierce hatred toward him, for delaying her warrior ceremony and temporarily crippling her. Echopaw knew that she was also jealous that her sister had been made warrior before her by the bitter way she snapped at her sister while she was trying to help her to regain adjustments to her legs again.

"Seriously, Sleekfleet," Hazelpaw had meowed. "You're treating me like I'm a day old kit again and even then I don't need to be told how to put on paw in front of the other."

Talonclaw approached the young apprentice. "Are you up for training today? I figured we could hunt beside the ShadowClan part of the forest."

Echopaw agreed. He went on more training than his littermates in the hopes of forgetting his guilt even for just a moment. He felt so free and relieved when he ran through the forest with all the familiar scents surrounding him. He felt the satisfaction of ending a prey's life quickly and mercifully, and the pride of renewing the scent-marks along the border knowing he bore ThunderClan's scent and that's what he represents. Talonclaw had also been feeling proud that his young apprentice was so eager for training.

Talonclaw stalked beneath the tree that Echopaw was clinging on for dear life, his eyes fixed on a thrush pecking the ground. It had only been the third time Echopaw trained in the tree and he knew that he would not get used to it. He carefully crept onto a branch directly above the thrush, careful not to make a sound. His grey fur would keep him hidden.

Talonclaw was three tail-lengths from the bird, more than close enough to strike. Echopaw figured that he needn't be up in the tree just to get a thrush, then he saw something else move a little farther away from the bird. A vole, peeking in and out from the bushes. So that's why Talonclaw had crept so dangerously close to the thrush, he was also trying to get the vole. Two prey for one shot, a good deal. Echopaw thanked StarClan for this opportunity.

The warrior bunched his muscles and leaped, over the thrush and crashing into the bushes. With an alarming cry, the thrush took off into the air, right into Echopaw's claws as he leaped from the branch of the tree to the tree opposite, killing the bird with a swift bite to the neck. He looked down, trying to get a glimpse of his mentor through the tangle of branches and leaves and saw him wriggle out of the bushes with the vole in his jaws, his tail lashing with satisfaction.

Echopaw landed on the ground to meet him. "That was a great catch!" he meowed.

Talonclaw purred. "Normally, the mentor is the one giving the praise but I have to say, you are great above the ground, especially when you have trained for only a few times. You are a natural."

The apprentice's tail curled over his back in delight. He loved to hear praises coming from his mentor, especially when he was known to keep his emotions in check.

They returned back to camp with the thrush and vole, along with a mouse that Echopaw had tracked down.

The dropped their catch on the pile, with Ravenwing looking on with a satisfied nod. "Well done, Echopaw. I see that you are training well."

"Yes, he is," Talonclaw added. "He may very well be the best apprentice ThunderClan has ever seen."

Ravenwing's eyes grew impossible brighter. Echopaw felt overwhelmed with joy. His own father acknowledged his achievements and he was feeling so proud of his own son!

"Ravenwing, come eat with me," Dapplecloud called from beside the warriors' den.

Before going to join her, Ravenwing flicked his tail over Echopaw's ears.

"Feels good, doesn't it?" Talonclaw meowed.

"Yes, it does," Echopaw replied, watching his father as he went share a mouse with Dapplecloud.

"And just think, being the best warrior you could ever be, the whole of ThunderClan praising you and admiring you, feeling proud that you are a ThunderClan warrior and that you will remain loyal by their side always."

"That will be so overwhelming." Echopaw's eyes widened as he turned to look up at his mentor.

Talonclaw nodded. "The journey will be tough, but in the end, it will always be worth it. Now, are you up for another training session?"

Echopaw returned back to camp, dragging his paws in exhaustion. Talonclaw had taught him battle techniques after a meal along with the help of Treestone.

Right now, Echopaw wanted nothing more than to tuck in in his nest for the night, surrounded by the warmth of his littermates. He emerged into the hollow to see Barkstar standing on the Highledge with his Clanmates assembled below him, all eyes turned to the three as they approached, clearly confused what was happening.

Echopaw seated himself beside Honeypaw and Stormpaw. "What's going on?"

"It seems like Barkstar will finally make Hazelpaw into a warrior," Stormpaw whispered. He nodded towards the apprentice standing below Highledge, her ears pricked in anticipation but there was no joy in her eyes, just a hunger that will be satisfied after being made into a warrior. The sight of her scared Echopaw, this was not the apprentice he had grown up to admire and hope to become.

"Hazelpaw," Barkstar started, his voice ringing across the hollow as the last cat sat down. "Your warrior ceremony has been delayed and I see no reason to delay it any further. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Hazelpaw replied, her voice even and her face showed no emotions. "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name," Barkstar continued. "Hazelpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Hazelfoot. StarClan honors your patience and dedication, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."

"Hazelfoot! Hazelfoot!" The calls of her new name echoed into the twilit sky.

Echopaw joined in the cheer, but his eyes were still on Hazelfoot. She didn't look proud at all, she looked...envious. Of what? Suddenly, her gaze shifted to him and he felt himself shrink under his pelt. Her eyes were so intense that he had to look away. He found Sleekfleet sitting with their parents, her sister's voice was the loudest and she was overjoyed. Loudfire shared her enthusiasm but Brightfur, however noticed her daughter's lack of interest.

As the cats dispersed, Echopaw hailed Sleekfleet and led her away from prying eyes and sharp ears. "I need to talk to you," he whispered once he was sure no cat could hear them.

"What is it?" Sleekfleet asked.

"It's about Hazelfoot -"

"What?" Sleekfleet exclaimed in outrage.

"Listen to me first. I no I have no right to say this but something's up with her, even Brightfur noticed that," Echopaw tried to spill as much as he can before Sleekfleet interrupted him.

"Be quiet, Echopaw. I may have forgiven you for Hazelfoot's fall and don't push that, I long for us to be made warriors together but it never happened. And all I can do is be happy for her when she received her warrior name. She was happy, and I don't want you to take anymore from her."

Before Echopaw could open his mouth again, Sleekfleet stalked away angrily, her hackles raised. He could almost feel the spark bouncing off from her fur. He sighed. Maybe Sleekfleet was right, maybe I should mind my own business and not intervene in hers anymore.

She was happy, Sleekfleet's voice echoed in his head over and over again. He remembered Hazelfoot's vengeful eyes and the look when she received her warrior name.

Echopaw was uncertain about a lot of things but there was one thing he could be certain of; that Hazelfoot was definitely not happy.