Chapter 7
"Owlpaw! Get up! Time for a hunting patrol!"
Owlpaw groaned as he crawled out of his nest and into the camp. It had snowed overnight. The camp was blanketed in the stuff.
"When did everything get so white?"
"When leaf-bare started," replied Shimmertail. "Now come on. We're hunting with Rosepaw, Hollypaw, Nightpaw, and Twignose."
"That's a big patrol," commented Hollypaw, who was already grooming herself.
"We'll catch more prey."
"C'mon, let's move!" Twignose glared at them. "Hurry up!"
"Yeah, yeah," muttered Nightpaw as they traveled into the forest.
"Shut up," hissed Twignose.
"You dare tell me to-"
"Shut up! I smell something!"
Owlpaw scented it too. It was strong and foul. Shimmertail's eyes were wide open.
"Starclan, no," she breathed. "Badger."
Owlpaw was alert. "Aren't badgers those monsters from the nursery tales?" he asked fearfully.
"This isn't a nursery tale," snapped Twignose. "We've got to drive it out."
"Where is it?" asked Rosepaw.
"O-o-over there!" Nightpaw shrieked. He pointed at a massive striped beast that swiped at him. "Help!"
"No!" Rosepaw darted forward and sliced at the badger's muzzle. "Get away from him!"
Owlpaw ran forward and slashed at the badger's forepaw. The badger roared and swung it's paw at Owlpaw. He managed to duck, but the badger's heavy paw came down on his tail. Owlpaw let out a screech of pain and fury and tried to fight back, but the badger came forward, cornering him against a tree.
Suddenly, there was a flash of black and Hollypaw was there, spitting at the badger and raking her claws across the badger's chest. The badger swiped at her and managed rip through her side. Hollypaw crumpled to the ground.
"Stupid badger! Filthy thing! Go on!" Rosepaw yelled, attempting to distract the huge monster from the wounded Hollypaw. The badger turned towards her, and raised it's paws, ready to crush Rosepaw.
"NOT ROSEPAW!" Owlpaw shrieked. He darted forward and grabbed Rosepaw. He tugged her back the moment the badger brought a heavy paw down.
"What did you do that for?" hissed Rosepaw. "I had it under control!"
"And then you would be sent to Starclan," growled Owlpaw. "I just saved your life!"
"We could've both died!" spat Rosepaw.
"But we didn't!"
Rosepaw was about to argue when the badger flung her aside. "No!" yowled Owlpaw. He lunged at the badger, the rest of the patrol behind him. The badger then lumbered off into the forest, apparently now uninterested.
"Hollypaw, are you okay?" asked Shimmertail. Hollypaw nodded, her black fur turning crimson with blood. "Good. Let's get you back to camp."
When they finally made it back, Grayfeather and Amberpaw, along with the rest of the clan, stared at them.
Pinestar was the first to speak. "What happened?"
"Badger," grunted Twignose.
"You're hurt!" gasped Grayfeather.
"Tend to Hollypaw first," insisted Shimmertail. Grayfeather nodded. She ran into the medicine cat's den and returned with a mouthful of cobweb. "Get all the injured cats inside my den," she ordered.
No one protested.
"Owlpaw, you okay?" asked Amberpaw.
"Yeah," sighed Owlpaw. Amberpaw glanced nervously around. "You're not seriously hurt, right?"
"Uh-huh."
"Good. I need to talk to you." Amberpaw sat down. "I can see you mooning over Rosepaw."
"I'm not-"
Amberpaw cut him off. "Owlpaw. The whole clan knows."
Owlpaw slumped. "Oh."
"But I don't think that you should be mates with her."
Owlpaw snapped his head up. "What? Why?"
Amberpaw sighed. "Isn't it obvious, Owlpaw? She likes Nightpaw." He motioned towards Rosepaw, who was sharing prey with Nightpaw, their tails twined.
Owlpaw suddenly hated Nightpaw.
Amberpaw looked at his brother, his green eyes filled with sympathy. "Rosepaw doesn't love you as anything more than a friend, Owlpaw." He paused. "But-"
"Then who does?!" exploded Owlpaw. "She's the only one...the only one that..."
"Let me finish," said Amberpaw. "As I was saying, somecat does love you as more than a denmate."
"Who?"
"Hollypaw."
Owlpaw was taken aback. "What? Hollypaw!?"
Amberpaw nodded.
"B-but sh-she's not...I d-don't..." spluttered Owlpaw. "Sh-she and I-I just..."
"Just because she likes you doesn't mean that you like her," said Amberpaw calmly, which was a first. "Just like...just like you and Rosepaw."
"Hollypaw isn't Rosepaw," growled Owlpaw. Amberpaw sighed. "Owlpaw, don't you see? She doesn't love you back. Her mate is Nightpaw, not you. You and her will never happen."
"How do you know about love? You're a medicine cat!" Amberpaw flinched.
"And you're a warrior. What more do you know than me?"
"Lots!" snarled Owlpaw. "Like herbs, and how to be a good medicine cat."
Amberpaw stiffened. "Owlpaw, that wasn't my fault." Then he turned around and walked out into the camp.
Owlpaw was furious. "What does he know?" he muttered. "He's a furball." He growled and stalked over to the fresh-kill pile. Choosing the biggest squirrel he could find, he was about to walk over to Rosepaw and offer her it when Hollypaw appeared.
"Hi!" she mewed cheerfully. "You okay?" She glanced at the squirrel Owlpaw was holding in his jaws. "You're not going to eat that all by yourself?"
"No," growled Owlpaw. "I won't." He started off towards Rosepaw, but then she got up and, tail still twined with Nightpaw's, walked to the apprentice's den. Owlpaw drooped.
"Can I share?" asked Hollypaw. Owlpaw nodded. He wasn't hungry. Leaving Hollypaw with the squirrel, he went to the apprentice's den too. Nightpaw and Rosepaw were nuzzling each other. Staying just outside of the apprentice's den, he listened carefully to what they said.
"Rosepaw, you're the best," said Nightpaw.
"You're so sweet."
Nightpaw purred. "Rosepaw, will you be my mate?"
Owlpaw's stomach clenched.
"Of course, Nightpaw!"
"No," whispered Owlpaw. Rosepaw and Nightpaw didn't notice.
"Rosepaw, I love you."
"Love you back."
Owlpaw hissed and ran out of the camp, away from the two.
But no matter how far he ran, their words still echoed in his mind.
Hey guys! HalfSun here! So, can you give me warrior name ideas for Sorrelpaw, Nightpaw, Rosepaw, Snowpaw, Hawkpaw, and Rockpaw? And a medicine cat name for Amberpaw! Thanks! I'm not sure if I want OwlxRose yet or OwlxHolly. I don't know, I'll decide later. Thanks for all the great reviews, by the way!