A/N: Hello! I recently discovered that one of the Erins said that there were far more cats in the other three Clans than were listed in the allegiances, so there will be non-canon charries from here on out. Just to warn you :) Oh, and I just found out that Nightpelt/star mentored Dawncloud in the series, but in my fic Dawn's his mom, so oh well xP Thanks for pointing that out, anon.
Russetpaw stretched her legs by the fresh-kill pile, quickly grooming her pelt. She quickly buried the bones of the scrawny lizard that she had just devoured, and then looked around, wondering what to do. She wasn't supposed to leave camp, but there was lots of time until nightfall. Her tail twitched irritably. She felt annoyed by the cobwebs on her face, which partially blocked her vision, but more peeved because she couldn't be out with her sister, learning how to fight. She sighed lightly, wondering what to do until she could retire to the den. She heard a squeal of excitement from the nursery, and decided to visit Cloudkit and Whitekit, as well as Dawncloud's new litter.
She stepped into the nursery somewhat hesitantly; were the queens busy? Cloudkit and Whitekit were tussling in a poofy white ball of fur, and as Poolcloud gave them a long-suffering glance accompanied with an eye roll, Russetpaw just managed to keep from laughing. Two kits suckled at Dawncloud's belly, while the other two scrambled around the den happily. The two kits that were curled up by their mother were the same color as the warm peaty earth beneath them. Their eyes were not yet open, and the smaller kit had a rather short tail and slightly darker tabby stripes. She noted that while those kits looked very much like their mother, the other two resembled no cat in ShadowClan. She shrugged it off; perhaps they were taking after Poolcloud, their mother's mother. After all, she, Foxpaw, and Rowanpaw all looked like Littlebird, their grandmother. Suddenly, needle-sharp claws sank into her tail, and Russetpaw jumped in surprise.
A tiny black and white she-kit was latched onto her tail with minuscule claws. She tried to bite her tail, but her mouth wasn't big enough to get around it. She kept trying in vain to clamp down on Russetpaw's tail, but her jaws were just too little. Shaking with silent laughter, she swept her tail back and forth for the kits' enjoyment. She clung on, eyes wide, and squealed with delight. Dawncloud rolled her eyes as she caught sight of her kit playing. "Get off Russetpaw's tail, Brightkit." She turned her head towards the dark ginger apprentice and meowed apologetically, "Sorry, Russetpaw. They've not learned their manners yet. What happened to you, though?" she gestured with her tail at the cobwebs on Russetpaw's face. She shrugged and murmured, "Accident. I'm fine. How are you and the kits?" The tabby queen narrowed her eyes in concern anyway and "I'm still a bit tired, but other than that I'm fine. As for the kits...Well, Clawkit and Stumpykit are always hungry, and Nightkit and Brightkit are getting into all kinds of shenanigans even though they haven't left the nursery yet."
Nightkit, who she presumed was the all-black tom that had been scuffling with Brightkit when she came into the den, bounded up to her and said, "What's it like being an apprentice? Can you teach us some battle moves? What about hunting? Were you in a real battle and got hurt and that's why you've got white strings on your face?" Whiskers twitching with amusement at the kit's curiosity, she looked at Dawncloud and asked, "I could take these two off your paws for a while; I'm confined to camp for the night, so my scratches can heal. I'll keep them in camp, I promise." The small she-cat's ear pricked hopefully and she gave Russetpaw a warm smile. "That would be great. Perhaps you could bring Cloudkit and Whitekit, too. I know they're giving you loads of trouble, Poolcloud, and Stumpykit and Clawkit need to sleep. That will be next to impossible with those kits making the den fall down around our ears!" she joked, gesturing at all four. Russetpaw dipped her head and herded the kits outside.
Cloudkit pricked his ears happily. "I'll be an apprentice soon, won't I Russetpaw?" he bragged. She twitched her whiskers, "Yes. In a couple moons you and Whitekit will be apprenticed." Nightkit looked on jealously. "What about us?" The young she-cat mewed, "Not for a while. Around the same time I become a warrior." Excitement coursed through her, and Brightkit voiced her thoughts as she said, "I can't wait to be a warrior!" Nightkit merely mewed, "If you're a warrior when we get apprenticed, I hope you're my mentor." a blush appeared in both of their cheeks as they met gazes. Whitekit broke the awkward silence by chirping, "Show us a battle move, Russetpaw!"
"Okay, watch carefully now. Cloudkit, come here a moment." She paused, waiting for the long-furred tom to stand in front of her. His pale blue eyes glowing, he grinned and sunk into a playful crouch. "When I say go, Cloudkit, try to tackle me. But remember, I'm not just going to stand there and let you do it!" Russetpaw wondered briefly if this was what training an apprentice was like, and when she would train her own. "Go!" she said, tail still as a rock, though she felt like lashing it back and forth. Cloudkit charged at her, and she leaped out of the way, fast as lightning, and leaped on his back. He bucked her off and tried to tackle her again, but she dove underneath him and knocked him off his paws. She jumped up, stood over him, and bit his scruff, but not hard enough to break the skin. "Gotcha!" she purred before letting him up.
Cloudkit licked his fur and said without resentment, "I bet Whitekit wouldn't have beaten me as easily." He smiled slowly, meeting his sister's dark blue eyes with challenge flashing in them. Whitekit rocketed forward and tackled him into the ground. As they grappled, Nightkit asked, "Can I try what Cloudkit did?" Russetpaw nodded and the black-furred tom padded forward eagerly. Russetpaw looked down at him and realized he was a large kit, but very small compared to him. He flew at her with over-sized paws, but when she jumped to the side, he followed, and scrabbled onto her back. She tried to buck him off like Cloudkit had done to her, but he held on with his claws. She started to roll, but he freed himself, landing beside her exposed throat, and reared back on his hind legs. Before Russetpaw could dodge, he had crashed down on her neck and shoulders, his jaws poised in position. If this had been a real fight, he could bite down and end her life, but he just backed up and grinned.
This kit was some fighter! He was licking his paw proudly, eyes shut, and Russetpaw exchanged an amused glance with Brightkit before padding silently over and pushing him into the mud with her paw. He splashed the muddy water over his den-mates, but Russetpaw had dodged out of the way. Her eyes gleamed with amusement as he got to his paws, soaked with mud. Instead of being upset, he stuck his tongue out at her and started cleaning his fluffy fur. Feeling a bit bad, she went over to help him. Just as she was about clean his soft fur, he opened his eyes and rammed into her, making her fall into the same puddle. "Hey!" Cloudkit said indignantly as more mud spattered his white pelt, but Russetpaw didn't notice. She was purring and laughing while grooming the sticky earth from her dark ginger fur. She and Nightkit were sharing tongues, and so were Cloudkit, Brightkit, and Whitekit, when Foxpaw, Hollyflower, and Raggedstar came into camp.
Foxpaw bounded over to her and looked at the cobwebs swathed over Russetpaw's face guiltily. "I'm really sorry, Russetpaw." she said with a note of shame in her voice. "I'm fine, really." Changing the subject she gave Nightkit a friendly lick and asked, "Have you met Nightkit?" Foxpaw shook her head, but a gleam appeared in her eyes. "Hello, Nightkit. I'm Foxpaw!" He smiled at her shyly, but then Cloudkit bounded over and said, "Hey, Foxpaw. Russetpaw showed us battle moves today!" The ginger she-cat purred, "That's great, Cloudkit." A voice called from the nursery, "Kits! Come back to the nursery, it's nearly time to sleep. And bring some fresh-kill, Whitekit and Cloudkit, for yourselves and us!" Poolcloud called, and Whitekit rolled her eyes. Nightkit gave Russetpaw a swift lick before dashing off to the nursery, Brightkit at his side. He glanced back and smiled at her as he reached the den entrance, and she smiled back warmly. He was fierce and brave, but had a sweet side, too. He was a good fighter, and cunning. It would be great to have him as an apprentice when the time came.
Foxpaw nudged her shoulder and asked, "Want to grab something to eat before we go to the den? I'm starving!" Russetpaw padded over to the fresh-kill pile beside her sister and sat down. "I already ate, but I'll sit with you." Foxpaw nodded, dragged a frog out of the pile, and started gulping it down. She finished quickly and started grooming her fur. "Russetpaw?" she asked curiously, but with a tinge of embarrassment, "What do you think the best pelt color on a tom is?" After considering for a moment, she replied, "Dark brown tabby. Why?" Foxpaw's whiskers twitched. "Have a crush on Stumpykit, do you?" Russetpaw rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out. "No I don't. Seriously though, why do you ask?" Curiosity was flaming in her at Foxpaw's strange question. "No reason. Just wanted to know. I though you might say black, after today." she grinned mischeviously. It took her a moment to realize she meant her sharing tongues with Nightkit. How ridiculous, Russetpaw thought, it's not like that at all. I want him to be my apprentice, not my mate! Feeling a bit awkward, she asked, "What do you think's the best?" Foxpaw said without hesitating, "White." then blushed as she realized she'd given herself away. "Not that-" Russetpaw cut her off. "Don't bother, I know you like Cloudkit." Foxpaw shrugged and stared at her paws, embarrassed.
With a large yawn, Foxpaw nodded towards the apprentice's den, and the two ginger she-cats, one dark, one light, padded to the den and settled in their nests.
Russetpaw woke with a start, and realized it was barely dawn. She wasn't tired at all, so she padded out of the den. The dawn patrol had gathered sleepily in the middle of camp. Lizardfang was leading it, with Featherstorm and Blackfoot with her. Their apprentices, Cedarpaw and Tallpaw, were picking through the fresh-kill pile with tired yawns. She bounded over to the deputy and asked timidly, "Can I join the dawn patrol? I'm not tired, and since Hollyflower had a late night, she probably won't be up for a while." Lizardfang nodded, his eyes still bleary. She looked around, and saw Blackfoot glaring at her. "Why are you coming along?" he snapped. Russetpaw narrowed her eyes and resented that she had to look up to meet his gaze. "I'm coming along because I can. Who put thistles in your bedding, anyway?" The huge warrior unsheathed his claws, sinking them deep into the soft ground, and the fur along his spine lifted. "have a bit of respect, Russetpaw, for I, unlike you, am a warrior." he said nastily. Refusing to be belittled, she said haughtily, "And I, unlike you, am not a particularly smelly bit of fox-dung." She turned to leave, but Blackfoot gave a snort of laughter, and she whipped around.
Blackfoot was looking at her appreciatively. "I like you. You remind me of me when I was young and stupid." Russetpaw said loftily, "Oh don't worry Blackfoot; you still are young and stupid." Anger flashed in the tom's eyes and he hissed, "Do you really want to fight with me, Russetkit?" He called her by her kit name, but she didn't go mad with anger like he expected her to, and instead sank into a fighting stance and said smoothly, "If your claws are as dull as your wits, I think I can take you, Blackkit." she goaded him on, claws itching for a fight. He gave a snarl of fury and charged at her. She jumped neatly out of the way and laughed as he couldn't stop or change direction, his bulk working against him. He leaped for her again -he was so fast!- and she barely got away, but he managed to rake his claws down her foreleg. She returned his snarl and slice her claws across his side viscously. He hissed and snapped her tail into his mouth; unfortunately his jaws were big enough to get around it, unlike Brightkit's had been.
Featherstorm shoved her way between the two fighting cats and hissed, "Would both of you quit it? Blackfoot, as your senior warrior, I order you to send Tallpaw with Lizardfang for the dawn patrol. Cedarpaw, Russetpaw and I will go with them. Meanwhile, you will go to the medicine cat's den at once!" Blackfoot whined, "Why doesn't Russetpaw have to go to Runningnose?" Featherstorm's eyes blazed and she said cuttingly, "Because she wasn't dumb enough to let you get your claws down her side! Now go to your brother's den before I get Raggedstar to send you there!" She whipped around and snapped, "Come on, Russetpaw!" before bounding over to Lizardfang, Cedarpaw and Tallpaw joining her. Lizardfang stretched slowly and Russetpaw took the moment to lick her injured leg and stop the bleeding. Tallpaw saw and asked concernedly, "Don't you need the medicine den for that?" Russetpaw shook her head and said incredulously, "And spend more time with that great lump of fur?" Then she remembered that Blackfoot was Tallpaw's mentor and apologized, "Sorry, Tallpaw. He has something against me though, and I don't know what it is." Her sister pressed her fur against Russetpaw's. "Me neither." she said, looking mystified.
A yowl from the camp entrance signaled for the dawn patrol to start, and the two she-cats followed the deputy, Featherstorm, and Cedarpaw out into the territory. Near the Carrionplace, Lizardfang spotted a frog sitting obliviously on a log; he motioned with his tail for Russetpaw to catch it. She swallowed nervously, but stalked silently towards it. Her tail twitched of it's own accord when she was only a tail-length from her prey, and it started to leap away. russetpaw dove for it but her claws sank into the rotting bark of the log instead of the frog. Cursing, she went back to the patrol, tail drooping. "Sorry, Lizardfang." She felt wretched for not catching it; the chill of leaf-fall hung in the air, they needed to stock up on prey, and if Lizardfang had hunted it instead of letting her, she felt sure that he would have caught it. The brown tabby rested his tail on her shoulder. "It's alright, Russetpaw. One frog won't change the fate of our Clan."
His words echoed in her ears as the patrol continued. If Russetpaw ever wanted to be deputy like the brave warrior, she would have to better than she was. She'd gotten into a fight with a warrior of the same Clan, missed a frog, and met with a ThunderClan cat all in the space of a few days. She'd also gotten herself injured and let the medicine cats use their precious herbs on her, when they could be saving them for a cat who needed them more than she did. She would have to fight harder, hunt more, and help out the Clan if she was to become a warrior; let alone deputy. I will, she promised herself. She padded with the patrol with her head held high, until it was time to return to camp.
She pushed into the dark hollow behind Featherstorm, heading for the warriors den, before she was intercepted by none other than Nightkit. She'd been on her way to fetch Hollyflower to ask if she could go hunting, but she paused to see what the young tom had to say. "I heard you fought with Blackfoot this morning. His yowling woke me up." Nightkit said, whiskrs twitching. As if to prove him right, there was a frustrated yowl from the medicine cat's den. "That hurts, Littlepaw!" The warrior's brother came back with, "Oh shut up and stop whining Blackfoot! You're complain more than Russetpaw did, and her scratches were worse." Blackfoot hissed, "Don't talk to me about her! I'll shred your ears Littlepaw, I swear it!" He simply meowed in return, "You wouldn't shred my ears, not your brother and a medicine cat apprentice. Now shut your face." This time, the warrior listened.
Nightkit smiled up at her, "You must have been really brave to fight with a warrior, and especially Blackfoot. He's huge!" Russetpaw flicked her ears uncomfortably at his praise. "He was only made a warrior a while ago. Besides, he might be big, but he's awfully stupid." Nightkit laughed, then mewed his good-byes as Hollyflower came over. Russetpaw's mentor said, "Are you up for hunting, Russetpaw?" The dark ginger she-cat dipped her head, and they left camp.
A/N: Okay, so the next chapter might skip a good chunk of moons, or it might not. But now I'm facing a dilemma; should I make Nightkit Russetpaw's apprentice when she becomes a warrior? They'll definitely be close buddies, but I dunno if they should have a mentor-apprentice relationship. Then again... So tell me: Should I? And the reason Blackfoot doesn't like Russetpaw will become evident soon enough if you haven't guessed already. R & R!
