Disclaimer: I do not own Warriors or any of the characters from the series.
Special thanks to Aroeheart for being my first review ^_^
Wingpaw was out on a hunting task with some of the other apprentices. He was near the ShadowClan border but didn't go too near. He opened his mouth and took in the scents. His mouth nearly watered as he caught the strong scent of a lot of prey. He crept through all of the grass and lowered as he saw the mouse. Catching it easily he buried it to go catch more. Shortly after he added a thrush and another mouse to his catch.
"Help!" A yowl sent Wingpaw racing forward. He recognized the voice instantly as Skypaw. His mind pictured the medicine apprentice. She had a gray upper body. Her belly, chest and legs were white except for her left front leg. It was completely gray. She had bright blue eyes that seemed to go on forever. Wingpaw leaped over her as she instinctively ducked down to avoid colliding with him. His claws went out and he swiped them at the fox. Blood spurted and soaked his fur but he didn't care. He snarled furiously and batted its muzzle again.
Skypaw turned and help him. She looked a little worn out from fleeing it but her moves were well aimed. She sliced her claws across the fox's ears earning a cat like yelp. She hissed and then gasped as the fox sent Wingpaw flying with a whack of its paw. He landed with a thump and it was a moment before he was up again. Skypaw had jumped on to the fox's back and was clawing furiously. She lost her grip and narrowly missed getting bit. Wingpaw knocked her away and gave her a simple order: run!
Neither noticed the fox cut their escape back to camp and that it was chasing them right in to ShadowClan territory. They didn't stop running until the scent faded and they were panting. Wingpaw stiffened first.
"Skypaw, we have to leave quietly and –"
"Now!" A dark shape leaped forward at the she cat but once again Wingpaw was between them. He was bruised and bloody but he fought back with desperately strength. A second cat was rolling around with Skypaw who was slowly becoming dizzy with exhaustion.
"Stop!" A cat yowled. Looking up Wingpaw could just make out a brown tabby pelt much like his own. He would've thought it was Brambleclaw if he hadn't known any better. "Why are you on our territory?"
"We're sorry. There was a fox and it chased us. We didn't have a choice. Honestly we didn't realize! We we're going to leave. We don't want any more trouble. Please." Wingpaw said. "Please, Skypaw is a medicine cat apprentice, she's against all this fighting and she was chased by the fox for a while before I found her. She's exhausted and needs to get to camp!"
"What is your name?"
"Wingpaw."
"You are my uncle's kit, yes?" That was it! This was Tigerheart. He nodded at his cousin. He turned to look back at the ShadowClan cats. "Go back to camp and let them know I am bringing these apprentices home and checking to make sure the fox didn't stray on to our territory. I will return quickly."
"Do you think it's safe?" A dark gray tom said. His shoulder muzzle was bleeding heavily were Wingpaw scratched him.
"Yes Scorchfur. Take Kinkfur and return to camp." He waited for the warriors to depart before walking over to Skypaw with Wingpaw. Her eyes were half closed and she was breathing ragged.
"Wingpaw…"
"I'm here Skypaw. You're safe." He glanced at Tigerheart and decided she was safe. "We'll get you to camp. Just rest."
"I will carry her, can you manage alone, or should I get help?"
"No, I can manage." They made it to the stream down along the border and Wingpaw was exhausted. His paws dragged and he wasn't walking straight. He said nothing though. Tigerheart was watching him carefully as he held Skypaw by the scruff. He lowered the unconscious she cat and inhaled. He ignored the prey scent that made his belly rumble and locked on to a very familiar one. Ferretpaw was nearby hunting. He scanned the area until he locked his eyes on the cat. Calling out he trotted over and eyed the cats curiously.
"Help Wingpaw please." The cream and gray apprentice nodded and pressed against Wingpaw who leaned on him lightly at first. By the time they were half way to Thunderclan camp from that point he was leaning heavily. "Thank you for coming with me Ferretpaw and for asking no questions as to what is going on."
"You are my superior Tigerheart and I trust you." The warrior purred his approval and filled the apprentice quickly in on what was happening. "Tigerheart, does this mean you'll make sure I don't fail my warrior assessment?"
"What?" He said looking at the smaller cat.
"I was on my assessment. I put a pile of food under a tree but I still had plenty of time to hunt more."
"I'm sorry Ferretpaw. Don't worry, you will be a warrior." They hushed as they reached the entrance to the hollow. Blossomthorn was on guard. She ran in to the camp and when Tigerheart and his tiny patrol emerge on the other side of the thorns the whole clan was there on either side of the hollow waiting. Jayfeather ran forward, Brightheart at his side.
"Wingpaw! Skypaw!" Several cats cried out. Cinderheart darted forward to help Ferretpaw lead Wingpaw over to Jayfeather's den. The tom braced his legs and refused to move.
"Wait!" He said. "Tigerheart, thank you."
Then darkness engulfed him. Ferretpaw's anxious meows were the last things he heard. Cinderheart glanced up at Lionheart quickly and was soothed to see the large tom switch places with the enemy apprentice. Together they placed the injured cat in a soft nest for Brightheart to look over with the help of Leafpool. Jayfeather was out in the clearing with Skypaw.
"Greetings Tigerheart." Firestar said as he titled his head.
"Forgive my trespassing, and Ferretpaw's. I found your apprentices fighting Kinkfur and Scorchfur well inside my territory. Wingpaw informed me they were chased by a fox and had no choice."
"You returned them, I am grateful. In this case you're trespass is welcomed. I am sorry they crossed your border."
"They fought well." Tigerheart said with a twitch of his whiskers. "Wingpaw was defending Skypaw like Starclan!"
A ripple of meows passed through the crowd of Thunderclan cats and Tigerheart knew he had been right. The clan was uneasy with the Tigerstar look alike. He raised his head as he sat calmly. Ferretpaw pressed closer to him when he moved to sit.
"Tigerheart, thank you for bringing me my kit." Brambleclaw stepped out of the ranks of his clan and touched his nose to his nephews. The warrior blinked fondly at the deputy but the emotion was fleeting and not enough to raise suspicion.
"Will Skypaw be ok?" He asked. Jayfeather nodded and raised his head to give his thanks. With Ravensong's help he moved her in to his den. As they raised her off the ground her eyes flew open.
"Wingpaw?" She gasped.
"Easy, your friend is fine. Rest." Moonpaw said racing forward to lick her sister's ear. "Rest."
"It is late, if there is a fox lose I'd rather not send you two out there, though I can not keep you here. I offer you a safe place for the night. Food, and a warm nest." Tigerheart glanced to his side at Ferretpaw and saw the weariness in his eyes, both from lack of sleep and uncertainty of his surroundings. Ferretpaw glanced up at him.
"I can wait until tomorrow for my ceremony. We don't want to have Thunderclan need to save us from the fox after we saved the apprentices do we?" He joked lightly and Firestar laughed.
"Very well. Tigerheart, Brambleclaw will give you a nest, and…Ashpaw, can you take care of Ferretpaw?" Both cats dipped their heads and padded forward.
"Hello Ashpaw."
"Hi, Tigerheart, you are Tawnypelt's kit?" The warrior nodded.
"One of three." He replied. "You will meet her soon I am sure. Ferretpaw may seem a bit shy, but he's very tired. Thank you for taking care of him. I'm trusting you with him for the night."
Ashpaw laughed as the Shadowclan warrior winked at him and then walked away with his father. If Tigerheart could be a respected warrior so could he! Moonpaw raced over to his other side and pressed herself briefly against him. Ferretpaw's whiskers twitched but he kept his comments to himself.
"How are Skypaw and Wingpaw?" He asked instead.
"They are fine. Sleeping peacefully." She informed them as they nestled down in to their nests. "As we should be."
Wingpaw was up and walking the next morning. His wounds had stopped bleeding and were slightly scabbed over. His eyes shinned brightly as he picked up a rabbit and carried it over to Tigerheart.
"This is for you and Ferretpaw." The Shadowclan warrior blinked gratefully at him. "Firestar is getting cats to accompany you to the border, and beyond if you wish for an explanation."
"Tell Firestar an escort in to my camp in unnecessary."
"Oh. And Ferretpaw, try and make it to the gathering in two nights. I would like to hear your warrior name straight from you." He smiled softly before turning to limp away.
"Hey Skypaw." Wingpaw meowed softly as he sat in the nest beside the she cat. She blinked her eyes open and grinned warmly. "How are you feeling?"
"Hi! I'm feeling good. Jayfeather said I could go for a walk today, not far but it's still counts." Wingpaw purred. He was worried about her. Their ordeal with the fox had brought them closer together. "Will you come with me? I'm supposed to have an escort."
"Shouldn't it be a warrior?"
"No, I don't think so." She paused. "Besides, I doubt any harm will come to me with you with me."
"Not if I can help it!" He laughed and gently swatted her ears. "Are we going now?"
"As soon as I eat a quick mouse, fur ball!"
They ate a quick breakfast and walked toward the camp entrance. Wingpaw dipped his head respectfully to the warriors padding in with fresh kill in their jaws. Cloudtail flicked his tail and Bumblestripe nodded. Spiderleg ignored him and Birchfall glared.
"It's not fair how they treat you and your brothers." Skypaw sighed.
"No, but I am happy with you as my friend so their opinions don't matter."
"You'll be a great warrior one day Wingpaw. Just wait and see." Wingpaw didn't say anything but he wished he could believe in himself like his friend did.
Authors Note: Now I was never one to believe in holding a story for ransom but I guess that's because I was always the one reading them. This story is the first part of 5 and I have the first four done already. I will finish posting this story as planned but none of the others will go up if I think there isn't anyone interested. Even one or two people. I love feedback.