Chapter Six
Greypaw steadily stalked a fat brown mouse that sat nibbling a nut at the base of a tree. It had been two moons since he had become an apprentice, and he was very proud of his new hunting and fighting skills. Greypaw had been able to find his way naturally through the forest, almost like he had been through it before.
Greypaw pounced and landed spot on the mouse. He snapped it's neck before it could squeak in alarm. Happily, he carried it back to where Nightpaw, Sunpaw, Sandyfur, Muddyear, and Cloudclaw were waiting by the large pile of fresh kill.
"Great catch! It's nearly leaf-fall, so we need to keep our strength if we are to make it through the cold leaf-bare," Muddyear said. Sandyfur's eyes sparkled with delight as she inspected Nightpaw's catch. Greypaw glanced at Cloudclaw, who was sniffing disdainfully at Sunpaw's tiny catch.
"One bird? One tiny bird? I'm disappointed in you, Sunpaw!" Cloudclaw spat. Sunpaw shuffled his paws and stared at the ground.
"I'm sorry…" he muttered. Cloudclaw sniffed and turned to head back.
"Me and Sunpaw need to practice. We will meet you back at camp."
Greypaw watched his brother pick up the tiny thrush and trudge off, his tail dragging. Greypaw lashed his tail and felt his whiskers twitch angrily. How dare Cloudclaw treat his brother like that! He felt someone touch his shoulder. Muddyear's gaze was sympathetic.
"It's hard for them. Be patent, and try to understand how hard it is to be the mentor of a cat who you want to succeed, but has a low chance of. I know it's hard for Sunpaw. None of this is his fault," he said. Greypaw flattened his ears.
"Nothing is wrong with Sunpaw! Cloudclaw is too harsh on everyone! Sunpaw is fine, he's just slower!" Greypaw spat and turned off into the undergrowth. He could hear his clanmates calling him, but he ignored them and raced off farther into the territory.
Suddenly, a strange scent drifted to Greypaw. It was musty and strong, rather like the dog that had passed by a moon ago. Greypaw curiously followed the scent down to the old fox den that had been abandoned for a long time. Greypaw realized the scent must be fox- fresh fox. Slowly he began to back away. I must warn my clan! He thought. Out of nowhere, another memory blinded him.
He was in the dark den, surrounded by two others. He recognized the scent of one. Lionblaze? A loud barking disturbed his thoughts. Greypaw whirled around and came face to face with a large, ginger creature. This must be a fox! He realized. Greypaw turned to run, but the fox had him in it's jaws already. Greypaw whirled around, clawing at the fox. He yowled as it threw him down and pounced. It's jaws closed in around him and slowly crushed.
What am I going to do? Help me, Starclan! HELP!