I'm backk! So, sorry if this took awhile, I got unexpectedly busy and stuff. And on a dumb sidenote, it rained! So beautiful...anywhoo, Reviews!
Darkflight of DeathClan: Thank you :)
TearStainedAngel: I though you would like Lionclaw ;) And Thank you! I am so excited! I can't believe I have so many!
Sierra of the Stars: Aw, thank you for the compliments :) Put a huge smile on my face for the entire day! I checked the book out and I wish I had money so i could go buy it! Imma beg my parents for money, cause that looks like a most fantabulous book. I can't believe that you see me as a role model, that makes my entire year! Kidd, thank you, you make my days xD Trust me, Featherpaw has some conflict comin' up for her! And Rosepaw gets angrier, trust me xD Keep reviewing dear!
Galefire: Are you sure it's sunset? I know I've read Eclipse at least...? I'm kinda out of the warriors loop haha. I'll go check it out...maybe. I suffer from this disease called laziness. And I might just use Thornshadow...
kingszey: Doesn't it? :) Thank you!
Random Falcon: I have so many ideas for the Ravenwing one! It's gunna be gooooddd ;)
Mistyflower68: I like doing Star chapters I enjoy showing my readers that thought StarClan is supposed to be like perfect and stuff, they aren't. They are just like the living cats, just in the sky. It gives a refreshing outlook on things, that even the most "perfect" of beings can make mistakes
Icestar0921: Thank you :) I do try xD
Tangleflame: I will try to read it as soon as humanly possible for me :) Trust me, you will get plenty of reviews like that! Just try to learn from them, and you'll get reviews like crazy :)
starbomb: don't you just love Lilyfur?
Snowflower3618: Oh gosh, I missed your reviews! and I think you shall particularly like this chappie xD Anywhoo, pleaseeee keep reviewing, I missed 'em!
Silvertail of ShoreClan: Isn't he just? I loveee Darkflight with a passion :)
Raintail of RiverClan: Thank you, you make me feel like a million dollars, I hope you know that :) You just put the brightest smile on my face with your insanely beautiful reviews :) And I seriously apologize for the hawk story. I will seriously try to get cracking on that story! (I said seriously a lot O.o)
Sparrowclaw of ThunderClan: Lilyfur is just kinda going with the flow, you know?
Nonameknight: Thank you kid :) I really pray you don't! Again, thank you! Ravenwing is just an aamzing character, and I feel honored that I wrote her.
Viper332: Thank you for the name suggestions! I really like Thornblaze...I might just use that...I too love Lilyfur and Darkflight. Their two of my better characters I must admit. But I think my best charrie is Shadowfur, though he has a defective name xD And here is your update! And no worries, the hawk story will be updated soon...I hope. It's taking forever, I know, but I need to get back into the groove for that one xD
AXGHunterMae: Isn't Feather just amazing? ;) Here's mine: "Don't ever tell someone to get over it. You never know. They might be breaking into a million pieces inside. So just hold them close, shed some tears with them, stroke their hair, and let them know everything will be okay. You could save their life."
johnnycake: I'm afraid I do not know what you mean...LawlClan?
Spottedflame: Thank you for voting! You have no idea how much that helps me!
XxBlazestormXx: Ravenwing POV coming up in like three chapters! I hope you likee it :)
Cloneguin: Yay, you're reviewing again! I missed youu! Thank you :) And I'm so saddd you're discontinuing your story! I really liked it!
On with the chappie!
Chapter 17
Snowpaw
The white she-cat prayed desperately her fur was camouflaged by the shadows of the trees and the snow everywhere. Her paws sank into the slushy ground and she relished the feeling of the mud between her toes.
The mouse nibbling at a seed in front of her was blissfully unaware that death lurked just a few tail-lengths away. Snowpaw's dark blue eyes never left her prey and her body moved with liquid grace beneath the pine trees.
At last, she took a deep breath and lunged forward, piercing the animal's neck before it could make a sound.
"I'm sorry," she whispered painfully before taking the mouse and in her jaws and padding away.
She knew it was strange to feel regret for killing prey. But she couldn't help it. When she let herself think about it, she was keenly aware that she had killed something, had ended its life. However, she knew that mice had been put there for that reason. For them to hunt and eat.
As she padded back to camp, Snowpaw reflected on her quirkiness as Dapplepaw called it. As a kit, she'd been fascinated by life; the birds singing, the plants growing, the mice scrambling all about. She had wanted to help it grow.
This was why medicine cat apprentice was a perfect position for her. She loved healing and nurturing. Snowpaw felt at home in the little cave with the aroma of herbs all around.
Right now though, it was filled with cats and their various sicknesses. The catmint was beginning to run out, and though ShadowClan cats were naturally tough, this leaf-bare had been harsh. The mouse she carried was scrawny and the snow beneath her paws was hard and cold. There was no sign of a thaw anytime soon and a cold wind pierced her thick white fur.
Squirming into camp, she glanced around, looking for her sisters habitually. Darkpaw was listening to her mentor, Yellowtail, intently. Dapplepaw was just entering the elder's den, a stick with a piece of moss soaked in mouse bile clamped in her jaws. Purring with amusement, Snowpaw made her way to Twigfur's den.
"Oh, Snowpaw, thank StarClan it's you! Breezetail needs more lavender, as does Skytail. Could you also get Hawkkit some water and honey? His throat is inflamed, I'm afraid," her mentor meowed hurriedly. His brown fur was sticking up in clumps and his blue eyes were filled with a wild light as he rushed to and fro, trying to ease his clan mate's suffering.
Snowpaw shook her head and laid her tail on his shoulder, trying to ease the tenseness in his muscles.
Her voice was light and reassuring as she mewed, "Twigfur, relax. Eat this mouse I caught. I'll see to them for a bit while you rest for a few minutes, okay?"
Her mentor released a long, deep breath, muscles slowly relaxing under Snowpaw's gentle reassurances.
"You're right. Thank you, Snowpaw. What would I do without you?" he muttered, stumbling to his den with the mouse in his jaws.
Laughing under her breath, Snowpaw went to tend her patients.
First, there was Breezetail who had a light case of greencough. His dark fur was slicked with moisture and his eyelids fluttered with uneasy sleep. Whispering to him, Snowpaw managed to get some lavender and water into his fevered body.
Next came little Hawkkit, who had whitecough. Snowpaw managed to get him to eat some horsetail and bribed him with a little honey. His sweet green eyes blinked innocently up at her as he asked about a million different questions. Snowpaw laughed as she answered best as she could. The kit was almost ready to head back to the nursery.
Then, Skytail, who worried her most of all her patients. The tired she-cat was aged and frail. Her body trembled as it fought the deadly sickness off. The elder was tough in ShadowClan fashion, but she could only fight so long. Meanwhile, Snowpaw was determined to help her. Coating poppy seeds in honey, she managed to dull the pain before administering catmint.
The aged she-cat fell into a slightly easier sleep. Snowpaw gave a sigh of relief, sitting down for the first time that day. Until a wail echoed from the clearing. Rushing through, she saw it was Russetpaw who had wailed, one paw lifted off the ground. His mentor, Addertail, followed, looking concerned.
Snowpaw shoved her way through the crowd gathering, bending forward to examine the apprentice's paw until he jerked it away.
"Where's Twigfur?" he whined. Snowpaw grit her teeth and shut her eyes for a moment. This cat had endless ways of getting on her nerves.
Barely keeping her temper in check, she muttered, "Twigfur is resting. He has three sick cats to tend to all day. Now, relax, and let me look at it."
The tom lowered his paw again, a sneer plastered on his face. "I'd rather have a cat who knows what he's doing, but fine," he spat.
Snowpaw found the thorn in his pad and almost burst out laughing.
"You whiny little kit, it's a thorn. And a small one at that. You're hardly even bleeding," she scoffed, gripping the thorn between her teeth and yanking it out.
Russetpaw let loose another wail, loud enough to make it sound like she'd sliced his throat. "You nearly cut my paw off!" he yowled.
Snowpaw rolled her eyes before leading him to the medicine den. She listened patiently as he whined incessantly and winced dramatically in pain while she bound the paw and dripped some marigold into the wound.
When he had gone at last, Hawkkit woke up and began to pepper her with even more questions. How does he think of all these, Snowpaw wondered in amazement. Twigfur suddenly came from his den, light eyes clear and sparkling once again.
After examining the little tom, he declared him ready to return to the nursery, with some relief. The kit had endless energy.
Leading him to the nursery, his mother Talltail came rushing out, purring.
"Is he better now?" she asked nervously, green eyes worried. Snowpaw nodded and turned to go back to the medicine cat den. She was stopped by Hawkkit brushing against her flank, wide eyes looking at her happily.
"Thank you, Snowpaw," he mewed sweetly before scampering back to Talltail, who watched her son lovingly. Snowpaw felt her throat choke up before she raised her tail in farewell, returning happily to the medicine den.
Twigfur came out to meet her; the pair of them settled down just outside the den and watching the sky darken. All around, the clan was calming down and the night songs of the forest were beginning. Snowpaw watched Dapplepaw as she shared tongues with Darkpaw, Shrewpaw watching her sisters. It was well known he liked Darkpaw. Snowpaw felt a pang in her gut, realizing how much distance had been put between her and her family.
Her mother and father, loving as they were, were busy amongst the Clan. Her sisters were also busy with their apprentice duties. Snowpaw missed the days of her kithood, when she and her sisters shared everything.
Twigfur followed her gaze and saw the sorrow gleaming in their depths.
"Your family is always nearby, Snowpaw. And they love you," he purred. "Well, who couldn't love you?"
Snowpaw gaped at her usually stern mentor, who sat now with a gleam in his tired eyes. She was aware he was beginning to grow older, though it never showed.
"Th-thank you, Twigfur," she stammered, bowing her head. Her mentor continued.
"You're an exceptional she-cat, Snowpaw. I hope you know that. I feel as though you're not told that enough. You're patient and kind, loving and nurturing, yet fiercely protective. You've the intelligence of ThunderClan, the bravery of RiverClan, the loyalty of WindClan, and the cunning of ShadowClan. I couldn't ask for a better apprentice," he murmured. Slowly, he drifted off to sleep beneath the clear night sky.
Snowpaw gazed at him affectionately as she whispered, "Thank you, Twigfur. I love you too."
She then stood and slipped outside the camp and into the fresh night air. It was freezing cold, but Snowpaw didn't mind. As she made her way to the great oak tree, her thoughts turned to Rosepaw and Thornpaw.
Snowpaw knew they still grieved their father, Darkflight. Something inside told her they would never quite forgive Featherpaw for what she did. Snowpaw knew she wouldn't be able to.
As strange as it was, Snowpaw admired Rosepaw for her untamed independence. Though she may be blind, Snowpaw got the feeling the young apprentice saw more than most cats.
And Thornpaw, strong and handsome. He was endearingly devoted to his sister while struggling to accept the fact his father was truly gone. Snowpaw's heart went out to the poor tom, whose grief had been made obvious by the heartbroken expression in his eyes at the Gathering. It was an ache Snowpaw doubted would ever go away.
The birds above her sang gently to the shining stars. Snowpaw sighed, her breath taken away by the breeze. She swore, a voice carried by the wind and leaves seemed to whisper to her, You keep it alive, Snowpaw. Keep it alive. It trailed off as the wind drifted away.
After spending a long time out there, just watching the distant stars, Snowpaw returned to the den. Twigfur had moved to his nest. Murmuring instructions to herself, she tended to her patients cheerfully, pushing away the exhaustion dragging at her limbs. A bit before dawn, Twigfur stirred, blinking his eyes open drowsily.
"Snowpaw?" he mumbled groggily, dragging himself from his nest. "Have you been up all night?"
"Yep," the white apprentice replied, still cheerful as ever though she was ready to collapse.
Twigfur shook his head as he padded to his apprentice, nudging her gently. "Go, get some rest. You've earned it," he purred.
Snowpaw, too tired to argue, stumbled to her warm nest and settled down gratefully. Sleep washed over her almost instantly and she was lost in a world of dreams.
I just realized how actionless and boring this was. oh well, I like the character building there was in this one. Next one is Darkpaw, and trust me, there WILL be action in that one!
~Ciao, Monkey!~