The Tiny Warrior

Only a Leader that walks the darkest paths would break the Code that protects Kits. Mousestar of LightClan was such a Leader, raging a battle with the SkyClan Warriors.

SkyClan Territory

Snowstorm springs with his claws unsheathed and Minnowpaw falls to the ground without making a sound. A trickle of blood creeps from her left ear, which is crumbled in the dust. Snaketail shakes his head and throws Rareclaw off as he tries to bite his tail and bounds over to his unmoving Clanmate.

"Get off her, you mangy piece of fur!" Snaketail hissed. Snaketail bends down and grasps Minnowpaw's scruff between his teeth. Minnowpaw's fur is still soft and fluffy and it tickles my nose. Snaketail blinks to stop himself from sneezing; he lifts the tiny limp body into the air and carries her to the edge of SkyClan's territory.

Behind Snaketail, screeches and thuds echo around the barren clearing where SkyClan once made its hunting ground. The ground is sticky with fresh and drying blood. Mousestar was right. This battle will force SkyClan to leave the rocks, and LightClan hunters will be able to take over the territory in order to feed our growing Clan; but not Minnowpaw. Snaketail thought.

Minnowpaw's breathing is quick and shallow and a strange smell is coming from her like sour blood. Snaketail shakes his head angrily.

I trained Minnowpaw in every battle skill that I know and made sure that she can duck, roll, and slash as well as any of the other Apprentices. Now there is nothing any cat can do for her. Minnowpaw is only three moons old; she is too small to take on a full-grown SkyClan Warrior, her legs are too short to reach the easily wounded parts of belly, eyes, and ears. What can any Mentor do when he or she is expected to train a Kit? The Messenger Code says that a Warrior must be at least six moons old, but that does not worry me as much as I fear Mousestar. I failed my leader – and Mousestar will make sure the entire Clan knows. Snaketail thought.

Snaketail turns away, ready to abandon his Apprentice and teach Snowstorm a lesson he would not forget anytime soon. Minnowpaw's eyes flicker open.

"Snaketail? Is that you?" Minnowpaw asked. Snaketail's heart sinks.

"Yes, it's me…"

"Was…was I good enough?" Minnowpaw shifts her paws in the dust and a small bead of blood forms at the corner of her lip. "I tried to remember everything that you taught me." Snaketail looks at the battered little body.

Minnowpaw did not stand a chance from the moment the first battle yowl split the air. Snaketail thought. Snaketail feels something stir inside him. What am I going to tell Fernshadow? That her Kit is always going to die in this battle, because she is too small, too weak? "Fernshadow will be very proud of you." Minnowpaw opens her eyes with an effort and looks straight at Snaketail.

"Are you proud of me?" Minnowpaw asked. Snaketail crouches beside Minnowpaw and strokes her eyelids with the tip of his tail to close them again.

"You fought wonderfully."

"Will you be all right without me?" she asked fretfully. Minnowpaw moves her head and the trickle of blood coming from her ear thickens, spilling out faster.

"We will do our best. And we'll always remember you and how brave you were," Snaketail said gravely. It my imagination or did her chest just swell with pride?

"Do…do you think HeavenClan will make me a Warrior now?" Snaketail swallows hard; there seems to be something hard wedged in his throat.

"I'm sure they will." There is a wondering tone to Minnowpaw's voice, as it grows fainter.

"What will my name be?"

"I think they'll let you choose your own name." The lump in Snaketail's throat is growing, making it hard to speak.

"I'd like to be called Minnowtail. Like you, Snaketail, because you are such a great Mentor." Snaketail leans forward and rests his muzzle on Minnowpaw's head.

"That's a great honor. Minnowtail is a very good name for a Warrior." Snaketail can feel Minnowpaw's breath coming quicker now, her flank hardly rising at all, as she fights for air. "You will watch over us from HeavenClan for all moons to come." Minnowpaw lets out a tiny sigh, then her flank stills. Snaketail straightens up. "This was not your time to die. For as long as I live, I will honor the Messenger Code and never train another Kit, who should still be at his or her mother's belly. No go, little one, and walk with Warriors."