CHAPTER FOUR
"Done over here, Strikefang!" I called to the cream-furred tom who was padding towards me. "No RiverClan cat will dare come over here," I mewed proudly and turned away from the border with RiverClan. It had been about a quarter moon since the three siblings had become warriors and the battle between the Clans was over. We'd heard nothing from WindClan or RiverClan but sometimes they'd move the border and we'd just move it back. ThunderClan, however, was being very generous and when we'd meet a patrol it'd just be a causal talk. Puddlepaw received his full name, Puddleheart. Littlecloud was still holding on, he was still teaching Puddleheart herbs and remedies while his greencough slowly turned into blackcough. He rarely left his nest anymore in fear of getting another cat sick.
Dawnpelt and Tigerheart, the other two on the patrol, had finished marking their area and were walking up to us, chatting happily. Dawnpelt had definitely missed talking with her family and I knew the reason she acted out with Needlepaw and I was because she missed Flametail.
Leafbare was passing and the prey was coming out. There were still patches of snow on the ground but it was warmer now, thank StarClan.
"Hey!" Strikefang called to them, his amber eyes shining when he saw his relatives. "We should hunt for the Clan and then head back," he suggested.
Although this wasn't the first time he was leader of a patrol he always acted nervous and always looked to the senior warriors to see if it was okay. Maybe he was just used to it. Junipernose didn't act that way though. He just bossed everyone around. Sleekfeather bossed everyone around but she wasn't rude about it.
The two warriors nodded in agreement and set off in excitement. I padded away as well, scenting the air. I could smell a mouse and crouched down low, moving stealthily. I was still right next to the RiverClan border but I was nowhere near crossing it. There the mouse was, scuffling about and sniffing around. It looked around and then continued sniffing around.
I wiggled my haunches and lunged forward, catching the mouse between my paws in delivering the final blow. I picked it up by the tail, ready to go back to camp when a voice startled me.
"What do you think you're doing?!" a strong, angry voice yelled. I recognized him instantly: Heronwing with his apprentice Pricklepaw. Two other cats were trailing behind him: Nightpaw and his mentor Perchwing. "Why're you so close to the border, Beepaw?" he spat, obviously remembering me.
Quickly, I scented the air to make sure I hadn't crossed the border and when I knew I hadn't I set down the mouse and stood strong. "Hunting. I'm not over the border so you cannot challenge me. Get lost," I spat back, meeting Nightpaw's shameful gaze. He seemed uncomfortable.
Heronwing narrowed his eyes as he stepped forward, over the border and began to mark there. "What're you going to do about it?"
Irritation pricked at my pelt and I stepped forward, meeting him eye-to-eye. "If you don't leave now, you'll regret it!"
"Perchwing, bring the apprentices over and start marking the new border," he ordered as he moved over a little to continue marking. Hesitantly, Perchwing brought the two apprentice's over and started marking.
Finally, I felt my anger boil up and I lunged at Heronwing, tackling him over and hissing in his face as I pinned him down. "Get out of ShadowClan territory before I teach you a lesson!" I dug my claws deep into his chest, my eyes blazing with anger.
"Heronwing, we should go!" Nightpaw mewed, worry in his voice. "Come on!"
Pricklepaw ran over to me and tried to pull me off and I kicked back in her face and hearing her cry out in pain and she backed away. I caught Nightpaw's appearance: Shock and anger. I hurt his sister and he was furious.
Suddenly, he ran forward and tackled me off him, pinning me down and as he opened his jaws to say something I dug my back claws into his stomach and pushed him off, standing up quickly and lashing out at Perchwing who tried to run up to Nightpaw.
"Get out!" I growled, baring my teeth. "Before I hurt you too." My eyes narrowed and my claws dug into the ground.
Heronwing finally sat up, breathing heavily. "This isn't worth it, come on guys." He backed away slowly and Perchwing followed as well as Pricklepaw.
Nightpaw flattened his ears on his head. "You'll regret that, Beepaw," he snarled and then raced after them, leaving me in silence.
I remarked the border and snatched my mouse up and stomped away, anger in my pelt. I passed by Strikefang who was holding a lizard in his jaws and when he saw the blood on my pelt he raced after me but I was headed straight for camp. I thought Nightpaw and I were friends! I was wrong! He knew he was doing the wrong thing!
"Beepaw! Beepaw are you okay!" Strikefang was asking, now at my side. "What happened?"
When we reached camp I threw my prey on the pile and then Strikefang was directly in front of me, his eyes full of worry. "Are you okay? What happened? Was it RiverClan?" He sniffed my pelt and noticed the blood wasn't mine.
"Yes, it was RiverClan! They crossed the border and was trying to change it so I taught them a lesson!" I hissed at him and turned my head to see Cloudkit standing behind Strikefang, her eyes wide. "Cloudkit!" I purred and raced to her but she backed up, looking at my pelt with wide eyes.
Puddleheart raced to me, herbs in his jaws. "What happened? You okay?" he asked muffled, dropping the herbs on the ground and looked at my pelt in confusion.
"I'm fine," I mewed to my brother, eyes narrowed. "It's RiverClan blood."
Strikefang shook his head. "I'll go talk to Rowanstar about this!" Then he raced off to the leader's den as I began grooming myself, watching Cloudkit inch towards me.
"Are you okay?" she asked quietly.
I smiled warmly at her and licked his cheek gently. "Of course, Cloudkit. I'm only protecting you when I hurt the RiverClan cats you know…" I continued grooming the blood off of myself and sighed quietly. "I was defending our territory."
She nodded slowly and sat down, looking at me. "I believe you, Beepaw." She tilted her head slightly, gazing at me with interest. "It was brave of you to take them on by yourself." Her eyes shone.
My head shook in disagreement. "Never do what I did. If those RiverClan warriors had really wanted that territory they would've destroyed me. But those warriors, just had a grudge against me." I had finished grooming myself and was now focused on the small kit in front of me. "Don't face older warriors alone," I ordered her and pricked my ears.
Rowanstar exited his den and spotted me, hurrying over. Crowfrost and Strikefang racing after. "Beepaw, I heard how you stood up to the RiverClan warriors," he mewed, his eyes narrowed. "That was very brave and noble of you. But, it was foolish and you put yourself in danger…" He glanced around like he didn't want to punish me so he cleared his throat awkwardly. "So because you saved our Clan some territory all I do is say good work." He nodded firmly and glanced at Crowfrost who nodded in agreement but Strikefang looked a little irritated.
"Thank you, Rowanstar," I purred softly and looked around. Everyone but Strikefang looked content with my nonexistence punishment but I didn't mind, I was proud to have saved that territory for our Clan and to stand up to those RiverClan fish-pelts! I still felt sad about Nightpaw though…
Our leader and Crowfrost padded away, mumbling to each other while Strikefang glared at me.
A black tom walked up to me with a mouse in his jaws and I instantly recognized Junipernose. He smiled warmly at me and set it down. "I heard about the fight with RiverClan and figured you could use something to eat." He sat down and wrapped his tail around his paws and smiled more at me.
I blinked at him and laughed. "Okay… Thank you, Junipernose." I took a bite of the mouse and chewed it slowly, grinning. It tasted delicious.
He watched me and tilted his head. "That was very brave of you to take on RiverClan. I wish I was that brave…" Junipernose took a nibble of the mouse.
"Thanks," I laughed and finished the mouse off. "Congratulations on being a warrior, by the way. We haven't really talked since you became a warrior," I mewed and licked my lips. Tasty. I should talk to Junipernose more.
Junipernose laughed too, shaking his head. "I know. We should talk more.." He paused and when I smiled at him he continued, "You'll a good warrior, Beepaw." He let out a yawn and stood up. "Well, see you tomorrow." And then he padded to the warrior's den.
I rose to my paws as well, watching him leave and then happily padding to the apprentice's den, laying down in my nest and seeing the nest was full of my siblings. I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.
Sunlight trickled into my eyes and I opened them slowly and glanced around. Yarrowpaw was the only one still in the den. It was odd not having more apprentices in here. I stood up and groomed myself quickly before exited the den, seeing it was just past dawn.
Junipernose instantly padded up to me, a smile on his face. "Good morning, Beepaw! Want to go out for a hunt?" His eyes shone in excitement and I could tell he itched to get out of camp.
"Of course, Junipernose," I purred softly and flicked my tail at the entrance. "You lead the way!" I laughed as he led the way to the camp entrance and slipped through. I followed silently, watching the large, sleek black tom make his way through the pines easily. He had gotten smarter and more stealthy and before I could even scent the air he pricked his ears and crouched down low. "Squirrel!" he hissed, trying not to mess it up. "You go around!"
I did as he commanded and went around silently, smelling the air for the squirrel. I had never smelled a squirrel before, it was rare to show up in the pines. It must've come all the way from ThunderClan territory! When I was on the other side of the squirrel and signaled with my tail and saw him wiggle his haunches and jump right in the squirrel's face, yelling at yowling.
The squirrel, obviously startled and scared, whipping around and racing right to where I was crouched down and I trapped it within my claws, quickly snapping it's neck and bringing it out to Junipernose. It was a clean kill, barely any blood and it looked fat, juicy, and tasty.
"Nice kill!" he purred and smelled the air again. "If we're lucky, you can catch the bird I smell and I'll hunt down that lizard. After you've got it, come back here!" he mewed and then launched himself over some bushes and silently left me alone.
Still proud of myself, I quietly smelled the air, smelling the bird he was talking about and I followed the scent through the forest, noticing it was rather quiet. Which wasn't unusual. The scent led right to a small clearing where the bird was pulling out a worm from the ground eagerly.
I crouched down low and narrowed my eyes and then lunged, missing the bird by a hair and it jumped up, catching flight but I jumped up as well, hooking my claw in it's wing and bringing it back to the ground and killed it. I proudly carried the bird back through the pines and to the clearing where the squirrel still laying. I set my prey down on top of the squirrel and waited for Junipernose.
He emerged from the bushes with a lizard hanging from his jaws and a smile on his face. "You ready to head back to camp?" he asked through his lizard.
"Yeah," I purred back and grabbed my bird while he threw the squirrel on his back. The prey was running, even though the patches of snow were still around and it was still a little cold. I had nothing bad to say about it though.
When we'd reached camp and put our prey down on the pile, Strikefang approached us, his eyes narrowed. "Why were you two hunting together? You aren't friends!" he snapped angrily. "You could've been on a border patrol!"
Junipernose, surprisingly, stepped forward and put his nose in his brother's face. "We were hunting for the Clan, Strikefang. Besides, you aren't the boss of us!" he growled and I could feel the anger coming off both of them.
His eyes narrowed to slits and he growled back lowly, "RiverClan tried to move the border again but the patrol I was just on stopped them." Strikefang looked at me with anger. "You should've been there and proved how well of a fighter you are to Rowanstar!" he hissed and his tail lashed.
But Junipernose didn't let that slide. "We got food for the Clan. We did our part. Now get out of our pelts and go clean your own!" He pushed passed his brother and I slowly followed after, shrinking in my pelt as I passed by his glaring eyes.
"Junipernose, are you okay?" I asked when we had put some distance between him and Strikefang. We were over by the nursery now. "I'm so sorry you guys got into a fight!"
The warrior whipped around and faced me, his eyes softened. "No, it was his fault we got into a fight. He thinks he's the leader of the Clan now that he's a warrior." His head shook in anger and disappointment. "We have nothing to be ashamed off, we were hunting for our Clan!" His claws dug into the earth beneath us.
My ears flattened on my head in worry. Junipernose was pretty mad at his brother. Was it my fault? If it was I didn't mean to… I glanced around but no one else seemed to notice the fight or how furious Junipernose was. "How about you go get some rest?" I suggested lightly, looking at him for a reaction.
But the warrior just looked down at me and smiled. "You have some great ideas, Beepaw." And then he padded away to the warrior's den without another word.
I sighed in relief, feeling myself calm down. Junipernose and Strikefang have never fought like this before… I wonder what's going on?
Tonight was the half moon, meaning the medicine cats all go meet at the moonpool peacefully. Littlecloud had decided Puddleheart should go alone and I decided I'd wait up for him by taking guard duty until dawn.
He left with a wave of his tail and a smile on his face. I was proud of my brother, both that he was happy being a medicine cat and he had his full name before any of his siblings. It was usually the other way around. I wasn't jealous though. I couldn't deal with healing all those cats while my mentor slowly died. Plus the pressure of seeing StarClan.
I wonder what StarClan was like anyways. Was the cat with the stars in their fur a StarClan cat? If so they looked very peaceful and kind. Do all StarClan cats give prophecies? Can the cat who gave you the prophecy see all your movements and hear all your thoughts? I froze at that thought and look up at the moon that was at it's peak. There were no clouds tonight but there was a small breeze going through camp. I shivered.
"Beepaw?" I faint voice mewed and I recognized Strikefang. Oh great, I thought with an eyeroll. "I was just out hunting and well I wanted to talk to you…"
Here to yell at me more? I wanted to growl in his face but just nodded slowly. "I'm listening."
"I want to apologize for earlier, the fight with Junipernose. We're warriors now and we need to focus on being the best warrior's possible, you know?" He sat down next to me, his amber eyes shining brightly.
Was he excited to see me? I shook my head at the thought. He and I never talked as kits or apprentices. "It's quite alright. I understand," I mewed truthfully and turned away, focusing my gaze on the entrance to camp and hoping he'd go away.
But he didn't. "You were amazing on that border patrol," he commented. His voice held amusement now. "You've probably got this from a lot of cats today but, you're a great fight! And you'll be a great warrior." He smiled warmly.
I shifted awkwardly and nodded. "Thanks…" What was going on? Why was he hunting at night and came back with no prey? Why was he still talking to me? "You should get to your nest."
His eyes flashed. "Are you trying to get rid of me, Beepaw? Well, that's not very nice…" His head shook and he grinned lightly. "Are you planning something? Maybe something with WindClan?"
What? This tomcat was crazy! If anything I should be the one suspicious of him planning something with another Clan! He was the one out late! "Of course not, Strikefang. Come on, you know I'm loyal to my Clan." I looked at him with a glare but managed to calm myself down. "I'm waiting for dawn, that's when Puddleheart will come back from the medicine cat meeting at moonpool." I flicked my tail.
Strikefang glared at me more and then giggled. "Of course! Puddleheart is such a great medicine cat! When Littlecloud passes away we'll be lucky he's here!" His head shook slowly and he rose to his paws, stumbling over to the warrior's den. "Goodnight, Beepaw!" And then he stumbled inside.
I shook my head. Something was definitely wrong with him. He was acting like someone was a traitor in the Clan… Wait, does he know something about the prophecy?
And then Puddleheart entered camp quietly, nodding at me with a smile before slipping into his den. I glanced up at the moon: Almost dawn. The dawn patrol would be getting up any second.
Right on cue, Spikefur, Yarrowpaw, and Sleekfeather all came out of their dens and came right to where I was sitting.
"You guys ready for dawn patrol?" Sleekfeather asked, stretching her legs and yawning. She looked like she slept awfully. Maybe she heard the conversation with Strikefang last night? If she did, she showed no sign of it.
Yarrowpaw yawned as well, nodding his head. "Yeah, let's go check the RiverClan border, make sure they haven't moved it again." His eyes rolled and they set off, leaving the camp quiet as the sun rose.
I knew that Rowanstar would yell at me for not getting any sleep but I was too eager to train to call. I waited for the leader to leave his den impatiently. I paced and bounced up and down while everyone woke and began their duties for the day.
Junipernose mewed a hello to me but I was too concentrated to say anything back. At one point Cloudkit was telling me about a dream she had but I guess she figured out I was busy and walked away. Crowfrost and Needlepaw walked past me talking about battle training which peaked my interest by they said nothing about me coming. Pinenose led Birchkit, Lionkit, and Slatekit to the fresh kill pile and they started playing with a mouse and was quickly scolded by Oakfur and Kinkfur. I watched Sleekfeather, Yarrowpaw, and Spikefur reenter the camp after they'd finished marking the border and they got something to eat.
At this point I was tired of waiting and walked right up to Rowanstar's den, calling inside, "Rowanstar? Are we going to train today?"
There was a pause and then a muffled reply, "Wha-?" I hear some rustling and then he exited his den, fur sticking out everywhere and moss still clung to his pelt. He looked overly tired. "I apologize, Beepaw… I was in a deep… Deep sleep." He shook his head and looked down at me. "Let me groom myself and then we'll head out," he promised and plopped down onto the ground and quickly groomed himself.
Afterwards, he led me right out of camp and just outside of camp he turned around. "We're training here?" I asked him in confusion.
He nodded with a grin. "Why of course!" He looked around. "It's a beautiful day and we have to appreciate it!" I could feel the sun shining down on my back and definitely agreed. It felt amazing out here and I had been stuck in camp all night as well as half the day. It was already sunhigh.
Why is Rowanstar so tired? I shook of the question. It didn't matter, it was none of my business anyways. I focused on training and my mentor talking.
"Today we will learn how to.." He searched his mind and then grinned. "You will learn how to properly climb a pine tree!" He jumped on the trunk to the nearest tree and nodded. "You copy." He waited until I was on the trunk beside him and he reached for the first branch, hauling himself up and I copied, feeling the branch wiggle under my weight but I focused on what he was doing as he used his back paws to scramble up to the second branch and so did I.
"Great work so far, Beepaw!" he purred with a smile. He seemed proud but I could tell he was really wanting to head back to his nest. He dug his claws into the third branch and used his back paws to scramble up onto it and I easily copied. "Very nice." His eyes shone in mischief. "Now, climb down."
I froze for a second and looked down to the ground. It was so far away. Swallowing down my fear, I jumped down to the second branch and looked up at Rowanstar who had balanced himself on the branch enough to sit down and watch me.
A challenge, huh? My eyes narrowed. Let's do this! I dug my front claws into the trunk of the tree and then jumped down to the first branch and smiled evilly. Next, I took a deep breath and launched myself onto the ground below, landing on my paws and looked up at Rownstar who nodded in approval but he dug his front and back paws into the trunk and let himself slide down like that and when he reached the ground he faced me with a happy face. He'd showed me up!
"That's it, now you'll get it!" I growled and lunged at him, tackling him over and taking the opportunity to try and hold him down but he was much stronger and used his back legs to push me off and I flung backwards, stopping myself with my claws in the ground. I hissed as intimidation and raced forward and while he stepped out of the way I dragged my claws along his side and he let out a yelp of pain and I turned around just in time to bite his tail and yank.
Rowanstar laughed loudly and whipped around, grabbing my neck fur with his teeth and then he shook me around lightly, tossing me into some bushes and crouching down low, ready for my next attack. I remained in the bushes, thinking.
How do I beat him? I grinned a little and then jumped out of the bushes, aiming for his legs but pretending I was going for his face. He was prepared for the fake attack and moved his head while I grabbed ahold of his leg and tripped him, pinning the surprised tomcat down and yowling in victory.
"Yeah! I win!" I yowled, bouncing up and down in excitement, grinning ear-to-ear. And I got off my mentor as he struggled to his paws.
He actually looked proud of me. "Very nice work, Beepaw. I thought you were aiming for my face. Clever!" he purred and I could tell the leader was feeling much better now. "I apologize for sleeping in this morning… I'm worried about Littlecloud." He glanced at the camp entrance and I could tell his paws were itching to run to his medicine cat. "He's been sick before, but not like this… Plus he got it from me," he sighed and then the disappointment fluttered back into his eyes.
"I understand, Rowanstar," I mewed honestly. "Just be careful, you don't want to lose a life trying to comfort Littlecloud." I felt bad about telling him to stay away from his own medicine cat and friend but we couldn't risk our leader being sick again, especially with RiverClan and WindClan on edge. "We need our leader stronger. That means you need sleep as well. If StarClan thinks it's Littlecloud's time to leave the lake then they'll take him." I couldn't believe the words leaving my mouth. I sounded like an elder who'd been alive far too long.
He looked just as surprised as I was. "Thank you. I really needed that, Beepaw." Rowanstar smiled and shook his head slowly. "You'll make a terrific warrior, seriously."
I laughed loudly and rolled my eyes. "I've never heard that before!" I met his gaze and I noticed something there that wasn't there before. I couldn't tell what exactly but I'd find out.
"Let's get back to camp and see how everyone's doing." He led the way back into camp where it was quiet and everyone was gathered around, waiting for us. They looked confused and concerned. "What's going on?"
Crowfrost looked at the warriors surrounding him. "Puddleheart says that Littlecloud doesn't have much longer…" He glanced at the medicine den in shook his head slowly. "He says you should go say your goodbyes…" I could see the pained look in his face, in all their faces. They'd been with him for a long time.
Rowanstar's eyes dropped in complete sadness and he raced to the medicine den, leaving us in silence.
We all looked at Crowfrost whose head was down with sadness. He was praying to StarClan for Littlecloud and he looked up at us. "Alright so…" His voice was full of sadness. "Get back to your duties!" He put on a weak smile and then padded to the medicine den silently.
Everyone looked at each other and then started organizing themselves into patrols while I gazed at the medicine den. I wanted to join my mentor and brother with Littlecloud but decided that it wasn't a good idea. They needed their own time with their dear friend. Maybe I'd get my turn.
Instead, Junipernose padded to me happily. "Hey, we didn't really get to talk today!" His warm smile comforted me a little but overall I was still concerned about Puddleheart and how he was holding up. He noticed my disinterest though, and glanced at the medicine cat's den. "Don't worry, Puddleheart is strong, he'll be okay."
He was right. After Littlecloud passed Puddleheart would grow from the loss. "Thanks," I purred and shook my head. "So, want to practice some battle moves?"
And his eyes lit with excitement. "Of course, yes!" He moved to the side of the clearing and crouched down. "Ready when you are!"
I looked at his crouch and was very impressed. He definitely was a well-trained warrior. But that wasn't what I was focusing on. I needed to find a weak point. My eyes dart around, searching. His legs were steady, meaning he had balance which also meant his tail was also steady. However, his head was tilted just a little too much, exposing his neck. I narrowed my eyes and smiled, launching forward towards his neck but he saw it coming, moving to block I quickly changed targets to his legs that were now wobbly. It was perfect. I tripped him and couldn't help but grin.
From the ground, Junipernose nipped at my paw that was closest to him and I let out a yelp and then a white pelt whipped past me and jumped on Junipernose. I recognized Cloudkit who was jumping on his stomach and yowling in anger.
"Don't hurt Beepaw!" she was yowling. "You're a bad, bad cat!" Her eyes were full of pain and she looked at me when she realized he wasn't attacking back.
We bursted out in laughter. "Cloudkit, we were practicing, not actually fighting," I told her, flicked my black ear at her. "But nice pounce."
Cloudkit's ears flattened on her head and she hopped off Junipernose who was still laughing. "Sorry…" She hung her head.
"It's quite alright, Cloudkit," Junipernose mewed in between laughs. "That was very brave of you."
A loud yowl startled me and I instinctively jumped in front of Cloudkit, blocking her from any harm and Junipernose jumped to his paws, also guarding the kit.
Stonetooth, Tigerheart, and Tawnypelt charged into camp, panic on their faces. "WindClan is headed this way! It looks like a battle patrol!" Stonetooth gasped, trying to take in more air as Junipernose whipped around and ran to the medicine den to inform Rownstar.
Everyone was now out in the clearing and I sent Cloudkit back to the nursery with the other kits and queens while Rowanstar, Puddleheart, Junipernose, and Crowfrost rushed into the clearing, waiting for the WindClan cats.
When they bursted into the clearing, I could tell they were surprised that we were waiting for them. But instead of Onestar leading them it was Harespring, his eyes narrowed.
"Rowanstar," he mewed loudly, "this is your last chance to through Cloudkit out of your camp." His claws dug into the ground and his muscles flexed. The WindClan cats were outnumbered. What did they think they were doing?
Our leader noticed this as well. "You know this is a rabbit-brained idea, Harespring," Rowanstar growled to the deputy. "You are badly outnumbered here and if you attack I will not have mercy. ShadowClan will not stop until all of you lay dead." He stood tall, his muscles rippling under his ginger pelt. We were all larger than the WindClan cats.
Harespring stepped forward, glancing around the clearing. "This isn't an attack patrol, Rowanstar," he informed us. "These warriors and I had heard Onestar's plans and we disagree with them, we've come to warn you." His head shook and I could tell everyone had calmed down slightly. "He wants to kill Cloudkit and any other descendants that are kittypet…"
"Impossible," Rowanstar hissed, his voice full of dismay. "He'd need all cats who are full Clan to participate and even then half-Clans overtake them now." He spoke the truth.
Another cat I knew as Crowfeather stepped forward. "We're doing all we can to make him calm down and forget the idea but it's not looking good…" He dipped his head. "We should get back to camp before Onestar realizes we aren't doing a group training." He led the large group of cats out of the clearing, Harespring hesitantly leaving as well.
"Rowanstar! Rowanstar!" Puddleheart yowled, racing out of the medicine den, tears in his eyes. "It's Littlecloud…" There was silence and everyone knew what he couldn't bring himself to say. "H-he.. Died." I could see him trembling and instantly raced forward, pressing my muzzle against his.
There was silence among the camp. No one was sure what to do. "Get his body ready for burial," Rowanstar ordered as he padded to his den and slipped inside, Tawnypelt racing after.
Puddleheart pulled away from me and nodded. "Thank you, Beepaw." He took a deep breath and then pushed the pain away. "I have to check on Rowanstar." He walked to the leader's den.
"He's awfully young to become a full medicine cat," Junipernose commented, now standing beside me. I jumped in surprised and he laughed. "Sorry about that."
My surprise showed on my face as I gazed at him. How could he laugh at a time like this? I thought silently but nodded. "He'll do a great job though, he was born to be a medicine cat," I mewed in confidence and looked around. Everyone was standing around, not really sure what to do with themselves.
Oakfur and Kinkfur brought Littlecloud out into the middle of the clearing, sitting him up like he was just sleeping and they began taking turns, sitting in silence for him.
Junipernose never left my side, not even when I sat in silence for a few heartbeats for Littlecloud. As soon as I left he followed and I sat over by the apprentice's den and he sat beside me, looking at me with interest.
I felt uncomfortable and looked at him. "So, uh, how are you doing?"
"I'm okay. A little sad over Littlecloud." He glanced at the dead medicine cat.
We sat there until dusk and I stood. "Thanks for sitting with me… I guess," I mumbled and slipped into the apprentice's den where my siblings were already talking.
They both looked at me with grins. "Junipernose is mooning over you!" Yarrowpaw mewed, his eyes flashing. "Like, mooning."
Needlepaw nodded in agreement with him. "He's around you all the time! Are you mooning over him?"
I blinked in shock. Is that why he was around me all the time? And why Strikefang was angry with him when we went hunting? "It all makes sense!" I gasped, flopping into my nest in front of both of them. "No, I'm not mooning over him! I thought we were just friends…" My head was spinning. I didn't even want to think of having a mate or kits yet! I wasn't even a warrior! "I'll talk to him in the morning," I decided.
My brother and sister shared a look and agreed and then we all went to sleep.
Puddleheart was looking at Rowanstar's wounds which had appeared overnight. Tawnypelt claimed to be at his side the whole time and never felt him move to get a thorn out and no one entered the den. It was a mystery that Rowanstar wasn't willing to share.
Junipernose was on the dawn patrol so I distracting myself with Cloudkit until I spotted him. I couldn't decide what to say to him. It was going to be awkward enough I didn't want to crush him…
Maybe Yarrowpaw and Needlepaw were being rat-brained, maybe he just wanted a friend? Unlikely. He is around me far too much, I thought with a sad sigh.
Cloudkit noticed my sad appearance and tilted her head. "You've finally noticed Junipernose's behavior?" she asked and giggled when I looked at her, startled. "I overheard Yarrowpaw talking to Strikefang and Sleekfeather about it. They say he needs to focus on himself. That you are not right for him." She shook her head and then pawed at the mossball we were playing with.
I nodded. That sounded right. And then, his familiar black pelt entered camp, following behind Wasptail and Sleekfeather. He spotted me instantly and padded up to me.
"Listen, Junipernose," I mewed before he had a chance to say anything, "you're a really great friend but that's all we are, right?" I looked for a reaction but he seemed puzzled. "Just friends?"
His heartfelt laugh echoed around the clearing. "Of course! What are you talking about?"
My pelt burned in shame. He was just interested in being friends. "Well, just, some others have noticed us hanging around a lot and I just want you to know I'm only interested in being friends…" My awkward shuffles were clear and he knew exactly what I was talking about.
Now he was angry. "Sleekfeather and Strikefang talked to you, didn't they?" He glared around the clearing for his siblings who now were nowhere to be seen. "Don't listen to them. Just friends, Beepaw." His nose twitched. "I'll catch you later," he mewed as he padded towards the warrior's den.
Well that was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be, I thought and turned around to see Cloudkit looking at me with amusement. "What?"
"I guess we were all wrong," she purred and jumped up and down. "You need to focus on your training so you can become a warrior before I become an apprentice!"
Silly little kit. "You still have like three and a half moons until you're an apprentice, Cloudkit. If I'm not a warrior by then than I might as well be dead!" I purred back at her and laughed lightly. Talking to Cloudkit always soothed me, even if she wasn't old enough to understand most things.
Her eyes shone though at every word I spoke and she always was interested to the things that were happening. Maybe it was just because she couldn't yet know those things but I still appreciated her. "I know, but we have to make sure you're my mentor!" Her excitement was inevitable. I felt like nothing brought her down. Accept other cats. She was still shy even though she'd spoken to everyone in camp more than once. Something about me brought out her fun attitude.
I couldn't help but smile as she jumped around with the ball of moss. "I will be," I promised, feeling confident. She was right, though. I needed to focus on my training and less on others. I also needed to speak with Rowanstar.
Still feeling confident, I looked around for the large tom and spotted him sitting under the hazel branch, speaking with Strikefang I padded right over.
"Rowanstar, because you have been very distracted with Littlecloud and the Clan I request a mentor change," I mewed, raising my head high and once his gaze fell on me I felt my confidence fall and Strikefang gazed at me in surprise as well.
The leader was very surprised but I could tell he was proud. "Very well, Beepaw. I agree with your opinion." His head swung to Strikefang. "You will be her mentor until she is a warrior in just a few moons." Rowanstar rose to his paws and padded away.
I felt awkward and uncomfortable again. "So, uh, you're my mentor now?" I mewed and shook my head. Obviously! Come on, Beepaw! Say something smart! "Did Junipernose find you? He wasn't very happy when I confronted him…"
Strikefang nodded slowly at me, his gaze full of thoughts. I couldn't get a feeling from him. Did I do something wrong? "That was very brave of you," he commented. "I will gladly be your mentor, Beepaw. But don't think I'm going to take it easy on you." His eyes narrowed. "Let's get started." He quickly trotted out of camp and I rushed to keep with him. He was fast but it didn't matter, he wasn't trying to get me lost.
He slowed down when we were farther away from camp and turned to me. "Show me what you got," he ordered, getting down low. "Go!"
My hesitation was obvious but I quickly agreed to the idea, afraid of disappointing him and I raced toward him and he got ready to dodge but I skidded to a stop in front of him and hooked my claw around his leg and pulled out, watching the in shock tom topple to the ground and I heard him growl. There were teeth around one of my legs, clamping down tightly.
Pain flowing throughout me I screeched as I pulled my leg from his mouth, seeing blood and lashed out at his nose while he struggled to his paws and then gasped for a breath, lunging at me but it was sloppy so I slipped to the side and raked my claws down his side, whipping around while he was still recovering and I yanked on his tail, pulling him closer to me and I attached my teeth to his shoulder.
"Okay! Okay!" he yowled. "I surrender!" he whimpered and I let go and he faced me with irritation. "You've been taught well."
I nodded firmly. "Rowanstar and Dawnpelt were good teachers, even if it was just for a little while." He was proud of me, for sure. But he also didn't like getting beaten by an apprentice. I was amused and purred.
"What?" he asked, sitting down and beginning to lick his wounds.
My head shook and I just watched him. "I'm amused by your reaction to my skills. You expected me to be weak and unskilled but I showed you I wasn't. I make you angry to be beaten," I explained and felt his pause but he quickly continued licking himself. "Am I right?"
"You are. I don't want to be weaker than my first apprentice."
"Don't worry, you aren't. I just caught you off guard the whole time."
His eyes flashed in glee. Strikefang was enjoying himself. "You did hurt my brother's feelings, by the way. He's just good at pretending." He lifted his head to look at me, licking his blood off his muzzle. "No worries, though. I won't hold that over you." He winked at me and shook out his fur. "Let's head back."
We slowly walked back through the forest and as we walked I could feel my hope growing. Something about being Strikefang's apprentice made me feel more confident about becoming a warrior. He had just become a warrior and already had an apprentice. There was no way I was letting anyone else have Cloudkit as an apprentice. I would be destroyed.
It was silent as we walked. I wasn't sure what to say. Remember when we were both apprentices? I rolled my eyes at my stupid question and glanced at the tom who seemed comfortable with the silence. Remember when you yelled at me for feeding the Clan? Me too! I shook my head. That would just make him mad.
"You don't have to try to say anything," Strikefang told me, glancing over at me with a grin. "I'm okay with walking in silence. You've done more than enough to impress me today, Beepaw." His confident smile made me feel warm inside.
Now I confidently walked beside him into camp and everyone took a second to look at us, taking in the new sight. This was my new mentor and I was actually proud to have him as my mentor. It was clear that no one had an objection. Beside Sleekfeather and Junipernose. They walked right up to us with glaring eyes.
"We heard from Crowfrost that you have a new apprentice," Sleekfeather commented, looking at me with annoyed eyes. "And you didn't think to ask if that was unfair for us to not have an apprentice?"
Strikefang was surprised at his littermates' response to him being a mentor. "I-I really didn't think about it…" He looked upset, with himself or them I didn't know. "I'm sorry. I didn't have much of a choice. Beepaw needs to catch up with her training." He stood tall, the upset look disappearing. "I don't feel bad for doing my duty." And then he padded away while I looked up at the newly made warriors.
They met my gaze with furious eyes. "I'm sorry that you all wanted to be able to train an apprentice together, but I need to catch up, like Strikefang said." When I saw my words were helping their anger I slipped away, bumping right into Wasptail who was carrying a mouse.
"Oh, excuse me, Beepaw!" she purred and smiled at me warmly and then it was gone. "Something troubling you?"
My eyes swept the clearing for my mentor but he had disappeared. "No, I'm o-okay," I mumbled and pricked my ears up at her, giving a fake smile to try and get her to leave me alone.
Wasptail didn't budge though. She stared down at me with wide eyes. "I am your mother, Beepaw. I can tell when you are upset. Come on now, tell me what is wrong." She set down her mouse and sat down, curling her tail around her and waiting intensely.
I went to disagree but thought otherwise. "Sleekfeather and Junipernose are upset with Strikefang because he got an apprentice before them," I blurted and shifted my paws awkwardly. One day I would be able to keep my problems my own like my mother. I was glad to have her though.
She shook her head slowly, smiling once again. "Do not listen to the others, they are just jealous because of what he has. And he has a beautiful apprentice who is an amazing fighter and will be an even greater warrior," she praised, her eyes shining. She was saying that because I was her daughter but it still made me feel good to know she was proud of me. "Strikefang is in the warrior's den, do not fret. Leave him be for now." Wasptail snatched up her mouse and continued padding over to the nursery and slipped inside.
"Beepaw?" Cloudkit's squeaky voice made me turn around.
"Hello, Cloudkit," I mewed happily. "What're you up to?"
Her head shook slowly and she dismissed my question. "Crowfrost told me to come get you… Something about Needlepaw and being stuck outside of camp or…"
Before she could even finish I raced away, eager to search everywhere to find my sister. Panic was rising. Was she okay? What was happening? I jumped through some bushes to see Crowfrost, Yarrowpaw, and Stikefur standing around, looking panicked and I spotted Needlepaw stuck in some thorns, her eyes closed and blood splattered everywhere.