Chapter 6

Foxpaw crouched low to the ground, his dark red fur coated in a layer of snow. His midnight blue eyes were dark narrow with focus as he watched through the trailing fronds of a frozen stem of bracken. Two moons of hard training showed in the ripple of muscles beneath his pelt as he moved forward slowly, careful not to make a sound as he finally caught sight of his target. Dustpelt was slinking through the trees just in front of him, his amber eyes wary and his ears pricked. Foxpaw kneaded the ground impatiently, wanting nothing more than to launch out of his hiding place now, but remembering Dustpelt's words, "You should attack as it's almost too late, that's when they'll be least expecting it."

His mentor was only two tail-lengths away, and Foxpaw forced his paws to still, aware of the fact that the snow could decide to make sound at any moment. When the dark brown tabby was almost out of reach—almost too far for Foxpaw to land a solid leap, the dark red apprentice shot out of his hiding place, his initial pounce landing him directly on his mentor's shoulders. The tabby warrior let out a startled yowl, immediately dropping and rolling over, flattening Foxpaw in the snow beneath him. With his claws carefully sheathed, Foxpaw bunched his lean muscles and kicked his mentor away, not wasting time in gaining his breath and instantly lunging forward again, flicking out a paw as Dustpelt reared back and swiping his hind legs out from under him. The warrior was not easy to drop, though, twisting nimbly and catching Foxpaw with two solid blows to the shoulders. The apprentice ducked, rushing forward again and taking his mentor by surprise, rolling over and over in the snow as both fought for an upper hand. Finally, they sprang apart, both mentor and apprentice breathing heavily.

"That was perfect." Dustpelt rasped. "I was expecting you, and you still managed to surprise me."

Foxpaw felt his fur warming at the praise. Dustpelt didn't offer much other than the occasional "good job," and to hear that he had done something "perfectly" made the apprentice stand a little taller. "I was a little concerned at first," he admitted as he caught his breath. "That you would be able to see me."

Dustpelt nodded, seeing where his apprentice was going. "I thought I would be able to, as well, but rolling in the snow to cover your pelt was a brilliant idea. It may be something to look into for hunting while the snow is still here."

Foxpaw dipped his head, mumbling an agreement as he groomed his chest fur. "Hailpaw told me that Yellowfang thinks it's going to thaw soon." Foxpaw blinked up at Dustpelt, who looked curiously at the snow-laden forest around them.

"There's a good chance it will." He finally agreed. "This leaf-bare has been harder than most, the Clan needs new-leaf desperately."

Foxpaw bowed his head. Dustpelt was right—the Clan was growing thin and weary. Even then in their training session he had felt the bones beneath Dustpelt's fur. "May I hunt? Rainpaw and Featherpaw are taking care of the elders today, and the clan needs the fresh-kill."

"You may. Be back by sundown." The dark tabby shook the snow from his pelt, preparing to leave.

"What are you going to be doing, Dustpelt?" Foxpaw inquired mischievously. "Going to see Ferncloud?"

His mentor growled good-naturedly, swiping at the younger tom. "I may visit her while I'm in the camp, but after that I'll be leading a hunting patrol."

Foxpaw purred. "Sure you will." He refrained from shaking the fur from his pelt, remembering Dustpelt's observation that it may be useful for hunting. "Tell her I said hi!" With that, he slipped away through the trees, keeping his paws light and his senses alert. There would be no prey hanging around where he and Dustpelt had been practicing ambush techniques near the Great Sycamore, so he went deeper into the forest, deciding to hunt along the trail between the sandy hollow and Sunningrocks. The sun was peeking through the heavy blanket of clouds, making it warmer than it had been for moons, even with a layer of snow slowly seeping into Foxpaw's pelt.

A rustling sound caught the apprentice's attention, and he instantly stilled, scanning the ground around him until he caught sight of a small vole, digging around the roots of a tree. He was downwind from his target, and the tiny creature had no idea what was happening until Foxpaw pounced, killing his prey cleanly and murmuring a small thanks to StarClan for its life. He buried it under the roots, making sure that no other predator would find it before continuing on his way. It was a good start, considering the last time he and Hailpaw had gone hunting they hadn't seen a single thing until the very end of their hunt—a half-starved rabbit that Hailpaw had caught more out of pity for the scrawny creature than anything else. With any luck it really is going to thaw soon—StarClan knows we need the fresh-kill… With a shake of his head, he returned his focus to his hunt, though came up empty-pawed until he made it to Sunningrocks. There, he managed to catch a water vole that had come too far from the frosted river, and a squirrel that chose the wrong tree to rummage under.

Noticing how quickly the sun was sinking beneath the trees, Foxpaw gathered his catch and hurried back to camp, remembering Dustpelt's orders to be back by sundown. If his mentor hadn't gone on a hunting patrol, then some other cat had, Foxpaw realized as he deposited his prey into an almost full pile. His own stomach was grumbling, but he ignored it, picking out an exceptionally plump (for late leaf-bare, anyway) mouse and heading towards the medicine den. Brushing through the fern tunnel, he could hear Yellowfang instructing Hailpaw, and Foxpaw entered their den with his head tilted curiously.

Inside, Hailpaw was mixing herbs, mushing what appeared to be very juicy berries on a large leaf, his paws sticky with the gooey poultice. "I guess you can't eat right now." Foxpaw purred, his whiskers twitching as Hailpaw gave him a pleading glance.

"Don't tease me with food Foxpaw, I'm starving."

"And I already told you that as soon as you finished this poultice and brought it Smallear you could eat." Yellowfang rolled her eyes, and Hailpaw curled his tail in amusement, giving a mockingly sulky, "Yes, Yellowfang," in response.

"So you brought something for Hailpaw, and nothing for poor old me?" Yellowfang gasped, and Foxpaw purred.

"Sorry, Yellowfang." He danced a few steps back, knowing very well that Yellowfang could cuff him as hard as Dustpelt without a second thought. "What would you like?"

"Whatever looks fat." The old medicine cat rasped, her voice laced with humor. "Now go on, shoo. Don't come back until you have better manners."

Still laughing, Foxpaw retreated, leaving the mouse for Hailpaw there as he fetched another mouse for Yellowfang. He met Stormpaw at the fresh-kill pile, giving him a friendly head-butt as he joined him. "Hey, Stormpaw, how was climbing?"

The dark gray tom shook his head. "With the ice? Terrible. Whitestorm thought it would be thawed enough by now, but even he couldn't' get a grip, so we ended up battle training."

"Nice, sounds a lot better than climbing." Foxpaw pulled the mouse he had chosen for Yellowfang from the pile. "It is thawing though—I can feel it."

Stormpaw nodded, his amber eyes glowing. "I can't wait for new-leaf." Foxpaw nodded enthusiastically, before bending and picking up the mouse, waving his tail in farewell as he trotted back to the medicine den. Hailpaw had finished his poultice by the time he had returned, washing his paws in the icy pool at the edge of the medicine clearing as Foxpaw dropped the second mouse.

"How's that for manners?" He sat, his whiskers twitching as Yellowfang rolled her eyes, taking the mouse and lying down. Hailpaw retrieved his own meal, and Foxpaw jumped to his paws to go and sit beside his brother as the pale silver tabby ate. "Is this what you've been doing all day?" Foxpaw couldn't help but to inwardly cringe at the thought, even as Hailpaw nodded energetically.

"I've learned all about treating wounds. All of the poultices that you may need after a battle, how to stop bleeding and to bind a twisted paw…" He trailed off, his eyes glittering with the knowledge he had obtained all in the span of that day. Foxpaw let out a soft purr of amusement, bending to lick his brother's ear.

"That sounds great." He stood again, stretching and attempting to shake the cold from his pelt, though he knew it was impossible. "But you should hunt with me tomorrow."

To Foxpaw's surprise, Hailpaw shook his head. "Sorry, Foxpaw, but I have to gather herbs tomorrow."

"Oh…" The red furred apprentice sighed, his tail drooping, before he suddenly sprang into motion again, pacing his usual circles around Hailpaw as he ate. "Then I'll go with you instead."

Both Yellowfang and Hailpaw's eyes snapped up to Foxpaw, wide with disbelief. "You will?" Hailpaw blinked, his surprise slowly morphing into excitement. "Okay, that's great! I was worried about having to make two trips, but if you go, then I should be done before sunhigh."

"What does Dustpelt have to say about this?" Yellowfang sounded skeptical, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm sure that he already has warrior training planned for you for tomorrow."

Even as she spoke, there was a rustling in the fern tunnel, Silverstream appearing only a moment later. "Yellowfang…!" She called, her green eyes were bright with a mixture of joy and concern.

The old medicine cat stood, her mouse long since finished. "What's the matter?"

"Ferncloud's kits are coming!"

"Now?" Hailpaw leapt to his paws, his tail lashing in sudden anxiety. "But Yellowfang, they're almost half a moon early…!"

"We must go to her quickly. Hailpaw, you know which herbs to bring. Hurry." Yellowfang rushed out after Silverstream, and Hailpaw disappeared into the herb store, reappearing a moment later with a mouthful of herbs. He set the down and went back for more, and Foxpaw grabbed a large leaf for his brother to wrap them up in. When he came back the second time, he blinked his gratitude to Foxpaw, setting the herbs in the leaf.

"Go eat now, Foxpaw, I'll have to help Yellowfang for a while." With that, the silver medicine cat apprentice was gone, leaving Foxpaw to sigh, padding more slowly down the fern tunnel and watching as the news of Ferncloud's kitting rushed through the camp like a forest fire. Dustpelt was pacing anxiously outside the nursery, his tail lashing. He paused only to let Hailpaw through, then started again where he left off. Foxpaw joined Stormpaw and Featherpaw by the tree stump, his whiskers twitching as he saw an untouched squirrel beside them as they ate.

"Is that for me?" He asked, receiving a nod from Featherpaw in response. She swallowed the bite she had been working on, looking up at him.

"We figured you had brought fresh-kill to Hailpaw and Yellowfang, so we grabbed you something before Bramblepaw could show up and eat everything." As she spoke, Bramblepaw pushed his way out of the apprentice's den, his pelt ruffled from sleep.

"What was that, Featherpaw?"

She squeaked in surprise as Bramblepaw jumped her, and they rolled over and over in a play-fight. Bramblepaw had been training much longer than they had, but Featherpaw was holding her own, until Bramblepaw's size overpowered her. "Now." He let her up, shaking the snow from his pelt. "I'm going to go 'eat everything' so that I can properly patrol our borders while you kits sleep."

"We've been training for two moons," Foxpaw pointed out, flicking his ears. "You can't really refer to us as 'kits' anymore." He settled down next to Stormpaw as the dark gray apprentice nodded his agreement.

Bramblepaw snorted. "Fine, fine, I guess you have grown up a little bit… But I still remember when you were this big and—"

"Bramblepaw," Fireheart padded slowly towards the tree stump, and the tabby turned to greet him.

"Yes, Fireheart?"

"The evening patrol is about to leave." Their deputy flicked his tail to where Swiftstep and Ashfur were waiting at the gorse tunnel, and Bramblepaw nodded.

"I'm ready."

"So much for eating everything," Foxpaw commented quietly to Stormpaw, watching with twitching whiskers as the dark tabby apprentice joined the other two cats at the entrance to their camp.

"I've heard that you did exceptionally well in your battle training today, Foxpaw."

The red-furred apprentice nearly choked on his sarcastic comment, blinking up at his father in obvious shock. "D-Dustpelt told you about it?"

Fireheart purred, giving the young apprentice an affectionate cuff over the ear. "I'm the deputy, of course he did." He turned to walk away, before hesitating, turning back and sweeping his green gaze across all three of them. "Keep up the good work—all of you."

Foxpaw felt his paws tingling, but refrained from jumping up until Fireheart had led his patrol out of camp. "Ha!" He leapt from his relaxed position on to the tree stump, while Stormpaw and Featherpaw watched through glowing eyes. "We're doing so well in our training that Fireheart stopped to complement us!"

"Do you think he'll let us go to the gathering tomorrow?" Featherpaw fixed hopeful blue eyes on Foxpaw, but Stormpaw shook his head.

"Bluestar decides who goes to the Gathering, not Fireheart." He pointed out, sitting up as he finished his meal.

"But if he puts in a good word for us, then she'll be more likely to choose us." Foxpaw rolled his eyes, as if it were obvious. "Besides, Bramblepaw and Tawnypaw have gone to almost every gathering for as long as I can remember."

"What about Sootpaw, Sorrelpaw, and Rainpaw?" Stormpaw still seemed skeptical, and again, Foxpaw rolled his eyes.

"They've all been to at least one, and Sorrelpaw has been to two." Foxpaw stepped lightly off of the tree stump, returning to his still untouched squirrel. "We'll definitely get to go to the next one."

Featherpaw sighed. "I hope so. I really want to meet the apprentices of other clans…"

"But you might have to fight them one day." Stormpaw seemed confused by his sister's longing sigh, and Foxpaw tilted his head.

"That's true." He admitted. "But still—can you imagine being able to see Crookedstar and Nightstar and Tallstar? And their deputies? There are so many stories about them…"

"I guess." The dark gray apprentice heaved a sigh of his own, standing and letting out a large yawn. Watching his friend, Foxpaw felt fatigue from his training sessions settling in his own limbs, and he quickly finished his squirrel, following Stormpaw and Featherpaw into the apprentices' den. Sorrelpaw and Sootpaw were sharing tongues quietly toward the back of the den, getting ready to go to sleep, and Tawnypaw's dappled tortoiseshell pelt was just barely visible in the shadows of her nest, the older apprentice already fast asleep. Rainpaw lay in his own nest, commenting occasionally on his siblings' conversation as he slowly drifted into sleep. As he settled in his own nest, Foxpaw thought of Hailpaw, who surely wouldn't be getting much sleep with Ferncloud's kits being born.

I guess tomorrow I'll be gathering herbs for sure now… Foxpaw thought dryly as darkness washed over him, dragging him into a deep, heavy sleep.

Hey! Sorry for the belated update, went to an awesome Honor Band at my dream college this weekend and didn't have time to type much(: But dat snow x3 I have so enjoyed this cold weather, but I'm ready for it to go back north where it came from(: Anyways, I know these chapters are kind of slow and boring, but I don't want to just rush through their apprenticeships, you know? Ah well, I suppose. Thanks for reading! And thanks again to Frostflower223 for reviewing! I'm not sure how I would continue this story without your feedback(: Until the next chapter!