Chapter15: Beetlepaw

Nightpaw entered the den with a trout to share. Mistystar had allowed visitors for Beetlepaw after the last gathering. Nightpaw's scratches were healing well, but there was on right above his right eye that would leave a scar.'

Nightpaw settled down across from Beetlepaw. "Mistystar wants to see you after you eat." He nudged the trout closer to Beetlepaw.

Beetlepaw nodded in thanks and took a couple of bites. "I haven't done anything in nearly a half moon. I'm not hungry, and I think I'm getting fat."

Nightpaw sighed. "Well, come on."

Beetlepaw followed Nightpaw to Mistystar's den.

"Okay, tell me about your dreams, Beetlepaw." Mistystar commanded.

Beetlepaw stared at Nightpaw. "You told?"

Nightpaw looked as his paws. "You know I had to, Beetlepaw."

Beetlepaw fluffed up his fur in annoyance.

"Beetlepaw, calm down. I knew that there was something Nightpaw wasn't saying when he asked to be put on the WindClan dawn patrol and battle trained all day." Mistystar explained. "He was also so certain that you didn't betray your Clan. So why did you meet with that ShadowClan cat?"

"I told you, Mistystar! He just goes on night walks and was checking the border when that ShadowClan apprentice just happened to be there so they–"

"Wait a moment," Mistystar interrupted. "Fernpaw and Foxpaw never said that the cat was an apprentice." She narrowed her eyes. "How would you know that?"

Beetlepaw sighed and shook his head. "One apprentice from each Clan has been getting these… dreams. I was just exchanging news about them with the one from ShadowClan. I normally meet with the one from WindClan, though. The dreams were how I knew that the rogues were coming and I told Nightpaw."

Mistystar nodded. "StarClan told me that I should ask for your secret. Don't worry, I won't tell the Clan. We could just go with Nightpaw's explanation. You a free to go back to your apprentice duties and make up for lost time."

Beetlepaw blinked gratefully at his brother and they both left the den.

"All cats old enough to swim gather to hear my words!" Mistystar yowled.

Beetlepaw surveyed the clearing, and was overjoyed to learn that Fernpaw and Foxpaw weren't there. Although, Fernpaw could just be sleeping in the medicine cats' den, just as she had been doing since the battle.

"I have discovered that Beetlepaw has not betrayed his Clan, and that he was just going for a walk when he met the ShadowClan cat."

Mistystar's announcement was met by yowls of protest. Apparently, Fernpaw's lies had grown popular in the Clan.

"He seems to go for a lot of walks!" One warrior yowled.

"That may be because night walks help Beetlepaw relax." Beetlepaw flattened his ears at Mistystar's answer.

The cats were silent as they took in what Mistystar had said. "Beetlepaw is free to continue on with his training." Mistystar dismissed the cats.

As the Clan went on to do their duties, Beetlepaw went up to Grasspelt.

"Well, as seeing as there are rogues to watch out for, I'd say we should do some battle training." Grasspelt greeted.

Beetlepaw nodded, anything would be better than just sitting around the camp.

They soon arrived in the clearing that was used for battle practice. Beetlepaw flattened his ears when he saw Foxpaw. Scratches covered the young apprentice's pelt.

When Foxpaw charged Beetlepaw, he let out a screech and charged the black apprentice. "Traitor!" He spat. He then turned to Grasspelt. "Why did you bring him out of camp?"

"Get off of him!" Grasspelt snarled before shoving the smaller tom off of Beetlepaw. "He's no traitor. Mistystar explained how he's innocent."

Foxpaw snorted and glared at Beetlepaw with distrust.

The two apprentices retreated to opposite sides of the clearing to work on their own battle stances. Beetlepaw new how strong the large group of rogues was. This caused him to work extra hard, other than to show Foxpaw.

"Okay, that's good, just try to crouch lower, and don't trip yourself with your tail." Grasspelt

Beetlepaw nodded and crouched lower to the ground to build up more strength.

"I think we should move onto water combat now." Grasspetlt stated after a few hours.

Grasspelt led Beetlepaw to a river. The two spent the rest of the day practicing holding their breath for long periods of time, underwater offensive attacks, and underwater defense.

When they got back at camp, Grasspelt gave Beetlepaw permission to eat.

Beetlepaw took a cod and brought it over to where Nightpaw was sitting with a group of warriors. Foxpaw was also there, and when he saw Beetlepaw coming, he whispered to some warriors who got up and left.

"Traitor," some of them hissed at Beetlepaw.

Beetlepaw sighed and settled down next to Nightpaw.

"Don't worry, give them time." Nightpaw said without looking up.

Beetlepaw nodded. He was just trying to help his Clan, it was Fernpaw's fault he was labeled a traitor.

"Where is Fernpaw, anyway? Is she still in Willowshine's den?" Beetlepaw asked.

Nightpaw sighed. "She almost died. She'll be in there for a while longer." He looked up at Beetlepaw. "Who knows? Maybe she'll get so far behind that we'd become warriors before her!"

Beetlepaw purred at the thought. If he was a warrior first, then he would be a higher rank than Fernpaw! But Beetlepaw shook his head. "We cannot think like that. We must image that all of our clanmates are great additions to the war to save our Clan. The sooner she heals, the sooner she can continue to fight for her Clan."

His statement caused Nightpaw stare at him oddly.

"What?" Beetlepaw asked.

Nightpaw shook his head. "Nothing, I would have though you would be mad at Fernpaw for all she's done."

Beetlepaw sighed. "I can't afford to let anger cloud my judgment."

"Spoken like a true leader." Nightpaw closed his eyes.

Beetlepaw flattened his ears. "I have the knowledge of some of the Ancients. I have more experience. The time off from training has allowed me time to determine the meaning of my dreams. I am not impressed."

Nightpaw stared at Beetlepaw.
"What do you mean?"

Beetlepaw gazed deeply into Nightpaw's eyes. "I can understand the feelings of The Black Hearted Rogues."

Nightpaw gasped. "Those monsters?! How can you believe in what they are doing?"

Beetlepaw shook his head. "I don't." He sighed. "I just understand what some of them a feeling slightly. I don't even believe all of them believe what they're doing is."

Nightpaw narrowed his eyes. "Now that you mention it…" Nightpaw seemed lost in thought so Beetlepaw decided to go to his nest for the night.

Beetlepaw was glad that Nightpaw had replaced the moss to his nest and prepared for his return. Foxpaw was already fast asleep on the far side of den. Nightpaw arrived soon after.

"Thanks for making my nest." Beetlepaw thanked Nightpaw.

Nightpaw frowned. "I didn't do that. I thought you had."

Beetlepaw stared at Nightpaw in shocked. "If not you then who…" Beetlepaw's eyes drifted over to the sleeping form of Foxpaw. He seemed tense, as if having an unsettling dream.

Nightpaw shook his head. "He wouldn't do it; he's one of Fernpaw's followers." He spat.

Beetlepaw shrugged before curling up and drifting off to sleep.