Chapter 3
Starrypaw shook water droplets from her fur as she followed behind the dawn patrol. The dry ground had soaked up last night's rain deeply, and no puddles had been left behind. Graystripe led two warriors, Brackenfur, Ashfur, and one apprentice, Starrypaw herself. She stifled a purr of amusement when she remembered the look on Squirrelpaw's face after Graystripe had chosen Starrypaw to join the dawn patrol.
Hunger began to take over her a bit as they neared Sunningrocks, and even though nothing forbade them to hunt and eat on a border patrol, Starrypaw wanted to stay alert and obedient on her first one. The Clan also hadn't been fed yet, so hunting was a bit out of the question.
"Okay, Starrypaw." Graystripe fell behind in step with her and let Brackenfur lead. "Like yesterday, tell me what you smell."
Starrypaw stopped and opened her mouth to get a good scent in order to be even more absolutely correct in her answer.
"There's a ton of humid air and dampness from last night's storm, and because of the needed water, there's much more prey. The hunting patrols will probably bring back a good bit."
"Good observation," Graystripe praised. "Anything else?"
"There's scents of other cats. I would guess RiverClan?" Starrypaw turned to her mentor with a hopeful look.
He nodded. "And?"
"Well...there's this really horrible acrid smell, but it seems far away. Is that the Thunderpath?"
"Yup! You're doing great! Eventually you'll be able to tell prey, Clan cats, and many other things apart even better."
They continued on past the Thunderpath where the roaring of the monsters was so loud that Starrypaw flinched every once and a while. Once they finally reached the camp, Graystripe situated hunting patrols.
"We can go train until they return," he said, turning to Starrypaw.
Even though hunger knawed at her belly, Starrypaw ignored it. She knew she'd get to eat comfortably once they were back.
In the training hollow, Graystripe and Starrypaw were joined by Thornclaw and Shrewpaw, and after Graystripe taught her the basics, he took the opportunity to let Starrypaw see some of Shrewpaw's fighting skills. He was already four moons in his training, and while he didn't know everything for a warrior yet, he knew enough to demonstrate.
"Okay go," Thornclaw said to Shrewpaw.
Shrewpaw dropped into a low stance and sprang forwards. He lifted up, pretending to attack from above, but when Thornclaw sprang up to retaliate, Shrewpaw ducked down and shoved into Thornclaw's underbelly. He swiped his belly with sheathed claws so that he wasn't giving any damage.
Starrypaw sat in awe when Thornclaw recovered himself and praised Shrewpaw. She'd never seen a fighting move like that. Of course, Thornclaw knew it was coming and acted along for the demonstration, but there was no telling if an enemy would expect it.
"That tatic doesn't always work though," Thornclaw said. "Remember that while you're using it, you're making yourself vulnerable."
Starrypaw nodded, and she turned to Graystripe wondering what to do next.
"That move is a bit more advanced and kind of a mix of two," he said, "but thanks for the demonstration, Thornclaw. I'd like you and Shrewpaw to hunt a bit. We need to take advantage of the huge amount of prey, and it'd be good to have more hunters out."
They both dipped their heads respectively and trotted off into the forest. Graystripe turned to Starrypaw.
"Okay so, let's start with something a bit challenging that can be used for defense that we call a back kick. Let's say an opponent is rushing at you. If you can judge how far they are from you and move quickly, then you can turn and put all your weight on your front paws before kicking out with your back legs with lots of strength. Watch."
Graystripe demonstrated with amazing swiftness and speed, turning back to face his invisible opponent as if he never turned his back to it. "Now you try," he said.
Starrypaw crouched and tensed, pretending someone was rushing at her. As soon as she could picture them at a good distance, she turned and kicked out. Unfortunatley, she overshot, and ended up flat on her face as all her weight threw her forwards.
Graystripe trotted over. "Yeah that happens. You need to be sure you can control the power you put into it."
Starrypaw got up and shook. "It's hard."
"Well I never said it'd be easy. Once you can control your force in a more difficult move, the other moves that require it will be much easier."
Starrypaw nodded in understanding.
A few minutes later, she was kicking out with considerable ease, and Graystripe even let her try it on him.
With a real opponent rushing at her, it was much scarier and faster. Starrypaw turned and kicked out and surprised herself by coming into contact with Graystripe's muzzle.
"Good job," he said, shaking his head.
"Did I hurt you?" she asked him.
"Well kinda, but that was the point."
Starrypaw licked her chest to hide her embarrassment at being praised. Suddenly, loud yowls could be heard in the distance.
"It's coming from twoleg place!" Graystripe shot up and raced towards the sound.
Starrypaw followed hard, struggling to keep up with his long strides. They came to a stop when they saw a brown she-cat cowering beneath Thornclaw and Sootfur, breathing heavily. Shrewpaw stood nearby, but he was on high alert.
"What's happening?" Graystripe demanded padding up to them.
"This rogue is on our territory! She tried to steal some of our prey!" Sootfur spat, giving the she-cat a glare.
"Are you mousebrained? That's a kittypet!" Graystripe got between the three of them. "She's got a collar and everything."
Sootfur looked down at her sheepishly. "Oh."
"Even still, she was digging up one of the voles we buried," Thornclaw said.
"I wasn't! I barely took one step on the ground before I was trampled." The she-cat stood slowly, shaking her head to try and get rid of her fear.
Starrypaw's hunger worsened at the scent of fresh kill, but she miraculously managed to maintain herself and sit quietly beside Shrewpaw.
"Well, I'm sorry you were attacked, but even as a kittypet you should know that blindly walking into another cat's territory is dangerous," Graystripe said to her.
"Yes I know I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come out here in the first place. I just wanted to find Firestar."
All five cats perked up immediately.
"How do you know Firestar?" Sootfur asked with suspicion.
"He came and visited me a few seasons ago. I'm sorry I never introduced myself. I'm Hattie, and I live where Firestar used to live according to him. He came one time and slept in Smudge's yard."
Starrypaw and Shrewpaw both exchanged confused glances. When had their leader slept in the yard of a twoleg nest? At least since he was a kittypet.
"Oh right I remember that," Graystripe said. "Why do you need to see him?"
Hattie suddenly changed completely. "I need help, or at least some kind of advice. Smudge told me Firestar could help cause he's a leader and well...he's good at that stuff."
Graystripe nodded. "Well, follow me and I'll take you to him. Sootfur, Thornclaw, Shrewpaw, I want you to bring the fresh kill back to camp. Starrypaw, you help them."
They all nodded in silent agreement, and Starrypaw headed off after them to help carry the delicious food. She knew that having it in her mouth without being allowed to eat wouldn't help her hunger, but she had to follow warrior code.
Finally, half an hour later, Starrypaw lay next to Shrewpaw, scarfing down a mouse. It was the most delicious thing she'd ever had, and it felt amazing to fill her painfully empty stomach.
When Starrypaw finally looked up from her meal, she saw Firestar and Hattie emerging from his den. Hattie looked nervous as many eyes rested curiously on them, but Firestar never stopped to address anyone except Graystripe, who stood nearby. After Graystripe nodded to whatever Firestar had said, Hattie leapt through the gorse tunnel followed by their leader, and they disappeared into the forest.
There was a bit of curious chatter, but no one paid any more attention to it, and everyone returned to eating or sharing tongues. Starrypaw shared tongues with Shrewpaw and they chatted about the morning so far.
After a bit, Dustpelt trotted over to them.
"Have you two seen Squirrelpaw?" he asked, a flash of worry crossing over his face.
Starrypaw stood and shook herself, beginning to get a sinking feeling. "No. Not since this morning at least."
"I haven't seen her since we were on hunting patrol."
"Who were you guys with?" Shrewpaw asked.
"We were with Mousefur and Spiderpaw," he replied with nervous flick of his tail.
"Why aren't you with her now then?" Starrypaw asked.
"Well, I asked them to go ahead and take our food back while I tracked a mouse. Squirrelpaw was getting ansy, and I knew with her attitude that she'd just run the mouse off."
Starrypaw made a quick nod in understanding. She knew how Squirrelpaw could get in a bad mood.
"Have you asked Mousefur or Spiderpaw?" Shrewpaw added.
Dustpelt gave his chest a nervous lick. "Yes, but they said she came back with them. I came back afterwards, and when I got here, she was already gone."
"I'll check the apprentice's den," Starrypaw offered. "Maybe she's sleeping or something."
Dustpelt nodded his thanks and headed for Cinderpelt's den.
As Starrypaw padded towards the apprentice's den, she knew it would be worthless to check it. There was no doubt Squirrelpaw was somewhere outside the camp trying to hunt for herself or something of the sort.
Sure enough, when Starrypaw slipped into the apprentice's den she found nothing but empty beds. She twitched the tip of her tail irritably, but it was to be expected.
Upon returning to the clearing in the camp, Starrypaw noticed that all of ThunderClan seemed to be searching for Squirrelpaw now. Firestar was back, and he was padding around urgently, telling every cat to check different places. When he reached Starrypaw, he flicked his tail letting her know to follow him, and he led her to the entrance of the camp where Graystripe and Cloudtail stood waiting. Cloudtail was a smart choice Starrypaw noted. He had a reputation of being the best scent tracker among the clan.
"We're going out to search the forest, and I want you to come," Firestar explained.
A flicker of excitement passed through Starrypaw. It wasn't good that her sister was missing, but Starrypaw was lucky to have been chosen to tag along. She hid her excitement, however, dipping her head respectively to her leader. Just because he was her father didn't mean that she needed to act differently towards him.
They leapt through the gorse tunnel and trekked through the forest, keeping all their senses alert for any sign of Squirrelpaw. At one point, Starrypaw spotted a thrush poking through some pinestraw. Her instincts told her to hunt, but she ignored it and continued to try and help scent track.
Clouds gathering in the distance and moisture on the air told the searching patrol that rain was on the way. Starrypaw began to feel more nervous for her sister than before. What if something really had happened to her?
Feeling overwhelmed, Starrypaw broke off from the group, and searched around some thicker undergrowth. With a start she realized she'd found Squirrelpaw's scent.
"Firestar! Here!"
Not a minute passed before all three cats were at her side checking the area thoroughly.
"Yup. She wasn't here too long ago," Cloudtail said. "She must've tried to keep her scent away from the regular traveling areas."
He took the lead, and they all trotted hopefully behind him. The clouds covered the afternoon sun and rumbles of thunder could be heard, causing the forest and mood to feel even more ominous than before.
Cloudtail led the way towards the Thunderpath, but they didn't reach it before they found what they were looking for.
At first, Starrypaw had thought Cloudtail had lost the scent, but she realized all three cats were looking down at something. She trotted up beside them and peered down into a mysterious hole that hadn't been there before. Quite far down was Squirrelpaw, and when she saw them she gave a yowl of surprise and gratefulness.
"Oh thank StarClan!" Squirrelpaw exclaimed. "I thought I'd never be found!"
"How'd you get down there?" Firestar asked.
"Where did this hole even come from?" Graystripe added, echoing Starrypaw's thoughts.
"I don't know," Squirrelpaw began. "I was bringing back fresh kill, but I decided to uh...well...get more and anyway, while I was stalking a mouse, the ground created a hole and ate me I guess."
Firestar sighed. "You aren't allowed to even leave the camp without permission! This is only your second day as an apprentice!"
"I know! I know!" she muttered, but her voice echoed clearly.
"You're not hurt are you?" Firestar asked.
"No, just hungry."
"Regardless, we need to get you out," Graystripe said. "If it rains it could fill the hole and...well."
Starrypaw eyes widened. She hadn't even considered that.
"Can you climb out?" Firestar asked with more urgency.
"Well no don't you think I would've tried that already? The ground just collaspses more on top of me," Squirrelpaw replied rudely.
Starrypaw cringed at Squirrelpaw's lack of respect for not only their father, but their Clan leader, but Firestar did nothing to discipline her in the moment.
It was silent for a minute as everyone tried to think. Suddenly, Starrypaw had an idea.
"Maybe we can reach you," she suggested.
Starrypaw crept to the edge of the hole and stretched her front legs down far beneath her. Even with Squirrelpaw stretching up, their paws were still very far apart. Starrypaw retracted her legs, but at that moment, the ground beneath her seemed to give up on holding anything and fell away. She yowled in surprise and turned to grab onto the ground behind her, but it was all collasping around her.
Graystripe jumped forwards as far as he could without causing more of the ground to give way, and he stretched out quickly until he reached Starrypaw's scruff with his teeth. Even then, the ground was disappearing all beneath his paws, and he scrambled backwards while trying to hold Starrypaw's weight. Firestar leapt forwards and grasped her shoulder firmly in his teeth and together, with Starrypaw scrambling up they side, they hauled her up and away from the unstable ground.
Once safely away, Starrypaw lay on the ground, her sides heaving from the scare.
"Are you okay?" Graystripe asked her, trying to catch his breath as well.
Starrypaw nodded. "Thanks."
"Well," Cloudtail said, "we can't get too close."
Suddenly Starrypaw shot up. Had Squirrelpaw been buried? "Squirrelpaw!" she cried out.
While staying as far away from the edge as she could, she strained to see the bottom. To her relief, she could see movement and hear Squirrelpaw spluttering.
"Clumsy fool," she said. "You almost buried me alive!"
"Sorry sorry. I was only trying to help." Starrypaw licked her dirty pelt, now covered in thick, moist dirt from the near fall, in order to calm herself.
"Squirrelpaw," Firestar spoke up suddenly, "try climbing as high as you can, but be careful not to collaspe the sides. When you get to a certain height Graystripe and I will try and grab you."
Squirrelpaw muttered an agreement, and Firestar and Graystripe walked as close to the edge as possible without collasping the ground.
"Stay back, Starrypaw," Firestar warned.
Starrypaw obliged easily and willingly, sitting by Cloudtail at a seemingly safe distance. She couldn't get rid of the horrible feeling of the ground opening up underneath her and had no intentions of letting it happen again. She couldn't imagine how scary it had been for Squirrelpaw.
The first time Squirrelpaw climbed up, the plan was nearly successful, but she fell back down. Firestar nearly went with her if it hadn't been for Graystripe pushing him back.
The second time had a similar outcome, and Starrypaw could hear Squirrelpaw growling with frustration in the hole. As if StarClan was giving a warning to hurry, a bright flash followed by a large thunderclap followed. Starrypaw flinched.
Finally, on the third attempt, Graystripe managed to grab Squirrelpaw's neck slightly. If he had been the only one, Starrypaw was sure he wouldn't have been able to lift her, but Firestar jumped in to pull as well. A second later, Squirrelpaw was back on level ground, shaking the dirt from her fur and panting heavily.
"Yes! It worked!" Starrypaw exclaimed as Graystripe, Firestar, and Squirrelpaw approached her and Cloudtail.
Suddenly, a few drops of rain could be heard on the leaves above.
"Please let's hurry back!" Squirrelpaw said. "I won't let my food get wet before I have a chance to eat, and I'm so hungry I could eat five rabbits!"
Firestar didn't laugh, and Starrypaw could tell by his expression that he wasn't pleased. "Alright, let's go. We don't want to get caught in the storm just as much as you want to eat."