Waspeye padded back and forth close by to the warrior's den, waiting for Brownfur to wake up. He'd barely gotten any sleep, but he was determined to be the first one to tell his friend the news from the Gathering. Deertail and Echofoot had already woken up, sharing a squirrel. Waspeye's stomach grumbled, but he resisted the urge to grab himself something. Brownfur would probably want to share something anyway.
A few more cats padded from the den while he waited, glancing at him curiously. Eventually he sighed to himself and approached the den, stepping inside and looking to where his friend slept. Just from looking at him, Waspeye could tell the brown tom was still deeply asleep, not even remotely close to waking up. He rolled his eyes and prodded Brownfur with a paw, his friend groaning softly. Another prod, another groan. After the third his friend finally raised his head, giving a tired glare at the tri-colored tom.
"What?" the brown-pelted tom asked, more than annoyed at being woken up.
"I have news," Waspeye replied. "From the Gathering."
"It can wait," his friend replied bluntly. It can not be more important than my sleep."
Waspeye opened his mouth to respond, hesitated, then closed it. Brownfur was right. "I'll, uh…be right outside," he said awkwardly. Brownfur simply hummed and lay back down, falling asleep once more almost immediately. Waspeye went back to pacing to pass the time, frowning to himself.
"You alright?" a voice asked suddenly, Waspeye turning in surprise to find Brackenfur looking at him worriedly. The younger tom stopped his pacing.
"Oh, uh, yeah. I'm fine, thank you," he replied, nodding awkwardly. "Just waiting on Brownfur to wake up. Wanted to tell him the news from the Gathering. Congratulations, by the way."
"Thank you, Waspeye," the older tom said with a warm smile. His eyes sparkled with joy. "Oh, I can't wait to meet them…"
"Neither can the clan," Waspeye said. "Thank you for checking on me. Am I being sent on patrol?"
"No, simply checking on you," the Thunderclan deputy answered with a shake of his head. "I, however, am, so I will see you when we return."
"Good luck," Waspeye said, dipping his head respectfully. Brackenfur returned it, then padded away. He joined Deertail, Echofoot, and Jackdawwing at the camp entrance. Waspeye hadn't noticed the slim, gray tom leave the den, though he didn't think much of it. He went back tp padding back and forth, tail flicking idly.
It wasn't until the sun had cleared the top of the trees that Brownfur finally padded out of the den. He yawned wide and shook himself, shaking off any moss from his nest that had stuck to him. Waspeye had immediately grabbed a rabbit from the fresh-kill pile, Brownfur blinking in surprise. Waspeye had never been a very big fan of rabbits, but the smaller tom did like them much more. He hummed and simply found a spot out of the way, the two laying down to share the rabbit. Waspeye was almost shaking in anticipation as they ate but waited until they had finished it off to look at his friend.
"Jaystar and Brackenfur are expecting kits," he said as neutrally as he could manage. Brownfur hummed in acknowledgement, a moment passing before he realized what the much larger tom had said. His eyes widened in realization and he raised his gaze to Waspeye.
"What?" he questioned. The brown-pelted tom looked stunned, seemingly not even remotely prepared for that to be the news Waspeye had wanted to share.
"They announced it at the Gathering," Waspeye said, smiling faintly in amusement at his friend's reaction. "I told you that you should come."
"And you didn't think to wake me up when you got back?" Brownfur asked incredulously. "I would have killed to have known about it then. Oh, Starclan's sake."
"Is this more important news than your sleep?" Waspeye asked in response, already knowing the answer but enjoying himself too much to not tease his friend.
"Our leader is expecting kits," Brownfur replied in an almost annoyed tone. "Of course that news is more important."
Waspeye hummed, slowly nodding in understanding. "I'll keep that in mind next time," he said simply.
Brownfur simply grunted. The two toms double checked they'd completely finished off the rabbit, then took the remains out of camp to discard them. When they returned, they were greeted by Vinepaw and Bluepaw. The young apprentices looked up at them, not saying anything for a few long moments. Waspeye and Brownfur glanced at each other, confused by the apprentices' actions.
"Hi," Bluepaw said suddenly.
The two older toms exchanged another glance.
"Hi," Brownfur said. The two 'paws hummed, then turned and padded away.
"That was…interesting," Waspeye remarked.
"That is…a way to describe it," his friend replied with a somewhat confused nod. Waspeye hummed. "You want to go hunt? We aren't needed on any patrols, and I don't like sitting in camp with nothing to do."
"Hunting sounds fun," the red and black tom said with a nod. "We haven't gone hunting together in moons." Waspeye blinked, pausing as he realized something. "We…haven't really done anything in moons. Just the two of us, I mean."
"You missed it, huh?" Brownfur asked with an amused, teasing grin. The pair padded out of camp and into the forest.
"Of course I have," Waspeye shot back. "It's like you said. We're brothers, whether we're actually related or not."
"Yeah, but brothers don't do everything together," Brownfur said with an amused huff. Waspeye opened his mouth to respond, though stopped before he could say anything and simply hummed instead. Brownfur glanced at him, curious about what he'd been about to say, but before he could ask the tom froze. Waspeye noticed a heartbeat later, stopping as well. Brownfur's ears swiveled as he listened, a moment passing before he slowly lowered into a hunter's crouch. Waspeye did the same, implicitly trusting the smaller tom's senses. They'd never failed before.
Brownfur began to circle around whatever he'd heard, Waspeye peeling away in the opposite direction. The two toms were completely silent as they stalked their prey, Waspeye slipping into a thicket he was too focused to identify. Brownfur disappeared around a tree, Waspeye spotting what he'd heard soon after: a rabbit. Not particularly big, but it would feed the 'paws. Especially if it was left until Sorrelstripe's kits became apprentices. They were due any day now to become 'paws.
Waspeye shivered, the chill in the air starting to get to him now that he was sitting still. He looked around for Brownfur, not seeing him anywhere. The red and black tom frowned, continuing to look for his friend. Eventually he spotted the tom as Brownfur came around a bush next to a tree. He'd gotten a little further away, which Waspeye found odd but not too big an issue. The smaller tom was much faster, so if Waspeye could drive the rabbit to him, this would work flawlessly. The tri-colored tom nodded to himself, shuffling closer to the edge of the bush so he could get as close as possible just in case Brownfur missed. Taking a deep breath, Waspeye tensed his body before exploding out from the bush.
The rabbit squeaked in alarm, turning and fleeing straight towards Brownfur. The tom waited until it was only a tail-length from the bush before sprinting out and directly into it. The two tumbled to the ground, the rabbit kicking and squealing in terror. Brownfur gasped out as a kick caught him in the throat, stumbling away from the rabbit as it tried to stand upright to flee again. Waspeye was already on it, killing the rabbit with a bite to the back of the neck. He heard Brownfur coughing next to him, checking on his friend. The brown-pelted tom was standing up when he turned.
"I'm fine," his friend croaked out, coughi9ng again. "Oh, Starclan's sake, that hurt, though."
"You sure?" Waspeye asked worriedly, looking his friend over for any scratches.
"I'm fine," Brownfur repeated, sounding a little better now. "Don't worry about me."
"Yeah, good luck," the red and black tom said with a scoff. "I'll ask Ivytail for some honey when we get back."
"Waspeye, I'm fine," Brownfur replied, already no longer coughing. "I don't need anything."
The red and black tom didn't respond to that, simply picking up the rabbit. He looked around for somewhere to hide it, though Brownfur shook his head. The brown-furred tom simply gestured for Waspeye to follow him, Waspeye hesitating in confusion. Surely they should at least catch one thing each.
Brownfur lead him to a tree, Waspeye looking at him in silent request for the tom to explain what he was doing.
"Here," his friend said, and Waspeye noticed a hole under the tree roots. He hummed curiously, then realized what his friend was trying to do. He wordlessly leaned down and dropped the rabbit into the hole, then backed up as Brownfur knocked some dirt onto it to hide it from view.
"How much do you want to catch?" Waspeye asked curiously.
"Not much," his fiend replied. "Few enough to carry, but enough to feed a couple more cats."
Waspeye nodded in understanding, the two leaving the rabbit to continue their hunt.
The sun was starting to lower in the sky by the time Waspeye and Brownfur were returning to camp. They hadn't caught much more, at least not as much as during greenleaf. Waspeye carried his rabbit, and Brownfur carried two mice and a vole by their tails They'd almost managed to catch a sparrow, but it had flown away right as Waspeye had leapt for it.
"Ah, there you two are," Echofoot said as they dropped their prey on the fresh-kill pile. "You did well."
"Thanks," Brownfur replied, Waspeye dipping his head. "Did we miss something?"
"Not yet, but you came close," the tom replied with a chuckle. They tilted their heads in confusion, but before they could ask what the tom meant they were interrupted by Jaystar.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highledge for a clan meeting," the she-cat called. The rest of the Thunderclan cats, who'd all been spread about the camp, began to come together. Waspeye and Brownfur exchanged glances curiously, not sure what was going on. The red and Black tom blinked in sudden realization. Of course!
As if summoned by his remembrance, Ashkit, Smokekit, and Maplekit all padded out of the nursery. Sorrelstripe and Tigerstripe followed them out, both beaming proudly. Waspeye noticed Ivytail glaring at the pair ever so briefly. Waspeye tilted his head curiously, wondering what that was about. After a moment he simply shook his head, ignoring it for now.
The three kits sat beside each other at the front of the gathered cats, staring up at Jaystar with anticipation. She smiled ever so faintly at the three of them, seemingly amused.
"Maplekit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known Maplepaw. Your mentor will be Deertail. I hope Deertail will pass down all she knows on to you."
The newly named Maplepaw turned to face Deertail as she approached, the two exchanging the customary nose touch.
"Ashkit," Jaystar said, moving on to the next. "You have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Ashpaw. Your mentor will be Foxear. I hope that Foxear will pass on all he has learned onto you."
Waspeye and Brownfur exchanged a glance, the brown tom looking angry. Waspeye nudged him, shaking his head slightly. Brownfur huffed, looking back to Foxear.
Foxear approached Ashpaw with trepidation, looking more nervous than Waspeye could remember ever seeing him. The tom swallowed nervously, then leaned down and performed the ceremonial nose touch with Ashpaw. The older tom pulled back, sitting down slowly. Jaystar dipped her head, a silent reassurance but also a warning. He likely wouldn't get another chance. Foxear returned it, shuffling a little nervously. She hummed to herself, then looked to Smokekit.
"Smokekit, you have reached six moons of age, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your full name, you will be known as Smokepaw. Your mentor will be Ivytail. I trust that he will teach you everything he has learned."
Waspeye blinked in surprise. He remembered Ivytail mentioning Smokepaw having interest in herbs, but he hadn't expected the decision to be made that quickly.
Smokepaw turned to his mentor, eyes wide in excitement. Ivytail approached, taking a breath before leaning down and touching noses with the trembling, ecstatic tom.
There was a brief moment of silence as everyone waited to see if Jaystar was going to say anything else. When it became clear she was finished, Waspeye was the first cat to begin calling the names of the new apprentices. Brownfur joined him quickly, and within a few heartbeats the entire clan was celebrating the new apprentices. Their eyes sparkled with excitement as they stared at the gathered cats, as if unable to believe it was finally happening, that they were finally apprentices.
Eventually the cheers began to die down, the clan congratulated the new 'paws face to face, and then began to disperse. Only Waspeye, Brownfur, Vinepaw, Bluepaw, and the new apprentices as well as their mentors hung back. Vinepaw and Bluepaw congratulated their new denmates, as well as Smokepaw, and promised to have nests ready for them by the time the sun set. They padded away shortly thereafter to get started, and Brownfur and Waspeye approached to take their turn congratulating the new 'paws.
"Ivytail, you didn't mention you were actually considering an apprentice," Waspeye remarked with a playful, teasing grin. "Congratulations, though. Same to you 'paws. You're going to love the next six moons."
"Thank you, Waspeye," Ivytail said with a dip of his head. Ashpaw, Maplepaw, and Smokepaw all dipped their own heads as well in thanks.
"Foxear," Brownfur said suddenly. Waspeye glanced at his friend, noticing the tenseness in his face and the suppressed anger in his eyes. The orange tom returned his gaze nervously. Brownfur was quiet for a moment, then sighed softly. "Congratulations. Do it right."
"I will," Foxear promised. He glanced at Ivytail and Deertail, a silent request passing between them.
"The three of you, come with us," Deertail said. "Ivytail, you and Smokepaw should come with us while we show our apprentices around the territory before nightfall. You can show him some of the places you pick herbs while we're out there."
"Yes, that sounds like a wonderful idea," Ivytail replied. "Ashpaw, follow us, please."
"But…" Ashpaw hesitated, looking between them and Foxear.
The orange tom smiled reassuringly. "I'll only be a moment," he promised. "I won't let you miss out."
Ashpaw hesitated again, then slowly nodded and followed Deertail and Ivytail with their apprentices. Foxear watched them walk away, then looked to Brownfur.
"I don't know if I can forgive you," the brown-pelted tom said, anger and pain in his voice. "Even all these moons later, every time I look at you, all I can think of is almost being left behind in camp."
"I won't pretend I deserve it," Foxear said with a shake of his head. "I wasn't ready to be a mentor, and you almost suffered for it. Jaystar had a good idea, but it just…wasn't the right time to try it. But I'll do better. I'll do it right this time. I swear it."
"You better," Brownfur replied, and Waspeye could see the anger disappearing, replaced by apprehensive support, as well as a hint of amusement. "I can fight now. You won't have just Lakesplash to watch out for if you mess up."
Foxear chuckled softly. "Trust me, Lakesplash is more than threatening enough," he said with a small smile. "I won't let any of you down. Thank you for giving me a chance. And thank you, Waspeye, for convincing Lakesplash and Sagepatch to as well."
Waspeye dipped his head. "Go on," he said. "Ashpaw is waiting."
Foxear dipped his head, glancing between the two of them briefly before padding towards the camp entrance. They watched him leave with the others, silence settling between them for a moment.
"You think he's ready?" Brownfur asked suddenly. Waspeye hummed, thinking it over.
"I do," he answered honestly. He looked to his friend with a smile. "Feels a lot better to let it go, huh?"
Brownfur huffed, not answering for a few heartbeats before he slowly nodded. "Yeah," he meowed. "Yeah, it really does."
"Come," Waspeye said as he stood up, yawning briefly before shaking his pelt. "Sun's still low enough. Let's see if Brackenfur will send us on a patrol or something."
"We just got back," Brownfur replied, looking confused.
"Well, yeah, but…I just thought it might be nice to go out again," Waspeye said, strangely hurt by the subtle rejection behind the words.
"If it were closer to sun high, I would agree," Brownfur said with a shake of his head. "Right now, I want to help get the nests ready for Maplepaw and Ashpaw. You should get something together for Smokepaw."
"Are you sure?" Waspeye asked, frowning slightly.
"Yeah, it'll go faster if you work on it too," Brownfur replied, already padding towards the apprentice's den. "I'll come help you if Ashpaw's and Maplepaw's nests are finished first."
Waspeye was quiet, frowning to himself before sighing and padding towards the medicine cat den. He may as well check if Ivytail had any moss he could use.
A few days had passed since the apprentice ceremony, and the sun was still below the trees. Waspeye groaned softly as he awoke, looking around in confusion. After a moment he sighed to himself, not knowing why he'd woken up but knowing he likely wouldn't be falling back asleep. He stood and deftly maneuvered his way out of the den, stepping out into camp and shivering as the cold immediately reached him. It didn't seem like it was going to be a nice day, just from the smell on the air. The tom shook himself to remove any clinging moss, then padded towards the camp entrance. Going for a walk was better than just sitting around waiting for the others to wake up.
Waspeye paused just shy of the camp entrance, catching a strange scent. He waited for a few heartbeats to see if it was just another clan cat he didn't know coming to deliver news. When nobody stepped through, the red and black tom frowned and stepped out. He spotted an unfamiliar cat with a red pelt starting to pad away from the camp entrance, alarm coursing through him.
"Who are you?" he questioned. The stranger froze, hesitated a moment, then slowly turned to face him. Waspeye stared at him, confused but apprehensive of the strange cat. He repeated his question, adding in a threatening undertone to try and hide his alarm at finding a cat he didn't know right outside camp. The stranger seemed to snap out of some sort of trance, quickly sitting and offering a warm, friendly smile.
"My name's Alder," he replied smoothly. "I apologize, I didn't realize this was your home. What's your name?"
Waspeye didn't answer him, just staring at the older tom.
'Alder. Not a clan cat. Too big and lean to be a kittypet. He must be a rogue.'
Waspeye jerked his head in indication for the tom to start walking. Alder hesitated before slowly standing up and turning away, walking towards the lake. Waspeye followed.
"Apologies, warrior, but I didn't catch your name," Alder said as they walked.
"What makes you think I'm a warrior?" Waspeye questioned, eyeing him suspiciously. Why did he know about the clans? Was this the cat he'd heard about from Ferretclaw at the Gathering, the rogue they had smelled but not seen? If that were true, then why was he still here?
"Every cat from one horizon to the other knows of the warrior clans," Alder replied with a chuckle. "Those who don't, eventually learn. And you don't deny it. From your appearance and place on the lake, I'm assuming you're Thunderclan."
"You know a lot about the clans?" Waspeye asked. Alder hummed.
"A lot, no," he said eventually. "But I know the five clans, where they exist in relation to the lake and each other, and a general idea of what they're supposed to smell or look like."
"Where'd you learn that?" Waspeye asked as they came to the lakeshore.
"One of your own, as it happens," Alder answered. "Pretty thing, she was. Told me a bit about her home. She stayed with me for some time, but…last leaf-bare, she disappeared without warning. It took me a long time to work up the courage and strength to come here, to find her and ask why she abandoned me."
Waspeye hummed, thinking it over a moment, wondering who he could be talking about. A shock coursed through him as he realized there was only one candidate for who this Alder could possibly be looking for. He slowly turned to look at the older tom, noticing the red pelt, and green eyes, and the large, strong body that was all so similar to his own. He could see that Alder had realized it too, the older tom only confirming it with what he said next.
"I suppose you're the answer I was looking for, aren't you?"