5

Eaglepaw quietly stalked the bird that was hidden in the bush a few tail-lengths away. When she was within pouncing distance, she leaped. The bird let out a short squawk before it was silent.

Eaglepaw's hunting skills had improved in the three moons since her apprentice ceremony. She favored hunting much more than fighting, which seemed to be much easier for Amberpaw. Rosepaw didn't seem to favor either. She was always helping Willowpool.

"Great catch!" exclaimed Barktail. "Keep up the pace, and you'll be a warrior in no time."

Eaglepaw beamed with pride from her mentor's praise. She couldn't wait for the day when Pinestar would give them their warrior names. What would her's be? Eaglepelt? Eaglewhisker? Eagletail? It didn't matter that much. She just hoped that one day she would be Eaglestar.

The thrill of the successful hunt coursed through her, and she couldn't help but glance at her sisters, Amberpaw and Rosepaw, who were returning from their hunts.

As the trio gathered, Barktail continued, "Remember, the skills you're honoring now will serve you well beyond becoming a warrior. The strength, agility, and patience you develop in the forest will be vital for your contribution to Skyclan."

Eaglepaw listened to her mentor's words, determined to be the best warrior she could be.

The day faded into dusk as the patrol returned to camp, their catches proudly displayed. Eaglepaw shared her triumph with her denmates. Eaglepaw couldn't help but dream of the day when she would join the ranks of Skyclan's warriors, contributing to the well-being and strength of her clan, and then becoming leader, helping her clan more than anyone else. Her sisters would stand beside her, and they would be the most powerful, honorable cats in the whole forest!

"Eaglepaw! Rosepaw! We're going on a border patrol!"Amberpaw yelled with excitement.

"Ok," said Rosepaw, emerging from the medicine den.

"Why are you always in the medicine den?" said Eaglepaw. "You should be helping with hunting or something."

"I just like helping Willowpool!" Rosepaw yelled as stalked off, obviously not wanting to come to the patrol.

"What is up with her?" asked Amberpaw

Hazelslip sighed and said, " I think Rosepaw does not want to follow the path of a warrior."

The patrol headed toward the heart of the territory, she turned and noticed that Brackenpaw was walking next to her, their pelts brushing. Eaglepaw felt happy, with Brackenpaw and her sisters beside her. No, not all of my sisters, Rosepaw isn't here. They headed towards the ShadowClan border.
"Eaglepaw, can you mark the scent markers?" Strormpelt asked

"Alright."

She marked the scent

"Good, now let's get a move on"

As the patrol trotted into the forest, Acornpelt at the lead with Marigoldfoot and the mentors close behind. Eaglepaw could scent new prey trails weaving through the bracken. Acornpelt suddenly halted. Eaglepaw looked ahead to see a squirrel among the roots of a tree. Barktail signaled for the apprentices to catch it.

Eaglepaw hid behind a bush and signaled with her tail for Amberpaw and Brackenpaw to drive it towards her. They hid in the bush across from her and burst out at the same time, one on each side of the squirrel, ensuring it would come directly to her. The squirrel unknowingly ran straight to where she was waiting. She gave it a quick killing bite before it fell limp.

"Amazing catch!" praised Barktail. "That was excellent teamwork from all of you."

"I've never seen such an amazing catch," said Spottedmist.

The apprentices beamed from their mentors' praise. There was nothing Eaglepaw enjoyed more than catching prey for her clan, especially when she caught it with her sisters.

"We'll bury it here and pick it up on our way back from the ShadowClan border," said Barktail.

The patrol headed back to camp, happy with the success of the patrol. As they passed the border, Eaglepaw scented a strange scent. That's ShadowClan scent! But what's it doing on our side of the border? She thought about telling the warriors but stopped herself. If there was a problem, a warrior would have said something already.

But as she padded away, she couldn't stop thinking about it. There's nothing to worry about, she told herself. Yet she couldn't help but think otherwise.