The same night, Flowerpaw didn't sleep. She didn't think about her nightmares, her mother, or even Snowpaw. All she could think about was Stonepaw. Flowerpaw didn't set a paw in the apprentice den, she couldn't handle being in there. She left herself to mourn and shiver without her brother.
"Hello?"
Flowerpaw cautiously spun around to look, but no one was there. "H-Hello?" she mewed.
A white, scrawny cat exposed herself, and she peeked out the side of the medicine cat's den. At first, Flowerpaw thought it was Snowpaw, but this she-cat had something different. Her eyes, one was blue, the other a pale green.
"Hi," the shy cat mewed.
"Oh, hello," Flowerpaw inched herself closer to the younger cat. "What might your name be?"
"Cloudpaw, and I know your name," the she-cat whispered embarrisingly.
Flowerpaw nodded, "The whole Clan knows. I havn't seen you before, are you a new apprentice?"
Cloudpaw shook her head, "I'm the medicine cat apprentice. I usually go out to collect herbs. I'm not really trusted with using them, though."
Flowerpaw already knew why, but she didn't want to offend her. "Why so?"
Cloudpaw looked up, "My eye. I'm blind in the green eye. I couldn't become a warrior, so I thought maybe a medicine cat would be nice. But the Clan doesn't trust me, so I leave a lot. Not really liking Clan life like this." She licked her paw, "Sometimes I promise myself that I'll leave the Clan."
"I can relate," Flowerpaw looked at the ground.
"I've seen what's happened between you and your brother. He's a mouse-brain for not letting you explain why you attacked Snowpaw," Cloudpaw meowed encouragingly.
"Thanks," Flowerpaw realized how tired she was after having company on her side of the battle. "I'll be getting some sleep now, thank you again."
Cloudpaw nodded and headed back to her den with Leafwind. Flowerpaw really didn't want to enter the apprentice den, but she had to at some point in time. She neared her way to the entrance and slowly creeped in. Everyone in the den was asleep. She sighed with relief and found a comfortable place where she could sleep.
Suddenly, she could feel a breath on her shoulder. She didn't dare see who it was, so she kept her head on her paws.
"So, I'm a mouse-brain, am I?"
Flowerpaw winced when she heard her brother's voice in her ear.
"Wh-What?" she pretended like she didn't know what he was talking about.
"Oh, your friend Cloudpaw? I thought I heard her say I'm a mouse-brain," he said, trying to get something out of his sister.
"Oh, uhm..." her voice trailed off.
"It's fine, as long as you don't believe it."
Flowerpaw felt his eyes lock in her fur. She turned to look at him. "Can I talk to you?"
"We're talking right now," he told her.
Flowerpaw rolled her eyes, "Not here."
"Fine."
They strode out of the apprentice den and out to the forest. Once they had reached a flat surface, they sat down.
She turned to face him, and noticed how serious he looked. But for the first time, she saw pain in his eyes. "Please let me explain what happened."
"Go ahead."
"I was crying, okay? Then, she came and said that you love eachother. And out of impulse, I said he's still my brother and I want you to stay away from him. She said 'he's mine and thats final, got it?' I got so mad I attacked her, it's not like it was random! I mean I still deserve to have you as a brother, right?"
Stonepaw didn't know how to reply, so he locked eyes with her. "You should know better than to hurt someone I love!"
Flowerpaw growled, "You hurt me! And so did she! She took you away from me, and you knew that she was stealing you, and you let her! Don't you know that I have feelings? And not just her?!"
Stonepaw grew speechless with every word she had said. "Alright, I understand now. I'm sorry I hurt you."
Flowerpaw was surprised, she didn't know he would come through like that. "I-I'm sorry too."
"Do me a favor, apoligize to her, will you?" he licked her behind the ear.
"Uh..." she noticed and felt the pain in him, "Alright, I'll say sorry to her. But I don't know if she'll forgive me."
"It's fine, I just want to know you tried."
Since she set paw in the Clan, she never felt as relaxed as she did with her brother.
"Thunderclaw said we're almost ready to become warriors," Stonepaw tried lightening the mood.
"Probably you, now the whole Clan thinks I'm just a pain like our mom," Flowerpaw licked her paw, trying to disguise her fear.
"It'll be okay, I'll make sure you become a warrior too."
"Thank you, Stonepaw," Flowerpaw never thought she would say that again.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Chapter 9
"Mind if I eat with you both?" Flowerpaw meowed to Mistpaw and Smokepaw, eating happily beside eachother.
"Uh, sure," Mistpaw mewed.
Flowerpaw sat down and ate her plump mouse, still thinking about her brother.
"So what's on your mind?" Smokepaw asked.
"Oh, nothing," Flowerpaw stuttered.
A light-gray tom with black stripes stepped in the den. "Smokepaw, Mistpaw, Fawnstar wants to talk to you."
"Yes, Nightfur. See you, Flowerpaw," Smokepaw said, as the brother and sister both stepped out.
Flowerpaw felt a sad, cold shiver run through her, as she realized how lonely she felt without her brother. She needed him, but with Snowpaw in the way, she could never take him back.
It was nearly sunset when Flowerpaw left the apprentice den, and she could see her brother talking to his mentor. She noticed him peek to his left and see her standing alone. When Thunderclaw dismissed him, Flowerpaw thought he was walking to her. But instead, he ignored her and walked to Snowpaw.
Pain-like fury grew in Flowerpaw as she let out a loud cry, which was not meant to be heard. Nearly the whole Clan froze and turned to stare at her. She could see Stonepaw staring at her with regret in his eyes for leaving her.
Before anyone said anything to her, she dashed out of camp. She ran down the slope and into a grassy field, where she could hide her small self from being seen. She could feel someone nearing her as she hoped it would be her brother or mentor. It was Snowpaw.
Snowpaw looked a bit surprised, as if she hadn't known Flowerpaw would be in the tall grass. "Um, I couldn't help but notice your saddened out-look on your brother and I's feelings for eachother," Snowpaw mewed.
Flowerpaw shook her head, "It's not that. It's how he's treating me. He's acting like I'm not alive, and you're the only cat left in the Clan!"
Snowpaw's eyes widened. "I didn't mean to take him from you!"
"That doesn't matter, now I'm asking you to stay away from him!" Flowerpaw yelled.
"You can't do that! I won't stop seeing him! Nor will he stop seeing me! He loves me, and you can't take that away!"
Flowerpaw knew she was right, she couldn't keep him from loving her. But what could she do? She growled, "He's my brother, you know! I know what's best for him!"
"He knows what's best for himself! You don't decide! He's staying with me, and that's final, got it?" Snowpaw hissed.
Flowerpaw couldn't keep herself from pouncing off the ground. Snowpaw wasn't prepared for a fight. Flowerpaw unsheathed her claws and dug them in to her pelt. She pinned Snowpaw down and bit down into her neck, and felt a cat's warm blood in her mouth for the first time. She never expected it would be a cat from her Clan.
Snowpaw yowled and kicked Flowerpaw off, briefly attempting to lick her neck wound. Before she could, Flowerpaw leaped again, this time, biting her tail and keeping her blood pouring. Snowpaw let out a cry and collapsed. Before Flowerpaw could declare the war over, Stonepaw finally decided to show up.
He couldn't program what had just happened. His sister's fur muffled and ragged, and his mate on the ground in pain, a small pool of blood near her.
Flowerpaw wanted nothing more than to run away and leave the Clan for good. But she still needed her brother.
Stonepaw ran by Snowpaw's side and began licking her, trying to stop the bleeding. He whispered to Snowpaw, "Did she do this to you?"
Snowpaw gave a weak nod and before Flowerpaw had time to explain, Stonepaw stood up yelling furiously at her, "What have you done?! Why would you do this to her! Or to me!? Why, Flowerpaw?"
Stonepaw turned and tried picking up Snowpaw in a manner that wouldn't hurt her. He needed more help to carry her, or else he would be dragging her. "Help me!" Stonepaw hissed to Flowerpaw.
She ran to Snowpaw and helped carry her back to camp.
Flowerpaw couldn't help noticing all the eyes that were watching them carry Snowpaw to Leafwind's den.
Fawnstar was the first to question, "What's happened?"
Stonepaw didn't speak, leaving Flowerpaw to answer. Though she didn't want to tell the leader she broke the warrior code.
Stonepaw could feel his sister's fear and spoke, "Flowerpaw.... she attacked Snowpaw."
Fawnstar stood motionless and looked at Flowerpaw, "You did this?"
Flowerpaw couldn't believe it either, "Please Fawnstar, allow me to explain."
Fawnstar looked bewildered, "You, Flowerpaw? I would never have guessed."
Flowerpaw wondered if she heard her, so she repeated herself, "Allow me to explain!"
"Go to your den, now Flowerpaw! Your mentor and I will speak of this!" Fawnstar rasped. Flowerpaw had never heard her angry before, and it came to her strongly.
Flowerpaw dropped her tail and walked to the exit of the medicine den. She whispered to her brother, "I'm sorry, Stonepaw."
He turned his head and whispered back, "I almost wish I could believe that."
"Uh, sure," Mistpaw mewed.
Flowerpaw sat down and ate her plump mouse, still thinking about her brother.
"So what's on your mind?" Smokepaw asked.
"Oh, nothing," Flowerpaw stuttered.
A light-gray tom with black stripes stepped in the den. "Smokepaw, Mistpaw, Fawnstar wants to talk to you."
"Yes, Nightfur. See you, Flowerpaw," Smokepaw said, as the brother and sister both stepped out.
Flowerpaw felt a sad, cold shiver run through her, as she realized how lonely she felt without her brother. She needed him, but with Snowpaw in the way, she could never take him back.
It was nearly sunset when Flowerpaw left the apprentice den, and she could see her brother talking to his mentor. She noticed him peek to his left and see her standing alone. When Thunderclaw dismissed him, Flowerpaw thought he was walking to her. But instead, he ignored her and walked to Snowpaw.
Pain-like fury grew in Flowerpaw as she let out a loud cry, which was not meant to be heard. Nearly the whole Clan froze and turned to stare at her. She could see Stonepaw staring at her with regret in his eyes for leaving her.
Before anyone said anything to her, she dashed out of camp. She ran down the slope and into a grassy field, where she could hide her small self from being seen. She could feel someone nearing her as she hoped it would be her brother or mentor. It was Snowpaw.
Snowpaw looked a bit surprised, as if she hadn't known Flowerpaw would be in the tall grass. "Um, I couldn't help but notice your saddened out-look on your brother and I's feelings for eachother," Snowpaw mewed.
Flowerpaw shook her head, "It's not that. It's how he's treating me. He's acting like I'm not alive, and you're the only cat left in the Clan!"
Snowpaw's eyes widened. "I didn't mean to take him from you!"
"That doesn't matter, now I'm asking you to stay away from him!" Flowerpaw yelled.
"You can't do that! I won't stop seeing him! Nor will he stop seeing me! He loves me, and you can't take that away!"
Flowerpaw knew she was right, she couldn't keep him from loving her. But what could she do? She growled, "He's my brother, you know! I know what's best for him!"
"He knows what's best for himself! You don't decide! He's staying with me, and that's final, got it?" Snowpaw hissed.
Flowerpaw couldn't keep herself from pouncing off the ground. Snowpaw wasn't prepared for a fight. Flowerpaw unsheathed her claws and dug them in to her pelt. She pinned Snowpaw down and bit down into her neck, and felt a cat's warm blood in her mouth for the first time. She never expected it would be a cat from her Clan.
Snowpaw yowled and kicked Flowerpaw off, briefly attempting to lick her neck wound. Before she could, Flowerpaw leaped again, this time, biting her tail and keeping her blood pouring. Snowpaw let out a cry and collapsed. Before Flowerpaw could declare the war over, Stonepaw finally decided to show up.
He couldn't program what had just happened. His sister's fur muffled and ragged, and his mate on the ground in pain, a small pool of blood near her.
Flowerpaw wanted nothing more than to run away and leave the Clan for good. But she still needed her brother.
Stonepaw ran by Snowpaw's side and began licking her, trying to stop the bleeding. He whispered to Snowpaw, "Did she do this to you?"
Snowpaw gave a weak nod and before Flowerpaw had time to explain, Stonepaw stood up yelling furiously at her, "What have you done?! Why would you do this to her! Or to me!? Why, Flowerpaw?"
Stonepaw turned and tried picking up Snowpaw in a manner that wouldn't hurt her. He needed more help to carry her, or else he would be dragging her. "Help me!" Stonepaw hissed to Flowerpaw.
She ran to Snowpaw and helped carry her back to camp.
Flowerpaw couldn't help noticing all the eyes that were watching them carry Snowpaw to Leafwind's den.
Fawnstar was the first to question, "What's happened?"
Stonepaw didn't speak, leaving Flowerpaw to answer. Though she didn't want to tell the leader she broke the warrior code.
Stonepaw could feel his sister's fear and spoke, "Flowerpaw.... she attacked Snowpaw."
Fawnstar stood motionless and looked at Flowerpaw, "You did this?"
Flowerpaw couldn't believe it either, "Please Fawnstar, allow me to explain."
Fawnstar looked bewildered, "You, Flowerpaw? I would never have guessed."
Flowerpaw wondered if she heard her, so she repeated herself, "Allow me to explain!"
"Go to your den, now Flowerpaw! Your mentor and I will speak of this!" Fawnstar rasped. Flowerpaw had never heard her angry before, and it came to her strongly.
Flowerpaw dropped her tail and walked to the exit of the medicine den. She whispered to her brother, "I'm sorry, Stonepaw."
He turned his head and whispered back, "I almost wish I could believe that."
Chapter 8
Flowerpaw could scent blood and flesh weaving through the air. She wondered if it had been her own. Flowerpaw curiously looked side to side, making sure no predators had attacked her. She then could see a dark figure halting beside her. Before she had any time to call to her brother, she felt the sharp teeth of the gray-striped she-cat dug into her pelt. And with a fright, she woke up.
Flowerpaw saw Stonepaw and Snowpaw eating together a few tail-lengths away from her. Ever since he met that pest, he hasn't paid any attention to me!
Two nights had passed since Crowpelt's absurd actions, and Flamefur has recovered. Flowerpaw didn't pay notice to that, all she was thinking about was her nightmares that never seem to vanish. Who is the gray she-cat who keeps attacking her in her dreams? She's had several guesses that it's Snowpaw's mentor, Dustcloud, but whenever Flowerpaw saw her, she looked harmless. Flowerpaw shook the thought away after she had seen Silverheart speaking with Thunderclaw. Are they talking about Stonepaw and I? Flowerpaw wondered.
When Silverheart saw Flowerpaw approaching, she gave a look of dread and said her goodbyes to Thunderclaw. Did Silverheart not like her? Once she reached her, Silverheart began, "I was thinking I could show you some hunting skills."
Flowerpaw nodded, "That would be great."
"Okay, follow me," Silverheart meowed.
They had reached some grassy fields, where rabbits and mice were plentiful. Flowerpaw did well on her first few tries, grateful to the quests with her brother that had showed her in the first place.
"You did a fine job, let's take these back to camp," Silverheart mewed.
Flowerpaw took as many mice as she could in her mouth and carried them back to camp, and when she had dropped her fresh-kill back in the pile, she heard Stonepaw calling after her.
"Hi, Stonepaw," Flowerpaw meowed, feeling a little angry that they havn't talked for two days because of Snowpaw.
"Hey, do you want to eat with me?" Stonepaw asked.
"Sure, I've kind of missed talking with you," Flowerpaw said, wishing she hadn't because she thought she sounded too desperate.
Stonepaw nodded, half-not paying attention, half-thinking.
Flowerpaw noticed his unease, "Everything okay?"
"Y-Yea, I just have this... weird feeling," Stonepaw embarrisingly said.
Flowerpaw licked his ear, "Why don't you see Leafwind."
"No, not that kind of feeling. I mean, I feel... fine. It's just," he stopped, thinking how he should finish, "I think she likes me."
Flowerpaw didn't need to ask who he meant, she already knew. A dark flame grew in her, and she had wished Snowpaw had never met her brother. She tried to keep calm, for her brother's sake, "She probably does," she didn't know if she should ask him, but she did, "Do you feel the same way?"
Stonepaw looked at her, nearly insane. "I think I do."
Flowerpaw didn't want to hear anymore. Snowpaw is taking Stonepaw away from her, and he needed him back. "That's great, I'm going to go eat with someone else, bye."
"But I thought we were-" Stonepaw realized for the first time that Flowerpaw didn't approve of his mini romance. He regretted telling her what he felt, but he couldn't take it back.
Flowerpaw saw Stonepaw and Snowpaw eating together a few tail-lengths away from her. Ever since he met that pest, he hasn't paid any attention to me!
Two nights had passed since Crowpelt's absurd actions, and Flamefur has recovered. Flowerpaw didn't pay notice to that, all she was thinking about was her nightmares that never seem to vanish. Who is the gray she-cat who keeps attacking her in her dreams? She's had several guesses that it's Snowpaw's mentor, Dustcloud, but whenever Flowerpaw saw her, she looked harmless. Flowerpaw shook the thought away after she had seen Silverheart speaking with Thunderclaw. Are they talking about Stonepaw and I? Flowerpaw wondered.
When Silverheart saw Flowerpaw approaching, she gave a look of dread and said her goodbyes to Thunderclaw. Did Silverheart not like her? Once she reached her, Silverheart began, "I was thinking I could show you some hunting skills."
Flowerpaw nodded, "That would be great."
"Okay, follow me," Silverheart meowed.
They had reached some grassy fields, where rabbits and mice were plentiful. Flowerpaw did well on her first few tries, grateful to the quests with her brother that had showed her in the first place.
"You did a fine job, let's take these back to camp," Silverheart mewed.
Flowerpaw took as many mice as she could in her mouth and carried them back to camp, and when she had dropped her fresh-kill back in the pile, she heard Stonepaw calling after her.
"Hi, Stonepaw," Flowerpaw meowed, feeling a little angry that they havn't talked for two days because of Snowpaw.
"Hey, do you want to eat with me?" Stonepaw asked.
"Sure, I've kind of missed talking with you," Flowerpaw said, wishing she hadn't because she thought she sounded too desperate.
Stonepaw nodded, half-not paying attention, half-thinking.
Flowerpaw noticed his unease, "Everything okay?"
"Y-Yea, I just have this... weird feeling," Stonepaw embarrisingly said.
Flowerpaw licked his ear, "Why don't you see Leafwind."
"No, not that kind of feeling. I mean, I feel... fine. It's just," he stopped, thinking how he should finish, "I think she likes me."
Flowerpaw didn't need to ask who he meant, she already knew. A dark flame grew in her, and she had wished Snowpaw had never met her brother. She tried to keep calm, for her brother's sake, "She probably does," she didn't know if she should ask him, but she did, "Do you feel the same way?"
Stonepaw looked at her, nearly insane. "I think I do."
Flowerpaw didn't want to hear anymore. Snowpaw is taking Stonepaw away from her, and he needed him back. "That's great, I'm going to go eat with someone else, bye."
"But I thought we were-" Stonepaw realized for the first time that Flowerpaw didn't approve of his mini romance. He regretted telling her what he felt, but he couldn't take it back.
Chapter 7
"May all cats who are old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the high-rock for a Clan meeting."
Oh no! Stonepaw thought, She's picking a new mentor for me!
"As many of you know, Stonepaw and Flowerpaw recieved their mentors a few days ago. I call upon StarClan to make a change in their mentoring," Fawnstar began.
The crowd of cats began muttering, knowing Crowpelt was to be replaced.
"Crowpelt was Stonepaw's mentor, but sadly, he has failed to be a respected mentor. That's why I'm handing Stonepaw to Thunderclaw."
A strong, muscular golden-brown tabby tom stepped out of the crowd, his amber eyes shining. He stalked towards Stonepaw and touched noses with him, and sat down with him at his side.
"As for Crowpelt, you have shown the Clan that you aren't ready to be a warrior worthy of an apprentice. You shall remain in-apprenticed until you prove your worthiness of having one." Fawnstar finished.
Crowpelt growled low, "It's not my fault I can't train a mouse-brain!" He stalked off, Flamefur rushing after him.
The crowd stayed silent, Fawnstar was confused of what she should say, and Stonepaw looked at his paws. Not because it was awkward, but because he was titled as a mouse-brain.
Flowerpaw ran to Stonepaw and sat next to him. "It isn't true," she tried. "He's the mouse-brain."
Fawnstar leaped off the high-rock and dismissed the Clan. She walked back into her den, not another word to be said.
Snowpaw ran to Stonepaw, brushing by his side. "He's wrong about that, he's too fox-brained to train a well-worthy apprentice."
Stonepaw shook his head, "I-I'm going to sleep."
"Oh, okay," Flowerpaw said, "I'll be there in a few."'
Stonepaw walked off, Snowpaw by his side. "Don't believe it, he's always been this way."
"Th-Thank you, Snowpaw," Stonepaw looked down and lay down in his moss bed.
For a brief moment, they locked eyes, and Snow turned and licked his shoulder. "I'll get us some fresh-kill, you look hungry."
Stonepaw smiled for a few seconds, "Thanks."
Snowpaw walked out of the den, and Mistpaw and Smokepaw walked in.
"Sorry about Crowpelt, he's always in a bad mood," Mistpaw urged.
"Yea, I noticed," Stonepaw put his head down.
"Hey, but you got Thunderclaw! He's one of the best warriors DuskClan has! All the apprentices want him as their mentor," Smokepaw said, trying hard to please Stonepaw.
"Sounds great," Stonepaw paused, "Thanks for trying to make me feel better."
"Yep," Mistpaw said. She and her brother lay down next to each other, curling their tails and tucking their paws beneath themselves. "Well, good night."
At that moment, Snowpaw walked in, carrying two mice. She dropped them in front of Stonepaw. "Here, this one's for you."
"Thanks," he whispered. They sat next to each other and bent down and ate. As soon as they had finished, they both lay down. Slowly, they fell asleep....
"Stonepaw! Snowpaw!"
They drowsily woke up.
"What is it? It's moon-high, get some sleep!" Stonepaw said.
"Flamefur is hurt!" Flowerpaw yelled. "Crowpelt got angry and attacked her!"
At once, Stonepaw and Snowpaw stood up, running out of the den. The Clan had already woken up, and was crowding around the medicine den.
Leafwind walked out of the den, "Flamefur will be fine! She has very minor injuries."
The Clan was satisfied, they went back to their dens and fell asleep. Stonepaw, however, wasn't. He became good friends with Flamefur. So he went in the medicine cat's den to see how she was doing.
He saw Crowpelt, sitting beside her, pleading for her to forgive him, "Flamefur, please! I didn't mean to do it! I love you!"
Flame shut her eyes, "Go away, Crowpelt, just leave," she cried.
"I was just mad! It wasn't personal, I need you!"
"Leave me be!" Flamefur yelled.
"I think it's time for you to go," Leafwind asked Crowpelt.
Stonepaw had seen enough, he backed out of the den and ran back to the apprentice den, where the others had been sleeping. He lied down and put his head on his paws. What have I done?
Oh no! Stonepaw thought, She's picking a new mentor for me!
"As many of you know, Stonepaw and Flowerpaw recieved their mentors a few days ago. I call upon StarClan to make a change in their mentoring," Fawnstar began.
The crowd of cats began muttering, knowing Crowpelt was to be replaced.
"Crowpelt was Stonepaw's mentor, but sadly, he has failed to be a respected mentor. That's why I'm handing Stonepaw to Thunderclaw."
A strong, muscular golden-brown tabby tom stepped out of the crowd, his amber eyes shining. He stalked towards Stonepaw and touched noses with him, and sat down with him at his side.
"As for Crowpelt, you have shown the Clan that you aren't ready to be a warrior worthy of an apprentice. You shall remain in-apprenticed until you prove your worthiness of having one." Fawnstar finished.
Crowpelt growled low, "It's not my fault I can't train a mouse-brain!" He stalked off, Flamefur rushing after him.
The crowd stayed silent, Fawnstar was confused of what she should say, and Stonepaw looked at his paws. Not because it was awkward, but because he was titled as a mouse-brain.
Flowerpaw ran to Stonepaw and sat next to him. "It isn't true," she tried. "He's the mouse-brain."
Fawnstar leaped off the high-rock and dismissed the Clan. She walked back into her den, not another word to be said.
Snowpaw ran to Stonepaw, brushing by his side. "He's wrong about that, he's too fox-brained to train a well-worthy apprentice."
Stonepaw shook his head, "I-I'm going to sleep."
"Oh, okay," Flowerpaw said, "I'll be there in a few."'
Stonepaw walked off, Snowpaw by his side. "Don't believe it, he's always been this way."
"Th-Thank you, Snowpaw," Stonepaw looked down and lay down in his moss bed.
For a brief moment, they locked eyes, and Snow turned and licked his shoulder. "I'll get us some fresh-kill, you look hungry."
Stonepaw smiled for a few seconds, "Thanks."
Snowpaw walked out of the den, and Mistpaw and Smokepaw walked in.
"Sorry about Crowpelt, he's always in a bad mood," Mistpaw urged.
"Yea, I noticed," Stonepaw put his head down.
"Hey, but you got Thunderclaw! He's one of the best warriors DuskClan has! All the apprentices want him as their mentor," Smokepaw said, trying hard to please Stonepaw.
"Sounds great," Stonepaw paused, "Thanks for trying to make me feel better."
"Yep," Mistpaw said. She and her brother lay down next to each other, curling their tails and tucking their paws beneath themselves. "Well, good night."
At that moment, Snowpaw walked in, carrying two mice. She dropped them in front of Stonepaw. "Here, this one's for you."
"Thanks," he whispered. They sat next to each other and bent down and ate. As soon as they had finished, they both lay down. Slowly, they fell asleep....
"Stonepaw! Snowpaw!"
They drowsily woke up.
"What is it? It's moon-high, get some sleep!" Stonepaw said.
"Flamefur is hurt!" Flowerpaw yelled. "Crowpelt got angry and attacked her!"
At once, Stonepaw and Snowpaw stood up, running out of the den. The Clan had already woken up, and was crowding around the medicine den.
Leafwind walked out of the den, "Flamefur will be fine! She has very minor injuries."
The Clan was satisfied, they went back to their dens and fell asleep. Stonepaw, however, wasn't. He became good friends with Flamefur. So he went in the medicine cat's den to see how she was doing.
He saw Crowpelt, sitting beside her, pleading for her to forgive him, "Flamefur, please! I didn't mean to do it! I love you!"
Flame shut her eyes, "Go away, Crowpelt, just leave," she cried.
"I was just mad! It wasn't personal, I need you!"
"Leave me be!" Flamefur yelled.
"I think it's time for you to go," Leafwind asked Crowpelt.
Stonepaw had seen enough, he backed out of the den and ran back to the apprentice den, where the others had been sleeping. He lied down and put his head on his paws. What have I done?
Chapter 6
Several days had passed since Ashfur's incident. Stonepaw had already told Flowerpaw about their mother's problem. Together, they sat, grooming each others fur in pure silence. Silverheart walked up to the two.
"Flowerpaw, let's head to the training hallow. I want to show you some fighting skills." Silverheart said.
"Oh, sure," Flowerpaw stood, "See you after sun-high, Stonepaw."
"Okay," Stonepaw looked down, ashamed he got such a useless mentor.
Silverheart and Flowerpaw padded out of the camp, leaving Stonepaw to cry inside.
"Hey!"
Stonepaw turned his head. Disgusted as he was, he had to return the call to his bitter mentor. "Hi, Crowpelt."
"Stop sitting there like a useless scrap of fur! We're going training," Crowpelt rasped.
"Why so harsh?"
Crowpelt spun around to see a dark tabby tom, looming over him.
"Don't talk to your apprentice that way! One day he'll be stronger than you, make him have some respect for you!"
"Sorry, Shadowclaw," Crowpelt looked at his paws.
"You're a new warrior! Don't act so experienced," Shadowclaw went on.
Stonepaw actually liked the way Crowpelt was getting scowled at. As for he had been by his own mentor.
"Shadowclaw, I understand, I'll treat him with more honor," Crowpelt said.
"Listen, Stonepaw, if he ever treats you like fox-dung ever again, you come to me, alright?" Shadowclaw rasped.
"Yes, Shadowclaw, thank you," Stonepaw shakily addressed.
"Fine then, go train your apprentice, Crowpelt." Shadowclaw padded away.
Crowpelt frowned, "Let's head out."
Crowpelt lead his apprentice to an open field, with a river splashing beside them. "I'm going to teach you how to swim, is that okay with you?" Crowpelt challenged.
"Yea, I'm okay with it," Stonepaw paused. "You know, it isn't my fault Shadowclaw found out. So don't blame me with sudden dishonor."
"Hey, listen! I'm still your mentor, okay? Don't treat me like a kit! I know what I'm doing!" Crowpelt growled.
Stonepaw nodded, "H-How do I swim?"
Crowpelt showed Stonepaw the proper techniques of a swimmer. After a few tries, Stonepaw got it right. He already had experience from his journeys with Flowerpaw in the forest.
Once it was close to sun-high, they left the hallow, and went out to find some fresh-kill. Crowpelt got a plump rabbit, and Stonepaw gathered two plump mice. They set off for camp with their food in their jaws, and tails held high.
"There you are!" Flowerpaw greeted Stonepaw.
Stonepaw dropped his mice at the fresh-kill pile. "Hi, how was your training?"
"Great! Silverheart is shy kind of like me, but she really knows how to fight! And yours?"
"N-Not as good as yours. I want a new mentor, and bad," Stonepaw looked down.
"Just talk to Fawnstar, she'll know what to do," Flowerpaw suggested.
"Maybe. But Crowpelt is good at teaching me things, he just doesn't like me as a cat."
"Just go talk to her," Flowerpaw urged.
Stonepaw turned away and walked to Fawnstar's den. "Fawnstar?"
"Oh, Stonepaw, just the cat I wanted to see. Shadowclaw told me about Crowpelt's behavior."
"Yes, and... I... would like a change of mentor," Stonepaw recalled.
"Of course, Crowpelt is quite new, I suppose he isn't ready to take on an apprentice just yet. I'll make a change to that as soon as possible!" Fawnstar said.
"Thank you, Fawnstar!" Stonepaw praised.
Flamefur walked in the den, "Fawnstar, I have reports from a few patrols."
"Okay, Stonepaw, you may exit now," Fawnstar dismissed.
Stonepaw walked out of the den.
"Stonepaw, Stonepaw!"
He turned to see the white apprentice, Snowpaw dashing towards him.
"Hi, Snowpaw," Stonepaw greeted.
"The whole Clan is talking about Crowpelt's nasty sayings to you! Are you going to get a new mentor?" Snowpaw asked.
"Yea, I am, good thing too."
Snowpaw shook her head, "That isn't the best idea!"
"What, why?"
"Crowpelt is aggressive! If he finds out an apprentice showed the Clan what a failure he is, he's going to shred you to pieces!" Snowpaw said loud enough for only Stonepaw to hear.
Stonepaw shook his head, "What have I done!"
Snowpaw licked his shoulder, "Your new mentor won't let him get to you."
Snowpaw's grooming comforted him slightly, then brought back the idea, Oh StarClan, what have I done!
"Flowerpaw, let's head to the training hallow. I want to show you some fighting skills." Silverheart said.
"Oh, sure," Flowerpaw stood, "See you after sun-high, Stonepaw."
"Okay," Stonepaw looked down, ashamed he got such a useless mentor.
Silverheart and Flowerpaw padded out of the camp, leaving Stonepaw to cry inside.
"Hey!"
Stonepaw turned his head. Disgusted as he was, he had to return the call to his bitter mentor. "Hi, Crowpelt."
"Stop sitting there like a useless scrap of fur! We're going training," Crowpelt rasped.
"Why so harsh?"
Crowpelt spun around to see a dark tabby tom, looming over him.
"Don't talk to your apprentice that way! One day he'll be stronger than you, make him have some respect for you!"
"Sorry, Shadowclaw," Crowpelt looked at his paws.
"You're a new warrior! Don't act so experienced," Shadowclaw went on.
Stonepaw actually liked the way Crowpelt was getting scowled at. As for he had been by his own mentor.
"Shadowclaw, I understand, I'll treat him with more honor," Crowpelt said.
"Listen, Stonepaw, if he ever treats you like fox-dung ever again, you come to me, alright?" Shadowclaw rasped.
"Yes, Shadowclaw, thank you," Stonepaw shakily addressed.
"Fine then, go train your apprentice, Crowpelt." Shadowclaw padded away.
Crowpelt frowned, "Let's head out."
Crowpelt lead his apprentice to an open field, with a river splashing beside them. "I'm going to teach you how to swim, is that okay with you?" Crowpelt challenged.
"Yea, I'm okay with it," Stonepaw paused. "You know, it isn't my fault Shadowclaw found out. So don't blame me with sudden dishonor."
"Hey, listen! I'm still your mentor, okay? Don't treat me like a kit! I know what I'm doing!" Crowpelt growled.
Stonepaw nodded, "H-How do I swim?"
Crowpelt showed Stonepaw the proper techniques of a swimmer. After a few tries, Stonepaw got it right. He already had experience from his journeys with Flowerpaw in the forest.
Once it was close to sun-high, they left the hallow, and went out to find some fresh-kill. Crowpelt got a plump rabbit, and Stonepaw gathered two plump mice. They set off for camp with their food in their jaws, and tails held high.
"There you are!" Flowerpaw greeted Stonepaw.
Stonepaw dropped his mice at the fresh-kill pile. "Hi, how was your training?"
"Great! Silverheart is shy kind of like me, but she really knows how to fight! And yours?"
"N-Not as good as yours. I want a new mentor, and bad," Stonepaw looked down.
"Just talk to Fawnstar, she'll know what to do," Flowerpaw suggested.
"Maybe. But Crowpelt is good at teaching me things, he just doesn't like me as a cat."
"Just go talk to her," Flowerpaw urged.
Stonepaw turned away and walked to Fawnstar's den. "Fawnstar?"
"Oh, Stonepaw, just the cat I wanted to see. Shadowclaw told me about Crowpelt's behavior."
"Yes, and... I... would like a change of mentor," Stonepaw recalled.
"Of course, Crowpelt is quite new, I suppose he isn't ready to take on an apprentice just yet. I'll make a change to that as soon as possible!" Fawnstar said.
"Thank you, Fawnstar!" Stonepaw praised.
Flamefur walked in the den, "Fawnstar, I have reports from a few patrols."
"Okay, Stonepaw, you may exit now," Fawnstar dismissed.
Stonepaw walked out of the den.
"Stonepaw, Stonepaw!"
He turned to see the white apprentice, Snowpaw dashing towards him.
"Hi, Snowpaw," Stonepaw greeted.
"The whole Clan is talking about Crowpelt's nasty sayings to you! Are you going to get a new mentor?" Snowpaw asked.
"Yea, I am, good thing too."
Snowpaw shook her head, "That isn't the best idea!"
"What, why?"
"Crowpelt is aggressive! If he finds out an apprentice showed the Clan what a failure he is, he's going to shred you to pieces!" Snowpaw said loud enough for only Stonepaw to hear.
Stonepaw shook his head, "What have I done!"
Snowpaw licked his shoulder, "Your new mentor won't let him get to you."
Snowpaw's grooming comforted him slightly, then brought back the idea, Oh StarClan, what have I done!
Chapter 5
Fawnstar walked out of the medicine cat's den and hopped on top of the high rock. "May all cats who are old enough to hunt their own prey join beneath the high rock for a Clan meeting."
Flowerpaw and Stonepaw watched as all dens spilled out with cats, sitting below the high rock.
"We have two new apprentices! Stonepaw and Flowerpaw! They are the kits of Shadowstripe and Ashfur! We shall not treat them as prisoners nor guests. They have joined DuskClan and are now fully welcome them!" Fawnstar announced.
"Stonepaw! Flowerpaw!" the cats of the Clan yelled.
"These young cats have skills to learn! They need mentors!" Fawnstar yowled. Stonepaw and Flowerpaw watched as a large group of cats, probably warriors, began looking around to find which one had been chosen to mentor. "Silverheart, you will be mentor to Flowerpaw."
A light-grey she-cat stepped out from the crowd. She had blue-grey eyes and her tail had dark-grey stripes. She padded up to meet Flowerpaw and they both touched noses.
"Silverheart, I hope you teach everything you've learned to this young apprentice. I'm sure you'll be a great mentor." Fawnstar finished. Silverheart nodded and sat back down in the crowd with Flowerpaw by her side.
"As for Stonepaw." Fawnstar continued, "Crowpelt will be his new mentor."
Stonepaw's eyes got huge as the black tom stalked out of the crowd. Stonepaw forced himself to touch noses with Crowpelt as Fawnstar said, "Crowpelt, you are a loyal, fierce warrior. I hope you pass your skills and technique to this apprentice."
Fawnstar hopped down from the high rock, dismissing the cats. "How wonderful! I get to train a fox-brained kit!" Crowpelt spat at Stonepaw. Where did everything go wrong? Stonepaw thought. He did nothing but hiss at Crowpelt and walked away.
"Stonepaw! You really got the best mentor, didn't you?" Flowerpaw teased.
"It isn't funny! He just called me fox-brained! How am I supposed to respect him as a mentor if all he does is torment me?" Stonepaw desperately asked.
"Just talk to Fawnstar, she'll understand." Flowerpaw said.
"Good idea."
He walked around the high rock and into Fawnstar's den. "Fawnstar?" Stonepaw scanned her den.
"Oh, yes? I'm here," Fawnstar appeared. "I was just thinking. What do you need?"
"Well, Fawnstar... Crowpelt was assigned as my mentor. And, he isn't really the best mentor I could have."
"I see, you want a new mentor, then?" Fawnstar asked.
"Yes... You see, after the meeting was over, he called me a fox-brained kit! Honest, he did."
"Crowpelt? Are you sure it was him?" Fawnstar tilted her head.
"I know it! He said 'How wonderful, I get to train a fox-brained kit!' Don't you believe me?"
Fawnstar shook her head. "I believe you, but-"
"Fawnstar! Fawnstar! Ashfur is on a rampage!" Flamefur ran into the den.
"Ashfur? My mom is here?" Stonepaw pleaded. "Can I see her?"
"You don't understand, she's lost her mind!" Flamefur yelled.
Fawnstar ran out of her den, Flamefur and Stonepaw close behind.
Stonepaw saw a gray she-cat with dark gray-spots carrying a small kit in her mouth. She was dangling Morningkit, and spinning her around uncontrollably!
"Tha-That's my mom?" Stonepaw looked at Flamefur as if he was an injured kit.
Flamefur didn't answer, "I'll explain later."
"Leafwind!" Fawnstar yelled to the medicine cat's den.
Leafwind ran out of her den, pushing a small leaf ahead of her. When she got a hold of Ashfur, she took the leaf in her paws and brushed it against Ashfur's nose. Suddenly, Ashfur got dizzy, and she collapsed. Morningkit was being aided by her mom, Featherpelt.
"What did she just do to my mom!" Stonepaw pleaded.
Flamefur looked at Stonepaw. "Follow me," she ordered.
They ran out of the camp, and into a tall-grass field. They hid in there and Flamefur spoke. "Listen. You know that battle your father died in?"
Stonepaw nodded.
"A cat that was attacking DuskClan, injured your mother. And when she woke up, she lost her memory and went insane." Flamefur sighed. "Your father killed the cat that had attacked her."
Stonepaw shook his head in horror.
"It's true." Flamefur said, "She doesn't know who you are."
Stonepaw let out a yowl cry and buried his head under his paws. Flamefur licked him on the head continuously. "She's lost her mind, she went insane. Fawnstar has been debating for a long time whether or not she should kill her. She causes much pain to the camp."
"Kill her? Kill an innocent cat?" Stonepaw cried.
"I know... We know she's innocent. But it would be for the best if she was gone." Flamefur looked down at Stonepaw. "I'm sorry it had to be you who lost their parents."
Stonepaw looked up at her. "We should go back to camp." He gave a final sniff. "I'll tell Flowerpaw about this."
Flowerpaw and Stonepaw watched as all dens spilled out with cats, sitting below the high rock.
"We have two new apprentices! Stonepaw and Flowerpaw! They are the kits of Shadowstripe and Ashfur! We shall not treat them as prisoners nor guests. They have joined DuskClan and are now fully welcome them!" Fawnstar announced.
"Stonepaw! Flowerpaw!" the cats of the Clan yelled.
"These young cats have skills to learn! They need mentors!" Fawnstar yowled. Stonepaw and Flowerpaw watched as a large group of cats, probably warriors, began looking around to find which one had been chosen to mentor. "Silverheart, you will be mentor to Flowerpaw."
A light-grey she-cat stepped out from the crowd. She had blue-grey eyes and her tail had dark-grey stripes. She padded up to meet Flowerpaw and they both touched noses.
"Silverheart, I hope you teach everything you've learned to this young apprentice. I'm sure you'll be a great mentor." Fawnstar finished. Silverheart nodded and sat back down in the crowd with Flowerpaw by her side.
"As for Stonepaw." Fawnstar continued, "Crowpelt will be his new mentor."
Stonepaw's eyes got huge as the black tom stalked out of the crowd. Stonepaw forced himself to touch noses with Crowpelt as Fawnstar said, "Crowpelt, you are a loyal, fierce warrior. I hope you pass your skills and technique to this apprentice."
Fawnstar hopped down from the high rock, dismissing the cats. "How wonderful! I get to train a fox-brained kit!" Crowpelt spat at Stonepaw. Where did everything go wrong? Stonepaw thought. He did nothing but hiss at Crowpelt and walked away.
"Stonepaw! You really got the best mentor, didn't you?" Flowerpaw teased.
"It isn't funny! He just called me fox-brained! How am I supposed to respect him as a mentor if all he does is torment me?" Stonepaw desperately asked.
"Just talk to Fawnstar, she'll understand." Flowerpaw said.
"Good idea."
He walked around the high rock and into Fawnstar's den. "Fawnstar?" Stonepaw scanned her den.
"Oh, yes? I'm here," Fawnstar appeared. "I was just thinking. What do you need?"
"Well, Fawnstar... Crowpelt was assigned as my mentor. And, he isn't really the best mentor I could have."
"I see, you want a new mentor, then?" Fawnstar asked.
"Yes... You see, after the meeting was over, he called me a fox-brained kit! Honest, he did."
"Crowpelt? Are you sure it was him?" Fawnstar tilted her head.
"I know it! He said 'How wonderful, I get to train a fox-brained kit!' Don't you believe me?"
Fawnstar shook her head. "I believe you, but-"
"Fawnstar! Fawnstar! Ashfur is on a rampage!" Flamefur ran into the den.
"Ashfur? My mom is here?" Stonepaw pleaded. "Can I see her?"
"You don't understand, she's lost her mind!" Flamefur yelled.
Fawnstar ran out of her den, Flamefur and Stonepaw close behind.
Stonepaw saw a gray she-cat with dark gray-spots carrying a small kit in her mouth. She was dangling Morningkit, and spinning her around uncontrollably!
"Tha-That's my mom?" Stonepaw looked at Flamefur as if he was an injured kit.
Flamefur didn't answer, "I'll explain later."
"Leafwind!" Fawnstar yelled to the medicine cat's den.
Leafwind ran out of her den, pushing a small leaf ahead of her. When she got a hold of Ashfur, she took the leaf in her paws and brushed it against Ashfur's nose. Suddenly, Ashfur got dizzy, and she collapsed. Morningkit was being aided by her mom, Featherpelt.
"What did she just do to my mom!" Stonepaw pleaded.
Flamefur looked at Stonepaw. "Follow me," she ordered.
They ran out of the camp, and into a tall-grass field. They hid in there and Flamefur spoke. "Listen. You know that battle your father died in?"
Stonepaw nodded.
"A cat that was attacking DuskClan, injured your mother. And when she woke up, she lost her memory and went insane." Flamefur sighed. "Your father killed the cat that had attacked her."
Stonepaw shook his head in horror.
"It's true." Flamefur said, "She doesn't know who you are."
Stonepaw let out a yowl cry and buried his head under his paws. Flamefur licked him on the head continuously. "She's lost her mind, she went insane. Fawnstar has been debating for a long time whether or not she should kill her. She causes much pain to the camp."
"Kill her? Kill an innocent cat?" Stonepaw cried.
"I know... We know she's innocent. But it would be for the best if she was gone." Flamefur looked down at Stonepaw. "I'm sorry it had to be you who lost their parents."
Stonepaw looked up at her. "We should go back to camp." He gave a final sniff. "I'll tell Flowerpaw about this."
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Chapter 4
A gray striped cat stalked around Flowerpaw, warning her of her soon-to-be injuries. The cat unsheathed it's claws and let out a low growl. It's fur fluffed up and she went into a fighter's crouch. Suddenly, the cat pounced up and pinned Flowerpaw down.
"Help!" she cried, "Stonepaw, help me!"
"There's no one left, apprentice!" the cat hissed into her ear.
At once, Flowerpaw's eyes flew open, and she instantly smelled her brother, who was sleeping soundlessly beside her. He drowsily opened his eyes and asked, "Something wrong?"
"No.... Nothing, just a dream was all." Flowerpaw quickly replied.
"Well, okay, I guess." Stonepaw gave her a lick on the shoulder. "We'll be fine."
Flowerpaw did nothing more than nod before she was interrupted by a small white cat. "Hi!" the cat began, "I heard you're from the forest! Is it true you survived for all these moons?"
Flowerpaw said nothing, but Stonepaw replied, "Um, yes. It's true." Stonepaw gave Flowerpaw a shrug.
"Snowpaw! Don't talk to prisoners!" a voice sounded from behind.
"Sorry, got to go. I have to go train. Talk to you soon, ok?" Snowpaw said eagerly.
"Uh, ok." Stonepaw said.
Flowerpaw watched Snowpaw run back to her mentor, as a shiver ran across her spine. She looks like the cat who attacked me! She thought. It isn't true. It was just a dream!
"Hello, Stonepaw, Flowerpaw. Fawnstar wishes to speak to you both in her den," Crowpelt told them. "Now would probably be the best time." he finished sneeringly.
Stonepaw growled, "We're going."
Crowpelt spun around and padded away. "I don't like him." Stonepaw told Flowerpaw. "Just look at him! He thinks he's the best warrior the land has ever seen!"
"It's okay, Stonepaw. We all know he isn't." Flowerpaw reassured him. "Let's go see Fawnstar."
The two walked across the clearing and into Fawnstar's den. Flamefur was in the den, grooming Fawnstar.
"I'll be going then. I'll take a dawn patrol out to watch our borders. Maybe do a bit of hunting as well." Flamefur walked out of the leader's den.
"What a fine warrior she is, don't you agree?" Fawnstar asked.
"Y-yes," Stonepaw replied hoarsely.
"She's a wonderful deputy." Fawnstar shook her head. "Back to the subject, you two need a Clan, correct?"
Flowerpaw and Stonepaw gave a weak nod.
"Well then, welcome to DuskClan," Fawnstar smiled. "Allow me to show you around the camp." She stood up and lead the apprentices out the den.
Fawnstar walked to a small but well-configured den. "This is the elder's den. This is where all retired members of DuskClan sleep. That's Hailstripe, Stormtail, and Sandclaw. It appears one is out of the den right now. It's okay though. Follow me." She padded out of the den, and walked into a very big, protected den. "This is the kit den. The queens stay in here with them. That's Oakkit and Morningkit, with their mom Featherpelt." Featherpelt looked strong and proud, as so were her kits.
Fawnstar quietly walked out of the den, and straight into another. "The apprentice den, where you'll be sleeping. Apprentices hunt and care for the elders. There are other apprentices but they are either hunting with patrols or training with their mentors. Right now, this is Mistpaw and Smokepaw. Come."
She padded out and in to a huge den, streaming with cats. "This is the warrior den. Here is Shadowclaw, Crowpelt, Thunderclaw, Silverheart, Silentmoon, Leopardtail, and Nightfur. There are a few more warriors on patrols or with their apprentices. A lot of them, I know. But it can only be a good thing." She smiled. "And let me show you the medicine cat's den."
She left the warrior's den and across the clearing. She walked into a small den with lots of plants and berries. All of them were lined up and aligned in order. "Leafwind!" Fawnstar called. A light-gray she-cat walked in from an opening. She had green eyes and looked kind. "We have new members of our clan I'd like you to meet."
"Shadowstripe?" Leafwind tilted her head.
"No, no, these are his kits. We have found them and welcomed them." Fawnstar replied.
"Oh!" she smiled, "Hehe, I'm Leafwind, and you both are?"
"Stonepaw and Flowerpaw." Stonepaw replied proudly.
"You both look so much like your father!... And... And your mother." Leafwind hesitated before she said, "Welcome to DuskClan!"
Fawnstar nodded. "We'll be going then, I want them to meet their mentors." Stonepaw and Flowerpaw both looked at each other.
"We're gonna have real mentors?" Stonepaw asked.
"Of course, come on!" Fawnstar yelped.
"Help!" she cried, "Stonepaw, help me!"
"There's no one left, apprentice!" the cat hissed into her ear.
At once, Flowerpaw's eyes flew open, and she instantly smelled her brother, who was sleeping soundlessly beside her. He drowsily opened his eyes and asked, "Something wrong?"
"No.... Nothing, just a dream was all." Flowerpaw quickly replied.
"Well, okay, I guess." Stonepaw gave her a lick on the shoulder. "We'll be fine."
Flowerpaw did nothing more than nod before she was interrupted by a small white cat. "Hi!" the cat began, "I heard you're from the forest! Is it true you survived for all these moons?"
Flowerpaw said nothing, but Stonepaw replied, "Um, yes. It's true." Stonepaw gave Flowerpaw a shrug.
"Snowpaw! Don't talk to prisoners!" a voice sounded from behind.
"Sorry, got to go. I have to go train. Talk to you soon, ok?" Snowpaw said eagerly.
"Uh, ok." Stonepaw said.
Flowerpaw watched Snowpaw run back to her mentor, as a shiver ran across her spine. She looks like the cat who attacked me! She thought. It isn't true. It was just a dream!
"Hello, Stonepaw, Flowerpaw. Fawnstar wishes to speak to you both in her den," Crowpelt told them. "Now would probably be the best time." he finished sneeringly.
Stonepaw growled, "We're going."
Crowpelt spun around and padded away. "I don't like him." Stonepaw told Flowerpaw. "Just look at him! He thinks he's the best warrior the land has ever seen!"
"It's okay, Stonepaw. We all know he isn't." Flowerpaw reassured him. "Let's go see Fawnstar."
The two walked across the clearing and into Fawnstar's den. Flamefur was in the den, grooming Fawnstar.
"I'll be going then. I'll take a dawn patrol out to watch our borders. Maybe do a bit of hunting as well." Flamefur walked out of the leader's den.
"What a fine warrior she is, don't you agree?" Fawnstar asked.
"Y-yes," Stonepaw replied hoarsely.
"She's a wonderful deputy." Fawnstar shook her head. "Back to the subject, you two need a Clan, correct?"
Flowerpaw and Stonepaw gave a weak nod.
"Well then, welcome to DuskClan," Fawnstar smiled. "Allow me to show you around the camp." She stood up and lead the apprentices out the den.
Fawnstar walked to a small but well-configured den. "This is the elder's den. This is where all retired members of DuskClan sleep. That's Hailstripe, Stormtail, and Sandclaw. It appears one is out of the den right now. It's okay though. Follow me." She padded out of the den, and walked into a very big, protected den. "This is the kit den. The queens stay in here with them. That's Oakkit and Morningkit, with their mom Featherpelt." Featherpelt looked strong and proud, as so were her kits.
Fawnstar quietly walked out of the den, and straight into another. "The apprentice den, where you'll be sleeping. Apprentices hunt and care for the elders. There are other apprentices but they are either hunting with patrols or training with their mentors. Right now, this is Mistpaw and Smokepaw. Come."
She padded out and in to a huge den, streaming with cats. "This is the warrior den. Here is Shadowclaw, Crowpelt, Thunderclaw, Silverheart, Silentmoon, Leopardtail, and Nightfur. There are a few more warriors on patrols or with their apprentices. A lot of them, I know. But it can only be a good thing." She smiled. "And let me show you the medicine cat's den."
She left the warrior's den and across the clearing. She walked into a small den with lots of plants and berries. All of them were lined up and aligned in order. "Leafwind!" Fawnstar called. A light-gray she-cat walked in from an opening. She had green eyes and looked kind. "We have new members of our clan I'd like you to meet."
"Shadowstripe?" Leafwind tilted her head.
"No, no, these are his kits. We have found them and welcomed them." Fawnstar replied.
"Oh!" she smiled, "Hehe, I'm Leafwind, and you both are?"
"Stonepaw and Flowerpaw." Stonepaw replied proudly.
"You both look so much like your father!... And... And your mother." Leafwind hesitated before she said, "Welcome to DuskClan!"
Fawnstar nodded. "We'll be going then, I want them to meet their mentors." Stonepaw and Flowerpaw both looked at each other.
"We're gonna have real mentors?" Stonepaw asked.
"Of course, come on!" Fawnstar yelped.
Chapter 3
"Is that Shadowstripe?"
"No, of course not! He's dead, mouse-brain!"
Stonepaw and Flowerpaw looked at each other questioningly.
"Who are you?" a dark orange-pelt cat queered.
"Uh, Stonepaw. This is Flowerpaw." Stonepaw replied shakily. Finally he had enough courage to ask, "And you are?"
The orange cat spat back, "Don't you know apprentices shouldn't be out without a warrior? Dawnpaw, tell Fawnstar there are intruders. And help me take them to camp!"
Flowerpaw jumped, "What clan is this? Aren't we still in ForestClan territory?"
"ForestClan? No! This is DuskClan! Well... Not here, but this is our border! Dawnpaw, let's move."
"Who are you?" Stonepaw repeated.
"If it will keep you quiet, I'm Flamefur! Move!"
The DuskClan members lead Stonepaw and Flowerpaw into a damp, grassy area, with occasional trees in sight. It was hot and felt as though temperature was rapidly rising. Finally, they were lead to a well-built camp, and into a small den, much like the one they were just in.
"Fawnstar, we have visitors." Flamefur disclosed smilingly.
Fawnstar tilted her head, as she looked rather gentle and kind. "Who are these cats? They don't carry the scent of any clan I know."
"We aren't in a clan," Stonepaw asserted.
"Oh? Then how did you end up here?" Fawnstar inquired.
Stonepaw explained the story of their birth to what happened while they were in ForestClan territory.
Fawnstar looked at them in awe. "Flamefur, can I speak to you for a moment?"
"Of course." Flamefur signaled to Stonepaw and Flowerpaw to leave the den. They padded out of the den with their tails down. Also following was Dawnpaw.
"Flamefur, do you know their resemblence to Shadowstripe?"
Flamefur nodded. "Dawnpaw even noticed."
"Do you think they are his kits?"
Flamefur hesitated, "They have the names they once did as kits. Maybe they are."
"Should we welcome them?" Fawnstar asked.
"Possibly, but I don't make the decisions."
Fawnstar nodded. "I will think about it. Maybe StarClan will send me a message tonight about them. For now, they're prisoners. Tell them to come in, will you?"
"Yes, Fawnstar." Flamefur walked out the den and welcomed the two apprentices back in the den. They both walked in and sat in front of Fawnstar.
"Stonepaw, Flowerpaw, do either of you know your mother or father's names?" Fawnstar asked.
They both shook their head.
"Right. Well for now you both are prisoners. Flamefur, get Crowpelt to watch them."
Flamefur nodded and lead the way out of the den. "Crowpelt!" she called. A pure black tom walked out of a den. And followed the voice that had called to him.
"Yes?"
"Fawnstar has told these two apprentices as prisoners. She wants you to keep an eye on them."
"I'll try my best," he said as he took a glance at them. "Wait. A-are those Shadowstripe's kits?"
"We think so, just watch them, please? I'll hunt prey for you." Flamefur pleaded.
"Alright, alright. I'll watch them." he said happily.
"Great! Thanks, I'll go get you something from the fresh-kill pile."
Crowpelt nodded and gave her a lick. "Come on young apprentices, I'll show you where you'll be sleeping."
"No, of course not! He's dead, mouse-brain!"
Stonepaw and Flowerpaw looked at each other questioningly.
"Who are you?" a dark orange-pelt cat queered.
"Uh, Stonepaw. This is Flowerpaw." Stonepaw replied shakily. Finally he had enough courage to ask, "And you are?"
The orange cat spat back, "Don't you know apprentices shouldn't be out without a warrior? Dawnpaw, tell Fawnstar there are intruders. And help me take them to camp!"
Flowerpaw jumped, "What clan is this? Aren't we still in ForestClan territory?"
"ForestClan? No! This is DuskClan! Well... Not here, but this is our border! Dawnpaw, let's move."
"Who are you?" Stonepaw repeated.
"If it will keep you quiet, I'm Flamefur! Move!"
The DuskClan members lead Stonepaw and Flowerpaw into a damp, grassy area, with occasional trees in sight. It was hot and felt as though temperature was rapidly rising. Finally, they were lead to a well-built camp, and into a small den, much like the one they were just in.
"Fawnstar, we have visitors." Flamefur disclosed smilingly.
Fawnstar tilted her head, as she looked rather gentle and kind. "Who are these cats? They don't carry the scent of any clan I know."
"We aren't in a clan," Stonepaw asserted.
"Oh? Then how did you end up here?" Fawnstar inquired.
Stonepaw explained the story of their birth to what happened while they were in ForestClan territory.
Fawnstar looked at them in awe. "Flamefur, can I speak to you for a moment?"
"Of course." Flamefur signaled to Stonepaw and Flowerpaw to leave the den. They padded out of the den with their tails down. Also following was Dawnpaw.
"Flamefur, do you know their resemblence to Shadowstripe?"
Flamefur nodded. "Dawnpaw even noticed."
"Do you think they are his kits?"
Flamefur hesitated, "They have the names they once did as kits. Maybe they are."
"Should we welcome them?" Fawnstar asked.
"Possibly, but I don't make the decisions."
Fawnstar nodded. "I will think about it. Maybe StarClan will send me a message tonight about them. For now, they're prisoners. Tell them to come in, will you?"
"Yes, Fawnstar." Flamefur walked out the den and welcomed the two apprentices back in the den. They both walked in and sat in front of Fawnstar.
"Stonepaw, Flowerpaw, do either of you know your mother or father's names?" Fawnstar asked.
They both shook their head.
"Right. Well for now you both are prisoners. Flamefur, get Crowpelt to watch them."
Flamefur nodded and lead the way out of the den. "Crowpelt!" she called. A pure black tom walked out of a den. And followed the voice that had called to him.
"Yes?"
"Fawnstar has told these two apprentices as prisoners. She wants you to keep an eye on them."
"I'll try my best," he said as he took a glance at them. "Wait. A-are those Shadowstripe's kits?"
"We think so, just watch them, please? I'll hunt prey for you." Flamefur pleaded.
"Alright, alright. I'll watch them." he said happily.
"Great! Thanks, I'll go get you something from the fresh-kill pile."
Crowpelt nodded and gave her a lick. "Come on young apprentices, I'll show you where you'll be sleeping."
Chapter 2
Stonepaw hesitated. "When my sister and I were kits, our father took us away from camp, to keep us safe from a battle that was going on. And, suddenly he got attacked..." Stonepaw trailed off, remembering the attack. "He got attacked and he finally killed the cat that had attacked him. He was terribly injured and wounded, but he didn't stop there. He carried Flowerpaw and I very far away, but it was because he was being chased. He carried us until he was certain the chasers had lost him, and he suddenly collapsed. And his final words were 'May I call upon StarClan to watch these two kits. They have been granted apprenticeship by their father. Flowerkit shall now be Flowerpaw, and Stonekit shall be Stonepaw. I love you.' And... and he died. " Stonepaw finished.
"Do you even know the name of your birth Clan?" Thornstar tossed away any sympathy.
"No..." Stonepaw said blankly.
"They're certainly aren't ours!" Mudfur spat.
"You're right, Mudfur. As of now you are exciled from ForestClan territory! If we catch a single paw of yours on our territory after moonhigh, you shall be attacked." Thornstar dismissed them. "Now go!"
"But we don't know your territory borders!" Flowerpaw pleaded.
"Have you no brain? ForestClan! Our border is at the end of the forest! You fools! Leave my den at once!" Thornstar yelled.
Flowerpaw and Stonepaw left the den with their tails down. They heard several threats from Sandclaw and Mudfur on their way out of the den.
"The end of the forest?" Flowerpaw repeated. "We don't even know how long it will take us to get there!"
StonepawForestClan warriors, we wouldn't be in this situation!" His shoulder's tensed and Flowerpaw licked his shoulder.
"It isn't your fault you didn't know about ForestClan." She tried to persuade him.
"Ugh! How are we even going to get out of here?" Stonepaw asked.
Flowerpaw saw a ForestClan warrior eating a plump mouse. She realized how hungry she was and nearly fell on Stonepaw.
He looked at her crazily, "Flowerpaw?"
She winced, "Sorry Stonepaw."
"Don't be sorry! I have to find you some prey! Come on, follow me. Don't stop walking!" Stonepaw urged.
Flowerpaw desperately tried to move forward, and when she had reached the outside of the camp, she toppled over, breathing heavily.
"I'll be right back, I promise! Yell if you need me!" He raced off into the trees beyond.
Flowerpaw watched him go, and once he was clear out of her sight, she began to worry. She couldn't defend herself from an attack, nor could she have the strength to tell any cat who she was. If she tried, she might pass out. She had to find a hiding place, and fast. She could hear upcoming cats from a few tail-lengths away. She stood up shakily, and padded across the grass and weeds and lied down behind a bush. Flowerpaw heard something coming her way. She turned to see her brother with a plump rabbit. Stonepaw dropped it beside her.
"Hurry, eat up," he said encouragingly.
She nodded her thanks and began gulping down her first meal in days. She ate it quickly and instantly stood up. "Thank you," she said, licking her lips.
"Should we stay awhile, so that you can rest? Stonepaw asked, concerned.
"No! We can't! It's already almost sunset! We will be attacked after moonhigh, we have to get a move on."
"Oh.. yes.. I forgot, well let's head out," Stonepaw said, leading the way through the trees.
They passed several ForestClan patrols unseen, and wriggled through sharp weeds. Suddenly, they scented a different scent. Nothing close to ForestClan, they had no choice but to walk towards it, as it seemed to be all around them. They had followed the strongest of the scent, and were lead to a halting patrol.
"Do you even know the name of your birth Clan?" Thornstar tossed away any sympathy.
"No..." Stonepaw said blankly.
"They're certainly aren't ours!" Mudfur spat.
"You're right, Mudfur. As of now you are exciled from ForestClan territory! If we catch a single paw of yours on our territory after moonhigh, you shall be attacked." Thornstar dismissed them. "Now go!"
"But we don't know your territory borders!" Flowerpaw pleaded.
"Have you no brain? ForestClan! Our border is at the end of the forest! You fools! Leave my den at once!" Thornstar yelled.
Flowerpaw and Stonepaw left the den with their tails down. They heard several threats from Sandclaw and Mudfur on their way out of the den.
"The end of the forest?" Flowerpaw repeated. "We don't even know how long it will take us to get there!"
StonepawForestClan warriors, we wouldn't be in this situation!" His shoulder's tensed and Flowerpaw licked his shoulder.
"It isn't your fault you didn't know about ForestClan." She tried to persuade him.
"Ugh! How are we even going to get out of here?" Stonepaw asked.
Flowerpaw saw a ForestClan warrior eating a plump mouse. She realized how hungry she was and nearly fell on Stonepaw.
He looked at her crazily, "Flowerpaw?"
She winced, "Sorry Stonepaw."
"Don't be sorry! I have to find you some prey! Come on, follow me. Don't stop walking!" Stonepaw urged.
Flowerpaw desperately tried to move forward, and when she had reached the outside of the camp, she toppled over, breathing heavily.
"I'll be right back, I promise! Yell if you need me!" He raced off into the trees beyond.
Flowerpaw watched him go, and once he was clear out of her sight, she began to worry. She couldn't defend herself from an attack, nor could she have the strength to tell any cat who she was. If she tried, she might pass out. She had to find a hiding place, and fast. She could hear upcoming cats from a few tail-lengths away. She stood up shakily, and padded across the grass and weeds and lied down behind a bush. Flowerpaw heard something coming her way. She turned to see her brother with a plump rabbit. Stonepaw dropped it beside her.
"Hurry, eat up," he said encouragingly.
She nodded her thanks and began gulping down her first meal in days. She ate it quickly and instantly stood up. "Thank you," she said, licking her lips.
"Should we stay awhile, so that you can rest? Stonepaw asked, concerned.
"No! We can't! It's already almost sunset! We will be attacked after moonhigh, we have to get a move on."
"Oh.. yes.. I forgot, well let's head out," Stonepaw said, leading the way through the trees.
They passed several ForestClan patrols unseen, and wriggled through sharp weeds. Suddenly, they scented a different scent. Nothing close to ForestClan, they had no choice but to walk towards it, as it seemed to be all around them. They had followed the strongest of the scent, and were lead to a halting patrol.
Chapter 1
Flowerpaw rushed to keep up with her brother, as she has not eaten in days. She began to feel light-headed and called for her brother to stop,
"Stonepaw..." She swayed on her paws dizzily, "Ca-Can you slow down a little?"
"Uh of course, are you feeling okay?" He asked, giving her a quick lick on the forehead.
"Yea, I just need to grab a mouse or rabbit. Can you wait for me?"
Stonepaw looked at her puzzled, "I won't wait for you, I'll hunt for you. Stay here, I'll be right back." He padded off quietly away leaving Flowerpaw alone.
She looked around cautiously, waiting anxiously for her brother to return. She wrapped her tail around her paws and began licking the front of her chest. Suddenly, she heard a yowl from a few tail-lengths away. She stood and ran towards it, hoping it was not a cry from Stonepaw. She couldn't hear anything, and at once, she caught Stonepaw's scent. She raced along the path, and around trees, trying desperately to find her brother.
"Flowerpaw!" Stonepaw yelped. "Flowerpaw!"
She turned and saw Stonepaw, but he was not alone.
"We must take these two back to camp! Sandclaw, go with Mudfur and take these two rodents back to camp! Thornstar must know about these trespassers immediately!" One of the six cats had said. Two cats rushed towards Stonepaw and Flowerpaw and herded them towards a small, narrow path.
"Don't you have legs? Move!" Sandclaw yelled at Flowerpaw. Stonepaw made a low growl, but he forced himself to not fight, as he was sure he would lose.
Flowerpaw and Stonepaw were lead into a small area of no trees and no grass, just dirt. "Follow me!" Mudfur yowled angrily.
Flowerpaw and Stonepaw did as so, and followed her into a small cave. "Thornstar? We have found some trespassers for you."
"Trespassers?" Thornstar stood and walked over to the two cats. "They're nothing but kits! What are they doing in ForestClan territory?"
"We are not kits! We're apprentices!" Stonepaw yelled trying to defend himself.
"Oh? Then what are you doing in our territory!?"
"We didn't know!" Stonepaw hissed.
"What do you mean you didn't know? You know about apprenticeships and such, how can you fail to know about Clan territories?! Haven't your mentors taught you anything?" Thornstar raised his voice.
"We don't have a Clan!" Stonepaw silenced the den. "We don't know where we are."
"Explain," Thornstar said, not feeling guilty one bit.
"Stonepaw..." She swayed on her paws dizzily, "Ca-Can you slow down a little?"
"Uh of course, are you feeling okay?" He asked, giving her a quick lick on the forehead.
"Yea, I just need to grab a mouse or rabbit. Can you wait for me?"
Stonepaw looked at her puzzled, "I won't wait for you, I'll hunt for you. Stay here, I'll be right back." He padded off quietly away leaving Flowerpaw alone.
She looked around cautiously, waiting anxiously for her brother to return. She wrapped her tail around her paws and began licking the front of her chest. Suddenly, she heard a yowl from a few tail-lengths away. She stood and ran towards it, hoping it was not a cry from Stonepaw. She couldn't hear anything, and at once, she caught Stonepaw's scent. She raced along the path, and around trees, trying desperately to find her brother.
"Flowerpaw!" Stonepaw yelped. "Flowerpaw!"
She turned and saw Stonepaw, but he was not alone.
"We must take these two back to camp! Sandclaw, go with Mudfur and take these two rodents back to camp! Thornstar must know about these trespassers immediately!" One of the six cats had said. Two cats rushed towards Stonepaw and Flowerpaw and herded them towards a small, narrow path.
"Don't you have legs? Move!" Sandclaw yelled at Flowerpaw. Stonepaw made a low growl, but he forced himself to not fight, as he was sure he would lose.
Flowerpaw and Stonepaw were lead into a small area of no trees and no grass, just dirt. "Follow me!" Mudfur yowled angrily.
Flowerpaw and Stonepaw did as so, and followed her into a small cave. "Thornstar? We have found some trespassers for you."
"Trespassers?" Thornstar stood and walked over to the two cats. "They're nothing but kits! What are they doing in ForestClan territory?"
"We are not kits! We're apprentices!" Stonepaw yelled trying to defend himself.
"Oh? Then what are you doing in our territory!?"
"We didn't know!" Stonepaw hissed.
"What do you mean you didn't know? You know about apprenticeships and such, how can you fail to know about Clan territories?! Haven't your mentors taught you anything?" Thornstar raised his voice.
"We don't have a Clan!" Stonepaw silenced the den. "We don't know where we are."
"Explain," Thornstar said, not feeling guilty one bit.
Prolouge
The hushed noises of the forest closed in on Flowerpaw. She heard the rustling of the trees and the damp, cold air clutching at her fur. At last, she found a tree, and sat below it to attempt to stay dry. Flowerpaw whipped her head around to find that Stonepaw had returned, with a small, deflated mouse in his mouth. He dropped it when he had come close to her.
"Thank you," Flowerpaw purred. "Have you something for yourself?"
Stonepaw shook his head, embarrassingly, "That was the only prey I could find." He stared at his paws.
Flowerpaw tilted her head, "I'm not hungry, you may eat it." She forced a smile, even though she was a long way from being happy.
"Thanks," he bent down and took a small bite from the pitiful mouse. Flowerpaw only stared at the ground at his reply. Stonepaw noticed her weariness. "Flowerpaw..." he hesitated. "I promise I will find a way out of here. I promise."
The words hit Flowerpaw like hot ash, as she remembered her current stake. A cold shiver ran across her pelt as she stuttered. Then, she replied with nothing more than a simple nod of her head.
"Thank you," Flowerpaw purred. "Have you something for yourself?"
Stonepaw shook his head, embarrassingly, "That was the only prey I could find." He stared at his paws.
Flowerpaw tilted her head, "I'm not hungry, you may eat it." She forced a smile, even though she was a long way from being happy.
"Thanks," he bent down and took a small bite from the pitiful mouse. Flowerpaw only stared at the ground at his reply. Stonepaw noticed her weariness. "Flowerpaw..." he hesitated. "I promise I will find a way out of here. I promise."
The words hit Flowerpaw like hot ash, as she remembered her current stake. A cold shiver ran across her pelt as she stuttered. Then, she replied with nothing more than a simple nod of her head.
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