He hear the mouse heart beat in his ear fur as he slowly crept from the bramble bush. He tense his muscles to pounce, jumping only when he was close enough. He threw the mouse in the air to stun it before giving it the killing bite. Gingerpaw's favorite prey is mouse so he want to get it for her. It been two moons since the owl attack yet she was still afraid of the night. He don't blame her either as it must be hard healing after the attack. Runningnose made her do stretches and walk around the camp for healing. There is still signs of where the claws held her. All the apprentices visit her but he visit her the most due to his guilt. Even though Dawncloud told him it wasn't his fault. His ears prick as he heard a bird caw from above. He purr as his senses been awakened to the wild since he joined Shadowclan.
After burying the fresh kill under the leaves, his ears prick as he heard a monster on the Thunderpath. As the wind blew, he shiver as the wind is brisk. He can imagine Swampcloud smug face as the days go by. He is not going to let him think he will quit just because it gets cold and hard to find food. He was hunting on his own as Badgerfang want to see how well he does by himself. He has until sundown but he already caught two fresh kill. He can relax for a bit. He went to the marsh first to grab a toad, and now he got the mouse. The sun is shining down on a patch of grass so he decided to lie on it, purring at the warmth on his belly. He was close to the Thunderpath behind a bush. His ears prick as he heard pawsteps coming towards him. He quickly roll as a grunt sounded.
"Got to be faster than that, Brownpaw!" He gloat as he tussle with him, getting a few good paw swipes in. Brownpaw kick him off before launching at him again.
" Bet no one can call you a soft kittypet now! Those strikes hurt. Bet they would hurt more with your claws out. Would hate to be your enemy." Brownpaw purr as he gave some paw strikes of his own.
Nightpaw purr as they separate, cleaning the dirt from their pelts. Brownpaw may be older but he just can't get the quiet steps down. It why he could hear him coming.
"So why are you here? Were you searching for me?" Nightpaw asks as he wait for an answer.
"Well you remember how we found out WindClan had visitors which is why they was stealing prey? Stumpytail told me to go tell Blackfoot that we found a badger walking towards the burnt sycamore due to them chasing it towards us. We actually watch them do it too. Seems they think our territory is for their waste." He snarl as his tail lash. "Stumpytail is waiting for back up so I got to go!" Brownpaw ran off towards the camp.
That Brownpaw is so forgetful. He thought to himself as he lay back down, peering through the bush that lined the Thunderpath. He can see the Thunderclan border on the other side clearly.
His eyes widen as he saw a ginger tom step out from the other side. What was that mouse brain doing? He quickly got up, stepping closer to the bush as the tom put a paw on the thunderpath and heard a loud meow yelling Firepaw before a monster came through. Did he lose his paw? He close his eyes to guard against the fierce wind that the monster brought up. Opening them, he strain all senses to the other side. He sigh in relief as he saw the ginger tom whole and alive on the other side. They met each other eyes and stare at each other for a few minutes. He blink slowly before seeing Firepaw run back into the forest. That was Firepaw? The one who was also a kittypet who joined a clan.
He look around to make sure no one saw him as he quickly ran across. He did want to talk to Firepaw since they were both outsiders. Sure he was accepted by most of his clan and they seem to like him. It just mostly Swampcloud that seem to have an issue with him. He like to act like nothing affects him but Swampcloud's taunts do get to him. Deep down he does feel like what Swampcloud say does make sense. Every time it snowed, he never went out due to how cold it is. He was only lock out once but remember how cold he was when he realize the door was close and there was no way back inside. Now he is being watched as the seasons pass, wondering if he was going to run away once it snowed. As he cross the border, he roll in the Thunderclan scent markers to mask his scent. He quickly ran into the undergrowth, hissing softly when he felt the thorns in his fur. How do these Thunderclan cats ever move around when there was so many bushes and stuff to get tangled in? Already he was missing his territory as he open his mouth to scent Firepaw. He stop moving as he heard warriors coming towards the border, closing his eyes to hide. These cats are loud, how exactly do they sneak up on prey? He wonder as he keep completely still.
"You know what to do, Darkstripe." A familiar mew sounded as he crouch there. Tigerclaw sounded calm.
"Of course Tigerclaw. Be back before the kittypet does." Darkstripe spit out the word kittypet as if it was mouse bile. They both separate and Nightpaw waited until there was no more noise before leaving his hiding spot. Guess he going to interrupt Firepaw's training. He uses all his skill to follow Firepaw before any more cats come towards the border. He purr to himself as he realize that he was great at the shadow steps. Seems his training is paying off as he ran from bush to bush. Soon he could see Firepaw hunting some prey, waiting for him to get the kill. His eyes narrow as he saw Firepaw in a crouch before jumping and killing the mouse. What was that move? Shaking his head, he let out a hiss to get his attention. He felt proud as he walk around, keeping himself hidden in Firepaw's own forest.
"Firepaw. Just want to talk. Sheathe your claws." Nightpaw whisper as he walk around when he saw Firepaw's fur bristling.
"Who are you?!" Firepaw hisses as he look around, not seeing anyone. He open his mouth but he can only scent Thunderclan and the undergrowth.
"Mean no harm. To prove this, Tigerclaw seem to be planning a test for you. Darkstripe is helping him. Let meet at the gathering as we have a lot in common." Nightpaw quickly ran back to the Thunderpath.
Before he left, he heard other pawsteps so knew he was about to get caught. He look both ways before quickly running across, hoping that no one saw him. He landed on the other side before the monster came down the road. He knew the monster would further hide his scent as he went to a stream to wash the Thunderclan scent from his pelt.
"So how was Thunderclan?" A small whisper sounded as he got out the stream, shaking the water from his pelt. Looking around, he saw Turtlepaw watching him calmly with her tail wrap around her paws. His ears flatten as he saw her curious expression.
"Don't worry. We are alone. All I saw was you running across the thunderpath. Was hunting near the border when I saw you run like dogs was chasing you. Why were you over there? I won't tell anyone." She mew as he sat in front of her.
He stare at her, noticing the soft fur framing her face. He can see the depths of friendship in her eyes as they spent the past two moons training together. He begin to shuffle his paws before speaking, hoping she can see his point.
"Well it was because I wanted to see Firepaw. The only other kittypet that was accepted into a clan and becoming a warrior. You won't understand because you are clanborn." Nightpaw mew bitterly as he look away.
"I thought you would know me better than that. Come on, I understand perfectly." Turtlepaw scoff as he look back at her. She poke him with her paw before smiling at him.
"You did say Shadowclan is like a family. Something in your tone told me you was unhappy with that fact. You aren't as mysterious as you like to believe. Sure the ones who don't know you well won't get you, but I been paying attention. You are lonely. I get lonely too. Even with my family around." She shrugged.
"If you tell anyone what I said, you be sore next training session." Nightpaw don't know how she manage to get him out of his own head.
"Who said you will win?" He narrow his eyes before bowling her over, pinning her quickly. He gave a smug expression as she couldn't move him.
"You are too heavy. Maybe lay off the frogs." She grunt as she try to shove him off. Suddenly he heard Gullpaw calling for Turtlepaw. She quickly ran towards them, her eyes widening as she took in the scene before her.
"Now I see why you want to hunt alone." Gullpaw tease as she watch them quickly separate.
"Here I thought something was wrong since you rarely want to hunt alone. Now I see." Gullpaw tail was curled up in amusement as they start to sputter that it wasn't what she thought.
Nightpaw gave a small cough as he felt his fur heat up. Turtlepaw is just a good friend.
"I need to do some more hunting. See you both around." He empathize the both as he walk quickly away. He was far away before he saw a bird. Got a mouse, toad so now a bird. The bird was busy with a worm as he crept up. He quickly launch himself on the bird, giving it a quick killing bite before he look up due to hearing voices. He walk around a tree before seeing Gingerpaw with Blossomsky.
"Are you sure there no owls around here?" Gingerpaw mew as she anxiously look up.
"It is daytime. You can relax. Come on, let's go walk. You can't stay cooped up in the medicine den." Blossomsky mew softly while brushing her fur against Gingerpaw to relax her.
Nightpaw didn't want to interrupt them so left without making himself known. At least Gingerpaw was outside. He grab his bird as he went to get the other prey that he killed. Looking up, he saw it was midday so he decided to head back to camp. He saw Gullpaw and Turtlepaw with no prey ahead of him. He raise his tail in greeting before waiting for them to go through the tunnel first.
"Well done Nightpaw. Next head to the elders and take care of them. After that you can eat and rest." Hopeheart said with a nod.
He twitch his ears to let her know he heard before heading to the prey pile. He drop them as he heard Hopeheart send Turtlepaw to clean the warriors den while Gullpaw help with the elders. Oh no, he thought to himself while heading to the elders den.
Peeking his head in the den, he saw the elders resting. Gullpaw is next to him, giving him a knowing smile. He did his best to ignore her.
"Hey Nightpaw, Gullpaw. Need fresh bedding and a mouse." Ashfur mew as he look up.
"Tell Runningnose my joints are acting up and could use some medicine and poppy seeds." Archeye groan as he stretch one limb.
"Got it. Will tell Runningnose right now." Nightpaw mew as he watch Gullpaw coming back with moss. Guess she left when Ashfur spoke. He was about to go when he heard yowls as warriors stream in, many of them bleeding with fur torn off.
At the scent of blood, Runningnose ran out with cobwebs around one paw. Stumpytail limp in, with Blackfoot on his back. Slowly letting him down, He move aside so Runningnose can work. Brokenstar came into the camp last, Nightpaw let out an alarmed mew as he saw that he was holding Brownpaw by his scruff. Nightpaw watch him closely, letting out a small sigh of relief when there is signs that he is still alive. Brokenstar put him down as Runningnose rush to him, checking him over.
"Gullpaw, get me more cobwebs! Warriors, clean your wounds if you can!" Runningnose said as he begin to separate the warriors into urgent and not urgent care. When he went to Brokenstar, he was met with a hiss to take care of the clan first. The other warriors left to get moss and more cobwebs. Nightpaw went to Newtspeck as Gullpaw gave him cobwebs. He press hard on the bleeding wounds, hoping he was doing it right. After all he watch Runningnose do the same to others in the past. He look around, nodding at the other apprentices who was doing the same as he was. Littlepaw was with Stumpytail, Gullpaw was passing cobwebs around, and Turtlepaw was helping Yellowfang. Mousepaw is helping Clawface while Wetpaw was out with the others getting more cobwebs. This is what it meant to be in a clan. Runningnose was focused on Brownpaw as he seem the weakest. Brokenstar was bleeding into the ground but kept refusing help until he saw that everyone was being taken care of.
"Badger. Took us by surprise but Stumpytail patrol came and we managed to chase it away. Brownpaw took a claw attack as he rush in to save Newtspeck. Brave fool. Anyway I had to save him." Brokenstar meow as he fell unconscious. Yellowfang yowl and push Turtlepaw away to get to Brokenstar side. He remembered that Brokenstar is Yellowfang's kit. He mew in alarm, seeing his strong leader was down. She was mewing softly to him, like he was a kit and he guess to her, he still is.
"Nightpaw. Need you to go to Thunderclan and ask Spottedleaf for some chervil roots and marigold. Hurry!" Runningnose rush to Brokenstar, revealing the long gash in his side. Runningnose start pressing down hard on the wound as Gullpaw join in. Looking around, he realize how much was riding on him to get to their rival clan. The rest of the warriors who wasn't in the patrol or out collecting cobwebs was putting moss around each injured cat, making them more comfortable since they can't be moved. He quickly ran through the thorn tunnel, seeing the others coming back with a lot of cobwebs. Must be really bad if we need another clan help, he thought to himself as he ran as fast as he could.
Breathing hard, he made it to the thunderpath, growling in frustrations as there is no breaks between monsters. Looking across the Thunderpath, he saw a tabby tom with a patrol, marking the border. He frantically wave his tail to get their attention, knowing they wouldn't be able to hear with the monsters. There was a white tom and a pale ginger molly who saw him and padded forward close to the border.
"What do you want Shadowclan cat! Cross this border and I will lined my nest with your fur!" snarl the ginger, narrowing her eyes.
"Enough Sandpaw. Look at him. Does he look like he want to cause trouble? Look at his body language. You can tell a lot without the cat having said a word. He got our attention so what do you think he wants?" The white tom stare down at Sandpaw, until she gave a huff.
"He wants help, Whitestorm." She mew as she stop her aggressive pose. She still glare at him as Whitestorm allow him to cross so they can hear his request.
"Runningnose sent me. I need Spottedleaf. Need chervil roots and marigold." He knead the ground as he look back towards his territory. Please hold on Brownpaw. He overheard Whitestorm sending Runningwind to get her as they walk deeper into the forest. They stop, sitting down as if he wasn't in a hurry. He begin to pace back and forth, his tail tip twitching anxiously.
"Calm down. Spottedleaf will get here soon. What's your name?" Whitestorm asks as he sat down, wrapping his tail around his paws.
"Nightpaw." He mew as he close his eyes. Don't do anything to anger the clan that is helping. He open his eyes when he calm down like Whitestorm said.
"Is it true that you're a kittypet?" Sandpaw asks. Looking at her, he wonders what she wants to know since her expression was smug.
"Yes. Whatever you think of saying, save it. I already heard it. Is it true that Thunderclan cats are rude and as arrogant as you?" He hiss before he can stop himself. So much for not angering the clan that is helping. Her tone rub his fur the wrong way.
He wince as he saw her eyes narrow. "Are all Shadowclan cats are mouse brain like you?" She hiss back.
"Enough you two. Spottedleaf! Over here!" Whitestorm wave his tail when a dark tortoiseshell and white molly arrive holding a leaf wrap. She put it down before speaking.
"Here you go. I include dock leaves as well as the herbs you said. Tell Runningnose he can send for more if he needs it." Her mew was soft, like listening to a mother soothing a kit. At least medicine didn't care that he was a kittypet or from another clan.
He thank her before picking up the leaf wrap. Nodding to the Thunderclan cats, he ran as fast as he could back to the Thunderpath. It was quiet so he went back to the camp without any issues. Swampcloud was outside, waiting for him. Now wasn't the time for animosity so he only gave a wave of his tail for him to get the leaf wrap. Swampcloud blink at him to show he is grateful before heading inside. He lay on his side as he need to rest after all that running. Soon Swampcloud came back, telling him that thanks to him being so fast, the others will survive. He couldn't respond due to catching his breath. He twitch an ear to tell him that he heard as he close his eyes. After a few minutes, he got up and went inside, nodding at Swampcloud as he pass by. Looking around, he saw Yellowfang, Stumpytail, Clawface, Rowanberry and Scorchwind outside the medicine den. They all had cobwebs and leaves plaster to their fur. All was sleeping except Yellowfang and Newtspeck. Newspeck was padding outside while Yellowfang was laying down. Their eyes were on the den's entrance and he knew it was because they was worried about their kits.
"Any news?" He mew as he pad to her, his tail tip twitching anxiously. He also noticed Hollyflower sitting outside the elder's den, keeping one ear turn towards them.
"Runningnose is helping him right now. Blackfoot and Brokenstar is also inside. They are ones hurt the most but he is worried about Brownpaw. He's on the edge. I can't lose my kit." She whisper as she continue pacing.
"He is strong. He will pull through with Runningnose help. Thanks to you getting the herbs here fast." Marigoldfur mew as she went towards them. She led Newtspeck away to the prey pile.
"Of course." Nightpaw mew as he head to the elders den. He need to do something to take his mind off of Brownpaw. He saw Brownpaw earlier that day. How could he be close to Starclan now. He look up with his tail drooping as he reach Hollyflower.
"Brownpaw will pull through, Nightpaw. Trust in Runningnose. He will be ok." Hollyflower mew as she wrap her tail around him in comfort.
"He is like a brother to me. They all are. I saw him earlier today and he said he was going to get a patrol to help. Never thought he be trying to fight a badger. Can't blame him cuz he was protecting his mother." Nightpaw mew softly.
"That the thing about badgers. Despite their smell, they are very good at sneaking up on cats. Even foxes seem to have trouble with them." Ashfur said as he glance at NIghtpelt sleeping form.
He sighs as he finish replacing Ashfur's nest with clean moss and pine needles. Finishing, he saw Runningnose speaking to Newtspeck. He quickly ran to him, with questions brimming in his eyes.
Brokenstar, Blackfoot and Brownpaw will be ok. Wetpaw and Littlepaw is with him now. You may visit him tomorrow. It be much worst if you didn't get the herbs. Thank you Nightpaw." Runningnose mew with a tired purr.
His eyes widen as he saw Brokenstar walking out the medicine den towards his den. His ear, side and spine was plastered with cobwebs and smelt heavily of herbs. Brokenstar glance at him before going inside. He thought he saw a smile but it was gone too quick for him to be sure. Next was Blackfoot and he had cobwebs on both sides. He went to sit in the middle of the clearing.
"Gather around." His mew was shaky and he try to stand up but Runningnose push him back down. Nightpaw watch the others leaving the dens and sat close to Mousepaw. After the clan gather, he saw Blackfoot glance around to make sure Littlepaw and Wetpaw walk out the medicine den and sat outside.
"The badger has been chased from WindClan onto our territory. We chased the badger out so I want all warriors and apprentices to keep an eye out in case it returns. Just because we are healing doesn't mean you can slack off. All duties will be as normal. Want two border patrols and Littlepaw, help Runningnose replenish his stock. Wolfstep and Flintfang will be in charge of duties while we heal. That is all." Blackfoot mew grew stronger as he talked. Runningnose helped him to a nest outside the medicine den with the rest of the injured warriors. He watch as Littlepaw said something inside before leaving to meet with Runningnose. Suddenly a paw prod him in the side, and he saw Volewhisper looking at him.
"I know you are tired but Flintfang want us to go on a hunting patrol. You think you are up for it? It is okay if you are not." Volewhisper mew as Mintshade and Tangleburr join them.
"I need something to take my mind off of Brownpaw. A hunt is a perfect distraction." Nightpaw said as the others went through the entrance. Looking back, he felt good to see the camp being so normal after everything that happened. Nothing will bring down ShadowClan spirit.