Finally the day was done and most of the clan went to sleep earlier than they usually do. There is still patrols and guards due to Bloodclan yet Nightpaw still wanted to hold his meeting with the others. So he wait in his nest for the others to come in. Turtlepaw and Littlepaw is the next to come in.
"They are coming." Littlepaw said as they went to their nests. Nightpaw eyes widen when he saw that Turtlepaw nest is next to his. When did this happen? Before he was next to Littlepaw and Wetpaw. He quickly fix his face so the others wouldn't notice as the rest came in. Gingerpaw, Gullpaw, Wetpaw and Brownpaw were talking cheerfully about the training until they notice the looks on the other's faces.
"So what do you want to talk about, Nightpaw?" Wetpaw tilt his head as they all settled down in their nests.
"It about what I saw at the Moonstone. I was the only one allowed to touch the Moonstone due to not believing in Starclan. That when Sagewhisker came to me." He mew.
"You was visited by the last medicine cat?! It must be serious since I heard medicine cats only visit when they want to show you something. But you are supposed to discuss this with either Runningnose or Brokenstar. Not that I'm complaining." Littlepaw said in amazement. Everyone flinch since he was loud. Gullpaw poke her head out, seeing if anyone woke up. She gave them a nod to let them know it is okay.
"Shh! Do you want to wake the whole camp?" Brownpaw flick his tail on Littlepaw's mouth. "Please continue." Littlepaw glare and swipe the tail from his mouth.
"My father gave me a warning. Beware the claw that hunts the sun, for only shadows can smother it's fury. I think it has to do with Bloodclan. I wanted to solve this myself but like Wetpaw said earlier, I tend to overthink." Nightpaw kneaded the ground with his tail tip twitching.
Bet everyone thinks he is crazy to try to solve it himself. Maybe they won't help him. After all this is a Starclan thing. Was it disrespectful to ask for help? It was given only to him. He stare at the others, hoping they would help him. He isn't as close to Brownpaw or Wetpaw since they are often training with their mentors and out at night.
"The claw. Sounds like a name. Shadows can only be us. But what about the sun? Maybe that's a name too. Or an orange cat." Gullpaw murmur as she thought out loud.
Yes! That what he been thinking too. The others look at Gullpaw, since she is often the smartest out of them all. Whenever Gingerpaw or the others have trouble with training, she can explain it so it makes sense. Nightpaw saw her look around and shrug her shoulders when she notice the attention.
"That all I got so far. Sorry." Turtlepaw wrap her tail around her to comfort her.
"It's a start. Maybe if we solve this, we can become warriors. I'm catching up despite my injuries but tired of being an apprentice. We should have been warriors but then all of this happened." Brownpaw growl softly, showing his frustration in his bristled fur along his spine.
"Orange cat. We need to talk to Snow. Only she knows her clan members and might point us in the right direction." Wetpaw directed the conversation back to the prophecy. Brownpaw shook himself to calm himself down.
"Why would she talk to us? We are the enemy. Can't ask Boulder because he will get suspicious and I have a feeling it's not good memories." Gingerpaw look around at the others thoughtfully.
"Hmm. I have an idea. I did overhear Russetfur and Boulder speaking while on patrol. We was hunting near the Windclan border and he seem to go into a deep thought about something. Russetfur came over and ask if he was thinking about Barley. I came up when he said his farm is just over there. Wonder if he having trouble with Bloodclan too. I made myself look busy when they glance over." Mousepaw mew softly.
"That right. During a meeting, Boulder did mention that Barley was part of Bloodclan too. But he left before him. Do anyone know the way?" Nightpaw eyes shone now that they got a plan.
The three older apprentices nodded their head.
"Met Barley while doing night training with Wetpaw. Our mentors took us near the farm, saying we need to get used to different territories. Barley stepped out between the long grass, asking if we was training. He may be a loner but he knows about us clans. After they was done talking, he warned us about dogs loose at night and rats before heading back the way he came." Brownpaw gave a small yawn.
"So you three try to talk to Barley and let us know anything." Gingerpaw said in a small whisper, a determined glint in her eyes.
Nightpaw couldn't believe this. Not only did they come up with a plan, but the others all decided to help without much prodding from him. Now he must be patient because it is going to take a while.
"You are one of us, Nightpaw. Don't be surprise that we all want to help. I can see it on your face." Wetpaw purr softly as they went to their nests and laid down. He murmur thanks before wrapping his tail on his nose. The others purr as they slept.
At sunhigh, Nightpaw didn't need to glance at Brownpaw or Wetpaw's nests to see if they was empty. They always leave before he gets up. It feels so weird to depend on others. All his life he been alone or that help means owning others favors. He thought back on how others treated him. How Barry only let him be around due to winning the fight. He often mutters under his breath, thinking he couldn't hear him. Barry isn't exactly a friend though. His thoughts turn to his time in the clan. How welcoming Littlepaw was and despite Turtlepaw's rudeness at first, he finds himself close them. He likes how he can sit with Mousepaw comfortably without saying a word. Or how Gullpaw can explain a hard lesson and don't mind how slow he is at getting it. He smiles as he remembers enjoying Volewhisper gossip or watching Yellowfang motherly instincts whenever they get hurt.
He don't mind Russetfur extra challenges that she gives him so he can know the other members more. Pointing out why be a warrior if you are separate from your clanmates? Those extra challenges is why he no longer asks questions and knows as much as a clanborn. This clan is a family and he is a part of it. He no longer hears anything about being a kittypet, even during border patrols, his clanmates stand up to others when they tease him about it. He growls softly as his thoughts turn to Darkstripe and Longtail. Whenever they meet on the borders, they always say something about it. It like they want to fight despite not daring to cross the borders. He pad outside before his thoughts can turn darker. He controls his temper but the rage is still there, deep in his pelt. He calm himself before heading to the prey pile.
"Hey Nightpaw! Come over here. Need to talk to you." A voice call out to him as he pick up a small bird. He sees Ratscar motion to him from near the warrior's den. He carry his bird over to him, wondering what is it he wanted. He notice that he seem to be a bit down but determination is in his eyes. Whatever it was, he is determine to see it through. He begin to eat as Ratscar told him that he knows that others are questioning his loyalty. He wanted to know if his daughters is having a hard time as well. He reassures Ratscar that there is nothing to worry about. Both Mousepaw and Gingerpaw are doing well and seem to be normal whenever they train together. He seem to be relieved and asks to keep this a secret between them. Him being a worrying father doesn't match the way others see him. Nightpaw understood as Badgerfang came out the leader's den.
"Good news! I talked to Brokenstar and the other mentors. He agreed with us that we should have your first warrior's assessment. The others will join us as well. There will be two parts. Day hunting and Night hunting. Go wake up Gingerpaw, Mousepaw, Turtlepaw and Gullpaw." Badgerfang noticed Ratscar, his tone is noticeably colder as he said hello. Nightpaw glance between them, noticing Badgerfang eyes narrowing while Ratscar roll his eyes. Guess Ratscar worries wasn't for nothing,he thought as he quickly left them to wake the others. He look back, seeing the other mentors walk out of the den and towards Ratscar. Maybe he should wait until they had their argument, since none look happy to see him. He gently prodded everyone, waiting for them to open their eyes.
"We going to do our warrior's assessment. It's going to be a test on our day hunting and night hunting." He glance at Gingerpaw worriedly before turning his attention to the den's entrance.
"I'm okay. You don't have to worry about me anymore." Gingerpaw mew as loud voices sounded outside. They all went outside and sees Ratscar spitting at the others.
"Do they truly think our father is a traitor?!" Mousepaw said in the loudest tone they ever heard from her.
"At least they are open about it. I seen others not wanting to go on patrols with him, muttering about what if he leads them into a trap. It like since they know he is related to Snow, they think he is like her." Gingerpaw growls softly, her tail fluffing up. Mousepaw brush her side, calming her down.
"Don't make any sense. He is the same cat that they know. Yeah it is his sister but he isn't going to betray us for her. He barely knows her if their first meeting is anything to go by." Gullpaw mew as they walk towards their mentors.
"Leave our father alone!" Gingerpaw hiss as she and Mousepaw quickly stood between the warriors, in front of Ratscar, glaring at their mentors.
"Yeah! He....he no traitor." Mousepaw added.
Hopeheart look at the lashing tails of the sisters before turning away. Dawncloud came into the camp, rushing over once she saw the others facing each other.
"For Starclan's sake, Ratscar has no love for his sister. How long are you going to punish him for his blood?! He already proved himself when he first got here. Why do you think that will change now?" She hiss as she lead Ratscar away from them. Both Gingerpaw and Mousepaw went with their parents as they left the camp.
This is no good. Today is supposed to be their warrior's assessment but with the mentors split on Ratscar, seems it not taking place at all. He can feel the anxiety start to rise up again but this time he clamp it down. He needs to help somehow. Hopeheart and Applefur left to go after them while the others glance at each other in shame.
"I guess even warriors act like kits sometimes." Turtlepaw said dryly. "So where should we hunt?"
"Anywhere in our territory. You have until moon rise. Can be in pairs or alone. Catch at least three prey. We will be waiting." Mossclaw answer as Badgerfang and Fernshade nodded.
Nightpaw share a glance with both Turtlepaw and Gullpaw before they ran outside. This is a chance to go find out the meaning of the prophecy.
"I'm going to hunt alone. Also see if both Gingerpaw and Mousepaw is okay. Good luck to you two." Gullpaw mew as she ran away.
How can I be so selfish? The clan is thinking more about Snow and Ratscar and here I am thinking about some vague prophecy from Starclan. That not important now. Might ask how Turtlepaw is handling everything.
Nightpaw's ear flick uneasily as he glance over at Turtlepaw padding beside him. They walk towards the marsh in silence for the most part.
"So that was something. Do you still trust Ratscar?" She asks.
"Why wouldn't I? He never changed. Still the same grumpy Ratscar that we both know. Unless you think he is going to change just because he found his long lost family member." His tail tip flick as he answer.
"Yes but it is his sister. Ratscar was a rogue who joined us, or that what my mother told me. He trained so hard to fit in, even started as Ratpaw. Despite him being older. He was a rogue so maybe he goes back to being that way." Turtlepaw stop as she saw the disgust on Nightpaw's face.
"So you think that after all that hard work, he would go back?" Nightpaw stare at her with hurt in his eyes. "Its nice to know exactly how you think."
He shook his head as he push her aside to walk ahead. Turtlepaw ran ahead to block his path.
"You know that not what I meant." Her eyes wide, begging him to understand. "I'm saying maybe Snow will manipulate him somehow and we should look out for that. You know I don't think that way. I'm as much of an outsider like you are. I'm half clan. And maybe that don't mean much to you. I have kittypet blood and it weighs on me. I..." She start to choke up. His eyes widen as he watch her. She seem so tough and that nothing bothers her. What kind of a friend is he when he don't noticed the pressure she puts on herself?
He brush her side, feeling her shaking. "Is that why you think you need to do everything? Be perfect? Turtlepaw, you are a great member of your clan. So don't think that you are going to lose their trust just because of your blood. Believe in them and yourself. I believe in you." He gave her a lick on her forehead, feeling her shaking lessen as he did so. He never comforted anyone before so he just did what he felt is right. She lean on him, closing her eyes a bit before giving him a nod.
"Thanks. Guess I needed that. But what do you mean my clan? It your clan too. If you just disappear, the whole clan will miss you. Even me." She turn her head away as she spoke, padding forward a bit. "Now let hunt." She begin to sniff for prey scents.
She let out a loud hiss, Nightpaw's fur stood up as he heard movement around them. His back arch as cats came to surround them. Why is Bloodclan so deep in their territory?! He hiss as a familiar Ginger tom stood in front of them.
"Aww that was so sweet. Look like we got two prisoners. Spot, take them to Snipe. Don't think of trying to fight. It's not going to end well for you. There is six of us and only two of you." Said Snag.
The rest of the cats begin to tighten the circle. Shadowclan never give up. Even when the odds is against us, Nightpaw thought as he quickly look around. That when he thought he saw a black and white tail tip sticking up behind the Bloodclan cats. Was that Badgerfang?
Nightpaw and Turtlepaw nod at each other as they begin to fight together like they trained. He swipe his claws on the side of a tabby molly, being surprise when she return a paw swipe of her own. Was this rogue trained in a clan? He wonder as he dodge. He then grab her in a hold, clawing her underbelly before letting her run away. He look around, seeing Turtlepaw taking on a molly. She glance at Nightpaw and shook her head. Guess she didn't want his help. After taking on two more and chasing them away, he saw only Snag is left. Turtlepaw won both of her fights and join him. They hiss together and leap at him. He quickly ran away before they landed on him. Guess Wetpaw was right about trained warriors being a bigger threat than rogues.
"Don't you come back!" Turtlepaw hiss at his retreating form. They had a lot of battle wounds so they lean on each other as they slowly went back to camp. Badgerfang eyes widen at the state of them, calling for Runningnose quickly as he rush forward. So that wasn't Badgerfang he saw, Nightpaw thought as he was being check over. After giving their report on what happened, Blackfoot order them to rest as he sent patrols to check over the area. He told them that Brokenstar is out of the camp with a border patrol so he won't be back for a while. Maybe they should wait until Bloodclan is dealt with.
He curl together with his back against Turtlepaw near the apprentice den. Are they ever going to be warriors? What if Bloodclan never leave them alone? These thoughts begin to race in his mind. It is going to be okay. He felt purring from Turtlepaw and realize it was her way to calm him down. He lay his head on his paws, letting it calm him. There is no rush to be warriors.