Chapter 3: Snowpaw1
Snowpaw weaved through the thick ferns of her territory with a thought in her head. “Why am I doing this? I don’t even know how to hunt, how I am supposed to eat.” with these thoughts in her head she stopped to lick away a thorn that got stuck in her pad. Scenting the air she recognized a very familiar scent. “Thunderclan” she thought “Maybe I should go around, but that will take to long I have less than two days to get to Windclan and if I go around it’ll be to late maybe I could disguise my scent and go through their territory after all I haven’t been to a gathering yet so no one would recognize me.” She thought as she watched the sun slowly sink behind highstones. “I’ve got to hurry, but maybe it would be easier if I waited till moonhigh when there aren’t as many patrols out all I have to do is stay clear of Thunderclan’s camp.” she thought watching a mouse eating a leaf. Staring hungrily at it and for the third time that day Snowpaw wished she had learned how to hunt. “I’ve got to eat” she thought. “I’ve been traveling all day and I haven’t eaten a thing… well here goes everything.” she thought crouching down as she leaped the mouse scurried away. “Foxdung what was that saying Icestar used to tell us…Oh yeah a mouse will feel you and a rabbit will hear you so I have to step lightly for a mouse and be fast and quiet for a rabbit Pantherpaw was right I am a mousebrain.” missing the comfort of her brother Snowpaw sighed laying down with her muzzle on her paws she eventually drifted off to sleep.2
Waking up Snowpaw saw that it was moonhigh she stretched and headed on her way. Realizing she was in Thunderclan’s territory right below her own camp She began to trot faster through the unfamiliar territory. Coming to a stop she looked in the distance scenting the air she could smell many cats. “Thunderclan’s camp,” She breathed “Foxdung I’ve come to close.” she thought as she heard a warning yowl coming from the camp. “I’ve got to get out of here.” Snowpaw meowed turning and running as fast as her exhausted paws would carry her. Hearing many paws and many angry yowls behind her she panicked and ran into the forest. Not knowing this territory Snowpaw knew she was in trouble. Taking a halting stop to scent the air she couldn’t smell any cats so she sat down to get a thorn out of her pad. “Ugg these pine trees are so prickly how can Thunderclan stand this.” Scenting the air again she could tell something was wrong it was to quiet here the birds weren’t chirping, and mice weren’t squeaking, Snowpaw couldn’t even hear the river in the distance, “what’s wrong with this part of the forest?” Snowpaw thought tensing “grrrr” a voice suddenly rung out. “W..Who’s there?” She cried out as a dark black and white muzzle came out of the thick pine tree infested forest. “Badger!” Snowpaw cried turning around and running as fast as her paws would take her. Hearing the badger give chase rather loudly. “Uh-oh that badgers making a lot of noise if it doesn’t shut up it will wake the whole camp and I can’t let the badger get to close to smell the cats and especially the kits I have to stop and fight before someone gets hurt.” Snowpaw thought and a little unhappy on what she had to do. Snowpaw skidded to a stop turned around and prepared to fight the badger even at the cost of her life. Startled by Snowpaw’s sudden desire to fight the badger stopped for a moment. Seeing an opportunity Snowpaw unsheathed her claws and jumped raking the badgers back. Remembering a trick Fireflower taught her she dug her claws deep into its back and held on for dear life. As she held on the badger suddenly realized where it’s early Breakfast went. It started thrashing around trying to get the cat of its back. Still holding on for dear life Snowpaw leaned forward and bit down hard into the badger’s neck. Yowling in pain the badger slammed its back into a tree knocking Snowpaw on the ground hard. Mewing pitifully Snowpaw got up with a slash above her right eye and ran quickly towards the badger. She jumped and slashed the badger hard on its side. Furious now the badger snapped at Snowpaw managing to badly bite the cat’s hind leg. Snowpaw knowing she was going to die here as one last attempt to kill the badger Snowpaw got up jumped managing to get on the badgers back again she bit down as hard as she could on the badgers neck. Her leg gave out and she slid off the badgers back causing her to hit the ground hard again. Not able to move Snowpaw waited for the badger to kill her seeing the badger loom over her it attacked barley missing her soft underbelly. Four Thunderclan cats came out suddenly and started attacking the badger. Ending up killing it the last thing she saw before she passed out was a pair of Amber eyes…..3
Snowpaw woke up weakly much later in a bundle of heather with her hind leg wrapped in moss. 4
“Rowaneyes the new patients finally up.” A voice called to a brown tom. 5
“Thank you Moonpaw why don’t you check her bandages.” Another voice called to a white she-cat nearest to Snowpaw.6
“Okay” the apprentice called Moonpaw told her mentor eagerly as Rowaneyes came up to the nest that Snowpaw was in. 7
“How are you little one your leg was pretty beat up.” the cat named Rowaneyes asked cooing like a mother would to a newborn kit. Snowpaw opened her mouth to answer, but Moonpaw beat her to it.8
“Thanks for killing that badger it’s been giving us a lot of trouble lately.” She told Snowpaw gratefully. 9
“Moonpaw hush.” Rowaneyes meowed sternly. “what’s your name kit?” Rowaneye’s continued. 10
“S…Snowpaw I’m not a kit, but I am small for my age.” Snowpaw answered weakly.11
“Riverclan?” Moonpaw asked checking Snowpaw’s bandages.12
“Y...yeah h...how do you…” Snowpaw asked flinching as Moonpaw tightened her bandages.13
“once you entered camp your scent was all over within minutes…you know you look exactly like…never mind.” Rowaneyes continued staring at Snowpaw who was suddenly drowsy as a white tom entered. 14
“Ah hello cloudspots what can we do for you.” Rowaneyes turned to face the tom called Cloudspots. 15
“I just came to see how the kit’s doing.” Cloudspots meowed coming up to the bundle of heather where Snowpaw lay asleep.16
“Odd… she was awake a moment ago must still be exhausted she certainly didn’t say much, but she’s not a kit as we first thought her name’s Snowpaw.” Rowaneye’s told his Deputy. 17
“Well at least my patrol can’t be embarrassed that an apprentice beat the badger badly before we killed it… Snowpaw huh odd name…best is off got to report to Leafstar.” Cloudspots remarked nodding to the two medicine cats and leaving the den. 18
“You still don’t trust him do you Rowaneyes?” Moonpaw meowed suddenly.19
“No Moonpaw I don’t why don’t you go get something to eat… in fact bring two this little one must be starving.” Rowaneyes told her apprentice looking at Snowpaw again.20
“Yes Rowaneyes.” Moonpaw meowed bowing her head and leaving the den.21
Snowpaw woke up much later realizing it was just about sunrise. Scenting mouse Snowpaw noticed a fat juicy mouse in her nest. Famished from fighting the badger Snowpaw devoured her meal with hungry gulps. Satisfied Snowpaw leaned down to wash herself, but Rowaneyes silhouette stopped her thinking he was coming to talk to her Snowpaw opened her mouth to say good morning, but Rowaneyes walked right past her and out of the den. Curious Snowpaw got up to follow him noticing that her hind leg didn’t hurt. She did a few stretches and followed him out exiting the den Snowpaw saw a huge light brown she-cat come out of a den beside the forest. “She must be the leader.” Snowpaw thought. Watching the two cats get up and leave the camp. Thinking that the secret meeting was going to be about her Snowpaw followed them deep into the thick pine trees of the forest and into a clearing. “This must be where they train apprentices.” Snowpaw thought climbing into a tall tree and thanking Starclan that she was a good climber peered down to hear what they were saying.22
“Well Rowaneyes, Cloudspots told me that she is looking well how is she?” leafstar asked.23
“She’s responding well to the treatment Moonpaw’s given her.” Rowaneyes answered.24
“So her name’s…Snowpaw right?” Leafstar asked looking like she meant more than she said.25
“Yes, Leafstar what does your sister look like?” Rowaneyes asked suddenly. 26
Sighing Leafstar answered “She-cat with a white coat, blue eyes, and black specks along tail otherwise known as Icestar leader of Riverclan.”27
“Yes, well um…Snowpaw looks almost identical to Icestar. Beautiful white coat and even Icestar’s eyes which would make even the strongest warrior run away in fear. Remember the last gathering?” Rowaneyes meowed shivering.28
“Oh yes Icestar’s name certainly suits her well. One disagreement and Willowstar tries to take over the gathering. Icestar got him to think twice before disagreeing with her again” Leafstar agreed picking up her paw to clean it. 29
“Leafstar the reason I brought you out here away from the clan is I’m worried on how convenient this all is. You know I went with the other medicine cats to the moonriver and Starclan sent me a prophecy.” Rowaneyes told his leader concerned and almost too softly for Snowpaw to hear.30
“Repeat it again to me Rowaneyes.” Leafstar commanded her medicine cat.31
“Yes Leafstar,32
Allies of your warriors33
To solve your problem34
One cat alone35
Not a blood of a clan36
With the mark of the fifth clan.” Rowaneyes repeated, 37
“Well part of it makes sense38
Allies of your warriors: Riverclan39
To solve your problem: the badger of course40
One cat alone: Snowpaw we think41
And the only other part I know is the mark of the fifth clan: Snowpaw has a mark shaped like a star above her eyes, but not a blood of a clan is getting me. I’m pretty sure the prophecy means Snowpaw, but she looks like Icestar’s kit so if Snowpaw is Icestar’s daughter then it doesn’t fit and…Leafstar you okay?” Rowaneyes asked as he watched his leader look like she saw a ghost of starclan “Leafstar!!?” Rowaneyes asked again worried. After another few moments Leafstar blinked “Leafstar you okay?” Rowaneyes asked. 42
“Starclan sent me an old memory I was trying to forget, your wrong about one thing Rowaneyes.” Leafstar meowed suddenly.43
“And what’s that?” Rowaneyes asked suddenly worried about what his leader was going to say next.44
“Snowpaw is not Icestar’s kit. I don’t even think Snowpaw is any clan’s kit.” Leafstar meowed 45
“Snowpaw is not Icestar’s kit.” hearing those words sent chills through Snowpaw. Almost causing her to fall out of the tree she was in.46
“What are you talking about Leafstar?” Rowaneyes asked worriedly. 47
“Starclan sent me the memory when Icestar told me. As you know I used to be the old Riverclan’s leader’s kit.” Leafstar began as if remembering the Riverclan as it used to be. 48
“Yes, I remember Icestar was your sister. Old Hawkstar died when she kitted you and Icestar.” Rowaneyes meowed to her leader. 49
“Yes, the entire clan blamed me and Icestar for our leader’s death. We were scared so when we were old enough and with the help of Mousewing we snuck out of the camp. When we stopped to rest for the night Icestar had a dream. Starclan seemed to accept that we had left, but they told us to follow our hearts and Icestar couldn’t leave the cats that took care of us when our mother died so she decided to go back and I decided to continue forward it was the hardest good-bye either of us had to make then we went our separate ways. I ended up here in Thunderclan where you took me in and accepted me into your clan. About three moons later we met at a gathering both of us as apprentices she told me how the clan was and how impressed her mentor was when she caught a hawk. I was happy for her, but I couldn’t shake away the feeling that something was wrong. We met at the very next gathering as proud warriors. She told me how their leader had just died of greencough and that Mossstar was their new leader, and before either of us knew it we came to a gathering as deputies, and then we both showed up at the gathering as leaders and have been ever since.” Leafstar told her medicine cat. 50
“Yes, but the kits?” Rowaneyes asked worried about where this conversation was heading.51
“Sorry I got lost in my own memory yes when that gathering was over we met again on the border of our territories. She told me she was expecting kits, but there was a problem two moons before the kits were kitted. Windclan attacked their camp and Willowstar attacked Icestar injuring her badly. Their deputy Ripplewing managed to get Willowstar off of his leader and send them back to their own camp. She told me later that he had killed all of her kits. I felt so bad for her and I realized why Starclan had sent me to Thunderclan in those days we had the special herb that helped unborn kits be strong.” Leafstar told him remembering the herb. 52
“Oh yes I wish we still had that herb it was called the snow tulip right?” Rowaneyes asked his leader.53
“Yes, I had told Icestar to stay where she was while I went to go grab a bundle of the Snow Tulips. When I had returned I had a huge bundle of precious white flowers in my mouth. I dropped it at her paws and told her to take it to her medicine cat she would know what to do with it. She thanked me and I wished her good luck. Four moons later we met again and this time she had two bundles of fur with her one was the tom Pantherpaw who looked like his mother. The other startled me she had a beautiful light silver coat she was just a kit so her coat wasn’t fully on yet. Her eyes matched her mothers, but they were both very well behaved and very adorable. I noticed Icestar’s eyes kept traveling back to the she-cat Snowpaw. I had asked her what was wrong and letting the two kits play she told me she was very grateful for the Snow Tulip, but when she kitted the only one that was actually kitted was Pantherpaw.” Leafstar told her wide eyed Medicine cat.54
“W…what how can that be? You said so yourself Snowpaw looked exactly like Icestar.” Rowaneyes asked shocked. 55
“She doesn’t even know. Icestar told me that after Pantherpaw was kitted she leaned down in order to lick Pantherpaw dry. As she was licking Pantherpaw she felt something else suckling turning around she thought she saw a relfection of herself, but it was another kit. Icestar called to Hawkclaw and Tigerheart when they showed up Hawkclaw was in shock to see another buddle of fur by Pantherpaw. Icestar had claimed that she had no idea what happened, but in the end they came to the conclusion that Starclan granted Icestar another healthy kit. That looked just like her, but to this day we have no clue where Snowpaw comes from.” Leafstar told her already confused medicine cat. 56
“B…but how… what…” Rowaneyes stammered. 57
“There is one more odd other thing Icestar told me about that day.” Leafstar began. 58
“What could be stranger than what I just heard?” Rowaneyes asked. 59
“This…When Pantherpaw and Snowpaw were still in the nursery. They were curled up together asleep, but suddenly Snowpaw was withering in pain…I shouldn’t be telling you this, but with all of the things that have been going on I think you should know. Pantherpaw woke up to find his sister in much pain. He ran to get Hawkclaw then he ran to his mother’s den to get her. She was the clan’s leader so she was not in the nursery all the time. Icestar and Pantherpaw ran into the nursery when Snowpaw was squeaking in pain. Hawkclaw was trying to do all she could, but a few moments later Hawkclaw announced that Snowpaw was…Dead60
To be continued…...
A contest entry
- Anything you're little heart desires... by J.R. Coleman.
350 points, ended May 9, 2008, 18 entries
• next story in this contest, remove from contest
please comment
Comments
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Contiue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I LOVE warriors, as I'm sure you know, even though I'm not 100% sure of which of my friends you are, but I do recognize the characters!
At the beginning you repeatedly went into Snowpaw's thoughts. Have you tried words like wondered or imagined? With the first or second quote that goes into Snowpaw's mind, a sentence seems to run on for a few lines: "Maybe I should go around, but that will take to long I have less than two days to get to Windclan and if I go around it’ll be to late maybe I could disguise my scent and go through their territory after all I haven’t been to a gathering yet so no one would recognize me.” I don't know about you, but that's one HUGE sentence.
I loved how you kept the mysterious going of Snowpaw's heritage and how "StarClan granted Icestar another healthy kit". I LOVE WARRIORS!
Good luck in the contest,
xoxo julia
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