Cats of the Clan - Two

We had wandered only a few tail lengths away from the camp and already I was overwhelmed by all the new smells. There was different plants to sniff, some of which Rainbreath pointed out to me a herbs, and some of which I was told to steer clear of, unless, of course, I wanted to go to StarClan early, not to mention Rainbreath’s ever present smell of mint.1

“Come on Flowerpaw, pick up the pace!” Littlepaw complained as she tried sniffing for some kind of prey that she could hunt.2

“I’m sorry, but it’s just so… fresh out here.” I padded up to a small sapling and sniffed, soon realizing that there was the pleasant smell of prey mixed in with the sweet plant’s aroma.3

“Come on Flower-” I cut Dawnwhisker off with a flick of my tail. I slowly crouched closer to the small tree, until I heard something rustling around in the undergrowth.4

“Is it-” At the sound of Littlepaw’s voice the mouse shot out of it’s cover and raced across the forest floor. I raced after it in and in a desperate attempt to get it before in ran into the thorn bush, I jumped with all my might and landed squarely on the mouse.5

“Good job!” Rainbreath licked my ear in approval after we said a prayer to StarClan to thank them for the prey.6

“It was nothing.” I hung my head in embarrassment. “There is plenty of prey around here.”7

“It didn’t always used to be like that.” Dawnwhisker piped in.8

“Really?” Littlepaw asked out of curiosity.9

“Yes. All four clans used to live in a forest together, we didn’t always live around this lake.” Dawnwhisker started.10

“Well go on.” I signaled with my tail that she should continue.11

She sat down and began speaking again. “The clans all lived happily in the forest, until one day the two legs began tearing up the ground. It scared all the prey away, and they even began capturing the cats from all the clans.” Littlepaw gasped but Dawnwhisker continued. “Well, because all the clans were starving, with the exception of RiverClan, they began to steal prey from one another. They began to fight and huge problems erupted.12

“Eventually they had to move out of their old territory and began on a long, hard journey to find this place. By the time they got here they were tired and hungry, but at least now they were safe.”13

“Wait,” I interrupted. “All the clans traveled together?”14

“Yes, and some of the cats even became good friends.” Rainbreath confirmed.15

“Even with ShadowClan?” The small brown she-cat wrinkled her nose.16

“Yes, even ShadowClan.” Dawnwhisker continued. “Once the clans had settled here and set up their boundaries, even more problems arose. There were boundary disputes, wild animals like dogs and foxes, no place for the medicine cats to talk with StarClan, no gathering spot, and a young warrior named Hawkfrost that tried to forcefully take over RiverClan.17

“Well, eventually all those problems were sorted out, the animals were scared off, the boundaries established, Hawkfrost was killed with the same tree that lets us go to the Gathering, and Leafpool found the Moonpool.”18

I thought for a second. “Leafpool? You mean that famous medicine cat who went on the great journey and had kits with a warrior from a different clan, that Leafpool?” I questioned.19

“Yes, that’s the one.” Rainbreath chuckled. “I am related to her you know. Her son Jayfeather had a daughter, and his daughter was my mother.”20

“Was?” Littlepaw asked timidly.21

“Yes, she was killed in one of the ShadowClan raids from when I was younger.” A somber look appeared for just a second on her face, but then she was back to her old cheery self. “Well, we better get back to hunting. I don’t think that Swiftstar would be very happy with just one mouse from the four of us.”22

“You’re right.” Dawnwhisker agreed. “So let’s get going.”23

We returned to hunting and caught two plump voles, a baby pigeon, and a feisty hare that took the team work of Littlepaw and Dawnwhisker to trap and kill.24

When we got back to camp two cats were arguing at the entrance.25

“But Swiftstar, we have to tell her, it’s her right!” I recognized Hawkfire’s meow.26

“There is no need to tell Rainbreath, it does not concern her at all.” Swiftstar’s harsh words slipped through the bracken. I looked at Rainbreath and she had a confused look on her face.27

“It does concern her, she needs to know!” Hawkfire fought back.28

Rainbreath cleared her throat and stomped loudly into the camp to alert the two of our presence.29

“There will be no more speaking of this.” I heard Swiftstar whisper to Hawkfire sharply. “Why hello there, how was your first hunting patrol?” Swiftstar turned to us with a smile as Hawkfire stalked off to the warrior den.30

“I caught a mouse, all by myself!” I smiled with pride. 31

“And me and Dawnwhisker caught a hare!” Littlepaw was smiling widely.32

“Good job!” Swiftstar praised us. “You two are going to make fine warriors!” 33

“Thank-you!” Me and Littlepaw said at the same time. 34

We said goodbye to Swiftstar and dropped our bounty into the fresh-kill pile before making our way over to where Smokepaw was talking with Ripplepaw.35

“Is this all we do?” Smokepaw complained. “Clean out the smelly Nursery while we have to put up with their constant crying?”36

Ripplepaw smiled and shook her head politely. “No, there are tons of fun stuff to do while you’re an apprentice. I am almost a warrior, so I would know.” From across the camp Cloudstorm motioned for her to join her. “I have to go.” She smiled apologetically and left.37

“So how was your day?” Smokepaw asked sarcastically.38

“It was great we-” Littlepaw stopped at the cold stare she received from her brother. “I mean, um, it was okay.” She meowed unconvincingly.39

“Sure.” Smokepaw rolled his eyes and flicked his tail in annoyance.40

“Redsky was just tired today.” I reassured him. “I’m sure tomorrow you’ll be out on patrol while me and Littlepaw are stuck here doing chores.”41

“Right.” Smokepaw hung his head and stalked away into the apprentice’s den.42

“What’s up with him? It’s only been one day!” Littlepaw exclaimed.43

“I don’t know.” I meowed. “But I know I need some sleep! We have been out almost all day thanks to the story Dawnwhisker told us.” We began heading towards the den, to sleep in it for the first time.44

“I liked the story.” Littlepaw purred.45

“Me too!” I exclaimed. “But do you think that Rainbreath being related to Leafpool and Jayfeather has anything to with what Hawkfire and Swiftstar were talking about?” We found some extra moss and make to make-shift beds for ourselves.46

“I don’t think so.” Littlepaw curled up in a ball so that her voice was slightly muffled. “It’s probably because her brother Featherwings is over in ShadowClan.”47

“Really? I didn’t know that.” I curled up next to her and snuggled close to her warm fur.48

“Ya.” She yawned. “During the raid that killed her mother they took her brother. He was just a kit then, and by the time they found out where he had gone, it was to late and he didn’t want to go back.” 49

“Oh.” I closed my eyes and thought about my mentor until I drifted off to sleep.