Grass: The Hawk

[Raven]

Moonclan
Leader
Ambersky- Pale gray tabby tom. Deep amber eyes. 10 years; 5 months 2/9
Apprentice: None

Deputy
Burdenheart- Deep brown tabby she-cat. Light cheery blue eyes. 8 years; 1 months
Apprentice: None

Medicine Cat
Darkpatch- Solid gray tom. Black bib, mint green eyes. 5 years; 10 months
Apprentice: None

Warrior’s
Hawkleaf- Ginger tabby tom. Dark gray eyes. 7 years; 1 months
Apprentice: Grasspaw

Liquidpelt- Light gray she-cat, yellow eyes. 6 years; 10 months
Apprentice: Dangerpaw

Whitedove- Pure white she-cat, gray muzzle and ears. Green eyes. 6 years; 4 months
Apprentice: Deathpaw

Kestrelflight- Gray tabby tom, dark blue eyes. 5 years; 10 months
Apprentice: Flickerpaw

Mousetail- Pale brown tabby tom, gray blue eyes. Whip-like tail. 5 years; 5 months
Apprentice: None

Redfoot- Dark ginger she-cat. Emerald green eyes. 4 years; 2 months
Apprentice: None

Windsong- Pale gray tabby she-cat. 3 years; 10 months
Apprentice: None

Gorsepelt- Ginger white tom. 3 years; 10 months
Apprentice: None

Apprentice’s
Grasspaw- Smokey gray she-cat, pale orange eyes. 1 years; 10 months
Mentor: Hawkleaf
Flickerpaw- Greasy brown she-cat. 6 months
Mentor: Kestrelflight
Deathpaw- Brown tabby tom. 6 months
Mentor: Whitedove
Dangerpaw- Dark brown tabby she-cat. 6 months
Mentor: Liquidpelt

Queen’s
Pounceclaw- Dark gray tabby she-cat. 6 years; 1 months

Kit’s

Elder’s
Lostheart- Frail white she-cat, Blind. 13 years; 10 months

Sunclan
Leader
Shiverstar- Ghostly pale gray she-cat. Icy blue eyes. 13 years; 1 months
1/9
Apprentice: Fallenpaw

Deputy
Wingedgrace- Amber tabby she-cat. 5 years; 10 months
Apprentice: Flowerpaw

Medicine Cat
Wolfcry- Mottled gray tom. 3 years; 9 months
Apprentice: None

Warrior’s
Dogtooth- Dark mottled tabby tom. 8 years; 12 months
Apprentice: Rowanpaw

Wildfire- Ginger tabby tom. 8 years; 12 months
Apprentice: None

Butterflywing- Calico she-cat, blue eyes. 8 years; 6 months
Apprentice: None

Brownpelt- Amber tabby she-cat. 8 years; 2 months
Apprentice: None

Gravelvoice- Dark gray tabby tom. 7 years; 4 months
Apprentice: None

Dusksun- Creamy brown she-cat. 4 years; 6 months
Apprentice: None

Apprentice’s
Fallenpaw- Silver gray tom. 1 years; 1 months
Mentor: Shiverstar

Flowerpaw- White tabby she-cat. 1 years; 1 months
Mentor: Wingedgrace

Rowanpaw- Deep ginger tom. 12 months
Mentor: Dogtooth

Queen’s
Lillypetal- Gray tabby she-cat. 6 years; 10 months

Kit’s
Forestkit- Black tabby tom. 5 months
Greenkit Black white tom. 5 months
Waterkit- Blue gray tabby she-cat. 5 months

Elder’s
Rabbitpelt- Mottled tabby tom. Going deaf. 12 years; 4 months
Retired Medicine Cat

Loners
Pride- Black tom. 5 years; 8 months

Solare- Black she-cat, half blind, dead tail, crazy. 5 years; 8 months
Rogues
Thunder- Dark gray tom. 10 years; 5 months

Chapter One

Voices called frantically below her. Wind rushed through her dusty gray fur. Even if death loomed ever closer, She felt like she was the hawk! The kitten felt something close to guilt. She was almost happy to be so close to death. Death’s cold kiss was piercing her skin, in the form of hawk talons. She stayed silent, hanging limp. Her mind raced cleverly, finding a way to escape. If she bit his talon, she’d fall to her death. It swooped, taunting her family. She sank her kitten sharp teeth into it’s talon.

“Grasspaw?”

A rough voice startled the apprentice awake. The dream faded from her thought. Today was her day! She’d be a new warrior! Grasspaw gave a cry just short of joy. Finally some good news for Moonclan. She lifted her rump into the air as she stretched. The old apprentice left the den in high spirits. But her gold eyes narrowed as she appeared in the sunlight. Her cold outside drove a lot of cats away. Which was perfectly fine by her. But her hidden happiness plummeted as sunlight drenched her coat.

“He cancelled your ceremony.”

Her mentor, Hawkleaf, growled bitterly. Her eyes widened with shock. Ambersky had seemed pleased at the thought of their only apprentice becoming a warrior. Thanks to Sunclan, Moonclan had lost many cats. Their souls parting to Skyclan. Her eyes glanced upward at Sky rock. Had he changed his mind again? The old leader leapt on top the rock. She ignored him, bitter and embarrassed. He didn’t see her fit to be a warrior. She wished she’d never fought back. She wished she’d let that hawk kill her. But the old apprentice gritted her fangs and stayed silent. Questions attacking her thought process.

“Moonclan, gather!”

His gaze avoided hers. It wasn’t even the proper calling. But the small clan gathered anyway. She saw three young kits trailing listlessly behind their sickly mother. Winter had been hard on the clan, not to mention less warriors meant less prey. Perhaps they’d finally get some new apprentices. Grasspaw found it extremely cold alone in that den. Mousetail looked utterly ecstatic. It didn’t take long for her to figure he was their father. They’d be strong kits, Grasspaw always admired Mousetail’s brave intelligence and the way he wasn’t afraid of Ambersky. She purred, even if her warrior ceremony wasn’t today. She wouldn’t be alone in the den.

“By naming these three kits, we show Moonclan will survive. Deathkit you are ready to be an apprentice, from now on until you earn your warrior name. You shall be called Deathpaw, your mentor shall be Whitedove. Whitedove you showed great patience in training Redfoot. Pass on all you know to Deathpaw.”

A tabby kit bolted from behind his mother. Rushing into Whitedove, her eyes were sparkling with happiness. She chuckled good heartedly as they touched noses. Grasspaw saw a brown she-cat who looked like she’d just been splashed with water. The kitten was twitching with excitement. Next to her sister, another brown tabby, who sat patiently.

“Dangerkit from this day forward until, you receive your warrior name. You shall be named Dangerpaw. Liquidpelt, Lostheart taught you well. You will mentor Dangerpaw. And you Flickerkit, you will be known as Flickerpaw. You mentor will be Kestrelflight.”

The mentors and their apprentices were soon in deep conversations. She watched with mixed emotions. The oldest apprentice wanted to be happy for them. But she had the odd feeling they’d become warriors before her. If her predictions were right...She had no idea why Ambersky was mad at her. But she’d find out. Leaving the happy cats, she followed him into his den. Not surprised to find his mother, Lostheart.

“Why?”

Were the first words spewed from the large apprentice. Her orange eyes narrowed coldly at Ambersky. Distrust and worry shown just by the way she held her body, aloof and yet taunt. Ready to bolt or relax.

“Not now, kit. I don’t have time for your foolish un-experienced words.”

His words were to harsh. But unlike the kit she felt like, Grasspaw stayed. Slightly unnerved by Lostheart’s sightless gaze. She stood her ground.

“Is that it? You don’t believe Hawkleaf, you don’t think I’m fit to serve as a warrior. After at least six moons of extra training?”

She could barely manage more words. Grasspaw couldn’t believe how unfair he was being. His next words chilled her to the bone.

“It is not Hawkleaf I have no faith, but you. Your too ambitious, when I think you’ve learned patience, I’ll give you a name worthy of your skills. You wouldn’t want to be named Grassfoot, now would you?”

He didn’t even have the guts to look at her! She was boiling with utter, oh there were no words that could describe her revulsion and anger at him. She was supposed to look up to such a corrupt mind? Greensky had surely chosen a different cat! He would never have chosen Ambersky if he knew the tabby would behave so, so, unjustly.

“Any name would be better than Grasspaw...”

She mumbled completely annoyed and disappointed, in everything. Couldn’t Burdenheart make her ceremony. Only if he was injured, Grasspaw wasn’t stupid enough to hurt the leader. No matter how corrupt his thoughts had become. She stormed away, not even staying to hear more insults on her patience. She’d been patient those extra moons he decided not to name her. She stalked past Hawkleaf, even though he’d began speaking. Shouldered her way into the Apprentices den. It felt suddenly cramped with the three new bodies. She glanced at the kits, sudden anguish washing over. She missed the comfort of her brothers. No! She refused to be sad. Grasspaw had discarded that emotion of loneliness months ago. No matter how tough life got, in the end she was alone. Not even her mentor could speak sense into Ambersky. She felt as helpless as a kit. Heat kept sleep as elusive as a duck in winter. Finally, restlessness got the best of her. She needed to go for a run. Pale orange eyes appeared at the entrance of the apprentices den. The guards had their backs turned. She slipped out a spot behind Ambersky’s den. Stopping as she heard words.

“Your to rough on her, she’s only an apprentice. She can’t possibly understand why she’s not a warrior yet.”

She knew the voice from her months as a kit, Lostheart’s creaky voice. Ambersky’s reply was mumbled and she left the camp. Needing a break from the cats. She rarely left camp. At night anyway, and she’d never been caught. Unwittingly her paws led her to the border. Where she’d gone when she was a kit, meeting an odd apprentice. Wolfpaw, he’d been training in medicine. She sighed loudly, relaxing in a crook on a tree root. Her mind drifting to useless memories of her and her brothers. Her pale orange eyes closed in sweet listless dreams.

“I see Sunclan’s not the only clan to have restless cats.”

The voice was oddly familiar. She didn’t dare open her eyes. For fear he’d recognize her at a meeting. She almost always went to meetings. But she doubted she would anymore, they had other apprentices to occupy her spot.

“I see Sunclan’s warriors are the only clan to have lone patrols.”

She replied with high arrogance. He was silent for a bit, she’d caught him off guard! Pleased she let herself rest a little bit longer. Knowing Hawkleaf would push her harder tomorrow.

]“Warrior? No, Medicine cat. I am Wolfcry, I’ve seen you at meetings. Grasspaw, right? Or are you a warrior yet?”

His words soothing and yet so uncomfortable. Feeling awkward, she thought it weird, that she should meet the cat she’d befriended. On a night when all else had gone wrong. Crickets chirped loudly in her ears. She could hear tiny heartbeats of mice and sometimes a scrabble from a rat or two. The night was something she enjoyed, how restless and yet peaceful it was.

“No, not a warrior yet. Ambersky has better things to do then name warriors.”

She meowed surprisingly able to hide her bitter emotions. Grasspaw decided it was disrespectful to just lay there eyes closed. Her eyelids opened a crack. Peering at the mottled gray tom. His amber eyes looking intently at her. He seemed to sense her discomfort of the subject, because he didn’t press her.

“You’ll be a warrior soon, so how is your training going? You really shouldn’t be outside so late. I’m sure Hawkleaf will want you training early.”

He meowed searching her face with questioning eyes. She dropped her gaze to her near white paws. Avoiding talking anymore, she took the chance to get back to camp. Time had surely flown when she was resting. Dawn was starting to streak the sky with pale orange strips. The midnight blue sky breaking her heart as her ancestors faded away.

“I should get back, it was nice seeing you Wolfcry. Maybe I’ll see at the next gathering.”

Turning abruptly, she left no room for more words. Instead picking her way carefully through the undergrowth. She savored her last moments of pure thoughtlessness. Cats were starting to wake up, so she rushed into the apprentices den. The new apprentices weren’t awake yet. So she began to groom her fur, not daring close her eyes. She knew Hawkleaf would want to start early and she was right. The ginger tabby peeked in, warmth in his eyes. He jerked his head towards the entrance and pulled it out. Taking the hint, the tired she-cat followed him. They were just doing a normal patrol, he didn’t have the willpower to train her in something she was excellent at. All day Wolfcry consumed her thoughts. Paying no attention to anything else. How was he? What was it like being a medicine cat? Every sound she heard was distant and un-important. That’s why she was shocked when something’s weight shoved her forwards. She immediately snapped out of her thoughts as someone spoke. She expected to see Hawkleaf, but there was Wolfcry.

“Are you insane? Did you think that machine wouldn’t run you over?”

His voice was filled with rage and she almost cringed. She saw a warrior and his apprentice next to Wolfcry. Sudden indignation filled her body.

“Since when does a Sunclan cat care to save a Moonclan cat? I just wasn’t paying attention”

She spat shocked and annoyed that she’d been so oblivious to everything. She heard Hawkleaf searching for her, but she ignored him. Standing up, she realized she must’ve looked like a warrior.

“So it shows”

Wolfcry retorted harshly. Her eyes widened in utter astonishment. Even their Medicine cats were hard headed and cruel. Turning she waited for the street to go silent. Before bolting over to Hawkleaf, prepared for more admonishing. But he completely ignored her drifting mind. Grasspaw let out a sigh of relief. Following him along the border. Seething all the way, she kept her thoughts on training. Somehow she figured being a warrior would mean she’d always kept her mind on important matters.

“Do you know why he won’t name me?”

She suddenly asked, perhaps her mentor could shed some light on this. She was gonna ask Lostheart later that day, but it didn’t hurt to try elsewhere first. They stopped still right next to the border. She shuffled her paws, staring down at them. She heard Wolfcry and his patrol not very far away. But ignored them thoroughly as she waited for her answer. They were walking past when he spoke.

“Because, Ambersky has better things to do then name warriors, warriors that deserve their name. Not even I dare go against Ambersky’s word...”

He said using the same excuse she’d used with Wolfcry. She shot the cats who’d slowed their pace a dirty look. Not speaking until she figured they were out of sight.

“Mousetail would! He’s not afraid of Ambersky, and he has more things to lose. Burdenheart would too, I don’t know why. But she would.”

Grasspaw argued softly. Turning her head when he looked at her. For fear he’d see the weakness in her eyes. The impatience to have a warriors name. But he turned back and continued walking. Grasspaw trailed listlessly behind him. Her head down and her tail dragging. The cat she’d come to love so much wasn’t going to stand up for her. Her mentor, her friend...Pain was pierced into her pale orange eyes. Not even looking up as they passed the Sunclan patrol yet again.

“Can we train with the new apprentices tomorrow?”

She asked trying to brighten the mood. New apprentices was what the clan needed. Hawkleaf didn’t say anything, and she wondered if he was afraid she’d hear the anger in his voice. But he nodded and didn’t stop walking.

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Notes: I'm only on the third chapter. But I write really fast, so I might just make you guys wait a week for another short chapter >3

[Raven]

Chapter Two
Dawn’s cold emotion made her shiver violently. The hawk let out a screech. It’s talon releasing the dark gray kitten. She fell to the ground with a thump, winded. It felt like something was broken. She tried moving her forepaw, but found herself in excruciating pain. Grasskit cried out very loudly. Being found by her clan a few moments later. “Is she dead?” Burdenheart’s words echoed softly through her tiny ears.

“No, no, no! It’s duck and weave. Only if you’re desperate do you roll under your opponent. I could have killed you, were this a real fight.”

Kestrelflight meowed patiently. Trying again for the third time. The apprentice finally got it right. Grasspaw purred encouragingly to Dangerpaw, she was looking nervous. But she rolled her eyes and turned away from the wiser apprentice. Hurt and annoyed, she turned to Hawkleaf. But her mentor seemed to have spaced out.

“Can I go for a solo hunt?”

She asked, confident he’d say yes. Say, is not the right word. Her tabby mentor merely nodded, having said so little. She figured he was depressed, she was his first apprentice and now, now her leader wouldn’t name her. Sympathy flashed in her pale orange eyes. Then she turned and left the little group. Following nothing, just needing some space. Even Dangerpaw, the kit who’d looked up to her, wouldn’t take advice. Something was deathly wrong with the clan.

“I thought you were watching the new apprentices train?”

She turned around to see a dark brown tabby queen. The deputy, Burdenheart, A young warrior, Redfoot and an even younger warrior, Gorsepelt. Oh how she yearned - but that was not important. She cut her thoughts off,

“I don’t need Hawkleaf to protect me all the time, he said I could go hunting.”

She spat defensively. Eyes narrowed at the deputy, meeting contact with her cheery blue eyes. Redfoot had trouble suppressing a giggle. Nudging Gorsepelt, she mumbled something into his ginger ear. The warrior chuckled light heartedly.

“Whoa, slow down their missy. I am the deputy, I have a right to know what my cats are doing.”

Burdenheart said softly, her eyes oh so comforting. But Grasspaw pushed it away. Like she cared if Burdenheart was comforting. She was the deputy, and one cat helping her stay as an apprentice. Grasspaw merely snorted, turning away she left the trio. Picking her way through the undergrowth and bushes. Scenting the tantalizing smell of blood...A recent catch, by the smell of it, rabbit. Not to mention the fresh scent of Sunclan. Back to their old tricks, Grasspaw’s mind said bitterly. She peeked through the undergrowth. Her deep orange eyes catching sight of a ginger tom and tabby she-cat. Sunclan apprentices, named moons before. She leapt at them. Pinning the she-cat with ease. She flinched slightly, having made much contact with Flowerpaw. She liked the apprentice. But Grasspaw steeled herself. Berating herself mentally for even thinking about helping the apprentices off. She’d help them off, but not verbally.

“I see Sunclan hasn’t changed a bit. Stealing more prey, hasn’t your precious Starclan provided enough food?”

Grasspaw mocked darkly, stressing the word Starclan. As if it was foreign to her tongue, and it probably was. The Moonclanner’s praised Skyclan, neglecting Sunclan’s ancestors. But this was not a history lesson. Rowanpaw turned around, his blue eyes flashing dangerously. She wondered briefly what the tom was thinking. Both of the apprentices were an unfair match for her. But one on one, she’d certainly kill one of them. But if he stayed and tried to fight her, she had the upper paw. Grasspaw had a hostage and she was willing to kill. If it taught Sunclan a lesson.

“We’ll go, just don’t harm her...Let her up and I’ll be on my way”

That’s a kit lie! A stillborn knows more lies then that. Of course she didn’t say such things aloud. Shaking her head, she waited for him to get the message. He just stared at her dumbly, certainly Sunclan wasn’t relying on it’s dumbest cats to carry on the pureblood genes? She narrowed her eyes, her disgust showing unchecked.

“I’ll let her up after you cross the border and are out of sight. If I know your type, you’ll just double team on me.”

She spat to a shocked apprentice. Flowerpaw had stayed silent the whole time. Staring up at Grasspaw with dread and hurt. Obviously, she thought Grasspaw wouldn’t defend her borders against a friend. Rowanpaw, sensing the danger they were in only nodded and bolted. In one swift movement. She released her claws and hold of the tiny tabby apprentice. Shoving her forward, leaving bloody scratches as a warning. Flowerpaw took no time to accuse her. Just turned and ran away. Even if she was in the different clan. Flowerpaw’s green eyes full of hurt and mistrust haunted her. The smokey gray apprentice shook it off. Knowing how harmful it was to have friends in Sunclan. The clans were sworn to hate each other at birth. Some stupid cats and their stupid forbidden love. Grasspaw rolled her eyes, if no cat could follow some code, then why bother? It was only a hurdle for headstrong cats. She picked her way through the sun soaked grass. The sunset was coming and she wanted to be in the valley so she could watch it. Normally she would watch it with Hawkleaf. But knowing him, he’d stay at camp. Even at this wondrous occasion, when they just knew Skyclan had an eye on them. She peered through the tall pine trees. Making sure no other cat knew she stayed here at night. But she doubted cats would bother looking for her now. Now that Ambersky had done his best at humiliating and confusing her. She bounced on light paw steps. Feeling as light as air, she watched the sky get darker. Skyclan’s brave warriors descended to watch over loved ones.

“I thought you’d be here...”

Grasspaw gave a startled cry as a voice whispered in her ear. She leapt forward, fur bristling and she turned on her attacker. Why did everything bad happen to her? She’d done everything possible to work hard for Moonclan. The cat in front of her stared, shocked. His amber eyes giving her a funny look.

“Oh it’s you. What do you want Gorsepelt? No doubt Ambersky wants to rub his leadership in my face again.”

The last part was mumbled as she gave Gorsepelt a hard stare. Her hackles slowly falling into place. One of these days, she’d have a heart attack. If cats kept coming at her out of the blue. Her pale orange gaze searching his face. She was no expert of facial expressions. So she couldn’t even guess what he was thinking. It bothered her really. Unlike his parents and sister, his thoughts were always unpredictable. That’s what she admired about him.

“Well, no... He didn’t send me to find you. I came to find you myself. I know these past days have been rough. And yes I know, you don’t need friends or cats saying they went through what Ambersky’s putting you through. But I wanted to say I always have a ear open. No matter how far I am. I can be a great friend, if you’ll let me. Of course I can’t be as open as Mousetail... But I will always be a friend.”

His tiny speech ended, Gorsepelt turned and began to leave. Grasspaw’s whiskers were twitching non stop. It sounded weird he should offer a paw of friendship. When she’d begun to shove him away, like all the rest. But she didn’t know if she could handle telling him secrets. She was a liar at heart, most likely going to tell him lies. Skyclan knew how she often lied to Hawkleaf, and she trusted him more then any cat.

“Thank you...”

Her voice was so soft, she could barely hear it. She doubted Gorsepelt had heard her. But his ears twitched, and she turned back to her almost finished sunset. Curling her willowy tail around her lighter shaded paws. Thinking back on the last day. Something was wrong, that much she knew. But Grasspaw didn’t want Ambersky to die. Just retire, he was a worthy cat. He just had his wrong times, each cat had their mistakes. She’d obviously made many mistakes and would no doubt make many more. With a sigh, Grasspaw admired the way the colors seamlessly turned from light corn flower blue to pastel pink to deep orange. In a way, it reminded her of the different cats in Moonclan. So far away from the initial cats, Thunderclan and Shadowclan cats. She was supposed to be stocky and built for woodlands, but also lanky and built for shadows. Sunclan seemed to have nothing from Riverclan or Windclan. They were fast yeah, but that was it. That initial leader sure had chosen the worst clans. Grasspaw steeled herself against memories and pains of clan life. Like she cared about to dead kits. Sure, she could miss her siblings. But not to the point where it nearly destroyed her mind. Of course she could have always turned to her mother or father, if they were alive. Mentally she sighed, but physically Grasspaw ignored the need for friends and family. She wasn’t a kit anymore, and Skyclan didn’t serve you fresh prey off a silver platter. She needed to do some quick hunting and head back to camp. But with her mind racing with what ifs and different scenarios she couldn’t hunt right. Startling a sparrow and sending it flying. She cursed vividly spitting at the feather the brown bird had left. Aggravated beyond no return. She hated this! Why couldn’t she get anything right today? Scraping her light gray paw on the ground. She turned back to camp, empty pawed. The birds call would alert other prey in the surrounding area and she wasn’t in the mood to go all to way to high cliffs. Her anger was a clear emotion on her face. Grasspaw ignored Hawkleaf and the other cats that dipped their heads in greeting. Maybe Ambersky was right in keeping her an apprentice. She couldn’t hunt, decide anything or think straight. Her pale orange eyes were narrowed in self disgust. How could she let a sparrow get away? Every cat learned how to hunt birds, they were the easiest things to catch. Seeing as Moonclan’s territory was chalk full of them.

“You look angry? What happened?”

She looked up at Hawkleaf. Actually talking, she dipped her head. If only to hide the slight annoyance she had at seeing him. He wouldn’t even protect her from Ambersky’s undermining. Sure, she loved him like he was her father. And he acted like one, Liquidpelt was less so. She looked back up at him. Seeing Gorsepelt and Redfoot watching her.

“Sunclan has been hunting rabbits on our land.”

She growled, not exactly lying but not telling him the full truth. If he sensed it, he didn’t tell her. He opened his mouth to say something but turned and went to tell Ambersky. She picked out a small mouse. Not getting much meat off the skinny thing. But she couldn’t complain, it was all that the clan could provide for a cat who couldn’t catch a measly sparrow.

“How many did you find? Are they gone? Did they eat the prey?”

Grasspaw nearly choked up her food. Coughing she let herself finish the bite. Turning to Ambersky with blazing eyes. Again she recounted what she’d said silently, as she watched the sunset. Yes, if they kept startling her, she’d either lose all her fur or die of a stroke. The oldest apprentice recounted her tale. Leaving out the details about her knowing them, and what she’d felt after seeing the look of hurt in Flowerpaw’s eyes. Ambersky huffed and left her to sleep. The sky was getting darker and darker. But she felt like being a guard tonight. So she replaced a sleepy warrior, Whitedove and took a silent spot next to Gorsepelt. But the silence was acceptable. She kinda liked it that way. It gave her time to think.

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[Raven]

Chapter Three
“No...She’ll live. But she’ll have a limp. Of that I’m sure.” A strong, guarded voice said. Her eyes opened against the pain. She saw Thistletail, a warrior who often watched her from the edge of camp. She saw the deputy, eyes clouded with pure worry. “Isn’t there some way you can prevent that? She’ll be a strong warrior when she grows up, I’d rather she not lose her silence.” Thistletail’s sturdy voice queried towards the first speaker, Darkpatch.

The sun was high, cats had woken up early and a while ago. Many left for patrols, leaving Grasspaw to ponder on some things. She wondered darkly wether she would ever be trusted by her leader. The cat she’d have died for less then a month ago. After all, her late ceremony was due to an injury. She stared blankly at the camp entrance, in a half sit. Laying on the side of her hind leg. Sparrow held in her large light gray paws. Ears pricked forward at the sound of thumping paws. Grasspaw was all to unready for what she heard.

“Attack!”

The quick step of Flickerpaw had brought her to camp first. Her voice rang around the clearing with deafening shock. But Grasspaw knew all to well, Sunclan had been planning this. She didn’t know what happened to her. But with both leader and deputy gone. Grasspaw took control and no one questioned it. She wasn’t sure she was happy, but she really wasn’t angry. Glad no one argued her over this.

“Gorsepelt, Redfoot, Mousetail, Windsong and Liquidpelt! Follow Flickerpaw, The rest of you stay here and guard camp, this could be a trap!”

She took a short sweeping glance over the left warriors, Lostheart the elder, Pounceclaw, Whitedove and Deathpaw. Basically the rest of their clan. She repressed a shudder of fear. Reprimanding herself for feeling so scared of battle. With a battle cry, the large apprentice turned and raced after Flickerpaw’s scent. Her face contorted in fury as she raced along the sloping forest terrain. Sounds of a raging battle rang in her ears as she stumbled upon the fighting cats. Ambersky was locked in fierce battle with a young but clumsy warrior. No time to worry about her leader or clan mates. The gray apprentice launched an attack on a cat she recognized instantly, Shiverstar. Long lasting leader of Sunclan. Fear sent a shiver of fear up her spine at Shiverstar’s cold eyes. But the clans didn’t know fear, she reminded herself silently. Fighting Shiverstar wasn’t an easy task. Blood spattered the grass a deep cold maroon. The cold air was something that kept her going. Knowing if she let Sunclan win, no matter who died, she would never see another sunset. A mourning cry rose into the night as a father watched his daughter die. Dangerpaw... She cried silently. Determined to make Sunclan pay. But the ash gray she-cat found herself pinned, Shiverstar’s jaws snapping inches from her face. Grasspaw shoved upwards with her large paws. Unable to call for help, she knew the rest of the clan was busy. She was about to just clean give up. Under the numbers, Moonclan was outnumbered and failing most certainly. But the weight was lifted off, Burdenheart’s blue eyes were filled with worry as she dragged the leader off. Grasspaw didn’t take the time to thank Burdenheart. Instead she blinked gratefully and leapt into the fray. Jaws snapping shut, saliva flying through the air, claws slashing the air. It would have been a beautiful dance were the dancers not getting injured with every swipe, every snap, every time a claw fell to a cats body. Grasspaw saw him, her mentor, just sitting there. Staring into space. She pitied him, he was to depressed to even fight! Well she make up for his lack of spirit. She’d show him he was a great mentor! Grasspaw clenched her jaws shut as an apprentice latched onto her back. Rowanpaw, his anger dissipated, while hers was revived. Without remorse, she spun around tightly. Clawing at his blue eyes. Seeing only an enemy. Grasspaw really didn’t separate the cats from one another. They were all enemies. Even her clan, luckily she wasn’t attacked or given the opportunity to attack her clan mates. Flowerpaw jumped forward to help Rowanpaw. Which really wasn’t that hard for the older apprentice. Tossing the duo aside like they were mice. Once Dangerpaw had died...She just lost all thought. In reality, the fight only lasted a few hours. But it felt like days, years even. Sunclan retreated wounded and beaten.

“My daughter...My daughter...”

Mousetail’s voice filled her ears. Grasspaw choked back a sob as she crumpled. Emotionally and physically drained. Her pale orange eyes dull. It didn’t feel like a victory. She knew everyone felt the same way, Shiverstar would be back. She wouldn’t go skimpy either, she’d bring her full clan. Maybe some outside help, Sunclan didn’t want her clan around anymore. Gorsepelt nudged her to her paws. Understanding and worry in his charming amber eyes. The clan limped home, maybe then the battered clan would find themselves something comforting. Burdenheart was talking in hushed tones with Ambersky. Both glancing warily around them, as if- Oh no, Grasspaw realized with annoyance, they thought there was a spy. She watched her mentor, Hawkleaf approach them. In a worse mood then before. Ambersky jumped backwards as he nudged them. Her mentor merely took on a confused look.

“Jumpy aren’t we? Dangerpaw was killed, I killed one of their warriors, Dogtooth I think. They left his body.”

His words were somewhat sad. As if he knew Dogtooth, but then again, everyone knew the clumsy tom. Even she felt an affection for the now dead warrior. The air was cold, on coming autumn taunted her all summer. But luckily, it was yet cold enough to penetrate her fur. She glanced over at the mourners, Deathpaw and Flickerpaw would take their own sister out to the woods, bury her with the dignity she deserves. She trudged over to them with her heart in her stomach. Dangerpaw was like the sister she never had.

“I’m sorry.”

She hated herself, they were the worst words ever. Pointless apologies, she stared at her paws. Unable to meet their depressed eyes. Dangerpaw had the most trouble fighting. She’d been contemplating training with Darkpatch. Grasspaw followed willingly into the apprentices den. Trailing slowly after Flickerpaw and Deathpaw. She just wanted to sleep. Everyone felt the loss of the young cat. Dangerpaw had a certain spark, as if she could take care of herself all the time. Maybe that’s why she died, maybe she never called for help. Maybe Burdenheart was busy saving Grasspaw, she never noticed a young apprentice struggling under a warrior. Images of jaws snapping, saliva and blood mingling on the grass. If she was superstitous, she would take that as a sign. Grass covered in blood. A very dangerous sign indeed. She lay with her pale orange eyes closed, but her mind raced. What if they did have a spy? She choked back a cry, fear consuming her. She shivered with fear and loss. Never did she imagine she would be alive for Dangerpaw’s death. The young cat had so much potential...Anger at Shiverstar boiled to a froth in her head. She was angry at Burdenheart too, sometimes she just hated the way her deputy always kept an eye on her. If only she had her cheery blue eyes on Dangerpaw. What about Hawkleaf? A voice with dreadful intentions spoke inside her head. Surprisingly enough, Grasspaw had no defense. Her mentor was perfectly capable of saving Moonclan such a terrible loss. But she couldn’t believe that her own mentor would just sit back and watch a young, a newly named, apprentice die! She just couldn’t, he was her mentor, almost like a father to her. She was so scared of the future. She heard voices outside the den. Liquidpelt was whispering to Hawkleaf, Windsong was with them. But Gorsepelt’s voice was there. She silently got out of her moss bedding. Peering out of the den. She spotted the family of warriors. Shifty eyed glances cats everywhere. Gorsepelt wasn’t there. Of course he wasn’t, he was in Darkpatch’s den. Unable to believe he was a traitor, she crept back to her moss. Sleep so evasive, she felt like she was hunting a flea. You can see them in the daylight, but not at night.

***

Morning came early that day. She peeked in the Medicine cat’s den. Checking on Gorsepelt cautiously. Liquidpelt was already with him. She pulled her head back out. Looking around for other cats. She caught sight of Burdenheart getting a patrol ready. She bounded up to the deputy’s patrol. A lot of their warriors were injured, but they couldn’t show weakness now. Now that Shiverstar had proclaimed what the clans had only whispered about. Now that this was a full fledged war. She was a very fit cat, ready to do triple duty if need be.

“Burdenheart, can I come along?”

The deputy hid her surprise weakly. But dipped her head in agreement. Then they were off, Windsong, Burdenheart, Mousetail and herself. Each had suffered the least amount of wounds. Burdenheart ordered other patrols and they set off. A quick, no time to mess around, pace. The four cats met no Sunclan warriors. Slightly shocking, Shiverstar would never let her warriors rest. They would fight tooth and claw. But Moonclan was not to be phased. The warriors were just that, warriors. The kits would become warriors, the queens were warriors, every cat was a warrior. Even their healer. Lost in thought, she did not notice Wolfcry creeping next to her. Orange eyes narrowed, she spoke.

“Shouldn’t you be at camp, healing you wounded?”

A note of laughter was in her sharp words. But just quiet enough so as not to bring Burdenheart’s attention. His amber eyes turned into worry and confusion.

“We need to meet, tonight. Please?”

His words scared her half to death. She searched him, knowing he was plotting her demise. She stayed silent and hurried ahead. Wondering if she should, if she could break the code and have a planned meeting with the Medicine cat of Sunclan. But she didn’t exactly want to, his clan had only attacked them yesterday. What if it was important? Grasspaw stifled a groan, disliking these past days. She trailed along listlessly, wondering why everything horrible was happening. Night time would be here in a few hours. With her decision made, she finished her patrol with Burdenheart and immediately feigned being tired. Sleeping in the apprentices den.

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This is the only other chapter I have done. Tomorrow I hope to finished the fourth chapter and start on the fifth.