Ravenpaw stared wide-eyed at the crumpled form of Redtail. One heartbeat the deputy was alive, turning to speak to Tigerclaw, and the next...he was dead.
Distantly, Ravenpaw realized he was in shock.
As much as he yearned to prove his dedication to his clan and make his mentor proud, he had never dreamed his first border skirmish would end with two dead deputies.
"Ravenpaw! What did you see?!"
Numbly, he stared up at Tigerclaw. Belatedly, he realized he must have stumbled out of the grass where'd he been standing just heartbeats ago.
"I don't. I don't know." Ravenpaw's gaze drifted back to the still body of the clan deputy. "Di-Did...Riverclan do this?"
Beside him, Tigerclaw's fur settled smoothly back along his spine as he dipped his head in sorrow.
"I believe so. Oakheart must have given him a much more grievous blow than first thought. Redtail must have only had enough strength to see those fish-hearts rush off before succumbing to his injuries."
Ravenpaw nodded. That made sense. Tigerclaw was always telling him how vicious and cowardly the other clans were. Of course Riverclan would kill Thunderclan's Deputy in retaliation for losing their own.
Gazing across Sunningrocks to the other side of the river, the young cat dug his claws deeper into the ground and hissed.
Next time would be different. Next time he would fight with the full strength of a warrior so that no cat of Thunderclan would fall to another clan's claws.
He was startled out of his thoughts by a tailtip on his shoulder.
"Come, Ravenpaw." Tigerclaw's eyes were a mix of sorrow and approval. "We will avenge Redtail another day. For now, we must bring him back to the Clan."
Nodding, Ravenpaw helped his mentor balance Redtail onto his back.
With as much care and respect Tigerclaw exuded as he carried the fallen deputy, Ravenpaw became more and more positive that the scene he had initially walked in on was false.
Tigerclaw was far too noble a warrior to kill a clanmate in cold blood.
...
Upon their return, Ravenpaw notices that that most of the clan is already gathered in the center of camp. For what, Ravenpaw can't possibly imagine. None of the kits in the nursery are old enough to be made apprentices. And neither he, Dustpaw, or Sandpaw were ready to be named warriors.
Beside him, Tigerclaw's eyes narrowed slightly before he threw back his head and yowled.
"Redtail is dead!"
Instantly, all eyes were on them as Bluestar leaped down from the Highrock and approached them.
"How did this happen, Tigerclaw?"
"Riverclan killed him!" Ravenpaw spat before his mentor could even open his mouth to reply.
Bluestar fixed an icy gaze at him. "If I wished for an account from an over-excited apprentice, I would have asked."
"Ravenpaw. Go have Spottedleaf check you over for injuries."
"But-"
"Now Ravenpaw."
Any approval or pride that Tigerclaw had shown him just moments earlier was gone now, replaced by an icy fury.
He'd embarrassed him.
Bowing his head in shame, Ravenpaw murmured a quick "Sorry, Tigerclaw" and slunk off towards the medicine cat den.
The only possible way he could feel worse, would be if a million ants were crawling through his pelt and biting him.
"I wouldn't be too heartbroken if I were you." a soft voice said above him.
Wearily, Ravenpaw looked up from the ground to find Spottedleaf gazing at him in sympathy.
"I interrupted Bluestar! A-a-and embarrassed my mentor! I don't deserve to be an apprentice!"
Spottedleaf snorted. "And no other apprentice in the history of the clans has done the same? You were just...over-enthusiastic."
"...I guess."
"Are you saying I'm wrong?"
"No! I-!" Belatedly, Ravenpaw noticed the amusement in her eyes. She was playing with him.
He scowled at her and Spottedleaf just laughed.
"Come into my den so I can get a better look at that slash on your shoulder."
"I don't have a-"
The words were barely out of his mouth before one of his legs crumpled beneath him, adrenalin from the battle and rush to alert the clan finally running out.
He would have crashed onto the ground if Spottedleaf hadn't quickly caught him and half supported, half led him to the nearest nest in her den.
"You were saying?" She teased.
Ravenpaw rolled his eyes in lieu of an answer as she dressed the slash on his shoulder.
He would never admit it, but the cool poultice Spottedleaf put on his would felt...nice. Now that he wasn't rushing around on adrenalin, Ravenpaw could feel a slight stinging pain where that Riverclan warrior had clawed him.
Just as he was starting to drift off, the scent of his mentor flooded the den as Tigerclaw entered. Dimly, Ravenpaw was aware of Tigerclaw staring down at him before a heavy paw jammed itself painfully into his side.
"That's enough resting Ravenpaw." Tigerclaw growled. "If you want to stand half a chance in another fight with Riverclan, then I advise we do some more training."
Ravenpaw attempted to scramble to his paws at Tigerclaw's words before he suddenly felt a gentle yet firm paw press down on his back, forcing him back into his nest.
"Tigerclaw." Spottedleaf's tone, while light, held a slight edge to it. "I just finished dressing Ravenpaw's wound. I will not allow him to open it again jumping around trying to please you."
For a moment that seemed to stretch a moon, the two cats stared at each other until at last Tigerclaw lowered his head.
"Very well. How long will he need to stay here?"
"A couple days at most. I want to be sure the wound doesn't get infected and that it heals properly."
Tigerclaw's tail lashed in irritation. "Fine. Let me know as soon as he's ready to train again. I don't want him to fall behind the other apprentices."
"Of course."
Ravenpaw waited until Tigerclaw had his back turned to him to leave the medicine den before burying his face in the moss of his nest.
First there'd been the disastrous battle at Sunningrocks, then he'd been stupid enough to interrupt his leader, and now he'd been deemed too weak for training for the rest of the day. The only way things could get worse was if Bluestar decided to throw him back into the nursery for being as useful as a kit!
"And this is Ravenpaw! Tigerclaw's apprentice!"
Ravenpaw looked up to see who exactly Graypaw was yammering at only to find Spottedleaf guiding Graypaw and another cat out of the den.
Ignoring the slight pain the movement caused to his shoulder, Ravenpaw scrabbled to his feet.
"Who was that? With Graypaw just now? I didn't recognize their scent."
Spottedleaf's eyes narrowed slightly at him. "I don't remember giving you the go-ahead to get up."
Ravenpaw met her gaze for a couple more heartbeats before sighing and curling up in his nest again. "I'm laying down. See? Can you please answer my questions?"
Spottedleaf gave him a thoughtful look before turning to her store and returning with a couple of seeds stuck to her paw.
"After you eat these I will."
Ravenpaw sniffed them curiously.
"They'll help you heal faster."
Ravenpaw couldn't help shooting her a doubtful look before quickly lapping the seeds up.
"Thank you." Spottedleaf sat down. "That cat with Graypaw is Thunderclan's newest apprentice, Firepaw."
Ravenpaw's eyes widened. "A new apprentice? Where'd he come from? A tree?"
A small mrrow of laughter erupted from Spottedleaf. "No. Nowhere special like that. Bluestar and Lionheart found him nearby recently. I believe they felt there was something...special about him and offered him a place in the clan."
"Huh." Ravenpaw lowered his head onto his paws. For some reason, it felt sorta...heavy all of a sudden. "And the rest of the clan just..." a yawn escaped him "accepted him like that?"
"For the most part, yes. Firepaw truly showed he has it in him to be a great warrior someday."
"Mm."
Another small laugh answered him. Ravenpaw wasn't sure, but he thought he felt a quick lick on his head.
"Sleep well, little one. I'm sure you'll find answers to all your questions tomorrow."
A small snuff escaped him as his thoughts fell silent for once as a deep slumber washed over him.
...
The starling jerked upwards at the sound of a cracking twig nearby.
It barely had time to spread its wings and rise an inch off the ground before a cat bolted out of the bushes and took a wild leap at it.
Sharp claws sank past feathers and skin, pushing the bird back to the forest floor where Dustpaw quickly nipped his catch's neck and sighed.
He'd seen the branch and he'd still stepped on it. Any slower and his carelessness would have cost the clan a piece of fresh kill.
A prickle of guilt crept over him.
Even if he hadn't managed to land on the bird on time, it wouldn't have made much difference. All day today he'd had trouble sneaking up on prey, losing more than he caught.
Any cat would think today was his first day of his apprenticeship. Redtail would-
A pang struck him as he remembered his former mentor would never be proud or disappointed in him again. Redtail was dead.
Losing what little excitement he had over his duties for the day, Dustpaw sullenly picked up his bird and went to gather what little other prey he'd managed to catch before heading to camp. If he was lucky, maybe Darkstripe wouldn't have him do anything more strenuous than cleaning out the elders' bedding.
...
Dustpaw can't help thanking every one of his warrior ancestors that not one warrior noticed or commented on his rather poor catch as he drops it on the fresh-kill pile when he returns.
The fact that the pile itself is almost overflowing with prey probably doesn't hurt as well.
Picking a rather plump mouse, Dustpaw glances towards the medicine cat den. On one paw, he should visit Ravenpaw and catch him up on what's been going on in the clan while he's been stuck in a nest almost all day. Yet, on the other, he can't stand the thought of his littermate confirming his darkest fear.
That Redtail might still be alive if only he'd been able to go on the border patrol with them to Sunningrocks.
Pelt burning with shame, Dustpaw turned away from Spottedleaf's den and headed towards the tree stump just barely within the camp's borders to eat.
He's barely taken a bite of his mouse before Sandpaw quickly settles beside him.
"You better eat that fast, Whitestorm says that Bluestar wants us to go the Gathering tonight."
Dustpaw's eyes widen, guilt and grief temporally forgotten. "Are you serious?"
Sandpaw nods. "As Greencough." Her tail twitches in excitement. "Tonight's bound to be an important one."
Dustpaw took a bite of his mouse as he mulled over her words. "Any other apprentices coming?"
"Nope. Just you and me."
"That's nice."
"Well, apart from Ravenpaw, we are the oldest apprentices in the clan." Sandpaw gave a small sniff. "Graypaw wouldn't make it to Fourtrees without complaining and Firepaw would just embarrass Thunderclan."
Dustpaw snorted. "He'd probably say the wrong thing to some cat and get himself shredded."
A warmth seemed to spread through him at Sandpaw's laugh.
"Totally. The other clans wouldn't think we took our warrior training seriou-" the amused gleam in Sandpaw's eyes vanished as her expression quickly turned into a scowl.
"Ugh. Couldn't those two pick someplace else to eat?"
Turning to see what had garnered his denmate's ire, Dustpaw caught sight of Graypaw heading their way with that kittypet trailing in his pawsteps, both carrying pieces of fresh-kill in their mouths.
Narrowing his eyes at the pair, Dustpaw focused his attention on the orange tom. "Hi there, Kittypet. Enjoying the prey we caught for you?"
"Who knows, you might even catch your own someday." Sandpaw added.
For a heartbeat, Dustpaw thought the kittypet would say something, but Firepaw just blinked at them. Beside him, Graypaw's fur bristled slightly. "Are you two still on hunting duty? Firepaw and I have been patrolling our territory. Don't worry, all is safe."
"I'm sure the other Clans were terrified when they smelled you two coming." Dustpaw spat back.
Graypaw's eyes flashed. "They didn't show their faces they were so scared."
Dustpaw's gaze drifted over to the other tom. Firepaw hadn't really reacted to their taunts or anything. He just stood there. Staring.
Were all kittypets weird like that?
"We'll just ask them at the Gathering tonight."
"Are you going?"
If it wasn't for the fact that the kittypet actually said something, Dustpaw might have rolled his eyes. Was he stupid? Sandpaw just said they were.
"Of course we are. It's a huge honor to go you know. Bluestar only takes the best apprentices and warriors to the Gathering. If you're good enough, maybe Sandpaw and I will tell you all about it tomorrow."
Finally there was a spark of annoyance in Firepaw's face. He'd never admit it, but Dustpaw had been wondering if the ginger tom really was a real cat capable of emotions.
Surprisingly, Graypaw was the one to drop the conversation and nudge his friend a little way away to eat their food. They didn't go far, maybe a couple mouse-tails away from him and Sandpaw but at least they were quiet.
Dustpaw had just swallowed his last bite when Bluestar called for the cats selected to head to the camp entrance for the Gathering.
Feeling like his heart was in his throat, Dustpaw leaped to his paws and bolted towards the gathering cats, Sandpaw close behind.
...
Dustpaw quickly lost sight of Sandpaw at Fourtrees.
One heartbeat, they were running side by side into the clearing with the rest of their clan, and the next she was gone greeting some other apprentices. While he, not quite sure who to talk to, froze.
"Mind if I sit by you?"
Dustpaw turned, fur starting to puff up before realizing it was just his mother.
Rosetail, while technically an elder, had only become one shortly after he and Ravenpaw had officially became apprentices.
"Don't you want to visit the other elders instead of me?"
His mother's eyes widened in mock horror. "And miss the same stories about how fresh kill was better in their day!?" Rosetail gave an amused purr. "I think I can miss one gathering with them to catch up with my kit."
Dustpaw could feel his fur fluff up. "You can catch up with me anytime. The camp's small enough." He groused.
Rosetail gave a small hum. "Is it? It sometimes feels like I don't see you unless you're bringing fresh kill to the elders."
Dustpaw stared at his paws and tried not to jump as his mother ran her tail down his back.
"I know training to be a warrior is hard work and takes a lot of time and effort. But don't forget why you're doing it. Visiting and bonding with kin and clan is important. You miss a lot if you only focus on sharpening your claws."
"I know."
Rosetail gave a small purr. "I know you do. Just try to make a little more time for your brother and me, okay? Ravenpaw's getting a lil worried you haven't visited him yet."
Dustpaw shifted uncomfortably. "I'll visit him after the Gathering."
"Good. He'll appreciate it."
Soon, the clearing was filled with the smell of damp moss and pine sap as the Shadowclan poured in and settled among the waiting cats.
"That's odd." Rosetail murmured beside him.
Dustpaw glanced up at his mother. "What is?"
Rosetail gestured towards the rock where the leaders gathered where a large white tom with black paws was speaking to an equally huge dark brown tabby.
"Shadowclan seems to have a new leader and deputy."
Dustpaw blinked and watched the two cats with more interest. "Is that bad?"
"Not...really. Clans get new deputies all the time and a new leader occasionally." Rosetail hesitated. "But, Raggedstar, Shadowclan's previous leader just got his nine lives and name just a few moons ago. He can't have gone through all of them that quickly.''
"Maybe Shadowclan had a rough couple of moons?"
Rosetail's expression darkened slightly. "Maybe."
Feeling a twinge of unease, Dustpaw focused his attention on the great rock where by now, all four leaders sat on top of. Gradually, the chatter of the assembled cats quieted down to better hear what news their leaders would share.
A lanky back and white tom stepped forward first. "Windclan is thriving and strong as ever as prey runs plentiful on the moor. I would also like to introduce our newest apprentice Whitepaw."
Tallstar gave a small nod to a small white cat who stood proudly next to her clanmates before stepping back for the next leader.
Crookedstar gazed down at the gathered cats. "It is with a heavy heart I announce that my brother and former deputy Oakheart has died since our last gathering. Leopardfur will take his place."
At the foot of the rock, a golden spotted cat raised her head proudly, a sharp gleam in her eyes daring any cat to challenge her new title.
Dustpaw leaned closer to his mother as the clans chanted Leopardfur's name. "Why didn't Crookedstar say how Oakheart really died?"
Rosetail's tail twitched. "Probably to avoid blaming cats and starting a fight. The Gathering is a time for peace after all." Rosetail motioned towards Lionheart. "Besides, we lost our deputy as well. Perhaps Crookedstar feels Thunderclan has suffered enough."
"-Redtail was a fine warrior and will be missed by his clans for moons to come. Lionheart will succeed him."
With a start, Dustpaw realized he'd missed the end of Crookedstar's report and the start of Bluestar's. Irrated with himself, Dustpaw leaned forward to better pay attention.
"With Greenleaf, new life is brought to the forest. Prey is running well and Thunderclan grows stronger with the making of new apprentices."
Bluestar had barely finished speaking before Shadowclan's new leader nearly knocked her off the rock as he pushed himself forward.
"My father, the previous leader, had all nine of his lives ripped from him by vicious rouges." A look of grief passed the tabby's face before morphing into cold resolve. "Under my leadership, Shadowclan has been challenged on each border, while still winning every battle!" An almost crazed look entered his eyes as he swept a dark look across the gathered cats. "Let all Clans know that we will tolerate no trespassing, prey-stealing, or dishonor on our territory!" The new leader took a small step back as he raked his gaze over the clearing again. "Shadowclan also has a new apprentice," he added almost as an afterthought ''Badgerpaw."
Closer to Shadowclan, a small black and white tom rose to his paws.
Hesitantly, Dustpaw called out the new apprentice's name. Badgerpaw looked small for his age, especially surrounded by his clanmates but that was normal right? All new apprentices looked small next to full fledged warriors.
Dustpaw shook his head, annoyed with himself. It didn't matter if the other clans' apprentices were big or small, being able to beat them in battle did.
Feeling much more confident than he did when he first arrived, Dustpaw found himself itching to talk to cats from the other clans.
Shadowclan's new leader while first to jump off the rock, was also the first to gather his clan around him.
"Shadowclan's leaving already? They just got here!"
Rosetail glanced over towards the gathering cats. "Perhaps Brokenstar is worried the rouges that killed his father will attack his clan while he's away."
Dustpaw's tail twitched. "But I didn't talk to anyone!"
Rosetail gave an amused purr as she licked the top of his head. "There'll be other gatherings, my dear."
Dustpaw grunted. There may be other gatherings, but who'd want to talk to a cat who didn't even look at anybody for their first time attending?
Rosetail gave him a gentle nudge. "Come on, I think Thunderclan's getting ready to leave as well."
Dustpaw swept his gaze across the clearing and saw that Bluestar stood calmly amongst a slowly growing group of Thunderclan cats as Lionheart weaved through the remaining cats looking for scragglers.
In fact, Dustpaw realized with a start, the other two clans were getting ready to leave as well. The Gathering really was over.
A light flick at his ear drew him out of his thoughts. "Come on. Before Lionheart comes and drags us by the tails to the rest of the clan."
...
By the time they got back to camp, Dustpaw was exhausted.
His paws ached from the hurried pace Bluestar had set for the route home. On top of that, his thoughts were still whirling from the Gathering.
A new leader, three new deputies, and the earth rocking knowage that a leader could lose all of their lives at once.
He shuddered as he felt a small pang of sympathy for Shadowclan. He couldn't imagine a Thunderclan without Bluestar to lead it. Dustpaw hoped Brokenstar and the rest of Shadowclan were able to chase those rouges out of clan territory.
After all, if they could kill a leader with nine lives, what hope could an ordinary warrior or apprentice have against them?
As Dustpaw sank into his nest, thoughts chasing themselves in circles, he just barely remembered his promise to Rosetail.
Tomorrow, he decided, too comfortable in his nest to move. I'll talk to Ravenpaw tomorrow.