โโCan we go battle training!?โโ Ternpaw exclaimed excitedly, bounding up to his perpentually exhausted leader.
Fritillarystar had disappeared off to the lightning oak last night and was drained; despite that, the tortoiseshell cat had promised him that sheโd train him. โโIf you wantโฆโโ She groaned, too tired to argue with her energetic apprentice.
Fritillarystar didnโt care for Ternpaw but sheโd long since learned that it was pointless to argue with someone who had a brain the size of a poppy seed. Ternpaw grinned and without waiting for her orders, charged outside and bounded cheerfully through the windswept grass. He didnโt care for
Fritillarystar either but he was still pleased to know that she was still training him. The sooner he became a warrior, the better!
Smallpaw smiled at her mentor as she padded up to him. โโMorning.โโ Stonenose murmured, dipping his head politely at the young apprentice. Smallpaw was a very well-behaved apprentice but he couldnโt shake off the feeling that along the way, heโd end up accidently hurting her feelings; Smallpaw was a very sensitive and insecure creature and he really didnโt want to get on Nightclawโs bad side by hurting her. โโMorning, Sir.โโ Smallpaw replied civilly, watching her quiet mentor organizing a bundle of leaves. The young tortoiseshell admired Stonenose and wished one day that sheโd be just like him; all-knowing and wise. If only he talked a little more than Smallpaw wouldnโt feel so worried about disrespecting Stonenose.
โโHollyโฆis that you?โโ Dawnpool gasped, staring at the russet-furred cat that stood before her. Holly had only been through her neighbourhood once but Dawnpool knew that sheโd never forget the friend that sheโd found in Holly, even if it had only been for a short while. โโYou know her?โโ Snailstep murmured, glancing from the deputy to the stranger. The bulky cat squinted thoughtfully at the strangerโs pelt; it was a deep russet flecked with the occasional white hairs, a very curious combination and that Snailstep swore was impossible. His comrades; Bramblefur and Braircloud appeared to be thinking the same thing. Who was this bizarre cat that their deputy recognized?
The russet loner blinked slowly as though she didnโt quite trust her eyes. โโOh, she doesnโt just know me; she adores me.โโ Holly replied, a pleased smile blossoming across her face as she slowly realized that this beautiful cat was the very same cat that sheโd fallen in love with all those moons ago. Holly had travelled far and wide, had seen the great blue and many odd cats; but sheโd never seen one as beautiful as Dawn. โโIโve missed you so much.โโ
โโAnd I, you.โโ Dawnpool replied, nuzzling Holly lovingly. She knew better than to ask Holly where sheโd been; knowing her beloved, Holly wouldโve probably been all over the place. โโWhat brings you here?โโ Bramblefur murmured, staring cautiously at Holly. Dawnpool shot a glare at him, somewhat annoyed by the warrior for interrupting her moment but she had to admit that the question was very wise. Why
had Holly come here? As much at Dawnpool knew of Hollyโs love for her, she knew that Holly had not come here for the sole intention of looking for her. Holly fell silent, no longer doting over Dawnpool or charming her with sweet nothings. โโI just want a home, I guess, I heard about Moorclan from this old grey tom cat.โโ Holly murmured, stumbling over her words. Braircloud flicked an ear thoughtfully and scoffed lightly. โโLet me guess; you had big plans for something and it all fell apart.โโ The former leader knew he was right even without Holly saying anything; he too had big plans and in one fell sweep, itโd all come apart. He sympathized with Holly and hoped that she knew it.
Dawnpool had fallen silent, nuzzling Holly comfortingly. She hoped that Braircloudโs words werenโt correct but judging by her solemn silence, this wasnโt the case. โโLetโs just go back.โโ Bramblefur murmured, still watching the two
lesbians mollies cautiously. โโThatโs a good idea.โโ Braircloud agreed, watching Dawnpool escort Holly back to camp. Turning to the tabby, Braircloud couldnโt help but chuckle slightly. โโYouโre so overprotective, yโknow?โโ Braircloud remarked, ushering Bramblefur on. โโIโm just loyal, Brair.โโ Bramblefur replied, shaking his head softly. As they trudged back home, not one of them noticed that Snailstep had stolen away silently.
โโThatโs unfair! Thatโs injustice! Thatโs unjust!โโ Robinstorm exclaimed loudly, bounding after her more athletic friends. For a moment, Nettlefang regretted telling the loud torbie about his experiences with
Fritillarystar and considered just telling her to forget it. However there was something pleasant about having a friend that agreed with your every word; especially in a clan ruled by a cynic. โโThatโs not very nice; how could she?โโ Ravenflower murmured, shaking her head solemnly. โโIโm not sureโโ Nettlefang replied, expertly striding through the long grass. โโBut Iโm determined to prove her wrong.โโ The silver tabby declared, with a firm nod of his head. โโYeah! Iโll help you too!โโ Robinstorm grinned, trotting rapidly to keep up with Nettlefangโs long and swift strides. โโIf anything motivates me; itโs spite.โโ She sighed, ignoring Ravenflowerโs disagreeing look. โโIโll help too; but only because youโre my friend.โโ The former medicine cat murmured, smiling kindly at Nettlefang. โโThank you.โโ He replied, grateful to have the two by his side.
Meanwhile Ternpaw was running for his life, sprinting and leaping like one of the many hares that heโd often seen on the moors. The silent-footed warrior was close behind, breathing heavily and eyes blazing; his punishment for ignoring
Fritillarystarโs orders that he stay close to her. The grey and white tom had spotted his sister and her mentor when all of a sudden this maniac launched himself at him, heโd never been more afraid in his life ever. His lungs hurt and he knew he couldnโt keep running for ever; Ternpaw would rather die fighting than live life perpetually on the run. Skidding to a halt, Ternpaw charged bravely at the attacker. Needle sharp claws dug into the assailantโs left eye, rendering it useless; a small victory for the young apprentice.
Snailstep hissed loudly, swatting the white and grey tom aside. โโYou ruined my shot! My only shot!โโ He yowled, storming towards the cocky apprentice. Ternpaw was stumbling to his feet, snarling at the looming warrior; he had the steely look in his eye that said โI wonโt give upโ but that wasnโt enough. Bravery doesnโt always win fights and this was the case for dear Ternpaw as a pair of jaws clamped down on his neck.
By the time Ternpaw had been found, Snailstep had long gone and the blood crusted on his snow-white fur. โโT-ternpaw?โโ
Fritillarystar gasped, staring at the shredded body of her apprentice in mortification. There were no words to describe the eerie sight, the glassy eyes that stared blankly at some invisible foe and the claws stained with drying blood. The leader was so wrapped up in her shock that she didnโt notice Smallpaw staring at the corpse of her brother and Stonenose resting his tail across the young apprenticeโs shoulders as a means of comfort; none of them said anything.
Ternpawโs burial was a grand affair;
Fritillarystar had insisted that death be treated with utmost respect and that everyone fall silent in memory of the brave but cheeky apprentice. โโMay the sign of the tern appear in the stars in the name ofโฆTernheart.โโ She sighed, staring miserably at the daisy strewn body of Ternpaw as it lay under the branches of the lightning oak. Nightclaw sniffled uncontrollably, hunched over with despair; Smallpaw was just the same, nuzzling into her motherโs fur for comfort. The small family had shrunk even more and
Fritillarystar was tempted to nuzzle her face into Nightclawโs shoulder in a desperate bid to bring the mother some means of comfort. But it was clear that Nightclaw just wanted Smallpaw and some peace. Oakfeather and Dustthroat were whispering prayers under their breath, no doubt wishing Ternheart a safe journey to Starclan; despite being the two newest members, they seemed to know an awful lot about the clans.
Oakfeather stared nervously at Ternheartโs tiny body, clearly worried for her unborn kittens. Despite the sweet nothings that her mate, Dustthroat, was whispering into her ears, Oakfeather couldnโt shake off the feeling that until the murderer was identified, the clan was not safe. Dustthroat was thinking the same but he knew of any clever hiding places and heโd be determined to keep his mate safe. โDonโt worry Oak, the killer will not get away with this.โโ He murmured, shooting a sympathetic look in Nightclawโs direction. โโTheyโll get what they deserve! The villains always do.โโ
Nettlefang and his friends stared in horror at the body, they each knew the same thing. There was something horribly wrong lurking among their ranks, sleeping under the same roof and eating the same prey as them. โโW-we need to catch them.โโ Robinstorm murmured, looking determined and refusing to buckle under grief. In the short few days that sheโd conversed with the spunky tom, sheโd liked him and his upbeat nature; it was a shame that sheโd never get to cheer out his name when heโd have become warrior. โโYeah, but we have nothing to go byโโ Ravenflower whispered back, shaking her head. โโWe canโt just walk around idly accusing others without evidence.โโ The black and white molly reasoned, begging her friend to slow down. Nettlefang listened to the two without saying anything, he knew that
Fritillarystar would accuse him of murder and it would only be wise for him to leave. It was for his safety and he figured that his friends would easily befriend the others; Ravenflower was highly respected as she came from Tumbleclan and Robinstorm, for all her hyperactivity, had an aura of friendliness that drew cats in. Theyโd end up tainted by him if he lingered around here any longer; and so, he got up and wordlessly galloped away over the rolling hills.
The camp was deathly silent, shaken from the loss of Ternheart. Word had quickly gotten around of his mysterious death and Nettlefangโs disappearance; only Robinstorm and Ravenflower knew that the silver tabby was innocent.
Fritillarystar had hurried Hollytailโs joining ceremony, desperate for a quick word with her deputy and the ever present Starclan. โโ
Fritillarystar; Snailstep is also missing.โโ Bramblefur remarked, padding up to the exhausted leader. โโShouldnโt we look into that?โโ Braircloud interjected, never leaving his
boyfriendโs friendโs side. โโIf you want to; but that mousebrain has no reason to attack anyone, Nettlefang on the other pawโฆโโ
Fritillarystar murmured, glancing at the grieving Nightclaw. โโItโs important we catch him for Nightclawโs sake, otherwise Ternheart will haunt her forever.โโ The two tabbies exchanged uncertain looks but they didnโt disobey their leader. โโWhatever you thinkโs best,
Fritillarystar.โโ Braircloud sighed, shaking his head softly.
Hollytail, Dustthroat and Oakfeather joined!
Ternpaw has been renamed Ternheart and buried under the lightning oak!
Smallpaw went training with Stonenose!
Hollytail and Dawnpool went on a date a patrol in search of Nettlefang!
Bramblefur, Braircloud and Dustthroat went on a patrol in search of Snailstep!
And injure someone else)
