Hawkstar's Past
Oct 10, 2015 12:13:33 GMT -5
Post by ✦☾Brave☽✦ on Oct 10, 2015 12:13:33 GMT -5
Allegiances
Lightningclan
Leader: Lightningstar-large light gray tom with bright yellow eyes.
Deputy: Firepelt-stocky ginger tom with light green eyes.
Medicine Cat: Pikeheart-large reddish brown tom with pale blue eyes.
Queens:
Amberlight-beautiful slender cream colored she-cat with light gray stripes across her lower back, hindlegs, and tail; sky blue eyes.
Kits:
Hawkkit-solid brown tom kit with dark blue eyes.
Icekit-slender long furred white she-kit with creme colored stripes across her back and tail, sky blue eyes.
Bluekit-slender dark blue-gray she-cat with brilliant golden yellow eyes and a splash of white on her tail.
Warriors:
Mousefur-slender reddish-brown she-cat with petite paws and pale blue eyes.
Stormfur-dark gray tom with white muzzle and yellow-green eyes.
Lightfur-muscular silver tom with hooded amber eyes.
Wolffang-jet black tom with startling deep set pale blue eyes.
Flowerheart-lithe white she-cat with round copper colored eyes.
Lionjump-large orange tabby tom with light green eyes.
Cherrytail-light brown she-cat with a bobbed tail and golden yellow eyes.
Crowtooth-stocky long-furred black tom with large paws and an usually long tail; dull yellow eyes.
Thunderheart-young dark brown tabby with broad shoulders and dark green eyes.
Pineshade-muscular orange tom with darker bands on orange on his tail and deep set green eyes.
Apprentices:
Silverpaw-small long-furred silver she-cat with a splash of white on her tail and pretty golden colored eyes.
Mosspaw-well built white tom with penetrating amber colored eyes.
Windpaw-muscular light gray tom with black paws and amber colored eyes.
Applepaw-reddish-brown tom with stunning green eyes and white paws.
Elders:
Smallbird-small light brown she-cat with white underbelly and green eyes.
Snakepelt-skinny jet black tom with dark blue eyes.
Rainclan
Leader: Rainstar-lithe beautiful dark blue-gray long-furred she cat with copper colored eyes.
Deputy: Adderpounce-muscular black tom with green eyes.
Medicine cat: Furzepool-light gray spiky furred tom with long legs and icy blue eyes.
Queens:
Rustbelly-rusty brown colored she-cat with sky blue eyes and a torn ear.
Kits:
Beaverkit-rusty colored tom with light green eyes and large paws.
Darkkit-dark gray long furred tom kit with blue eyes.
Warriors:
Frostberry-lithe white she-cat with dark green eyes and a short tail.
Owleye-muscular brown tabby with black stripes and deep set amber colored eyes.
Goosetail-slender blue-gray she-cat with white underbelly and paws; pale blue eyes.
Cedartalon-large light gray tom with darker colored flecks and unusually long claws; golden colored eyes.
Blackblossom-jet black she-cat with an usually long tail and pretty green eyes.
Breezefoot-dark gray long-furred tom with light yellow eyes.
Apprentices:
Mistpaw-white tom with light gray stripes on lower back, hindlegs, and tail; sky blue eyes.
Splashpaw-white she-cat with light gray tabby markings along her back; sky blue eyes.
Snowpaw-white she-cat with dark green eyes.
Elders:
Fernpelt-small light gray she-cat with copper colored eyes.
Earthclan
Leader: Earthstar-large brown tom with hooded dark blue eyes.
Deputy: Oakfur-light brown tabby tom with green eyes.
Medicine cat: Swanleaf-petite white she-cat with light gray flecks and pale blue eyes.
Queens:
Maplespots-russet colored stocky she-cat with darker colored flecks and amber colored eyes.
Kits:
Poppykit-light brown tom kit with copper colored eyes.
Graykit-dark gray tom with long fur and dark blue eyes.
Warriors:
Softwhisper-lithe beautiful light brown she-cat with white paws, muzzle, and underbelly; the tip of her tail is black and she has unusually soft kitten like fur and alluring icy blue eyes.
Ravenwing-large black tom with one white paw and dark blue eyes.
Pricklepelt-spiky furred dark gray large tom with golden yellow eyes.
Beetlenose-muscular dark brown tom with green eyes.
Fawnstep-reddish brown slender she-cat with white underbelly and almond shaped copper colored eyes.
Brambleshadow-stocky light brown tabby tom with dark green eyes and a bobbed tail.
Dustclaw-light brown tom with unusually long claws and pale blue eyes.
Specklefur-light gray she-cat with darker flecks of gray and orange eyes.
Sparrowpelt-small dark brown tom with white paws and yellow eyes.
Beartooth-brawny dark brown tom with yellow eyes.
Apprentices:
Tigerpaw-large brown tabby with black stripes and dark blue eyes.
Squirrelpaw-slender brown tabby she-kit with dark brown stripes and amber eyes.
Rosepaw-reddish brown small she-cat with dark blue eyes.
Elders:
Chestnutfoot-dark brown tabby tom with long curled claws and dull green eyes.
Iceclan
Leader: Icestar-white she-cat with light gray stripes along her legs and tail; pale blue eyes.
Deputy: Harebreeze-slender light gray she-cat with white paws and underbelly; golden colored eyes.
Medicine cat: Ashpond-ashen gray colored tom with long fur and yellow eyes.
Queens:
Leaffall-small light orange she-cat with green eyes.
Kits:
Redkit-reddish-orange tom kit with long legs and green eyes.
Warriors:
Pinefoot-reddish-brown lithe tabby tom with long legs and striking green eyes.
Sheepfur-beautiful slender white she-cat with long soft fur and light green eyes.
Littlerunner-small cream furred she-cat with darker bands of color along her back; pale blue eyes.
Swallowtail-muscular dark gray tom with an usually long tail and pale blue eyes.
Nightstrike-beautiful lithe black she-cat with dark green eyes.
Apprentices:
Slatepaw-lanky light gray tom with a white underbelly and yellow eyes.
Sagepaw-small gray tabby tom with white underbelly and green-yellow eyes.
Elders:
Tornear-gaunt light brown tom with a tuft of ear remaining on both of his ears; dull blue eyes.
Prologue
The moon hung high in the sky, casting a glow across the land as thick clumps of snow fell, blanketing the ground below. A slender dark blue-gray she-cat trudged through the desolate land, her kits following closely behind in her pawsteps to avoid sinking into the snow, their fur covered with frost as they pressed on. Snow was clumped in her long fur, her tail sweeping the ground. The largest kit, a light brown tom pushed himself forward, right behind his mother. He had a determined look on his face, his teeth clenched as his body shook from the harsh temperatures around him. The wind picked up suddenly, sending a strong chilling gust against the cats.
The smallest kit, who hung a few tail-lengths behind his siblings wailed,”Mama, it’s cold,” he struggled to press forward, digging his claws into the snow, teeth chattering. Ahead of him, stood his other brother, his light gray pelt almost blending in with the snow. He kept his eyes fixated on his brother’s tail, the snow pelting his face, ears flattened against his head. The small tom felt his body weakening, limbs numb and slowed. He felt as if there were heavy stones weighing down on his paws, threatening to stop him in his tracks completely.
He could see the silhouette of his mother and siblings, further and further away they were from him as the snow fell in bigger clumps, his sight highly limited as he couldn’t see more than a tail-length in front of him as the wind blew against him. His fur was fluffed up, face contorted in a grimace,”Mama!” he called, staggering a bit as he suddenly veered off the trail of his mother, falling face first onto the ice-kissed ground. The kit struggled to get to his paws, but his body wouldn’t budge, needle like pain shooting through his paws. The bitter cold wrapped around him, his body violently shaking as it threatened his life. “M-mama!” he choked out, his cry no more than a whisper.
His body refused to move, an odd warmth reverberating through his limbs as he lay there, the snow blanketing him. Serenity lapped at the edges of his mind, a black wave seeming to near him. So calm. So peaceful. The howling wind did nothing but soothe him. He felt as if he were lying curled up beside his siblings and mother, so warm..so at peace.. He felt as if his limbs were being erased one by one, a floating feeling overcoming him. The kit gave into the calm black mist swirling around him just as a low voice hissed into his ear,”Not yet!”
Chapter 1
“I’m so cold!” complained a heavyset white tom with narrowed amber eyes as he threw an irritated look towards a large black furred tom whom towered above him. Around him stood large gnarled lifeless trees that curled around the top, so thickly woven that that in most spots sun refused to shine through. Despite it being nearly sunhigh, it was still dark in the cat’s territory, light only appearing from small gaps in the trees above.
“Stop complaining Mosspaw, you’re not a kittypet, so stop acting like one,” scolded the large tom, eyes narrowed, nose twitching in annoyance. His voice was gruff and his lips were curled in a snarl.
Mosspaw shivered against the cold, casting a glare towards his mentor,”We’re not Iceclan, we shouldn’t be out training in this, Crowtooth,” he retorted in reply, pulling himself up onto the roots of a tree to the left of him, it’s roots gaping outwards. The white tom shook out his fur, sending the powdery snow in all directions, his fur was fluffed up against the cold as he pressed himself against the tree. Iceclan were known for thriving during the winter; they loved snow and relinquished every moment of it. Any other cat thought the Clan to be insane. The only upside of the Lightningclan territory was the trees would catch the snow, and create sort of an insulation surrounding the territory, though it didn’t really matter too much in frigid temperatures like these in the dead of winter. A short layer of snow had managed to blanket the moss that covered the forest floor. The cold air felt like needles as he inhaled, his throat as dry as cotton.
The large black furred warrior raised an eyebrow,”Are you saying we should just sit at camp throughout Leaf-bare and abandon all training?” he had a quizzical expression,”Great idea, ten out of ten, I vote Mosspaw leader,” the sarcasm was strong in his mew.
Mosspaw was about to retort something in advance just as a loud screech filled the air as a hawk swept passed the cats, talons skimming the ground briefly, attempting to grab what looked like a brown scrap of fur, before pushing itself up and out through a gap in the trees, a clump of snow thumping to the ground. “Huh?” the apprentice was confused. Hawks migrate, so what was one doing here in the middle of Leaf-bare? He cast a sideways glance at his mentor, whom hadn’t said a word, merely shouldered past him, eyes fixated on something in the snow that appeared to be a small clump of brown. Prey, he presumed.
Suddenly, Crowtooth froze, gasping,”Oh, no..oh no!” dread weighted down in Mosspaw’s stomach as he bounded in one leap over by Crowtooth, gazing down at the unmoving body of small brown kit. It’s fur was white with frost. The apprentice felt sick to his stomach. Who would leave a kit to freeze to death? He had a grim look sprawled across his face. Crowtooth was crouched over it, ears perking up,”It..it’s breathing,” he meowed in utter surprise, wide-eyed. Mosspaw doubted it, but sure enough, as he craned his neck forward, the kit’s chest rose and fell ever so slightly. Crowtooth nudged Mosspaw aggressively with his muzzle,”Camp, now! Warn Pikeheart!” he barked out the order, lashing his tail before grabbing the small kit by the scruff, and swinging him upwards. The kit appeared to be around a moon old at the most, it’s body hung limply from his jaws.
Mosspaw stood in shock, the white tom still couldn’t believe what happened, his mouth gaped open. When Mosspaw didn’t move, the black furred tom shot him a glare before breaking into a run, heading towards camp. After a moment’s hesitation, Mosspaw too followed, paws kicking up snow as he nearly slipped racing after his mentor, his large black paws seeming to skim over the snow. Spiraled lifeless trees blurred past as Mosspaw struggled to follow behind his mentor, narrowly avoiding slamming into trees or tripping over roots that threatened to bring him right down on his face. His mentor maneuvered expertly through the marshy forest with ease. Mosspaw struggled to keep up, a stump jutted out of the ground, the white tom thrust his hindlegs outwards, flinging up snow as he cleared the trunk, skidding on the ice below as he struggled to find a grip.
Mosspaw gritted his teeth, digging his claws into the ice, the sudden halt causing him to flip over himself, landing on side in the snow. “Ugh..” was his only response. The heavyset tom rolled over onto his paws, and pushed himself up, shoulder aching from the fall. A low growl sounded from his throat as he broke into a trot, pain shooting through his shoulder as he put weight on it. He limped along, following in his mentor’s pawsteps, up ahead he could see brambles thickly woven between two large towering lifeless oaks that marked the entrance to camp. Crowtooth must already be there. The young cat propelled himself forward, wincing in pain, each time his paws touched the ground, pain exploded in his shoulder. Almost there. The white tom launched himself forward, crouching down and pulling himself through the entrance, brambles tearing at his fur as he entered the camp. Moss lined the ground, large dead trees towered above, curled at the top, brambled threaded in between the open spots to protect the camp. Brambles were stacked together to form dens, a large tree that had uprooted, it’s roots spilling outwards was where the leader’s den sat, lichen hanging down in threads.
Amberlight peeked out from the nursery, her belly swollen with kits, behind her came Applekit, tumbling through as he raced towards Mosspaw,”Did you see the kit Crowtooth brought in? Is he alive?” the small kit questioned one after one.
Mosspaw could only nod in response to his questions as he tried to veer away towards the medicine cat den, but the kit was relentless. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Mousefur squeezing out of the nursery besides Amberlight,”Applekit! Get over here!” she demanded, a stern look in her pale blue eyes that were clouded with exhaustion. The camp was practically empty, except for a few cats who milled around, talking amongst themselves as they watched the returning cats with interest. Cherrytail and Flowerheart were sharing tongues near the fresh-kill pile, their eyes flickering over to where Mosspaw stood every few moments as they conversed.
“Glad you found the little kit, not much longer and he would've succumbed to these bitter temperatures,” arose the deep voice of Pikeheart from the medicine cat den. Mosspaw had never quite understood why Pikeheart had pursued the life of a medicine cat; the tom was built like a warrior, muscles outlined his thick fur, his paws large and capable of sending cat’s reeling in the other direction. He had always thought of medicine cats as being light framed with small nimble paws that served well for sorting herbs and applying them.
“Is he going to be alright?” sounded a soft and pleasant voice from a young she-cat. Silverpaw. Silverpaw was a pretty long furred silver she-cat with a splash of white on her tail and stunning gentle golden eyes that any cat could get lost in. She had small paws, and a delicate slender frame. She was the perfect candidate for a medicine cat. Though, sometimes Mosspaw thought to himself that she was far too pretty to be a medicine cat.
The white tom heard hushed whispers from his mentor and the medicine cats as he pushed himself inside. The medicine cat den was the largest den, thick plush moss sat ontop of an old stump, around flat stones were held by the tendrils that served as makeshift shelves for the herbs.
He spotted the kit lying on a plush bed of moss that Pikeheart and Lightningstar hovered over, whispering something urgently to the medicine cat, suddenly Crowtooth blocked his view,”Get out of here!” he hissed, pushing his muzzle right in his face.
Mosspaw backed up, nearly tripping over his own paws as he was forced out of the den, wincing in pain as he stepped on his tail. The apprentice sighed softly, sauntering over to the fresh kill pile, shoulder still aching as he picked up a measly mouse, flopping down onto the ground. If he survives, how are we going to feed another hungry mouth?
Chapter 2
“Hawkkit! Watch out!” came a high pitched voice as the brown kit slammed into a stocky white tom who was carrying a heavy bundle of moss, knocking the apprentice off of his paws, moss flying across the clearing. Hawkkit had toppled over the tom, landing face first in the soft moss, a small “oomph” sounding from him.
The warning belonged to Applekit, a well built reddish-brown tom who almost was too big for the nursery, his green eyes wide, mouth gaped open slightly at the scene. Mosspaw had been the cat Hawkkit had hurtled into. A low growl sounded from the stocky white tom’s throat as he pushed himself to his paws, throwing a glare at the brown tom as he gathered up the moss with his paws, swiping Hawkkit away. The brown kit sauntered over to where his littermate stood, ears flattened against his head,”too late,” he had muttered.
Applekit was nearly six moons old, Hawkkit a moon behind. The reddish-brown tom had become much more serious in the last moon, his chin was held slightly raised, eyes flickering across camp, tail wrapped neatly around his tail. He’d often scold Hawkkit for his immaturity, and always told him to grow up or act his age. Which, quite frankly, the brown tom didn’t quite understand, he wasn’t a warrior and neither was Applekit, so why act like one? They weren’t even apprentices yet for Starclan’s sake! Applekit used to be so much fun, playing pranks on the warriors or elders, sneaking out of camp, the two were double trouble. Amberlight’s kits, however, were okay to play with, though the queen was highly overprotective and sheltered them, never letting them away from her vision. From the corner of his eye, he spotted his foster mother moving towards the nursery, her red-brown fur sleek and well-groomed; she carried the limp body of a large squirrel from her mouth which she had raised her chin up to avoid dragging on the ground.
The she-cat had begun to return to her normal warrior duties, priding herself in her excellent hunting skills. Hawkkit had never seen a cat of such stature return with so much prey. He assumed she would have to go back and collect more. It was new-leaf, prey was becoming plentiful. The once half starved cats from the nasty leaf-bare just a few moons ago were now lean and well-fed; the fresh-kill pile well-stocked. The kit couldn’t remember much from life before Lightningclan, apparently he had been found nearly dead near the border, then nursed back to health, stuck in the medicine cat den for a while until he was fit enough to return to nursery. He had been hardly the size of the mouse, and now he was nearly the size of Applekit, who, was larger than the average apprenticed cat.
Firepelt, the deputy, stood near the center of camp, in conversation with Lightningstar and Pineshade, his orange pelt glowing like fire as the sun beat down. Pineshade’s dark ginger fur was pricked along his spine, whispering something urgently to the leader. Lightningstar merely nodded slowly, eyes narrowed as he seemed to be contemplating what the senior warrior said. There was something about Pineshade that just didn’t feel right to Hawkkit, a vibe that caused shivers to run down the kit’s spine whenever he spotted the bulky tom. The dark ginger’s green eyes glowered as he turned around, stalking towards the camp entrance.
He noticed a sigh from Firepelt, who sat back on his haunches, revealing an expanse of thick orange fur. Hawkkit’s gaze was averted as out of the corner of his eye he noticed Thunderheart entering the camp, the broad shouldered dark tabby tom had very recently become a warrior. Hawkkit liked him, he’d always teach him battle moves or play with him. He slid past the angry Pineshade, pelt prickling along his spine as the orange tom appeared to mutter something, green eyes widened in disbelief for a short moment.
Applekit swished his tail against the mossy ground before pushing himself to his paws, striding past the brown kit, his eyes gleaming as they were fixed on tasty looking vole that lay under a pair of mice. Hawkkit’s stomach growled loudly, the kit pushed the pang of hunger away, having eaten a bit ago, but still his belly protested.
Suddenly, Wolffang tore through the entrance, his apprentice, Windpaw right behind him, their fur bristling, fear pouring from them, their eyes wide, panting heavily, sides heaving. The deputy and light brown leader, Lightningstar, turned their gaze towards the returning two,”What happened?” Lightningstar questioned, trotting towards them, Firepelt following, his ears perked up.
“I-I’ve scented Earthclan in our territory!” the jet black warrior sputtered, fearful eyes darted around as he declared,”And Ebonyclaw is dead!” Hawkkit’s heart fell, Ebonyclaw had been Wolffang’s brother, the two as close as two cats could be. The kit hadn’t known too much about Ebonyclaw, but knew he was highly respected within the Clan and one of the best fighters. Dread weighted down in his stomach, he must of been outnumbered, slain by the Earthclan patrol, went down fighting. The brown tom recalled the warrior having gone out earlier to hunt.
Lightningstar’s eyes were dark with anger and surprise,”I want a couple cats to go and retrieve his body, and extra patrols,” he had turned to the deputy, finishing with,”at sunset, I want a couple warriors and myself to talk with Earthstar,” the leader ordered. There was a haunted look in Wolffang’s and Windpaw’s eyes, body drooped.
Firepelt nodded, his eyes filled with sympathy,”Go see Pikeheart,” he told the two traumatized cats, a doleful look in his eyes as he watched them walk over to the medicine cat den warily.
Hushed voices swept through the camp, the moon was high, Ebonyclaw’s body lay in the clearing, his brother besides him, muzzle in his thick black fur. Grief hung heavily in the clearing. Flowerheart had her body pressed against the deceased tom, her tail wrapped around herself. The white she-cat and Ebonyclaw had been mates. Thunderheart had just rose, padding towards the warrior’s den glumly, his tail dragging behind him. The broad shouldered tom had been the apprentice of Ebonyclaw; it hadn’t been a moon ago the young tom received his warrior name. The scent of rosemary and mint wafted through camp.
Chapter 3
“Now!” hissed the voice of Hawkkit quietly as he glanced in the direction of a pair of glowing eyes staring at him, waving his tail simultaneously. Out of the dark appeared two she-kits, one a long furred white she-cat with light cream stripes along her back and icy blue eyes, the other, a slender dark-blue gray she-kit with almond shaped shining yellow eyes. The brown tom kit’s tail rippled as he edged down a narrow tunnel, the floor blanketed with dirt. The dirtplace was it’s name. It was just after moon high, a majority of the Clan asleep; there was no moon in the sky tonight, only Silverpelt daring to shine it’s light upon the land.
“Where-” the white she-cat, Icekit, was cut off by her sister whisking her tail over her mouth followed by a “Shush!” by her sister, shooting a warning look in her direction. Applekit, now Applepaw, had left the nursery, it was only a few sunrises ago he was apprenticed, his mentor being the young warrior Thunderheart. Now, Hawkkit was the boss of the nursery, and no longer was he ordered around by the reddish-brown tom. The well built brown tom was nearing his sixth moon, and Icekit and Bluekit were only two moons behind. Amberlight, the remaining she-cat in the nursery, had gone out on patrol this day, exhausted, she had passed right out.
The sister’s watched Hawkkit closely, following behind silently, eyes wide with excitement. Not a single noise broke the silence of the night. The three cats continued their “expedition”, exiting the tunnel, Icekit hopping up in joy, struggling to contain a squeal. Around them stood tall lifeless trees, their dead branches curled up at the top, the starlight peeked through gaps at the tops of the trees; a light fog enveloped the dark forest, creating somewhat of an ominous glow in the starlight. The ground was blanketed with a soft, plush, moss that stretched out in all directions giving way to wet soggy soil of marshy terrain deep within the Lightningclan territory, the stench of muddy and decomposing material rising from the wetland, reeds dipping in and out of the bog. In the center of the bog was an area greatly feared by the cats, the ground sucking at anything that dare walk upon it, tenacious growth lay under the muddy water, threatening to drag down any living creature down within it’s grasps; a dead fog hung so thick a cat’s claw could slice through it. It wasn’t unusual for apprentice’s to dare others to spend a night in the bog.
The two sister’s mouths were gaped open in awe as their eyes swept across the area; the two had never ventured out of the camp before, unlike Hawkkit, whom had done it many times before with Applepaw a few moons ago. Hawkkit let the she-kits gaze around for a few moments before flicking his tail signaling for them to continue on.
As the tom pressed on forward through the foggy forest and spiraled trees, their roots spilling outwards, he couldn’t help but think of how if he were to get caught; he’d be the one getting in trouble. Knowing Lightningstar, his apprentice ceremony would be delayed. Though, the brown tom immediately pushed that thought back. Applepaw did the same. He reminded himself, a smile crept across his face at the joy the two she-kits were experiencing as they explored the territory. The earth turned to soggy growth and slimy mud, shallow pools of water were more flowing in, reeds surrounding them. The mud sucked at the cat’s paws, Icekit let out a disgusted meow, backing up.
“It’s okay, we’ll go back now,” Hawkkit turned towards the two kits, the dirty bog water running over their paws. Suddenly, the scent of oak and mud hit the roof of the tom’s mouth mingled with cats. His fur prickled with unease. Earthclan. It had only been a moon ago Ebonyclaw had been found reeking of Earthclan scent; Earthstar denying the accusations, though it having been so obviously his cats.
“Hey!” hissed Icekit as Bluekit sprayed some mud in her direction. Hawkkit swished his tail over her mouth, his eyes wide and serious. The two sister’s looked up in alarm, frozen in place as they dared not even breath. Hawkkit flattened his tail against the ground, ordering them to crouch down. They obeyed without question, flattening themselves down against the ground, the backs of their paws and bellies muddied. He had lowered himself too, belly brushing against the wet ground, completely still as he wrapped his tail protectively around the two, ears perked up, mouth open slightly as he breathed in the scents. His dark blue eyes darted around, searching the dark night for any signs of movement.
The two kits’ eyes were wide and fearful, their fur fluffed up as they stared at tom, willing for him to get them out and back into the forest from whatever threatened them. Moons seemed to pass. He hadn’t caught any more scent from Earthclan, flicking his tail, he edged forward slowly. He was sure if they were near he would of heard something, smelled something again. Though, he didn’t want to take risks, keeping himself low to the ground, the two she-kits to the left of him, mirroring his calculated movement, no longer caring as wetness seeped into their fur.
Hawkkit’s heart was beating wildly as they advanced through the territory, the ground turning back to the soft moss, fog lessening as he maneuvered himself and the kits through the territory, quickening his pace as they were out of the bog and the camp was in sight. The land was still dark, dawn having not arrived when they spotted the dirtplace entrance, a sigh of relief audible from the she-kits. The brown tom halted near the dirtplace entrance, rasping his tongue through his fur, his nose wrinkling in disgust as he groomed himself. Icekit was running her tongue through the mud on her belly, a groan sounding from her; Bluekit looking as though she was about to vomit.
When they seemed clean enough, Hawkkit peeked through the entrance, absent of cats, he waved his tail, trotting through, the dread that had consumed him lifting. The kits followed eagerly behind, their eyelids drooping with exhaustion at the ordeal. Hawkkit too, found himself nearly falling asleep on his paws as they crept back into the nursery, the Clan still asleep, the quiet snoring having broke the utter silence. Bluekit and Icekit still seemed a bit shaken as they flopped down into their nests, Hawkkit besides him. Immediately, the tom was consumed by sleep, his tail curled around the kits and muzzle resting on his paws as he drifted off.
Chapter 4
“Hawkkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed,” rang out the voice of Lightningstar who stood perched upon the highest branch of the Spiral tree, it’s thick limbs branched out, the bark a pasty white color. Below the tree, stood Hawkkit, his blue eyes shining brightly, narrowed in determination,”From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Hawkpaw,” he continued on, gaze flitting over to Pineshade. The large orange tom’s gaze was fixed on the leader as he rose to his paws slowly, his expression indifferent and unreadable. “Pineshade, you have done an excellent job with your past apprentice,” near the back of the cats that had assembled for the ceremony sat Stormfur, amber colored eyes flashing with pride at the mention of his former mentor.
Pineshade nodded curtly as the light gray leader went on,”You will be the mentor of Hawkpaw, and I hope you will pass on all you know and your skills to him,” he finished with a flick of his tail. Hawkpaw felt disappointment flare within him. Pineshade was the last cat he wanted as his mentor. But, the new apprentice pushed it away, getting to his paws to touch noses with his mentor. A chorus of cries broke out from among the Clan shouting,”Hawkpaw! Hawkpaw!”
Out of the corner of his eyes, he spotted Icekit and Bluekit peeking out from the nursery, their eyes gleaming. Hawkpaw had become highly respected and revered by the two kits; they almost idolized him, especially Icekit. Pineshade pulled away, his whiskers twitched. The dark orange tom seemed unimpressed by the new apprentice, eyeing him up. His deep set green eyes seemed to penetrate Hawkpaw.
“You better not disappoint me, kit,” his voice was low and harsh, sounding much like a growl from the back of his throat. He held his tail stiff as the chanting died now, then flicked it sharply, turning towards the bramble entrance,”Come, not a day to waste,” he meowed gruffly. Hawkpaw followed after, eager to start his training. Muscles rippled beneath Pineshade’s pelt, his orange fur sleek and well kept, accenting his muscles well. I wouldn’t want to meet him in battle. The solid brown apprentice thought to himself, ducking as he passed through the bramble entrance.
The sun had begun to set, casting it’s milky glow across the sky, orange, yellow, and pink painting the sky, lazy, fluffy, clouds stretched across the sky, promising a calm and peaceful night. Hawkpaw stood at the edge of his territory, on the border of Iceclan’s territory at the foots of the hills that rose from the land, gently sloping upwards and downwards like a calm waves surfing across the surface of the ocean. “Lastly, this is Iceclan,” spoke the deep and gravelly voice of Pineshade, his voice almost sounded like a growl.
Hawkpaw took in his surrounding, and the scents that wafted through the air. There was a faint scent of the other Clan at the border, suggesting it hadn’t been marked since the night before. At first, the apprentice had thought that possibly he just couldn’t detect it very well. But, Pineshade held an alarmed expression on his face. “Why hasn’t Iceclan marked?” the mahogany brown tom meowed softly after few moments, gazing up at the foothills with curiosity. Not a movement stirred in the cats’ territory.
Pineshade had his paw raised slightly, sniffing the air, tail swishing through the air,”There must be something wrong,” he replied in a growl, eyes scanning the land. Iceclan was the smallest clan, though consisted of clever and agile warriors. However, a Clan like Earthclan may easily overwhelm it, using ruthless and merciless tactics that many cats believed should be against the Warrior Code. “Very wrong,” the large tom’s eyes were fixated on a spot in the grass, as Hawkpaw focused more clearly, he could make out a drops of blood dotting just beyond the border, leading up the slope. As he squinted, he noticed a large pool of blood that was hardly visible from where they stood, it then appeared as if a cat was dragged, the grass pushed down and a trail of dried blood.
Hawkpaw felt his stomach drop, nausea creeping up his throat, his dark blue eyes were wide and fearful. The apprentice was locked up, his tail stiffly out. It wasn’t like the time when him and Icekit and Bluekit stumbled across the scents of Earthclan-no cat was injured then. It wasn’t a large pool of blood with a noticeable trail where a cat was dragged-this is different. His heart pounded in his chest wildly, like a bird fighting to escape under a cat’s grasp. He wanted to run, and not stop until he was positive he was safe. “U-uh?” he croaked out, glancing at Pineshade. The orange tom denied eye contact, his piercing green eyes staring forward, a grimace stretched across his face; his ear merely switching.
His claws slowly slid out, and he turned to Hawkpaw,”Return to camp,” the orange tom’s gaze was hard and stern,”Now,” his tail flicked sharply. Hawkpaw simply nodded in response after a moment before turning around quickly and breaking into a run. The brown apprentice’s paws seemed to skim the ground as he rushed to the camp at full speed, what will happen to Pineshade? Is Iceclan gone? What will Lightningstar do? The questions raced through his mind. Trees and stumps blurred past the apprentice as he ran, muscles screaming in exhaustion as he raced across the territory, begging him to halt and rest, though he urged himself forward. The two oak trees that rose above all were in view, marking the entrance of the camp, brambles weaved between them.
Unexpectedly, Hawkpaw was thrown backwards, gasping loudly as a sharp pain shot up through his hind leg as he was pulled to the ground. The brown tom lifted up his head weakly, exhaustion and pain consuming him, a tendril had eagerly wrapped around his back paw, leg twisted awkwardly. He panted heavily, and shut his eyes tightly as he pulled away his back paw, pain spiraling through him, causing his head to spin when his eyes fluttered open once more.
“H-Help!” he called out, attempting to push himself to his paws, body giving out on him as he collapsed back down onto the ground, wincing. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eyes a movement drew his eyes, Starclan help me! From behind a large rooted up tree, appeared a cat, an ashen gray tom with long fur and startling yellow eyes, dried blood caked between his shoulders. Hawkpaw frantically scrambled to his paws, but his hind leg buckled out from beneath him. Someone help me!
pppeeeaaaccceee.
