As Nightpaw and Badgerfang pad through the forest, Badgerfang stop as he scent some prey. Nightpaw stop besides him, looking curious.
"Here your first hunting lesson. What do you scent?" He mew in a whisper. Nightpaw open his mouth to drag scents over his scent glands. The scent of mouse was a fox length away. His ears prick up as he heard the mouse eating a seed. His tail begin to swish on the ground.
"Good. Now keep your tail still and raise it a bit so it not brushing the ground and creep forward." Badgerfang put a paw on Nightpaw's swishing tail. Nightpaw nodded as he let the tail go. He watch as Nightpaw begin to crept towards the mouse.
Nightpaw can see the mouse now. He keep going until he step on a stick, the noise alerting the mouse. He try to chase after it but missed it when it went under the roots of a nearby tree. Nightpaw let out a frustrated growl before heading back to Badgerfang. He nearly had it, could feel the tail when it dive into the roots.
"Did good for your first try. Now you know to keep focus on the ground. Now you need to look, scent and listen. Remember everyone misses a catch once in a while. Even me. Now try again." Badgerfang said as he lead him to a bush that they hid under. Suddenly the mouse that Nightpaw chase before, climb out and sat on the tree root. Nightpaw eyes narrow as he focus on it. Badgerfang whisper to stay downwind from it and use the bush. He nodded as he crept backwards, keeping the bush between him and the mouse. He watch as the mouse left the root, sniffing around. He walk, being mindful of the sticks and leaves on the ground until he was blocking the mouse hole. He check the breeze to make sure he was still downwind. He lunge with both claws out, throwing the mouse in the air to stun it before giving it a killing bite.
"Well done. Now we give thanks to Starclan for the prey. Starclan is our ancestors who watch over us. Come, I will explain it on the way." Badgerfang mew as he got out of the bush.
Nightpaw grab his fresh kill as he listen to Badgerfang explain the warrior code, starclan and silverpelt. The sun is low in the sky as they reach the thorn tunnel. Heading inside, Badgerfang told him to put it on the fresh kill pile. And then to grab something to eat.
Nightpaw saw the other apprentices sitting near the apprentice den, talking to each other. His eyes narrow as he saw Turtlepaw with the others. Sensing his stare, she turn around to see who was watching her. He quickly drop his glance when he drop the mouse in the pile. He twitch his whiskers when he saw Ratscar coming towards him. Ratscar stop in front of him. Remember to not react to anything he says, Nightpaw think as he stare at him.
"Is what Fernshade says true? Did you really jump in the middle of three rogues to save a kittypet? Your brother?" His voice is low, like he was uncomfortable with what he is saying.
"Yes. I can't help where I spent my first six moons but I'm not going to be ashamed of it." Nightpaw felt like his paws is glue to the ground as he wait for Ratscar response. Even now he can see Ratscar's surprise in his eyes and bristling fur. Before long Ratscar gave a small sigh as his fur lay flat.
"It seems I judged you too harshly. Who knew that kittypets can have warrior blood. I will be keeping a close eye on your training. Good work on the catch as well." Ratscar gave a polite nod as he grab Nightpaw's mouse and a black bird. Nightpaw tail curl up as he felt happy that he got Ratscar's approval. He grab a frog and head to the apprentices. Littlepaw was in the middle of telling them about the borders.
"So there I was with Clawface, Yellowfang, and Tallpoppy checking the Thunderclan border. We was remarking the border when I saw Darkstripe, Dustpaw and Mousefur. Darkstripe is Dustpaw new mentor. Darkstripe try to start a fight but Yellowfang is too smart for it. She has a tongue sharp as claws. So we wait for them to make the first move as Yellowfang call him Dirtstripe. Darkstripe nearly got run over on the thunderpath if Mousefur hadn't pull him back. Thunderclan cats aren't too bright. We wait for them to leave first, which they did. The Windclan border wasn't as exciting since nothing happen there." Littlepaw purr as he recount the tale.
Nightpaw sat between Wetpaw and Gullpaw, as he listen to the other apprentices. Wetpaw told them about shadow training. Nightpaw ears perk as he talk about hiding in the tree's shadow and how to use them to ambush your enemy. To other cats, it like you vanish and then reappear out of nowhere. It an advanced battle tactic.
"Hey what happened to your ear, Nightpaw?" Brownpaw asks as Nightpaw was busy eating the frog.
"Oh you didn't hear? On our patrol we ran into three rogues and he jump into the middle to protect a kittypet. Then we found out that kittypet is his brother! After a fight where Badgerfang and Hopeheart sent them running back to their place. Fernshade stop the rest of us from jumping in. He is so brave." Gullpaw excitedly mew.
"Sound like he is dumb to me. Surprise he only got out with a torn ear." Turtlepaw scoff as she glare at him.
"What is your problem with me? Bet even if I fought all of the rogues you will still have a complaint. What is it you want?" Nightpaw let out a hiss as he felt the anger in him rises. Would she always look at him like he is beneath her? His tail lash as he dug his claws into the frog. He angrily tore off another piece while he glare at her.
"Just admit that you don't really belong here. We don't need kittypets in our clan!" Turtlepaw growls with a tail lash of her own.
" Does this mean we don't belong here Turtlepaw. Our mother is Wishflame and she is Brokenstar's sister. Which mean like him we got Kittypet blood in us." Gullpaw mew softly.
"What? No! I don't know!" She stutter as she quickly left, heading into the den. Nightpaw's eyes widen as he realize that her hatred must be because looking at him reminds her of her bloodline.
"I will go to her. She usually not like this, really." Gullpaw left as well. Nightpaw clear his throat before asking about medicine cats. He just want the awkward silence to end.
"Medicine cats are our healers. They have a knowledge of herbs to help heal our battle wounds and they talk to Starclan. Every half moon they go to the moonstone, which is easier for us cuz we don't have to cross any other clan territory. It a meeting for medicine cats only. No one but them knows what happens at the meeting. Also unlike warriors, they don't fight. They care for all cats, no matter what clan they are from." Littlepaw voice held a tone of awe as he explain.
Nightpaw saw his expression, thinking on how important medicine cats really are. There was so much to remember. He finish eating, seeing Blackfoot coming towards them. Wonder what the deputy want with them, his ear twitch as he listen to the chatter between Mousepaw, Brownpaw and Gingerpaw.
"Nightpaw, Brokenstar wants to see you in his den. I assume you should at least know where that is at." Blackfoot voice is gruff as his tail point to the oak tree's roots.
"Now?" Nightpaw asks. "Now if you can find the time." Blackfoot reply as he watch Nightpaw hurry to the den.
"For the rest of you, take care of the elders. Where is Turtlepaw and Gullpaw? They need to learn." Was the last thing he heard Blackfoot said as he stood in front of the den.
Seem Brokenstar scent him as he said enter. He did so, seeing that the den is dark and there was a nest in the back. There is sunlight filtering through the den which only made the shadows darker. He saw Boulder and Brokenstar sitting nearby, close to the nest. Their eyes gleam in the darkness and he wondered if he was in trouble.
"Nightpaw. Come closer. Describe the rogues you saw to Boulder." Brokenstar had a serious tone, nearly a growl. They both is laying down with their paws tuck beneath them. Nightpaw copy them as he told Boulder about the weird collars two of the rogues was wearing.
"They called themselves Bloodclan. The molly seem like the leader as she was ordering the other two. The molly had one eye and scars across her muzzle." Nightpaw mew sounded loud as the other two listen.
"Bloodclan you say? No she isn't the leader. Brokenstar, you need to warn the clan. I know Bloodclan because I was a part of it. Grew up in it. They are not your normal rogues. The leader is Scourge. He is very deadly despite his small size. One claw is enough to kill a warrior as he has dog teeth in his claws. I seen it which is why I left. I'm not the only one who manage to escape as Barley was part of Bloodclan too. Though he left before my mother had me. She whisper that we would escape but she got caught. It's why I never changed my name. Only thing I had left from my mother since her death freed me from staying in Bloodclan. I ran into Russetfur group and the rest is history." Boulder was shaking a bit as he recount his history.
Brokenstar tail brush his fur, the first time Nightpaw saw any empathy from the imposing leader.
"Did this cat tell you why they was attacking kittypets?" Brokenstar mew was gruff as if he was holding in his rage. Nightpaw only shook his head.
"Boulder, you are dismissed." Boulder nod his head before leaving the den, memories swimming in his eyes. Nightpaw begin to get nervous since it was only him. He didn't realize how comforting it was to have another cat there. His tail tip begin to twitch as Brokenstar's eyes stare into his own.
"Nightpaw. Be honest. Do you wish to go back to your kittypet life? Did I make a mistake when I invited you into my clan?" Brokenstar huge tail swish once as he stare at him like he was prey beneath his claws.
"No!" Nightpaw meow as he jump up. He need to convince that he never want to go back. Maybe if he told him what he left behind, he would understand. "When I saw Charlie, he the kittypet I saved and my brother. I realize that I would become lazy like him, only able to come out when the Twolegs let me. That what you are expecting me to say right?" He saw a flash of shock in Brokenstar's eyes as he gave a curt nod.
"Let me tell you that not all Twolegs are nice. I wasn't safe in my house. The mother Twoleg is the only reason I'm alive. She had two kits, and they would have killed me. They shaved the fur from my body, took moons before it grew all back. They once try to feed me bad food. Went to the vet for that one. Love to shove me in a bag and toss me from up high. Also love to swing me around til I was so dizzy I couldn't run." Nightpaw's fur was bristling as he felt a red hot rage overtake him. "I was just a toy to them. I had to leave. Couldn't take it anymore. Everyone thinks oh your life was so easy. Lay around and get fed. Not mine! Sometimes I had to go two nights because the mother wouldn't be home til then. I had to sleep with all my senses spread out in case the kits come around. Couldn't rest fully either. There was no where safe for me to go. I try escaping many times but I go back cuz I didn't know anything else." He close his eyes to calm himself down.
He jump as he felt a tail brush his fur down. Opening his eyes, he lay back down as Brokenstar gave a rare smile.
"I see. Apparently you are gaining the Clan's respect. Keep it up. Your determination will do wonders here. Now come along, for I must address the clan." Brokenstar got up, letting Nightpaw led the way out. Nightpaw watch as Brokenstar jump on top the Clanrock.
"May all those who hunt in the Shadows gather here beneath the Clanrock for a clan meeting!" Brokenstar's face was back to being an emotionless mask as he wait for the clan to gather.
Nightpaw met the apprentices questioning glances with a shrug as he sat down next to Darkflower and Stumpytail. They sat near him, waiting for the meeting to start.
"Boulder told me some concerning news about the rogues that Hopeheart's patrol ran into. Bloodclan is their name and they are very dangerous. Want all patrols to keep a lookout for any cats wearing collars that has cat and dogs bones in them. We don't know exactly what they were looking for or what they want but they did say it isn't over. Shadowclan don't back down from threats and we will fight them if we have to! This wouldn't be the first time we battle with rogues." At this the clan start to cheer Shadowclan. Nightpaw joining in as he felt the connection and loyalty. Brokenstar let it continue for a bit before raising his tail for silence. " As for the badger, she made a den just past our border but we can't let a badger settle so close near here. I want two patrols to chase her out. Blackfoot, you are in charge of that. Dismiss!" He jump down, nodding at the clan as he saw a lot of cats heading straight to Blackfoot, hoping to get on the badger patrol.
He sigh softly, wishing he can join but of course it was too dangerous for apprentices. He saw the other apprentices get turn away.
"Ready for your first battle training?" Badgerfang mew made him jump since he wasn't paying attention. How could he forget. He thought as he follow behind Badgerfang. As he pad alongside him, he thought about the rogues. Why was they beating up his brother? Doesn't seem right since kittypets hold no threat to them. Maybe Charlie was exploring and he trespass on their territory. How could he get Turtlepaw to be nice to him? Now he knew it was cuz of her own issues, he still don't know how to talk to her without her hissing.
"Ok we are here. This is the training hollow, has soft pine needles so cats won't get hurt during training." Badgerfang said as he stop.
Nightpaw's eyes widen as he saw who was waiting in the hollow. Runningnose greet him with a raise tail.
"Greetings Nightpaw. Don't go too easy on me. I'm not as fragile as I look." He sat down with a glint of mischievous in his eyes.