This is the collective works in The Seventh Sunset by Honeylight11. Please do not edit without permission.
This book has not been fully written. The remainder of the book will come soon.
Blurb[]
Honeypaw, Robinpaw, Fangpaw and Gustpaw are growing up in unfortunate times; The Land of the Forgotten has found a way to enter the world of the living. With the Clans poised against each other, these unlikely heros must find a way to save all of the Clans from destruction.
Allegiances[]
ThunderClan[]
Leader: Shimmerstar, silver she-cat with icy blue eyes
Deputy: Badgerscar, large black tom with one white stripe and yellow eyes, long scar on flank
Medicine Cat: Fawnwillow, small gray tabby she-cat with amber eyes
Apprentice: Lionpaw, thick-furred ginger she-cat with blue eyes
Warriors: Cloudpuff, thick-furred white tom with green eyes
Apprentice: Honeypaw, small yellow she-cat with amber eyes
Lavendershade, gray she-cat with blue eyes
Apprentice: Ashpaw, gray tom with deep blue eyes
Stormslash, dark gray tom with a white slash on his chest and blue eyes
Larkwish, black she-cat with green eyes
Clearstream, pale gray she-cat with amber eyes
Apprentice: Nutpaw, small tan tom with a white belly, paws and muzzle and green eyes
Eaglespine, pale ginger tom with green eyes
Apprentice: Goldenpaw, golden she-cat with green eyes and a white belly and muzzle
Rosevine, reddish gray she-cat with blue eyes
Apprentice: Foxpaw, thick-furred red tom with a bushy tail and green eyes
Willowtail, very pale gray she-cat with yellow eyes
Birchwing, white tom with amber eyes
Pincheye, tan tom with blue eyes, blind in one eye
Apprentice: Frogpaw, small dark brown tom with green eyes and a tan belly
Queens: Petalvine, white she-cat with green eyes and brown spots, mother to Eaglespine's kit (Beechkit, dark brown she-kit with black stripes and amber eyes, paralyzed in her hindquarters)
Shineice, white and silver she-cat with blue eyes, mother to Badgerscar's kits (Hopkit, tan she-kit with blue eyes, Wigglekit, brown tom with a white belly and paws and green eyes
Mossylight, gray she-cat with amber eyes, expecting Cloudpuff's kits
Elders: Shallowpool, old gray she-cat with blue eyes
Weedfur, rusty brown tom with green eyes
Needleprint, black she-cat with green eyes
Downtoe, white tom with yellow eyes
ShadowClan[]
Leader: Lichenstar, black she-cat with blue eyes
Deputy: Seednook, brown tom with blue eyes
Medicine Cat: Gorsehollow, tan tom with yellow eyes
Mediator: Bluenut, long-furred blue she-cat with deep blue eyes
Warriors: Brightleap, pale gray she-cat with amber eyes
Nightgale, black tom with amber eyes
Lakepounce, gray she-cat with blue eyes
Horseeye, brown tom with a bushy tail and blue eyes
Apprentice: Galepaw, small white she-cat with green eyes
Rainydusk, gray she-cat with amber eyes and a white tipped tail
Lilywind, pale gray she-cat with white paws and belly
Shreddedmurk, very dark gray tom with blue eyes
Apprentice: Gustpaw, gray she-cat with amber eyes and black paws
Queens: Petalshine, gray she-cat with white paws and green eyes, expecting Shreddedmurk's kits
Elders: Swimfrog, gray she-cat with dull gray eyes
SkyClan[]
Leader: Larkstar, black she-cat with white splotches and blue eyes
Deputy: Leafburr, gray and white tom with green eyes
Medicine Cats: Yellowfur, old gray she-cat with yellow eyes
Vinemare, black tom with small paws and green eyes
Warriors: Deernut, brown she-cat with white splotches and yellow eyes
Apprentice: Curlpaw, whit she-cat with curly fur and amber eyes
Bluepuddle, grayish blue she-cat with blue eyes
Apprentice: Harepaw, small gray tom with a white belly and green eyes
Bubblesneeze, small white tom with a brown tail and amber eyes
Wolfleap, large gray tom with piercing blue eyes
Mousemeadow, small brown tom with a white chest and green eyes
Lightstream, pale gray she-cat with blue eyes and a white belly, paws, and muzzle
Queens: Sandwhisker, pale ginger she-cat with blue eyes, expecting Wolfleap's kits
Elders: Owlwing, scraggly brown tom with bright amber eyes
RiverClan[]
Leader: Dustystar, pale brown tom with green eyes and white paws
Deputy: Lakewing, pale gray she-cat with amber eyes
Medicine Cat: Gorsereed, pale yellow tom with green eyes
Warriors: Tailnook, black and gray tom with a long tail and green eyes
Foggywhisker, pale gray tom with blue eyes
Alderleaf, very pale ginger she-cat with amber eyes
Kinktail, black she-cat with blue eyes
Scaleflower, gray and white she-cat with green eyes
Apprentice: Deerpaw, brown tom with white speckles and green eyes
Barktongue, brown tom with amber eyes
Apprentice: Robinpaw, brown she-cat with reddish chest fur and green eyes
Harenut, brown tom with a white belly and green eyes
Screechlog, black tom with blue eyes
Queens: Windywave, gray she-cat with blue eyes, mother to Foggywhisker's kits (Lakekit, gray she-kit, Yarrowkit, black she-kit
Elders: Dappleshore, dappled gray and brown she-cat with amber eyes
Wadepool, black tom with blind green eyes
WindClan[]
Leader: Meadowstar, pale yellow she-cat with amber eyes
Deputy; Hollowsun, yellow tom with green eyes and a white belly
Medicine Cat: Harenook, tan tom with blue eyes
Apprentice: Wellpaw, silver tom with green eyes
Warriors: Softflake, thick-furred white she-cat with green eyes, scar on flank
Hawktooth, brown and white patched tom with amber eyes
Bushroot, dark brown tom with green eyes
Apprentice: Tailpaw, gray she-cat with blue eyes and a long tail
Darkfur, black tom with blue eyes
Apprentice: Fangpaw, small cream tom with amber eyes
Stoneclaw, dark tan tom with green eyes
Whiskerhare, very light tan she-cat with blue eyes
Queens: Heatherstream, brown she-cat with yellow eyes, expecting Hawktooth's kits
Elders: Dawnloud, white she-cat with milky blue eyes, deaf
Poppynut, dark brown she-cat with blue eyes
Antdust, dusty brown tom with amber eyes
Prologue[]
Fawnwillow dropped down into a hunting crouch, slithering forward. A frond of fern blocked her sight, and she ducked her head to avoid brushing it. She sized up the distance between her and her prey. She could jump it now. Just as she pounced, a brown tom leaped at it from the side. The mouse skittered away. Fawnwilow turned towards the brown tom. "I was about to catch that mouse, if you hadn't scared it away, Muddybank. What is it now?"
Muddybank chuckled. "I see you keep your temper just as harsh as usual, Fawnwillow." Fawnwilow grunted. "Get to the point. Why are you visiting me? Is the Clan in trouble?" Muddybank chuckled again. "Okay, fine. I'll tell you why I'm here." Suddenly Muddybank's voice grew solemn. "The fire you snuffed long ago has resparked, and it wishes to burn you all. Seven suns will pass and go, of burns and blood, and enter the land of stars."
Then he turned cheerful again. "Well, there are other mice in our hunting grounds. Good luck!" Muddybank bounded off into the forest. Fawnwilow shook her head. She'd hoped that Muddybank wanted to talk about her apprentice, but the solemn prophecy was not unwelcome. Well, at least i know there's going to be trouble. We can never be too prepared.
Fawnwilow urged herself to wake up. When it didn't work, she closed her eyes. When she opened them, she was at the gathering island, looking up at the Great Oak. Shimmerstar was yowling. "I am proud to announce that ThunderClan has two new apprentices!" Then she shook her head. "No, that isn't right." She noticed Fawnwillow. Fawnwillow yowled up to Shimmerstar. " I didn't know you practiced for gatherings in your sleep." Shimmerstar leaped down to Fawnwillow. "What is it, Fawnwillow?"
Fawnwillow took a breath. "You're not going to like this. There was a prophecy. Muddybank came and told me this: The fire you snuffed long ago has resparked, and it wishes to burn you all. Seven suns will pass and go, of burns and blood, and enter the land of stars. What do you think it means?" Shimmerstar grunted. "The fire we snuffed long ago... Could it mean Firestar? But he wouldn't want to burn us all... I'm not sure. Could they be any more vague?" Fawnwilow huffed. "Well, I don't think it means we only have seven days to figure it out. But still, we haven't had a prophecy in moons. Whatever it means, we do need to act fast."
As Fawnwillow woke, she heard murmuring around her. The other medicine cats had already woken, and they sounded worried. She stood up and shook out her matted gray tabby fur. "From what i can tell, we all had the same dream?" Harenook looked up from the worried cluster of cats. "Yes. Soilcloud visited me, Deermarsh to Gorsereed, and so on." Wellpaw looked over from his chatter with Lionpaw. "And I have no idea what they're talking about!" he chirped. "I didn't get visited, and neither did Lionpaw. Why are the apprentices left out of everything?"
Harenook gave Wellpaw a meaningful glance. Fawnwillow almost purred with amusement. It was obvious that they had this argument frequently. Vinemare was on the edge of the pool, kneading the ground impatiently. Fawnwillow padded over to him. She prodded him in the side. "Spit it out, Vinemare. I can tell you have something to say. Just say it." Vinemare gave her a worried glance, but walked over to the cluster of cats, his ruffled black pelt pricking up on his spine. He looked back at Fawnwillow, and after a reassuring nod, cleared his throat. "I think we shouldn't tell our leaders about this just yet. Last time we did that, SkyClan closed it's borders, WindClan attacked the ThunderClan camp, and RiverClan became suspicious about everything."
Yellowfur nodded. "He's right. I don't want to go through that again." Yellowfur croaked. The old she-cat sat down. "But we can't just ignore it." Wellpaw tipped his silver head. "But we have to do something!" He exclaimed. "What if this time it has a worse outcome? The last one just said that a bunch of rogues would come and make their own Clan. But as far as I can tell, this one is much more sinister." Harenook's face was scrunched up in anger at his apprentice, but Wellpaw kept going. "We can't just ignore thi-" Wellpaw was cut off by a growl. "Wellpaw, this is not the time for you to rant about how old cats never do anything right," Harenook meowed. Wellpaw lowered his head glumly.
Fawnwillow coughed loudly. "He's kind of right. We do have to give this some further thought." Gorsereed, who had been silently scuffing his paws on the ground by the edge of the pool, looked up. "We can be sure of one thing; danger is near. StarClan doesn't send prophecies for nothing."
Chapter 1[]
Honeypaw bounced around the clearing, almost knocking into Downtoe with excitement. "Whoa, what are you doing? You nearly knocked me off my paws there, Honeypaw." Honeypaw shuffled her paws. "Sorry, Downtoe. I was just waiting for Cloudpuff. He said we could do battle training today with Foxpaw and Ashpaw!" Downtoe snorted. "With their mentors, I assume? I hope Cloudpuff doesn't think he can handle you all. He would be squashed in a heartbeat with all of your energy!" "Of course I'm taking Rosevine and Lavendershade. Do you think I'm mouse-brained, Downtoe?" Honeypaw turned to see Cloudpuff padding up beside her. "Can we go now?" Honeypaw begged. Cloudpuff shook his head. "We have to wait for Rosevine to get back from border patrol. We can't go without her, can we now?" Honeypaw shook her head glumly. "Will she be back soon?" She asked. Cloudpuff shrugged, and walked away to sit with Mossylight.
Honeypaw bounded over to the apprentices den. Brushing past the ferns. she pushed into the den. She spotted Ashpaw's gray pelt in his nest on the far side of the den, and padded carefully over to it, careful not to disturb Frogapw's nest. Honeypaw jabbed Ashpaw in the side with her paw. Ashpaw woke with a jolt. "Wazza... What is it? Is Treepaw okay?" Honeypaw felt a pang of sadness. Ashpaw was always worried about Treepaw, his brother. Then again, no one can really blame him. “No, silly, Treepaw is fine. We have battle training, remember?” Ashpaw relaxed visibly. “Right. I was having the worst dream. WindClan was attacking, and I saw the big tan tom attacking Treepaw…” Ashpaw shuddered. “Then he went to the nursery.” He stood up and shook himself off. “Well, it was only a dream. Is Rosevine back from her border patrol?” Honeypaw shook her head. “She’ll be back soon. I just thought we could practice before they get there, so we can launch a surprise attack for them.” Ashpaw’s eyes sparkled. “Now that's what I call real-life training. Yup, lets go!”
Honeypaw bounded into the clearing, Ashpaw at her heels. Honeypaw skidded to a halt, causing Ashpaw to bump into her. “Wait. We need to find Foxpaw! We can’t launch an attack without Foxpaw.” Ashpaw stopped. “Yeah. Should we ask Shimmerstar where he is? Shimmerstar knows everything.” “I don’t know everything, Ashpaw. Just most things that happen in the Clan.”A calm voice sounded behind them. They turned to see Shimmerstar padding up from behind. Honeypaw started kneading the ground with her paws. “Where’s Foxpaw? We’re going to battle training with him.” Shimmerstar tipped her head. “I think he’s collecting herbs for Fawnwillow by the Sky Oak.” Honeypaw huffed. “Doesn’t Fawnwillow have Lionpaw to collect herbs? And is she really so busy she couldn’t just do it herself?” Then she realized who she was talking to. “I mean, I respect her decisions, but…” Shimmerstar purred. “I know what you mean. I think she wanted to train Lionpaw in hunting, but she wanted to collect borage for when Mossylight has her kits.”
Ashpaw glanced impatiently at Honeypaw. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go to the Sky Oak!” Honeypaw nodded, and Ashpaw darted away. Honeypaw bounded after him. They soon reached the Sky Oak. The sharp scent of borage filled Honeypaw’s nose. She spotted Foxpaw’s tail twitching on the other side of the tree, covered in leaf scraps. Ashpaw appeared beside her, and she pointed to Foxpaw with her tail. Ashpaw’s eyes opened wide with realization, and he came about the other side of the tree. I padded to the part I knew would be behind him. Once she saw Ashpaw in position on the other side of the borage patch, hidden in the ferns, she flicked her tail, disrupting the ferns slightly. Ashpaw did the same, and we both sprang on the unsuspecting Foxpaw. He yowled in surprise, then started batting at Ashpaw. Honeypaw put her paw down on his to stop him from slicing Ashpaw’s nose open.
“It’s just us, Foxpaw. We were planning a surprise attack on our mentors at the battle training session today. We just wanted to let you know.” Foxpaw started bouncing on his toes. “When do we launch the attack?” Ashpaw and Honeypaw shared a glance. Ashpaw was the one who answered. “As soon as they get to the training clearing.” Foxpaw’s eyes glimmered, then fell. “But I have to give the borage to Fawnwillow ,and she’ll claw my ears off if I don’t bring it today.” Honeypaw hung her head, then perked up. “I’m fast, so I can drop them off at the training clearing and catch up with you.” Ashpaw shook his head. “We should stick together.” “But if we split up, our scent trail would be harder to follow.” Foxpaw argued. Ashpaw tipped his head, then nodded. “Okay… but make sure nobody sees you. If this is going to be a surprise attack, we need to stay low and not be seen.”
Honeypaw nodded, and, wincing at the sour taste of the borage, hared away. Reaching the clearing, Honeypaw heard Fawnwillow’s brisk mew. “No, Lionpaw, you have to put all of your weight on your paws, not your shoulders. You look like a frog!” Honeypaw veered away from the noise, and placed the bundle of borage beside a tree. Honeypaw heard Fawnwillow getting closer. Casting a quick glance towards the camp, Honeypaw bounded away, back to Ashpaw and Foxpaw by the Sky Oak. She was barely panting by the time she reached them.
Ashpaw nodded. “Should we go now?” Foxpaw nodded, and Honeypaw followed. They bounded through the forest, occasionally stopping to take a break. As they reached a small ash tree, Ashpaw looked up. “It’s almost sunhigh. Rosevine’s patrol must be back by now.” Honeypaw stopped. “Wait. We’re all good at tree climbing, right?” Ashpaw and Foxpaw both nodded. “And we can all safely jump from tree to tree?” Another set of nods. “We can go through trees from here, and surprise them from above!” Foxpaw jumped with excitement. “So we get to practice our fighting and our tree climbing!” Honeypaw nodded.
Ashpaw leaped easily into the ash tree, landing on a lower branch. Foxpaw leaped up, but missed, and held on with his front paws. Ashpaw hopped down to help him, and he hauled Foxpaw up onto the branch by his scruff, straining with the effort. Honeypaw sized up the jump. After a couple heartbeats, Honeypaw padded over to the tree trunk and started climbing. It's too high. I'd just fall down. Scooting up the tree, Honeypaw noticed that both Foxpaw and Ashpaw were holding back laughter. "What?" Foxpaw burst out laughing, and Ashpaw followed. "You look like a yellow squirrel!" Foxpaw meowed. Honeypaw started to laugh, but slipped on the trunk. Ashpaw grabbed her scruff just as she lost her grip.
Clawing at the trunk, Honeypaw, with Ashpaw's help, hauled herself onto the lowest branch. Shaking out her fur self-consciously, Honeypaw leaped higher in the tree. After everyone was safely on a branch that intertwined with the branches of the elm next to them, Honeypaw jumped into the next tree. After a while, they came to the training clearing. Cloudpuff, Rosevine and Lavendershade were already there. "I thought they had come here," meowed Cloudpuff confusedly. Honeypaw edged out on a long branch so she was over Rosevine. Ashpaw and Foxpaw lined up beside her. Honeypaw flicked the tip of her tail, and all of them threw themselves down on the cats below.
Rosevine squeaked as Honeypaw descended on her, squashing her to the ground. Cloudpuff and Lavendershade ended up in a tangle of legs and tails, with Foxpaw and Ashpaw standing proudly on top of the pile. Cloudpuff groaned. "We surrender to you, O mighty cats. Do with us what you will." Foxpaw yowled. "We claim this hollow for our own. We won it fairly in battle, and it is ours now." Rosevine looked up. "I'd hardly call squashing innocent, unsuspecting warriors to the ground a fair battle," She pointed out. Lavendershade huffed. "I guess we did teach them that trick, Rosevine."
Honeypaw purred. "Yup, and now you face our revenge, for making us do the elders ticks." Honeypaw hopped off of Rosevine. "So, did we do well in training today?" Rosevine stood up and shook the dust out of her reddish fur. "Yes, I'd say that you did very well. You squashed me as flat as a leaf! But it wouldn't work in open ground. There are no trees in WindClan territory. What would you do there?" Foxpaw bounced up and down, causing Lavendershade to grunt in pain."I would scratch the smug little faces off of those WindClan fox-hearts!" He yowled. Lavendershade huffed. "Foxpaw, would you please get off of me? A cat needs to breath, and you don't want to kill your own mother." Foxpaw stepped off guiltily, and Ashpaw hopped off of Cloudpuff, who sighed in relief.
Honeypaw was vaguely aware of Cloudpuff talking, but was focused on the sound of a cat in the woods. It was prowling in the shadows at the edge of the clearing. When Honeypaw opened her mouth to sniff the air, it was like it wasn't there, but she could see it. She shook her head. I must have been imagining things. Cloudpuff's voice broke into her thoughts. "Honeypaw, are you listening to me?" Honeypaw started, and hung her head. "Sorry, Cloudpuff. I thought I smelled something." Cloudpuff frowned. "Okay. Pay attention this time. Instead of jumping out of a tree, you will work in pairs. One will attack from the front while the other jumps on them from the back...." But Honeypaw couldn't keep her mind on her training. Who was that cat?
Chapter 2[]
“Deerpaw! Robinpaw!” Robinpaw lifted her head, drinking in her Clanmates praise. As the clamor died down, Alderleaf padded up to Robinpaw and Deerpaw, purring. “I am so proud of both of you.” Alderleaf rubbed her cheek against Robinpaw's. “Listen to your mentors, and don’t get into any trouble.” Robinpaw didn’t pay attention to the rest of what her mother was saying. Instead, she focused on Barktongue.
Barktongue was sitting at the edge of the camp, a look of disdain on his face. Robinpaw glanced at Scaleflower, who was making her way across the camp towards Deerpaw. Robinpaw watched as Scaleflower stopped and looked back at Barktongue. She hesitated for a moment, then turned and walked to Barktongue instead. Robinpaw strained her ears in an attempt to hear their conversation, but they were too far away. She padded forward towards them, and was able to catch parts of their conversation. “... your apprentice… have responsibilities now… have to go…”
Robinpaw hesitated, then strode up to them. Barktongue was muttering to himself, but Robinpaw couldn’t hear what he was saying. Scaleflower turned her soft green gaze to her. “Don’t take it personally. Barktongue has always been unhappy. I think Dustystar wanted to teach him to become more responsible by giving him an apprentice, but…” She trailed off and glanced at Barktongue.
Robinpaw nodded. “I understand.” Scaleflower tipped her head simpathetically. “No, you don’t know the least of it. He-” She stopped abruptly as Barktongue stood up. Shaking his fur out, he turned away from them, and headed towards the camp entrance, beckoning Robinpaw to follow. Scaleflower padded across the clearing to get Deerpaw, and Robinpaw reluctantly followed Barktongue. I can tell this is not going to be a very fun time.
Barktongue silently led her through a winding path, while Scaleflower pointed out landmarks to Deerpaw behind. Robinpaw sighed, and started listening to Scaleflower, twisting her ears backwards. “And see that rock over there? Behind it, there’s a clearing with a big elder bush in the middle.” After a while, Barktongue came to an abrupt stop. Robinpaw padded up beside him and gasped.
Scaleflower paused in her explanation, and Deerpaw crashed into Robinpaw’s flank. Robinpaw’s breath caught in her throat. Before them was a vast expanse of water, bigger than Robinpaw had ever imagined. Sunlight danced over the surface. Suddenly, a loud splash sounded a few fox lengths away. Deerpaw perked up. “What was that?” Robinpaw could smell an earthy scent coming from the direction of the splash. “I smell something funny. Maybe it’s what fell?”
She didn’t wait for an answer; Robinpaw bounded through the bushes until she found a drop, leading straight down to the lake. A small cream tom was struggling to stay above water. Without thinking, Robinpaw leaped into the lake. She splashed towards the tom. Probably a kit, she thought. Suddenly, the ground disappeared from under her paws. Robinpaw let out a screech of terror.
The kit was no more than a tail-length out of reach. Robinpaw hesitated, before scrambling forward. Her head slipped under the surface, and when it came back up, she was soaked. She shivered, and kept moving. Just as she reached the tom, Barktongue emerged from the bushes. He flung himself into the water and swam strongly towards them. Robinpaw watched in awe as he grasped the little tom by his scruff. He placed him on a small ledge on the tall rock, before grabbing Robinpaw.
As she was placed on another ledge, she slipped, and opened her mouth to let out a scream. Her head slipped underwater before any sound came out. She sank slowly, and opened her eyes. She could see sand below her, and scrambled upwards. Her attempts just pulled her further down. Just as she gave up hope, Barktongue plunged underwater and grasped her scruff. She perked up as he hauled her to the surface. As soon as her head broke the surface, she collapsed on the ledge. The world spun around her. The kit she’d saved leaned over her. “You saved my life,” He said. Robinpaw tried to reply, but before she could open her mouth, Robinpaw blacked out.
Robinpaw blinked. The small cliff was gone, and Gorsereed was standing shuffling herbs, his back to her. Her leg was bandaged in a green leaf, and there was a sour taste in her mouth. She raised her head. “What… What happened?” He turned to her, and Robinpaw felt a flash of fear as his green eyes stared at her intensely. Then he relaxed. “You fell asleep after Bartongue got you out, and you fell and sprained your paw. Not that badly though. That WindClan apprentice, -what was his name? Fangpaw?- Fangpaw and Barktongue got you back to camp.”
Robinpaw’s face scrunched up in confusion. He was an apprentice? She saw the faint outline of Fangpaw at the entrance of the medicine den. He hesitated, then walked in. Gorsereed grunted and turned away. Fangpaw sat down awkwardly next to Robinpaw. Robinpaw glanced up at him. He looked ashamed for a second. “You saved my life.” He said quietly. Robinpaw was confused. “You don’t sound very grateful. What were you doing in the middle of RiverClan territory, anyway?” Fangpaw hung his head. “I don’t know,” He sighed.
Robinpaw’s eyes widened. Fangpaw looked almost embarrassed. “Though it was probably my sister. She always hated me.” He looked miserable. Robinpaw moved one of her paws and rested it in his small cream one. He looked up. “I don’t know what happened to make her hate you so much, but I think you should stay away from her.” Robinpaw meowed quietly. Fangpaw nodded.
As he stood up to leave the den, he turned. “Thanks.” Robinpaw lifted her paw weakly. Robinpaw watched as Fangpaw left. Well there’s a strange cat, Robinpaw thought. Gorsereed turned around. “I think you should become my apprentice.” Robinpw gasped. “What?”
Chapter 3[]
Fangpaw shivered. He wasn’t used to being so cold. That apprentice that saved him, Robinpaw, had made him see that he deserved to live, when even his own sister couldn’t do that. A RiverClan warrior had escorted him home, and it seemed like nobody had noticed that he was even missing, let alone that he was still dripping and had collapsed in his nest the heartbeat he’d returned.
You’d think my own family would be a little more considerate than a complete stranger, Fangpaw remarked to himself. Robinpaw had convinced him of something he’d been trying to talk himself into since his brother died. I guess it probably was Tailpaw, then. Wouldn’t be surprised.
Fangpaw rolled over. “Could you please go to sleep, or at least go take a walk or something? I’m trying to sleep over here.” Tailpaw’s annoyed voice sounded from the nest next to Fangpaw’s. Fangpaw sighed. “Sure.” As he left, he couldn’t help but think that Tailpaw could be a little more understanding. After all, she was his sister.
Fangpaw sniffed the air. He was near the RiverClan border, where he’d crossed earlier. The memory of meeting Robinpaw was still fresh in his mind, and the thought crossed his mind that maybe she would be here too, wandering the border, not knowing what drew them to that place. Fangpaw sat down, desperately searching for any sign of Robinpaw. After a few heartbeats, Fangpaw sighed. Just as he turned around to go back home, he scented a RiverClan cat.
He whipped around, searching the reeds for any sign of movement. He noticed that a nearby bush was rustling. Brown fur showed in between the branches. “You’re not very good at hiding, you know,” He remarked. Robinpaw snorted. “You made a splash so big I bet ThunderClan could hear it earlier, so I’m not sure you have any leverage here.”
Fangpaw watched as Robinpaw wiggled out from under the bush, getting caught on dried leaves. She shook herself off. “So what exactly are you doing on RiverClan territory?” Fangpaw quickly hopped backwards towards the border, and Robinpaw laughed. “It’s okay. It’s not like I’m going to report you or anything.”
Fangpaw cautiously stepped back over the border. “I take it you haven’t slept well either?” He asked. Robinpaw sighed. “There’s been a lot on my mind since earlier. It’s only my first day out of camp and I’ve already decided that my mentors insane, saved someone from suicide, been seriously injured, sneaked out of camp late at night, and had to decline a request to become a medicine cat apprentice.” She sighed. “It’s been a long day.”
Fangpaw blinked. “Wait, Gorsereed asked you to be his apprentice?” He asked incredulously. Robinpaw nodded. “Right after you left,” She replied. “Gorsereed was just putting away some horrible smelling leaves and asked me to be his apprentice. Then I just kinda stared at him, confused, until he sighed and told me to go sleep in the apprentices den.”
Fangpaw scrunched his nose, confused. “So he just… Asked you for no apparent reason?” Robinpaw nodded. “But enough about me. What are you doing wandering around in RiverClan territory in the middle of the night?” Fangpaw sighed. “I was thinking about you,” He confessed. Mousebrain, what are you doing? He thought. Well, it’s too late to turn back now, He gritted his teeth, watching as Robinpaw’s expression turned from curiosity to pure confusion.
“Why me?” She asked, looking like someone had just told her that badgers were purple. “Well, you saved me from literally drowning. My sister hates me, and blames me for Marshpaw’s death. I can never feel safe around her, but it feels like she’s even more hostile towards me now that I’ve actually escaped. Also, please don’t tell anyone I just said this, because this is the most I’ve ever said to anyone about this, and I don’t even know why I’m telling you because I met you earlier today.”
Fangpaw took a deep breath. Robinpaw looked shocked. Her jaw was hanging open slightly. “I- That’s so sad!” She burst out. “If I couldn’t feel safe around Deerpaw, I would-” She paused. “Well, I don’t actually know.”
She glanced around. “I’d better get back to camp. I wouldn’t be surprised if Barktongue decides to spy on me in my sleep.” She turned around and started sprinting back to camp, turning around to say a quick goodbye before disappearing into the bushes. Fangpaw wasn’t paying attention. Did I just spill every single one of my secrets to a complete stranger? Yet, somehow, he felt that he could trust the talkative RiverClan apprentice. It just felt… Right.
He turned and padded back towards camp, careful to disguise his scent with a heather frond so no-one would know he’d been by the RiverClan border. As soon as he entered the den, Tailpaw muttered, “What took you so long?”
Fangpaw huffed. “I thought you wanted me gone,” He retorted. Curling up in his nest, he shuddered, thinking about what would happen if Tailpaw found out he’d been speaking with a RiverClan cat.
Chapter 4[]
“No! You have to keep your tail low to the ground, silly!” Galepaw’s voice sang through the air, piercing Gustpaw’s ears. “Are you blind? My tail is as low as it can go without sinking into the ground,” She spat through gritted teeth.
She blocked the rest of Galepaw’s words out. Why does she always think she’s better than me? She’s not even resorting to petty arguments now, She grimaced. Ever since Moonpelt had died, she’d been so controlling, always wanting to be the better one of the two.
As soon as she saw Galepaw’s mouth open again, she got up and stomped away. She slowed as she entered the camp, then realized she’d left her prey at the training clearing. She turned around to get it and saw Galepaw carrying her squirrel like she’d caught it herself. “You forgot this,” Galepaw smirked and dropped the squirrel.
Gustpaw growled. “Stop.” Galepaw laughed. “Stop what? I only wanted to help.” Her sing-song ‘I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to’ voice made Gustpaw’s eyes widen with anger. She screamed and leapt on top of her sister, her anger fueling her thoughts and actions.
Galepaw squealed in pain and giggled. Gustpaw drove her claws harder, just barely piercing her skin. Suddenly, Horseeye and Shreddedmurk came out of a nearby bush. Shreddedmurk glared at Gustpaw, and she felt his hard blue eyes inspect every single fur on her body, as if sizing up his next prey.
He slowly turned, still glaring at her, and started talking to Galepaw, who was whimpering on the ground, but obviously faking it. Horseeye shot her an angry glance, but didn’t speak.
Shreddedmurk looked away from Galepaw. “I trained you to fight and hunt. I trained you the ways of the warrior code, and you know the consequences of this kind of codebreaking. I can’t believe, after all we’ve done to stop these anger spurts, that you would actually try to kill your own sister.”
Gustpaw looked down, and tears filled her eyes. Her anger attacks were never her fault. Everyone blamed her, talked about her behind her back, and some were even scared of her. She was considered an outcast. She might as well be one.
She turned around and ran straight for the lake, ignoring the astonished faces of her clanmates. She closed her eyes, letting the wind carry her. Her mother’s last words ran through her head again. “My sweet Galepaw, take care of you sister. We all know she’s too weak to take care of herself.”
Those sentences raced through her mind over and over. She ran faster, ignoring the border marks, trying to outrun those thoughts, the ones that always caught up to her. She ran until she collapsed in a beech grove that must have been somewhere in ThunderClan territory. She closed her eyes and breathed slowly, wishing that this had all been a dream.
“She’s awake!” Gustpaw opened her eyes. She could barely make out the outline of a small gray tabby cleaning a nest next to hers, and a bouncing young ginger apprentice. The tabby looked up.
As she got closer, she could see that her eyes were a piercing yellow. It must be Fawnwillow, the ThunderClan medicine cat, she thought. What am I doing here? She opened her eyes fully to see that she was in a small cave. The scent of herbs filled her nose and made her sneeze.
“What… What am I doing here? I was just in the beech grove, and then I backed out, and-” The tabby she-cat put a paw on her mouth. “Stay calm. I am Fawnwillow, the medicine cat of ThunderClan. And that pesky ball of orange fur and loud squeaks over there is Lionpaw, my apprentice. Now, you should rest. You’ve obviously had a tough time. Is that ShadowClan I smell?”
Gustpaw stood up shakily. “I don't want your help. I’ve had enough rest, and I need to go. I need to get away-” Lionpaw stood in front of her as she reached the entrance. “But you just got here! Can’t you stay a little bit longer?”
Gustpaw sighed. As she sat back down, three more apprentices filed through a bramble lined hole in the rock across the large clearing. ThunderClan must really love caves, She thought, almost laughing. She shuddered. Laughs reminded her of Galepaw.
Three disheveled warriors pushed through the wall soon after, and she stood back up to see what had happened. The apprentices were bouncing happily, and the warriors were joking about how they could have been crushed if those bundles of energy and excitement had jumped only a bit farther.
She walked outside the cave to her more of the conversation, forgetting that this wasn’t ShadowClan. All eyes turned to her. A white tom with green eyes, one of the cats who had entered with the apprentices, shuddered. “Why is there a ShadowClan cat in our camp?”
Gustpaw quickly retreated into the den again, curling up in the nest she’d woken up in. A silver cat entered the den. “I see our guest has awoken.” Gustpaw sat up. “Yes, I have. What do you want?” The cat looked questioningly at Fawnwillow, who nodded.
She stood up. “I said, what do you want with me?” She unsheathed her claws. Realizing the silver cat must be Shimmerstar, leader of ThunderClan, she resheathed them, following as she led her silently to a small cave halfway up the small cliff. She sat down, looking warily around at the cats gathered by the medicine den.
She noticed two apprentices climbing the rock path stealthily, but quickly turned away. Shimmerstar looked imploringly into her eyes, and a strange sense of calm swept over Gustpaw. What is your name and what were you doing on ThunderClan territory?” Shimerstar asked softly.
Gustpaw sighed. “I’d rather not talk about it. But now that I think about it I don’t ever want to go back to ShadowClan. It was where I was born and raised, but everything I’ve ever loved there is gone. I won’t reveal any details right now, because most of them are painful, but please, I need to stay here.”
Shimmerstar looked surprised for a moment, but relaxed. “Yes, I will consult with my deputy and medicine cat about letting you in. Badgerscar will say yes, I’m sure of it, but Fawnwillow might not. Anyway, you never told me your name.” Gustpaw’s head drooped a bit. “Gustpaw. My name is Gustpaw.”
Shimmerstar nodded. “Seeing as you may be staying here, you might as well meet our apprentices and warriors. I’ll introduce you now, if that’s fine with you.” Gustpaw paused, then nodded. She climbed down the rock wall with ease, leaping off the edge at the end.
The two apprentices she’s seen earlier sneaking up on Shimmerstar were standing in the clearing. “Hi! I’m Ashpaw, and-” And I’m Honeypaw! I think you’ve met my sister, Lionpaw. Foxpaw’s in the apprentices den. I’m not sure where Treepaw, Goldenpaw and Frogpaw went, though. I think they went hunting. Can I show you around camp?”
Gustpaw stepped back. The small yellow apprentice looked down sadly. “I’m sorry. I just get really excited sometimes.” The gray apprentice, Ashpaw, laughed. “Don’t mind Honeypaw, she’s just a fast talker.” Gustpaw stepped back again, flinching at the happy laugh. Ashpaw looked hurt. “I- I’m sorry, I’m just not used to this sort of welcome. In ShadowClan, people usually just ignored me when I came out of the leaders den.”
Shimmerstar turned to her. “Well, it seems you’ve got yourself a guide. I’ll talk to Badgerscar about you staying, and I promise we’ll have an answer by nightfall.” Gustpaw nodded. “Thank you,” She called over her shoulder as she followed the apprentices across the clearing.