Warrior Cats: The Four Clans

Chapter Ten

Lilypaw had not done as hoped on her mole-fetching assesment. She had shot down the mole burrow like a bullet, sniffed out the critter faster than lightning, but failed to sink her teeth into the meaty creature in time. The mole had already burrowed deeper where the hopeful apprentice couldn't reach. She had approached her mentor with paws empty, head bowed in shame. But Runningtear had a kind heart and wasn't rude to his apprentice. He groomed her ear slick and simply told her she could try again in a few days.

   It wasn't helpful to Lilypaw when she returned to camp to find out Thurshpaw had nailed the mole-fetching assesment. Heart sunken, she dragged herself to the apprentices den and was asleep before moonrise.

***

   The next day after Lilypaw's hunting lesson with Rosepaw and her mentor, Lilypaw came back to camp to find Cloudstar trying to seize the endless quarrels of her clanmates. Lilypaw bounded over to Thrushpaw and Gingerpaw to ask about thsi ruckus.
   "What happened?" Lilypaw asked.
   Gingerpaw answered. "There's a loss." She stopped momentarily. "R-runningtear is lost. Apparently he left yesterday off the trails of Minnow Springs and never returned."
   Lilypaw gasped. Runningtear was lost? How could it be? He was so dilligent and capable of anything Cloudstar asked. Why, Lilypaw thought he's make an excellent leader someday. The she remembered something else: Runningtear was her mentor.

   Cloudstar rose to the highrock and bellowed out a silence warning. A calming quietness rippled throughout the clan, stunned.
   Clearing her throat, the honorable leader began her speech. "Now, I know this is tragic for all of us, but we shall not solve any of this chaos by adding more chaos." She glared at her clanmates with pearly eyes. "We will solve this chaos by being oraganized." She turned to her deputy. "Swiftheart will organize search patrols to lead out throughout teh day towards Minnow Springs' path. That is all we can do for now."
   "Wait!" Lilypaw's squeaky voice echoed over the camp. "Runningtear was my mentor. Who will mentor me?"

   Cloudstar scanned the warriors. "Badgertail is young, witty, and ready to learn. Badgertail, to become a better warrior, you must teach. I know you are a young warrior, but this is good practice. Do you take the offer to be Lilypaw's temporary mentor?"
   "I do! Oh I do!" Badgertail exclaimed. Then he cleared his throat when he saw his clanmates' confused stares. "Uh, I mean, I do."
   Cloudstar dipped her head. "Good. Swiftheart, please announce the first patrols."

Lilypaw never heard the first patrols. Badgertail as her mentor! She was prancing around the camp all afternoon.

***

"Thrushpaw, enough fun and games, I want you to go clena the elders for ticks today." Unfortunately, this was Snakestripe, Thurshpaw's mentor.
   "But why?" Thrushpaw wailed, eyebrows arched in disbelief.
   Snakestripe straightened his posture. "It is part of your apprentice duties. All apprentices must begin elder work on day seven. Now take yourself to Bluegaze like a warrior and ask for some honey pulp."
   It has been one fabulous week being an apprnetice until this dreadful day. Thrushpaw groaned and dragged himself to Bluegaze's den. Inside, his sister greeted him, a smile plastered on her face.
   "Hello Thrushpaw! Anything i acn help you with?" She cheerily said.
   "I need some honey sap to clean the elders' coats."
   Gingerpaw looked confused. "Are you sure Snakestripe said honey sap?" She questioned uncertainly. "Because the proper herb to clena elders' coats os honey pulp."

   Bleugaze gave her apprentice a grin. "Well done Gingerpaw!" She beamed. Gingerpaw blushed and handed her brother the honey pulp. Thrushpaw angrily picke dup the awful-tasting herbs and proceeded to the smelly elders den. He could almost hear the old cats' bickering form miles away.