The wind swept over the trees, making the trees sway back and forth. A young silver she-cat looked around the clearing. The season of leaf-fall was just beginning. Leaves rustled as the young silver apprentice passed over to the fresh kill pile.
Dawnpaw! Dawnpaw! called Willowpaw, Dawnpaws best friend.
What? she replied turning around to face him.
Bramblefoot is looking for you. He wants to begin your training! panted Willowpaw coming to a stop in front of her. He wants to meet you at the camp entrance at sun-high.
Dawnpaw gazed up at the sky. It would still be a while before sun-high.
Wanna share a piece of fresh kill? she asked him.
No thank you. I already had my share this morning while you were sleeping. he meowed. and Icestorm is going to take me hunting at the Rabbit Hollows.
Oh, okay. Maybe Specklefur hasnt eaten yet. she said with a hint of disappointment in her voice.
She shook her head and smiled at him. Willowpaw padded off and Dawnpaw decided to head towards the medicine cat den.
A loud shuffling came from inside the medicine cats den. Dawnpaw walked inside the dark den.
Hello? she meowed nervously. Its Dawnpaw. Is Specklefur here? she called at no place in particular.
Yes, answered the sweet voice of Specklefur. are you in need of anything, Dawnpaw? she asked.
Dawnpaws eyes adjusted to the darkness and she could she a slender figure of Specklefur.
How did you know it was me? she questioned.
You can tell by your scent and voice. replied Specklefur. Youll learn more about it when you train with Bramblefoot. she reassured her.
Cool, I cant wait. Do you want to share a bit of fresh kill together? I bet your hungry from working so hard. she wondered.
Oh sure, Id love to. approved Specklefur. She lead the wait out of the den, Dawnpaw proceeded behind her.
They both padded towards the fresh kill pile. Dawnpaw flicked her tail at a large vole.
This one? she asked.
Sure. Specklefur meowed approvingly.
Dawnpaw picked it up and carried it under a tree. She sat down and waited patiently for Specklefur to settle herself down.
You may have the first bite. said Dawnpaw.
Specklefur nodded her thanks and took a bite of the vole. Dawnpaw joined in and soon it was all gone.
That was a satisfying meal. Thanks. smiled Specklefur.
Whoa! Im going to be late. realized Dawnpaw. She dashed off towards the entrance before Specklefur was able to reply.
Im here. squealed Dawnpaw.
Good, I want to go over the basic crouches to use for hunting. Bramblefoot meowed.
Lets go over to Rabbit Hollows to train. he ordered. Bramblefoot quickly ran to Rabbit Hollows. Dawnpaw scampered behind enthusiastically.
Coming to a stop they entered through some small trees and into an area with lots of rocks and grass.
Dawnpaw felt exposed out in the open, but kept her gaze to her mentor to follow his direct instructions.
Okay, let me teach you the basic hunting crouch. mewed Bramblefoot. He showed off how to do it. Dawnpaw repeated the move.
Excellent! praised Bramblefoot. Dawnpaw blushed in embarrassment.
Thanks. Dawnpaw said.
Okay I think we should get going. Bramblefoot said watching the sunset. They have been training for along time. Dawnpaw had accomplished the crouches for hunting. She was overwhelmed with excitement, tomorrow she would get to catch her first prey.
Bramblefoot and Dawnpaw headed back to camp. Before they reached the entrance Dawnpaw smelled something. The sweet smell of rabbit filled her nostrils. Instantly remembering what she learned she got into a crouch and crept forward, towards a brown figure shifting in the bushes. It looked up noticing her and started hopping away, but she was too quick for it. She jumped onto it killing it with one bite.
Bramblefoot purred in amazement at what she caught. She smiled with the rabbit hanging limp in her jaws. Lifting up her head proudly.
Since its you first catch you may have it for yourself. With a nod of her head she thanked him. She could taste the delicious rodent in her mouth. All of her senses open around her. They went through the brambles and into the camp. A few heads turned to look at them.
Dawnpaw ran to the apprentices den. She was obviously looking for Willowpaw, to show him, her big, plump, juicy catch.
Hes not in there. mumbled a voice for the elders den. She looked behind her. A old white tom, with gray feet and face approached her. It was Onewhisker.
Hello Onewhisker. greeted Dawnpaw.
Hello Dawnpaw, Willowpaw went on patrol with Icestorm, Shadowtail, and Cloudfeather. He should be back soon. announced Onewhisker to Dawnpaw.
I wanted to.. Dawnpaw was interrupted by a rustling sound from the brambles at the camp entrance. Sure enough a black, brown, and white tabby tom cat came from the entrance with Icestorm, Shadowtail, and Cloudfeather trailing behind. All of them carrying fresh kill for the clan.
Dawnpaw padded over to Willowpaw and mewed a greeting. Hey Willowpaw, look at my first catch. Willowpaw nodded. A glimmer of happiness in his eyes. Wow, thats a big one! Good job! he mewed. Willowpaw put the prey he was carrying down on the fresh kill pile and touch noses with her.
Dawnpaw smiled happily. She always had thing for Willowpaw since they were kits and Silverwhisker found him and his brother Skypaw when he was hunting outside. She longed for him to feel the same way, but she never really shared her feelings to him yet. She tried, but every time someone interrupted or she couldnt.
Ill tell him eventually, at the right moment she thought.
Would you like to share a piece of fresh kill with me? she asked. He nodded. Sure. he mewed.
She lead him under a big white oak and took a bite, then she pushed it to him, motioning him to take a bite. He agreed take a bite. Back and forth they ate until it was soon gone.
That was a satisfying meal. she mewed. She stared out to Silverpelt. Wearily, she stood and walked slowly to the apprentices den. Lying down in a nice pile of moss she turned into circles until she got into a comfortable position. She relaxed herself, closing her eyes.
She could feel Willowpaw brush against her fur, wrapping his tail around her. Before long she drifted asleep.
A swift breeze came quickly, ruffling her fur. Dawnpaw looked around. Then her eye caught some ginger fur. She got a full view of the cat and saw that it was her Mother. murmured Dawnpaw in shock.
I must warn you.watch out for a new member. spoke her mother who slowly disappeared the fog.
Wait! What do you mean!? She called out, her voice echoing.
She woke up with a start.
Are you okay? asked Willowpaw yawning. Dawnpaw blinked her eyes and nodded.
Sorry! It was just a dream. she mewed getting up to shake the moss off her pelt. She stretched her legs out and padded out of the den. She blinked her eyes as it adjusted to the sunlight. She walked over to the fresh kill pile, noticing how low it was.
Willowpaw stood by her side. Do you want to go hunting? he asked.
Sure! Id love to! she mewed enthusiastically. Maybe then I can tell him how I feel. she murmured.
What was that? asked Willowpaw.
Oh nothing! said Dawnpaw quickly. She lead the way to the entrance and a scent swept over her.
Rouge she whispered. Then she repeated herself loud this time as she saw two cats walking up the slope.
Dawnpaw hissed as the two cats approached.
Who are you? she questioned.
A she-cat with a tortoiseshell pelt walked up. My name is Brooke. mewed the she cat who narrowed her eyes. and.. This is my brother Storm. she said flicking her tail to a silver tom. We wish to join your she turned her head to her brother who stepped forward. clan. he finished.
Dawnpaw glared at the she-cat, her eyes glancing over the she-cats slender, well fed body, and shiny pelt. Come with us. she demanded and stalked off towards the leader, who was just finishing off her vole and having a conversation with some of the senior warriors and her deputy. She looked up. Yes, what may I do for you Dawnpaw? she asked gently.
We found two rouges wishing to join our clan. she explained to Snowstar, flicking her tail to the two cats.
Ah.I see, okay.. she said turning to the two cats. Please follow me to my den. Snowstar said directing her tail to the two cats to her cave den. Without an answer Snowstar turned a round and went towards her den.
The two cats looked at each other than followed. Dawnpaw watched the cats leave and let out a hiss.
Well you didnt have to be so rude. said Willowpaw as they left the camp to hunt.
I was just making sure they didnt try anything, I havent even started my fighting lessons yet. We need to stand our ground. replied Dawnpaw.
And you think treating someone or standing your ground will make them less likely attack you? asked Willowpaw.
Well- Dawnpaw was cut off when she saw a mouse scurry across the grass and into the moss. She leaped but missed, because the mouse noticed her and ran into a hole.
Your not going to catch a mouse that way..you have to be more silent. said Willowpaw. He continued on and passed her. He had his eye on a bird and silently climbed a tree with ease. The next thing you see is a bird in the mouth of Willowpaw and feathers falling to the ground.
See? he said through a mouth full of fur. He leaped off the tree and took his paw and playfully tagged her nose. Ha. he said. She smiled. Okay.but remember, girls can do ANYTHING! Dawnpaw said.
Right..he said and continued on.
When they got back to camp a nice cool breeze swept through her fur. She shivered. Fall is on its way. she thought and went to Icestorm.
Hey Icestorm, may I speak to you? she asked.
Go ahead. said Icestorm pushing a fat mouse to the side of her.
Have you heard the news about the two rogues who wish to join Frostclan? asked Dawnpaw.
Yeah. I heard that their siblings whose mother died protecting them from a badger. They seem really nice, I hope Snowstar allows them to join. Leaf-bare can be really atrocious and we need some strong new warriors. stated Icestorm.
Okay. I just wanted to make sure you knew, bye. said Dawnpaw.
The leader, Snowstar, jumped on to the rock. May everyone gather around for a clan meeting. she yowled across the clearing, below her were the two rouges. Dawnpaw felt a pit in her stomache.
