Warrior Cats: The Four Clans

Chapter Two

Moonpaws pale blue eyes slowly wedged open, the blinding light upsetting her deep sleep. She mewled, aroused by the different environment. Why is the light so startling to me? Ive seen enough sunlight in my life to not be so disturbed by it! Her pelt felt hot with embarrassment, wondering what her Clanmates were thinking. She slowly attempted to lift her head to look, when she realized it hurt her stiff neck. She tried again, mewling like a kit in the process.

"Her fur is silver like the moon," a heavenly voice purred proudly. "She is Moonkit." Moonpaw tilted her head in confusion and annoyance. I'm an apprentice, mouse-brain! She snarled. Suddenly, gentle teeth bit into her scruff and she was lifted into the air, swaying by the she-cats mouth. Moonpaw opened her mouth in a pouting wail, wiggling her tiny body back and forth. Her little claws flexed angrily, warning this strange cat not to go further. Finally, after what seemed like moons, her paws touched the soft surface once again. Heres my chance! She thought; she collected all of her energy and leapt away. But when she landed, her paws scrabbled unsteadily on the moist ground, as if shed never learned how to walk. Mouse dung! She spat. Move, you stupid paws!

The she-cat bent down to chuckle softly in Moonpaws ear. "Careful now, little one." It murmured. "No need to get hurt."

Moonpaw's lips curled into a snarl, and she caught a breath of the strange cats sharp scent. Milk, she realized with a start. But that could only mean...

The voice managed another giggle, her sweet, icy breath dangling over Moonpaws nose. "My lovely daughter, do hold still!"

Moonpaw awoke with a gasp, flailing her paws about the den. Her heartbeats throbbed inside her chest; her claws were unsheathed. Badgerpaw padded over with an annoyed expression of his face.

"Would you keep it down? Some of us actually sleep at night!" The feisty tom spat.

"Sorry," Moonpaw muttered, still dazed by her dream. This was the reoccurring nightmare that shed had for the past couple of months about her birth mother. Oh, how she wished she was still alive! How nice it would be to have a mother to cuddle with and to brag about her newly learned skills to. Managing a muffled sigh, she slowly drifted into the clearing, her eyes glazed over.

"Moonpaw!" Redleaf called out. The silver apprentice bounded over to the honorable Clan deputy, the traces of her nightmare vanishing. 
                "Yes?" she queried excitedly.

"Youre on border patrol. Were leaving right now."

Moonpaw nodded, wondering who else had been chosen. Her pelt prickled with delight. Her first border patrol! Her pale blue eyes sparkling, she hurried over to the bramble entrance. Glancing around, Moonpaw noted that, besides Redleaf and herself, Whitebird, Maplenose, and Thrushpaw were joining them. Redleaf carefully checked that every cat was there, and then flicked his tail as a signal to set out.

Moonpaw fell comfortably in step beside one of her apprentice friends, Thrushpaw, her whiskers tingling with enthusiasm. "Isnt this amazing, Thrushpaw?" she asked, batting leaves that scuttled by. The end of greenleaf was sending leaves churning around from the new winds of leaf-fall.
                Thrushpaw sighed. "Yeah, it's pretty cool," he admitted, lashing his golden tail.

Detecting his irritation, the silver she-cat bounded forward, catching up to Redleaf who was diligently leading the patrol. He turned to the eager apprentice, his eyes expressing a glint of humor. "Are we near the WindClan border yet?" he questioned her. Moonpaw lifted her head, her mouth opened and scenting. She smelled prey scuttling about, but now was not the time to hunt. Pine leaves, RiverClan scent... "WindClan!" she squealed. "I smell WindClan! Were very close," She fluffed out her silver fur, proud of her scenting skills.
                Maplenose gave a mrrww of amusement as Redleaf grinned. "Correct," he chuckled, flicking his whiskers at the strong WindClan scent. Soon, the ferns that marked their border came into view. Moonpaws paws itched with excitement, and she darted over to the border. A ginger tail struck out in front of her; it was Redleaf. He shook his head gingerly. "Watch how Whitebird does it," he whispered patiently.

Whitebird nodded, padding over to the leafy foliage to re-mark the beginning of their territory. Suddenly, she halted in mid-step. Lifting her nose, her eyes clouded with worry and confusion.

"What is it?" Redleaf asked, concern flooding his voice.
                Whitebird turned to them. "Rogues!" she growled. "Rogues have been on our border!"