AshClan's Future {COMPLETE}

Chapter 14

Riverpaw quickly padded up to Goldenstar's den, she could see her leader eating a small mouse in the dimly lit den. "Good morning, Goldenstar!" She called to her mentor.

Goldenstar looked up from her prey and met her apprentice's gaze. "Good morning, Riverpaw."

"How are you feeling?" Riverpaw questioned.

"Better every day." Goldenstar purred. "Ready for your assignment today?"

"Of course!" When Goldenstar got sick, instead of giving Riverpaw a temporary mentor, she would just go to Goldenstar's den each day and be given something to do. Then Riverpaw would come back and tell Goldenstar everything she did. Sometimes Riverpaw would join battle training with either her sister or Graypaw, and she usually did so much better than either of them.

When Riverpaw had come across Goldenstar dying, she had been incredibly shaken. She was taken back to Silverstripe's death. She also learned that Goldenstar only had two lives which had scared her. I never want to lose Goldenstar, she's the greatest mentor in the whole forest!

Riverpaw had done her best to ignore these fears, she knew that Goldenstar was a strong leader and those two lives would last a long time. She's not going anywhere any time soon. Riverpaw always had to remind herself.

"Today I want you to go hunting by the SunClan border, we haven't hunted there much so try and get as much prey as you can. Our fresh-kill pile is running low." Goldenstar explained. "Also, take Echopaw and Graypaw with you."

Riverpaw flattened her ears. "Why? Can't I hunt by myself?"

Goldenstar chuckled. "I want you to take charge in a hunting party, lead Echopaw and Graypaw and give them some orders. Don't boss them around, but show them some tips. You can tell both Dustclaw and Ripplestep that I said I want you three to go hunting. Just stay out of trouble."

"Understood." Riverpaw liked the idea of being in charge of her sister, plus it would give her practice at being a leader! She sought out both apprentices and found Graypaw first. "Goldenstar wants me to lead a hunting party with you and Echopaw." She explained.

"You leading us?" Graypaw narrowed his eyes. "I don't know if I like the sound of that."

Riverpaw rolled her eyes. "I won't be bossy, I promise." She assured him.

"I guess." Graypaw stood up. "Let's go get Echopaw." They found Echopaw by the apprentice den.

"Hey, Echopaw!" Riverpaw called, trotting up to her. "Goldenstar wants me to lead a hunting party with you and Graypaw. We're going to the SunClan border."

Echopaw seemed just as unsure as Graypaw did. "Really?"

Riverpaw sighed. "You can check with Goldenstar if you want, and I won't be bossy." Riverpaw urged. "We're wasting time."

"Fine, fine." Echopaw rose to her paws. "Let me just make sure with Ripplestep..."

"Whatever." Riverpaw groaned. After double checking with both their mentors and Goldenstar once more, the three apprentices ventured out into the snowy forest.

"How's Lilypaw doing?" Echopaw checked with Graypaw.

"Better." Graypaw replied. "She's all but got rid of her cough. She should be out of the medicine cat den soon."

"Rainsong got released today right?"

"Yeah, and Spiderheart should be next. That just leaves Lilyaw and Owlstorm."

"It's such a shame about Tawnyfrost." Echopaw mewed sadly. "But I've heard Petalkit and Leafkit are super cute. I can't wait to see them."

She's so worried about such trivial things. Riverpaw thought silently. That's what makes us different.