✔️ Warriors | On the path | Book #1

Chapter 14

"Today is time for your assessment." Foxtail said, he faced Brightpaw with pride in his eyes. Whitepaw and Darkpaw were beside Brightpaw while Redberry and Dustpelt were beside Foxtail, looking down at their apprentices. Dustpelt had a warm smile while Redberry started at his apprentice with satisfaction, as if knowing she'll pass. Brightpaw shifted on her spot nervously, she imagined this would be a happy and joyful moment for her, to finally become a warrior. But without Frostpaw, it suddenly seems so hollow. "You need to catch as much prey as you can, we'll be watching you closely. Good luck." Foxtail said, Brightpaw looked at Darkpaw who seemed to be blooming with pride already while Whitepaw looked very determined. "I'll head to the middle, Brightpaw you go hunt to the right side and Darkpaw head to the left side, there are less trees so it should be easy for you." Whitepaw spoke, Darkpaw and Brightpaw only gave a brief nod, none of them complaining. Brightpaw watched as her denmates turned ahead, determined and excited for this assignment. Brightpaw took a deep breath and turned to the right side of the forest, padding forward. As she walked deeper and deeper, this place was more surrounded by trees.

She now understands why Whitepaw picked Brightpaw to be here, and that's because Darkpaw can't climb all that well. 'Nice thinking, Whitepaw.' Brightpaw opened her mouth, tasting the air. She picked up a scent of a bird, she followed the scent towards a tree, she tilted her head up to spot the bird. Looks like it's on the tree, she'll have to climb up to get it. Brightpaw looked around, she noticed a tree close beside this one, this branch was way closer to her and at one point the two branches cross together, just where the bird is. Perfect. If she picks a different tree, she most likely won't alert the bird. Brightpaw jumped into the tree, digging her claws in before she began to climb up, pushing her hind legs forward. Once she made it to the branch, she looked up and leaped to the next one, she lost balance a little but regained it, sighing with relief. Her heart was beating so loudly she was sure even the bird could hear it from there. As Brightpaw continued to climb up the tree, jumping from branch to branch she was now close to the bird. Brightpaw didn't look down, she can't have fear overwhelm her thoughts now. As she jumped onto the final branch, she was trying her best to remain quiet.

The bird was facing the other way, if the bird turned it's head to Brightpaw it will fly off any second, she has to leap for it now! Brightpaw quickly pushed her hind legs forward and leaped at the bird, biting it. The bird flapped it's wings before it became still under Brightpaw's jaws, it's clear the bird is dead. Brightpaw began to climb down the tree, though she wasn't afraid of heights the thought of her falling down and maybe dying is stuck to her mind, so she's careful while climbing down. Brightpaw gave one final leap, her paws touching the ground as she sighed with relief. Her ears twitched, she might as well grab something else and she should be about done. After all, it's almost leaf-bare which means there won't be much prey around, making it harder to hunt. Brightpaw left her bird she caught hidden under a bush before padding off, looking for more. Brightpaw tasted the air, looking around but she couldn't taste anything besides the fresh blood from the bird. Brightpaw licked her jaws, maybe she should move further into the forest, she has to be careful not to cross into MoonClan's territory though.

Brightpaw's ears twitched, she heard a sound. It sounded like it's coming from behind the bush, she dropped into hunters crouch and began to pad forward. Her eyes glued to the bush, wondering what's on the other side. She popped her head out, her eyes scanned the clearing. There was a mouse, it wasn't aware of her at all. Brightpaw ducked down again, she crept forward and into the bush. She held her breath, she could see the mouse was still in its place, wary of it's surroundings but it wasn't facing her way. Brightpaw prepared to leap, waiting for the right moment. As the mouse looked towards Brightpaw's way, Brightpaw noticed that the mouse spotted her, she quickly leaped out and killed the mouse, it almost escaped under her claws but she managed to catch it somehow. Brightpaw picked up the mouse in her jaws, satisfied. This should be enough, she can't smell any prey nearby right now. Brightpaw padded back to the place where she hid her bird, she took it in her jaws too before she began to walk back to the camp. Once she reached, to her surprise Foxtail was already there, his gaze was warm with pride.