Warrior Cats: Rising Smoke

Chapter 1

Sparrowpaw smiled to himself as he admired his reflection in the little pool of water that had collected on the ground. He was a very handsome tom with his broad shoulders, thick head, unique markings and color that matched the clans most beloved Sunheart. Why didn't Ivybranch find him handsome and irresistible? Even if she didn't love his fiery pelt, how could she not be intrigued by a chosen cat of Starclan? If she was a Medicine Cat and supposed to be the bridge between clans and Starclan, shouldn't a chosen cat be the perfect soulmate? Starclan would have to bless them if they had chosen him for something great. Maybe he had to work harder at training to become the best at everything. Cloudpelt was the best hunter, but if he worked hard enough, he could bring in more mice than Cloudpelt, and maybe then Ivybranch would notice how he supported his clan.

"Sparrowpaw? Sparrowpaw!" The loud shrieking voice finally cut into his thoughts and Sparrowpaw looked up ready to snap at whoever had interrupted his reflective time. His eyes met with his sister Brightpaw's and he let out  groan. Her always chipper attitude and never wilting smile drove him up a tree. Nothing made her mad or put her in a foul mood and he hated her for it. Why did she always have to be so happy?

"What do you want?" he barked, turning away from the small puddle of water in hopes that Brightpaw wouldn't know what he was doing.

"Patchpelt said he wants us for a patrol."

"He wants us?" Sparrowpaw mocked. "You are the most useless apprentice."

"Ha-Ha very funny." Brightpaw rolled her eyes which only infuriated Sparrowpaw further. He was clearly trying to be mean but she always found a way to twist it around into some kind of joke.

"I think I heard that Dawnstar wants to make you a Warrior before everyone else." Sparrowpaw muttered almost as if it were to himself.

"Dawnstar said that? Really?" Brightpaw's ear perked and she thrust out her chest. "I knew she would notice how hard I've been practicing."

"Dawnstar is eager to make you all Warriors," came the very stern voice of Appleblaze as he approached the apprentices. His fierce gaze met Sparrowpaw's and he knew the Warrior had heard everything. "She is so proud of how you have been practicing." he added.

"I can't wait for my test," Brightpaw boasted. "I'll pass it faster than any apprentice before me."

"I know you will." Appleblaze purred. Sparrowpaw grimaced as his sister bounded off.

"You don't have to be so mean." Appleblaze criticized, as he whipped his head around and gave Sparrowpaw a nasty look. "She's as good as any apprentice and has a heart of gold."

"So you're saying Brightpaw is a better hunter than me?" Sparrowpaw taunted. The Warrior was clearly annoyed and his pelt bristled slightly. The power he had over others felt good, and Sparrowpaw enjoyed making other cats squirm as he twisted their words and made them question things.

"I never said she was a better hunter," Appleblaze faltered. 

"That's right. Because you know I'm the best hunter and fighter out of all the apprentices. It's not my fault I'm chosen by Starclan and I will be leader one day."

"Not sure Starclan said anything about you being leader." 

Sparrowpaw's eyes narrowed at Appleblaze who looked uncomfortable. "We'll see about that." he whispered as he pushed past the older Warrior and joined his mentor Patchpelt and the gathering patrol.

"There you are Sparrowpaw," Patchpelt greeted him. "We're going by the old Treeclan border and Mountainclan border today."

"I can't wait!" Brightpaw bounced up and down like a little baby bird. "Maybe we will see some of the Mountainclan apprentices."