Warrior Cats: Rising Smoke

Chapter 4

"I didn't have a choice anymore." Dawnstar argued. "Falconstar would have taken physical action to get the empty territory. If I didn't say anything then there could have been an all out war for it."

"Yes but now we have two random apprentices who are thrown into this." Ivybranch explained. "Poor Marshpaw and Fawnpaw have no idea what's going on and now we have to waste our time pretending they were chosen by Starclan."

"That was an unforeseen consequence," Dawnstar agreed, a little embarrassed.

"Bet you wish I had been there to get those two apprentices in line." Sparrowpaw whispered. 

"I don't know if they will be as big a problem as we think." Cloverpaw shrugged. "Marshpaw is close to becoming a Warrior and seems to have her wits about her."

"Yes." Ivybranch agreed thoughtfully, having heard what Cloverpaw said to Sparrowpaw. "I guess I'm mostly worried about Fawnpaw who is barely an Apprentice as it is. And I do agree Marshpaw seems to be level headed for a Mountainclan cat, but now we have to babysit these two on top of actually trying to put a fourth clan back into the forest."

"We?" Sparrowpaw lifted his chin defiantly. "Unless something has changed I'm pretty sure its Cloverpaw and I who were chosen by Starclan."

There was an awkward silence for a moment before Ivybranch gave a hesitant nod.

"That is true." she said slowly. "But that doesn't mean you can't accept help."

"I don't remember Starclan saying it was Dawnstar and Ivybranch who would put together a fourth clan." he continued. 

"Watch your tone," Dawnstar warned. "I am still your leader and Ivybranch your Medicine Cat and direct connection to Starclan. I don't care if you were chosen, but you will show some respect."

"Sorry," Sparrowpaw muttered but Cloverpaw knew there was no meaning behind the word. They were dismissed from the den and the brothers padded out and back into camp where the dawn patrol was getting ready to leave.

"You should be more careful with what you say." Cloverpaw warned his brother. 

"They want to tell us what to do when they weren't chosen by Starclan." Sparrowpaw hissed. "If Starclan didn't trust our judgement, our skills, and our ideas, they wouldn't have chosen us at all. It is just insulting that they keep treating us like little kits to boss around. We are almost Warriors and should be treated with the same respect as any other Warrior."

"Sparrowpaw!" Swiftshine bounded over. "I'm going out hunting with Cloudpelt and Voletail. Want to come join us? I heard you caught the most prey yesterday."

Cloverpaw watched his brothers chest puff up with pride and his ears flick forward. Cloverpaw rolled his eyes at Sparrowpaw's arrogance but didn't' say anything. It was his arrogance that also made him determined, smart, and cunning. He might be difficult sometimes, but he was also very loyal when he wanted to be.

The look of longing in Swiftshine's eyes made Cloverpaw's heart break a little since he knew his brother would probably never have the patience to take on a mate. Especially one as needy as Swiftshine.

"I will have to ask Thistletalon," Sparrowpaw started but Swiftshine shook her head.

"He already said it was okay." the eagerness in her voice was evident and Coverpaw hoped his brother wouldn't be too rude to the she-cat.

"Then I guess it is my duty to feed my clan." Sparrowpaw agreed. Cloverpaw watched as he followed Swiftshine who had a new bounce to her step. 

"He's ridiculous." Brightpaw came up next to him and laughed. "Swiftshine would do anything for him. She would follow him anywhere and he just doesn't care."