Warriors: A shadow in the light

Chapter 1

Willowpaw rose from the surface, carrying a large carp in her jaws. Grinning, the silver she-cat set down the fish next to Marshpaw, her littermate. 

Marshpaw gaped at the carp. "what the heck?" 

"I caught it," Willowpaw exclaimed proudly. "Isn't it huge? This could feed the whole of Lakeclan."

"hmm," Marshpaw sniffed. "The fish have been quite large this season, considering the drought."

"what?"

The reddish-brown tom stood up and stretched his front paws. "Look," He said, pointing with his paw. "The water is usually up to here, along the grass. But now the water has gone down, so you can see the mud sticking up here." 

Willowpaw shrugged. "Makes no sense to me." The she-cat suddenly gasped and launched herself into the water. 

Marshpaw waded in after her. Willowpaw resurfaced, grappling a carp the size of herself. The carp wriggled in her grip, attempting to swim away but Marshpaw reacted quickly. Leaping onto the side of its body, He hauled the fish onto the bank of the lake, where the water washed downstream into a river.

The two apprentices lay panting next to the catch as Berrypelt pushed his way through the reeds. 

"Willowpaw! Marshpaw! I told you to stay close to the river! Why are you fishing in the lake?" Willowpaw could feel the medicine cat's gaze burning down on her. 

"W-we're sorry..." Marshpaw said.

Willowpaw weaved around her brother. "The carp were basking in the lake," She said defiantly. "They wouldn't have any reason to swim downstream, in this time of Greenleaf." She flicked her tail at the two carps. "and aren't they huge?" Willowpaw added in a lower voice. 

Berrypelt sighed, his brown fur rippling in the wind. The medicine cat looked up at the darkening sky. "Rain's coming," He commented. "You two can bring those back to camp, then meet me by the big willow tree. I don't want all that moss getting wet after we spent all morning collecting it." 

"Yes, Berrypelt," Marshpaw dipped his head and picked up the biggest carp in his jaws. Willowpaw followed her brother back to camp. 

"No way!" Fernkit scampered into the clearing, followed by her brothers Whitekit and Redkit. She skidded to a halt at the carp. "It's almost as big as you!" The dark she-kit raced to where her father, Bluestar rested beneath the Willow tree. "Bluestar!" 

The Lakeclan leader gazed at his daughter, who was weaving excitedly between his legs. "Come and see the fish Marshpaw and Willowpaw caught! they're huge!" 

By now almost half the clan had gathered. Leopardpaw shuffled out of the elders den, with scraps of moss still on her forepaws, and Piketail stepped forward to admire the catch. Frostpelt and Voletooth stood up from their washing.

Bluestar gazed at the carp for a moment. "And you two caught these by the lake, you said?" 

Marshpaw nodded. 

Willowpaw circled her brother nervously. 

Bluestar beckoned Hawktalon, Lakeclan's deputy, Reedfur and Pebblefoot. "Come to my den," The blue-tabby ordered. With a sideways glance at Marshpaw and Willowpaw, he said, "I think it's time for their warrior assessment."