Storm: The Storm That Poured

Chapter 7:

        The following day dawned hot and dry. By now, the whole Clan knew about the drought. As she walked, dirt crumbled under her paws as if it hadn't ever touched water. Her tongue was parched. Training felt like it would never end. She was so close to being made a warrior, Dappledfeather told her. She stepped out of the apprentices' den to see Waspflight and Sparrowwing sitting in the clearing under one of the scare patches of shade. Dappledfeather was waiting just next to the den. 
        "Since there is a drought, Cedarstar has told me one of your final assessments is to see how you last. He has told me you are to spend a day out of camp hunting for yourself, while fending for yourself, and if you do, you pass," Dappledfeather started. "Get ready, it's today."
        He had already told her of this the day before, but he would go into more detail today. "Where will I be for this?" she asked.
        "Cedarstar said I will escort you to an unclaimed part of territory, and you will have to last there. He told me you have to fight something such as a badger or fox, find a water source, catch enough prey for yourself and something for the elders to share, and go far enough that you will have to find your own way home," Dappledfeather finished.
        Lightpaw felt her belly squirm with worry, "Is the water one necessary?"
        Dappledfeather shook his head. "No, but it's only a bonus if you do find one close enough for us to get to." 
        She gave her ear a vigorous scratch with her hind paw. "Do I have to spend the night?"
        "Yes, now we set off now." Dappledfeather signaled over to Waspflight, who came over in seconds.
        "Will I become a warrior after this?" If I make it. . . She didn't finish that thought, but her question still hung in the air.
        "Likely yes." Dappledfeather smiled, licking her ear comfortingly. "I talked to Icepool and Mistpaw, they said you should be okay without herbs."
        Lightpaw gulped. "I'll be okay."
        Waspflight whispered into her ear, "You'll do great."
        The rest of the way Lightpaw just thought about her mother. Lightpaw felt a rush of excitement for the chance to be doing this.
        "This is where we leave you," Dappledfeather meowed.
        "I'll try my best." Lightpaw felt hope rising in her chest.
        Once they were gone, she looked at the grass. It's green color was faded, and it crunched under her paws. She could see Dappledfeather and Waspflight padding back through the trees. She was on the moor, unclaimed territory. The hot sun beat on her back, sweat going through her fur. She crouched, trying to think of a way to stop the sun from getting to her. She looked around, not far away were some trees and bushes, she knew that wasn't part of Sunclan territory. She made her way over to the bushes, stepping quietly. She could smell the heavy scent of a mouse. She crouched, careful not to shake the bushes. She caught the mouse, biting into it's small neck to kill it. She ignored the grumbling of her stomach as she carried it with her. She needed something to bring back to the Clan. All the prey was thin, not eating nor drinking enough to be decently sized.
        She walked around until the sun was high in the sky, for what felt like moons. Her head spun, she wasn't sure if she was walking in a straight line anymore. The world spun around her, and she almost fainted, if it weren't for a light breeze. She heard a growl next to her. Her eyes widened as a fox crept out of the bushes she was just in. She jumped onto it, scratching at it's muzzle. She felt pain score through her stomach as it's long pointy claw ripped through her. Blood stained the parched grass. She bit it's ear, until it revealed it's throat. She dug her claws into the throat of the fox, and bit into it's neck. She just killed the fox, now it was time to find more prey.

        She slept through the night. She made it. All Lightpaw needed to do now was get back to the border safely, where Dappledfeather said he would wait until sunhigh. She followed the flattened grass, where she walked yesterday. 
        He was waiting for her at the spot he left her yesterday. He looked at her, his face twisting into a worried expression.
        "I tried to tell Cedarstar leaving you out overnight wasn't a good idea." Dappledfeather meowed. "When Maplepuddle found out, she got really upset."
        "I didn't manage to find any water," she rasped.
        "You don't sound so good," Dappledfeather commented. "Let's get you back to Icepool and Mistpaw."
        The walk back to camp was a blur, when she got back, Waspflight ran up to her.
        "Everyone in camp thinks you were out on a late night and early morning training session," Waspflight explained to her.
        Twilightnose was walking out of the warriors' den when she spotted her. 
        "Lightpaw! There you are. How was training?" Her mother's eyes shone with pride.
        "She's a little overheated, so I'm taking her to Mistpaw and Icepool," Dappledfeather meowed hurriedly, trying to avoid conversation with her.
        "Twilightnose!" Minnowpelt's voice rang through camp. "I need you for a hunting patrol!"
        After she visited the medicine den, she rested in the apprentices' den, everything was perfect at that moment.